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 99
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Graham. Attending the public schools until he was fifteen, he then entered Santa Clara College, and graduated in 1898 with the degree of A. B. He then taught in the institution for two years. Being fond of athletic sports he became a skillful baseball player and his first work as a professional was in 1900, when he played with the Pueblo team of the western league. During the season of 1901 he was with the San Francisco team as catcher, and for the seasons of 1902 and 1903 was catcher and manager of the Sacramento club. During 1904 and 1905 he was catcher with the Tacoma aggregation, and for 1906 was catcher with the Boston club, in 1907 returning to Sacramento as pro- prietor of the Sacramento club. Since this time he has continued as manager of this club, having played as catcher until 1910, when he retired as a player.
In 1910 Mr. Graham became engaged in the automobile business under the firm name of Graham-Lamus Co., exclusive dealers in Baker electric automobiles. He built a garage at No. 1217 Seventh street, it being an L with an outlet on L street; this garage is solely for the care and charging of electric cars. On November 25, 1903, he married Miss Clara Black of Sacramento, and they have three chil- dren, Clara, Charles and Robert. Fraternally he holds membership with the Elks, Knights of Columbus, and the Fort Sutter Parlor, N. S. G. W. He is a member of the Catholic church, and in politics his affiliations are with the Democratic party.
GEORGE GREEN
Modern civilization with its complexities of public service and its intricacies of commercial enterprises gives an important place to the duties of special agent. Comparatively few have the mental equipment and the physical endurance qualifying them for tasks so difficult and responsibilities so weighty as those connected with such work, and it affords abundant evidence as to the ability of Mr. Green when the statement is made that he ranks as the peer of any of the western representatives of his chosen occupation. In logical reasoning, quick- ness of comprehension, keenness in securing evidence and patience in proving the same, he possesses qualifications for efficient detective service and long experience along the line of his specialty has developed his native gifts in such a manner as to indicate that his choice of an occupation was wisely made.
Through a residence in Sacramento covering a period of twenty- five or more years Mr. Green has won and retained the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances, all of whom bear testimony concern-
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ing his capable services in special police and detective work. \ son of William and Sarah Green, he was born in the city of New York March 24, 1863, but at a very early age accompanied the family to California, settling in San Francisco, where he attended the grammar and high schools until fourteen years of age. After that he took up the task of self-support. Independent and resolute by nature, he found it no difficult task to earn a livelihood. Having always been fond of horses and able to manage even the most fiery of animals, he secured employment as a trainer and traveled through- out various parts of the state in that capacity.
Upon establishing his headquarters in Sacramento during the year 1887 Mr. Green entered the police service as an officer. A year later he was chosen to engage in special police work and in that line he continued as a city employe until 1906, when he became an assistant special agent for the Southern Pacific. Railroad and during 1909 received promotion to his present position as special agent for the same road. The difficult and delicate nature of his business causes him to refrain from political activity and he takes no part in politics aside from voting the Republican ticket, although he is well qualified for public service and official responsibilities. Nor has he, aside from membership with the Eagles, any association with fraternal organizations. During July of 1888 he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Gonnet, a native of Sacramento, and they have resided here ever since and now own and occupy a comfortable home at No. 3504 Seventh avenue, Oak Park, this city.
M. W. GRIFFIN
Among the stanch-hearted ones who made the perilous water journey to California, crossing the isthmus in canoes pushed by native boatmen and concluding their journey mule-back toward the landing of the steamer Isthmus, Captain Harris commanding. which was to be the means of transportation in the last stage of an ad- venturesome journey, were Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Griffin, descendants of old families in their native Ireland. While at college Mr. Griffin had become interested in America and had suddenly changed his life plans and set sail for New Orleans, where he identified himself with the coffee and cotton business. His marriage to his childhood playmate followed soon after her arrival in New Orleans. Mrs. Griffin was a member of the famous Fitzgerald and McDonnell fam- ilies, the latter one of the most ancient in the west of Ireland. Though their life was care free and happy, they heard and responded
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to the call of the Golden West. With them were twelve young Kentuckians who were their companions on the dangerous Chagres river trip, with its yelling and fighting native boatmen. Becoming faint-hearted as they approached the steamer, tossing on the bosom of the Pacific, they besought the Griffins to return with them to home and friends. But this was in vain, for Marshall's great dis- covery, coupled with tales of the sunny land where flowers never die, made them ignore the dangers of the deep. So, with a tear for their friends and a smile for the future, they embarked on the Isthmus. For a time all went well, but suddenly the ship sprung a leak and twenty-four hours of peril followed; but this was soon forgotten under the lure of the land of the Golden West, and the steamer sailed through the Golden Gate April 16, 1853.
After a year's residence in San Francisco the Griffins stopped at what of Sacramento then existed and then pushed on to the gold mines, where all had faith that
"Gold was got in pan and pot, Soup-tureen or ladle, Basket, bird-cage or what not, Even to a cradle."
In the spring of 1869 they located permanently in Sacramento, which then contained few imposing buildings. A stately capitol charmed the eye, but the glory of its park was wanting. Historic Sutter Fort, a ruin, was then far out in the country; today, a spot both interesting and sacred, it is surrounded by beautiful homes. Instead of the majestic Cathedral with its cross-tipped spire, was old St. Rose, several feet below the grade, and in admiring the splendid govern- ment building which occupies the old St. Rose location, the little low postoffice at Fourth and K streets seems but a dream.
Mining interests both in California and Nevada always held Mr. Griffin's attention, for he was a true pioneer, but he engaged for some years in the hotel business in Placer and Eldorado counties and became a prominent and public-spirited citizen of that section. On settling in Sacramento, he gave up his hotel interests and identi- fied himself with the shipping department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. His two elder sons, John F. and Edward Emmett Griffin, rarely gifted young men, employed in the San Francisco offices of the same company, died in young manhood, and their passing proved his own death blow. Though he was in the midst of his labors and of his usefulness, he was unable to rally from the shock that he had received, and his life went out on a February day in 1894. Surviving him are Mrs. M. (Fitzgerald) Griffin, an honored mother, her son Franklin A. Griffin, a well known lawyer, accomplished musician, executive secretary to Governor Hiram W. Johnson and past president of Stanford Parlor, N. S. G. W .; Miss
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Mary G. Griffin, teacher and talented musician; and Miss Lizzie M. Griffin, vice-principal of the Mary J. Watson grammar school, composer, and organist of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. One grandson, Gerald Griffin, notary public for San Francisco and prominent in real estate circles, lives in that city.
JOSEPH WILLIAM ANGRAVE
For more than a quarter of a century agricultural enterprises in Sacramento county have engaged the intelligent attention of Joseph William Angrave, who is regarded as one of the most experienced farmers and capable stock-raisers in the vicinity of Galt. A lifelong identification with this county proved helpful to him when he started out to earn his own way in the world .. While during the early years of his business activity he had different interests successively in town and country, eventually he settled upon his present place and here he has been content to remain, receiving from his resourceful industries a goodly income each year. The tilling of the soil, con- ducted skillfully and wisely, has been a leading element in his pros- perity, but he has also found the stock industry profitable and through specializing in cattle he has established a wide reputation for skill and success.
The earliest recollections of Joseph William Angrave cluster around a house that stood on the corner of Tenth and J streets in the city of Sacramento. There his birth occurred June 21. 1861. His parents, Joseph and Jane (Davis) Angrave, were natives of Lancashire, England, the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1829. Married in their native shire during the year 1856, they came to the United States three years later and after landing in New York City proceeded direct to California, settling in Sacramento. In the capital city he opened up a business on J street between Ninth and Tenth and there he continued in business up to the time of his death in 1872. For many years afterward his widow remained at the old home, where her closing days were made happy by the friendship of a large circle of old acquaintances and by the affection- ate ministrations of her children. July 6, 1894, she passed from her earthly home into the mysteries of eternity.
Between the years of six and ten Joseph William Angrave at- tended the public schools of Sacramento. Afterward he was a pupil in the Grant school district, five miles from Galt, and at the age of sixteen he entered a business college at Sacramento, where he completed the regular commercial course. At the expiration of a
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year in that institution he returned to the farm. Eventually he began for himself in San Joaquin county and bought a ranch near Elliott, where he ultimately owned twelve hundred acres. After ten years on a farm there he rented it and returned to the vicinity of Galt and bought five hundred acres of grain land. This he later sold. From 1880 to 1883 he was proprietor of a livery barn, but in the year last-named he resumed agricultural pursuits, to which he since has devoted his undivided attention. He still owns two ranches near Galt, one of three hundred and sixty and the other two hundred and fifty-two acres, devoted to dairying. Political affairs have never been allowed to divert his mind from his chosen occu- pation, but he keeps posted concerning national questions and gives his support to the Republican party. In fraternal relations he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. December 24, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Lorena Jeannette Wooster, who was born in San Francisco, the daughter of John M. and Jeannette (Clough) Wooster, natives of New York state. They came to California in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Angrave have three children, namely: Verna, William Wooster, and Joseph Marshall. The eldest child is now a student in the high school, while the sons are pupils in the grammar-schools and all are enjoying the ad- vantages of careful preparation for the activities of life.
HARRY W. BAKER
It was in Alexandria, Pa., that the well known realty dealer of Sacramento whose name is above was born March 2, 1863, and there he gained his primary education in the public schools of the town and took more advanced courses in Juniata College. He devoted five years to theological study, one and a half years in Pennsylvania and three and a half years in California, and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasanton, Cal., in April, 1892. He was in regular work for fifteen years, during which time he was at Hastings, Pa., and at Biggs, Williams, Forest Hill, Oak Park and Livermore, Cal. Active as a member of the California conference, he still does local ministerial work. Lately he devotes his attention to real estate operations in Sacramento and at Oak Park, the latter section being the center of his operations chiefly. His place of business is located at No. 2825 Thirty-fifth street, Sacramento, and he unites with these duties those of notary public.
Mr. Baker married in 1894 Belle S. Summers, the wedding taking place as San Jose. Their residence is at No. 3515 Cypress
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avenne, Sacramento. They have had five children, of whom George R., Henry Glazier, May E. and Genevieve are attending the public schools. Dwight E. died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Baker has taken much interest in social and beneficial societies and he is chancellor commander of Confidence Lodge No. 78, K. P. of Sacra- mento, a member of Livermore Lodge No. 219, I. O. O. F., and the Mount Diablo Encampment I. O. O. F., of Pleasanton. He is actively interested in commercial and civie welfare and is a member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce as well as the Oak Park Business Men's Association, of which latter he serves as treasurer. A man of public spirit he takes an active part in all movements for the good of the citizens of Sacramento and which in his belief promise to benefit the people at large.
SPENCER BARFOOT
Destiny brought to Mr. Barfoot an identification with and a knowl- edge of three centuries. Concerning these he has only vague and indistinct memories of the first, England, where he was born in 1834 and whence he was taken to Canada at an age ere he had been trained to habits of close observation. When seven years old he began his sojourn in Canada and there he passed the years of boyhood and youth, there he married Miss Ellen Jordan, and there he took upon himself the responsibilities incident to the maintenance of a family. The third and last country of his residence and the land of his permanent citizenship was the United States, where he engaged in farming near Whitewater, Wis., and devoted the years of his strength and activity to the securing of a competency. During his residence there he accomplished much for the benefit of the community, for in his citizenship he avoided selfishness but labored for the general welfare of all. By experience he became thoroughly conversant with the best methods of conducting a farm. Intelligent oversight was responsible for the uniformly excellent crops that he secured from the cultivation of the soil. Eventually, desiring to enter upon an old age of comfort and relaxation from farm cares, he disposed of his property in Wisconsin and with his wife removed to Sacramento in 1903, joining some of their family in this city, where six years later he was deeply bereaved by the death of his wife, the devoted counselor of his days of labor and the beloved companion of his later years of tranquil retirement.
There were nine children in the family of Spencer and Ellen Barfoot and all are living except a son, Frederick. They are named
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as follows: John, Frank, Will, Ebenezer, Earl R., Morley, Archie and Grace. Fair common-school educations were given to the sons and daughter in their childhood and they have become substan- tial citizens of their chosen communities. All are married with the exception of Earl R. and Archie and they reside with their father at No. 3716 Magnolia street. The latter son is employed by the Southern Pacific Company, while Earl R., who came to California during 1895 and for four years remained in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, after a subsequent visit at the old Wisconsin home, returned to embark in the hardware business in Sacramento. About 1911 he became interested in the poultry business and since then he has become a specialist with pure-bred chickens. While he favors Republican principles in national issues, he gives his support in local campaigns to the men whom he considers best qualified for the offices in question. With his father and brother he contributes toward the maintenance of worthy civic enterprises and exhibits a public spirit that never has been questioned. It is to the citizenship of such patriotic and progressive men that Sacramento is indebted for her past progress and present standing.
HON. CHARLES B. BILLS
From the humble tasks that fall to the lot of the boy raised on a New York state farm, to the weighty responsibilities associated with the management of a large commercial enterprise, the develop- ment of the personal interests of Mr. Bills has resulted from his unceasing industry, unwearied perseverance and untiring energy, qualities that almost invariably bring to their fortunate possessor a certain degree of material success. As boy and youth he learned the difficult task of saving the small wages possible to unskilled labor; as a man he was ready to invest these small savings in a manner suggested by his own discriminating foresight, so that he laid the foundation of his own ultimate prosperity by personal efforts and sagacious judgment. Since the autumn of 1894 he has been a resident of California and has engaged in the buying and selling of fruit, an industry in which he has had long experience and thorough training.
Into the home of D. F. and Marietta Bills at Ithaca, N. Y., Charles B. Bills was born May 5, 1863. At the age of six he was sent to the public school and by regular promotions he rose to the grammar department, which he completed at the age of thirteen. Not having the means necessary to carry on high-school studies he
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began to work on farms by the day and continued in the employ of strangers until 1884, when at the age of twenty-one years he rented his father's farm. Upon the death of his father in 1891 and the settlement of the estate, he closed out his interests in the east and settled in Chicago, where he found employment with a fruit commission house, that of Porter Bros. Co., with whom he continued as a laborer until the spring of 1893, when he was promoted to be a traveling salesman. In the interests of the company he came to California in the fall of 1894 and assumed charge of the branch of the business at San Jose, continuing there until 1901, when he was transferred to San Francisco and given charge of the coast branches owned by the company. The failure of the firm in 1905 ended his long connection with their interests.
Upon his arrival in Sacramento in 1905 Mr. Bills entered en- thusiastically into the work of organizing the Pioneer Fruit Com- pany and since then he has served as the president of the concern. During the first year of the company's existence seven hundred cars of fruit were shipped, but so rapid has been its growth that in 1910 forty-two hundred cars were shipped to the general markets of the world. To manage these large and growing interests a keen intelli- gence is necessary, nor are determination, energy and industry less essential, and we find that Mr. Bills possesses all of these qualities in large measure. To their exercise may be attributed his high degree of success.
While living in Chicago Mr. Bills formed the acquaintance of Miss Ella C. Carman, a resident of that city. After their marriage, March 19, 1895, they established a home in San Jose, later in San Francisco and eventually became citizens of Sacramento, where they own a beautiful home at No. 2609 .M street. They are the parents of two children. The daughter, Florence, has received ex- cellent educational advantages in a private school. The son, Robert C., is a pupil in the high school of Sacramento. The family holds membership with the Protestant Episcopal church and Mr. Bills has been honored with the office of trustee of the northern diocese of that denomination. For some years he has been an active member in the local camp of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically he votes with the Republican party in both general and local elections. Recognizing his qualifications for the public service, his party chose him as nominee for state senator a few years after his removal to Sacramento and he was duly elected in the fall of 1908, serving the regular sessions of 1909-11 and the special session of 1911. During his term he was Chairman of the Agricultural, Horticultural and Trees and Vines and member of the Finance, Public Buildings, Good Roads and Hospitals and Asylums. At the expiration of his term he had won a high reputation not
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only among members of the legislature, but also among the peo- ple of the district and though his renomination was asked for, not only by his own party but by business men from the other party, he refused to be a candidate for renomination. This clearly indicates his diligence as an official, his trustworthiness as a representative and his prominence as a citizen.
GEORGE H. CUTTER
The president of the California Fruit Exchange ranks among the most experienced and progressive fruit-growers in the valley of the Sacramento and in his official capacity he is giving to other horti- culturists the benefit of his practical experience with deciduous fruits. For a period of twelve years, beginning in 1898 and continuing until 1910, he held the office of horticultural commissioner. His efficient discharge of official duties was a matter of general comment and prepared the way for later association with kindred activities. With keen patriotic devotion he devotes himself to the horticultural up- building of his native commonwealth. It has been his steadfast endeavor to promote the fruit industry in the state, to secure better conditions, to correct evils and to raise the kind of fruit adapted to a particular locality. Any progress made in the industry is a cause of gratification not only to him, but to all interested in the business.
Descended from remote English ancestry and from Revolutionary stock, George H. Cutter was born in San Francisco November 22, 1863, and is a son of R. S. and Jennie E. Cutter, the former a native of Jefferson county, N. H., and the latter born in Belfast, Me. As early as 1853 the father accompanied an expedition of Argonauts to California, where for some time he engaged in mining with indif- ferent success. Coming to Sacramento county in 1869 he took up land and began to develop a farm, but his death four years later prevented the carrying out of his plans for agricultural success. His widow still survives. Of their five children the third, George H., received his education in public schools and at Atkinson's Busi- ness College. Upon leaving school he engaged in farming and always has been more or less interested in that occupation or allied activities. In Sacramento, December 28, 1892, he married Miss Carrie M. Curtis, a native of Sacramento and a daughter of William Curtis, one of the earliest settlers in the Sacramento valley. Mr. and Mrs. ('utter have one son, Curtis Harold.
At the time when his father-in-law, William Curtis, held the office of county supervisor, Mr. Cutter was appointed road master
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and for eight years had charge of the building of roads, meanwhile constructing the first macadam road in the entire county. During the years 1894-95 he served as deputy assessor and from 1898 to 1910, as previously stated, he filled the office of horticultural com- missioner with great efficiency. Upon the organization of the Cali- fornia Fruit Exchange he became a stockholder and director and now fills the office of president, discharging the manifold duties of the position with executive ability and unflagging zeal. Together with his brother he has added acreage to the old homestead and acquired large interests in other properties in the state. Mr. Cutter is also a public spirited citizen aiding those measures having for their object the permanent upbuilding not only of the city, but the whole of the Sacramento Valley.
W. WALTER BASSETT
Those who have known and observed with interest the career of the native sons of California are impressed with their intelligence, their marked ability and increased prominence in both business and public affairs. The opportunities afforded by the Great West brought them a degree of individual prestige, and the localities identified with their labors have benefited thereby.
W. Walter Bassett was born in the city of Sacramento; its schools gave him exceptional educational advantages. His first business position was that of assistant to the city surveyor. Later he found employment with the old-established firm of Adams-McNeill Company, and he continued in their service for several years, finally resigning the position as traveling salesman for that company. He then became associated with Sparrow Smith, and the Capital Bank- ing & Trust Company was organized, of which he became cashier, and one of its directors. In 1911 the commercial department of the bank was nationalized under the name of The Capital National Bank ; he is now cashier of this bank also. He is also one of the re-organizers and a director of the Citizens Bank of Oak Park.
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