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 143

Author: Reed, G. Walter
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1026

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EDWIN MCEWEN .- Another fearless, efficient and popular justice of the peace is the Hon. Edwin McEwen, of Granite Township, Sacramento County, and residing at 5002 Fourteenth Avenue. He was born on an Indiana farm, on February 25, 1871, the son of Archie and Sally Ann (Stewart) McEwen, who were substantial farmer folk, and did all that they could in their time to better the agricultural conditions of the country, and while working for better crops, to improve the status of the farmer.

Edwin McEwen set out on life's journey with a pretty fair schooling, obtained in Indiana and Mis- souri, to which state his folks moved when he was twelve; enjoying not only public but private school instruction, and keeping up his studies at night, after a hard day's work on the farm, so that he may be entitled to some of the credit of a self-made man. This credit is particularly deserved, for he even had to borrow school books where he could. When he reached manhood, he married Miss Allie Albright, in Arkansas, to which state he had gone, and then, for fifteen years, he farmed.

On March 7, 1903, Judge McEwen came to Cali- fornia and Sacramento; a cripple, for while mining, in August, 1901, he was injured in a mine, and since that time he has been unable to walk. He has never lost courage, however, and with real bravery, and entire self-respect, he has always made his own way. At first, he had a little store at Oak Park, and had concessions at different places; and for the past twelve years, or for three consecutive terms, he has been the favorite justice of the peace of Granite Township, and he is just commencing his fourth term in that responsible office. He is a Democrat in politics. He is very fond of baseball and spends leisure hours with the fans in this sport.

Albert Roger and Annie Lucretia Harrison are the two children conferring honor on the Judge; and they are enthusiastic about the open-world in Sacramento County, and the many attractions that make this the home-place and the natural garden spot of California.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

OSCAR J. HENLEY .- An experienced contractor in brick-work who has been able to advance building conditions in and around Sacramento, is Oscar J. Henley, of the well-known firm of O. A. Henley & Son, of 1408 V Street, Sacramento, in which city he was born, on November 29, of the Centennial Year of 1876. His father, Oscar A. Henley, crossed the great plains as an Argonaut in 1849, and located at Sacramento, coming all the way from St. Louis, where he was born. He was only three years old when accompanying his parents, who were among the real early pioneers of the capital; and Oscar A. Henley attended the local schools, and then learned brick-laying, which he followed until of late; for he is still active at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Henley, however, who was Mary Ellen Foley before her mar- riage, and shared with her husband the devotion of a large circle of admiring friends, is deceased. Grand- father Arch was a judge.

Oscar J. Henley had something of the popular schooling, and then learned the brick-laying trade from his father, now the oldest brick contractor in Sac- ramento, with whom, since 1910, he has been a part- ner, in brick-contracting, helping to build the D. O. Mills Bank building, the Skelton undertaking parlors, and much residential work, and they built a large number of the old business houses in Sacramento. He belongs to the Builders' Exchange, and to the Owls; and in politics, he is a Republican.

On June 26, 1904, Oscar Henley was united in mar- riage with Miss Nora Belle Partlow, of Ohio. MIr. and Mrs. Henley enjoy an enviable popularity.

HERBERT SIMPSON .- Prominent among the leading contractors in building with brick, Messrs. Simpson Brothers, who are well represented by Her- bert Simpson, have exerted an enviable influence in favor of better architecture and more substantial and permanent construction, not only in the capital city, but throughout Sacramento County. Their office and headquarters are at 3980 H Street, Sacramento; and there more than one undertaking of real importance to the locality has been planned.

Herbert Simpson was born at Leicester, England, on June 28, 1881, the son of James H. and Clara (Benson) Simpson, the former a bricklayer, as his father before him had been a builder with brick. He attended the excellent English schools, and then served an apprenticeship with his father; and as a bricklayer he worked among journeymen in that country for five years. While methods and some of the results there are different from those observable here, this great advantage he enjoyed in his native country, that he learned to be painstaking and thor- ough, and to produce only dependable work.

In 1906, Mr. Simpson came to the United States, and after nine months in Philadelphia, he moved on westward to Sacramento, and in the autumn of that year, began work at the capital as a journeyman. Fourteen years later, when he had become possessed of ample experience, including a valuable knowledge of American and Californian conditions, he formed a partnership with his brother, Harry, who had al- ready been contracting, and knew a deal about that side of the enterprise. They have done the brick work in the State Maintenance Building, for the State Highway Commission, the Crystal Ice plant, the Roseville and the Linco'n schools, and many

fine residences. The quality of the work delivered has brought the firm more and more patronage, and they render a superior type of service.

11 1902, Mr. Simpson married Miss Nellie Little- john, an attractive English girl, and they have had one child, Elsie. Mr. Simpson belongs to the Sons of St. George, and to the ranks of the Republicans; and when needing restful diversion he is fond of soccer.

BERTRAM G. RUGG .- Prominent among the ex- perienced and capable carpenters of the capital, and wider known, through his fraternal associations, throughout the county, Bertram G. Rugg has exerted an enviable influence, and always in favor of indus- trial progress. He was born at Alton, Kansas, on June 25, 1880, and came out to the Golden State about fifteen years ago. His parents were Edward L. and Dora (Pierce) Rugg, the latter a lovable woman whose untimely demise in 1903 was mourned by many. The father was a carpenter and a contractor, and came to California in 1909. He is still living, and is esteemed for his ability and his integrity. Under their favoring oversight, Bertram got such educational advantages as were locally available; and what he did not learn in school, he tried to acquire in the wider school of experience.

Mr. Rugg worked at railroading, printing and on newspapers, and found employment in such cities as Denver, Salt Lake and Reno; and in 1908 he came to Sacramento, after having learned the carpenter trade in Colorado; and for some time he worked as a jour- neyman. He was with the Ransom Concrete Com- pany for four and one-half years as a carpenter, and for a year, from July, 1922, he was business agent for the District Council of Carpenters at Sacramento, and he is again serving as business agent for the District Council of Carpenters. He resides at 4870 Q Street, Sacramento, was a freeholder on the new charter for the county, does his own thinking on political questions, and maintains a live interest in civic affairs.

Mr. Rugg married Miss Bertha C. Shane, of Illi- nois, on June 8, 1913, and they have two sons, Ed- ward Bertram and Thomas Shane. He belongs to the, Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World and the Eagles.

ROY MILTON STEVENSON .- Probably one of the best-known men in the motor world of Sacra- mento County today, and quite as popularly thought of as he is widely famed, is Roy Milton Stevenson, of the Quality Automobile Service, and an automo- tive engineer, at 228 P Street, Sacramento. A native son, who has always been proud of his association with the Golden State, he was born at San Jose, on October 16, 1892, the son of James Milton and Me- lissa (Price) Stevenson, the former also a native son, from an old family and still living in San Jose.

Roy Stevenson attended the San Jose schools, and then entered the automobile trade by commencing to learn each detail of the business, commencing on the lowest round of the ladder. Whatever he did, he did well; and now that he has this habit well formed, he finds half of the day's routine already put behind him, and his customers find that they can always depend upon him for anything committed to his care. In 1910, he came to Sacramento, and for the past five and one-half years, he has been in busi-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ness for himself, for the last three and one-half years being located at the above address. He employs two men, cach of whom is an expert. In politics, he prefers the standards of the Republican party, but he is too broad-minded to be party-bound, and as a good booster for Sacramento and vicinity, he treats local issues in a non-partisan fashion. He belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West and is also an Elk, a member of Sacramento Lodge No. 6.

In 1912, Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Irene Soule, a native daughter. now the mother of three children, Milton, Earl and Marian.

MANUEL A. FRATES .- California has been particularly fortunate in her exceptional staff of con- tractors and builders who have done their utmost in laying the foundation that has drawn the count- less number of tourists to the Golden State. Promi- nent among those who have contributed their great aims and results is Manuel A. Frates, who was born in 1874, at Cohasset, Mass., the son of Manuel and Rose Frates. His father, who came to Monterey with the first fishing crew. remained here for a short time and then went to the Azores Islands where he was married. He came back to Massachusetts, but later returned to the Azores, where he passed away.

Manuel A. Frates was educated in the public schools of Massachusetts and the Azores Islands, and also in the practical school of experience. He worked as a carpenter in the Azores and in 1900 came to California and was employed for seven years as a journeyman, with Mr. Charles Vanina. He then went into business for himself and built some of the public schools and the finest residences in Sacramento, Newcastle, and Auburn.

Manuel A. Frates was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Agnes Marshall, a native daughter of New- castle, Cal., and they are the parents of three chil- dren: Arthur, Viola, and Marvin. Mr. Frates is a stanch Republican, and a member of the U. P. E. C., and the S. P. R. S .. the A. A. D. E. S., and the Builders' Exchange. His leisure moments are spent in the open, and he is particularly fond of fishing and hunting.

JOSEPH BEEBE .- A long-popular musician who is now enjoying, in a well-earned retirement, both the leisure most men long for, and the good-will of his fellows, is Joseph Beebe, of 1521 P Street. Sac- ramento. He was born at Columbus, N. Y., on Alarch 5, 1836, the son of Ezra and Betsy (Wilcox) Beebe, good old-timers of the Empire State, who did their duty by the society of their day, and then passed to their eternal reward.

Joe Beebe remained on the home farm where he was born until he was twenty-one years of age. the while he attended the local school; and in odd mo- ments between farm chores and work, he learned to play the violin. He attained to such proficiency that he was able to take a position with a circus, with which he traveled for four years; and in 1862 he came out to San Francisco. Here he made a second circus engagement, and traveled for another four years, playing this time the cornet.

In the autumn of 1867, Mr. Beebe accepted an en- gagement to play in a theater in Sacramento, and then, for twenty-five years, he was with the Church & Jones orchestra; and for the past fifteen years he has been retired. For twenty years he has served as

treasurer of the Musicians' Union, and he has just enjoyed the distinction of again being reelected. He is one of the oldest musicians in Sacramento, and never fails to receive, when in public or in private cultured circles, the honors due him. He has long been deeply interested in Sacramento, town and county, and finds here the fulfillment of that which is desirable in both climate and scenery.

Mr. Beebe was married to Mrs. Julia Moody, in 1864, and she died in 1915. He has been an Odd Fellow since 1869, and he belongs to the Musicians' Union.

ARTHUR WALTER SWEET .- Now well-estab- lished as a contractor for up-to-date plumbing and heating, Arthur Walter Sweet of North Sacra- mento is able to exert an enviable influence in favor of those better things in installation and appoint- ment that mark the degree of civilization in any community, and that have so much to do with the comfort, health and the happiness of people. The capital city may well be congratulated, there- fore, on the acquisition of this progressive and far- sighted Rhode Island Yankee, for he was born at Pawtucket, on September 24, 1883, when he entered the family of Joseph and Mary (La Due) Sweet, sub- stantial weaver folks connected with the woolen mills there, where they are still residing.

Arthur Walter Sweet attended the public schools of the home town, and then learned the machinist trade, which he followed for two years; and in 1903 he came West, and soon luckily located at Sacra- mento. He entered the water service department of the Southern Pacific, and after four years, he was in business at Roseville for a couple of years. Coming back to Sacramento, he worked for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company for three and one-half years; and in 1914 he established himself in business at North Sacramento. He is doing all the work, and the business has grown, until today he is consuming $7,000 of material a month. During the year 1922 he continuously employed six journeymen plumbers. He belongs to the Builders' Exchange and the Master Plumbers' Association, and favors the Republican platforms, because he believes that they favor Amer- ican industry.

In the year 1908, on January 26, Mr. Sweet and Miss Myrtle Alice White, a native daughter of Te- hama County, were married, and they have a family of four children. Reginald Arthur is the eldest; Ha- zel Estelle and Wilma May the second- and third- born; and Victor, the youngest. Mr. Sweet is also an Elk, and belongs to Sacramento Lodge No. 6.

JAMES W. LARRICK .- A native of the Old Do- minion, since 1905 James W. Larrick has been iden- tified with the business life of Galt. He was born on February 2, 1856, near Winchester, Frederick County, Va., about forty-four miles from historic Harper's Ferry. His parents were Jacob F. and Susan Adeline Larrick, descended from old families in that part of Virginia, and both lived to reach the ripe old age of eighty. The father spent most of his life in that vicinity, where he was well known as a hotel-keeper and also engaged in farming.

One of a family of four children, James W. Lar- rick was educated in the schools of Frederick County, remaining at home until he was of age. Starting as

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

a clerk in a mercantile business, after he had learned it thoroughly he went into business for himself at Middletown, Va., remaining there until 1905, when he disposed of all his interests and came to Califor- nia, settling at Galt. After arriving here he estab- lished himself in the well-boring business. sinking wells for domestic use, and building up a good pat- ronage in this line, in which he continued until 1917. when he became the agent for the American Express Company at Galt, a position he still occupies.

At Lexington, Va., October 28, 1886, Mr. Larrick was married to Miss Anna V. Kirkpatrick, a native of that place and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Ann Kirkpatrick, members of well-established South- ern families, her father being for many years a tan- ner at Middletown, Va. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Larrick: Elizabeth Florence and Su- san May, residing in San Francisco; Frank Clinton of Galt; William Kirkpatrick of San Francisco; Nellie Louise of Galt; Paul Andrew of Sacramento; Grace Rosalie of Excelsior, Minn .; and James Payne of San Francisco. It was on account of Mrs. Larrick's failing health that the family removed to California, but she lived only a year after coming here, passing away in June, 1906, deeply mourned by her husband and children for her many lovable qualities. Mr. Lar- rick owns his home in Galt, but has disposed of his ranch of sixty-six acres which he bought a number of years ago. A Republican in po'itics, he is promi- nent in I. O. O. F. and church circles, being a past grand of the Galt lodge.

MARTIN KOFOD .- An enterprising, industrious and thrifty rancher, whose success reflects creditably upon the community in which he lives, as well as upon himself, is Martin Kofod, a native of Bornholm, Den- mark, where he was born on April 19, 1867, the son of Hans Kofod Hansen, a farmer and a miller, who is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-six. He married Miss Petrea Larsen, who died when our sub- ject was a lad. The other children in the family are Maria, Hans Peter. and Christian, all older, and Petrea, the youngest. Mr. Larsen married a second time, taking Miss Krak for his bride; and they had four children, Janus, Hansina, Carl and Anna.

Martin Kofod attended the district schools in Den- mark, and when fifteen years old, he started to learn the machinist trade. After following that awhile, he learned milling, and followed that, also. In 1888, he came out to San Francisco. and worked for nine or ten years in the grist mills there; and then went into the baking business for himself, and was nicely established when the great fire of 1906, following the earthquake, burned him out. He then came inland to Sherman Island, and bought fifty-three and one- half acres there, devoted to the growing of beans. in part, but mostly to alfalfa, and also to a dairy. He also has ten acres of asparagus. He attends properly to his business, but he takes a real keen interest in public affairs and all that pertains to the com- munity in which he lives and prospers. Having taken out his citizenship papers at San Francisco in 1895, Mr. Kofod marches with the Republicans, and thus works for better and more stable government.

At San Francisco, on the 25th of February, 1900, Mr. Kofod was married to Miss Elianna Brond- berg, a native of Sterling, Ill., and the daughter of Peter and Genevieve (Hansen) Brondberg. Her father came to California when Elianna was five years

old, and here followed his trade, that of a cooper, and he in time settled at Napa, where he had a cooper shop. He is still living on his ranch, and spends his time developing his flocks of choice squabs. His good wife died when she was fifty-six, but it has been his privilege to see his seventy-fifth year. There were three daughters in this interesting family, Hilda and Frances, both of Burlingame, being the younger sisters of Mrs. Kofod, who attended the San Fran- cisco and Napa schools. Three children have blessed Mr. and Mrs. Kofod, and they bear the attractive names of Thor Elias, Elianna and Andrea; and all graduated from the Rio Vista high school. Mr. Kofod is a member of the Danish Brotherhood of America.

THEODORE WILLIAM SCHLUCKEBIER .-

Another builder of wide and varied experience, who has been very successful as a general contractor, and in his successful enterprises has contributed toward the development of this part of Sacramento County, is Theodore William Schluckebier, of 2660 Marshall Way, Sacramento. He is a native son proud of his association with the great Golden State, and was born at Sacramento, on February 3, 1889, and is the son of Theodore and Caroline Schluckebier.

Theodore Schluckebier attended the public schools of Sacramento, and then he worked for eight years in a planing mill. Then he engaged in the building of homes and selling them; and also building homes for others. He stands for progress, and for the de- velopment of Sacramento County.

Mr. Schluckebier was married in Franklin, Sacra- mento County, to Miss Zenia Marlatt, a native daughter of Sacramento County; and they have had two children, Evelyn and Dorothy.

EDWARD S. MASON .- Well-known among the experienced, successful builders of Sacramento County, who have displayed unusual ability in gen- eral contracting, Edward S. Mason, of 3258 Sixth Avenue, Sacramento, may very properly be regarded as entitled to a full share of the credit for the won- derful progress made in and around the capital city, in recent years, in the matter of architectural con- struction and improvement. He was born on a farm in Dubuque County, lowa, on January 18, 1860, the son of Robert C. and Priscilla (Dean) Mason, who came out from Pennsylvania and settled in the Hawk- eye State; they were hard-working and honest pio- neers, doing their duty in hastening the day when Iowa should come to its own, and there they lived and died, esteemed by all who knew them.

Edward S. Mason went to the public schools until his services were demanded on the home farm, and at the age of seventeen, he commenced to learn the carpenter trade. Becoming a full-fledged journey- man, he moved to Nebraska; and in 1889, when south- ern California had given the whole state a tremen- dous advertisement abroad, he came to Sacramento, and for five years worked as a carpenter for the usual wages.

About 1894. however, convinced that he could do better when operating for himself, Mr. Mason set up as a contractor, and since then he has usually had all that he could do, and sometimes a good deal more. He has made a specialty of the frame build- ing, and has also constructed some of the most at- tractive flats: and in all this work he has been suc-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

cessful, while frequently lending a hand to assist some one else to attain success. He has done a large amount of building at Oak Park; and having lived here more than thirty years, has witnessed the almost phenomenal growth of that suburb to what it is today.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Mason has ever stood ready to boost the section, in an admirable non- partisan manner, in which he has prospered, and where he believes that there is plenty of room and opportunity for others; and in between times, he has managed to get away for hunting and fishing, being fond of the great outdoors, and thinking that Sacra- mento County has more than the usual natural at- tractions.

FELIX DESMOND .- Sacramento County may well be proud of its efficient public officials, men and women of wide experience and unquestioned and non-challengeable integrity of dependability, among whom is Felix Desmond, the popular superintendent of the Sherman Island State Farm. He is a native son, and first saw the light at San Francisco on October 15, 1857. His father, Michael Desmond, was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and he married Miss Anna Darley of the same place. He came to California in the early fifties, and rendered excel- lent service here as an experienced and hard-working carpenter, more than willing to assist others to get homes and headquarters; and when he and his good wife, who preceded him to the great beyond, closed their earthly careers, they rounded out a record such as anyone might be proud of. The parents of Felix Desmond died when he was a baby and he never knew what it was to have a real father and mother. He was reared by a Mr. McRae, a teamster of San Francisco, and was the third-born in a family of four boys: John. William, Felix, and James.

Felix Desmond attended the school of his local- ity, and when a lad started to make his own way in the world. He received at first two dollars a week, and his job was to thread needles in a carpet fac- tory run by John C. Bell. He then worked for a while in a candle factory, and after that, when he was able to handle horses, took up teaming, and drove for three companies in San Francisco, those of Mc- Kinnon, Ayers, and Messrs. Lyons & Collins. He then left San Francisco and went to Stockton, where he worked for George Harris, on a ranch near Oak- dale.

Leaving Mr. Harris, where he had become invalu- able through his work and his fidelity, Mr. Desmond entered the service of the state of California, and he has been at the State Farm for the past fifteen years. He is now foreman in charge of their ranch of 250 acres on Sherman Island, Sacramento County, which is a part of the State Farm; a self-supporting insti- tution, with about twenty-five inmates from the asylum, the temporarily insane and ailing to a still lesser degree. These (male) inmates do all the work required to operate the farm, which is devoted to the raising of asparagus and vegetables. Mr. Des- mond is a Republican, but first, last and all the time. he is a loyal American, enthusiastic for the Golden State.

At San Francisco, on February 28, 1885, Mr. Des- mond was married to Blanche Paul, who was born on March 16, 1868, at San Francisco, the daughter of Horatio Paul; and two sons and one daughter have

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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 143

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