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 97
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In August, 1897, Mr. Wahrhaftig was admitted by the Supreme Court of the state of California to the practice of law in all the courts of the state, and later on in the federal courts. Judge A. , P. Catlin recognized his ability by offering him room in his own law offices. It did not take long before he acquired a lucrative prac- tice and ever increasing clientele. He has never left Sacramento, where he is now located in the Nicolaus Building. His profession has not rendered him exclusive. From time to time he contributes articles for newspapers and has written some short stories dealing with Jewish life in Russia. He is a member of several branches of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, Sacramento Turn Verein, of nearly all local Jewish religious fraternal or benevolent societies, and is affiliated with almost every National Jewish organization, in all of which he takes a very active interest.
In October, 1908, Mr. Wahrhaftig married Miss Irma R. Levy, then a teacher in the public schools of Sacramento county, and promi- nent in literary, art and fraternal circles. She is the daughter of E. R. Levy, a pioneer merchant of Folsom. His comfortable home has been blessed with a son and daughter.
LINCOLN P. WILLIAMS
A son of Francis O. A. and Fanny ( Timmins) Williams, Lincoln P. Williams, county auditor of Sacramento county, was born in San Francisco, April 7, 1865. At Sacred Heart College, that city, he was educated for the responsibilities of business life. He early learned the bookbinder's trade and in 1888 came to Sacramento and had
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charge as foreman of the state bindery, which is connected with the State Printer's Office, continuing in this capacity until January, 1903, when he assumed "the duties of his present office. The first ballot Mr. Williams cast was for Republican candidates and he has been an active worker for the success of the Republican party ever since. In recognition not only of his qualifications for the office, but also of his services as a stanch supporter of his party in its measures and principles, he was in .1902 nominated in the county convention for the office of county auditor and was duly elected in the fall of that year to serve for a term of four years, 1903-07. At the elose of this term he was renominated and re-elected for a sec- ond term of four years, 1907-11, when he was renominated and re- elected as his own successor once more. His official conduct has elicited tributes to his efficiency, fidelity and promptness, and aside from being a faithful public servant he is also a genial, companion- able gentleman and a dependable friend.
To the honor of being a native born citizen of California Mr. Williams adds the distinction of being an able and popular official and one of the best-known men in Sacramento county, where, ex- cept for a few brief absences, he has lived his active years thus far. While he has not won great wealth or fame, he has won honor in his en country. Quietly, contentedly and usefully he has pursued his daily walk as an efficient and honorable public official and as a citi- zen of the highest principles. As county auditor he has labored in- defatigably in the performance of his duties, with an earnest desire to win not only the commendation of his own party, but that of his political opponents of whatever belief.
The marriage of Mr. Williams, in San Francisco April 21, 1891, united him with Miss Ollie C. Smith, of Sacramento, the recipient of excellent educational advantages and a lady of the highest cul- ture. The family which she represents is of pioneer stock, her father being Leonard C. Smith, who was one of the early business men of Sacramento.
WILLIS A. MACKINDER
This popular insurance man, auctioneer, ex-editor and publisher, who is known throughout Northern California, is a native of Young America, Washington county, Wis., and was born March 18, 1861. In 1869, when he was about eight years old, his parents located in Sonoma county, Cal., and later they moved to St. Helena, Napa county. For five years Mr. Mackinder was editor and publisher of
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the St. Helena Star, selling the paper to engage in the real-estate business, in which he prospered until November 1, 1909, when he left St. Helena and came to Sacramento, where he has been inter- ested in the same line up to the present time and has turned some notable deals.
For some years Mr. Mackinder has given attention to general auctioneering, selling merchandise, personal property and real es- tate, and is one of the most successful in his line in Northern Cali- fornia. His office is with the Fred J. Johns Co., No. 1023 Ninth Street. As a citizen he is public spirited to an unusual degree, hav- ing at heart the advancement of his city and county and assisting to the extent of his ability every movement which in his opinion promises to benefit the general public.
HUGH M. STRACHAN
The changing experiences that have come into his existence in a larger measure than into the lives of many have given to Mr. Strachan a knowledge of different parts of the world and, being a man of keen mind and careful observation, he has accumulated a broad and valuable fund of general information. Although scarcely eight years of age when he left his native Scotland, where he was born September 2, 1875, he recalls vividly many events associated with that country and remembers the scenes of picturesque and rugged beauty in the vicinity of the old home. After he came to the new world he had the advantages of the schools of Pullman, Ill., and Detroit, Mich., and while acquiring a thorough education he also was learning much con- cerning the great middle-west region of America. Subsequent expe- riences in California filled him with a deep affection for this great state, the chosen home of his maturity. In addition he has enjoyed varied experiences as a traveler on the Pacific ocean and an employe of the United States government on the Philippine Islands, with whose material and political condition he has become thoroughly con- versant.
Immediately after the, immigration of the family to America in 1883 the father, Hugh Strachan, entered the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Company in a suburb of Chicago. For three years he continued with the same firm, after which he removed to Detroit, Mich. to enter their shops at that point. The year 1895 found him a new- comer in Sacramento, where he entered the motive power department of the Southern Pacific Railroad, having continued with them ever since. Meanwhile the son, Hugh M., had finished his education in 55
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Detroit, Mich., and had entered the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad as clerk in the motive power department, where he remained until 1898. This position with its fair prospects for the future he re- linqnished in order that he might volunteer for the war with Spain, enlisting in the Eighteenth Company, U. S. V. Signal Corps. Ordered to the Philippine Islands early in 1898 he remained there from July of that year to October of the following year, also participating in the stirring events leading up to the capture of the second largest island in the group. Upon his return to the United States in October of 1899 he continued in the government employ, but was transferred to the position of gauger, continuing as such from 1899 to 1906. During the following year he served as deputy collector of internal revenue for the state of Nevada. The head offices were in Sacramento and the office in this city was given jurisdiction over the Nevada office in Reno. October 15, 1910, he was promoted to the position of cashier of the internal revenue office and since then has been stationed at Sacramento, where he makes his home with his parents. His association with the government service has reflected great credit upon himself and has evidenced the possession of tact, education and precision of judgment in the many details over which he has control. While never exhibiting any partisanship in his views, he upholds Republican principles and never fails to cast a ballot for the party nominees in all elective con- tests. The Sntter Club of Sacramento has his name enrolled among its active members and he also takes an interested part in the activ- ities of the Episcopal Church of his home city.
FRANK C. MILLER
The thorough educational preparation afforded by an eastern university and the invaluable experience gained by identification with construction work with eastern railroads admirably qualified Mr. Miller for snecessful proseention of the tasks connected with engineer- ing and surveying when in 1902 he became a citizen of Sacramento and thus began a congenial association with the west. The office of county surveyor which he now fills does not represent the limit of his capable contribution to local advancement, for in addition he has been a helpful factor in railway construction work and by successful labors ยท here has added to the prestige of an eastern reputation previously established. Since he was elected surveyor and entered upon official duties, in Jannary of 1911, he has devoted his attention to the work of the office, where he has introduced modern conveniences along sur- veying lines as well as in systematic rontine of accounting.
A member of a family established in the central west during the era of frontier development and himself a native of Romney, Ind.,
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Frank C. Miller received an excellent education in the public and high schools of Franklin county, after which he engaged in teaching in that county for two years. With the earnings of this period of teaching he was able to attend the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he took the regular course in civil engineering and in 1893 was gradnated with a high standing. The first position secured after graduation was that of rodman with the Big Four Railroad Company, in whose employ he remained for one year. Next he engaged for six months on construction work for the Cleveland, Loraine & Wheeling Railroad Company. From that position he went to the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad, where he worked as assistant chief engineer until December of 1899. From that time until he came to California in 1902 he was connected with the Chicago & Alton Rail- road as engineer in the maintenance of way department.
Upon coming to California and establishing headquarters at Sac- ramento, Mr. Miller for five years held the position of resident engi- neer for the Sacramento division of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, having charge of the department of maintenance and con- struction. Then for a time he engaged in work independently. He later filled with characteristic ability the position of chief engineer with the Central Traction Company, had charge of the construction work of that road, and is still holding that position with the company. While thus engaged he was elected county surveyor in November, 1910, during his service also having charge of the construction of the Sacramento Terminal Railway and the Vallejo Northern Railway in Sacramento. He is now in charge of the construction of the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Railroad, running from Sacramento to Suisun Bay.
The wife of Mr. Miller was before her marriage Miss Julia Throckmorton, of Lafayette, Ind. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Helen and Frances. Though in sympathy with all religious movements, Mr. Miller is identified with the Congregational church. With intense devotion to the work of his choice, he has had little leisure for participation in public affairs, and takes no part in polities aside from voting the Republican ticket at all elections. He was made a Mason in Tehama Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Order of Moose.
CRADDOC MEREDITH
An organization well known in the commercial circles of Sacra- mento, the American Fish Company has developed and now manages a business extending into every part of the United States and even across the Atlantic ocean into Germany. The success of the enter-
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prise is due to the energy and capability of the manager, Mr. Meredith, who assisted in the promotion of the concern, was largely instrumental in effecting its organization, acquired a one-half interest with Mr. Mor- gan as his partner, and eventually acquired the holdings of the other member of the firm, thereafter forming a stock company and incorporat- ing under the laws of the state of California. The original officers of the company are as follows: Walter Mack, of San Francisco, president; Craddoc Meredith, of Sacramento, vice-president; D. Cushman, of San Francisco, secretary; and B. L. Sisson, of Sacramento, treasurer. One hundred and twenty-five fishermen are employed by the company on the rivers of the west and the entire outfit of fishing boats is owned by the concern itself, so that large sums have been invested in the equipment, but the results have fully justified the magnitude of the original expense.
The manager of this prosperous business enterprise has been connected with fish interests for twenty years and therefore possesses the broad experience indispensable to the successful supervision of such a concern. He is a native of Iowa and was born in Des Moines January 20, 1871, being a son of Zoro B. Meredith, one of the first as well as one of the leading coal operators of that state during early days. It was he who shipped the first carload of coal that ever left Des Moines, the destination of the shipment being Council Bluffs, Iowa. Under the auspices of the Union Pacific Railroad Company he opened coal mines at Rock Springs, Wyom., and there he continued to manage large interests until 1893, when he was accidentally killed in the mines. All of his ten children are still living and they are widely scattered, some being as far south as Mexico, while others have been interested in the mines of Alaska. The wife and mother, now a resident of Port Angeles, Wash., was among the first women in the United States privileged to cast a presidential ballot, for she made her home in Wyoming at the time that equal suffrage laws were given to that state and it is now nearly forty years since she first enjoyed the franchise privilege.
For twenty-one years the family had their home in Rock Springs, Wyom., and there Craddoc Meredith received such educational advan- tages as fell to his lot. He was only three years old when the family became residents of Wyoming and at the age of twelve it was his choice to start working in the mines. He continued this until he was fifteen years old, and from then until he was nineteen he rode the range, gaining valuable experience thereby. He then went as far east as Chicago, where he entered the employ of Booth & Co., fish merchants. After he had learned the details of the business as carried on there, he resigned at the end of a year and removed to the Puget Sound country. For a time he worked in Seattle, where he acquired a knowledge of the fish business as there conducted. The year 1894
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found him in San Francisco, where for four years he was employed by the American Union Fish Company. Coming to Sacramento in December of 1899, he has since been identified with the business inter- ests of the capital city. Besides his business in this city he is inter- ested in many different fish companies all over the Pacific Coast, many of which he assisted in organizing. In 1911 he conceived the idea of and organized the Pacific National Fire Insurance Company with a capital of $1,000,000, he being a director and treasurer. Being founded and run on broad business principles the business of the company has had a rapid progress and is already on a firm financial basis. In addition to the interests enumerated he is serving as president of the Home Products League and is a member of the executive board of the Merchants' Association. He has been active in the Sacramento Athletic Association, while fraternally he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. During 1893 he was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Allen, of Rock Springs, Wyom., a woman of culture and a leading member of the Rebekahs lodge in Sacramento, as well as a contributor to the movements for the general advancement of the city. The Meredith family consists of two children, of whom Lolo was born in 1894 and Venns B. in 1897, and both are being given the best advantages which the schools of Sacramento afford.
GEORGE A. BURNS
The business interests of Sacramento have an efficient representa- tive in the person of George A. Burns, who has the distinction of being a native-born son of the city as well as one of its influential and progressive men of commerce. Identified with the community through- out all of his life, he received his excellent education in the local schools, gained his first knowledge of business in local work and for years has been numbered among its men of business, having at a very early age entered into the retail wood and coal business at No. 2231 N street. For a long period he continued at the same location, but eventually he disposed of the yards, after which he embarked in the wholesale coal and wood business, which he now conducts with systematic supervision and intelligent oversight. The general com- mercial activities of the city have been fostered by his loyal support and his reputation is that of a progressive and honorable citizen, patriotic in thought and capable in action.
While himself a native of Sacramento, where he was born Jannary 18, 1876, George A. Burns descends from a long line of Celtic ancestry and is a son of Joseph and Sarah Burns, the former born and reared on the old Emerald Isle. The conditions in Ireland were such as to
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preclude any hope of successful effort and Joseph Burns therefore was led to cast in his destinies with those of the new world, particularly with those of the vast undeveloped west. When he crossed the Atlantic in 1853 he came on via Panama to California, landing from a vessel in the harbor of San Francisco, from which point he proceeded to the mines, then the center of great activity. At the time of the great excitement concerning gold discoveries on the Fraser river he went to that section of the country, where he prospected until 1854. Later he went to Nevada and became interested in mining near Warsaw. As early as 1856 he became a resident of Sacramento and began to take contracts for putting in sewers, grading streets and building street railways. From that time until his death in 1893 he ranked among the most influential and prominent contractors in the city.
When about fourteen years of age George A. Burns left school and became self-supporting, since which time he has made his own way in the world. For a time he was employed to assist his father in street and railroad construction work and soon he gained a thorough knowledge of that line of business, so that while yet a mere youth he did considerable work on his own responsibility. During November of 1897 he opened a wood and coal yard on N street and this he conducted for almost fourteen years, finally selling in May of 1911. Since then he has engaged in a wholesale business along the same lines, having his place of business at Thirtieth and R streets, where he keeps on hand large quantities of fuel for sale to retailers at reason- able prices. In the midst of many business cares he has found leisure for participation in the local activities of the Democratic party and in the fraternal enterprises of the Elks and the Native Sons of the Golden West, in both of which he has been quite prominent. April 14, 1894, he married Miss Sadie Bradshaw, of Sacramento. One child blesses their union, a daughter, Josephine, now a pupil in the Sisters' convent. The family are earnest members of the Roman Catholic Church.
HON. FREDERICK COX
Any narrative of the pioneer experiences of Mr. Cox in California would present a recapitulation more or less complete of the hardships and privations endured by all early settlers who, like himself, had been allured to the west through visions of its unknown opportunities. In contrast with the majority of the emigrants, he did not seek the gold mines. Fascinating as seemed the occupation, he did not blind his judgment to the fact that of the thousands who sought the hidden wealth of the country few found what they longed for with such keen anticipation. To him there seemed more of safety although less of
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allurement to the old business regime and he therefore sought em- ployment in town. While at first there seemed little material return from his efforts, eventually he gained a competency. Retiring from commercial activities he gave his time to the enjoyment of social inter- course with his family and friends and to the maintenance of an intelli- gent interest in all public affairs. When in 1906 death terminated his earthly labors, there was brought to an honorable end an association of considerably more than fifty years with the great state of California and an intimate identification with many movements for the perma- nent welfare of the people. A strong, helpful character passed into eternity, a character that had irradiated a beneficial influence upon the community and had proved the governing element of a long career.
Descended from an honorable Anglo-Saxon ancestry, Frederick Cox was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1828, and during boyhood accompanied members of the family to the United States. After six months in New York City, removal was made to Milwaukee, Wis., where the father secured work as a buyer and bookkeeper for a whole- sale and retail meat firm. As soon as he heard of the discovery of gold in California the young man desired to start for the west, but lack of funds deterred him until the spring of 1850. Meanwhile he had worked regularly and saved his earnings, so that he had ample for the expenses of the trip. With a party of six he started across the plains and crossed the Missouri river at the present site of Omaha, then called Winter Quarters because the Mormons had spent a winter there during their removal to Utah. The little expedition had the good fortune to secure a guide-book published by the Mormons, which contained full particulars concerning the route. It was thus possible for them to reach Salt Lake without any delay or difficulty, but they were less fortunate from that place to their destination. The guide- book for that part of the journey was inaccurate and unreliable. How- ever, they were able to reach Eldorado county in the autumn of the year and at Ringgold they separated, first pitching their tent in the middle of the street and investing their entire capital, $7, in a banquet of beefsteak, molasses and bread. The members of the party with the exception of Mr. Cox had practically exhausted their funds by the time they left Salt Lake, so he had been forced to pay the expenses of all for a time, but at the banquet, when called upon for a talk, he de- livered the first oration of his life when he tersely told his comrades it was now "Everyone for himself and the devil for the hindmost."
It being the desire of all but Mr. Cox to engage in mining the six men betook themselves to the store of Sargent Bros., and being granted a limited credit procured the necessary tools and started out in search of gold. Not caring to accompany them, Mr. Cox hired out to a butcher in Ringgold at $250 per month. After two months he bought the business, which he conducted for nine months. Upon selling out he proceeded to the Carson river in Nevada and with a
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partner engaged in buying horses and cattle from immigrants. These were then fattened and brought over the mountains to California, where they were sold at a fair profit. During the fall of 1851 Mr. Cox started a meat market at Salmon Falls, Eldorado county, which at the time was one of the liveliest mining camps in the state. With Charles Bonstell as a partner he remained there until the spring of 1852, when he moved to Shingle Springs, in the same county. At first he con- ducted a meat market alone, but later he sold an interest to C. W. Clarke, and they carried on the business for two years, selling out at a fair profit. Afterward they spent six months in the east buying stock and on their return in the fall of 1854 they opened a meat market at Grass Valley, Nevada county. Later they sold the business in order to give their entire attention to the handling of stock. As their herds increased and lands became scarce in the vicinity of Sacramento they found themselves obliged to seek ranges elsewhere. By successive purchases they acquired vast tracts in the counties of Sutter, Yuba, Tulare, Kern and San Luis Obispo, and over those broad acres the cattle roamed in large herds.
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