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 94
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In Sacramento Mr. Shannon was united in marriage, August 23, 1910, with Miss Floretta Woodward, a native of California, and
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they have one daughter, Lucile. As might be expected of a man of Mr. Shannon's enterprise and public spirit he is a member of the chamber of commerce, and is actively interested in any project that has at heart the welfare of community, city or state. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows, Mrs. Shannon being a member of the Eastern Star, and both are members of the Episcopal Church.
BERNARD FROMMER
In our commerce and industries, from the railroad builder to the bank president, our foreign-born citizens have shown excellent quali- ties, and this is especially true of the natives of Austria. Bernard Frommer was born in Kra Kow, Austria, and landed in New York City in 1884, coming to San Francisco from there in 1888, and was for several years thereafter employed along mercantile lines. He came to Sacramento in 1895 and in that year and in 1896 was em- ployed as salesman in one of the stores of that city. Then he opened a small furnishing store for men on K street and two years later opened his present clothing store at 301-303 K street, in a fine business building of which he is now the owner. As a progressive merchant and man of commercial achievment he has made a record that might well be envied by any business man in California. His beginning was comparatively small and represented very little capital, but by close application to business and by his splendid judgment and financ- ing he has been very successful and built up a large trade. He has amassed a comfortable fortune, being the owner of much valuable real estate, one of his choice holdings being at the corner of Eleventh and K streets. On this, in 1912, Mr. Frommer erected the Frommer Building which is a credit to the city as well as himself. It is a four story structure of Roman pressed brick with terra cotta finish, and it is the concensus of opinion that it is the most modern and np-to-date building in construction and architecture of any in the city. He took a very active part in the building of the Hotel Sacramento, of which he is a large stockholder.
To some extent Mr. Frommer may be said to have inherited his peculiar business ability from his father, who was a successful merchant in Austria. He is a member of the Retail Merchants Associa- tion of Sacramento and of the local Chamber of Commerce, is identi- fied with the Jewish Congregational church and is active in various charitable societies. As a business man he is public-spirited and helpful to all worthy interests. His parents died in Austria some
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years ago and he has a sister living in the old family home. He has been as successful in his real estate as in his commercial ventures and those who know him best know that his success has been honorably achieved. All in all, he is one of the notable upbuilders of Sacra- mento.
JAMES GOULDEN
A long identification with the industrial development of Cali- fornia qualified James Goulden among the most progressive citizens of the state. In Quebec, Canada, he was born in 1853, and he died at his home in Sacramento, Cal., May 6, 1909. He was quite a young man when he settled near Truckee, Nevada county, Cal., and there eventually he became interested in the lumber trade, with which he was connected twenty-eight years. In 1895 he took up his residence in Sacramento, and from that time until his death was chief inspector for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1883 Mr. Goulden married Laura Mccullough, a native of Cass county, Ind., who had come with her parents across the plains with ox-teams to Cali- fornia in 1854. They landed at Dutch Flat in October that year. Socially Mr. Goulden affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he had taken high degrees, and with the Knights of Pythias. In railroad and commercial circles he was known as a man of much ability and of highest integrity and efficiency, and when he passed away his removal was regretted as that of one whose place it would be hard to fill. As a citizen he was public spirited and helpful to an unusual degree, never withholding his encouragement and support from any measure which in his opinion promised to benefit any considerable number of his fellow citizens. Since her husband's death Mrs. Goulden has lived at her home at 1006 G street. By her first marriage, to Joseph Hilton, who died in Truckee, she had two children, G. W. Hilton, who is with the Southern Pacific Railroad, and Henrietta May, now Mrs. Easton, of Truckee, Cal.
GUS LAVENSON
Indicative of the genuine business ability and purposeful energy of Mr. Lavenson is the important commercial concern established by his unaided efforts and built up to its present magnitude through his sagacious supervision. It was during 1877 that he opened a small
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shoe store on the corner of Fifth and J streets, Sacramento. He was young and withont capital, but what he lacked in means he possessed in enthusiasm and determination. Even more important than this, he had excellent taste in selecting shoes and accurate judgment as to the wants and needs of customers, so that from the first he won the confidence of his patrons. To assist him at the start he had one man, an experienced cobbler, who took charge of repair work and also assisted in waiting on the trade. The twenty-three years of his occupancy of the same quarters were years of growth and slow but steady development, bringing the ultimate necessity of enlarged accommodations for customers and for the stock of shoes. Therefore in 1900 he removed to the corner of K and Seventh streets, where now he has twenty-two assistants to aid him in the management of the business. With this large force he is able to care for customers promptly, while the splendid equipment and modern conveniences of the new establishment give him one of the finest shoe stores in the entire state.
Born in Germany, December 27, 1852, Mr. Lavenson came to the United States with his parents when he was thirteen years old, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the public and high schools until he was sixteen years of age. Mr. Lavenson has made Sacramento his home since May of 1869, having been one of the very first to come across the continent over the newly completed Central Pacific Railroad. Five years before this an older brother had come to California, where for a time he engaged in the mercantile business at Rocklin, Placer county, but more recently he has made his home in Portland, Ore. An uncle, Samuel Lavenson, a prominent pioneer of California, for years was a member of the firm of Lock & Lavenson, dealers in carpets and manufacturers of mattresses; this business was established during 1850 and has a reputation of being one of the very oldest in Northern California.
After his arrival in Sacramento a search for employment brought Gus Lavenson to the firm of Peyser & Lyons, on the corner of Seventh and J streets, where he secured work as an errand boy. His worth was soon proved. By varions promotions he won his way to a rank among the head men in the store, where he remained for seven years, resigning in order to embark in business for himself. In his specialty he is well informed, posted concerning every change in style of shoe or leather, courteons among his customers and painstaking in his efforts to meet their wishes ; with such qualities as these success comes in the nature of things. The conduct of the business, however, does not represent the limit of his activities, for during recent years he has been treasurer of the Sacramento River Farms Company, an organiz- ation incorporated in March of 1908 with the following-named officers; Clinton L. White, president; Herman T. Silvins, vice-presi-
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dent; H. F. G. Wulff, secretary; and Gus Lavenson, treasurer. About the time of their incorporation the company acquired con- siderable property from Virginia Vanderbilt, a member of the famous New York City family of that name. They now own eleven thousand acres of rich bottom land in the Sacramento valley and also a part of the town site at Knight's Landing. In order to protect their fertile land from overflow and render it available for remunerative culti- vation, they have expended more than $600,000 in improvements and have built more than fifteen miles of levee. There is every reason to believe that the hopes of the projectors will reach a gratifying fruition.
The marriage of Mr. Lavenson took place in Sacramento April 10, 1881, and united him with Miss Flora Goldman, a native of New York state, but from girlhood a resident of the capital city, where she is now a prominent member of the Tuesday and Saturday Clubs. Her parents, both now deceased, were Simon and Clara (Bien) Goldman, the former one of the well-known business men of Sacramento during the pioneer period. Mr. and Mrs. Lavenson are the parents of two daughters, Claire and Selma Rose. Both are leaders in athletic recreations in the capital city and are especially prominent as expert swimmers. Nor are they less capable as equestriennes. It is said by competent judges that they have in the west few superiors in either art. During the summer of 1911 they accompanied a party on a twelve days' trip through the Yosemite valley and during eight days of that time they were continuously in saddle, making four hundred miles on horseback with ease and speed, and returning home un- wearied by the strennous nature of the excursion.
HARRY G. KREBS
The commercial activities of Sacramento find an able represen- tative in Harry G. Krebs, who as a native son of the capital city and as a lifelong resident thereof has acquired a breadth of infor- mation regarding local resources that is equalled by few and perhaps surpassed by none. The business to which he has given the larger share of his time and which he has developed from insignificance into popularity has a high standing among the establishments of the city. A large stock of paints and of wall paper is kept on hand, the sale of these being increased by the fact that the owner also takes con- tracts for exterior painting and interior decorating. It is the aim of the proprietor to keep in stock a complete assortment of paints and the very latest styles of papers and preparations for interior finishing.
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Through being strictly up-to-date in the stock carried and strictly honorable in the methods of conducting business he has won the con- fidence of a large circle of patrons.
A member of an old family of California and himself a native of Sacramento, born June 9, 1880, Harry G. Krebs was a son of Charles H. and Charlotte Krebs. He received a public-school education in this city, and since leaving school he has devoted his attention to business pursuits. On March 18, 1909, the business, which had been established in 1854 by his father, Charles H. Krebs, and named after him, was incorporated as C. H. Krebs & Co., the officers being, Mrs. Charlotte Krebs, president, F. H. Krebs, vice-president, Harry G. Krebs, treasurer, and Mrs. Alice Avery, secretary. Besides the paint and wall-paper store he has other interests. At this writing he serves as a director in the Del Paso Heights Land Company, which owns adjacent to the city a large tract acquired for subdivision purposes. In addition he is interested in the Camelia Investment Company, Incorporated, which bnys and sells real estate and transacts a large business in the line of its specialty. The officers of the company are as follows: A. E. Goddard, president; Harry G. Krebs, vice-president; and Leroy Bray, secretary.
The marriage of Harry G. Krebs took place January 15, 1908, and united him with Miss Lillis Swanston, daughter of George Swanston, a wholesale butcher and well-known citizen of Sacramento. There is one son, Harry Swanston Krebs, whose birth occurred March 24, 1909. The Native Sons of the Golden West have in Mr. Krebs an interested worker. In addition he holds membership with Union Lodge No. 58, F. & A. M., Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., Sacramento Council No. 1, R. & S. M., Sacramento Commandery No. 2, K. T., Isaac Davis Lodge of Perfection No. 3, in the capital city, and Islam Temple, N. M. S, in San Francisco.
Another influential member of the same family is Franklin H., brother of Harry G. Krebs. Born August 12, 1865, he received a public-school education in Sacramento, where also he attended Atkinson's Business College. For a long period he has been engaged in business in his native city. His marriage took place in Erie, Pa., November 2, 1897, and united him with Miss Hattie E. Avery, by whom he is the father of three children, namely: Charles Henry, born July 23, 1902; Charlotte L., August 31, 1904; and Katherine Alice, October 20, 1907. For years he has been an active worker in the German Lutheran Church, whose every department has felt the impetus of his energetic assistance and whose choir particularly has enjoyed the benefit of his talented participation. The Republican party has received his ballot in all national elections occurring since he attained his majority, and he has kept posted concerning national issues by a close study of current papers and magazines. Like many
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other sons of the state, he has found pleasure in active participation with the social functions and civic projects under the auspices of the local parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West.
FRED T. KITT
The childhood memories of Mr. Kitt are associated with the southeastern part of Nebraska, where he was horn December 29, 1876, in the village of Arago near the western banks of the Missouri river. His parents, Joseph and Selina Kitt, were representatives of the splendid pioneer element that entered into the material upbuilding of that state, and the family throughout the entire period of their indenti- fication with the United States has been characterized by the courage- ons, industrious qualities that have transformed the dense forests and the vast prairies into fertile farms and prosperous communities. The schools of his locality were equal to those of the period in any part of the country and afforded him fair advantages, which later were increased by an attendance of one year in a business college located at Lincoln, Neb. When the time came for him to enter the ranks of business men he secured employment as a traveling salesman and in his chosen work he met with considerable success as a repre- sentative of a number of specialty houses out of Chicago and Council Bluffs. Meanwhile he had become interested in the study of electricity and had mastered the principles of the science. During 1901 he removed west as far as Denver, Colo., where he found employment as an electrical engineer.
Upon his arrival in Sacramento during the year 1904 Mr. Kitt was given a position with the Sacramento Electric, Gas and Railway Company, in their electrical engineering department, continuing in different capacities until his resignation, which occurred March 1, 1909. His object in resigning had been to specialize on electric vehicles. He was first to introduce that type of car into Sacramento, by taking the agency for the Columbus electric antomobile; later he became Sacramento representative of the Detroit Electric vehicles. During the three years he has been in business he has placed approximately one hundred electric vehicles in the capital city, which indicates his success as a salesman as well as the recognized values of his cars. In February of 1910 he erected a one-story modern brick garage and salesroom, equipped with all facilities for the management of a growing business. In order to provide facilities for the cars and storage of electric vehicles he erected, during the summer and autumn of 1910, a substantial four-story reinforced concrete addition affording
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abundant space for the needs of the next few years. The office, garage and laboratory are located at Nos. 1910-14 Capitol avenue, or M street, an excellent location for such purposes. In addition to the maintenance of a line of electric vehicles, storage batteries for all purposes are kept to supply the needs of the trade, and the garage is a popular headquarters for all users of electric cars.
Political questions receive their due consideration from Mr. Kitt, who, however, displays no partisan preferences and maintains an independent attitude in his personal views. As a citizen he contributes to movements for the upbuilding of the community and the develop- ment of its business interests. His marriage took place in Los Angeles September 1, 1904, and united him with Miss Agnes Donovan, of Denver, Colo. They are the parents of two sons, Frederick T., Jr., who was born April 18, 1910, and Phillip John, who was born February 17, 1912. The family are earnest members of the Roman Catholic Church and Mr. Kitt is also affiliated with its leading fraternity, the Knights of Columbus.
WILLIAM EMIL GERBER
Those who are acquainted with the career and character of William Emil Gerber of Sacramento, merchant, financier and honored public functionary, know how active he has been in the building up of the city of his adoption, but of late years he has been forced to relinquish the duties which have proved too severe a strain upon him and he has disposed of his large holdings in different companies, the management of which has proved too great a tax upon him. His efforts toward the . development of conditions generally in Sacra- mento have won him many appreciative friends here and he is known as one of the leading public-spirited citizens of the city. Mr. Gerber was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 8, 1852, a descendant of old German families. His parents, Pantalion and Sybilla (Gerber) Gerber, came from Germany to the United States in 1844. In 1860 they came via Panama and arriving in California, established a home in Sacramento. Mr. Gerber was a butcher and conducted a wholesale trade in his line until in 1878, when he died. He was succeeded in business by his three sons, John, Henry and Louis Gerber.
When he was brought to California by his parents William E. Gerber was eight years old. He attended the public schools in Sacramento and in 1866 went back to Buffalo to become a student in the St. Louis Academy. He studied German eighteen months, was later graduated from a business college in Buffalo and in 1869
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returned to California. For a year and a half afterward he was a clerk in a grocery store. In 1870 he bought a half interest in a business establishment of that character in Sacramento and continued in the grocery trade seven years, building up a large and lucrative enterprise which he sold in 1877.
In the year last mentioned Mr. Gerber was elected County Auditor and Recorder of Sacramento county and filled the position so creditably that he was re-elected in 1879, 1881 and 1883, filling the office four consecutive terms, until June, 1885. In the latter year he was elected assistant cashier of the California State Bank and in 1894 he was elevated to the cashiership, which he resigned in 1901 in order to devote himself exclusively to private business enterprises. He was elected director and vice-president of the bank, which was converted into a national bank under the title of the California National Bank, and later he was elected president. He has from time to time concerned himself in various commercial and industrial interests in the state, having been president of the Earl Fruit Company of California for a period of ten years. He has been the secretary and director of the Buffalo Brewing Company since its organization in 1889; was president of the Folsom Development Company, one of the largest enterprises of its class in the state for seven years, until it was sold ; and stockholder and director in numerous other well known concerns.
December 21, 1881, Mr. Gerber married Hattie A. Lyon, daughter of Edward Lyon, who came from Vermont to the Pacific coast in 1860 and was for many years a leading merchant in Sacramento. Fraternally Mr. Gerber is a Mason of the Knights Templar degree and a life member of Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco; he is also a member of Capitol Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is an active Republican and had often served his party as delegate to county and state conventions. In 1901 he was appointed state fish commissioner by Governor Gage and in 1903 was reappointed by Governor Pardee. He has for many years been identified with the upbuilding and progress of Sacramento, assisting every good work for the benefit of the community and promoting enterprises that have been factors in the growth and development of the city. Mrs. Gerber is interested in charitable work in Sacramento. Their marriage was blessed by five children : Edward H. is a director of the California National Bank, and is interested in various enterprises in the state. Annie is the wife of W. Leslie Comyn of San Francisco. Irma is Mrs. George A. Starkweather of Sacramento. Harriett resides with her parents. William E., Jr. is attending school at Lawrenceville, N. J. Mr. Gerber is a member of the Sutter Club of Sacramento, the Pacific Union Club and the Union League Club of San Francisco.
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JOHN B. HICKS
The self-made man is in evidence in California as manifestly as in any part of this country of self-made men. Sacramento has as many men of this class as any city in the state, population consid- ered, and of the younger ones few are better or more favorably known than the one whose name is the title to this brief notice. Mr. Hicks was born at Watseka, Ill., December 2, 1869, a son of James V. Hicks and a grandson of John J. Hicks. His father and his grand- father and their families had come to the coast in 1874 and located in San Diego county, where they had turned their attention profit- ably to sheep-raising, their operations covering extensive tracts of land and giving employment to many men in different ways.
It was in the public schools of San Diego county that the imme- diate subject of this sketch gained a practical primary education. His more advanced education has been obtained by hard and some- times discouraging study and observation in the school of experi- ence. His first active participation in the battle for life was as a farmer. Later he became identified with the hotel business, and it was by a five years' experience as a hotel clerk in San Francisco that he gained that knowledge of men and their ways that has stood him in such good stead in his subsequent business career. In 1898 he became connected with the transfer business of Jolm F. Cooper and the Walrath Brothers, in which he later became half owner. The enterprise of which he is now manager is known as the Capital Sac- ramento Transfer, Van and Storage Company, and it is one of the largest of its class in Northern California. This company is duly incorporated under the state law.
Maud L. King became the wife of Mr. Hicks April 16, 1902, and they have a daughter named Ruth, who was born May 12, 1903. Mrs. Hicks was the daughter of William and Sarah A. King of Sacramento. Her father came to California in 1850 and mined several years with varying success. For twenty-five years he was identified with Yolo county and some of its well known interests. He passed away in Sacramento in 1900. In everything pertaining to the advancement of his adopted city Mr. Hicks has taken an earnest and helpful interest. While he has not figured as an active politician he has ably done his part in such political work as has appealed to his sense of public duty. In 1912 he was prevailed upon by influential citizens of the Third ward of Sacramento to accept the nomination of his party for the office of trustee. He is a York rite Mason, a Shriner, an Odd Fellow, a Woodman of the World, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in some of these orders he has been raised to important office. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are com-
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municants of the Presbyterian church, active in the work of that religious body and generous in support of its varied interests.
In the matter of investment Mr. Hicks has been as wise as he has been enterprising. Firmly believing in the safety as well as profit of land investments he has become possessed of real estate, notably of a tract of forty acres on the Riverside road, five miles from the Sacramento city line. His public spirit impels him to do all in his power to advance the best interests of his community and his state, and there are few reasonable demands on his patriotism to which he does not respond with cheerful liberality.
EDWARD GILLESPIE, SR.
About one-half century of identification with the material up- building of the city and county of Sacramento gave to Mr. Gillespie an intimate knowledge of local resources and possibilities and also brought to him the warm regard of other pioneers, who, with him- self, were truly loyal to the locality of their adoption. In his char- acter no phase stood out more prominently than his affectionate de- votion to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, in which faith he had been reared at the old Irish home. Never for a moment of his long life did he swerve from his allegiance to the religion of his choice and for more than forty years he rented a pew in the Sacra- mento house of worship. From this place he was seldom absent on occasions when services were held and his presence was expected. When finally in July of 1907 his life on earth came to an end he was consoled in his last moments by the prayers of the church and he entered into everlasting rest with the Christian's bright hope of happiness.
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