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, 1923, Part 101

Author: Reed, G. Walter
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1026

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, 1923 > Part 101

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RALPH ELLIS MARSH .- A very experienced poultryman, whose success has contributed to the ad- vancement of an important industry in California, is Ralph Ellis Marsh, the enterprising proprietor of the Hatchery and Poultry Farm situated on the Galt road, about two and one-half miles east of Galt. He is a native son, having been born at historie Vallejo, on November 17, 1870. His father was Archibald Marsh, a native of New York State, and a descendant of Sir Francis Drake; he migrated to Illinois when he was fourteen years old, and in 1852 came out to California as an emigrant, traveling by means of the prairie schooner and the ox team. He reached Placer- ville without even a shoe to cover his worn feet, and there mined until about 1868, when he removed to Vallejo, to work in the navy-yard. He married Miss Melville McConnaha, a native of Illinois, from an old family of the Prairie State, originally a branch of the Wagners; and she also came to California, in 1851. accompanying her parents, while crossing the plains. Her father settled at Volcano, in Amador County, where he had a hotel. In 1872 Archibald Marsh re- moved to Santa Clara, and there followed the car- penter trade, doing considerable contracting; and there he died at the age of seventy-nine. His good wife is still living in Santa Clara, enjoying her eightieth year.

The worthy couple had eight children, the eldest of whom, Frank, died in infancy, as did also George, the second-born. Bruce H. lives in Nebraska; Asa L. is at Santa Clara; Ralph E. is the subject of this sketch; Zadie E. has become Mrs. William M. Ab- bott, and lives at San Francisco; Archie W. is at Santa Clara; and Carl O. is at San Francisco.

Ralph Marsh attended the Santa Clara grammar school. At the age of eighteen he began to make his own way in hotel work at Tacoma, Wash., continuing thus for three years. He then went to the new town of Everett, where he worked for a year, and after that he was at Spokane for a short time, and then in Port- land for a year and a half, doing hotel work.

Returning to Santa Clara, he learned the house- painting trade and followed that until April, 1912, when he bought ten acres two and one-half miles east of Galt, which he at once began to develop, and where he has resided ever since. This ranch is devoted to poultry-raising and the hatching of baby chicks, and Mr. Marsh has twelve incubators, and disposes of his choice chicks rapidly at wholesale. He built all the structures, and made all the improvements on the place himself, so that he may take pardonable pride in what he has accomplished. He hatches about 14,000

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chicks a season. He belongs to the Grangers of Galt, and is a member of the Poultry Breeders' Association of California, the American Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce, of Galt.

At Santa Clara on February 1, 1903, Mr. Marsh was married to Miss Blanche E. Harper, who was born on the old Ingleson Ranch, on the Alviso-Milpitas road, seven miles north of San Jose, the daughter of Francis and Mary ( Ingleson) Harper. Her father was born and reared in Santa Clara Valley; and Grandfather Ingleson was an early pioneer who came from Maryland to California. Her folks were berry growers in Santa Clara County. Blanche Harper, the second in order of birth in a family of ten, was sent to the Alviso school. Frank is deceased; Lulu, the third-born, is Mrs. Fischer, of Berkeley; May is Mrs. McCreedy, of Lancaster; Gertrude is next; Charles is also deceased; James lives at Oakland; Stella is married, and is Mrs. Mockley, of Oakland, where live also Walter, and the youngest of the fam- ily, Lois, or Mrs. Pearson. Mr. Harper died in 1919, aged sixty-nine. Mrs. Harper now lives at Oakland. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marsh: Ralph Ellis, Jr., and Orton Worth. Mr. Marsh is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Lodge and Encamp- ment at Santa Clara; and he is also a member of the Woodmen of the World of that place. He is a mem- ber of the Galt Lodge of Masons, while Mrs. Marsh belongs to the Eastern Star. In national politics he is a Republican, and he is a trustee of the Brown School distriet. Mrs. Marsh belongs to the Neighbors of Wooderaft and to the Women's Civic Improvement Club of Galt.

JOHN CRAWFORD JOHNSTON .- A dairyman who prides himself on his practical methods and his up-to-date, thoroughly sanitary plant, is J. Crawford Johnston, living six miles east of Gaft. He is a native son, and was born at Pleasant Grove, in Sutter Coun- ty, on November 7, 1899, the son of John and Ella (Metcalf) Johnston. John Johnston is also a native son, and first saw the light at Fort Sutter, his father having come to California across the great plains about 1858. Mrs. Ella Johnston was born north of Sacramento, the daughter of a pioneer who came to California when he was a small child, and near Pleas- ant Grove his folks settled, and there Ella Metcalf was born. Her maternal grandfather, Calvin James, crossed the continent in 1853, and settled near Hay- ward, and there her mother was born. Calvin James was the first man in that district to have a registered brand for his cattle; and he chose the design of a dia- mond, with a letter J in the center. He was a large property-holder at Hayward; but he sold his hold- ings, and purchased a small place at Pleasant Grove, where he spent the balance of his days. Mr. and Mrs. John Johnston were married at Sacramento, on Octo- ber 22, 1897. Mr. Johnston had a ranch eight miles south of Lincoln, and he later removed to Riego, and established himself in sheep-raising. When he sold the Riego place, he moved his stock to Eldorado County, north of Placerville; and there he has about 4.000 acres at present, and deals in sheep.

In 1920 John Johnston purchased a 450-aere ranch six miles east of Galt, and there he placed sixty head of choice cattle; and our subject, J. Crawford John- ston, conducts this ranch for his father, while John Johnston spends most of his time on his Placerville ranch. A brother and a sister of J. Crawford John-

ston make up the rest of this progressive family, and each boasts a circle of good friends. Norma is a grad- uate of the San Jose Normal, class of '23 in home economics, and Stanley is studying at Galt. J. Craw- ford Johnston is a supporter of the Democratic party.

IVAN KNOX HAMILTON .- A representative business man of Sacramento County, whose extensive operations are of increasing importance to California agriculture, is Ivan Knox Hamilton, a native of Rio Vista, where he was born on September 13, 1884. His parents were James and Margaret (Cook) Hamilton, natives of New Brunswick, where they lived on the Carlo River. His father came to California about 1861, and in 1867 settled at Rio Vista. He had large holdings of land on Sherman Island, including much swamp and tule land. About eleven years ago the father died at the age of sixty-seven; but his devoted and highly-esteemed wife is still living at the old home place at Rio Vista.

Ivan went to school in his home district, and then joined his father in farming in the delta region. Now he is a partner with Libby, McNeill, Libby & Com- pany in the cultivation of 1,077 acres of land on Tyler Island, all devoted to the growing of asparagus; and he is also associated with his brother, Neil R., as a partner, in farming extensively in the Sacramento delta country. They have 1,200 acres devoted to asparagus, beans, barley and wheat, and never fail to get excellent results. On the incorporation of Isleton, Mr. Hamilton was appointed the first city recorder; and as in all matters he undertakes, he is filling the position of city judge with dignity and fairness.

In San Francisco, on May 6, 1922, Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Ella R. Hardy, a native of the Bay City. Her father was born in England, and for years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Austra- lia. Then he came to California, and the Standard Oil Company, ever alert for the superior man, drew him into their service. Mrs. Hamilton is the youngest in a family of five children. Arthur, the eldest brother, is an architect and builder; Leslie is a lumberman in Humboldt County; and the others are Ethel, now Mrs. Ballsmeier, and Melba. Ella Hardy attended the San Francisco grammar and high schools. Mr. Ham- ilton is a past master of the Rio Vista Lodge of Masons; he is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter in Suisun, and of the Vacaville Commandery, Knight Templars, and a life member of Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in San Francisco, as well as of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is also a member and a past grand of Rio Vista Lodge No. 180, I. O. O. F., and with his wife is a member of Isleton Rebekah Lodge. Indorsing cooperation as the best method of marketing farm produce, Mr. Hamilton has been a member of the California Asparagus Growers' Association from the time of its organization.

JOHN LINCOLN MAYDEN .- In the estimation of those who are familiar with the conditions which have surrounded his successful career, John Lincoln Mayden, the owner of the Sutter Candy Company, is entitled to great credit, and richly deserves the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-towns- men of Sacramento. He is one of California's native sons, his birth having occurred at Plymouth, Amador County, January 28, 1876. His parents, John and Mary (Deriekson) Mayden, crossed the plains to California together, and the father engaged in min-

Fran K. Aamilli

MD. My Kog.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ing in the Golden State until his death in 1919; the mother is also deceased.

John Mayden pursued his studies in the public schools, but the school of hard knocks served . to increase his knowledge and ability to such an extent that he has always been prosperous and suc- cessful in whatever line he has undertaken. He was the general manager of a wholesale hardware busi- ness in Sacramento until 1913, when he invested his savings in the Sutter Candy Company, then a small concern. He has devoted his time and energies to his business until he has built up one of the largest and most lucrative of its kind in the city, employing fifty people and manufacturing all the candy and ice cream sold by the company. In connection he con- ducts a high-class cafe and soda fountain. He receives the patronage and appreciation of a large part of the city, and is widely known for his reliable and con- scientious business methods.

Mr. Mayden's marriage united him with Miss Ella Darrow Hatch, a native daughter of Sacramento, and they are the parents of two children: Helen and Eleanor. Mr. Mayden is affiliated with the National Union in Sacramento. He is the owner of a hand- some residence property within the city.

FRED STAUFFER .- Among the prominent pio- neer families of Sacramento is that of Fred Stauffer, who was one of the early settlers in this part of the state. A native of Switzerland, he emigrated to Amer- ica when a youth of seventeen, in 1850, and after stopping in St. Louis for two years, crossed the plains to California in 1852. A butcher by trade, he en- gaged in that business in Sacramento, in that year, and later had a contract with the Southern Pacific Rail- way to furnish meat for the workmen engaged in building the railroad through the Sacramento Valley.

Mr. Stauffer later engaged in cattle raising in Ore- gon, Idaho and Nevada, and became one of the promi- nent cattlemen of the West and very successful in his undertakings. His untimely death occurred some twenty-five years ago, June 20, 1898, and cut off the activities of a man who had been prominent and useful in building up the state. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Honor. The marriage of Mr. Stauffer united him with Susana Blattner, also a na- tive of Switzerland, who had come to California at the age of twenty, via the Isthmus of Panama. Of this union the children now living are: Mrs. Mira Henry; Ida A .; Tillie B .; Edward A., in the stock business in Nevada; and Harry C., of Fair Oaks, Cal.

Mrs. Stauffer has been a resident of Sacramento for over fifty years, and has seen the city grow from a village to its present size. When she arrived here the Southern Pacific Railway ran only as far as Folsom on the north, and during her early years in the city General Sutter was a resident of Sacramento. She has stored in her mind many of the incidents and hap- penings which are now known as pioneer history, and preserved in the archives of the state as the early be- ginnings of our now prosperous commonwealth. Among other work in regard to the welfare of her community, Mrs. Stauffer has always been active in the German Lutheran Church. As a young girl in Switzerland she was reared in church surroundings, and since coming to Sacramento she has continued her interest, and has been one of the prominent mem- bers of St. John's Lutheran Church of Sacramento, and was one of the first presiding officers in the La-

dies' Aid of that denomination. She attended the church when it occupied the site now occupied by Hale's department store, on K Street, and since those first days has always given freely and helped in all the good works carried on by the church. Her name is on one of the Memorial Windows of the church edifice. It is just such worthy pioneers as Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer who laid the foundations firm and true for future generations in California, and to them all honor is due.

WALTER DAY McKOY .- An eminently practical business man, inspired by high ideals, is Walter Day McKoy, proprietor of the Property Owners' Protect- ive Association, with offices at R and Twenty-fourth Streets, Sacramento. A native son, enthusiastic for everything pertaining to the welfare of the Golden State, he was born at Georgetown, in Eldorado Coun- ty, on November 9, 1869, the son of Gaudenchio Hub- bard and Mary Frances (Day) McKoy, born in Scot- land and Ohio, respectively, the former a pioneer who came across the great plains by means of the ox-team train in 1850. He went into the mines, but soon found a better prospect for getting gain in the transportation of freight, with a pack-train, from Sacramento to Georgetown. He also had several sawmills, which he ran with success. Both Mr. and Mrs. McKoy endured the usual privations of pioneers, sacrificing not a little in their work of helping to open up the new paths of civilization; and it is pleasant to record that they are still living, in the enjoyment of a comfortable old age, making their home with their SOI.

Walter D. McKoy attended the public schools of Santa Cruz County, and supplemented his preparation with an excellent business college course. At the same time, he learned the carpenter's trade from his father. as also plastering and bricklaying, and for years fol- lowed these trades. In 1898 he located in Los Angeles, and besides engaging as a contractor plasterer he also handled plasterer's and bricklayer's material. Here he was burned out, and sustained a loss of $6,000. without insurance. He plastered the Lankershim Hotel, the largest job of its kind in Los Angeles up to that time. In 1900, he hung out his shingle at Long Beach, Cal., as a contractor; and five years later he removed to San Francisco, to continue the same enterprise there, and was settled and actively operat- ing in that city when the great earthquake and fire caught him, while building three- and four-flat build- ings, and caused him a total loss, again cleaning him out, financially. Hc again went to work at his trade, successfully engaging in business as a contractor, and accumulated means with which to build an apartment building on a lot which he owned; and having sold this, he removed to Sacramento in 1908, and started over again. Here he also engaged in building, but con- fined himself to the construction of residences. He has built and sold no less than 400 houses in Sacra- mento-an exceptional record for any contractor, any- where. He erected the Casa del Rey Apartments at the corner of Seventeenth and I Streets, the Oneida Apartments at the corner of Eleventh and F Streets, and many four-flat buildings of a superior type, all adding to the ornate appearance, as well as to the wealth, of the city, and affording to many additional comfort and safety. He is still engaged in the erec- tion of buildings, all being, however, his own property.

On June 21. 1921, Mr. McKoy established the lum-

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ber yard with which he has become more and more actively identified, and which on August 22 of the same year was burned, compelling him to rebuild and restock. He is a large landowner, but in his business he is satisfied to sell at a fair profit, and much below the price exacted by "The Trust." He belongs to the Republican party, and in his attitude toward public questions stands always for progress. Mr. McKoy has two children: Mabel, the wife of Albert Wohlken, of San Francisco; and Alfred, a graduate of Heald's Business College, who is assisting his father in the management of his business.

WHITE HOSPITAL .- Among the prominent and helpful institutions of Sacramento the White Hospital located at Twenty-ninth and J Streets is doing an outstanding work among the afflicted of the capital city. This institution was founded Janu- ary 12, 1910, by the late Dr. John L. White, a promi- nent and successful physician and surgeon. The main building was crected in 1910 and accommo- dated fifty patients; one year later the annex was built, and eighty-five patients can be properly cared for. Dr. White passed away in March, 1917, and three years later the hospital was incorporated with Mrs. Camille P. White, the widow of Dr. White, as president and Miss Florence Klaeser, secretary and manager. The hospital serves the city of Sacra- mento and surrounding sections of the county; a school for nurses is carried on and everything is done for the best possible training of the student nurses. The buildings are finely equipped in every detail and the location of the hospital is conducive to the well-being of the patients within its walls.

JOHN H. CUMMINS .- A widely-known con- tracting plumber, who is also a sanitary engineer of note, even beyond the confines of the county in which he is most active, is John H. Cummins, of Sacramento, who was born at Dutch Flat, Placer County, Cal., on June 14, 1869, the son of John H. and Margaret Elizabeth (Parry) Cummins. His father came to California across the great plains in the early fifties, driving cattle, and he not only came once, but, accompanied by our subject's grand- father, he made no less than three trips. He first teamed in the mining country, and then he engaged in building bridges for the Central Pacific, and he constructed for that railway corporation the first turntable. Later, he established himself as a con- tractor and builder. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are deceased, the worthy couple having completed lives of real service.

John H. Cummins attended school both in Califor- nia and Arizona, to which state the family had re- moved in 1880, and after that he rode the range even in Mexico, and had interesting dealings with the Indians. In 1887, when California was being talked of throughout America on account of the realty boom, the family returned to California, and then he stopped at San Diego and learned plumbing. By that time, Mrs. Cummins had died, and this doubtless contributed to his wandering throughout the United States, and to the City of Mexico, for six years, affording him a wide, practical experience of great value.

Mr. Cummins engaged in business in Los Angeles for a number of years; then he went to Mexico again, and in 1912 came to Sacramento, since which time

he has been so successful that he employs ten men, and does all classes of work for dwelling houses, flats and other buildings. He has been president of the Sacramento Builders' Exchange; and in national political matters, he prefers the principles of the Democratic party.

Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Sadie A. Don- kin; and they have two sons: John H., 3rd, and Joseph L. Cummins. Mr. Cummins belongs to the Elk order, and is a member of Lodge No. 6.

AMEDEO LIPPI .- A successful vineyardist who won his way to prosperity entirely through his own efforts was Amedeo Lippi, who was born in the province of Lucca, Italy, December 17, 1861, the son of Miguel and Rosina (Micholoni) Lippi, who had a family of eight children. The mother passed away when only forty years old. In 1874 the father left the family in Italy and came to San Francisco, Cal., where he engaged in the hotel and restaurant business. Later he established himself in this same line in Sacra- mento, and there he died at the age of sixty-two.

Amedeo Lippi was educated in the schools of Italy, and in 1879 made his way to the United States, com- ing to San Francisco, Cal., where he worked for three years. He then removed to Sacramento, and there worked in the Southern Pacific Railroad shops. In 1891 he came to Galt and leased land there, conduct- ing a vegetable garden, and continued successfully there, saving his money, so that in 1906 he was able to purchase the present home ranch of twelve acres, which he brought to a high state of improvement. The place has been planted to fruit and vineyard, a good irrigation system has been installed, and he here erected a comfortable residence with many modern conveniences.

In Galt, on March 1, 1886, Mr. Lippi was married to Miss Judita Marengo, who was born in the prov- ince of Genoa, Italy, the daughter of Augustino and Teresa Marengo. In 1879 she came to America with her parents, crossing on the same steamer as Mr. Lippi. The Marengo family settled three miles cast of Galt, Cal., where her father became well- known as a stockman. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lippi. The eldest son, George, entered the United States service during the World War in Com- pany L, 363rd Infantry, and was in training at Camp Lewis. On going overseas, he saw much active ser- vice at the front and gave his life for his country while taking part in the Argonne offensive. Pio, the second son, was killed in an automobile accident in 1922, near McConnell Station; he was formerly with the Bank of Italy at Sacramento. Clara, Mrs. Fugazi of Galt, has two children, Beatrice and Georgia; Syl- via is at home; Rosie is with the Bank of Italy in San Francisco. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Lippi took a public-spirited interest in all community affairs, and served on the board of trustees of the Galt grammar school; he was a Republican in politics. Mrs. Lippi, who contributed much to her husband's success, is the owner of fifty acres of good land east of Galt, a part of the old Marengo cstate, which she inherited from her father. After the close of the war Mr. and Mrs. Lippi made a trip to Europe, and while there went over the battle- fields of France and visited the American Cemetery at Montfaucon, where their son was buried. Mr. Lippi died at his home at Galt, February 27, 1923, and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, at Sacramento.

Mar x ellers amedeo Lippe.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ROBERT T. SWAN .- The son of a pioneer at- torney-at-law, who later was a minister of the Gospel in California, Robert T. Swan was born at Healds- burg, Sonoma County, September 21, 1878. His par- unts were William G. and Evalyn (Sanford) Swan, the father a native of Trenton, Canada, who later removed to Colorado and came from there to Cali- fornia in the early days, about 1870. He had been educated for the law and for some time practiced in Healdsburg, then entered the ministry of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South. He passed away at the age of forty-five, but Mrs. Swan is still living, making her home at Richmond, Cal., and is the mother of four children: William G., Jr., is de- ceased; Ernest R. lives at San Francisco; Robert T. of this sketch; Sanford is deceased.

Robert T. Swan received his early education in the different places where his father was located in the ministry and this was supplemented with a two years' course at the Pacific Methodist College at Santa Rosa. When he was twenty years old he learned the horseshoeing trade and for three years worked at San Francisco in this line, and then was conductor, motorman and mechanic for the old Mar- ket Street Railway. Next he was a blacksmith for the Illinois Pacific Glass Company at San Francisco, and then went into the printing business there, but was burned out in 1906. He.returned to work in the shops of the Market Street Railway, continuing there until 1913, when he came to Galt. Here he pur- chased fourteen acres of land one mile west of Galt and has built a home and made many improvements.

At San Francisco, June 26, 1901, Mr. Swan was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Cook, a native daughter of that city whose parents were Pardon A. and Elizabeth J. (Hilton) Cook. The father was one of California's early pioneers, coming here in 1850 from Massachusetts and was a building contractor. He passed away in 1902 and Mrs. Cook in 1912. They were the parents of five children: Alvira, Laura, Avie, Alice M. and Inez A., Mrs. Swan being now the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Swan have one daughter, Evalyn, named for her grandmother. Mr. Swan casts his vote with the Republicans and takes a public-spirited interest in all civic matters. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Galt and past president of Galt Parlor, N. S. G. W.

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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, 1923, Part 101

Author: Reed, G. Walter Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Reed, G. Walter
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1026