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 104

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 104

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On November 5, 1881, Mr. McGee was united in marriage with Miss Ida Sutliff, a native of Minnesota; and seven children have been born to them. Harriet A. is now Mrs. Smith, residing in Marysville, and has three children. George A., a graduate of the Bible Institute in Los Angeles, Cal., is now a missionary in Belgian Congo, South Africa. Mary Ida, a graduate of the Chico Normal and Theological Seminary at San Anselmo, is now a teacher and missionary at Wood- stock College, Mussoore, India, at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains. Blain is a rancher at Orange- vale. W. Stewart was in the naval reserve in the World War, and is now engaged in ranching on the home place. Ulysses and Anson are deceased. Mr.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

McGee has been a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, both in Minnesota and in California. He is a charter member and past com- mander of Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 157, G. A. R., of Royalton, Minn., and at the present time is a member of Sumner Post, No. 3, G. A. R., at Sacramento. In politics he is a stanch Republican. On November 26, 1901, Mr. McGee arrived in Orangevale, where he purchased a home place of fifteen acres, which he has developed to orchard and vineyard. When he located in Orangevale, there were but six homes in the town; and he has witnessed the remarkable growth and advancement of this community and has taken an active part in its development.

JOHN CAMPBELL .- A native son of Ireland, who by his industry and perseverance won for him- self a prominent place in the community, is John Campbell, the oldest son of John Campbell. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, on September 18, 1850. With his uncle, John Moreland, he set sail for the United States. In July, 1869, they arrived in San Francisco and went directly to his uncle's ranch in Colusa County. For some time he was employed by John Moreland, working on the farm, and for eight- een years he was in the service of Fred Hedrick, who later became his brother-in-law. Mr. Campbell was very thrifty, inasmuch as he desired to have all his folks about him once more. He soon saved enough money, which he sent to his parents, brothers and sisters, so that they could come to California. In 1886, his brother James passed away, leaving his vast estate in the care of John Campbell, who showed his keen business ability and knowledge by settling all of his brother's affairs.

John Campbell received his education in the school of experience. Morally, he is a fine example for the young men of the present generation. In the year 1875, he became an American citizen, and on May 29, 1885, at Colusa, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Thomas. Mr. Campbell has resided in Sacra- mento since 1904. During this period he has served on the grand and trial juries. He is a well-known figure in the school district, and is regarded as a loyal champion of the rights of the children of his community, and he has served as trustee on the school board. This worthy couple have been blessed with one daughter, Mary Ellen, who received her diploma from the Sacramento High School in 1916. She married Rolla S. Rice, the son of a pioneer family, whose father, Frank S. Rice, conducted a life in- surance business in Sacramento, and was the brother of Judge William Horace Rice. Rolla S. Rice was reared in Modesto, receiving his early education in Modesto, and was credited with his diploma in 1912 by the Modesto High School. For two terms he was a student of the San Luis Obispo Polytechnic School. During his school training, he assisted his father as a clerk in his Modesto store. On June 27, 1917, he enlisted at Stockton in the United States Navy. From there he was sent to San Pedro, and later to Colome Bay, N. Y. He made three trans- Atlantic voyages on the U. S. S. freightter "Cape Hen- ry" and received his honorable discharge on March 19, 1919, at New York. He made his way westward to Sacramento and started out selling insurance with

the West Coast Life Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Rolla S. Rice have one son, Frank, who was born on December 15, 1921. On Oc-

tober 29, 1920, Frank S. Rice passed away in Modesto, greatly mourned by Mrs. Fannie M: (Tre- gea) Rice, his widow, and her three children. Rolla S. Rice's brother, Arba, a graduate of the University of California, 1922, served for three years with the Marines in the A. E. F. After he had been wounded three times and had made an enviable record, he was honorably discharged in 1920. In 1923, Arba Rice was married, and with his bride made a trip to Japan. Rolla's sister, Arline, also a graduate of the University of California, 1920, is now a teacher in the public schools of Petaluma. Rolla S. Rice and his wife reside at the home of her parents, at Sacramento, and he has an interest in the small ranch on Parker Avenue. He is a stanch Republican.

HENRY H. BROWN .- The most important Iac- tors in public life in any community are the men who occupy responsible positions in successful business interests; and such a one is Henry H. Brown, the capable sales manager for the firm of National Com- mercial Securities Company. His birth occurred at Lathrop, Cal, October 27. 1880, a son of James H. and Matilda (Cozens) Brown. At the age of two years James H. Brown was brought by his parents across the plains in an ox-team train in 1854 and settled in San Joaquin County, Cal., where he was educated, and later removed to Roseville, where he still makes his home; the mother of our subject passed away in November, 1911.

Henry H. Brown was educated in the public schools of San Joaquin County; then made his own way by working on ranches in the vicinity of his home until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in the United States Marines and was in the Philippine Islands for four years, and during his service was promoted to the rank of sergeant; he was discharged October 8, 1905. He then returned to Sacramento and again engaged in ranch work, meantime joining the National Guards of California, serving as lieuten- ant; he then became a salesman for the Hood Im- provement Company until 1912, then accepted a posi- tion with the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, where he remained for three years. In June, 1916, he went to the Mexican border as a captain, serving until November of the same year; then he was mus- tered out of the service, but on March 26, 1917, he returned as a captain and on April 8 he was made a major at the Presidio, San Francisco, and was sent to Camp Kearney on September 25. On the organ- ization of the 40th Division, Major Brown's battalion became the second of the 160th Infantry, composed of parts of the 2nd and 7th California Infantry; on July 27, 1918, Major Brown went to France and there his division became the First Army Reserve; at the signing of the armistice, he was made a lieutenant- colonel and recommended for permanent position with the regular army. Upon returning to the United States his division was mustered out and Lieut. Colonel Brown was assigned to the 32nd Infantry of the regular army and on July 28, 1919, returned to private life; he then accepted a reserve commission of lieutenant-colonel. Having been promoted in June, 1922, to the rank of colonel, he is now commanding the 361st Infantry of the 91st Division, with head- quarters in Sacramento. In May, 1920, after having served as president of the Western Film Corporation, Colonel Brown entered the sales force of the National Commercial Securities Company at Santa Ana, Cal.,

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and in January, 1921, he became sales manager for the same company in Sacramento.

The marriage of Colonel Brown united him with Miss Genevieve Purcell, a native of New York. He is affiliated with the Spanish War Veterans, Veter- ans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

VIGGO CHRISTIAN PINGEL .- Among the tal- ented men who have contributed much toward the upbuilding of California, mention must be made of Viggo Christian Pingel, who was born April 8, 1869, in Copenhagen, Denmark, a son of the Danish army official Johan Christian Von Pingel and Maria Eliza- beth (Von Dreyer) Von Pingel, of Copenhagen. His mother was a daughter of Major Von Dreyer, of the Danish army. Her mother was a daughter of a Danish princess, who was married to a Danish gen-' eral. The subject's paternal grandfather was the governor of the island of Barnholm, Denmark.

Viggo Pingel comes from a line of aristocrats. The Danish family of "Von Pingel," knighted by the Danish king, is a family of French origin. In France the name was "De Pingel," and the family were extensive landowners, who were driven out of France about the time of the French Revolution, their lands having been confiscated by the Roman Catholic Church. They were French Huguenots and were compelled to take refuge in Denmark. In this country they started life anew, won favor with the Danish king, were knighted "Von Pingel," and be- came prominent military men. Great-grandfather Baron Von Pingel was made Knight of Danneborg by the Danish king, but retained his French coat-of- arms. This coat-of-arms is still in the family. He also received a charm or royal insignia, and this charm is in the possession of the subject, who has had it made into a charm for his watch-chain. The father was a great mathematician and was the in- ventor of the pointed bullet. He fought in the War of 1848-1850 and also in the War of 1864. He became powerful in politics and served in the Danish Rigs- dag for twenty-four years, being a Liberal in his politi- cal views. Viggo Pingel was one of nine children in his parents' family, seven of whom grew up. Two died in infancy. Of the seven that grew up Johan Christian died unmarried in the West Indies, while in the British naval service. Claudius is in the in- surance business in Copenhagen, where he is a prominent Mason. Dagmar married Col. Waldemar Grönning, of the Danish Cavalry, and lived and died in Copenhagen. She was a woman of unusual talent and a finished musician, a pianist and organist, and played for King Christian at the Royal Palace. Helga became the wife of Commander Carl Berg, of Ft. Lynetten, Copenhagen. Like her sister Dagmar, she died and left no children. She was an unusually gifted woman, being an author and playwright of note, and some of her dramas had successful runs at the Royal Theater in Copenhagen. After the death of her husband, she spent three years in India as a missionary. Hjalmar Ingolf was a prominent rail- road man, and for several years was the station master at Copenhagen. He was married, but left no children at liis death, which occurred when he was twenty- nine years old. Viggo Christian is the subject of this review. Regnar is the proprietor of a drug store and a prominent physician and surgeon in New York City.

Viggo Pingel was educated in the grammar and high schools, and attended the Royal Academy of Arts for five years, where he learned painting and in- terior decorating. He followed this work in Denmark until he was thirty years old, when he came to Ameri- ca. On his arrival here, he located in New York, where he remained for three years. After staying in Chicago for six months, he came West to San Francisco, where he did some excellent work of the more pretentious kind. He also does much work on dwellings. In 1916 he came to Sacramento. His work has been exhibited at the State Fair, and has received commendation.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pingel are refined, considerate, generous-hearted, Christian people. Mrs. Pingel is a very motherly woman, and they have recently adopted two orphaned boys, and are providing a good home for them. Mrs. Pingel also comes from a very pro- minent Copenhagen family. She was educated in Frökem Thaarup's private school for girls, and her maiden name was Minnie Gröndahl. When only fif- teen years of age she made the trip alone from Copenhagen to Butte, Mont., where for three years she lived in the home of an uncle, the Rev. N. Jor- gensen, of the Lutheran Church. When eighteen she returned to Copenhagen and was married to Capt. Carl Clausen, paymaster in the Danish navy, by whom she had one child, Carla Clausen, who is now the wife of Mr. J. P. Howell, contractor and builder, and resides at 1837 Forty-seventh Street, Sacramento. When Mr. Clausen died, his widow resolved to return with her child of three years to America, where she made her home in New York City, and where she met and married her present husband, Viggo Pingel. Mrs. Pingel's father was Julius Grondahl, who was an importer and wholesale dealer in cattle and live- stock, importing beef and cattle from England. Her mother's maiden name was Catharine Jensen; she is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five in Den- mark. Her father died in that country. Mrs. Pingel has one brother and two sisters. They are Walde- mar, in the Danish postal service at Copenhagen; Laura, who became the wife of Christian Anderson, wholesale jeweler in Copenhagen, and died in that city at thirty-four years of age, leaving, besides her husband, two children, Lillian and Carl; and Agnes Emily, who is now the wife of Wilhelm Jefferson, chief of the Danish-American Steamship Company, and resides in Copenhagen, the mother of two child- ren, Werner, a banker in that city, and Ebba, a den- tist, also of Copenhagen. Mr. and Mrs. Pingel are the parents of one child, Helga Maria Elizabeth Pin- gel, a junior in Sacramento High School.

Deeply religious in thought and life, Mr. Pingel has always been a Bible student; while an art pupil at the Royal Academy he also pursued theology. Since Captain Matthews, the late leader of the Volunteers of America, died, in March, 1923, Mr. Pingel has been the leader of the Gospel work in Sacramento. Mr. Pingel is especially interested in the collection of antique curios, of which he has many interesting specimens. He is also very fond of music, and occasionally contributes solos, having studied for the opera when he was a young man. He is non-partisan in his political attitude, and casts his ballot in favor of the man and principle, rather than the party. He is deeply interested in his community, and does much for its betterment and uplift.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

FRED RASCHEN .- Prominent for over fifty-two years in the business life of Sacramento, Fred Raschen became well-known as a man of liberal spirit and progress, and one who could be depended upon to do his share in promoting both the financial and civic life of the city. A native of Oldenberg, Germany, born in the year 1845, he left there when a young man and traveled through Europe, Asia and Africa, see- ing the world and working at whatever he found to do to pay his expenses, and in this way gaining the broadening outlook on life which travel alone can give.

In 1870, via the Isthmus of Panama, Mr. Raschen came to California, and after a few months in San Francisco he came to Sacramento, with but $2.75 in his pocket to start a business career. He first worked as clerk in the grocery store of August Heisch, on Second and M Streets, and later for the produce and commission house of Hammer and Keber, on K Street. Finally, in 1872, he went with Weinreich, Lohse & Co., wholesale liquor dealers located at 514 J Street; this firm was later succeeded by Weinreich & Bartels, and finally became H. Wein- reich & Company. Mr. Raschen became a partner, and later purchased the business, when the name was changed to Fred Raschen, Wholesale Liquors, and in 1907 was incorporated under the name. F. Raschen & Company. For forty-six years Mr. Raschen was in this same location, continuing until 1918, and dur- ing this period of time he took an active interest in the growth of Sacramento, and in the development of its resources as one of the largest cities in the state.

After his retirement from business life, Mr. Raschen decided to devote his time to the development of land, and on March 8, 1918, purchased 1,100 acres in Yuba County, near Marysville, from the estate of Hammond & Forbes, 600 acres of which was rich river bottom land. "Raw" land, and mostly covered with cottonwood trees, its cultivation was no easy task, but he devoted his entire time to the project, giving it the same detailed attention which he had devoted to his business enterprises in the past. Trees were grubbed out, the land leveled, and peach trees planted, and over two hundred acres of the ranch are now under cultivation; this work has been well rewarded, as the rich river bottom soil is some of the most fertile in the Sacramento Valley and the trees in one year's time attain a three years' growth. The ranch has a fine, concrete pipe irrigating system, and, in fact. every modern appliance and method has been used in making of it one of the model ranches for which the state is noted.

In the midst of his busy life, Mr. Raschen has always found time for recreation, and has been par- ticularly interested in hunting; and in early days he was one of the well-known and successful horsemen of the Valley, owning many trotting and driving horses, some of the best blooded horses in the state; he was a member of the old State Fair Association, and the Sacramento Driving Club and raced his horses at the fair grounds, winning many races and thoroughly enjoying this "gentleman's sport." In his hunting activities he was a member of various shooting clubs, shooting quail, plover, wild pigeon. etc., in the vicinity of Sacramento. He only recently sold his membership in the Sacramento Outing Club, of which he was an organizer, the club owning large shooting preserves in Sutter County at the foot of

the Marysville Buttes; on his last visit there Mr. Raschen made the limit of doves, fifteen out of eight- een shots, a record which speaks well for his marks- manship, long recognized as expert. Mr. Raschen is a typical Californian, for he has spent all of the pro- ductive years of his life here, has aided materially in developing and upbuilding, and has been a loyal citi- zen, with the best interests of his community always at heart.

G. A. BROCK .- Forty-five years ago, G. A. Brock located in Nevada County, Cal., where he taught school for eleven years; then he removed to Stanis- laus County and taught for seven years, after which, for seven years, he taught in Contra Costa County. In November, 1903, he settled on his present property. located on Fourteenth Avenue and Sixty-fifth Street, Sacramento. Here he is engaged in the poultry business, and at the present time has a flock of 2,000 hens and a four-incubator hatchery, from which he supplies young chicks throughout the county. He was born near Mansonville, Quebec, East Canada. July 3, 1854, the eldest son of Alexander and Eliza- beth (Taylor) Brock, both natives of Canada, born in 1829 and 1831 respectively. G. A. Brock was reared on his father's farm; his father was also engaged in the dry-goods business in Waterloo and Mansonville, and was the owner of a large farm in Broom County, a portion of which was in Vermont. Four sons and four daughters were reared on the shores of Memphrimagog Lake, then a sparsely set- tled region, but now a favorite summer resort.

G. A. Brock remained at home until he was nine- teen years of age; then went to Bolton as a teacher. where he remained for three years. Removing then to Council Bluffs, Iowa, he there taught for one year. In 1878 he came West to California, and taught school for four years at Spenceville, another four years on "Rough 'n' Ready," two years at Indian Springs and one year at Old Columbia Hill. In 1889 Mr. Brock removed to Modesto, where he remained for seven years as principal of the Modesto grammar school and also served on the board of education. In 1896 he removed to Martinez and became the prin- cipal of the grammar school at that place and was also a member of the board of education. Meantime, in 1887, he had purchased his present home place of twenty acres near Sacramento, which has since been taken into the city limits.

On June 23, 1890, Mr. Brock was married to Miss Lizzie Walker, a daughter of William Walker, a native of Iowa who came to California in 1849; he returned to Iowa and enlisted and served as a first lieutenant in Iowa's volunteers. In 1874, he brought his family of seven children to California and settled in Nevada County; he was prominent as justice of the peace at Spenceville and lived to be seventy-four years old. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brock. Earle A. is a graduate of the University of California, class of 1915, and took a postgraduate course the following year. In 1917 he received the degree of C. S. E. at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the same year enlisted for service to his country, serving as first lieutenant at Edgewood arsenal as a chemist and inspector in the manufacture of deadly gases, and was in charge of construction of the chlorine plant at Charleston, S. C. He married Miss Katherine N. Risser of Lebanon, Pa. Evelyn A. is at home with her parents. In 1903 Mr. Brock and his family lo-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

cated at their present home, where he has made a decided success of the poultry business. For the past twenty-five years, Mr. Brock has been a member of the W. O. W. Lodge at Martinez; he is also a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge of Masons of Georgeville. Canada. In 1882 he received his United States citi- zenship and has since voted the Republican ticket.

DAVID REESE .- Among the pioneers of Sacra- mento County, who aided materially in improving and building up this section of the Golden State, and who rose to a position of prominence and influ- ence, was the late David Reese, sheriff of the county at the time of his passing away in February, 1910, at the age of sixty-one years. David Reese was born in Wales, and coming to the United States when a young man, he crossed the plains in the early days, locating at Florin, Sacramento County, California, where he engaged in farming. In this county he was married, being united with Mira L. Kilgore, of an old and prominent family in the Sacramento Valley.

Mr. Reese was a pioneer in the field of viticulture, setting out one of the first vineyards in this section, and subsequently adding to it until he had one hun- dred and twenty acres in vines, which are now full- bearing and still owned by his estate. They are a monument to his energy and thrift. He also owned a large grain ranch eight miles north of Colusa as well as valuable business property on Ninth Street between J and K. A man of pleasing personality and affable manners, honest and upright in all of his dealings, David Reese was known as a square-shooter and became very influential and there was probably no man in the county who had a larger or more favorable acquaintance. When Sheriff Johnson passed away. David Reese was appointed sheriff to fill the vacancy and at the next election he was elected sheriff and then re-elected, serving acceptably and well, per- forming the duties of the office fairly and impartially until his demise. He was mourned by the people of the whole county, leaving a name that his descend- ants will always be proud of. He was a Republican and was elected on that ticket the first time; but then he would not subscribe to the party calendar and failed of renomination. Then he ran independent- ly against the Republican and Democratic candidates and was elected by a large plurality, showing his popularity and the great confidence the people had in him. Mr. Reese was a friend to every one.

Sheriff Reese was a member of the Odd Fellows and Elks. Personally he was a man of great energy of action and lived by the Golden Rule. His wife passed away in 1915. Their union was blessed with seven children, six of whom grew up, and five of whom are living: Edward E .; Ethel M., who was Mrs. Frank Didion, and passed away in Sacramento; Percy D .; John K .; Frank L .; Nell L., Mrs. Rooney, all of Stockton.

Since David Reese's death his children have incor- porated the David Reese Estate Company, and in 1918 carried out his ideas of land holdings as the best possible investment. They have sold the Colusa ranch and purchased a splendid ranch of 285 acres eight miles up the Sacramento River in Yolo County, devoted to alfalfa and dairying, and have also pur- chased additional property on Ninth and J Streets, in Sacramento, increasing the valuable holdings start- ed by their estimable pioneer sire.

CHARLES H. HAYWOOD .- A rancher well known to have long borne the burden and the heat of the day is Charles H. Haywood, whose many friends rejoice that he is now able to live in well- earned, comfortable retirement. He was one of the most practical of California agriculturists, from youth very fond of the harness horse, on which he has be- come one of the best authorities in America.

A native of Vermont, he was born at Springfield on December 15, 1832, the youngest son of the late Paul and Lucy (Martin) Haywood, both born in Ver- mont; and he was reared in his native state on a stony hillside farm near the old Crown Point road. He received a good public school education, and married Miss Ellen Stimson of Vermont, by whom he had one child, S. S. Haywood. The family continued to farm, our subject owning his ranch and raising sheep and wool on an extensive scale. He also later had a fine dairy near Springfield.

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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 104

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