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 151

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 151

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the year 1917. at San Francisco, Mr. McConnell was married to Miss Edith Rowan, a native of Ohio. In national political affairs, Mr. McConnell is a Re- publican, but he also looks at the world through broad spectacles, and especially in local movements, and is among the first to throw aside partisanship and to put his shoulder next to his neighbor's at the community wheel.

THOMAS J. HARRIS .- A popular executive, whose proficiency is daily demonstrated in his effi- cient administration of an important trust, is Thomas J. Harris, the accommodating treasurer of the Rice Growers' Association of California. He was born at Diamond Spring, in Eldorado County, on Feb- ruary 24, 1896, the son of Charles E. and Amy (Gaf- ney) Harris. The father, now retired, was also a na- tive son, a member of an old pioneer family. Mr. and Mrs .. Harris did their part bravely in helping to make straight the paths for others coming after them, and their patriotic service as early settlers will never be forgotten.

Thomas Harris attended the grammar and high schools, in Eldorado County, and then became sten- ographer for the Earl Fruit Company, a position he filled to their entire satisfaction for two years. After that he was with the California Fruit Distributors, another important concern, until 1917, until he came to the Rice Growers' Association, as stenographer and bookkeeper. In fulfilling his contract obliga- tions there, he had abundant opportunity to study conditions pertaining to the growth and sale of rice along the Pacific Coast, and so the better to prepare himself for the work he is now doing. Upon the reorganization of the Rice Growers' Association of California, Mr. Harris was made treasurer. He is particularly well-informed as to all that has been at- tempted, and all that has been accomplished with rice in this corner of the world, and he is untiring in his efforts best to represent the interests of the

various members. Being truly interested in Sacra- mento County, he is a man above partisanship, and is therefore able to wield a larger influence politic- ally in favor of trade development.

On April 2, 1916, Mr. Harris was married to Miss Ora Park, of Sacramento, and their fortunate union has been blessed with the birth of one child, Thomas. Mr. Harris is a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has attained to the third degree; and is a devotee of both baseball and boxing.

JOHN A. McINTIRE .- A highly-esteemed Ca'i- fornian who has come to enjoy a well-earned retire- ment is John A. Melntire, popular as a Sacramento mining man, who was born at Lancaster, N. H., on June 8, 1843. His grandfather, John McIntire. was a native of Bethel, Maine, and a soldier in the American Revolution, after which he located at Lan- caster, N. H. His father, Edward B. McIntire, was also born at Lancaster on May 10, 1816. He was one of a family of sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. The grandfather lived to see all of them married and none of them died under seventy-five years of age. The mother, Mary Jeannette Stockwell. was born in Lancaster, N. H. They had five children, butt our subject is the only living member of the family. Edward B. McIntire came out to California as a forty-niner, by way of the Isthmus, and located at Stitter Creek, in Amador County; and he became one of the leading mining men of the Mother Lode country. Both he and his wife taught school in New Hampshire before they were married, and he was the first superintendent of schools of Amador County. He also served as a supervisor and as justice of the peace. He was an expert in deep mining, and was president of the first mining company formed in Amador County. He made a study of quartz mining in particular, which gave him an enviable reputation. He died in his eighty-fourth year.

John McIntire attended the district schools and academy in his native district in New Hampshire. and in 1856 came out to California. He continued his schooling at Sutter Creek, in Amador County. and finished at the San Jose Institute and Commercial College. On October 1, 1864, he entered the employ of Booth & Company at Sacramento as bookkeeper. and soon became cashier; and he advanced step by step and when Booth & Company was incorporated Mr. McIntire was made president of the company. In 1892, the founders of the company died and John Melntire became executor of the estate of the two founders and sold the business. Since that time he has been identified with mining interests in Sutter Creek, Amador County, and he is carrying out many new mining ideas originated by his father. He has a valuable map of the Mother Lode mining district. which includes five counties, Eldorado, Amador. Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties; this map was done by expert draughtsmen under his supervision, and it took eight months to complete the great task. He has contributed to local papers most interesting articles and data concerning pioneer days.

A great deal of Mr. Melntire's success is undoubt- edly due to the natural ability and untiring co-opera- tion of his wife, whom he married at Sacramento on June 4, 1874. Her maiden name was Henrietta Slater, and she was a native of Placerville, Eldorado County, where she was born in 1851. She died on

982

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

May 14, 1922, after a very eventful and successful carcer. She graduated from the San Francisco nor- mal school in 1868, at the age of sixteen, and was valedictorian of her class. Later, she took a four years' course, in Sacramento high school and she taught school in carly days. Her father was a Pres- byterian minister, a graduate of Union College, and he came to California in 1850. He was a highly edu- cated man, and wrote one of the first books ever pub- lished against Mormonism. Mrs. McIntire was one of the best-known women in northern California. She taught in the Sunday school for fifty-one years, and was president of the missionary society for twenty- one years. She was a fluent speaker, and altogether a gifted woman. Two children blessed the union of this excellent couple. Howard S. of Sacramento is chief assistant in the state adjutant-general's office in Sacramento, and Emily K. is the wife of W. J. Parsons of Pasadena. Mrs. Parsons has two children, Charlotte Slater and John Howard.

CHARLES J. PICARD .- The commercial inter- ests of Ryde, Cal., have been materially strengthened by the mercantile operations of Charles J. Picard, who conducts an agency for the Durant and the Star automobiles and the Case tractors; he also carries electric batteries, automobile tires aud a full line of accessories; in connection he conducts a general re- pair and machine shop. He was born in San Fran- cisco, Cal., November 4, 1889, a son of Charles H. and Pauline (Amberg) Picard. Both parents are residing in San Francisco, the father being now re- tired from active duties of an engineer. Mr. Picard enlisted in the United States Navy in June, 1917, and was sent to San Pedro, Cal., in the engineering department; he remained there for ten months, when he was transferred to Annapolis, where he trained for four months and was commissioned ensign in the United States Navy, August, 1918. He is a mem- ber of the United States Naval Reserve force of Cali- fornia.

On July 17, 1919, Mr. Picard was married in Los Angeles to Miss Edith Strobel, a native of San Francisco, a daughter of Henry Strobel. Fraternally Alr. Picard is a member of the Isleton Lodge No. 108, I. O. O. F., and Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. Elks, and in politics votes the Democratic ticket.

JESSE A. HENDREN .- An interesting enter- prise, as being one that accomplishes really practical results, is that of Jesse A. Hendren, the popular proprietor of Hendren's Wrecking Company, at 1220 D Street, Sacramento. He hails from Missouri, and was born at St. Joseph, on July 3, 1873; and his par- ents were Squire A. and Minerva (Wells) Hendren. pioneers who came out to California about 1887 and, despite the alluring attractions of the big boom in Southern California, settled at Sacramento. Squire Hendren became a contractor, and was widely known, until his death about 1913, for his ability to handle successfully anything which he once consented to undertake; he left a widow devoted to his memory and enjoying the esteem of mankind.

Jesse Hendren had a fair training in the lower grades of the public schools, and in time took up contracting with the aid of teams. Then he entered that other, more curious field, the wrecking of all kinds of structures, and he has probably torn down

more buildings in Sacramento than anyone else in his line. He is accustomed to look the building over well, formulate his plan, and down comes the affair, and in such an orderly way as to convince the on- looker of a good deal of method in the wrecking business. This success in the work of wrecking is doubtless due in part to Mr. Hendren's close personal attention to every detail; but his steady application to hard work does not prevent him from getting away occasionally for healthful recreation.

In 1894, Mr. Hendren married Miss Minnie Agnes Cook, a native of New York City, who had the good fortune to be reared here; and their fortunate union was blessed with a gifted daughter, Juanita Mae, who died at the age of seventeen, Mr. Hen- dren is a deal of a home man; but he gives some attention to politics, generally voting as a man inde- pendent of party, and therefore a stranger to parti- sanship.

GUS A. BAUER .- A very representative man of affairs, whose public-spiritedness, repeatedly demon- strated, has contributed to his popularity and his in- fluence, both at home and far beyond the community in which he is active, is Gus A. Bauer, the enterpris- ing merchant, and stockholder and director of the Folsom Bank. He was born at Watertown, Wis., on July 1, 1867, and four years later, in April, was brought to Sacramento by his parents. He was the eldest son of August Bauer, a native of Germany, who came to America with his bride, a daughter of Germany, in 1863. They settled in Wisconsin, as farmers, and came on further West in 1871, locating at Sacramento, where they bought a home and Mr. Baner worked for many years as a representative of Ebner Brothers. The worthy couple reared a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, and Mr. Bauer reached a venerable age, passing away in 1915 at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Bauer is still living, in the home she proudly owns at Sacramento, a most interesting lady of eighty-four, active in body and alert in mind, and the center of a circle of de- voted friends.

Gus A. Bauer attended the public schools, and at the age of sixteen entered the harness shop of D. Mc- Kay on J Street, where he served an apprenticeship of four years, after that going out as a journeyman, and he spent five years, prior to locating in Folsom, in the employ of the Natoma ranch-now called Nimbus-in charge of the harness repairs, such an extensive ranch needing a deal of new harness, or re- made harness, all the time. On March 11, 1897, he opened his own shop with a small stock of goods, bearing a heavy incumbrance, and from the beginning he had a hard struggle to win out. Through perse- verance and strict attention to the wants and wishes of his customers, his efforts were rewarded by suc- cess, and from year to year he added to his store, being a dealer for years in buggies and wagons, and handling several lines. He sells men's and boys' shoes, leather-goods, gloves, harness, and has a har- ness-shop and a place for the expert repairing of fine shoes.

Mr. Bauer has recently bought the property on Sutter Street, where he is now the sole proprietor of the business, with a complete equipment of electric- ally-driven machinery of the latest devices for the handling of leather-repair work upon all kinds of shoes. Taking for his motto the ideal of service for

983

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

others, Mr. Bauer has built up an enviable reputation for efficient workmanship and personal fidelity.

At Folsom. in 1904, Mr. Baner was married to Miss Rosa M. Mars, a native of Folsom City and the daughter of the late Charles Mars, a pioneer carpen- ter. The Bauers own their own modern and com- fortable residence, as well as other very desirable real estate in Folsom. He owns and has developed ninety-five acres of raw land into an orchard, equipped with an irrigation system of concrete pipe, especially useful in the development here of the citrus industry. This ranch was formerly the old reservoir site of the placer mining on the north bank of the American River, opposite Folsom, which lay idle for years be- fore Mr. Bauer bought the same, in February, 1921. What man can do, is well illustrated in what Mr. Baner has done by the use of the proper irrigation system, creating a show place well worthy of anyone stepping aside to see. Mr. Bauer is also very en- thusiastic about the vineyard and orchard develop- ment of the American River Land Company, near his ranch.

A Democrat of the stand-pat type, but non-partisan in local affairs, Mr. Bauer for the past twelve years has served as United States fire commissioner in this district; and this responsibility has added to his knowledge and his experience. He is today one of the foremost citizens of Folsom City, and his local good repute bids fair to stand by him.

WILLIAM McELLIGOTT .- In the front rank of those whose foresight, activity and optimism have meant much for the prosperity of the Golden State stands William MeElligott, born on November 2. 1866, at Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, the son of Michael and Mary (O'Connor) McElligott, descended from the MeElligotts of Bally MeElligott, County Kerry. Both parents were laid away to rest in their native land.

William McElligott received his education in the national schools and at St. Michael's College, where he graduated. He studied architecture at the tech- nical school in Listowel and at Kavan Street School, Dublin, also graduating there. During these years he engaged in contracting and building at Listowel until 1907, when he came to San Francisco, Cal. After a short time with Mahoney Brothers, he became an employee of the state and was foreman on con- struction of the administration building in the Home for the Feebleminded at Eldridge, after which he entered the employ of the McGillivray Construction Company and is now superintendent of construction, with headquarters in Sacramento. They built the Capital National Bank, Native Sons Building, many of the power-houses for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and many packing plants and other large buildings in Sacramento.

In Listowel he was married to Miss Mary Dillon, also a native of Listowel, and they have had nine children, five of whom are living: May, Mrs. Burke; Michael; William; Rita and Emmett, all of Sacra- mento, except the last, who lives in Los Angeles.

Mr. MeElligott is a home-loving man. He lends himself, in the most admirable non-partisan manner, to the promotion of the best interests of the com- munity. He is especially fond of flowers and has cultivated many species of his own. Deeply inter- ested in Sacramento County, he does his utmost to make himself a worthy citizen.

JOSEPH FEUSI .- More than a third of a century has passed since Joseph Feusi arrived on the Pacific Slope, and he has been a resident of California since 1886 and of Sacramento County since 1890, where he has been identified with farming in the Fruitridge section of the county. He is a native of Switzerland, born June 18, 1865. the eldest son of Sigmond and Alice (Wyhler) Feusi, both natives of the same coun- try. Sigmond Feusi was a soldier in the Swiss army, and his son Joseph also served his country from twenty to twenty-three years of age. He then left his native land for America and California, arriving at Galt, and soon found employment on the large ranch owned by Dr. Harvey. One year later Mr. Feusi went to Sutter County and for two years he worked on a dairy ranch.

The marriage of Mr. Feusi united him with Miss Anna Jung, a native of Switzerland, a daughter of a Swiss watchmaker, and they are the parents of seven children: Sigmond, deceased; Joseph, a carpenter residing at Fruitridge with his wife and our chil- dren: Annie, Mrs. Joel Whitehurst, who has two sons and resides in Sacramento; Arnold and Alice, both deceased; Leo; and Matilda. In 1889 Mr. Feusi sent for his wife and child and they took up their residence in the Fruitridge section six miles southeast of Sacramento on the lower Stockton road. In 1897 Mr. Feusi became a United States citizen and has since voted the Republican ticket. At the outbreak of the World War Mr. Feusi entered the railroad shops as a blacksmith and since that time has been steadily occupied at this trade, as well as looking after his ranch property.

TONY GOMEZ .- The agricultural interests of Andrus Island have been materially benefited by the presence of Tony Gomez, who represents the best farming element of the region that has wit- nessed his efforts for advancement. His birth oe- curred on this island May 27, 1877. a son of Frank and Mary ( Martins) Gomez, both natives of Azores Islands. Frank Gomez in his younger days was a whaler in the Arctic Ocean. While on one of his trips, in 1870, he landed in California; and soon after he sent for his wife. He spent three years at farm work in the vicinity. of San Francisco; then he leased 200 acres on Sherman Island, but lost his erop by flood. He then leased 200 acres on Brannan Island and the second season's crop was destroyed by flood; then he located at Isleton and for a while was en- gaged in pulling scows along the banks of the Sacra- mento River with mule teams. In 1881 he purchased a ranch of seventy-five acres, but later sold twenty- five acres to an unele. Six children were born to this couple; Tony, our subject; Frank; Joseph and Mary, twins; John; and Manuel. The mother of our subject passed away when he was a small boy. and his father is now seventy-two years old and re- sides with our subject. Tony was reared on his father's ranch and attended the Georgiana school.

On May 3, 1916, at Modesto, Mr. Gomez was mar- ried to Miss Mae Bettencourt, a native of Oakland, Cal., a daughter of George and Mary (Silva) Bet- tencourt, natives of Boston, Mass., and Madera, Cal., respectively. Grandfather Bettencourt was a sea- faring man in the early days and experienced ship- wreck three times; he passed away in Oakland in 1922 aged eighty-two years. George Bettencourt came to Oakland, Cal., with his father at the age of

984

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

four years and for many years has been in the con- tracting business around the bay. Mrs. Gomez is one of seven children: George, Edward, Mae, Rose, Albert, Clarence, and David. Mr. and Mrs. Gomez are the parents of one daughter, Dolores. Since his marriage, he is operating his father's ranch, on which he makes his home. Mr. Gomez is a Republican in politics.

VITOLD CHARLES FARRELL .- A native Cali- fornian who has conferred real distinction upon the Golden State, through his genius for music, is Vitold Charles Farrell, the violinist, of 1602 H Street, Sac- ramento, where he maintains an artistic studio and has the pleasure of entertaining visitors who are music-lovers, from far and near. He was born at Pomona, Los Angeles County, on September 4, 1900, the son of Francis and Eris (Lentezka) Farre11. his father having come to California as a late pioneer, and married in Los Angeles in 1889. The mother of our subject was a musician, and he thus had the great good fortune to inherit somewhat of her talent.

Vitold Farrell enjoyed the ordinary grammar- school and secondary-school courses, at Pomona, and he also pursued work for a short time at the Sacra- mento high school; and he was able to profit from the instruction of various teachers. His most ad- vanced work, however, has been carried on under the painstaking direction of Professor Franz Dicks. well-known authority on the violin, with whom he is now associated in professional instruction in music ; for he has been teaching since December, 1920, and his pupils are scattered all over the county, although principally at Folsom and Sacramento. Not only has Professor Farrell a thorough knowledge of his subject, but he has a pleasing personality, and the two factors combine to make him a sympathetic, suc- cessful teacher, inspiring confidence with the pupil, and getting results encouraging to student or rela- tives interested. He conducts private classes and does concert work; and is an active member of the Musicians' Union. In addition to making music his absorbing thought and ambition, Mr. Farrell is fond of painting, and he is also an enthusiastic student of astronomy, and loves nature.

GUSTAF F. LINDSTROM .- A very interesting enterprise, and one doing credit to the California capital, is that of Gustaf F. Lindstrom, the proprie- tor of the popular Acme Art Cabinet and Novelty Works, at 1913 I Street, Sacramento. He was born in Sweden on December 22, 1873, the son of Peter and Christina Lindstrom, both of whom rounded out their useful lives in their picturesque native land. Mr. Lindstrom was a cabinet-maker, and his son has much of his artistic gift as a creator and finisher of beautiful, hand-made furniture.

Gustaf Lindstrom went to the excellent Swedish schools, so long famous for their sloyd and other craft, and after enjoying a very thorough technical education at home, crossed the ocean to the United States in 1893, and soon found plenty of chances for work in Montreal, Boston, Hartford and Chicago. In 1909, however, feeling the lure of the Pacific Coast, he moved on westward, and for a while di- vided his time between San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco.

In 1920 Mr. Lindstrom came to Sacramento and es- tablished his prosperous business here. He is pre-

pared to make special furniture, showcases and fix- tures, and to do jobbing and the repairing of furni- ture; he does fancy cabinet work and carving, and re- models and restores antiques; and he has exhibited his work at various places.

In politics an independent Republican, Mr. Lind- strom does his own thinking; he is vice-district-mas- ter of the Order of Vasa, a Swedish organization, and belongs to Lodge Monitor, of which he is past president, and he is also a member of the United Brotherhood, in San Francisco. In all of his rela- tions, business and social, and as both an American and a native of Sweden, Mr. Lindstrom enjoys those pleasant dealings with his fellow-men that may in- deed be regarded as enviable.

NICHOLAS C. KADEL .- The proprietor of the Seven Mile House, a retail grocery store and soft- drink emporium on the Stockton Road, is Nicholas C. Kadel, who was born at Schenectady, N. Y., on November 11, 1887. He received his education in the public schools of his native state and in 1906 came to California and Sacramento. He first engaged in business at Seventh and K Streets, and in 1920 bought the Seven Mile House and in the ensuing years he has built up a very good business, carrying a full line of staples to supply his growing trade. He tries to anticipate the wants of his patrons and supplies the best the market affords and takes a keen interest in the development of the section of the county from which he derives his business, doing his part to promote the best projects for the commun- ity's good.

When Mr. Kadel married he chose Miss Leota R. Heise, a native daughter of California, for his wife; and the ceremony was performed at Stockton on September 15, 1921. Her mother, Annie Heise, also has the distinction of having been born in sunny California, and the grandmother, Louisa Kunz, is still living in Sacramento, on the same block upon which she settled in 1861. Politically Mr. Kadel gives his support to the men he considers best qualified for the office regardless of party lines. Fraternally, he belongs to the Eagles.

HARVEY ADAMS .- That Sacramento is something more than the headquarters of law-mak- ers, and their numerous proteges, is evidenced by such an interesting enterprise as that of Harvey O. Adams, the contractor in tiles and marbles, of 915 Twenty-sixth Street, Sacramento. A native of the Buckeye State, Harvey was born in Toledo, on Au- gust 28, 1886, the son of Frank and Ellen (Payne) Adams, the former likewise an experienced dealer in the same commodities, who closed his career of prac- tical service in Oregon. Mrs. Adams, who made many friends in her journey through life, is also deceased.

Harvey Adams attended the primary schools of Ohio, and then learned the tile and marble trade, and for some time worked at it in that state. At the age of nineteen, he came out to California and located for eight months in Los Angeles; and from there he went to Portland, also spending some time in San Francisco. He was in Portland for fourteen years, and in 1919, unable longer to resist the lure of the sunnier South, he came back to California, and established himself in business at Sacramento. He employs twelve men to do such contract work as

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 151

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