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 136

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 136

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On the 27th day of September, 1909, at Sacramento, Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Edna Sheets, of Indiana. They have been blessed with a son, Carroll Ogden, Jr. In national politics Mr. Dudley is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows and the Masons, and is also

a member of the Builders' Exchange. He is a great booster of outdoor sports, and is very fond of hunt- ing and fishing.

WILLIAM H. COMSTOCK .- An experienced, efficient and ever-accommodating public official who well deserves his popularity, is William H. Comstock, past nine years postmaster at Folsom City. He was born near Farmington, in Oakland County, Mich., on January 23, 1865, the son of G. Franklin and Emily (Grace) Comstock, worthy natives of Oak- land County, Mich., of Scotch and Irish ancestry. All four of our subject's great-grandfathers were soldiers in the Continental Army, and served under Washington.

William H. Comstock was reared as a farmer's son in Michigan, and after attending the local grammar school, pursued the courses of the Pontiac high school. He then entered the Michigan State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, although he had already taught school when he was eighteen years of age, at Farmington; and after pursuing courses of study. there, for the next four years again engaged in teaching.

In September, 1888, he arrived at Denver, from Michigan, and for some time was head clerk in the Broadway Hotel and for one year was head clerk in the Brunswick Hotel, but in November, 1892, he came out to California and Sacramento on a pleasure trip. He decided, however, to stay, and having entered the Pullman car service of the South- ern Pacific, on the run between San Francisco and Los Angeles, worked for two years. Returning to Sacramento, he located at Folsom, where his family had already resided for two years, having bought a home there in 1892, and after a while he bought a ranch at Ashland, on the American River across from Folsom City. In 1894 he sold out and rein- vested in 100 acres known as Willow Spring ranch, at that time located on the edge of Folsom City, east on the Placerville Road, and for the next fifteen years he followed dairying and the stock-business, and later sold off the greater part of this ranch to the Natomas Company of California. Ten years ago he built a fine residence on the remaining part of the ranch close to Folsom, and there he resides today.

While at Denver, he was married to Miss Nati Bradner, who was born in Wayne County, Mich., and was a life-long acquaintance; and she journeyed all the way to Colorado to become his bride. One child, a daughter, Grace Fairman, blessed their union, and is now the wife of C. E. Morton, who is instructor in music in the public schools of Berkeley. They have three children, Dorothy, Jack and Carl. Mr. Comstock is a member of Natoma Lodge of Masons, and of the Eastern Star, in which latter organization Mrs. Comstock is also active. He owns desirable real estate in North Sacramento and also in Denver, and has made several trips back to Colo .. rado and Michigan. A stanch Democrat, he for- merly served on the county central committee of his party; but he is less partisan in matters of local im- port, and is always ready to put his shoulder to the wheel and assist in any movement for community uplift. For many years, he has served as trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Folsom.

Mr. Comstock was appointed postmaster at Fol- som City by Postmaster-General Burleson, with the endorsement of President Wilson, and entered upon

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his official duties on May 1, 1914. He discharged his responsibility most conscientiously, managing both this third-class office and two rural deliveries. No. 1 serves the Orangevale section, and is routed a stretch of twenty-two miles; the Star route serves all the territory out of Folsom to Rescue, returning to Folsom by way of Sa'mon Falls along a route of thirty-two miles. Folsom City postoffice has grown steadily and has had to enlarge its quarters, and two years ago it was extended to twice its former capac- ity, the best of evidence, if any were needed, of the gradual development of the surrounding country. During the World War, Postmaster Comstock handled the registration of all aliens, recording their finger-prints for this section of the county, and send- ing them on to San Francisco. The entire district was served with war saving certificates and thrift stamps, and record sales of each were recorded. largely due to the untiring work of the subject, and his staff of able assistants. He terminated his term, February 1, 1923. Mr. Comstock is an enthusiastic advocate of the civil service, especially as it is ex- emplified by the United States post office, and he has long enjoyed the confidence, esteem and good will of the public on account of his faithful efforts in the public's behalf.

WILLIAM E. HATHAWAY .- One of the well- known mining men in Sacramento County, whose experience and knowledge enable him to discuss with precision many questions involved in the construction and operation of mines, and the development of ranches, is William E. Hathaway, superintendent of the Coast Rock & Gravel Company. He is the son of C. M. and Barbara (Harper) Hathaway and was born on August 11, 1866, at Breckenridge, Colo. His father was a native of Illinois and the mother was a native of Kentucky. The father was a pioneer of 1850 and was a miner in Colorado. While he was making his way westward, he sensed the feeling of opposition between the North and the South grow stronger and stronger. He came as far as Yreka, Cal., and being a loyal citizen, answered the call of his native state and traveled back East. He enlisted in the army of the North and fought through the entire Civil War. When peace reigned once more, he engaged in the stock business in South Dakota, where he remained until his death.

William E. Hathaway was educated in the public schools of the Black Hill country of South Dakota. He worked on his father's stock-ranch, riding the range, until he was twenty years old. In 1888 he was employed by a railroad company on their con- struction work; then for ten years he was employed in the mines. In 1904 he came to California. He was employed by the E. B. & A. L. Stone Company of Oakland, who had the government contract for the Truckee and the Carson projects. In 1910 he joined the Natomas Company, as superintendent of their rock- crushing plant at Natoma, and in 1913 took charge of the plant at Fair Oaks, and in 1920 became connected with the Coast Rock & Gravel Company, where he has been ever since.

At Grand Island, Nebr., William E. Hathaway was united in marriage to Kate Birdsall, of New York. Her father was a native of England, and her mother a native daughter of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of one child, William E., Jr., who is at- 58

tending St. John's Military Academy, near Milwau- kee. Mr. Hathaway is very fond of all sports, and is especially interested in horse-racing. He has served faithfully as the trustee of the Fair Oaks school dis- trict for two terms, and is an Elk of Lodge No. 559, Vallejo. Politically, he adheres to the Democratic party.

WILLIAM J. MANNIX .- All the California mo- tor world has heard of the renowned automobile dealers, the Don Lee Company, whose able and pop- ular manager at Sacramento is William J. Mannix. a native son of Sacramento, where he was born on December 12, 1882. His father is the well-known and esteemed custodian of the city hall, D. J. Mannix; and his mother before her marriage was Miss Lillian V. Churchill.

William J. Mannix attended the local grammar and high schools, and then learned the plasterer's trade. which he followed for ten years. After that, having a chance to get into the automobile business, he did so, and on August 12, 1915, was fortunate in joining Don Lee as one of his picked salesmen. On the 8th of April of the year following, Mr. Mannix was made manager, a tribute to his experience in the seven years from 1908 to 1915, when he was in business for himself and sold the Maxwell and the Columbia automobiles. Now, as Mr. Lee's representative, he is interested in pushing the Cadillac in three coun- ties, Sacramento, Placer and Eldorado.

At Sacramento, June 30, 1903, Mr. Mannix was married to Miss Edith L. Heilbron, a member of an old-time family of Sacramento; and their union has been blessed with the birth of a son, William H. Mannix. Our subject is a Republican in national poli- tics, but is an influential booster of the non-partisan type, in all matters of local import. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Elks, and he is a member of the Lions and the Del Paso Country Club. He is an adept at golf, and fond of outdoor life.

JOHN N. MEYER .- Among the financial enter- prises in Sacramento, the expansion and development of which have been important elements in general progress, is numbered the Associated Terminals Com- pany, operating the Sacramento dock and warehouse in West Sacramento, of which John N. Meyer is manager. He was born in San Francisco in May, 1874, a son of John N. and Sophie (Stubbs) Meyer; he attended grammar and high school in the bay city, and after finishing his schooling entered the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company in the traffic and operating departments; then for six years he was with the Associated Terminals Company in San Francisco and in April, 1918, came to Sacramento as manager of this branch of the company.

The marriage of Mr. Meyer united him with Miss Annie Peterson, of San Jose, Cal., and they are the parents of three children: John G., Doris and Paul. The fraternal relations of Mr. Meyer are confined to the National Union and the Maccabees, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Sut- ter Club of Sacramento. During the Spanish-Ameri- can War, Mr. Meyer was in the quartermaster's de- partment of the United States Navy for six months. He is held in high regard by all who know him, for he is honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men.

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MISS SILVEY-PEARLE TINSLER .- Prominent among the most interesting women of the twentieth century in California may well be rated Miss Silvey- Pearle Tinsler, the popular attorney of Sacramento, and the daughter of George F. and Mary M. ( Liv- ingston) Tinsler, esteemed residents of Des Moines, lowa. Mr. Tinsler was a pedagogue, teaching in vari- ous colleges, and he is now a successful man in the business world. Both parents are still living, and both enjoy a pleasant social life.

Silvey-Pearle Tinsler attended both public and pri- vate educational institutions, and then she took a special course in jurisprudence at Berkeley, where she was stimulated by personal contact with leaders in the realm of Blackstone, and with representative public men who had accomplished something worth while in the world. Eventually, on March 17. 1917. having taken the state examination, she was admitted to practice at the bar in California; and she has been in the office of Richard P. Talbot ever since. She enjoys the distinction of being the only woman prac- ticing patent law in Sacramento. Miss Tinsler has entered actively into civic and professional life since establishing herself here, and is an honored member of the Bar Association. She specializes in patents, and has been exceptionally successful in her chosen field.

Miss Tinsler is also a member of the Eastern Star, and of the Woman's and the Tuesday Clubs. She was formerly engaged in theatrical work, and still writes plays. All in all, it is pleasurable to record that Miss Tinsler has held her own in the fairest competition of a wide-awake, progressive local world, and contributes her share toward maintaining the high dignity of the profession in Sacramento County.

N. TRACY CARPENTER .- An experienced poul- try-raiser, familiar especially with California condi- tions favorable or unfavorable to that industry here, is N. Tracy Carpenter, who has made his chicken ranch on Fifty-third Street one of the interesting show-places in Sacramento County. He was born in Eldorado County, California, the son of C. G. and Sarah (Payne) Carpenter, a pioneer couple of such early days that his father came out seeking the Golden State, by way of the Isthmus, in 1850, and his mother followed during the next year. He tried regular mining for a while, and then he dug a large ditch for irrigation and mining, in Eldorado County. He farmed, and raised fruit and stock, until he died. Mrs. Carpenter preceded her husband in death.

N. Tracy Carpenter attended the public schools of Eldorado County, and then remained with his father, in agricultural pursuits, until the latter's death. After that, for three years, he took charge of the farm; and in 1887 he removed to Sacramento and here com- menced raising chickens, in a modest way, starting with about eight Leghorns, and hatching by hens. Then he installed the incubators and brooders, and now he has 2,000 hens, housed and yarded on ten acres. He is the pioneer poultryman in Sacramento, and has been reasonably successful in hatching and shipping baby chicks to all sections, although the sur- plus eggs he has are usually disposed of in Sacra- mento. He also raises pigeons and squabs.

In 1884, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Ninta F. Lowe, a native of Illinois, who had been in Cali- fornia since her childhood. Two children have blessed

the union: Bernice, a graduate of the University of California, taught for a while in the Placerville high school, and is now married to George J. Steedman; and Cyril T. has always been at home with his father. Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Chamber of Commerce; and in politics, he has Republican pref- erences. Two grandchildren give joy to the Carpen- ter hearth; they are George and Robert Steedman, and they live in Oakland.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOYD .- A business man whose methods and standards are as interesting and inspiring as the story of his remarkable success is Abraham Lincoln Boyd, the wholesale candy manu- facturer with headquarters at 1117 Nineteenth Street, Sacramento. He was born at Jersey City, N. J., on December 8, 1860, the son of Thomas and Susan (Roe) Boyd, both natives of New York City, the former now deceased, having passed away at the age of eighty-seven, the latter having preceded her hus- band many years. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, among whom three have survived: Abraham L. Boyd is the subject of our review; George T., of Sacramento; and Mrs. J. E. Sauze re- sides in Walla Walla, Wash. The father, Thomas Boyd, came to California for the first time in 1852, having reached here by way of the Isthmus of Pan- ama; he was at Grass Valley for a short time, and then he established himself as a confectioner in San Francisco. He returned East, and in 1864 brought out his family, and located at Sacramento, where he became the pioneer candy-maker. His first place of business was at the corner of J and Fifth Streets, the present site of the Travelers' Hotel, and his second place was at 824 J Street, on the site of the Elks Building; he owned that property, and sold it to the Elks Lodge. He made "home-made" candy from . his own recipes, and so well did he prosper that he came to own valuahle real estate in Sacramento, which included the lot on the northeast corner of Ninth and N Streets, a part of the block where the Capitol extension buildings are now being erected. He also bought and sold real estate, and owned a ranch of 320 acres in Sutter County, which was sub- divided and then sold, and also a ranch near Florin. He was an expert in the planting, pruning and grow- ing of fruit trees and vines, and he was the inventor of the famous Rock Candy, which was used in mix- ing the drink of rock and rye, and made the first batch of rock candy in 1868. His son has in his possession a can of the first batch his father made, still in fine condition, and good to eat. It was made from brown sugar, brought from the Hawaiian Islands, wrapped and shipped in grass mats. He sold the rock candy to Captain Seddens, who conducted a parlor drinking place on J Street, on the spot where the original D. O. Mills Bank stands. Seddens' place had no signs on the front, and the store had Brussels carpet on the floor, and was the meeting place of statesmen, bankers and miners. He poured rye whisky over the candy, and sold the drinks for twenty-five cents each. Thomas Boyd was a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and at his death was the second oldest member of Sacramento Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M., of Sacramento. Al Boyd, as he is familiarly known by his friends, attended his first school in Sacramento, in a building in an alley be- tween Fourth and Fifth Streets, and I and J Streets;

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

and later he went to the Goethe School, con- ducted by Rev. Goethe, a German Lutheran preacher and school teacher, at the corner of Ninth and K Streets, where Hale Bros.' store stands today. He finished in the public schools, and at the E. C. Atkin- son Business College. He learned how to manufac- ture candy while working with and under the direc- tion of his father. and as long ago as twenty-five years, started in business for himself. He specialized in horehounds and Irish moss cough drops, made from recipes supplied by his experienced father; and under the copyrighted names, "Blue Shield Hore- hound" and "Green Star Irish Moss," these have become famous throughout California, and still enjoy a large sale. He sold his first batch of candy from house to house, and in stores, and carried the same in a leather bag. Mr. Boyd has witnessed many changes in Sacramento. He belongs to Sacramento Lodge No. 140 of the United Commercial Travelers' Association.

In the year 1891, and at Sacramento, Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Georgia Shearer, a native of Mon- rovia, Maryland; and they have one son, Thomas Boyd, the well-known and popular musician. He was born on April 9, 1894, and for eight years stud- ied with Arthur Hept, the famous violinist, who is now a member of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Thomas Boyd is thus an accomplished violinist, and at present is the leader of the Orpheum Orchestra in Sacramento. He led the orchestra in both the State Theater and Hippodrome at Stockton, and the Hippodrome in San Jose; and he is a mem- ber of the Sacramento Musician's Union, No. 12, the Stockton Union No. 189, and the San Jose Union, No. 153, He is married and has two children, Maric Alice and Thomas Earl; and he belongs to the San Joaquin Lodge of Masons, No. 19, at Stockton. and Pyramid No. 5. Sciots. of the same city.

ALBERT W. McDONELL .- A widely-experienced farmer who enjoys the pleasant distinction of having chosen to be an orchardist, and then becoming one of such familiarity with orcharding problems, and such success in his varied products, that other agricultur- ists look to him for a helpful lead, is Albert W. Mc- Donell, who was born, a native son, on the old home place at Mills Station. His father, George Alexander McDonell, had married Miss Eliza D. Fisher; and they provided such a comfortable, attractive home, that they may be said to have contributed a deal to- ward our subject's ultimate attainments.

Albert W. McDonell went to the Brighton schools, and finished with an excellent course at the Sacra- mento Business College; and then, having learned civil engineering through practical experience, he fol- lowed that professional line for a year. Returning to the ranch, he worked with his brother, George F. Mfc- Donell, for a couple of years; and then he bought, for two years, a half-interest with him. He next pur- chased eighty acres of the old estate; and two years later, he bought out his brother's interest altogether, and he has been laboring alone ever since. He owns eighty-four acres, and farms 600 acres, which he rents, in addition; and his tracts are as trim and appealing, at the height of the seasons, as any that can be found near here. In national politics a Republican, Mr. Mc- Donell is non-partisan when it comes to endorsing well-approved local propositions. He is also patrioti- cally devoted to Sacramento County, and finds pleas-

ure in belonging to Sunset Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West.

When Mr. McDonell, in 1914, was married, he chose Miss Verna May Mcintosh, of Canada, for his wife; and they have three children: Helen Irene, Beth Ellen, and Dorothy Bell. He is fond of fishing and hunting. but particularly enthusiastic about baseball, and he has played semi-professional ball. He manages the Mills Stars, and that alone should be sufficient to accord and assure him all local popularity.

HARRY L. MURPHY .- A highly-esteemed native son who has not only succeeded as a farmer, but has become an efficient and popular constable of his dis- trict, is Harry L. Murphy, of Perkins. He was born on a farm on Jackson road, near Perkins, on Septem- ber 19, 1883, the son of P. H. and Carrie R. ( Jack- man) Murphy; his father having been a pioneer, who came out to California in the early days of '54. cross- ing the great plains with oxen; and he worked upon, and homesteaded 160 acres of land, receiving a patent signed by President Lincoln. Mr. Murphy also served as a constable; and he was as intrepid and faithful as any law-enforcers that could be found. He farmed for the remainder of his life; and in March, 1913. closed his useful career. Mrs. Murphy, who came from New Hampshire, and was a Yankee school- ma'am, and here married, is still living, being revered by all who know her.

Harry L. Murphy attended the rural schools, and then went to work on his father's ranch, continuing with him until the latter's death; and since his demise, he and his brother. Elmer H., have been operating the farm together. They deal in registered cattle. have exhibited at the state fair since 1880, and have taken many prizes with their stock. Continuing an inter- esting tradition in the family, Mr. Murphy has re- cently finished his first term as constable. In na- tional politics he is a Republican. He is fond of hunt- ing and fishing, and he is also very devoted to Sacra- mento County.

Mr. Murphy married Miss Mattie M. Meisenheimer. a native daughter hailing from Hanford and Florin; and they have three children: Edith Lillian, David Henry, and Cecil Gordon.

PETER M. ROBINSON .- A very interesting pioneer, who well merits his comfortable retirement, is Peter M. Robinson, of the attractive town of Per- kins, a native of Illinois, where he was born on Janu- ary 8, 1853. His parents were sturdy pioneers before him, and he thus inherited the best of brain and brawn calculated to assist him as a settler. He was brought to Sacramento as a baby by these carly-timers, and so in time attended the public schools of the capital. After a while, his father came out to Mayhews and took up farming; and our subject continued with his father on the farm until 1883, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Kelly, a native daughter, and a member of an old family.

Mr. Robinson commenced farming for himself soon after, and from the start he did well. He has leased several places, and now he has about seventy trim acres, devoted to fruit culture. It has been his pride and his ambition to follow the progress of agriculture in America, and to be among the first in Sacramento County to apply the latest methods, and to use the most up-to-date apparatus; and he has been rewarded with results far beyond those enjoyed by the average.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

lle is a Democrat in matters of national political im- port, but he is a devoted, non-partisan supporter of whatever he believes to be best for the community or locality in which he lives and prospers.

Ethel, a daughter, has become Mrs. McKee; and Margaret is Mrs. George McDonell, of Perkins; while Ann, another daughter, is at home. James is farming for himself; and Loriene is teaching school. There are six grandchildren in the family circle.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE. - As schools go, even American schools, the Christian Brothers College is still a comparatively young in- stitution. But it is a tremendous institution, great, growing, intensely alive, abreast of the times, and striving ever after new growth and new power. In 1876, while Sacramento was still in the archdiocese of San Francisco, the Brothers came to this city. It was due to the active zeal of the Rev. Father Patrick Scan- lan that the present site was acquired in the vicinity of the Cathedral. The need of an educational estab- lishment, wherein Catholic young men could receive instruction in their religion as well as in the affairs of men, was very noticeable in Sacramento. On July 16, 1876, the new college building was dedicated by the Most Reverend Archbishop Alemany and was con- sidered one of the best buildings in the state at that time; the following day the college was opened to re- ceive students and when the school work began there were 200 pupils enrolled. Steadily the work of the Brothers has advanced and today it is one of the fore- most institutions of learning in the capital city. For many years the college bore the name of the Sacra- mento Institute; later it was changed to Christian Brothers College.

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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 136

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