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 141

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 141

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In the year 1917 Mr. Marten was married, at Los Angeles, to Miss Lucile Miles, a gifted native daugh- ter of Pasadena; and she shares his love of outdoor life, and also of golf. Mr. Marten has already done well in his profession, and it is fair to assume that he will rise much higher.

GUGLIELMO G. CARMASSI,-A resident of Sacramento County since 1901, Guglielmo G. Carmassi was born in Tuscano, Italy, August 20, 1884, where he spent his early life on the farm and attended the excellent school in his locality. In 1901, when sixteen years of age, he emigrated to California. For a short time he worked on the farm at Colfax, but the same year he came to Sacramento and found employment in the Phoenix Hotel and Cafe where he continued for a period of twelve years. He then leased Riverside Inn and for five years made a success as proprietor of that hostelry. Removing to Placer County he became pro- prietor of the Allen Cafe near Auburn until 1919. when he purchased a ranch at Loomis, where he is raising fruits. His orchard and vineyard of twenty acres, which he still owns, is a model and in splendid bearing condition. In 1921 he came to Hood, leasing Hotel Netherlands, where he is making a specialty of Italian and French dinners, the cuisine being excel- lent. It is a popular place and well patronized.

In Sacramento, December 1, 1910, Mr. Carmassi was married to Nellie Mclaughlin, who was born in Nevada County, Cal., a daughter of Frederick Mc- Laughlin, a mining man. She was reared and edu- cated in Sacramento and is ably assisting her husband in his business enterprise. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Dolores and Frank. Fraternally Mr. Carmassi is a member of the Eagles in Sacramento.

GEORGE E. KING .- The death of George F. King, which occurred at Kingswold on November 20, 1917, after a short illness, removed from Sacra- mento County one of its pioneer settlers and upright, progressive citizens, and deprived horticultural in- terests in the Fair Oaks section of a leading repre- sentative. Mr. King was born in Denmark, Ashta- bula County, Ohio, May 1, 1843, and lived in Spring- field, Mass., until his seventh birthday, when he ac- companied his parents on their removal to St. Louis. Mo. There the father established an iron foundry, which afterward became known as the St. Louis Car Foundry Company, of which his son, George E. King, became general manager when but seventeen years of age, thus early in his career displaying notable business ability.

In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. King enlisted in Company C, 130th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, being attached to the quartermaster's department. At the close of the war he worked for the government at Louisville, Ky., and at St. Louis, Mo., for several months, and in 1867 entered the employ of a rail- road at Albany, N. Y. Soon afterward he established a foundry at Worcester, Mass., but ten years later again took up railroading, which he successfully followed for an extended period. Going to the City of the Straits, he secured work with the Detroit & Bay City Railroad Company, with which he was connected until 1878, when he went to Chicago as assistant general ticket agent of the Michigan Cell- tral Railroad Company. In 1889 he was made assist- ant general passenger and ticket agent, and he col- tinued to fill that important office until 1905, dis- charging his duties with marked efficiency and fidelity.

While in the service of the Michigan Central Rail- road, Mr. King came to Fair Oaks, where he estab lished his home, being one of the first to purchase: property here. Seeing great possibilities in this sec- tion for the development of the citrus-fruit industry, he directed his energies to that end, becoming one of the organizers and a director of the Fair Oaks Fruit Company, which from its inception has proved a most profitable venture, with a business that has now assumed large proportions. Mr. King acted as vice-president of this company, and also as presi- dent of the Almond Exchange of Fair Oaks, and the success of these two organizations is largely attributable to his sound judgment, keen discern- ment and executive powers. His operations as a horticulturist were based upon a scientific knowledge of the subject, and in the season of 1915 over ninety tons of choice oranges were harvested from his orchard.

The family residence, Kingswold, with its fine gardens and large orchard, is considered one of the most beautiful and attractive places in the county, and Mr. King took justifiable pride in his home, finding his greatest happiness therein. His was an optimistic, genial, kindly nature, and to know him was to be his friend. He considered life well worth the living, and the character of the work which he did and the importance of the place which he filled in his community were evidenced by the widespread regret which followed his death. His honor and in- tegrity were beyond question, and his life in its various phases stood the test of intimate knowledge and close association.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Jessie W. King, who has resided in the Fair Oaks colony continu- ously since 1898 and has made her influence felt as a strong force for good in her community. She is a capable business woman and is ably conducting the extensive business built up by her husband's con- structive efforts. She has worked earnestly, effect- ively and untiringly to promote the welfare of her district along material, moral and educational lines. and has been particularly active in club affairs. She is a leading member of the Woman's Thursday Club and served as its president in 1904, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1912 and 1914. When the club was first organ- ized it had a membership of twelve; it can now boast a membership of some three hundred. While Mrs. King works toward high ideals, her methods are practical, and in every instance the results achieved have given an impetus toward the attainment of that higher civilization for which the world is striv- ing. Her life has been a most useful and active onc, and no resident of Fair Oaks is better known or more highly esteemed.

ARTHUR GEORGE .- Well-known as an indns- trions and worthy citizen and as a successful orchard- ist, Arthur George has been located since 1914 on a tract of thirty acres in Del Paso Heights, known as the Oak Knoll section, where, in partnership with a brother and four sisters, he has developed a fine or- chard. He was born in Dawson, W. Va., December 18, 1878, the sixth of eleven children born to John A. and Elizabeth George, also natives of West Virginia, of Scottish descent.

Arthur George received his early education in the public schools of West Virginia and at the age of twenty left home and went to Richmond, Va., where he entered business college, and after completing the course, took up duties as a stenographer for a whole- sale company, where he worked for a year; then he took a better position with another wholesale com- pany, where he remained for twelve years. During this time he visited his brother and sisters in Cali- fornia.

Later he became assistant manager the wholesale grocery company, a position he occupied until 1920, when he again returned to California to remain permanently, and he now acts as manager of the orchard property and is joint owner with his brother Clarence T. and his sisters, Maude V., Norma C., Clarice E. and Helen. Mr. George is a member of the farm bureau of his locality and Clarence T. is a member of the Del Paso Improvement Club. For the past fifteen years, Mr. George has been a mem- ber of the B. P. O. Elks of Hinton, W. Va., and in politics he is a Democrat.

ELBERT S. McNEIL .- Emphatically a man of energy, Elbert S. McNeil is one of the enterprising and active men of Sacramento County, giving sub- stantial encouragement to every plan for the promo- tion of the public welfare. He was born on October 19, 1880, at Rockville, Colo., and was educated in the public schools of Denver. While he was in North Denver high school, and when eighteen years of age, he enlisted with the United States army and went to the Philippine Islands, serving in Company G, 34th United States Volunteers, taking in the Filipino insurrection. For twenty-two months he served in the Spanish-American War, and upon returning he

worked in the mines of Colorado for a short time. He came to Sonora, Mexico, and was employed by Charles Butters Company, where he learned the cyan- ide business and afterwards was foreman of the first large cyanide plant built in Nevada, in Six-mile Cañon, below Virginia City, to handle the Comstock tailings, which closed down for the winter after six- teen months. He mined at Goldfield, Nev., in 1907, where he was employed for two years. In Carson City he served for two years as a member of the state police. He also served in the United States In- dian service for two years, and in 1911 became deputy sheriff of Humboldt County, Nev. In 1912 he was appointed as a special officer in Joyland Park, Sacra- mento, Cal. Then for two years he served on the Sacramento police force. In 1915 he bought a half- interest in the Walker Taxi Company, of Sacramento. When they started out they had only three machines. In 1917 he purchased his partner's interest and en- tered in business alone. He then purchased the City Taxi Company and in 1919 gave his concern the. name "McNeil Taxi Service." He enlarged his business and during the war ran twelve machines and did not raise the rate, but continued the twenty-five-cent rate until gasoline rose to twenty-eight cents in Febru- ary, 1919, when he was forced to raise the rate. He has improved the service, from cars costing $700 to cars costing over $3,000. He also runs taxicabs and touring cars for sight-seeing trips and tourists' country trips. This fleet of taxis and automobiles renders the best of service at the cheapest rates.

Elbert S. McNeil was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Fischer of Nevada; and they are the par- ents of one child, Gertrude Ethel. In national poli- tics Mr. McNeil is a Republican; but in local matters he is a man above party, interested in lending his services to the man who will benefit the community. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

JAMES P. JONES .- Public affairs occupy the attention and profit by the well-directed efforts of James P. Jones, the efficient constable of Center Township, whom for more than two decades Fair Oaks has numbered among its useful and desirable citizens. He was born on one of the Norfolk Isles. in the St. Lawrence River, on July 23, 1875. His parents, Horace O. and Elvira (Soulé) Jones, were also born in that locality, being natives of Grand Isle. The father devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits, and he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding on the farm where they established their home immediately after their marriage. Five chil- dren were born to them, of whom James P. Jones is the youngest. His brother and two sisters pre- ceded him to California. The former. F. S. Jones, is now living in Piedmont; while his sisters, Mrs. Stephen E. Keefer and Mrs. F. ,A. Story, are both residents of Berkeley.

James P. Jones received a common-school educa- tion. When sixteen years of age he became a wage- earner, securing a position as clerk in a general store. Subsequently he followed the occupation of farming for a time, and in 1900 he responded to the call of the West, locating in Fair Oaks soon afterward. Rec- ognition of his worth and ability on the part of his fellow-citizens led to his selection for public office, and he is now serving as constable of Center Town-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ship, which covers the entire territory of District No. 3, with a population of 6,000. He is prompt, fearless and efficient in the discharge of the respon- sible duties which devolve upon him, and his course has won the approval of all law-abiding citizens. During his leisure he busies himself with farm work, for idleness and indolence are utterly foreign to his nature.

In 1907 Mr. Jones married Miss Maude Kale, a daughter of T. J. Kale, who was one of the pioneer orchardists of Fair Oaks, but now resides in Sacra- mento. Two children have been born of this union, Mildred S. and Howard O. Mrs. Jones is prominent in the social life of Fair Oaks, and is a member of the Thursday Club. Mr. Jones takes an active part in the affairs of the Fair Oaks Civic Club. He has always been loyal to every trust reposed in him, and puts forth every possible effort for the upbuilding and advancement of his community, county and state.

HENRY HARRISON McCLAIN .- Among the agriculturists who are helping to build up a perman- ent prosperity for Sacramento County, none is held in higher esteem, nor have any brighter prospects than Henry Harrison McClain, well-known as an orchard- ist and asparagus grower on Andrus Island. He is one of Sacramento County's native sons, his birth having occurred near Franklin July 18, 1883, a son of Frank A. and Eliza (Bloom) McClain, both na- tives of Sacramento County. Grandfather McClain was a native of Scotland and was a pioneer trader in Sacramento. He made various trips via Cape Horn between New York and San Francisco and on one trip he died aboard and was buried at sea. Grand- father Bloom came to California in 1849 across the plains by ox team, and at first conducted a hotel at Diamond Spring, near Placerville; later he removed to Sacramento County and purchased land which later proved to be a grant and became involved in a suit, and he lost all he had invested. He then lo- cated in the vicinity of Franklin and bought a half section of land, where he passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. Frank A. McClain learned the blacksmith trade and for many years conducted a shop in Sacramento at Tenth Street, between K and L. the site of the Sacramento Hotel; later he en- gaged in farming in the vicinity of Franklin. In 1888 the mother passed away at the age of thirty-one years, leaving three children: Henry Harrison, the subject of this sketch; Donald, who was accidentally killed on his ranch on Andrus Island; and Andrew, who is a business man in Fresno.

Harry McClain, as he is familiarly known by his friends, attended the grammar school of the Rich- land district; then he spent two years in the Elk Grove high school and finished with a business course at the Atkinson Business College in Sacramento. From 1902 to 1916, Mr. McClain was in various cities in the employ of Wells Fargo Express Com- pany; he then became a partner with his brother Donald and his aunt, Mrs. Sol Runyon, in farming the 440-acre ranch, known as the Point Ranch, on Andrus Island. One hundred sixty acres of this ranch is devoted to orchard and 100 acres to aspara- gus-growing, the balance being devoted to general farming.

In Sacramento, on October 5, 1913, Mr. McClain was married to Miss Myrtle Ross, born in Oakland. Cal., a daughter of Frank A. and Mollie T. (Camp-

bell) Ross, both natives of Nevada County, California. Frank A. Ross, who passed away at the age of forty- five years, was manager of the Pacific Gas & Elec- tric Company, and was later claim agent for the Northern Electric line. Mrs. McClain graduated from the Sacramento high school. The mother is living with our subject and his wife. In 1916 Mr. McClain built a fine residence on his Andrus Island ranch, where he and his wife make their home. In 1914 Mr. McClain was master of Tehama Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., in Sacramento. He is a member of Sacramento Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and is also a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of that city. Mr. and Mrs. McClain are members of Onisbo Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. McClain is a member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento. In politics he is a Republican.

JOSEPH RADKE .- Unqualified commendation is ever deserved by the man who, through his own ef- forts, rises from an impecunious position to one of comparative affluence. Such a one is Joseph Radke, a prominent orchardist of Fair Oaks. who has fought life's battles unaided, and whose career is proof of the fact that merit and ability will always come to the front. A native of Germany, Mr. Radke was born on September 3, 1864, and his life from early boyhood bas been one of unremitting industry. He was denied the educational privileges which most youths enjoy; but he had the desire to know more and to grow more, and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, constantly adding to his store of knowledge, so that he is today an exceptionally well- informed man,

Like many of his fellow-countrymen, Mr. Radke sought the opportunities of the New World. For a time he was a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, whence he journeyed to California, settling in Sacramento County. He is an expert cabinet-maker and formerly followed that trade, also becoming connected with milling operations, but is now devoting his attention te horticultural pursuits. He is the owner of a valu- able orchard ranch of thirty acres in Fair Oaks, and specializes in the growing of almonds, prunes, wal- nuts and persimmons, in which he has been very suc- cessful. He carries on his labors scientifically and keeps well-informed on all modern developments re- lating to his line of work. He has become well-known throughout California, owing to his having signed over to the State Exchange his rights in the Radke Almond Bleacher, which greatly facilitates the handling of large quantities of nuts in the bleaching process. For the past eleven years he has served as a director of the Almond Growers' Association of Fair Oaks and Orangevale, and has been largely instrumental in pro- moting the success of this organization. He is also a director of Fair Oaks Irrigation District No. 4. and reelection has continued him in that office for three terms.

Mr. Radke is married and has a daughter, Mrs. Winnifred Cadman, who resides at Fair Oaks and is the mother of a son, Richard. While a resident of Iowa, Mr. Radke received his citizenship papers. He is in thorough sympathy with American ideals and. principles, and exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but is not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term. He is firm in his convictions, and is a

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

man of strong and forceful personality, inspiring re- spect and confidence. He has ever placed the general welfare before personal aggrandizement, and in the larger life of his community he fills an important place.

CARLO GADDI .- For the past thirty-two years Carlo Gaddi has conducted large fruit interests in the vicinity of Sacramento; his orchard property consists of 105 acres located five miles from Sacra- mento on the Fruitridge Road. His birth occurred in Lucca, Italy, September 1, 1858, a son of David and Angelino Pasqueni Gaddi, both natives of the same province of Tuscany, where they were well-to- do farmers. Carlo Gaddi is the third of eight chil- dren and by the time he was old enough to work on the home farm, he was taken out of school and put to work in the fields. In 1879, accompanied by his brother, Santino, he came to America and directly to California. Santino Gaddi remained only eighteen days, but Carlo Gaddi worked for eight years in market gardening for Fiori Gabrialli.

Mr. Gaddi was united in marriage with Miss Vine- randi Perrinni, also born in Lucca, Italy, a daughter of C. Perrinni, who came to California in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Gaddi arc the parents of four children: David is a member of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is a rancher on the home place; Edith is Mrs. John Apostee and they have one son, Carlo Gaddi; Ernest saw service in France during the World War, is now a rancher at home, and is a director of the Fruitridge Berry Growers' Association; Venna is deccased. In 1886 Mr. Gaddi became an American citizen and has since voted the Republican ticket.

JOHN GARIBALDI. - Among the successful orchardists in the vicinity of Sacramento is John Garibaldi, whose fine home place is located about five miles from the capital city on the Fruitridge Road, consisting of twenty-one acres adjoining the homestead of his mother. He was born on his fa- ther's ranch, November 19, 1889, a son of Antone and Maria (Garibaldi) Garibaldi, both natives of Genoa, Italy. Antone Garibaldi was born in 1858 and when twenty years of age came to California, where he first worked as a laborer; then conducted the market gardens at the ranch across from East Lawn Cemetery for several years. In 1887, Antonc Garibaldi was married to Miss Maria Garibaldi, who came to California at the age of twenty-two. Four children were born to this worthy couple; Hazel is now Mrs. George Lagomarsino; John is the subject of this sketch; Amelia is the wife of Frank Marton- ovich; and Victor married Miss Clara Schenk. Antone Garibaldi purchased the home place in 1895, consisting of thirty-eight acres, which he developed into a fine, productive orchard; he passed away in 1899 and his widow still resides on the home ranch, which is operated by her two sons, our subject and his brother Victor. Antone Garibaldi was a Repub- lican in politics and was liberal in giving to benevo- lences.

John Garibaldi was reared to work on the ranch, and obtained his education in the district school. He has always been deeply interested in fruit culture and has been successful. For cight years he occupied the office of constable of Sutter Township, and his serv- ice was appreciated by the general public.

On November 4, 1915, Mr. Garibaldi was married to Miss Catherine Silva, a daughter of Manuel Silva,

a prominent stockman of Brown's Valley, Yuba County. Grandfather Silva was a pioneer of '49 and mined at Nevada City, Cal. Mr. Garibaldi has re- cently completed a handsome residence on his ranch, which is jointly owned by himself and brother and which adjoins the old home place. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is a charter member of the Oak Park Lodge of Eagles; he is also a member of the local farm bureau.

CHARLES A. GUM .- Industry, perseverance and thrift are recognized the world over as the founda- tions of material prosperity. These three qualities are possessed by Charles A. Gum, who ranks with the substantial business men and most successful ranchers of Fair Oaks. A native of Highland County, Va., he was born at Monterey, the county seat, on January 12, 1850, and there resided until after the close of the Civil War. He then made his way westward, reaching Nebraska in the spring of 1869. On leaving that state he went first to Rochelle, Ogle County, 111., and from there to Chatsworth, in Livingston County, that state, where he acquired a farm on which he raised grain and stock.

For six years Mr. Gum followed agricultural pur- suits in Illinois; and then, in 1895, he sold his prop- erty there, having decided to make his future home in California. He purchased from the firm of Howard & Wilson of Chicago, Il1., a ten-acre tract on Sunset Avenue, in Fair Oaks, and was one of the first set- tlers in this district. The land was covered with heavy timber and the country was wild and unde- veloped; but undeterred by the almost unsurmountable obstacles which confronted him, Mr. Gum resolutely set to work to improve his property. There was neither water nor roads, and six months before water was piped into this section of the valley he had cleared off all of his timber, selling the live-oak for a dollar and a quarter a cord and receiving a dollar per cord for the white oak. The Shelton store was the first constructed in Fair Oaks, and Mr. Gum hauled the material for the building from Sacramento. He bore with fortitude all of the hardships and privations of pioneer times and thoroughly appreciates the improve- ments of modern civilization. Through systematic, untiring labor he has transformed his land into a rich and arable tract. Everything about the place indi- cates that he follows progressive methods, and well- deserved success has attended his operations. In addi- tion to caring for his own ranch he also supervises the development of other farms.

On November 26, 1889, while residing at Chats- worth, 111., Mr. Gum was married to Miss Isabella Foreman, who was born near Columbus, Ohio, May 13, 1862, and was but three years of age at the time her parents made the journey from that state to Illi- nois with team and wagon. They were numbered among the early settlers of Livingston County, ex- periencing the hardships incident to frontier life, and Chatsworth was their nearest trading point. Mr. and Mrs. Gum have had two children, but one of these, named Goldy, died at Fair Oaks when twelve years of age. Their son Perry is now a prosperous rancher of this section, owning fifty-five acres of land. He is married and has two children, Robert Irving and Wilma Charlene. Mr. Gum is ever ready to give his support to measures for the promotion of the public welfare, and is enthusiastic in exploiting the resources

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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 141

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