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 149

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

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months overseas in the World War; he was gassed twice and at two different times the kitchen of the regiment was blown up by the enemy, where he was serving as cook. He is now employed with the First National Bank of Tonopah, Nev. Mr. Brennan is a Republican in polities and fraternally belongs to the Y. M I. of Sacramento and the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers.

LAWRENCE B. SCHEI .- A man of affairs, rich in valuable experience and gifted with certain natural ability which has fitted him well for executive work, is Lawrence B. Schei, the residential secretary aud manager of the Suburban Land Company at Sacra- mento, his headquarters being at 617 J Street. He was born in Minneapolis, on September 2, 1883, the son of J. P. and Bertha Schei, and after attending the publie grammar schools, he went through the local high school. He also studied at the Hamline Uni- versity at St. Paul, and was duly graduated there- from.

Then Mr. Schei went to Minneapolis and St. Paul and entered the real estate field, making a success of all that he undertook; and finally he joined up with this Sacramento company, where he has directed the local affairs of the concern in such an able and unusual fashion that both the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and the Progressive Business Men's Club have been very glad to inelude our subject in their membership. Mr. Schei's devotion to his work is marked, as it was when he was with this company in Los Angeles before he came here. Mr. Schei was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Thuerer in the year 1913; and they have one child, Lawrence.

The University of California Journal of Agricul- ture not long ago had a most interesting illustrated article describing some of the work by this Suburban Fruit Lands Company of which Mr. Schei is the direeting spirit. "Our colony at Rio Linda, a north suburb of Sacramento," says the Journal, "was started a little over eight years ago as an orehard and suburban home proposition by the Sacramento Suburban Fruit Lands Company. Our splendid peo- ple were mostly practical farmers, who came with means considerably above the average, and to their constant cooperation we gladly give deserved credit. They set out orchards which developed satisfactorily. Some of them worked in the city and improved their holdings as they could. We sold our land on easy terms, cared for refinancing as necessity presented itself, but did not develop a concrete plan for financ- ing until about two years ago.

"Problems, however, developed just as they have in every other colony, calling for study. adjustment, solution. As conditions presented themselves, a theory worked out, not entirely new but distinctive- distinctive in the combination of elements that were brought together. How well it has worked, is evi- denced by the recent strides that the Rio Linda Col- ony has made.

"We found, for instance, that we had to concentrate on some basic industry in the colony to bring in the necessary early income-an income to carry our set- tlers along until their trees came into bearing-and ( what our stockholders were particularly interested in) to bring in interest and principal payments on our contracts. We decided upon the poultry indus- try for the simple reason that those of our people

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

who paid us most promptly did so from the products of the hen house. The decision to concentrate upon poultry resulted in a stabilized colony.

"Having decided upon this industry, we formed the Rio Linda Poultry Producers' Association, built a modern warehouse, leased it to the association, and even on a falling grain market this new organization (only recently in operation) made a substantial profit besides putting on a superior mash. The marketing of the eggs is also done through this institution, saving time and money.

"As we studied the situation and investigated the poultry business generally, we realized that if we brought in many men inexperienced in this particular line, we, and our people, might meet disaster. So we decided to 'underwrite' our contracts by seeuring an experienced supervisor of our poultry interests.

"Another branch of our service has to do with the horticultural development. Most of our new settlers are unacquainted with California conditions. They may be ever so practical, and yet not understand how to irrigate, or how to wisely suit the trees and crops to the conditions on any particular tract. Then there are a multitude of new things for new men to decide and know about which this department is expected to care for.

"As we came to understand probable costs and probable income, and early needs in the way of finaneing, we devised a system of financing, whereby for a man who has a minimum of $5,000 we erect a bungalow, garage and poultry house, and install an adequate pumping plant, taking from $2,500 to $3,000 down, leaving him the balance with which to buy his stock and get started. On our ten-acre tracts, on which, say, $5,500 of improvements are erected, we secure in the open market loans ranging from $3,000 to $3,750. The Company carries the balance as a secondary secured obligation, payable in five equal installments. We also care for some who have less than $5,000 capital, in which case we recommend more modest buildings, and that they work out for others at least part of the time."

LOUIS AUGUSTINE .- A man who, by well- directed effort and close application, has made a success of dairying is Louis Augustine, a native of Austria, born at Cles, in the Tyrol, in 1865. His father, Jacques Augustinc, was a farmer; and from the time he was a boy Louis learned agriculture as followed in his native Tyrol, at the same time receiv- ing a good education by attendance at the local schools. In 1886 he came to Sacramento County, Cal., being employed the first year on a dairy farm on the river, in Yolo County; and he engaged in farming and orcharding on the American River near Mills Station. In 1892 he made a trip back to his old home for a visit. After his return he continued farming on the American River until 1897, when he located on the Cosumnes River, leasing the Jim Elder ranch, and there raised corn and alfalfa for a period of three years. Then, in partnership with his brother John Augustine and George Bryte, he began dairy- ing, leasing both the Elder and the Bryte ranches, comprising 1,500 acres. Establishing their head- quarters on the Bryte ranch, they continued in busi- ness until 1906, when their lease expired and they dissolved partnership. Louis Augustine then con- tinued with George Bryte and leased the Bryte

ranch in Yolo County, operating there until 1911, when they sold. Mr. Augustine then made his sec- ond trip back home, spending six months on an enjoyable visit to the scenes of his childhood. In 1912, with the two Bryte brothers, he leased the Bryte ranch on the Cosumnes River, their acreage then amounting to 3,000 acres. Here they built suit- able buildings, and maintained one of the largest, most sanitary and best-improved dairy ranehes in the county, where they have milked about 300 eows, pure- bred and high-grade Holsteins, a fine dairy herd. About 500 aeres are in alfalfa irrigated from an electric pumping-plant with a capacity of 10,000 gal- lons a minute. For many years they manufactured cheese, but four years ago they discontinued its manufacture and now dispose of the milk, their ereamery being equipped with a six-ton ice machine, thus keeping the milk in perfect condition. There is a large lake on the ranch; and all in all it is one of the finest dairy ranches in the county. Since 1921, Mr. Augustine has turned the management of the ranch over to his son; and in that year he again made a six months' trip back to the Tyrol. On his return he was more pleased than ever to get back to his adopted country, and glad he had been so fortu- nate as to cast in his lot with the land of the Stars and Stripes. Mr. Augustine also owns a comfortable residence on Stockton Boulevard, in Sacramento.

Mr. Augustine was first married in Tyrol, in 1892, to Miss Edvigi Rossi, who passed away in 1900, leav- ing two children, Emma and David. His second marriage also occurred in Tyrol, in 1911, when he was united with Miss Mary Visintainer, whose father, Michael Visintainer, was a lumberman. Mr. Augus- tine has been a close student of the dairy industry, being one of the best-posted and most successful farmers engaged in that branch of agriculture in Sae- ramento County. He is a very loyal American, and politically is a strong Republican.

EMIL G. SCHAFFNIT .- Possessing courage, self- confidenee and the ability to meet and master situa- tions, Emil G. Schaffnit has steadily progressed to- ward the goal of his ambition and as owner of the Sacramento Fuel & Feed Company he is at the head of a prosperous and growing business. A native of Germany, he was born April 22, 1889, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Becker) Sehaffnit. The father served on the police force of Alzey, Provinec of Hessen, and is now deceased, but the mother survives and lives at Darmstadt, Hessen.

Emil G. Sehaffnit acquired his education in the schools of his native land and when seventeen years of age sought the opportunities of the United States. After spending a year in St. Louis, Mo., he spent some time traveling and came to the Pacific Coast, lo- cating in Sacramento in 1910, and for a time was em- ployed in various lines, at length becoming owner of a gasoline wood-saw outfit. This gave him his initial start in business; later he purchased two other out- fits, devoting eight years to the occupation of wood- sawing. During the progress of the World War, Mr. Schaffnit enlisted as a private in the United States Army and for eight months was stationed at Camp Kearney. After his discharge from military service, he purchased the property at Nos. 509-511 L Street and in 1919 established the Sacramento Fuel & Feed Company, of which he is sole proprietor. The ven-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

ture proved a success from the start; and through earnest, systematic effort and straightforward dealing he has built up a trade of large proportions. employ- ing twelve men in the operation of his business. Since January 1, 1923, he has added a department of automobile tires, oils and accessories.

Mr. Schaffnit exercises his right of franchise in support of the platform and candidates of the Demo- cratic party and cooperates heartily in the activities of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and the Re- tail Merchants' Association of this city, being identi- fied with both organizations. He belongs to the Im- proved Order of Red Men and is also a member of the American Legion. He is an alert, enterprising and wide-awake business man to whom opportunity has ever been the call to action. He is thoroughly American in spirit and ideals and none can question his loyalty and devotion to the country of his adoption.

JOHN W. CALLNON, M. D .- California may well be proud of her progressive, experienced and thoroughly competent men and women distinguished in medical science, including both her native sons and those who have been attracted to her balmy climate and intellectual society; and among these conscien- tions and helpful practitioners will naturally be men- tioned Dr. John W. Callnon, who was born at Point Arena, Cal., on December 16, 1884. His father, Engene W. Callnon, was a pioneer to the Golden State in 1858, having come hither with his mother, when he was a mere child, and he is still living, a witness to the eloquent story of California's marvel- ous advancement since that time. He married Miss Florence Winfree of Kentucky, a charming and gifted woman, who proved the best kind of a helpmate for one of the builders of the new empire along the Pacific; she has passed away and is remembered for her exemplary and useful life.

John Callnon attended both the public grammar and the high school, and then, when old enough to master such difficult study, matriculated in what is now Cooper Medical College, of Stanford University, from which he was duly graduated in 1908, with the degree of M. D. He was an interne for a while in the Ger- man Hospital at San Francisco, and then was house doctor at the County Hospital. Later, he joined the staff of the San Francisco Emergency Hospital, where he had still better opportunity to do first-class, and often original work, and after that he was engaged in general practice in San Francisco. For climatic reasons he located at San Bernardino, Cal., and while practicing there he was superintendent of the San Bernardino County Hospital, and was county health officer, and while in office supervised the com- pletion of the San Bernardino General Hospital, and the Tuberculosis Hospital.

In 1915 Dr. Callnon was commissioned a lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the regular army. In July, 1917, he was called to the colors and responded, serving overseas; and on his return to California, in 1919. he located in Sacramento, at first forming an association with Dr. J. B. Harris, and then starting out for himself. He belongs to the state and county medical societies, and to the American Medical Association. He is a member of Sacramento Post No. 61, American Legion, being past president of the board of trustees, and he is a

member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was post surgeon of that organization. In national poli- tics a progressive Republican, he is at all times a broad-minded. patriotic American.

At San Francisco, in 1909, occurred the marriage of Dr. Callnon and Miss Euretta Pannenberg, of Wash- ington, D. C., and they have three sons: Eugene, John and Francis. As a Master Mason Dr. Callnou is a member of Argonne Lodge, F. & A. M. San Francisco, composed entirely of ex-service men. He was made a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason in Caldwell Consistory, in Pennsylvania, on the eve of his departure for France. He is a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, N. M. S., in Sacramento, and he has been a member of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W. He is a member of the Phi Beta Phi, a college fraternity, and is a past president of the Lions Club. His hob- bies are swimming and baseball, in both of which he is decidedly proficient. In academic days he won the state championship in quarter-mile swimming at the Olympic Club, in San Francisco.

HART F. SMITH .- The well-managed ranch of Hart F. Smith, located at Isleton, is a credit to its owner and to the surroundings of which it is a part. It is a portion of the ranch owned by his father, on which he was born March 2, 1867, a son of Hart F. and Maggie ( McKever) Smith.

Hart F. Smith, our subject, received his education in the Brannan and Is'eton district schools; when he was fifteen years old he went to the mines and en- gaged in placer mining in Eldorado and Shasta Coun- ties; returning to Sacramento County he found em- ployment on dredgers along the river deltas. He joined the rush to the Klondyke in the spring of 1898, making the trip from San Francisco to St. Michael. He and his comrades, having brought a launch with them, built a scow and towed it up the Yukon to Rampart City, where he made his headquarters. The winters were spent in prospecting, while during the summers he was busy as engineer running the launch. He remained in Alaska until the fall of 1902, when he returned home. He had many inter- esting experiences and had undergone many hard- ships, but had done reasonably well and returned in good health. However, his home-coming was sad- dened on his arrival in Oakland, October 3, 1902. for that same day his father met an accidental death on the home ranch at Isleton. He took charge of the home ranch of 595 acres, which was a corporation until 1922 when it was divided among the heirs, our subject receiving 117 acres as his share of the estate.

On February 26, 1905 at San Francisco, Mr. Smith was married to Mrs. Frank E. Hawley, formerly Miss Mary L. Wiegner, born in San Francisco, a daughter of John and Francis (Knock) Wiegner. John Wiegner was born in Hamburg, Germany, and his wife was a native of Philadelphia. Mr. Wieg- ner came to California in the seventies and has been a prominent building contractor in San Francisco for many years, and is still active at the age of eighty- three years. Eight children were born to them; Elizabeth, Mrs. W. Hundemer; George; William; Mary L., the wife of our subject; Fred; Louise. Mrs. L. Courtermarsh; Ferdinand; and Ila Pearl, de- ceased.

Mrs. Smith received her education in the public schools of San Francisco and she was first married to Frank Edwin Hawley, a native of Maine. Frank E.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Hawley came to California with his mother when he was ten years old and for a short time was con- nected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company; later he became a reporter on the staff of the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were the parents of one daughter, Ila Mae, who is now the wife of Napoleon B. Turner. Mr. Hawley passed away in 1903.

Mr. Smith adopted the daughter of Mrs. Hawley and she became known as Ila Mae Hawley Smith until her marriage. Mr. Smith is a progressive Re- publican. Fraternally, he is a past grand of the Isle- ton Lodge Number 108, I. O. O. F. He was made a Mason in Rio Vista Lodge No. 208, F. & A. M., and is a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason, being a member of all the orders of the consistory at Sacramento; he became a member of the Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in San Francisco but has been demitted and is a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Sacra- mento. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Lodge. Mr. Smith has served as con- stable of Georgiana Township and he is a director of Brannan Island Reclamation District. The home ranch is devoted to the raising of asparagus and garden truck and is irrigated with a pumping plant and also by siphoning water from the river. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have great faith in the future of delta lands; and believing it to be one of the best investments, they purchased a 109-acre ranch on Twitchell Island, which is devoted to raising aspara- gus, and he is a member of the California Asparagus Growers' Association.

FRANK J. LEWIS .- A successful and enterprising young rancher who is proud of being a native son is Frank J. Lewis, who was born on the Pocket road three and one-half miles south of Sacramento, Au- gust 11. 1879. His father, Frank Lewis, was born on the Island of Fayal, Azores Group, and came to California when nineteen years of age in 1874, and located in Sacramento County. Here he married Miss Mary Flora Rose, also born in Fayal, and in this county they were successful farmers and raised their family of six children: Frank J., the subject of this interesting review; Mrs. Mary Freitas; Jos- eph; Mrs. Minnie Vargas; Mrs. Louisa Dutra; and Manuel. all living in the vicinity of their birthplace and old home except Mrs. Vargas, who lives at Florin. The father passed away in 1919, the mother having preceded him in 1905.

Frank J. Lewis was reared on the home farm, mak- ing himself generally useful from the time he was a small boy. At the same time he received a good education in the Lisbon grammar school. He con- tinued with his father, all working together in har- mony at ranching and dairying, so that when the father died they owned two small ranches. After his death Frank J. and his brother Manuel purchased the present ranch of 285 acres, a part of the old McNassal ranch, and began the improvements of residence buildings and alfalfa fields that have made it one of the model dairy farms in the district. Two pumping plants have been installed, one from the river, and one from wells, giving ample water for irrigating their 100 acres of alfalfa and ten-acre pear orchard, as well as the other crops. Their dairy herd is composed of seventy head of high-grade Hol- stein milk cows. He is chairman of the board of di-

rectors of Reclamation District No. 673, having been a member of the board since 1907.

In Auburn, Cal., April 28, 1908, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Clara Marshall, who was born at Newcastle, a daughter of Manuel and Minnie (Armas) Marshall, natives of Fayal and Flores, respectively, who were early settlers and farm- ers in Placer County. The mother is dead, but Mr. Marshall continues to reside at the old home. They had a family of nine children, eight girls and one boy: Minnie, Joseph, Mary, Josie, Clara, Frances, Julia, Carrie and Jennie, the latter being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis' union has been blessed with one . child, Jack Lewis.

Mr. Lewis for some years served as school trustee of Lisbon district. He is a nast president of the I. D. E. S., and is a member of the U. P. E. C., as well as Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W. Mrs. Lewis is a past president of the U. P. P. E. C., and also a past grand vice-president of the order. They both were active during the war in Liberty Loan and allied war drives, and they are protectionists and Republicans.

JOHN AUGUSTINE .- An enterprising man, who, by his energy, perseverance, and straightforward methods, made a success of business and became an influential and very prominent man, was the late John Augustine, farmer and dairyman, who had been a resident of California from the time of his coming hither in 1885 until his lamented death February 19, 1923. He was born in Tyrol, Austria, October 9, 1857, and there, too, he was reared on the farm, learning habits of industry and economy which proved so valuable to him in later life. He. received a good education in the excellent schools of his local- ity, so he was ready to battle with the problems of life when he went to France. There he spent two years, after which he returned to Austria, where he was married to Annie Pouton. Soon after his marriage he came to California, his wife joining him three years later. He then came to Sacramento and entered the employ of Bryte Brothers' Dairy and later he leased the dairy from them.

In 1912 Mr. Augustine purchased an 800-acre ranch on the Cosumnes River near Slough House, and here he made his home, engaging in general farming and making a specialty of the manufacture of California full-cream cheese. He had fine meadows and alfalfa fields for his dairy herd of sixty cows. He also set out forty-three acres to pears and peaches and was actively improving the ranch when he passed away on February 19, 1923. His wife had preceded him on May 25, 1914.

Mr. and Mrs. John Augustine had four children: Louis J .; George J .; Elmer J .; and the youngest child, Annie, who is the wife of L. C. La Rue. The sons from the time they were mere lads assisted on the ranch and of late years took an active part in its management. Since the father's death they con- tinue to operate the ranch and dairy with success. Louis J., being the eldest, naturally takes the lead in its management, and all the children cooperate to- gether, working in harmony and accord. He is a member of Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, N. G. S. W. George J. entered the United States Army for serv- ice in the World War in the 363rd U. S. Infantry, 91st Division, and after training at Camp Lewis was sent overseas in June, 1918, to France. He took part in the engagements of his celebrated division

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne, where he went over the top, and the Belgian front, where he was wounded from a machine-gun bullet in the left shoulder. After spending two months in a French hospital he returned to the United States and after six months in the hospital at the Presidio was mus- tered out on May 28, 1919, and returned to his home to reenter civil life. He is a member of Post No. 61, American Legion, and the Elk Grove Parlor. N. S. G. W.

The family are interested in civic and political af- fairs, and in national matters cast their influence and vote with the Republicans.

EMIL ALFRED MAESTRETTI .- A resident of California since 1881, Emil Alfred Maestretti was born in Verscio, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, January 14, 1863, a son of Peter and Angelena (Yanner) Maestretti, who followed dairying and stock-raising on their farm in Ticino. In pioneer gold days in Cali- fornia the father had made the voyage around Cape Horn to California in 1852, and here followed min- ing for several years, returning to Switzerland in 1860, where he married and settled down to farming, as stated, and where he died at the age of seventy- three years. The mother survived him until 1914, when she passed away at ninety years of age.

Emil Alfred Maestretti, the youngest of their six children, was reared on the home farm in the land of William Tell, receiving a good education in the excellent schools of his locality. Having listened to and cherished the stories his father told him of the wonderful country on the Pacific coast, he deter- mined to come hither. So we find him at the age of eighteen in Sacramento County, where two brothers, James and Antone, had preceded him and were en- gaged in sheep-raising. From his arrival in 1881 until 1886 he was employed by them; then he re- moved to San Francisco, where he was engaged in business until 1893. When the hard times came on during President Cleveland's administration, he lost out in his business, and then returned to Sacramento County and went to work for his brother James until 1898, when the latter sold out. Mr. Maestretti then leased the present ranch of 160 acres from Thomas Steele and engaged in raising cattle and turkeys: and later on he purchased the place, and here he has continued in business ever since.

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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 149

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