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 125

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 125

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As a lad, Edward Albert Steneberg attended the Latin schools of Lund for four years, where he se- cured a good understanding of botany and horticul- ture. He served a four years' apprenticeship as gar- dener, at the same time continuing his study of botany, in which he took a two years' postgraduate course, thus laying the foundation for his later success as a landscape gardener. At the age of nineteen he came to America, sailing from Malmö on the old Thingvalla Line and landing at Castle Garden on April 30, 1882. He worked for the Havemeyers and McCormicks, and filled engagements in Lake Forest, Ill., and in various important municipal centers, where he planned and laid out much beautiful garden work. After a few years he started in business for himself at Riverside, a suburb of Chicago. Here he lived and prospered for twenty-five years; and here he built a residence and reared his family.

At Riverside, Ill., on May 1, 1885, Mr. Steneberg was married to Miss Emma Marie Schaper, born at Elmhurst, Ill., of German parentage. Her father was William Schaper of Elmhurst. He was a railroad man, and section foreman for the Northwestern Rail- way. Thrifty and enterprising, he saved his money, made some good investments, and became well-to-do. Both he and Mrs. Schaper lived to be more than eighty years old. Mr. and Mrs. Steneberg became the parents of seven children who reached maturity, as follows: Carl William, a restaurateur at Fresno; Edward Albert, Jr., an expressman, residing in the Steneberg home at Riverside, Ill .; Florentin Schaper, a machinist, of Chicago; George St. John, of Sacra- mento, associated with his father in landscape garden- ing; Harry Walter, in the mattress-renovating busi- ness, residing in Sacramento; Arthur Clarence, in the express business at Riverside, Ill .; and Elmer Her- bert, a machinist, residing at Riverside, Ill. A daugh- ter, Frances, died when ten months old. Mrs. Stene-

E. a. Stenberg

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

berg died at Riverside Ill., April 2, 1910, at forty-one years of age. At the time of her marriage she was only sixteen years old, and Mr. Steneberg was then twenty-two. She was a true helpmate, affectionate wife, and loving mother.

About four years after his wife's death, Mr. Stene- berg sold his property in Riverside to one of his sons. Since then he has traveled quite extensively in the United States, through the North, East, South, and West. In July, 1920, he arrived in California. Com- ing to Sacramento, he became construction foreman for the Del Paso Country Club and laid out its golf course, putting in its golf greens and fairways. Since then he has been engaged in contracting, and has done a great deal of landscape gardening in and around Sacramento. His contracts have included work on the estates of several of the city's most prominent families.

In politics, Mr. Steneberg is an independent Re- publican. In religious faith, he is a Lutheran, hav- ing been brought up in the Lutheran Church. Fra- ternally, he is an Odd Fellow, a member of Paxton Lodge No. 48, in Paxton, Ill. Mr. Steneberg is fond of hunting and maintains an active interest in this wholesome outdoor sport.

WILLIAM M. REEDER .- One of the most val- ued citizens and progressive business men of Sac- ramento is William M. Reeder, the proprietor of the Reeder Welding and Machine Works. He is a worthy representative of that class of citizens who, while promoting individual interests, also advance the general prosperity of the city. He was born in Atlanta, Ga., on July 31, 1875, a son of William L. and Katie (Maston) Reeder, born in Georgia and Alabama, respectively. The father was a merchant in Atlanta until his death, November 27, 1921, but the mother passed away in 1887. William M. Reeder grew up in the parental home in Atlanta, Ga., and received his education in the public and private schools of that state and also learned the machinist and welding trade. In 1905 he removed to Sacra- mento, Cal., and for four years was busy at his trade; then he decided to establish his own business and in 1909 his present business was started in a small way on Sixth and M Streets. An increase in business has caused a steady growth until his establishment is one of the largest welding concerns on the Pacific Coast, and he has had to seek larger quarters on Ninth and R Streets. The property is 240 by 160 feet, and here he has built a large brick building. Forty men are employed to take care of the rapidly increas- ing business. The shop is complete and modern in every particular, and his stock of welding supplies is large and complete. He has built the business up from the ground floor by using his profits to enlarge the plant; the result is he has the most complete welding plant west of Chicago. He has also installed and equipped a machine shop, where he does machine work, and cylinder and crank-shaft grinding. His business not only extends all over California, but over the entire Pacific Coast States and into Nevada and Utah. He has originated many useful devices and inventions which he uses in his plant, and has patented and makes a Fordson brake, which when applied enables the operator to make a shorter turn with the Fordson Tractor.

Mr. Reeder's marriage, in Sacramento, September 13, 1907, united him with Miss Ruth Chapman, a 55

native of Sacramento, and to them have been born five children: Merlin; Edward; Beulah; Robert and Lewis. Mrs. Reeder is the daughter of Alfred and Katherine (Dickey) Chapman, born in Indiana and Sacramento County, Cal., respectively. Grandfather O. A. Chapman brought the family across the plains to California in pioneer days. Alfred Chapman was a carpenter and builder until his demise in 1907, sur- vived by a widow and seven children, Mrs. Reeder being the second oldest. Mr. Reeder is independent in his political views and fraternally is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Elks, both of Sacra- mento; he is also a member of the Chamber of Com- merce and during the World War was active in the local war drives and work.

RT. REVEREND PATRICK JOSEPH KEANE. -Following a long, successful and highly bene- ficial career in the service of Christianity as a priest of the Catholic Church, Patrick Joseph Keane lo- cated in Sacramento in 1921 as auxiliary bishop. He was born in Ireland, Jannary 6, 1872, a son of Jere- miah W. and Mary (Kissane) Keane, both natives of Ireland. Patrick Joseph Keane began his education in the common schools of Ireland, then entered St. Michael's College at Listowel, and later entered St. Patrick's College at Carlow, Ireland; when he came to the United States he entered the Catholic Univer- sity in Washington, D. C., and was graduated with the degree of S. T. L.

In 1896 the Reverend Keane came West to San Francisco and for three years served as curate of St. Patrick's Church in the bay city; then was trans- ferred to St. Joseph's Church in the same city where he served for ten years. He removed to Oakland, Cal., and for eleven years was rector of St. Frances de Sales Church; he was also dean of Alameda Coun- ty while serving as rector in Oakland. In 1920 he was consecrated titular bishop of Samaria and auxil- iary bishop of Sacramento. On the death of Bishop Grace he was appointed to the See of Sacramento, March 17, 1922. Bishop Keane is well known throughout California, having been a resident here for twenty-seven years, during which time his genn- ine worth, his active life and his high principles have commended him to the good-will, trust and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

RAY T. COUGHLIN .- An attorney who seems to enjoy an unusual meed of popularity, is Ray T. Coughlin, in the Bryte Building in Sacramento. He was an Oakland boy, born there on March 7, 1892, and his parents were Timothy L. and Elizabeth (Smith) Coughlin. His mother was an early pioneer, while his father came out to California in the eighties; he was an interior decorator, and left behind an en- viable reputation for superior work done on the State Building about thirty years ago. Mrs. Coughlin, like her devoted husband, is dead, the worthy couple hav- ing rounded out useful and honorable lives.

When the mother settled here after the death of the father, who was accidentally killed, Ray Coughlin attended Christian Brothers College and profited there by both high school and college training. When the mother was taken sick, our subject accepted the post of bookkeeper with the telegraph company, a job he kept eighteen months; and then having fitted himself at a business college to become a stenographer for Charles W. Thomas, he studied law at night, and

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at the end of the year was appointed secretary to the District Attorney, Eugene Wachhorst. He contin- ued to study law, and in 1915 he was admitted to practice. After practicing for a year here, he went to San Francisco with Theodore Bell, and on his re- turn to Sacramento, he joined Martin Welsh. In July, 1921, Mr. Coughlin commenced to practice for himself, and he has since been eminent in that field. His national political preferences lead him to affiliate with the Democratic party, but he can also throw partisanship aside and unreservedly endorse a good candidate or measure sponsored by another party.

When Mr. Coughlin married, on February 19, 1917, at Sacramento, he chose Miss Eloise Daroux for his wife, a gifted lady of Sacramento, the center of a circle of devoted friends; and their union has been blessed in the birth of one child, John R. Coughlin. Our subject is a grand knight in the order of the Knights of Columbus.

JOHN PATTERSON .- A liberal and enterprising old-timer who has aided materially in the develop- ment of Sacramento County is John Patterson, a na- tive of Ireland, born at Kingscourt, County Cavan, June 16, 1839. He came to Galena, Ill., with his par- ents when he was a boy, and soon afterwards was left on orphan. He was adopted by Chas. Kidder and his wife, who proved to be very kind foster parents, and he came with them across the plains in 1852. Starting on April 5, they came through with ox teams, arriving on August 4, and locating in the mines on Rabbit Creek, Sierra County, where Mr. Kidder also ran a store. After nearly eight years in the mines the family came to the Cosumnes River, in 1859. Mr. Kidder purchased a ranch and engaged in farming. John Patterson was twenty years of age when they came to the ranch; and he entered enthusiastically into farming and it was not long until the operating ot the ranch depended upon him. He was equal to it and continued faithfully, taking care of his foster parents in their old age until their passing away. Being the only heir, he became the owner of the ranch.

On May 1, 1878, in Sacramento Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Anna English, a native of Chi- cago, Ill., who had come to California when she was a child with her mother. Mr. Patterson continued to operate his ranch, making valuable improvements in a large residence and suitable farm buildings, and purchased land adjoining his ranch as he prospered. He now owns 554 acres on Cosumnes River devoted to raising fruit, hops, alfalfa, grain, hay and stock. In 1918 he built a large new comfortable residence where he now lives retired, having rented his lands to others.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are the parents of seven children, six of whom grew up: Ellen Kidder, now Mrs. St. Clair, and Cyril both reside in San Francisco; John is an orchardist; Mrs. May Eichenberger lives at Gerber: Mrs. Genevieve Pierson lives at Co- sumnes; William died in youth; and Lawrence Lyell was in the United States army, being stationed at Camp Lewis when he died, in 1918, aged twenty-two. Mr. Patterson has always been interested in the cause of education and served as trustee and clerk of Rhoads school district. He also served four years under J. WV. Houston. He is a Democrat in national politics, and has served as a member of the county central committee.

CHARLES A. MOYER .- A successful artist of Sacramento is found in the person of Charles A. Moyer, proprietor of the Moyer Studios of Sacra- mento and San Francisco, where are turned out the most artistic show cards seen in these cities. A native son, he was born in Sacramento, March 25, 1896, a son of Charles Hunter and Kate (Bailey) Moyer. The father was a native of Missouri, from which state he came to California. He was a well- known capitalist and financier, and passed away in 1899. His widow is still living at Sacramento.

Charles A. Moyer received his education in the public and private schools of his native city. When his school days were over he engaged in ranching for a short time, and also followed various other occupations until he decided to become a commercial artist. He then entered heartily into the study of the art, becoming master of its details, and since 1912 has successfully engaged in the calling, for which he displays a special aptitude. He has carried on an independent business since 1914. When Congress declared war on Germany, although a married man Mr. Moyer closed his place of business, in 1917, and volunteered his services, enlisting in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, and serving in an ambulance corps. He was stationed at the Presidio, at Monterey, and afterwards at Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he served as sergeant. After the armistice he was honorably discharged, in January, 1919. Return- ing home, he again opened his place of business and received his old clients. He is a member of Sacra- mento Post No. 61, American Legion. He purchased a residence at 3616 Second Avenue, where he resides with his family.

In 1922 Mr. Moyer established a branch studio at 1112 Market Street, San Francisco, and there he also does a very satisfactory business. He specializes in mail-order business, with the result that his work finds a market throughout California, Oregon, Ne- vada, and Arizona.

Mr. Moyer was married to Miss Harriett E. Ben- netts, a native of Sacramento, and they have three children, Rita, Charles and Mae. Prominent in fra- ternal circles, Mr. Moyer is a member of the Odd Fellows, Maccabees and Foresters. He takes a live interest in civic affairs, and is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce and of the Exchange Club. Fond of sports and of outdoor life, he is a baseball fan and enjoys a game of tennis, and also finds recreation in hunting and fishing. Wherever he is known he is respected, and makes and retains warm friends.

REV. J. V. AZEVEDO .- In 1909 the parish of St. Elizabeth's National Church in Sacramento was created by Bishop Grace and Father Azevedo was called as its first pastor. He had been in charge of the Sutter Creek parish and its missions in Amador County. When he assumed charge of St. Elizabeth's parish he thoroughly organized it and immediately began raising funds for the erection of the present church, which is a fine mission style of architecture and was dedicated on February 2, 1913. Owing to the continued untiring work of Father Azevedo the parish was free from debt in 1920.

Rev. J. V. Azevedo was born in Portugal on No- vember 25, 1880, a son of the late J. V. and Mary Azevedo. The father left his native land of Portugal in the early sixties and came direct to the United States and to California, where he engaged in ranch-

Chas. a. Mayer

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ing at Freeport, Yolo County, for about eleven years. He was very successful, and upon selling ont he re- turned to Portugal and there was married. He lived there in peace and contentment until 1901, when he once again felt the lure of the Golden State and with his youngest son, Anthony, left Portugal and came back to California, establishing a home in Sacra- mento, where he was joined by his wife and daugh- ter and our subject in 1902. The father died here, respected by all who knew him, and the mother makes her home with our subject, beloved by a wide circle of friends. The son Anthony served in the United States Army for two years during the World War; eight months of the time he spent in France as a member of Battery C, 347th Field Artillery. He re- turned to Sacramento and is now serving as vice- consul of Portugal for the northern California dis- trict.

Rev. Azevedo began his classical and theological studies in his native land, completing his theological training at Menlo Park, Cal., and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Grace at the Cathedral in Sacramento in 1904. The St. Elizabeth parish com- prises some 250 Portuguese families at the present time, although formerly it included the families of the Riverside mission. Rev. Azevedo is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the U. P. E. C. and the I. D. E. S. and is well known as a man of progressive ideals, and his aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further many measures for the public good.

HENRY AMES PRIEST .- Although born at the far eastern end of the continent, Henry Ames Priest has spent most of his adult life in Sacramento County, and he has never had occasion to regret the change from the rigors of the northeast climate to more pleas- ant surroundings in California. He was born in Palermo, Maine, April 11, 1846, and at the age of ten, in 1856, was brought by his parents to Preston, Fillmore County, Minnesota, and there raised on a farm. He is the son of Otis and Martha (Ames) Priest, natives of Maine, where the father was a farmer. In 1856 they moved to Minnesota and in 1878 they came to California. There were ten chil- dren in this family, six boys and four girls. William was in the 11th Minnesota Regulars until discharged, then enlisted in the 156th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving a year, until he died. Arianna, Mrs. Lang, died in Minnesota. Elethea is Mrs. F. Coe, of Maine. Daniel served in the 2nd Minnesota sharpshooters throughout the Civil War. He died in Oakland. John also served in the 2nd Minnesota sharpshooters, and now resides in Washington. Edmund was Captain of Company C, 3rd Minnesota Regiment; he died in Minnesota. James was in Company C, 3rd Minne- sota Regiment and died in Oakland. Henry Ames, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in 1864, as soon as he had reached eighteen years, in the 2nd Minnesota Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out on April 15, 1865. Henry Ames was de- tailed for garrison duty at Fort Snelling, Minn., re- cruited volunteers there and took one detachment to Nashville, Tenn., during Hood's Raid at that place. Mrs. Mary Dixon resides in Hayward, while Mrs. Ann Clark lives in Oakland.

At the close of the war the young soldier returned to Fillmore County, Minnesota, and for two years was superintendent of a large ranch there. In 1873 he made the journey to California, locating in Sacra-

mento, and entered the employ of the Southern Pa- cific Railway; a carpenter by trade, he helped build the depot in Sacramento, and following that worked on the Southern Pacific hotel at Pacific Grove, Cal. He then worked in that company's shops at Sacramento until 1886, the year of the boom in Southern Cali- fornia, which attracted him to San Diego, where he remained for five years. At the end of that time he returned to Sacramento and was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway, until 1915, when he retired from daily occupation, though at times he still does carpenter work in Sacramento.

The marriage of Mr. Priest, which occurred in Cresco, Iowa, October 16, 1867, united him with Lona Winslow Prescott, a native of Prairie du Chien, Wis .. a daughter of Amasa and Martha (Winslow) Pres- cott, born in Belfast, Maine. They settled at Prairie du Chien, Wis., where Amasa Prescott was baggage master on the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, serving until he died one year later, leaving four daughters and two sons. The mother had passed away before the war, and he had married again. The family moved West and came to Preston, Fillmore County, Minn. There Lona Prescott was educated in the public schools and there she met Mr. Priest. In 1917 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home. Seven children were born to them: Ernest A. a contractor in Oakland and San Francisco, died aged thirty-six: Dolly, who passed on at eighteen years; Charles H., of Los Angeles; Roy A., Ford agent at Ventura; Mrs. Florence E. Huey; Mrs. Grace H. Dosch, both of Sacramento, and Mrs. Martha Archer, of Auburn. Mrs. Priest is a member of Oak Park Baptist Church, the Woman's Relief Corps, and the National Alliance of the Daughters of Veterans. Mr. Priest has proven himself a worthy citizen of his home city, and has stood ready at all times to do his share in advancing its best interests. Both Mr. and Mrs. Priest are Republicans. He was a member of the Highland Park school board, before that district was annexed to the city; always keeping up his interest in Grand Army matters, he has served in all the chairs in Sumner Post No. 3, G. A. R., at Sacramento.

LOUIS FICETTI .- A ladies' tailor whose artistic conceptions and expert workmanship have brought him patrons from near and far, is Louis Ficetti, who was born in Italy on June 18, 1884, but educated in France, so that in the very beginning he had the ad- vantage of two important environments for the culti- vation of his taste, and the training of his eye and hand.

In 1910, or at the age of twenty-six, Mr. Ficetti came to America, and having at length reached the Pacific Coast, he entered the service of the "City of Paris" store as head designer and continued there for half a year. In 1911, he came inland to Sacra- mento, where he established himself in business; and he has been so successful that he now enjoys an ex- clusive patronage, his reputation for high-class dress- making making it necessary to employ as many as twelve people. He has a suite on the second floor of the Physicians Building. He not only belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, but he has the honor to be a representative in the Rotary Club; and he is a member of the Retail Merchants' Association and also of the Retail Credit Men's Association. Prior to Mr. Ficetti's coming to Sacramento, one could not get a

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

high-class gown made without visiting San Fran- cisco; but now Mr. Ficetti himself visits New York City every year, to study the latest styles, and this has helped him to build up a fine business from a modest start. In this enterprise, Mrs. Ficetti, who was Miss Catherine Fascio before her marriage, and was educated in Europe and is a very gifted woman, has been of great service to him, helping him to ac- quire his 600 customers. She is deeply interested in charitable work, and assisted him in various war ac- tivities. They are both interested also in out-of-door life, and Mr. Ficetti has a little farm of his own, where he spends his leisure or vacation time. Seeing the need of a high-grade dry-cleaning establishment in Sacramento, and because so much of the best grade of work goes to San Francisco, in 1923 Mr. Ficetti decided to engage in that line of business and with a partner, under the name of the Ficetti Dry Cleaning Company, of which he is president, established a place of business at Thirty-first and S Streets. It is fully equipped with the most modern and up-to-date ma- chinery and appliances to handle all kinds of wearing apparel, and thus absolute satisfaction is guaranteed.

JOHN LELAND HILL .- The manager of the Pioneer Wood & Coal Company in Sacramento, John Leland Hill, is a worthy representative of a family long identified with the Golden State. He was born in Sacramento on January 20, 1898, a son of the late John S. Hill, a native of England who came to Amer- ica when he was a young man of eighteen and for a time located in Michigan. In 1884 he came on to the West, being accompanied by his mother, two broth- ers, and two sisters, who are now residing in this state. He located in Sacramento, where he engaged in the wood business, later adding coal to his com- modity. As the pioneer in the business he built up a good trade, continuing in the same line until his death in 1918, aged fifty-five. He had married Adelaid Zimmerman, whose mother, Catherine O'Sullivan, came to this state as a pioneer in 1851 and here in Sacramento Mrs. Hill, who was born in Eldorado County, is still living. They had two sons, Harold E. and John L.

John Leland Hill was educated in the public schools of Sacramento and finished at St. Mary's in Oakland. He returned to his native city and in 1919 became a salesman with the company he now is so ably man- aging, being promoted to his present responsible position on December 1, 1921. This company took over the old established business upon the death of the senior Hill, his father having been recognized as the pioneer in this line in the capital city, and the name of Hill is still closely interwoven with the busi- ness interests of Sacramento.

John Leland Hill was married to Miss Irene Crow- ley, a native of the state and representing another prominent family of carly-day settlers. She shares with her husband the esteem of a widening circle of friends, and they have one daughter, Barbalee. In national politics Mr. Hill is a Democrat, but in local issues he is a man above party. During the World War he entered the United States Army in the en- gineer corps and served nine monhts in this country. As a native son he is interested in all progressive movements for the upbuilding of the state and shows his public spirit by supporting all worthy enterprises.

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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 125

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