USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1913 > Part 90
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A native of Mahaska county, Iowa, his birth having occurred there, Angust 9, 1865, Cassius M. Phinney moved to Nebraska with his parents, John B. and Mary (Steward) Phinney, of Ohio. He
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received his education in York and Thayer counties, Nebr., applying himself to his studies with such diligence that he was enabled to graduate at an early age. Upon completing the high school course he entered the engineering corps of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad and studied surveying with them for two years. Then for about two years he was county surveyor at Lincoln, and in 1887 came to Sacramento, where he secured a situation as assistant city engineer, serving faithfully during the succeeding nineteen years. In 1906 he was elected county surveyor, taking the office in January, 1907, and conducting this office one term, after which he became associated with Cate & Marshall, the latter of whom served as city engineer of Roseville, Cal., and by means of their united skill, they succeeded in establishing an excellent business, embracing particu- larly plans for reclamation and irrigation enterprises, street work and sub-divisions.
Mr. Phinney's mother passed away in Seattle, Wash., in 1904, and his sister Carrie and his father share his well appointed home. His elder brother, H. S. Phinney, resides in Seattle, Wash., where he is well known as a successful fruit commission man, and save for occasional visits to California, thus far prefers the North as a perma- nent domicile.
Mr. Phinney is an active member of Sequoia Camp No. 104, M. W. A., Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. E., and is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the home offices of which last named organization are located in New York City, and by his exemplary conduct and deep interest in public affairs is' recognized as a citizen of remarkable integrity and the highest worth.
SOLOMON RUNYON
The genealogy of the Runyon family is traced back to French ancestors, but several successive generations of the name have been identified with American history. Michael Runyon and wife, the latter of American birth but English parentage, lived upon a planta- tion in Kentucky until their demise when advanced in years. Their son, Armstead, was born and reared in the Blue Grass state, whence he removed to Preble county, Olio, and then became a pioneer of Will county, Ill., during a period so early in the development of the Mississippi valley that Chicago was still a frontier trading post and the rich agricultural section of Northern Illinois wholly undevel- oped and sparsely inhabited. During young manhood he had married Anna Hornbacker, who was born in Ohio of German or Pennsylvania-
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Dutch stock, and with her energetic assistance he had earned a liveli- hood from a tract of unimproved and undeveloped land. Fond of the frontier, a pioneer in every sense of that word, he found his highest enjoyment in the strenuous labors incident to such an existence, and when he heard of the discovery of gold in California he was as eager to join the procession of Argonauts as though he himself had been a stalwart youth in his teens. With his sons, O. R., A. N. and Solo- mon, he left Illinois early in the spring of 1849 and followed the usual route of migration across the plains, arriving safely at Sacra- mento during the middle of September. It was his privilege to wit- ness the memorable era of early Californian development, the rapid accession to the population, the admission of the state into the Union, the growth in wealth from mines and of prosperity from the early expansion of agricultural interests, and with his own past experience amid frontier conditions he was in a position to understand and appreciate the environment of the period as well as the prospects for future development. His death occurred in Santa Rosa, where he had spent the last days of his useful existence.
Upon the frontier farm in Will county, Ill., where for years Armstead and Anna Runyon labored to earn for the family the neces- sities of existence, their son, Solomon, was born November 27, 1827. The neighborhood had not developed a public-school system and he had scant opportunity for acquiring an education, but he learned to read and write and to keep accounts in a primitive manner. The broad knowledge of his later years was wholly self-acquired. Re- maining on the home farm and working for his father until he was twenty-one, he afterward took up the battle of life for himself. When he came to California during 1849 he began to work in the mines, and for two years he pursued the exciting life of a seeker after gold, but the results did not justify further continuance. Accordingly he resumed the occupation which in Illinois had en- gaged his attention. During 1852 he entered one hundred and sixty acres of state land near Schoolcraft, Solano county, and there he settled, spending the next few years in the improvement of the property. September 15, 1859, he bought a ranch twenty-four miles below Sacramento on the river of that name, and there he took up agricultural activities with such success that in 1868 he was able to replace the old home with a modern mansion, which for years ranked as the most elegant residence on the river.
After he had remained a bachelor until middle life Mr. Runyon established a home of his own, being united in marriage, July 23, 1863, with Miss Adaline Bloom, who was born in Missouri and arrived in California September 12, 1850, having been brought across the plains by her parents, William H. Harrison and Delilah Bloom. The only child of her marriage was a daughter, Ora, born January
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18, 1875, and educated in Mills College, Oakland. Her demise occurred November 18, 1905. The landed possessions of Mr. Runyon were enlarged by the purchase, December 13, 1871, of one hundred and fifty-five acres at the head of Andrus island five miles down the river from the old homestead. August 21, 1881, he purchased an adjacent tract of two hundred and eighty-six acres, so that he had in one body four hundred and forty-one acres of rich land. Other acquisitions of property made him one of the largest land owners of the entire valley and much of this vast acreage was planted in fruit trees, so that he ranked among the most extensive orchardists of the locality. In addition he owned considerable property in Sacra- mento and San Francisco.
The landed possessions of Mr. Runyon and the management of the same did not represent the limit of the varied activities of his useful career. Assisting in the incorporation of the California Trans- portation Company, he afterward retained a large amount of stock in the concern and served upon its directorate. For years he was interested in the Sacramento street railway and was one of six men who bought the farm that is now Oak Park, laid out the townsite, and built a residence as a model; and this was virtually the starting of that prosperous suburb of Sacramento. In order to promote through- ont the west an interest in the growing of fruit he identified himself with the State Board of Horticulture, which he served as treasurer at one time and in which he was a member of great influence, his recognized success as an orchardist giving him prestige among those who were seeking to give to horticulture its rightful position near the head of the profitable occupations of the west.
Honored among the pioneers of the state, respected by the rising generation cognizant of his successful supervision of large enterprises, a leader in the charities of the Knights Templar and the Masons of the thirty-second degree, Mr. Runyon was regarded as one of the most influential men of the Sacramento valley, and his death, which occurred May 23, 1896, was regarded as a calamity to the interests of his community. However, with a sagacity equal to his own, his wife took up the supervision of the vast estate of twenty-eight hun- dred acres, divided into six ranches, and she has given intelligent and successful oversight to the important holdings, which are largely devoted to the growing of fruit and vegetables, the raising of grain and alfalfa and the care of dairy products. On two of her ranches she makes a specialty of growing asparagus, having over two hun- dred and fifty acres in that product, and is one of the largest aspara- gus beds in the state. Markets in San Francisco and also local canneries are supplied from these beds. In order to ascertain the condition of every ranch and the needs of the crops, she makes frequent trips to the tracts and gives personal attention to the same.
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Her success is a matter of general observation. While owning and occupying one of the finest residences in Sacramento, situated at No. 1801 H street, and holding a position among the society leaders of the capital city, she has not limited her life to home and society, but has endeavored to aid in the greater interests of the entire valley. For years she has made a specialty of reclamation work. On this subject she is regarded as an authority in the Sacramento valley. Her long study of reclamation and her broad knowledge of the local conditions caused her to be selected as a member of the com- mission that is studying a feasible plan for the opening of the mouth of the Sacramento river. She is a frequent attendant at the meet- ings of the National Rivers and Harbor Congress and enjoys the distinction of being its only lady member in the United States, besides having the further honor of occupying a high place in the councils of that important organization. She is a member of the Rebekahs and the Onisbo Chapter No. 164, O. E. S. of Sacramento, and is past grand treasurer of the Chapter, O. E. S. of California.
FRANK MEYER
The unknown possibilities of the great coast country formed the attraction that allured Frank Meyer when a young man of twenty years from the older commonwealth of Missouri to the growing, pro- gressive state of California, where with the exception of a few years spent in St. Louis he has since remained, identifying himself with the development of Sacramento and taking the part of a loyal citizen in all of the more important movements of the era. In his removal to the west he found conditions radically different from those in his native environment of St. Charles, Mo., where he was born June 10, 1856, and where his parents, Anton and Katharine Meyer, had borne the part in pioneer upbuilding that he himself assumed in his early residence in the capital city of our western commonwealth. The family, while possessing the highest principles of honor and integrity, accumulated little of this world's goods and could give him few educational advantages, nor could they aid him in the important task of securing a start in the business world; hence what he is and what he has, represents self-sacrificing, intelli- gent and persevering efforts of the man himself.
As previously stated, Frank Meyer was twenty years of age when in 1876 he came to Sacramento for the first time. Here he secured a clerkship in a grocery and continued for three years, mean- while laying the foundation of warm friendships, many of which con-
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tinue to the present day. Returning to Missouri in 1879 he became a grocery clerk in that city, where he remained for three years. His permanent residence in Sacramento dates from 1882, when he entered a grocery owned by John Bellmer. At first his wages were very small and his work unimportant, but as time passed he was given greater responsibilities and as a clerk proved his trustworthi- ness and ability. After nine years with the same grocer he left the store in order to take up other lines of work. As manager for T. J. Clunie, owner of the Clunie opera house and Metropolitan theatre, he held a position of importance and responsibility. Abun- dant testimony as to the satisfactory nature of his services appears in the statement that he was retained by Mr. Clunie until the death of the latter, since which time he has been manager of the various holdings of Mrs. Chimie in Sacramento, including also the manage- ment of the hotel which she inherited upon the death of her husband. While his attention is given closely to his business duties, he does not neglect civic reponsibilities, but contributes of time and influence to measures for the general welfare, and in politics he takes a warm interest as a member of the Democratic party. Throughout his en- tire life he has been an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church and a generous contributor to its charities. During May of 1908 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Henrietta (Harrington) Bedell, of Sacramento, but a native of Colusa, who by her former marriage was the mother of two children, Milton and Edwin.
ANDREW MIKULICH
The proprietor of the Peerless cafe in Sacramento has so thor- oughly imbibed American principles of thrift, energy and resource- fulness that he easily might win recognition as a native of our coun- try, if not indeed of California itself, but a residence of thirty years in the United States has not caused him to lose a feeling of loyal devotion to Austria, the land of his birth and the home of his parents, Martin and Kate Mikulich. Memory affectionately recalls the scenes of his boyhood, the occurrences of youth and the friends with whom he worked and played at the old home in Finme, where he was born November 21, 1865. From an early age he was familiar with the sea, for the city of Fiume lies at the head. of the small bay of the same name and it in turn forms an arm of the Adriatic sea. The people living along the shores of this beautiful body of water were accustomed to the sights and sounds of the sea, to the crafts lazily floating across the blue sea, the vessels moored in the 51
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harbors of Trieste, Ravenna, or other important ports, and to the vision of the sea-kissed city of Venice whose canals were gay with their swift-speeding gondolas.
Upon leaving forever behind him the pleasant associations and picturesque environment of the Austrian coast and crossing the Atlantic ocean to the New World in 1882, Mr. Mikulich was pre- pared for the future by a fair education in the free schools of Austria and by a rugged constitution qualifying him for patient en- durance in labor. After he had landed in Philadelphia he secured employment as a sailor. During 1885 he went as far west as Chicago, where he worked in a restaurant for three years. In 1888 he went south to New Orleans, La., and there found work in a restau- rant. The next move brought him to San Francisco in 1889 and from there in 1891 he came to Sacramento, where he has since made his home and has engaged in the restaurant business. In this city, June 30, 1903, he married Miss Lena Arnold. Here, after one year as an employe in a restaurant, he embarked in business for himself. When he sold out the business he became manager of the Southern Pacific Railroad restaurant. During 1902 he opened a res- taurant at No. 1010 Seventh street, but four years later he moved to his next location, No. 720 K street, and on April 25, 1912, he opened his present beautiful place which he had built himself. It is located at No. 1117 Ninth street and is a palace of mirrors set in mahogany, the furniture all being of that same wood. The mezzanine floor for ladies' parties is furnished in old gold and ivory, the whole presenting an effect so exquisite and magnificent as to earn it the place of leading cafe in the vicinity and among the finest in the state. It is known as the Peerless cafe and is strictly a first-class restan- rant that receives a large share of the public patronage. The care exercised in the management of the business has left Mr. Mikulich little leisure for participation in political affairs, but he upholds Republican principles and keeps posted concerning national issues. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Foresters, Moose, Elks and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
GEORGE H. TOWNSEND
The resistless tide of emigration that has swept over the coun- try since the development of the west first commenced has caused many changes in the population, so that the majority of men spend the husy period of maturity far removed from the scenes of their childhood. But not so with Mr. Townsend, whose enviable privilege
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it has been to spend the years . of manhood's activities upon the same farm associated with his earliest memories. Unallured by the call to other localities, he has been content to remain at the old homestead and to continue the work of cultivating the land whose first furrows were turned by his father during the era of pioneer development. With progressive tendencies he has made the place more productive and its annual returns larger through his interests in stock of all kinds and his identification with other forms of agri- cultural labor.
In studying the record of the Townsend family we find that remote ancestors came to this country having had a part in the material upbuilding of Maine, when Elisha Baker Townsend was born in the city of Portland. There also he was reared and during young manhood he there married Rachel Hodgkins, likewise a native of Maine. Attracted by reports concerning the possibilities of the west, during the spring of 1853 he and his young wife left New England for California and at the end of their long journey they arrived in Sacramento county. * He entered government land at Mormon Island, Sacramento county, cleared the tract, turned the first furrows in the virgin soil and gradually brought the ranch under improvement. For about twenty-five years he engaged in the dairy business on this ranch. In addition for some time he carried on a meat market in Folsom, fattening the stock on his ranch and later utilizing them for the needs of the butcher shop. After a busy life, whose success was up to the measure of his expectations, he died in 1898 at the old homestead.
From his natal day, September 15, 1875, George H. Townsend has had the same surroundings except as the improvements associated with modern civilization were made on the ranch. The neighboring schools enabled him to acquire a fair education. Early experience on the farm gave him a thorough knowledge of the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock. In addition he learned the details of the meat business while working at the Folsom meat market. When he succeeded to the management of the ranch he at once turned his entire attention to its care and cultivation. Under his keen oversight the three hundred acres, located about three miles northeast of Folsom, present an appearance of thrift and productiveness. Cattle, horses, hogs and sheep may be seen in the pastures and the yearly output of stock forms a valuable addition to the income of the owner, who further engages in the dairy business with success and also raises grain, hay and vegetables for the local markets. A part of this ranch is under irrigation from the Natomas ditch. A farmer of great energy and wise judgment, he is making a success of his work and has proved his adaptability to agricultural pursuits.
The marriage of Mr. Townsend took place at Folsom March 27,
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1901, and united him with Miss Annie M. Russler, who was born, reared and educated at Clarksville, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Town- send are the parents of three children now living, namely: George B., Anna E. and Lavern. The political views of Mr. Townsend are in harmony with the platform of the Republican party. While voting the party ticket with consistent regularity he has always refused to consider official honors and has never been a candidate for any of the local offices. By virtue of his nativity he is eligible to member- ship with the Native Sons of the Golden West and we find him identi- fied with Folsom Parlor No. 83, in which he has held all of the offices and for years has served as secretary. In addition, since 1905 he has been honored with the secretaryship of the Folsom Aerie of Eagles. Not only in Folsom, but also throughout the entire east end of the county, he is known and honored as a progressive rancher and a citizen whose upright character entitles him to the respect and confidence of the people.
WILLIAM J. WEISMAN
Of that energetic and progressive blood that makes the German- American a good citizen in whatever community his lot may be cast, the well-known bookbinder of Sacramento whose name gives prominence to this page was born August 3, 1876, a son of Charles F. and Henrietta (Moffelt) Weisman, natives of the Fatherland of history and of song. His father came to the United States when a young man and served a while by enlistment in a New York regiment that did gallant duty in the Civil War. After the close of that memorable experience he came to California, making the overland journey with oxen, and arrived after about five months arduous travel in Sacramento. There he met and married Henrietta Moffelt, who in 1864 had come alone across the ocean to America and, after remaining some time in New York, had come on to California. To this worthy people were born four children, of whom William J. is the only one living in Sacramento county. Two of them live in Berkeley, Cal., and the remaining one died young.
Educated to the useful life he planned for himself Mr. Weisman acquired his training in the public schools of Sacramento. After laying down his text-books he apprenticed himself to E. W. Bruen- ning, of Sacramento, to learn the bookbinder's trade, and labored in his establishment six years. Those were six years of honest
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and earnest endeavor, devoted to gaining knowledge both funda- mental and in detail that would be essential to a successful career in the field that the young man had determined to enter. The succeeding eight years he passed busily in the binding department of the state library. Then for four years he was in the cigar and tobacco trade. But no success in any other department of endeavor could be so dear to him as even moderate prosperity as a book- binder, and he purchased the Sacramento Bookbindery, at No. 309 J street, which he has conducted with increasing success to the present time. His plant is modern in every detail, fitted with np-to-date machinery and appliances and capable of turning out fine work in large quantities. He makes a specialty of the manu- facture of loose-leaf office devices and other record supplies which have come in demand during recent years, and as a business man and as a citizen is notably progressive. He builds not alone for himself but for the community, for he believes that the good fortune of one is in a measure the good fortune of all. In his political convictions he is Republican, and on his party ticket he was nominated for city collector in 1906, but was defeated at the polls. He married Miss Alice Collins, daughter of Wilkie Collins of Sacramento, Sep- tember 28, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Weisman are popular in the circles in which they move and their home is noted for its hearty hospitality. He is identified with the Elks, with the Native Sons, with the Eagles and with the Foresters of America. Of Sacramento Parlor No. 3, N. S. G. W., he is a past president, and in the Foresters has served as chief ranger.
HENRY F. G. WULFF
Teutonic ancestry is indicated in the name of Wulff. The founder of the family in the United States was one Henry Wulff, who came to the new world at the age of sixteen years. Prior to emigration he had served an apprenticeship to the trade of cabinet-maker and later he also gained a thorough knowledge of the occupation of a millwright. A desire to avoid the military service obligatory upon him if he remained in his native land caused him to seek a new home across the seas and for some time he worked at his trades in St. Louis, Mo., but as early as 1850 he crossed the plains to California and ventured into mining with a fair degree of success. Returning to the east via Panama he married Miss Caroline Lehnke and established a home in St. Louis, where occurred the birth of his eldest child, Henry F. G., January 31, 1854. During the spring of the same year the family made the long journey across the plains
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and at the expiration of one-half year landed in Placerville, Eldo- rado county, when the son was nine months old.
For years identified with mining interests, Henry Wulff did not limit his energies to that occupation, but acquired varied interests in the west. He had the contract to build the first quartz mill at Placerville. Removing to his ranch in 1859, he took up the stock business on a large scale and at one time controlled a ranch of one thousand acres at Green Valley. Some of the land was acquired under the homestead laws and some by purchase, but the whole was im- proved through his industrious efforts and represented the results of his sagacious management. After years of active identification with the development of the west he died on his ranch in 1886 and his widow still remains at the old homestead. In December of 1911 she celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of her birth. Of her ten sons and four daughters there now survive five sons and all of the daughters.
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