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 93
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ADOLPH WALKE
One of the leading grocers of Sacramento and one of the most extensive dealers in poultry, eggs and butter in Sacramento valley, is Adolph Walke, No. 920 J street. Mr. Walke was born in Germany and was there educated. He came to Sacramento in 1891 and identified himself with the business of D. Dierssen, in the old Pacific market. After two years' experience in that connection he entered the grocery and produce business in a small way and has since built it up to large proportions. Originally he started at No. 1208 J street, after which he bought the stock of Walters and Dunbar and later the Heilbron stock at No. 703-05 J street. There he did business six years and then moved to his present quarters, the location of which is mentioned above, and made very extensive improvements in the building and its appointments. He now has one of the most up-to-date and attractive groceries in the city.
In 1899 Mr. Walke married Miss Myrtle Smith of Sacramento, daughter of H. B. and Phoebe Smith. Their children, Charles, Delphine, Adolph and Heilbron, are attending school in their native city. Mr. Walker has given too close attention to his business to be at all active in politics, but he has well defined opinions on all economic questions and takes a public-spirited interest in the advancement of the city and county.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON CAVITT
The arduous labors connected with the improvement and culti- vation of a ranch occupied the time of Mr. Cavitt throughout almost the entire period from his arrival in California during 1865 until his death, January 24, 1907. His birth occurred in Rush county, Ind., in 1832, and some years later, in 1845, his parents removed from there to Iowa, where they engaged in farming pursuits until 1864. In that year he started for California, and settling in Sacramento county he eventually became the owner of eighty acres of ground. In that long era of agricultural and commercial upbuilding he witnessed the transformation of the commonwealth from a broad expanse of unde- veloped and sparsely settled land into a region of prosperity and even wealth. In the difficult task of improvement he bore an honorable share. To the labors of such indefatigable pioneers may be attributed the present high standing of the entire state. Beginning to till the virgin soil ere yet a furrow had been turned in it and keeping up the labor of cultivation long after bare tracts had been transformed into finely improved ranches, he contributed his quota to the general agricultural prosperity and proved beyond question the adaptability of the soil to many important crops now grown with profit. When he came across the plains at the close of the Civil war rapid transpor- tation was unknown. Large expeditions of emigrants were organized as a means of protection against the assaults of Indians. Oxen were utilized as motive power and supplies were conveyed in the old- fashioned "prairie schooner," in which also rode all the women and children together with the least rugged of the men, while others of the men acted as cattle-drivers or guards. Immediately after his arrival Mr. Cavitt took up land at Antelope, Sacramento county, and there he passed his remaining years busily engaged in general ranch pursuits on his eighty-acre ranch, situated two miles southeast of Antelope and fifteen and a half miles from the city of Sacramento.
Mr. Cavitt was married February 28, 1856, to Rebecca J. Perkins, a native of Virginia, who survived him for a few years, passing away May 8, 1911. Four children came to bless their union and crown their last days with affectionate devotion. One of the sons now resides in San Francisco; the other son and one of the daughters remain at the old homestead and superintend the eighty acres of almond trees, finding both pleasure and profit in the thrifty manage- ment of the finely improved ranch. The children were born as fol- lows: William C., November 30, 1856; Thomas T., September 20, 1858; Ida Bell, January 30, 1860; and Eva T., April 10, 1867.
Mrs. Eva T. Stackhouse, who likewise owns an interest in the old home ranch, but makes her home in Sacramento, passed the uneventful
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years of childhood upon that farm and attended the country schools. When she left the homestead it was as the wife of Nathan Stackhouse and they became the parents of four children. The deepest sorrow that has come to the family has been the loss of two daughters, one of them, Hattie M., when a lovely young lady of twenty-two years, and the other, Mildred, when a loved child of only four years. George Alvin Stackhouse resides with his mother in Sacramento. The other surviving child, Effie A., born in Alameda county and educated in Sacramento, is now the wife of A. C. Moore, a native of Maine. A daughter, Angela Moore, blesses their union and represents the third generation in descent from that honored old. pioneer, George Wash- ington Cavitt. Could he now speak it would be to endeavor to inspire in the hearts of the rising generations a deep affection for their native commonwealth and an unselfish loyalty toward its progress, inasmuch as a region, matchless in fertility and climate, with com- mercial prospects limited only by the energy of its people, forms a monument to the privations of the pioneers as well as the business sagacity of the citizens of the twentieth century.
FRANK M. DERBY
A residence in the west beginning at the age of five years and continuing up to the present time qualifies Mr. Derby for accurate judgment concerning the possibilities of the region and the oppor- tunities it affords to young men of energy. Having spent so much of his life in California he cherishes for the state an appreciation impos- sible to be understood by a newcomer, but directly resultant from his faith in the country and his knowledge of its resources. Of his native commonwealth of Pennsylvania he entertains only vague and indistinct recollections. Born at Greenville, that state, February 1, 1877, he is a son of Daniel B. Derby, for many years a prominent nurseryman at Oakland, but more recently a horticulturist at Vaca- ville, and he is also a brother of Charles M. Derby, manager of the Natoma Mining and Dredging Company.
Educated in the grammar and high schools of Oakland and in a business college of that city, Frank M. Derby enjoyed the advantages which materially assist in the preparation for life's activities. After leaving school he assisted his father in horticultural pursuits at Vacaville for a number of years, but later he came to Natoma, Sacra- mento county, joining his brother at this place. Since then he has officiated as superintendent and manager of the orchard and packing house of the Natoma Mining and Dredging Company, also as manager
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of the water system, and recently he became a stockholder in the company, whose officials repose the fullest confidence in his ability to fill his important position. Under his supervision there is a large force of men on the ranches, in the orchards and vineyards, in the packing house and with the water system, and the immense amount of work accomplished proves the energy and industry of the workmen.
The marriage of Frank M. Derby took place in Sacramento and united him, May 23, 1911, with Miss Corinne Bell, who was born and reared in San Francisco and received a classical education in the best schools of that city. The family residence is a pleasant and comfortable home on Alder creek near the packing house and there Mr. and Mrs. Derby welcome their friends with gracious and un- failing hospitality.
JOHN DONAHUE
The quiet round of daily duties does not form necessarily a narrow, eventless existence. The life of John Donahue, while it con- tained no thrilling events and no exciting experiences, yet held much that was heroic and sincere and successful. So different were the conditions of his early life from those of the twentieth century that the young people who embarked on the slow sailers for the new world had little hope of ever again seeing their native land or the friends of their youth. It required, therefore, not a little courage for Mr. Donahue to break all the tender ties of kinship and affection when in 1859 he followed the example set by many thousands of Irish lads in days gone by and sought a livelihood in America. At the time of his departure from his native county of Tyrone he was about twenty-five years of age (having been born in 1834). Little he had to assist him in the stern battle of life except a brave heart and a pair of willing hands. Of education he had little and of money he had even less, bnt in spite of his handicap he never lacked employment nor did he ever undergo the painful trial of an appeal to others for aid. Always he remained the same self-reliant, industrious, quiet and persevering man, and the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, his employers practically from the time of his arrival in Sacramento in 1859 up to the date of his death, October 1, 1894, profited by his conscientious labors and sincere devotion to duty. After landing in Philadelphia he had come direct to California and here he spent the remainder of his life, being so pleased with the country that he had no desire to seek a home or a livelihood elsewhere.
For many years Eliza (MeIlhatton) Donahue has occupied the family residence at No. 2319 K street, Sacramento, and this property
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she still owns, caring for the place personally and making of it an attractive and comfortable home. Of Irish birth and ancestry, she was born in County Antrim and was a farmer's daughter. Her father never left the home of his birth, but continued to till the soil of a small farm in County Antrim and by diligent industry earned a livelihood for those dependent upon him; he also was the road sur- veyor of county highways. His death occurred at the old home in 1874. Mrs. Donahue was born October 26, 1838, and came to the United States in 1860, landing in New York City. Thence she jour- neyed on to St. Louis, where she lived until 1867. From St. Louis she came to California and settled in Sacramento county, where Feb- ruary 15, 1870, she became the wife of John Donahue. Five children blessed their union, namely: Henry, Ruth, John, Eveline and Hugh. Henry and John are painters by trade, while Hugh follows the occu- pation of mining. It has been the privilege of Mrs. Donahne to wit. ness much of the growth and development of Sacramento. Since she first saw the capital city forty-five years ago there have been many changes in its appearance. The business streets have been improved with substantial structures and in the residence district there is abundant evidence of the thrift of the permanent residents. Into her own pleasant home she has welcomed many of the pioneers of the community and always she has had a hospitable welcome for all, whether old or young, who seek her cheerful society or depend upon her practical sympathy.
JAMES FRANKLIN ELLIOTT
With the exception of his first fourteen years Mr. Elliott could claim a lifelong citizenship in California. At the time of his arrival in 1851 the country was filled with gold-seekers. The spirit of devel- opment had seized the newly-admitted state, the youngest child of the great Union, and he himself became immediately loyal to his chosen home, stanchly devoted to the welfare of his adopted commonwealth. The surroundings were radically different from those of his native Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1837 and where he had gained a knowledge of the three R's in the country schools of the day. The loneliness caused by such a complete change of environment was in- creased by the severing of family ties, for his parents never came to the west and he found himself forced into the struggle for a livelihood without parental counsel or encouragement. The fact that he attained a competency before age rendered further efforts impracticable speaks volumes for his energy and patient perseverance. In all of his actions he was governed by high ideals. His was the far-seeing discrimina-
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tion, the sagacity of judgment and the honesty of purpose that are conspicuous attributes of our noblest citizens. Though of eastern birth, in everything else he was a typical Californian, hospitable and energetic. The spirit of western enterprise was a prominent ingre- dient in his nature. While he gained considerable success as a farmer and business man, he also gained that which he valued far more, the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. During the first period of his residence in the state he had seen much of hardship and priva- tion, but he had carefully hoarded his wages as a day laborer, thus becoming able to take up land in Yolo county. When he sold that tract he purchased land on the river in 1874 and there engaged in general ranching for eight years, after which selling the property he removed to Sacramento. There in 1904 he passed away, mourned by his family and by his large circle of acquaintances of pioneer days, who realized appreciatively his integrity as a man and his worth as a citizen.
When about thirty years of age Mr. Elliott established a home of his own. February 27, 1867, occurred his marriage to Alameda J. Johnston, a native of Ohio and the daughter of John and Fidelia (Tyler) Johnston, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. While her parents came to the west early in the '50s it was thought wise to leave hier behind with relatives and on that account she was separated from the immediate family for some time. For years Mr. Johnston held an honored position 'among the pioneers of Sutter county and his acquaintanceship extended through all that section of the country, where he was universally honored as a man of fine prin- ciples and great industry. When advanced in years he died in that county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott consisted of eight chil- dren, of whom the eldest, Frank, passed away in 1906. Another mem- ber of the family died in early years. The six now living are named as follows : Minnie W., Mrs. Reece Murphy; Evelyn Mary, Mrs. Augus- tus Hall; Edgar Elmer, of Sacramento; George E., who is now living in Modoc county ; Bertha L. and Maude, who reside with their mother at No. 1513 Eighteenth street, Sacramento.
WILLARD A. FAIRFIELD
It was at Fort Wayne, Ind., that Willard A. Fairfield was born November 12, 1854. He was educated in public schools, and after his graduation from the high school was employed there at farm labor until he was twenty-two years old. He then went to Golden, Colo., and entered the Colorado State School of Mines, from which he was graduated as a mining engineer in 1881. From that time until 1891,
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during a period of ten years, he was kept busy examining mines and reporting on mining property in Colorado. Meanwhile, in 1889, he returned to Fort Wayne, Ind., and opened a real-estate office and engaged in the sale of stock. For several years he was successful in these lines and especially so in the stock department of his business. Then he came to Sacramento, Cal., and made a careful survey from his professional point of view of the Sacramento valley in particular and in a general way of the whole state. Going back east he remained for a short time, but reappeared in Sacramento March 26, 1910, and acquired the interest of J. F. Brickell in the Oak Park Realty Com- pany, of which he is now president, engaging in a general real-estate and brokerage business.
On December 4, 1894, Mr. Fairfield married Miss Ella M. Bar- rows, of La Grange, Ind., daughter of an early settler and prominent farmer of that section of the state and one of the leading men of that city until his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield have three children : Mabel Ruth, born July 10, 1897; Paul B., born March 10, 1899, and Howard I., born March 27, 1902.
As a business man Mr. Fairfield is successful beyond many in his line. As a citizen he undertakes in a public-spirited way to do his duty as a consistent Democrat. Fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has long been helpfully iden- tified with the Congregational Church.
JOHN FARREN
With his aspirations directed beyond the mere struggle for a daily livelihood and turned toward the acquisition of a competency, John Farren passed an exceedingly busy life in his adopted city of Sacramento. When eventually in 1909 death summoned him from the quiet little home which he and his capable wife had occupied for many years, he passed into the grateful peace justly earned by the honorable and industrious citizen. Unselfish toil had sanctified his existence and kindly good humor had cheered his intercourse with his fellowmen. Acquaintances unite in attributing to him the possession of the wit and optimism that characterize the Celtic race. Although it was not possible for him to secure an education in his native Ireland, nor did any good fortune come his way through early life, by dint of industry and frugality he made a place for himself in his own chosen circle of society and had a host of friends among the other pioneers of Sacra- mento county, where he had made his home from an early day.
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The lady with whom John Farren was united in 1896 and whose devotion cheered his last days was, at the time of their marriage, the widow of William Mehary, a native of Ireland and a pioneer of Cali- fornia. She likewise was of Celtic blood and claimed the Emerald Isle as her native home, but, her parents having died when she was very small, she was brought to the United States in 1850 by one of her brothers, settling first in New York, where all of her kindred still remain. When first she came to California she bore up bravely against the depression of homesickness and isolation from relatives, but as her circle of acquaintances enlarged and as she found more to admire in the vast country beside the sunset sea she became a devoted champion of its progress. Especially is she interested in Sacramento, which she has seen develop from an insignificant western town into a pros- perous and progressive city, worthy of the great commonwealth whose capital it is. For more than forty years she has lived in the town and for a quarter of a century she has owned and occupied the resi- dence at No. 523 M street, where surrounded by an environment grown dear through long associations she is passing into life's twilight forti- fied by a deep Christian faith, cheered by the good will of the pioneers who still survive and crowned by a realization of an existence un- selfishly devoted to the welfare of others. Were it not for the warm friendship of so many old friends her days would be lonely, for hus- band and near relatives are gone, and with her departure from the east long ago she passed out of intimate touch with the kindred there, but the friends in Sacramento minister to her comfort and see that she is surrounded by those evidences of affection so precious to all who have passed out of youth.
STEPHEN FOSTER
Genealogical records indicate that the Foster family was iden- tified with Great Britain back to a period where historical accuracy becomes lost in legendary tradition. England was the native country of Stephen Foster and Angust 23, 1852, the date of his birth. It was in that country also that he received his education, which was limited to the study of the common branches, vet sufficiently thorough to enable him to transact all business matters with accuracy and dispatch. As he grew to manhood he heard much concerning the opportunities offered by California and as soon as the way became clear for him to do so he migrated to the Pacific coast country, settling first in Sacra- mento. From that time until his death, which occurred December 8, 1902, at the age of fifty years, he remained a resident of the Sacra- mento valley, and was a useful, honorable and industrious citizen,
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belonging to that class of men whose citizenship possesses permanent value to the community with which they identify themselves.
The marriage of Mr. Foster was solemnized June 17, 1886, and united him with Mrs. Kate (McKernan) Donnelly, of Folsom, Cal., the widow of Henry Donnelly, a native of Ireland, but for years a useful citizen of Folsom, where he died in 1877, at the age of forty- eight years. Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, but only three of these survive. The eldest, James Henry Donnelly, born November 21, 1868, received a common-school educa- tion in Folsom and is now serving his third term as representative from the fourth district of Sacramento county on the board of county supervisors, where he has proved most helpful in promoting measures for the permanent upbuilding of his district. The only surviving daughter, Mary Donnelly, is the wife of H. W. Hall, of Sacramento. The younger son, Peter F. Donnelly, still resides in his native village of Folsom, where he is proprietor of an hotel and also holds the office of village constable. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Foster was blessed with two children. The daughter, Pearl F., married Albert Arnold, of Sacramento, and is the mother of one son. Reuben S., who is unmarried, resides with his mother at No. 2125 E street, Sacra- mento.
The ancestry of Mrs. Foster had headquarters on the Emerald Isle. Her father, the late James McKernan, was a native of Ireland, whence he crossed the ocean to the United States during 1844. He was at the time a stalwart youth, physically robust and capable of long endurance in any task, but entirely without means or friends. After his marriage he remained in the east for some years, but having heard much concerning the vast resources of California he came hither in 1856 to test the opportunities of the new country. In 1858 he was joined by his wife and children, among the latter being Kate, who was born in Paterson, N. J. The mother died at Folsom in 1873 and the father survived until March of 1886.
For over thirty years Mrs. Foster was engaged in the hotel and livery business in Folsom. In 1903 she built the Enterprise Hotel, a large brick building modern in every particular, and the largest and best building in that city. She also built up the Donnelly livery stable, the largest establishment of the kind in the place. All of this she accomplished by her own industry and business ability, building the enterprises up from the profits of the business. She also built many residences in Folsom and it was stated that she erected more buildings there than any other individual. However, in June of 1910 she became a resident of Sacramento, where she has a large circle of friends among the honored pioneers of the city. For years Mr. Foster was an interested worker in the Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and she also became prominent in Fedora Rebekah Lodge No. 53
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166 of Folsom, of which she is a charter member and a past officer. She contributes liberally to its charitable measures and also aids all movements for the helping of the needy and the relief of the dis- tressed.
HUNTER W. S. SHANNON
Among those who have taken up their residence in Sacramento in recent years is H. W. S. Shannon, who since 1907 has been actively engaged in the real estate business in this city. His success may be attributed not alone to his ability to rightly judge of land values and to a foresight as to future development, but rather to his innate integrity and unvarying straightforwardness in all of his relations with patrons. It has always been a rule with him to make no assertion in favor of a property which he cannot vouch for and he never advises a purchase in which he himself does not see an honest value. These underlying principles of upright dealing have brought Mr. Shannon the splendid reputation which he bears throughout the Sacramento valley.
Mr. Shannon was born in Sydney, Australia, November 17, 1876, and is the son of Thomas and Martha (Prentice) Shannon, both na- tives of Australia. their parents being natives of England. The ma- ternal grandfather, who was a captain in the English army and par- ticipated in the ('rimean war, traced his family line back to the English ยท Stuarts. Thomas Shannon was a prominent and influential citizen in the colony in which he made his home, and for many years was Alder- man of Ulmarra, his native town. He was also judge of the agricul- tural shows, a position which in that country carries with it large honors. He is still a resident of that country and is now shire coun- cillor for Sherwood.
H. W. S. Shannon received good educational advantages in the schools of Sydney, and after completing his schooling he was associ- ated in business with his father. Later he engaged in business inde- pendently, dealing in livestock and land, continuing this until deter- mining to come to California. This he did in 1907, landing at San Francisco, and from there he came the same year to Sacramento, which ever since has been the scene of his real estate operations. Among the many properties which he has handled may be mentioned the following: the Los Molinas lands, the Patterson lands, the Oakley homestead and the Oakley tract, and he is now engaged in subdivid- ing the Kildonan Oaks tract, on the line of the California Traction Company's Railroad, about fourteen miles east of Sacramento.
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