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 122

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 122

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).

MARTIN KNEPPEL .- An enterprising man and successful farmer in Sacramento County is Martin Kneppel, who was born near Hamburg, Germany, June 11, 1882, a son of Peter and Katherina (Zor- nig) Kneppel, who are still living in their old home in Hamburg. Their family of ten children are as follows: William lives in San Luis Obispo County. Peter died in that county in November, 1921. John lives at Clarksburg. Marcus, Herman, and Mrs. Annie Zimmer live in Germany. Martin is the sub- ject of our review. Jacob lives at Point Pleasant; Mrs. Louise Dahlmeier, in Germany; and Henry, at Franklin.

Martin Kneppel was reared to the vocation of farming and received an excellent education in the local schools. From his twentieth to his twenty- second year he served in the German army, being attached to the 31st Regiment of Infantry. Having served the required time, he was honorably dis- charged and was free to go wherever he wished with- out hindrance from the government. He then con- cluded to cast in his lot with the land of the Stars and Stripes; so in 1904 he made the journey to Sac- ramento County, Cal., where for a time he was em- ployed in a livery stable in Sacramento, and then began working on ranches in Point Pleasant.

In 1908, Mr. Kneppel made a trip back to his old home, remaining a year, and there he was mar- ried, on September 19, 1909, to Lina Raulien, who was born near Koenigsberg, Germany, a daughter

of August and Johanna (Kasmir) Raulien. Her pa- rents are both living, the father being a tanner. Of their six children, three are in California: Mrs. Kneppel, the third in order of birth, John and Mrs. Bertha Schmidtje.

Returning to Point Pleasant, Mr. Kneppel again took up ranching; and in 1911 he bought his present place of eighty acres, where he has since engaged in dairying and by close application and well-directed energy is making a success of the enterprisc. He has two pumping plants, one for domestic use and the other for irrigating his fields of alfalfa. Aside from dairying, he is also engaged in raising poultry.

Mr. and Mrs. Kneppel have two children, Richard and Harry. In religious faith and affiliation, they are Lutherans; and in politics they are ardent Rc- publicans.

JOHN DEE .- John Dee was born at Hartford, Conn., May 31, 1852. His father, James Dee, a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, migrated to Connecti- cut, where he married Miss Johanna O'Donnell, who was also born in Ireland. They moved westward, in time locating in Chickasaw County, lowa, having spent some time in Ohio and Wisconsin. They were successful farmers in Iowa, becoming possessors of a 260-acre farm, where they resided until their death. John Dee was the oldest of the five living children, out of seven children born to his parents.

As a boy, John Dee grew up in Connecticut, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa, having accompanied his par- ents on their migration westward. During these years he attended the local schools in the various places in which they resided, and meantime made himself gen- erally useful on the farm. He well remembers how, when a boy, he drove an ox team to a breaking-plow, while turning the virgin soil of the prairie in Iowa.

In 1878, Mr. Dee came to San Jose, Cal., where he was employed until 1881, at which time he came to the Sacramento Valley. He was married at Mills Station, Sacramento County, being united with Miss Isabelle Deterding, who was born there, her father, William Deterding, being one of the pioneer farmers of the county. A brief account of his life will be found in the life-history of Mrs. Matilda Stahl, on another page in this volume. Isabelle Deterding attended school in the Kinney district and grew to womanhood on her father's farm at Mills Station. After marriage the young couple engaged in farming on the old Deterding place, becoming owners of one- half of the old place, where they remained until they sold out to the Natomas Company and moved to Sacramento. Mrs. Dee died in 1900. She was a lov- able woman, of pleasing personality, who was greatly missed by her family and friends. She left two chil- dren: J. W. and Lawrence J., who with their father now own and operate 301 acres at Freeport, where they are engaged in dairying. They have improved the ranch with suitable farm buildings, and have installed an electric pumping plant. They are raising alfalfa and grain, and are making a success of their dairy herd of high-grade Holstein cows. Enterpris- ing and progressive, they are aiding in the develop- ment and upbuilding of their community. The sons are both members of the Knights of Columbus. Politically, both they and Mr. Dee are independent of party trammels.

854

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

RAYMOND D. GOULD .- A prominent and wealthy orchardist and grain farmer is found in Ray- mond D. Gould, who owns a ranch of 105 acres at Antelope, Cal., thirty-five acres of which is in full- bearing almond trees. He is the eldest of four sons and was born March 28, 1879, near Antelope, across the line in Placer County on the old Dry Creek home place of his parents, J. D. and Jennie Gould, early California pioncers. Raymond D. Gould began his education in the district school in the vicinity of his home, and after completing the course he entered the Huxley Business College in Sacramento, where he remained for six months. Returning to his country home, he became closely associated with his father in ranch work. Being thirfty, he saved his money and when nineteen years of age purchased ninety acres from an uncle, for which he paid $2,500; this is a portion of his present home place.

The marriage of Mr. Gould united him with Miss Olive Berry, a native of Sacramento County, a daugh- ter of William Berry, pioneer settler of Sacramento, who now resides at Roseville. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gould: Adrian, em- ployed in the California National Bank, Sacramento; Donald; Phillis; and Mildred. For many years, Mr. Gould has been an active member of the State Grange and is now serving his third term as president of the Antelope Almond Growers' Association; he is also a member of the State Exchange. Mr. Gould was one of the organizers of the Railroad National Bank at Roseville, which was granted a charter in Febru- ary, 1923. Mr. Gould serves on the board of direc- tors; but his chief interest lies in his home ranch at Antelope.

LESTER E. HOLT .- The encouraging progress in artistic painting of recent years is shown in the in- teresting displays, from time to time, of Messrs. Holt Brothers, so ably represented by Lester E. Holt, whose parents were Charles A. and Mary Elizabeth (Bowden) Holt, the former a pioneer of California who located in Butte County in the middle seventies, and later was married to a native daughter from Oroville. Mr. Holt was one of the early workers in sheet-metal, and for a while he was established in San Francisco; but later he removed to Sacramento, and he is still living there, as active as ever in his chosen field, determined to continue his record of ex- ceptional usefulness as long as he is able. Mrs. Holt is also among the living, and very much alive as the center of a circle of devoted friends.

Lester Holt was born at Chico, on January 3, 1894, attended the public schools, and then, from 1909 to 1915, engaged in the butcher business. After that, for two years, he worked in a dairy. Just when he was getting ready to determine his life labors, however, the war called for his services, and he responded patriotically by entering the United States Army, and joining the 148th Field Artillery. He went to France, and remained there eleven months; and then he spent eight months with the Army of Occupation in Germany. He was rated as a cook, when dis- charged; and on regaining his freedom from military service, he joined his brother, Percy La Rue Holt, formed the firm of Holt Bros., which is a valued member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, and at 2735 Franklin Boulevard has since devoted himself to artistie painting, with the result that more and more his services have been in demand.

JOHN WOODWARD WOOLLETT .- The fame of Sacramento as an ornate capital is due in part to the eminent qualifications of her architects, among whom Messrs. Woollett & Lamb certainly play an important and an enviable role. The senior member of this well-known firm. John Woodward Woollett, was born at Londonville, N. Y., on July 11, 1876, the son of William M. and Fannie (Nellegar) . Woollett, the former also an architect, through which fortunate circumstance our subject got the best possible pro- fessional start in the world.

John Woodward Woollett went to the grammar and high schools in Albany, and later, as a member of the class of 1899, was graduated from the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology. For a while, he was at Wilmington, Del .; and at Pittsburgh he worked as a structural engineer. In 1894, he joined his brother William, also an architect, at Albany. In 1911 he left the Empire State and came West. In California his ability was soon recognized, and in 1912 he was appointed state architect, a position he filled with ability for about fifteen months. Since then he has continued to follow his professional work in Sac-

ramento. In 1919, Mr. Woollett formed a part- nership with Arthur H. Lamb, whose interesting life- story is given elsewhere in this historical work, the firm bearing the name of Woollett & Lamb; and they have been so successful that they are doing much of the best architectural work in Sacramento and northern California. Mr. Woollett is a member of the Rotary Club, and a Republican.

Mr. Woollett was married, in 1906, and at Ando- ver, Mass., to Miss Constance Somers of Boston, and their happy union has been blessed with three daughters and two sons-Harriette, John, Constance, Charlotte and Frank. Mr. Woollett is a member of the board of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and a director in the Y. M. C. A. of Sacramento, his in- terest in young men being particularly strong, and his desire for social and religious service of a prac- tical, effective kind, always marked.

LAWRENCE S. HALL .- Well-known among the really progressive and therefore, very naturally, suc- cessful dairymen operating along scientific and also very practical lines, is Lawrence S. Hall, of Folsom City, a native son proud of his association with the great commonwealth of California. He was born at Shingle Springs, Eldorado County, on January 3, 1881, the eldest child of the late Daniel T. Hall, and as a child attended both the Shingle Springs and the Sutter schools, the latter at Twenty-first and L Streets in Sacramento.

When thirteen years of age, Lawrence S. Hall started out on the range as a rider after stock, and so it may be said that, like a goodly number of the finest type of Western men, he was reared in the saddle. He is, therefore, a thorough judge of live- stock, and enjoys an enviable reputation in respect to that field of industry which is the result of hard work for years, under conditions of exposure, fatigue and the absence of many comforts enjoyed by those liv- ing for the most part under more comfortable town environments. In December, 1916, he entered the dairy business as a partner of J. A. Russi, and he has been successful to no small degree, both in dairying and the raising of stock. He now has a string of seventy-five milch cows of the Durham breed, and

John w. Wi mellett

857

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

goes into camp in the high Sierras every spring, re- turning for winter range near Folsom in the fall.

At Sacramento, on September 2, 1904, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Frances Russi, the youngest daugli- ter of Antone Russi, the pioneer now deceased, whose memory is held so dear to all who knew him; and one child, a son named Marion, has blessed the union. He was born on December 17, 1906, and is attending the Keeney school at Sacramento. Mr. Hall is a member of Parlor No. 83, Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he is ex-president; and he also be- longs to Lodge No. 6 of the B. P. O. Elks at Sacra- mento. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are fortunate in a wide circle of devoted friends, and Mr. Hall exerts an en- viable influence among those with whom he has deal- ings, owing to their confidence in his experience and integrity

CLYDE SHAPEL SIMMONDS .- An expert painter who is called upon to do extensive contracting for work in his line, is Clyde Shapel Simmonds, of 2726 Twenty-sixth Street, Sacramento, whose dis- criminating taste has influenced to a considerable de- gree the popular demand for artistic house-painting and interior decorating in his city and community. A native son, he was born at Benicia, on January 1), 1891. His father, William Shapel Simmonds, was . born and reared in Moline, Ill., and there lived until his mother came to California with her family, when he was fifteen years of age. W. S. Simmonds' mother was a second cousin of Cecil Rhodes. She brought her family to Sacramento, where she made her own way and raised and educated her children. She was a wonderful woman, of strong character and dominant, wholesome spirit, and had a wide influence for good. During the last three years of her life she was blind. She lived to the age of eighty years, passing away on February 20, 1920.

William S. Simmonds worked in various positions, and studied privately; and then he found employment in the plow-works at Benicia. While there he mar- ried Miss Kate Demorest, who was born in Michigan. Later he learned painting, and in 1892 he came to Sacramento. Here he worked for a couple of years for others, and then engaged in business for himself. In 1895 Mr. Simmonds began to take an interest in politics, and he became the "big man" in the fifth ward. He was twice a candidate for the city com- mission, but was defeated. He always took a very active part in local affairs and made many friends. He died on January 20, 1920, from the effects of a pistol-shot, fired by unknown hold-up men, and his murderers were never apprehended. W. S. Simmonds was a very successful business man and accumulated considerable property. He built the Del Paso Hotel on Twelfth Street, between I and J, back of the Masonic Temple. It was built as a hotel for working- men. He ran a good, clean house; and the reputa- tion he won has been continued by his estate since his death, and there has never been an arrest in the house. It is now owned by his heirs, four sons, name- ly: Clyde S., Albert W., Harry and Harold, the last two being twins. The father also owned a flat build- ing at Twentieth and L Streets. He was a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Shriner.

Clyde Shapel Simmonds was educated in the pub- lic schools of Sacramento and at the age of sixteen went to work at electrical work on the capitol build-

ing. Eighteen months later he took up paper-hanging and decorating with Schneider, Chappel & Jones, then the foremost decorators in Sacramento, and continued there for three years, learning decorative painting in all of its branches; and then assisted his father in his business. When twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the United States navy, serving on the Cheyenne, Colorado and Philadelphia and in the submarine navy until 1914, when he purchased the balance of his time and received an honorable discharge. This he did for the purpose of taking over the business of his father, who had retired. He continued the business and has enlarged it from time to time. Of late, he has done the painting of the East Sacramento School and the Chamber of Commerce building; and he does much work for the Sacramento Northern Railroad. His business has so increased that he is able to give profitable employment to about ten well-trained men.

In Stockton, on January 20, 1916, Mr. Simmonds was married to Miss Doris Irene Pugh. She was born at Perkins, a suburb of Sacramento, and is a daughter of Charles L. and Minnie P. (Robison) Pugh, natives of California. Her father served as justice of the peace of Brighton Township for twelve years. He installed the first incandescent electric lights ever put in in Sacramento city. He is now engaged in well- boring, accomplishing much and lasting good for the irrigation of lands, and for increasing the yield of the soil. He is a Master Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Sinimonds have three children, Ellen Maurine, Irene Olive, and William Carleton. Mr. Simmonds is fond of boxing, hunting and fishing. In politics he favors the plat- forms of the Republican party.

THOMAS R. LANDSBOROUGH .- That the twentieth century naturally calls for new and im- proved methods of dealing with the increasingly intricate and puzzling problems of industrial progress, Thomas R. Landsborough, of Florin, sets forth in his farm engineering service. And that what he has to offer, as a native son thoroughly familiar with Cali- fornia agricultural conditions, is especially applicable to operations in Sacramento County, one may see from a careful inspection of his prospectus. He was born at Florin, California, on August 1, 1882, the son of L. M. Landsborough, a native of Australia, who married Miss Agnes Rutter, a native daughter. Grandfather James Rutter was an early pioneer in Sacramento County. Mr. L. M. Landsborough is now the manager of the Sacramento Berry-Growers' Association.

Thomas R. attended the grammar and high schools, and when old enough, he matriculated in the Uni- versity of California at Berkeley, and in due time was graduated. He had taken the engineering courses, and so he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1905. Then, wishing to master electri- cal work, he became an apprentice in the Westing- house shops in Pittsburgh, and from 1907 to 1918 he was located at Tonopah, Nev., as a mechanical and electrical engineer for a mining company. He was with two companies, the Tonopah Extension Mining Company, and the Tonopah Mining Company. During the World War, he was in the shipyards in San Francisco and then he returned to Tonopah for half a year, coming from there to Florin, to establish his own business, that of installing electrical pumps for irrigation. Mr. Landsborough is a specialist in his linc, and is everywhere recognized as such. He

858

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

is interested in his grandfather's estate, known as the James Rutter Company, owners of 250 acres devoted to vineyard.

Mr. Landsborough married Miss Henrietta Bot- cher, of Stockton, at Tonopah. He and his wife enjoy outdoor life, he being an enthusiastic fisherman. Mr. Landsborough belongs to the Elks.

ST. FRANCIS PARISH .- Distinguished among the devoted clergy of the Roman Catholic Church who have done much to advance the cause of sound learning and popular education in California, may well be mentioned the Franciscan Fathers of St. Fran- cis Church, Sacramento, with its live center of activi- ties at Twenty-sixth and K Streets, the magnificent fruits of a movement, "for the glory of God and our Country," begun at the Provincial Chapter held at St. Louis, on August 22, 1894, when it was decided to found a parisli and Franciscan residence in the city of Sacramento. The Rev. Fr. Augustine McClory, O. F. M., was then chosen first pastor, and arrived in Sacramento on October 16, 1894. He was warmly received and kindly assisted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Mon- ogue and began his work as assistant at the Cathe- dral, taking part in all parochial duties. During Fr. Augustine's stay at the Cathedral, he spent much time in organizing the new parish: taking the census, soliciting subscriptions, and selecting the site for the new church. Finally, it was agreed to purchase the site on K Street, between Twenty-fifth and Twenty- sixth, and after all details had been attended to, Fr. Augustine finally took possession of the deeds to the property on the 31st of December, 1894. Ground was broken for a new church on February 7, 1895. On the 19th of the preceding month, Rev. Fr. Pius Nier- man, O. F. M., had arrived from Chicago as assistant. Holy Mass was said for the time being at Union Hall on Twentieth and O Streets, the first Holy Mass being said there on Sunday, January 20, 1895. The first Holy Mass was said in the new church on Palni Sunday, April 7, 1895, in a frame building that served its purpose for that time.

At the present day, St. Francis Parish is in a flour- ishing condition, being fully equipped with all that is called for in a modern parish. The beautiful new church which supplants the old wooden structure was built under the direction of Rev. Godfrey Hoelters, O. F. M., and dedicated October 23, 1910, by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Grace, D. D., who has since passed away. It is situated in the very heart of the residence district, opposite Sutter's Fort. The present clergy are: Rev. Ildephonse Moser, O. F. M., pastor; Revs. Edward Lunney, Ferdinand Kenny, Anselm Boehmer, O. F. M., assistants. Then there is the Parochial School, which is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters, who have their residence on the block next to the church. There is also the Parish Auditorium, which is used for entertainments and whist parties. Finally, there is also the gymnasium for the young men of the parish, and this is constantly being made more attrac- tive. The various societies and sodalities of the parish are all in a flourishing condition, and this is because their members are continually active for the religious and social welfare of the parish. The Parish School, which offers excellent grade courses, is conducted by Franciscan Sisters, certificated teachers of the state of New York.

JAMES KEANE .- Sacramento County inay well be proud of the contribution to business activity furnished by James Keane, whose thoroughness, in- dustry and trained business judgment have been a factor in the permanent growth and advancement of the community. For the past eleven years he has devoted his energies to the insurance business and at the present time is serving as district manager of the Western States Life Insurance Company; and

under his able management the business has steadily increased in proportions until he has charge of thirty-three men who work throughout Sacramento district. He is a native son of California, born near Lotus, Eldorado County, May 26, 1877, a son of James and Mary (Grogan) Keane. The father of our subject was born in Ireland, came to Philadel- phia, Pa., in 1851, engaged as fireman on a Pennsyl- vania railway and came to California around the Horn in 1855. He first engaged in mining; then he turned his attention to agriculture and in the early days of irrigation gave helpful assistance to all irri- gation projects. He was active in politics, and lived and died in Eldorado County; he passed away in 1903, his wife surviving him until 1906.

James Keane, our subject, received a good educa- tion in the public schools and finished with a course in a business college; he then began farming on the home place, where he remained until 1908, when he engaged in the fruit business which he followed for four years. Removing to Sacramento in 1912 he entered the life insurance business, working as solic- itor throughout the county until he was made dis- trict manager in 1918, having full charge of the Sac- ramento district with offices in the Capital National Bank building.

The marriage of Mr. Keane united him with Miss Aimee E. Collins, born at Davis, Cal., and they are the parents of one daughter, Carol Bernice. Mr. Keane is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally be- longs to Placerville Parlor No. 9, N. S. G. W., of which he is a past president.

WILLIAM LEE BROSIG .- A substantial citizen of Sacramento, who is ably discharging the duties of captain of Fire Engine Company No. 1, is William Lee Brosig. He was born in Texas, December 19, 1889, a son of Theo. L. and Marie (Hillmann) Brosig, also natives of that state. William Lee Brosig attended school in his native state and remained there until 1909, when he removed to Sacramento and followed his trade of boiler maker in the Southern Pacific shops. He became connected with the fire depart- ment in July, 1914, first as a substitute, then on Octo- ber 6, 1914, as a driver, which occupied him until 1919, when in October of that year he was promoted to the captaincy. The efficiency of his work and its acceptability to the people of the city are indicated by the fact of his continuance in the position for the past four years. He is public-spirited, progressive and energetic and in his public capacity has done bene- ficial and far-reaching work, being today among the most popular men on the roster of the city officials.

The marriage of Mr. Brosig united him with Miss Mabel Caroline Godergast, a native of Sacramento. Politically, Mr. Brosig is a Republican, and frater- nally he is affiliated with the Red Men, Eagles and Foresters and takes an active interest in the Fire- men's Relief Association.

861

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

GEORGE J. RAYMOND .- A Sacramento attor- ney who has made his mark, as a well-trained, schol- arly and high-principled lawyer, throughout northern California, is George J. Raymond, of the Capital National Bank Building, who has practiced law for nearly a decade. A native son, always proud of the Golden State, he was born in Eureka. Humboldt County, on March 29, 1890, the son of Joseph and Mary A. (Sheridan) Raymond, who settled in Cali- fornia in 1881. Mr. Raymond was a lumberman, and helped to develop the natural resources of the state, and both parents are still living.

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 122

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