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 128

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 128

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Mr. Powell was a man of artistic taste and was original in his ideas and designs. His manufactured product was highly appreciated and popular. His specialty was Masonic and Elk charms and emblems, but he also manufactured all kinds of jewelry. His Elk emblems were very fine. They were made from

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

elks' teeth secured from an Indian trader in South Dakota, and they were sold all over the United States.

Mrs. Powell was in maidenhood Miss Alice Faber, her marriage to Mr. Powell occurring in Sacramento, April 7, 1916. She was born in Portland, Ore .. but reared in Stockton, Cal. Since her husband's death Mrs. Powell assumed the management of the business he left her and continues manufacturing, a business she learned under the preceptorship of Mr. Powell, and with the same ability carries out his plans and ambitions. Mr. Powell was a Democrat polit- ically, and fraternally was prominent as a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Ma- son, as well as a popular member of the Elks.

DR. MINNIE A. SEAVEY .- Well-known in Sac- ramento, and with high standing in her chosen pro- fession, Dr. Seavey has the distinction of being a native daughter of the state and descendant of one · of the carly Argonauts. Her father, Robert T. Sea- vey, was a native of New Hampshire; he crossed the plains, arriving at Sutter's Fort in October, 1849, and later engaged in mining in Georgetown.

Dr. Seavey received her earlier education in the Sacred Heart Convent of Oakland, and later she stud- ied medicine in Cooper Medical College, San Fran- cisco, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1907. After one year spent in the Children's Hospital of San Francisco, she came to Sacramento and estab- lished her practice. Dr. Seavey is a member of the County, State and American Medical Associations.

JOHN JURACH .- Many features of life in the city of Sacramento contribute to make the California capital an earthly paradise, but none gives greater comfort than the Peacock Cafe, at 1020 Sixth Street, one of the best-appointed and best-conducted restau- rants anywhere in the Golden State. Its proprietor is John Jurach, a native of Dalmatia, Austria, who was born on May 22, 1878, the son of a captain of a sail- ing vessel; but as he did not care for the sea, he learned the shoemaker's trade with his brother. In 1901 he came to the United States and washed dishes in a restaurant at Denver; and later he worked as both a waiter and a cook. With two partners, he ran a cafe in Denver, on Laurimer Street, for thirteen months; and in 1904 he came to California. He worked in a cafe in San Francisco, and later was assistant manager in a cafe in San Jose. After the big fire in 1906, he ran a small cafe in a shanty at the corner of Kearney and California Streets, and later he conducted a restaurant opposite the custom house. He went to Sacramento on a visit, and later in San Francisco opened a cafe opposite the Phelan Building, at the corner of Grand Avenue and O'Far- rel Street. After that, he was proprietor of the Plaza Cafe, at Mason and O'Farrel Streets.

Going to Sacramento in 1910, he opened a small place on Third Street, between J and K Streets, originally called the Mississippi Kitchen and one of the oldest places in the city, and later known as the Lounge Restaurant; and in 1912 he removed to his present place on Sixth Street. It was at first a small room, which was later enlarged; and now he has a finely appointed cafe. He has been successful from the start. He owns his own dwelling, and two sets of flats at 814 T Street and 1825 Eighth Street. He has established a reputation for good food and good

cooking. He belongs to the Retail Merchants' Asso- ciation.

At Sacramento, on October 9, 1913, Mr. Jurach was married to Miss Minnie Valerio, of Dalmatia, Austria, a lady with special gifts which have enabled her to become the best of helpmates and a most in- valuable companion to her ambitious husband.

PETER J. NUSBAUM .- An American in every- thing but birth and a Californian since he was six years of age, Peter J. Nusbaum has demonstrated his ability as a public servant in many ways and now is the efficient superintendent of the City Cemetery at Tenth and Y Streets, Sacramento. He was born in Germany on April 28, 1878, the son of William E. and Katherine Nusbaum, who came from their native land to California in 1884, settling in Sacramento. Here the father spent his last days and here the mother is still living, surrounded by a large circle of admiring friends.

Peter J. Nusbaum attended the Sacramento schools and then began an apprenticeship to learn the trade of sheet metal worker, following it in the shops of the Southern Pacific for eighteen years. Leaving the employ of this company in 1917, he entered the service of the city of Sacramento as superintendent of the City Employment Bureau, serving one year; then he served as inspector in the street department. He again entered the employ of the Southern Pacific in the passenger car department and in October, 1921, he was appointed to his present position. In every position of trust Mr. Nusbaum has given the best that is in him to satisfy those whom he serves.

Mr. Nusbaum is a member of Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. Elks and is fond of out-of-door life, spending his vacations in whipping the streams for fish. He is public-spirited, and is highly respected by all who know him.

MRS. LINA CAZAU .- Sacramento, as one of the most favored sections of all California, boasts of many successful business women, among whom may be mentioned Mrs. Lina Cazau, a native of Switzer- land, who came here, when a young lady, February 25, 1896. A brother, Henry Frei, had preceded her to California nearly three years before, on April 28, 1893, and she crossed the wide ocean to join him. He was a butcher, and in that necessary field made his mark in the capital city, although later, in part- nership with his sister, he established a laundry. They worked hard, and made a success of the ven- ture, which they termed the Paris French Laundry of Sacramento, and located at Seventh and M Streets, advertising it widely as a hand laundry; but the place was small, and they had little capital, and so their progress was slow.

After they had been wrestling with their problems for three years, they bought the corner of M and Eighth Streets, and moved the laundry plant into a brick building, which stood there. In time, modern machinery was installed, and they gradually built up a good business. On May 26, 1916, the brother died. He had made a visit back to see his mother in July, 1908. After his death, the sister, our subject, carried on the business alone until March 29, 1920, when she sold the business and good-will. She re- tained the building, which has since greatly appre- ciated and is now a valuable business corner. She also owns the residence next to the laundry, and improved

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property in Oak Park. She is very loyal to the city, and never loses an opportunity to work for its best interests.

Mrs. Cazau is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Ladies' Aid Society, in which organi- zation she enjoys much the same enviable position as did her brother in the circles of the Moose, the Swiss Society and the Butchers' Association of Sac- ramento. She has taken trips back to Europe, first in July, 1910, to visit her mother, who was then alive. After a six months' stay she returned to Sac- ramento. In July, 1922, she made another trip to settle some business affairs and to visit old friends and scenes, and on her return brought her sister with her to America.

AUGUSTUS JAMES AFFLECK .- A young man of sterling worth is Augustus James Affleck, who, by strict integrity and close application to business, has been amply rewarded for his industry and per- severance. He was born on February 23, 1893, at St. George, Utah, the son of James Thomas and Elizabeth (Hardy) Affleck, his father being a well- known physician and surgeon at Sacramento.

Augustus James Affleck received a very liberal education. He attended the elementary schools of Utah, and upon his arrival in California, at the age of sixteen, he became a student in the California high schools, graduating from Sacramento. In 1916 he received his Ph. G. degree from the University of California, and in 1920 he received his A. B. degree in Bacteriology from Stanford University. For one year he was engaged in research work for Stanford University. During his course at college he prac- ticed pharmacy. In 1921 he opened his own place of business in the Elks' building in Sacramento. He is an expert bacteriologist and pharmacist and carries a full line of physicians' supplies, etc. His pharma- ceutical work is confined solely to prescription work.

Fraternally, Mr. Affleck is an Elk and a member of the fraternity Kappa Psi. He is also a member of the Society of American Bacteriologists. Politi- cally, he is a Republican and is deeply interested in the welfare of his community.

FERNANDO GREGORY CIFUENTES .- A de- servedly popular and respected citizen of Sacramento, Fernando Gregory Cifuentes holds the respect of all who know him. He was born on May 29, 1895, in Sacramento, the son of Gregory and Frances (Her- rera) Cifuentes, and is one of their ten children, the following seven of whom are still living: Elvira, Joseph, Albert, Captain Marshal, Fernando G., Va- lerio and Bernice. When Gregory Cifuentes left his native land of South America, he went to sea and traveled all over the world for twenty-five years; then he came to Sacramento in 1876 and soon found employment with the Sacramento Transportation Company, and for more than forty years he has been a river pilot on their boats, and is still with the com- pany as one of their valued employes. The maternal grandfather, Antonio Herrera, was born in Chile and came to California at the age of eighteen, arriv- ing on his eighteenth birthday, July 13, 1849. He went to the mines and was one of the discoverers of the richest mine in Eldorado County. Eventually he retired in Sacramento and died here at the age of eighty-six, in 1918. His wife died in 1911. They had six children, three now living, Mrs. Frances Cifuen-

tes, Peter, and Mrs. Dolores Castello. By a former marriage, Mrs. Herrera had a son, F. G. Albonos, and he survives.

Fernando Gregory Cifuentes attended the public and parochial schools. He learned sign painting, at which he worked for three years; then was employed for one year by the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany. Starting out as a fireman on a boat for the Sacramento Transportation Company, he worked his way up, and received his pilot papers in April, 1920. Mr. Cifuentes is a Republican. He is very fond of fishing. He is an active worker, taking a keen inter- est in all that pertains to the development of the community.

ROBERT F. CHARLEVILLE .- The rapid de- velopment of the automobile has very naturally rap- idly developed various industries connected with its making and remaking; among which is that of auto- painting, in Sacramento so very well represented by Robert F. Charleville, of 2019-2021 O Street. A na- tive son, he was born at Oleta, in Amador County, on October 15, 1869, the son of Frederick and Ga- briella (Jameson) Charleville, pioneers who ven- tured together into the far West. Mr. Charleville came across the great plains from Missouri in 1852, heing accompanied by his devoted wife. For a while, he undertook teaming, and then he had a hotel at Sutter Creek; but by 1882 he was compelled to lay aside the toil of life, having worn himself out in his arduous career as a man who rendered the world a practical service. Mrs. Charleville survived until 1918, and closed her record as a woman of honor and intellect, a good neighbor and a devoted friend.

The Charleville family came to Sacramento in 1876, and so it came to pass that "Bob" attended the Sacramento schools. Then he learned carriage painting, and in time, when the automobile began to come in, anto-painting. He painted the first auto- mobile so treated to a new coat in Sacramento, and he executed the neat and interesting job on his prem- ises at 2019-2021 O Street, where he has been for the past twenty years. Mr. Charleville has now the most modern fire-proof auto paint shop in this sec- tion of California.

ALBERT GEORGE PAPE .- A contracting painter whose reputation as an artistic decorator and a skilful sign-maker has extended throughout Sacra- mento County, is Albert George Pape, who was born in Germany, on August 26, 1880, the son of William and Minnie Pape. He attended the excellent schools of that country, and when sixteen years of age came across the ocean to the United States, and for a while, in the East, continued his schooling, learn- ing English. He had begun to learn his trade as a painter and decorator, in the Old World, while he attended school at night. and when he came to Chi- cago he was able to get employment as color man with a decorating firm doing a large business. In all that he did, he tried to attain the highest and best results, regardless of the immediate financial returns, and thus he built up an enviable reputation for both ability and dependability.

During 1911, he came to Sacramento and worked as a journeyman for five years, and then he embarked in business for himself. He decorated the Bret Harte Hotel at Grass Valley, the Butte County Na- tional Bank, at Chico, the Deering Bros, shoe store

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in Sacramento, the Stoll Hotel in the same city, and the lgo Hospital; and he finished many of the finer houses, including the Jack Mayden home, and the Sutter Candy Store. Now his flourishing business has grown to such proportions that he is able to give steady employment to six men. He is fond of his trade, and spends much time improving himself, and keeping abreast of the times. This is probably the casier for him on account of inherited ability, for his father was a noted pictorial artist of Germany, and did much work for the German nobility. He belongs to the Master Painters' Association and the Build- ers' Exchange. In politics, he is a Republican.

When Mr. Pape married, he chose for his wife Miss Vesta Russell, a native daughter, by whom he has had two children, Karl and Louise. The entire family enjoy an agreeable popularity on account of their local patriotism, each seeking in some way to boost Sacramento, town and county.

J. IGNATIUS SILVA .- A native of the balmy Azores, who has made good in this the great Pa- cific commonwealth, is J. Ignatius Silva, who was born in 1885, and first came out to the United States and California in 1902. His father, M. 1. Silva, had married Miss Mary Joseph Martin, and they fol- lowed our subject to the New World, arriving in Sacramento in 1907. Here they prospered, bettering their condition, and making the world better for their having lived and labored in it. Mr. Silva is dead. but Mrs. Silva is still living.

J. Ignatius Silva attended school in the Azores, and after reaching California, was engaged in vari- ous occupations. Then he worked in the wineries, and there learned both the cooper and the carpenter trade, following the latter by preference. In part- nership with his two brothers, he managed a com- pany which makes wine, about 65,000 gallons a year, buying the grapes, and selling for medicinal and sac- ramental purposes. The winery is located on Folsom Boulevard.

On January 3, 1923, Mr. Silva was united in mar- riage with Miss Helen Mary Azevedo, a native daugh- ter of Sacramento County, and a daughter of J. Louis Azevedo, an old-time resident of Sacramento.

Mr. Silva is a Roman Catholic, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, in which he is a Knight of the third degree. And first, last and all the time, he is a patriotic American.

J. FRANCIS BYRNE .- Widely known as among the most popular of Sacramento business concerns, the California Expert Cleaners, of 1910 Q Street, have enjoyed an enviable trade ever since the pro- prietor. J. Francis Byrne, opened shop there. He was born at El Dorado, Cal., the son of Joseph and Margaret ( McAvoy) Byrne, now deceased, the for- mer an early miner, and both now remembered as worthy pioneer settlers.

J. Francis Byrne was educated in both public and private schools, having commenced his educational training at Oakland. He then followed mining for some time, broadening the range of his practical experience. In Sacramento, he became a solicitor for a cleaning establishment, and after a while he was able to buy out others who were interested in the enterprise. Since September, 1921, he has been the sole proprietor, and at present he employs ten people, and operates three auto-cars. He uses only

the most up-to-date equipment and the most modern methods, and it is little wonder that he enjoys both quality and quantity of trade.

The marriage of Mr. Byrne, in 1902, to Miss Har- riet Sparks (the ceremony occurring in Sacramento) united him with a charming native daughter of Placer County. He enjoys his own hearth and the pleasure of the company of his children, four sons and a daughter. He likes hunting and fishing, and is fond of baseball. In politics a Democrat, he is public-spirited, and deeply interested in Sacramento County, and never wants for a good friend in return.

CHARLES SMITH .- A successful poultryman whose experience has not only enabled him to build for himself, but has permitted him to point the way to those who would emulate and follow, is Charles Smith, of the Don Ray Colony, situated southeast of Dillard Station. A native of England, he was born in Manchester on November 1, 1873, the son of Robert and Ann (Berry) Smith, worthy folks who lived and died in their native country. Robert Smith was a pattern-maker, and few enjoyed a better reputation for superior workmanship. He lived to see his six- tieth year, as did also his wife, the mother of twelve children. Agnes and William are both deceased; Harry and Charles are in the Don Ray Colony; Fred and Ernest are also deceased; Frank is in England; Anna and Percy lived to be only six months old; and Albert, Harold and Robert are in England.

Charles Smith went to school for a while at Hyde, in England, later supplementing his studies through courses at the excellent evening schools, and when ten years old he started to work, getting employment in a spinning mill. When fifteen years of age, he started to learn the trade of fitter and turner, and served his apprenticeship as a machinist; and he worked at his trade and studied the poultry business until he came out to California. On March 1, 1904, he reached Los Angeles, and for a year he worked in that city at his trade; and in 1905 he came to Sacra- mento County and was one of the first to purchase in this section of the Don Ray Colony, selecting ten acres and engaging in hoth general farming and the poultry business, as he had always wanted to do from young manhood. He has remained on that ranch ever since, adding to his land until he owns thirty acres. He built a home and poultry houses, suf- ficient to enable him to keep at least 1,000 laying hens, and to carry on a very successful business. He has also dealt in all kinds of feed, representing San Fran- cisco houses. He is a member of the Farm Bureau and a charter member of the Poultry Producers' Associa- tion, and at present is a trustee of the Don Ray Colony district school and clerk of the board.

At Hyde, the interesting suburb of Manchester de- voted almost entirely to the manufacture of cotton, on September 2, 1897, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Katherine Brooke Cook, a native of Cheshire and the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Brooke) Cook, the former a foreman in a cotton mill and the father of eight children, bearing names as follows: Harry, Alice, Ada, Katherine B., Anna, Emma, Maggie and Rachael. Katherine attended the same school at Hyde as did her husband, so that they have schoolday memories as a part of their pleasant recollection of Old England. The bride's father lived to he eighty- five years old; the mother breathed her last at the age of sixty-one. Three children blessed this union,

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Hilda, Frank, who is at home, and Robert. Hilda married James Dent Webb, of Paradise, Butte Coun- ty; and she is now the mother of two children, Muriel and Charles Walter. Mr. Smith became a citizen at Sacramento on June 12, 1911, and supports the best men and measures.

HANS NOPPER .- An experienced, progressive poultryman who has something to show for his hard work and liberal investments, is Hans Nopper, of the Don Ray Colony, situated southeast of Dillard Sta- tion. He is a native of Alsace-Lorraine, and was born there, in the city of Strasbourg, on March 7, 1887, the son of Joseph and Bertha (Sebenmann) Nopper, the former a manufacturer, who owned a cotton factory, and died in the Fatherland at the age of forty-two. Mrs. Nopper is still living, at the age of sixty-three, enjoying the hospitality of her son's home in the Colony, the center of a circle of devoted friends. Four children have grown up to call her blessed: Carl, Bertha, Ann and Hans.

Hans Nopper attended both the grammar and high schools of Switzerland, and when sixteen years old went to sea and spent five years before the mast, sailing throughout the world on English and Nor- wegian vessels. In 1907, he reached California and Oakland, and there, as a journeyman, he followed the carpenter's trade. At the end of ten years, however, he moved into the Don Ray Colony, in Sacramento County, and there purchased twenty acres of land. He built brooder and chicken houses, set himself up in the poultry business, and with such success that he now aims to have at least 1,500 laying hens, which he cares for in the most scientific manner.

In 1907, Mr. Nopper became an American citizen, and as a patriot, he served in the late war. He en- listed in the American army on February 19, 1918, and was sent to the Department Brigade at Fort Leaven- worth, Kans., where he remained for only six days. He was then transferred to Camp Meade, Md., and joined the 304th Field Signal Battalion, and there trained in Company C for six months, and he was next transferred to the six-inch Heavy Field Artillery, at Camp Meade. He was there for the balance of his enlistment, or five months, and after the war re- turned to his ranch in the Don Ray Colony.

ALBERT L. WHITE .- The career of Albert L. White has manifested business enterprise and pro- gressiveness, and he is the owner of a fine orchard and has had considerable experience raising crops on his ranch. He was born September 18, 1888, the only son of the late Lincoln White, who was born September 30, 1862, in Iowa. Lincoln White and his wife were the parents of three children: Albert L., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mabel Leonard and Edna, both of San Francisco. Albert's mother passed away in 1898 and his father married Mrs. Carrie Ash, of Sac- ramento. The family resided at the old White home in Sacramento, which was established in 1880. Lin- coln White was prominent in the state bar association for many years. He was a true sportsman, having shot a grizzly bear in the vicinity of his mountain cabin, which he built and named "Auto-Rest," before the day of the automobile. This cabin is located in Trinity County midway between Red Bluff and Eureka on the state highway. Politically, Lincoln White was a Rebublican, and he passed away Septem- ber 6, 1921.

Albert L. White graduated from the Sacramento high school in 1906 and the same year secured a posi- tion in the city engineering department. In 1908, he entered the ranching business with his father and they engaged in the raising of sheep and wool-grow- ing. In 1911, Albert L. White had 8,200 fine turkeys, and he conducted this profitable business until 1915. At that time, fancy dressed birds averaged the price of from twenty to twenty-three cents per pound on the San Francisco market, but he was obliged to give up this enterprise on account of the organization of the Natomas Reclamation District. Prior to 1917, Mr. White was farming about 5,000 acres which he de- voted to wheat, and during the World War he en- gaged in hean-raising on a large scale, producing as many as 12,000 bags yearly. After his father's death, Albert L. White became half owner and general man- ager of the extensive holdings of the White estate. The recent years have brought many changes in ranch development on the White ranch and recently the ranch was set out to a fine orchard of peaches, pears and prunes.

On October 3, 1911, at Sacramento, Albert L. White was united in marriage with Miss Ethel G. Fredericks, the daughter of Charles J. and Millie (Riehm) Fredericks, whose sketch will be found on another page. They were blessed with three sons: Jack Lincoln, Charles Albert and Henry F. Mr. White and his family are very fond of outdoor life and are often seen at their mountain . retreat, known as "Auto-Rest," which was built by his father. Both Mr. and Mrs. White are very fond of fishing, Mrs. White being a boon companion to her husband. Mr. White is very active and retains the energy and ability which have always distinguished him in his enter- prises, and he has unbounded faith in the future of his community.

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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 128

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