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 116

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 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1918, Mr. Dundas came to the Sacramento Po- lice Department as a patrolman, and he was pro- moted to his present position in September, 1922, when the traffic department was created, being ad- vanced to captain; and he is the first to hold this position. He is one of the most familiar figures at the capital, is respected for his public spirit and his fearless, but tactful administration of his office, and he belongs to every traffic organization in California. In politics he is a Repubican.

When Captain Dundas married, he chose for his bride Miss Nellie Dimmick, of Placer County, and they have one child, Robert E. Dundas. The Cap- tain belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, and he is a member of the Elks and the Red Men. He likes fishing and hunting, and is quite at home with all outdoors.

JAMES E. GORMAN .- Among the well-known citizens of Sacramento is James E. Gorman, a native son, who holds the position of captain of Truck No. 2, of the Sacramento fire department. His birth oc- curred in Sacramento, Cal., June 30, 1858, and he is a son of James and Mary (McCormick) Gorman. The father came to California from Massachusetts in 1856 and engaged in mining for a time, and then fol-' lowed teaming to the mines. Both parents are de- ceased, the father living until he was eighty-two years old, but the mother had passed away at the age of thirty-eight years.

James E. Gorman, the oldest of the four children in his parents' family, received his education in the public schools of Sacramento. After finishing school he was in the ice business for ten years, first with the Pacific Ice Company and afterwards with the Union Ice Company. Then, on April 1, 1894, he en- tered the Sacramento fire department as captain in charge of Truck No. 2; and he has remained in that position ever since. In 1919 the firemen were required to take the civil service examination, and he passed the examination with the title of captain. His sterling characteristics have justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the citizens of his native city. : During twenty-four years and ten months of his term of service he put in twenty-four hours a day at the station, but now they work a two- platoon system. He is now the oldest captain in years of service in the city's fire department.

The marriage of Mr. Gorman, in Sacramento, united him with Miss Elizabeth Drumgold, a native of Altoona, Pa .; and they are the parents of two children, Ellsworth James, an employee of Laven- son's store, and Norine. He built his residence at 2011 L Street, where he resides with his family. Fraternally, he belongs to Sacramento Parlor No. 3, N. S. G. W., and to the Y. M. I. He is an ac- tive and conscientious member of and worker for the Firemen's Protective Association, and in matters of citizenship is thoroughly public-spirited. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket.

MESSINGER E. GATES .- A resident of Sacra- mento since early days, Messinger E. Gates was born in New London, N. H., July 6, 1842. He spent the first score of his years in the East, but in 1861 came out to California, via the Isthmus, and for a while clerked in a store at Drytown, Amador County. On October 8, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company A, 7th California Vol- unteers, attained the rank of sergeant, and also saw service in Indian warfare, fighting the Apaches in Arizona, and after serving his country faithfully and well, was mustered out in San Francisco, April 12, 1866.

On returning to civil life, Mr. Gates started work for the Sacramento Valley Railway, later the Cen- tral Pacific, in Sacramento, April 20, 1866; he was freight platform man, clerk, and later, agent at Sac- ramento, and sold the first ticket to San Francisco, in 1869, a happening which marks him as a pioneer railroad man in the state. He later became agent of the freight and passenger department, at the com- pany's depot at K and L Streets, remaining in that capacity until 1881, when he engaged as clerk in the freight department. He held that position until 1907, when he requested his own retirement, after round- ing out forty-one years and four months continuons

S.FD

James. Le. Formen

809

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

service with the railroad in Sacramento, a record for stability, for "sticking to his last" which shows the strength of his purpose. In his early days in the state, before the war, he followed mining in Eldo- rado County, and still has mining interests there.

The marriage of Mr. Gates united him with Jennie Messinger, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., who came to California, also via the Isthmus, in 1850; one son was born to this pioneer couple, Harry E., residing in San Francisco, in which city Mr. Gates now makes his home, though he makes frequent trips to Sacra- mento to visit, and renew old-time friendships made during nearly half a century of residence here. He joined Sumner Post No. 3, G. A. R., in 1868, and has gone through all the chairs of the order, making him past commander.

ROBERT H. WEIL .- An experienced business man whose study of a certain portion of the house- furnishing field has built up a substantial and flour- ishing trade because of his so successfully catering to the wants of the housekeeper, is Robert H. Weil, the manager of the Sacramento Glass & Crockery Company. A native son, he was born at Downie- ville, on December 23, 1876, the son of John and Anna (Hickman) Weil, the former. a pioneer who came here in early days, and supplied the mines with necessary goods. He was later state treasurer, and was also engaged in the insurance business; and when the Sacramento Glass & Crockery Company was incorporated on October 21, 1885, he was its first president, and then the sole owner. He died in January, 1912, esteemed by all who knew him.

Robert Weil finished with the grammar schools of his district, and next pursued the excellent courses of the near-by high school. His father at that time was in the insurance business, and at the age of eighteen he joined him. At the death of his father, he assumed the office of president and manager of the glass and crockery establishment, and continued to supervise both a lively wholesale and retail trade. In 1915 they gave up retailing and now they limit their enterprise entirely to the caring for the whole- sale trade.

In 1918, Mr. Weil took into partnership his sister, Mrs. Fred Broach, and together they have continued to expand. They carry an extensive and a varied stock, and pay particular attention to the wants of this part of the state. Mr. Weil belongs to the Sac- ramento Chamber of Commerce, and to the Pro- gressive Business Men's Association, and in both of these organizations he is ever ready to put his shoulder to the wheel for the advancement of local trade conditions generally. He is a Republican, and favors the principle of a protective tariff such as tends to steady and foster trade. In matters of fra- ternal life, Mr. Weil belongs to the Odd Fellows and Elks.

RASMUS CARSTENSEN .- A controller of one of the important and very serviceable industries in Sacramento is Rasmus Carstensen, the owner of the well-organized Crystal Ice Company, doing business at 1620 R Street in that city. He it is who has devel- oped to the highest degree of efficiency one of the most necessary lines of local trade, and by his wise foresight and broad, common-sense views as to what one organization in society owes to another, has con- tributed much to the comfort and welfare of thou-

sands of persons bearing the burden and the heat of the day. He was born in Germany on July 29, 1867, the son of Hans and Annie (York) Carstensen, and in that country long famous for its schools laid the foun- dation of a knowledge and an experience he has often found extremely useful. When only fifteen years of age, he came out to Clinton, Iowa, and there worked on a farm; and having little by little made steady headway, he moved on further westward, working on ranches in San Joaquin and Sacramento Counties; later he become a motorman, then conductor, on the Howard Street Railway in San Francisco, and in 1892 came to Sacramento, where he engaged in the liquor trade, at the corner of Fifth and K Streets.

In 1911 Mr. Carstensen established the ice busi- ness of which he is at present the owner and head, commencing at Oak Park with a twenty-ton plant; and now he has a fifty-ton plant there. In 1921 he re- moved to 1620 R Street, and built his modern ice and cold-storage building, 120 by 160 feet in size, and two stories in height; and in doing so he has arranged for a possible additional two stories of cold storage. He employs twenty-five men, and he is constantly adding to his plant; and he has come to ship his ice product all over this section of the state. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Merchants' Association; is public-spirited and al- ways interested in civic affairs.

Mr. Carstensen married Miss Annie Stewart, in 1898, the ceremony taking place at San Francisco; she is now deceased. In 1915 he was united to Miss Marie Jensen, his second marriage occurring at San Mateo. August is a son by his first marriage, and he helps his father. Mr. Carstensen is a thirty-second- degree Mason, belonging to the Scottish Rite, and is a Shriner; and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is a life member of the Eagles.

MURDOCH ALEXANDER MacDONALD .- A substantial and thoroughly dependable representative of Sacramento County is Capt. Murdoch Alexander MacDonald, who was born on June 25, 1869, in Sutherlandshire, in the Highlands of Scotland, the son of Kenneth and Catherine (MacGlashan) Mac- Donald. His father was proprietor of the Tourist Hotel until he passed on. The mother was laid to rest in the native country.

Murdoch Alexander MacDonald, the third oldest in a family of five children, was educated in the schools of Scotland. For a while he helped his father, who had a tourist hotel in the Highlands of Scotland, there being thirteen lakes in easy distance and noted for trout fishing. When he was eighteen years old he emigrated to the United States and located in San Francisco in 1887, where he stayed for one year. He then went to Fresno County where he stayed for a short time, and then came to Stock- ton, Cal., and was employed on the dredges. He be- came captain of dredges and worked on reclamation of Rough and Ready, Union and Roberts Islands and other islands in the Sacramento delta. He is now captain of the "Lisbon," one of the largest dredges employed in reclamation work. He has made his residence for many years in Stockton, re- siding with his family at 2916 E. Street.

The marriage of Capt. MacDonald occurred in Stockton, and united him with Miss Cecil Metcalf, born in Napa of pioneer parents of English descent. They were blessed with four children: Myrtle, Ber-

810

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

nice, Jeanette, and Emery. The latter, when seven- teen, joined the aviation section of the United States army, being stationed at Kelly field for nine months, until he was mustered out. Soon after his return home he was accidentally shot and killed while hunt- ing. Although a Republican, Captain MacDonald maintains a nonpartisan attitude, voting for the man rather than the party. Fraternally, he is an Eagle, and has been a member of the San Francisco Caledon- ian Club for twenty-six years, and is a member of the Caledonian Club of Sacramento. He is very fond of outdoor life, and is especially interested in hunting and fishing.

RALPH MOORE .- A representative of an old family in Sacramento County, who has aided in the development and reclaiming of lands, is Ralph Moore, a native son born January 28, 1872, on the old Moore homestead, where he now resides, on the Sacra- mento River, a short distance south of Freeport. His father, James Moore, was born at Kunkle, Ohio, where he was reared, and when a young man he came to California, about 1850, via the Isthmus of Pana- ma. He engaged in raising vegetables on the Sacra- mento River and in teaming and freighting to the mines in Nevada. In 1863 he purchased the home place of sixty-four acres two miles south of Freeport, where he set out an orchard, and then he engaged in butchering, running several meat wagons through the country and did a successful business for over twenty years, or until his death in 1881 at the age of fifty-four years. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Lufkins) Moore, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, D. T. Lufkins, was a pioneer of Sacra- mento County, locating at Eagle Point, and became a large landowner in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. He was also a pioneer in setting out orchards and raising fruits. He also kept an hotel at Eagle Point, a famous stopping place in the early days. He served as justice of the peace for many years. He sold his lands, and returned East, and resided there for three years, or until he died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. James Moore continued to reside on the old home place until her death in 1909, aged sixty-four years. Of the seven children born of this union, four are living: Mrs. Annie Billups, Carl, O. H. and Ralph, all residing in Sacramento, except Ralph, who owns and operates the old home place.

After completing the grammar school in Freeport, Ralph Moore supplemented his education with a course at Howe's Business College in Stockton. From a youth he learned farming and when seven years old herded cattle on horseback in Yolo County. He continued actively in all farm work until 1897, when he began railroading. He was in this occu- pation for four years, or until 1901, as brakeman be- tween Sacramento and Truckec, when he quit to en- gage in farming. Purchasing the old Bob Gurley place of 180 acres he engaged in raising beans and fruit. He was one of the organizers of Reclamation District Number 744 and served as trustee from the start for many years; and now, after being out several years he is again serving as director of the district. The levees, as well as the finances, are in good con- dition. After his mother's death Ralph Moore pur- chased the interest of the other heirs in the home ranch and sold 100 acres of his other ranch, so he now owns 144 acres devoted to raising alfalfa, beans, and cattle. For years he ran a dairy and had a fine

herd of Holsteins, but he sold all of his cows last year and engages in raising hay for the San Francisco market, shipping from Moore Landing in schooners.

Mr. Moore was married in Sacramento to Mrs. Jennie (Minna) Souther, who was born in Jackson, Amador County. Their union has proved to be a very happy one and has been blessed with one child, Ralph. Jr. Fraternally Mr. Moore is a member of Sacramento Lodge No. 6 of the Elks, and in national politics he is a strong Republican.

ROBERT BERRY .- A master of an important industry of the capital city is Robert Berry, the ex- perienced proprietor of the well-equipped Berry's Foundry, located at 1817 Twenty-ninth Street, in Sacramento, one of the most essential establishments in Sacramento County, and one always serving both town and country folk in the most up-to-date fashion. Robert Berry was born at Chorley, Lancashire County, England. on September 9, 1863, the son of Miles and Helen (Brewer) Berry, substantial people in the district in which they lived; and he enjoyed the educational advantages of his locality, attending the district schools. After a while, in accordance with the excellent custom in the older countries, of having a boy learn a trade or otherwise enter upon a career when he is old enough to do so, Robert learned the founder's trade; and when he was ready to break away from home and country, he had a pretty good idea of the foundry business.

When forty-three years of age, he came to the United States, reaching Sacramento, Cal., in 1907. He worked at his trade here, and ten years later, in April, 1917, he took over the Elliott Foundry at 2908 R Street, and conducted it until June, 1920. Then he built his own foundry, located at 1817 Twenty-ninth Street, where in the busy season he employs five men, and with a full complement of machinery such as only the best-arranged foundries afford, he is ever ready to be called upon by the community for excep- tional service. The capacity of the foundry is a thirty-inch cupola, and it would employ sixteen men if run at full capacity. It is the only foundry in the city that makes brass and aluminum castings. The product of the plant is shipped all over northern Cali- fornia, and the concern does a very large and satis- factory business. Mr. Berry built a comfortable resi- dence at 2914 S Street, where he resides with his family. He is independent in his political affiliations. Loyal and public-spirited, during the World War he took an active part in the Liberty Loan drives.

In the year 1892, in Northampton, England, Mr. Berry was married to Miss Martha H. H. Eales, by whom he has one child, a son named Robert Henry Berry. This son went to the State University at Berkeley, where he studied electrical engineering; and then he served for three years in the British navy as a wireless operator. He is now a Senior at the University of California. Mr. Berry, like most Englishmen, is fond of football and other manly sports. He is treasurer of the Sacramento Valley Soccer League, which had its inception sixteen years ago and now has 1,500 training in the schools here. In 1922 they took the California soccer ball cham- pionship with their boys' team. He also belongs to the Sons of St. George and to the Moulders' Associa- tion of Sacramento.

Mabert Berry

813

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

DANIEL W. CARMICHAEL .- In every group of men is found one man who, by his sterling worth of character and achievements, is fitted for the place of leader. Untoward circumstances may for a time pre- vent such a man from gaining the recognition due him, but sooner or later he comes into his own. Such a man is Daniel W. Carmichael, president and gen- eral manager of The Carmichael Company of Sacra- mento, realty operator and Democratic leader. He was born near Atlanta, Ga., in the year 1866, the son of William and Evelyne ( Fincher) Carmichael. His father was a Southern planter and a well-known and respected man of his community.

Daniel W. Carmichael received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Georgia, but gave up his studies at the call of the West, in 1885, to come to California, where for two years he followed the usual hardy life of the California rancher. Arriving in California, he located in Stanislaus County, working here and there and gaining experience of life among the world of men. Ambitious, and perceiving the ne- cessity of further education for the attainment of the career which he had laid out for himself, he entered the Stockton Business College and studied book- keeping and business management. After a course in this institution he became bookkeeper for Kendall & Co. in 1887, in whose employ he was for five years.

In the year 1895 Mr. Carmichael organized and be- came a member of the firm of Curtis, Carmichael and Brand, which was incorporated the following year. This company was organized for the purpose of acquiring and developing Sacramento Valley lands. In 1900 Mr. Carmichael bought out his partners' in- terests and the firm became known as The Carmichael Company. As the head of this company he has handled, developed and colonized thousands of acres of Sacramento Valley lands. No company in Sacra- mento has been a larger factor in the aiding of the incoming settlers to acquire homes suitable to their taste and means. In 1913 the company was active in the development and settlement of a large tract of 4,000 acres of land known as the Carmichael Colony, located between Sacramento and Fair Oaks. This tract, which is located along the west bank of the American River, contains some of the best citrus land in the Sacramento Valley and was cut up into small farms of ten acres each. The colonization of land, however, is not the only business activity in which Mr. Carmichael is engaged. In 1899 he organized the Sacramento Oil Company. This company purchased oil lands in the Kern County oil district and sank one of the first wells at Bakersfield. Some years later he became one of the organizers and directors of the Acme Development Oil Company.

In the political life of the city, county and state, Daniel W. Carmichael has for many years wielded a powerful influence. In November, 1895, he was elected treasurer of Sacramento City on the Demo- cratic ticket, which office he held for two years. So well did he fulfill the duties of this office and so steadily had his reputation grown that in June, 1903, he was elected county treasurer, which office he held until 1907. In the intervening years his influence among Democratic circles in California had developed to such an extent that in 1900 he was elected delegate to the national Democratic convention held in Kansas City, Mo., where William J. Bryan was nominated for President. At that time Mr. Carmichael and Mr, 51

Bryan became acquainted, which acquaintanceship has grown with steadily increasing warmth throughout the succeeding years. In 1904 he again represented his party at the national convention, being elected delegate-at-large from California to the convention at St. Louis, where Alton B. Parker was chosen to lead the Democratic ticket.

For many years Sacramento has profited through the untiring efforts of Mr. Carmichael in behalf of its semi-public organizations devoted to the upbuilding of its industries and the forwarding of its best in- terests. He became president of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce in 1910, which office he held for a number of years. For eighteen years he has been a director of the same institution. Possibly no other man has given more time and money or done more to put this organization on the firm and efficient basis on which it now stands. In recognition of his ability in matters relating to real estate development, the State Realty Federation of California elected him president for the year 1910-1911. In 1913 Mr. Car- michael served as chairman of the Panama-Pacific Sacramento Valley Commission from Sacramento County; and in 1917-1918 he served the city as mayor.

In 1892 Mr. Carmichael was married in Sacramento to Miss Myrtie Robb, daughter of Charles S. Robb, a well-known local railroad man, who for thirty-five years was connected with the Southern Pacific Rail- road Company.

Fraternally, Mr. Carmichael is well-known. Among the various organizations with which he is affiliated may be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks, and the Sutter Club. In addition to his justly earned prominence in local business and political circles, he has received state-wide recognition as a power in Cali- fornia's business and political life, and it is not too much to say that his record during the past thirty-five years fully justifies any honor or recognition which the people of California may see fit to bestow upon him.

W. M. STILLMAN .- An executive of exceptional natural ability and wide, valuable experience is W. M. Stillman, the popular assistant superintendent of the Southern Pacific at Sacramento. He was born in New York City on February 5, 1878, the son of Alfred and Anna (Hewitt) Stillman, worthy citizens representing one of the oldest and most honored families in America. Mrs. Stillman has passed away. beloved by all who knew her; but our subject's father is still living in New York City.

Coming out to the Pacific Coast when very young, the lad attended school in San Francisco, commenc- ing in 1884; and when old enough to do so, he took the engineering course of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, and was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. in 1902. Then he returned WVest and entered the engineer department of the Southern Pacific Railroad; but on the breaking out of the war between Germany and the United States, he joined the American army, and served for four- teen months, joining the transportation corps in France, where he spent a year. Returning to Amer- ica, he took up again the duties of his former posi- tion of assistant superintendent at Stockton; and in October, 1921, he was promoted to the still more responsible position of assistant superintendent of the railway at Sacramento. This responsibility Mr.

814

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Stillman has since discharged with increasing favor in the estimation of all with whom he has to deal, and Sacramento County, as well as the Southern Pa- cific Railroad, to which Mr. Stillman is devotedly attached, may be congratulated on having encour- aged this gentleman to cast his lines in such pleasant waters.

At Stockton, Mr. Stillman was married to Miss Marie Cabney, of Stockton, Cal., a lady of talent and grace; and their fortunate union has been blessed in the birth of three children: Alfred, Dixwell and Patricia. In fraternal affairs, Mr. Stillman is a Mason.

T. J. PENNISH .- An expert plasterer who has also won for himself an enviable reputation as an experienced contractor, able to carry out by himself both extensive and most difficult work, is T. J. Pen- nish, who was born in the city of Sacramento on February 15, 1857. His father, Martin Pennish, had married, in New Orleans, Miss Mary Corcoran, and had come from Louisiana the year previous; and for a while he tried his luck in the mines. Then, realiz- ing that more of a fortune was likely to be made in catering to the wants of the other fellow, digging for gold under inconvenient circumstances, he en- gaged in truck gardening, and he also commenced to team to the mines and to haul freight and fresh supplies for the miner. His was an eventful life; and when he died in 1907, those who had known him mourned his departure. Mrs. Pennish also made many a friend through her exceptional nobility of charac- ter, and she breathed her last in 1913. The worthy couple had five children, and four grew to maturity.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 116

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