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 102

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 102

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MRS. MARY McFARLAND ORR .- One of the large landowners of the Galt district, Mrs. Mary McFarland Orr has demonstrated unusual business ability in the management of the large estate which she inherited, comprising 1,600 acres two miles west of Galt. A native of Canada, she was born near Guelph, Ontario, the daughter of Duncan and Janet (Taylor) McFarland, both natives of Perthshire, Scot- land. The father came to Canada when he was only ten years old and passed away in Ontario, having become a substantial farmer there. They were the parents of twelve children: Janet, Anna and John are deceased; George; Duncan, deceased; Margaret; Jane, deceased; Susan; Isabelle, deceased; Mary, Mrs. Orr; Elizabeth; and Robert.

In 1884 Mrs. Orr came to Galt, Cal., and made her home with the family of her uncle, John McFarland, who gave the town of Galt its name, from his old home town, Galt, Ontario. On April 29, 1885, she was united in marriage with George Orr, who was born near Galt, Ontario, the son of Robert and Mar-

garet Orr, both of Scotch descent, being one of a family of nine children: Mary; John; Janet; Robert; George; Andrew; William; Lida; the sixth child passed away in infancy. George Orr came to Cali- tornia in 1883 and first settled at Santa Clara, but soon afterwards came to Galt. Here he was in the employ of John McFarland, and after he was married he bought 700 acres of the McFarland ranch, which consisted of 1,600 acres, and now Mrs. Orr is the owner of the entire place, sixteen acres being devoted to vineyard, and the balance to grain and pasture. Mrs. Orr also conducts a large dairy, having a herd of about seventy-five cows. The house now occupied by Mrs. Orr was built by John McFarland in 1879- 1880 and is one of the old, substantial California houses, well constructed in every way.

Mr. Orr passed away in 1919, leaving his widow and five children to mourn his loss: Anna, Mrs. Cota of Galt, has three children-Varien, Mary and Myrna May; Gladys, Mrs. C. G. Woods, who lives on the home ranch, has two children-George and Wini- fred; Eda is Mrs. Carter of Galt; Evelyn and Beatrice are at home. Mr. Orr was for years a trustee of the Galt school district and was past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Orr is a member of the Rebekahs of Galt, her uncle, John McFarland, hav- ing been prominent in the Odd Fellows.

WILSON D. BENNETT .- How much of the suc- cess of the California Fruit Exchange in its render- ing of an exceptionally efficient service to the public, directly and indirectly associated with it, has been due to the proficiency of Wilson D. Bennett and his fortunate qualifications for the office of sales-mana- ger, those who are familiar with the interesting his- tory of that wide-awake and far-reaching organiza- tion, may testify. Born in Brooklyn, then the city of churches across the East River from New York City, on August 6, 1872, our subject grew up in the refined home circle of his parents, William Remson and Annette (Duryee) Bennett, both of whom are now dead, and who rounded out their useful lives in a manner highly creditable to them and their near of kin. They were progressive in every sense of the word, and so it happened that, in addition to the public school courses, Wilson enjoyed the training of the nationally famous Brooklyn Polytechnic, and in time came to be a valued employee of the Earl Fruit Company in the East.

Having by that experience established an enviable reputation, Wilson Bennett in 1903 joined the dis- tributors for a couple of seasons, remaining in the great city of New York; and next he was with Messrs. Steinhart & Kelly in the metropolis. He next entered the office of the California Fruit Grow- ers' Exchange, in New York, acting as assistant to the district manager; and when Mr. Nagle became manager, he came to the Sacramento office of the California Fruit Exchange. He has been in Cali- fornia since 1910, and during the intervening years has more and more mastered the many and intricate details of California life and traditions. He attends conventions, in which his voice and his counsel are heard. He is a former director of the Chamber of Commerce, belongs to the Rotary Club, and devotes himself especially to activities designed to forward fruit growing and other agricultural interests.

At Brooklyn, N. Y., in the year 1897, Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Rebe Schenck, and their union

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has been blessed with the birth of a son. Adolphus, now in New York in the cotton trade, and a daugh- ter, Elletta. In national politics Mr. Bennett is a Republican. He is among the most popular mem- bers of the Sutter Club.

OSCAR G. HARTIG .- Sacramento and vicinity was the Mecca for many Argonauts of early days, drawn there primarily by the gold fields near by, and often remaining to enter mercantile or ranch life, and build up the city and surrounding country by their labors, carried on when pioneer conditions brought forth all the sturdy character inherent in human na- ture, and meant only the survival of the fittest. Among these may be mentioned Oscar G. Hartig, who came here in early life and became a part of the warp and woof of the new state.

Born in Breslau, Germany, May 5, 1841, at the early age of thirteen, in 1854, the enterprising lad sailed for America, and located in Dubuque, Iowa, where he be- came an apprentice painter in a furniture factory of Hancourt & Co., with wages, to start, of $3.50 per week. For ten years he remained with this same com- pany, mostly engaged in varnishing furniture, and be- came expert in the work he followed so diligently.

In 1864, one of a party of twenty-two men and two women, Mr. Hartig crossed the plains to California; four wagons, drawn by mules, carried the brave little band, and they drove fifty-three horses over the long trail, landing in Sacramento, August 7, 1864, after 107 days of weary hardship, interspersed with the danger and adventure which made these pioneer journeys to be remembered for all time. After his arrival, Mr. Hartig worked for John Breuner for a time, varnish- ing the interior of his store; he then worked for an undertaking company, finishing coffins, and was the first man in California to put the rosewood finish on coffins. Later he worked in a carriage painting shop, and from there entered the employ of C. H. Krebs Company, painters and dealers in paints. With twelve men, he operated a cooperative paint shop for a time.

After these initial business ventures, for the next thirty years Mr. Hartig was in the employ of the Ruhstaller Brewery, painting kegs, this company own- ing 140,000 barrels and kegs, and in 1918, he retired from active business life, and now spends his time in looking after his property interests in Sacramento, which have accumulated through years of steady ap- plication and thrift.

The marriage of Mr. Hartig, which occurred De- cember 24, 1869, united him with Mrs. Margaret Hagelstein. Mrs. Hartig was also an early settler in Sacramento and owned considerable property in the city. Her death occurred in 1902.

During his long residence in the state capital city Mr. Hartig became prominent in fraternal life, and he is the second oldest living member of the Turn- verein, now rounding out his fifty-eighth year, and he was presented with a diploma when his membership in the lodge aggregated fifty years; for the past thirty- five years he has been a member of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Sacramento. A fine bass singer, for thirty years he was bass soloist in the German Luther- an Church here, and in all good works he has taken a willing part, a firm believer in the wonderful future in store for this part of the Golden State.

CLAUDE RICHARD SPICKARD .- Sacramento owes much to such far-seeing and expert organizers of industry as Claude Richard Spickard, the efficient and popular president of the Motor Carrier Terminals, Inc., which has already proven the greatest possible boon to the Capital City and its immediate environs. He was born at Spickard, Grundy County, Mo., on May 8, 1887. the son of Benjamin F. and Amelia (Custer) Spickard, and grandson of George A Spick- ard, a sturdy pioneer who came out to California as a doughty Argonaut in the famous year 1849, crossing the plains and, as a result of the privation and rigors of the hazardous journey, losing his devoted wife, the grandmother of our subject. Grandfather George A. Spickard had served in the Mexican War before coming to California. During the early days, he was in the California mines for several years, meet- ing with good success, and then returned to Mis- souri, where he purchased a large tract of land in Grundy County and engaged in farming and stock- raising. He served in the Union army in the Civil War as captain of a company in a Missouri regiment. He also served as judge in Grundy County. He gave the right of way through his lands to the C., R. I. & P. Railroad when it was built through Grundy Coun- ty, and the town that sprang up was named Spickard after him. Benjamin F. Spickard, the father, passed away in Missouri, when he was only twenty-nine years of age, leaving an enviable record as a railroad en- gineer who stuck to his post, was severely injured while on duty, and died as the result of the unfortu- nate accident. Mrs. Spickard, his esteemed wife, is still living, the center of a devoted circle in Sacramento.

Claude Spickard attended the public schools of Mis- souri, came out to Montana, where he worked on a cattle ranch for two years, and after returning to Mis- souri and resuming study there, came West again, this time to Colorado, where he arrived in 1904. In July of that year he enlisted in the United States Navy, for a four-year service; and so it happened that it was not until 1908 that he came out to California and located at Sacramento. He went to the Capital City Business College for four months, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1915, when he started to run a jitney on the streets of Sacramento. He then established a pioneer stage line between Sacramento and Stockton; and now he has a line of stages between Sacramento, Auburn and Nevada City.

On October 4. 1921, the Motor Carrier Terminals, Inc., was formed, with Mr. Spickard as president; and their new, commodious station was opened at Fifth and I Streets, on May 1, 1922, under the addi- tional direction of W. M. Sanford as secretary and treasurer; B. Gibson, vice-president; and Chas. Elliott, Geo. W. Tatterson, A. L. Richardson, directors. The structure cost $150,000, and was designed to care for the rapid increase in the number of passengers. It has proved a wonderful convenience for the patrons of stages, and is the direct result of the forethought, the public-spiritedness, and enterprise of the gentlemen just named. This beautifully designed and modernly constructed station may easily and quickly be reached from the busy center of the city; but what is more, it not only will relieve much congestion in motor travel, but adds decided beauty to the surrounding section. There is a basement with a restaurant which will seat approximately 300 people, and also rest rooms, and a

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

lounge rotunda spacious enough to accommodate 1,200 passengers per hour. Storerooms with entrances from both street and rotunda will also prove of the greatest convenience to the hurrying public, since provision is thus made for last-minute purchases of home necessi- ties, and the supplying of personal needs.

Included in the organization of the Motor Carrier Transportation Terminal, so the "Sacramento Union" tells us in a highly flattering notice given the new and welcomed enterprise, are the California Transit Com- pany, operating stages between this city and Oakland, and Stockton and San Joaquin Valley points; the Shasta Transit Company, operating between Sacra- mento and Redding; the Sacramento-Auburn Stage Company, operating between Sacramento, Auburn, Grass Valey, and Nevada City; the River Anto Stage Company, with lines running to Rio Vista; the Judy- Elliott Stage Company, handling transportation be- tween here and Winters; and the Pierce-Arrow Stage Company, operating hetween Lake Tahoe, Placerville and this city. Every convenience is afforded by these new companies, which now maintain daily schedules in and out of the splendid new depot created by the genius of Mr. Spickard and his associates. There is no strap-hanging, no sitting on the arms of seats, nor any uncomfortable crowding of fellow-passengers. Plenty of room and comfort for each passenger, is the key-note of auto-stage travel as arranged for by the managers of the Motor Carrier Terminals; and every modern convenience and absolute bodily safety are to be found in the building of the Terminals, to which the bus-going public must come for transfers and for necessary waiting. Built with reenforced con- crete beams and floors, and faced with wire-cut faced brick, the structure has been officially declared abso- lutely fire-proof. With the exception of the slender, isolated window-frames, there is nothing to burn; and as a consequence the distressing catastrophes that have frequently occurred through fire in noted ter- minals in populous centers, are rendered impossible here. The entrances, too, are spacious, and there is a lobby for passengers on the Fifth Street side, and two wide stairways leading to the loading pits be- low. A charming and instructive feature of the wait- ing room proper is found in the decorative mural panels containing scenes of the "days of '49," and of places reached by the stage lines. The depot is said to be the finest in northern California, and is much larger than that used for similar purposes in other parts of the state. President Spickard and his col- leagues well deserve the congratulations so lavishly bestowed upon them for this marked accomplishment, one of the most accurately indicative measures of Sac- ramento's substantial growth.

Mr. Spickard was united in marriage, in Sacramento, with Miss Effie E. Duren, born in Missouri; and they have been blessed with two children, A. Franklin and Claudic Juanita. He resides with his family in his home at 1523 G Street. Mr. Spickard is a member of the Lions Club; Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. Elks; and the Colusa Outing Club. He takes much pleasure in sports, especially in hunting and fishing, and in baseball.

WILLIAM GEORGE FERGUSON .- A prosper- ous rancher and dairyman who has large holdings in the Galt district is William George Ferguson, who was born on the old Ferguson ranch four miles north- -13

west of Galt, January 20, 1879, the son of William Henry and Eliza Jane (Uren) Ferguson. The father, who was of Scotch descent, came to California from Pennsylvania in the very carly days, and for years drove.a ten-mule wagon from Sacramento and Stock- ton to Carson City and Virginia City, Nev. When the wagonmaker who huilt his wagon had finished it he suggested putting a name on it to identify it. It being left to him, he painted "Harry of the West" on it, and by this name Mr. Ferguson became known far and wide. After teaming for a number of years, Mfr. Ferguson settled northwest of Galt and acquired 700 acres of land, which he farmed until his death, at the age of sixty-eight, Mrs. Ferguson continuing the management of the ranch up to the time of her death on February 8, 1913, at the age of fifty-five.

There were two children in the Ferguson family, Anna, Mrs. Louis Christensen, who passed away in 1912, and William George. The latter spent his boyhood attending the Grant district school and assisting on the home place. On the death of his mother, he took charge of it and through his capable management he has brought it to a high state of development. He owns 560 acres here with the old home buildings his father had erected many years ago, and these are now used to house his employees. Mr. Ferguson also purchased 225 acres adjoining on the east, and here in 1914 he built a fine modern home, where he has since resided.

Mr. Ferguson's marriage at Sacramento, Septem- ber 17, 1913, united him with Miss Angie M. Stro- man, born at York City, Pa., the daughter of Ben- jamin Franklin and Sultana J. (Martin) Stroman; the father was at one time county recorder of York County, Pa., and well known throughout that coun- try. Both parents are still living and to them were born four children: Alpheus; George W .; Angie M., Mrs. Ferguson; and Chauncey. Mrs. Ferguson came to Sacramento, Cal., in 1912, and it was here that she met Mr. Ferguson. They have one daughter, Mary Jane. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Ferguson is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Galt.

WILLIAM S. HOWE .- A member of one of the oldest law firms in Sacramento, and the descendant of one of the prominent educators of the state, Wil- liam S. Howe was born in Sacramento, January 7. 1874, the son of E. P. and Ella P. (Sunderland) Howe. E. P. Howe was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1838, and was taken by his parents to Mt. Pleasant, lowa Territory, when a child; his father was a prom- inent teacher and opened a school, and there the son was trained to be a teacher, beginning his profession at fifteen. When twenty years old he was placed in charge of the Mt. Pleasant union high school with 200 pupils; next he was principal of the Normal school at that place. Farmington high school and Bonaparte College were put in successful operation by Professor Howe, and later he was connected with the public schools of New York and Michigan. While at Bonaparte, lowa, he was induced to visit California, and in 1872 he was elected principal of the Sacramento union high school. In 1873 he established Howe's High School and Normal Insti- tute, which became one of the leading institutions of the state for the training of teachers.

William S. Howe was educated under the tutelage of his father, and then entered the law offices of

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Oatman & Hughes, on J Street; and later he was with Alexander & Joseph, the authors of Alexander & Joseph's probate book. He received his exam- ination and was admitted to practice in 1897, and since that date has followed his profession in. asso- ciation with his brother, Luke, the firm becom- ing well-known throughout the county during their years of successful practice.

The marriage of Mr. Howe, occurring September 11, 1905, united him with Miss Mable S. Siller, daugh- ter of L. G. Siller, a capitalist of Sacramento, and one child has blessed their union, William S., Jr., a student at the Sacramento high school. Endowed with social talents, Mr. Howe has been prominent in fraternal and musical circles in the city; he is a member of the Elks, of the Sutter Club, and belongs to both the county and state organization of Native Sons. A musician of note, he was formerly a mem- ber of the McNeil Club, and of the Orpheus Quar- tet; he now confines his talent to more informal occasions. He finds his pleasure also in the great out- of-doors, in motoring and kindred amusements, and he is an expert billiard player.

LEWIS C. HUNTER .- Prominent among the na- tive sons of California is Lewis C. Hunter, well and popularly known in Sacramento, where for a decade and more he has been manager of the local branch house of W. P. Fuller Company, the leading paint and glass supply house in California. He was born in San Francisco on July 4, 1869, the son of L. C. Hunter, who came out to California in the early sixties, and married, at San Francisco, Miss Mary Lee, of the Pennsylvania branch of that renowned family, whose father was a cousin of Robert E. Lee. They were known to their intimates as exceptionally refined, intelligent and progressive, and properly rep- resentative of their noted lineage. This enviable as- sociation with one of America's most honored sons has opened many a door to our subject. He began his schooling in San Francisco. When fourteen years of age, it became necessary for him to lay aside his studies and devote himself to helping his mother.

Entering the service of W. P. Fuller Company in 1890, he rose steadily until he had rounded out twenty years in their field of operations; and then, in 1910, he moved inland to Sacramento, where he was made manager of the local house. By this time, he had mastered the details of the enterprise carried on by the firm. He became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and he was a vice-president for a number of years, and also a director. He has never failed to improve an opportunity to do Sacramento city and county a good turn, and in turn Sacramento has re- ciprocated with an enviable patronage. He has re- mained a man above party and independent of nar- row, restricting partisanship; and this has given him greater influence for good. as chairman of the Free- holders, who framed the present city charter.

When Mr. Hunter married at San Jose, in 1898, he took for his wife Miss Florita Peet, a native of Sac- ramento; and their union has proven fortunate in the birth of three children, Mary L., Doris, and Lewis Warren, the elder two of whom are graduates of the University of California. Mr. Hunter is a Knight Templar Mason, and he belongs to the Sutter and Del Paso Country Clubs. He is fond of golf, which is another way of saying that he is a good mixer and accessible to all men.

H. J. E. GELLING .- The progress made in artis- tic, dependable automobile painting, a matter of such vital importance to all owners of good cars, is daily illustrated in the work of the H. J. Gelling Co., the enterprising firm represented by H. J. E. Gelling, an Illinoisan who has more than made good in California. He was born at Quincy, Ill., on July 31, 1886, the son of John and Selma (Seifert) Gelling, worthy parents now living in Stockton, where they enjoy the esteem of all who know them.

H. J. E. Gelling attended the public schools, and later worked at various odd jobs until he learned the trade of automobile painting, repairing and upholster- ing, after which he had a shop for seven years in Quincy. Selling out, in 1919, he came out to Sacra- mento, and for a while was with S. Albright. Later he had his own shop, in the building occupied by the Miller Auto Company. After that, he was located at 1225 Seventh Street, until, on account of an increase in business, he moved to larger quarters at 721-723 M Street, where he has an up-to-date enameling oven and all modern equipment-the only enamel-baking plant, in fact, in this section, and one of the best- equipped in northern California. Much of his pat- ronage comes from the surrounding territory, al- though now and then an interesting special order is sent from some distant point, indicating the promi- nence given to Sacramento as an industrial and com- mercial center through such enterprising representa- tive firms as that of Mr. Gelling. To handle his steadily increasing trade, Mr. Gelling employs at least seven men, and often has use for more.

Mr. Gelling was married, in 1909, to Miss Rose Lepper; and they have one child, Wilbur J. L. Mr. Gelling is a Mason, affiliated with Herman Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M., at Quincy, Ill., and is also a member of the Sciots, in Sacramento.

MRS. MARGARET K. JOHNSON .- Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. ' Through such means Mrs. Margaret K. Johnson has attained a leading position among the representative orchardists and poultry raisers of the Rio Linda district of Sacramento County, where she owns and operates a ranch of twenty-two acres. She was born in Germany, a daughter of Louis and Kath- erine (Dennes) Becker, also natives of the same country. Louis Becker left his native land and came to America, where he located near Lancaster, Wis., and there farmed for fifty-five years until he passed away. At the age of sixteen, Mrs. Johnson went to live with a brother in Des Moines, Iowa, and while there she learned the tailoring trade and spent a number of years in this profession.

On March 21, 1885, Miss Becker became the wife of Charles R. Johnson, a native of Missouri of Eng- lish descent and a machinist by trade. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson: Carrie Amelia is Mrs. Renneker, living at Yorba Linda, and has five children; Edwin Charles is married, has one son and resides at Rio Linda. In 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson located on their Rio Linda ranch, which they planted to French prunes and meantime began to raise poultry, first in a small way and gradually in- creasing until they now have 2,000 hens, which are the source of a fine income. Mrs. Johnson is greatly interested in all community welfare work, and since the organization of the Rio Linda farm-home depart-

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ment, a department of the farm bureau, six years ago, she has served as chairman for five years of the department. Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for the past thirty years, and his son, Edwin C., is a member of the Rio Linda Lodge and is serving as escort officer of the lodge. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the California Prune & Apricot Association, the Central California Poultry Producers' Association and is a stockholder in the cooperative Rio Linda Poultry Producers' As- sociation.

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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 102

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