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 152

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 152

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

that found in the Auto-Stage Depot and the Elliott Garage, and in many dwelling-houses and flats. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and belongs to the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and the Progressive Business Men's Club. Being one of a very few men in his line in this locality, Mr. Adams is not only in great demand, but he is often privileged to do something, by way of accommodation, or in the nature of a boost to the growing town, which no one else is able at the time and the place to do.

In the year 1916. Mr. Adams married Miss Ellen Erickson, of Minnesota, who shares with him the social life of the Masons, the Eastern Star, and other circles. He is a Democrat, but an enthusiastic non- partisan in strictly local issues.

PAUL MURER .- Wherever the fame of Folsom City has become known, one may be sure that the good repute of the People's Garage, owned in part by Paul Murer, the popular Italian-American, has also been heralded, for there are few establishments in this lively town which have proven of greater use to the critical and exacting public. He was born at Venice, in the province of Treviso, on May 18, 1893. the son of L. and Mary Murer, both natives of sunny Italy, and started life with some decided advantages. His father was a prosperous farmer, who died many years ago; but his mother resides at the old home in the famous City-by-the-Sea.

Paul Murer came to America for the first time in 1910, intending to visit an uncle, G. Murer, who had come out to California four years before and had become a successful building contractor at Kenneth, in Shasta County, where he still owns real estate; although since 1911 he has resided at Fo'som City, enjoying the esteem of the public as an enterprising, accommodating merchant. Paul Murer had learned the trade of cabinet-maker and a finisher at Venice, where he was fortunately surrounded by some of the world's best art, and it was a pity that he could not have found employment, on arriving here, in what he was most capable of accomplishing; but for some time he was compelled to do outside carpentering in both Shasta County and San Francisco.

In 1913, Mr. Murer came to Folsom City from San Francisco, and he has been a resident here ever since. As early as 1916, he made a small-type aero- plane for his own use, and this mechanical and sci- entific effort was followed by his enviable record in the military service, in which he enlisted, at Sacra- mento, on April 21, 1917. He was sent to Kelly Field and in five months was transferred to the Acro Field at Mineola, N. Y., where he joined the depart- ment of mechanics and with the 358th Aero Squad- ron did remarkable work in the construction of bomb- ing airships. The bombing plane of Caproni manu- facture arrived at Mineola early in the autumn of 1917, and was turned over to the government; and our subject had the care of rebuilding the motor and parts of wooden structure, under Captain Williams, and a plane was built in imitation of the Caproni, equipped, however, with three Liberty motors. He was retained by the government at Mineola as a most-valued man until his honorable discharge, in January, 1919.

The same year, Mr. Murer returned to Folsom. and here formed a partnership which enabled him in January, 1920, to establish the People's Garage, tak- ing charge himself of the building of bodies for the

cars, and the making of auto-tops; and having a well-equipped shop, with every needed modern ap- pliance, he has been kept busy constructing automo- bile stages and school busses. He has rendered a real public service, of which his fellow-citizens at Folsom City are naturally proud. He has made the general welfare of the community his goal, quite as much as his own prosperity, and Folsom City and the People's Garage are developing together. Mr. Murer is a Republican. He belongs to the Natoma lodge of Masons, and also to the Knights of Py- thias; and he is to be found in the front rank of workers in all commendable civic and patriotic en- deavor.

MRS. MARGARITA GIUSTI .- Born upon her father's ranch on the Sacramento River, about five miles from the capital city, December 26, 1866, Mrs. Margarita Giusti is a daughter of that pioneer orch- ardist, V. Caselli. Her mother was Mary ( Nevis) Caselli, a native of Portugal, who came to California with her brothers Antone and August Nevis. Five children were born to this pioneer couple. Margarita Caselli received her education at the public school on Riverside Road and later attended the Capitol district school. Owing to the death of her mother, she was obliged to leave school to care for the young- er children.

Miss Caselli was married on December 6, 1883, to Fortunato Giusti, born in Lucca, Italy, June 12, 1850, the youngest of four children born to Arcangelo Giusti. When Fortunato Giusti was a babe his mo- ther died and he was brought up by his aunt, Isa- belle Giusti. At the age of twenty-three, he left his home in Italy for America and came directly to San Francisco, where he worked as a vegetable gardener until 1875, when he located in Sacramento. In 1884 he purchased twenty acres on Sutter Avenue in the Fruitridge section of the county, which he improved to vineyard and berries. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Giusti: Alba K .: Isabelle, Mrs. An- tone Noceti, who has three children, Romilda, Ed- ward, and Norman; Louisa, the deceased wife of Virgil Pierini; Alfred, who resides at home, having charge of the home place; he is a member of the Oak Park Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 5. and Sunset Par- lor, N. S. G. W. Mr. Giusti passed away at the family home September 17, 1911.

BYRON ELMER GADDIS .- The bar in northern California could hardly be better represented than through the well-known and popular attorney of Sacramento, Byron Elmer Gaddis, who has been practicing law here since 1918, and now has his suite of offices in the Forum Building, under the firm name of Gaddis and Johnson. He was born at Red Bluff, Tehama County, on September 18, 1888, the son of M. D. and Anna (Bashore) Gaddis, the former a rancher who came out to California in 1881. Both parents are now living, a joy to many who know and esteem them.

Byron Gaddis mastered the work of both the grammar and the high schools, and not content with that, attended a business college in Oakland. He then entered the train service of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and at the end of four years with them, he served as police officer in Sacramento for three years, and on October 2, 1918, having studied law privately, he was admitted to practice at the

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California bar. Since then, making Sacramento his headquarters, he has done much to add to the dignity of law-practice, as witnessed in Sacramento County.

In the year 1916, Mr. Gaddis was married to Miss Rhoda Moran, a gifted and popular lady of Tehama County, and also a native daughter; and Miss Helen Gaddis is their only child. In national political af- fairs Mr. Gaddis prefers the platforms of the Demo- cratic party; Mr. Gaddis was once the legislative representative of Sutter Lodge, Brotherhood of Rail- road Trainmen. He is a thirty-second-degree Scot- tish Rite Mason, and a Shriner, belonging to Ben Ali Temple; and is past-president of the Widows' and Orphans' Association, of the police department. He likes hunting, especially when the drive is after big game; and is well satisfied with what Sacramento County has to offer of outdoor life and sport.

CAPT. JOHN EMERSON HORTON .- In the early part of the eighties John Emerson Horton ac- companied his parents to California, where they first settled in Amador County, later removing to Sacra- mento. John Emerson Horton was born in New Canton, fll., January 13, 1883, a son of Horace and Orinda (Emerson) Horton. Horace Horton is now deceased, but his widow makes her home in Sacra- mento.

John Emerson Horton received a good grammar and high school education in California; then he en- tered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where he worked as a machinist for twelve years, and then for two years was with the Western Pacific. In 1912 he became a member of the Sacra- mento fire department; in 1920 he took examinations and was promoted to the captaincy of Engine No. 7, a position he occupies at the present time. On April 4, 1917, Mr. Horton enlisted in the 49th En- gineers, trained at Fort Myer, Va., and for a year and a half was in France. Mr. Horton was the first to build a residence in Oak Park, now among the most beautiful residential sections adjacent to the city. He is a Democrat in his party affiliations, but is not confined strictly to the principles of his party. He is a member of the American Legion.

MAURICE THOMAS MAHAN .- Possession of fine ability in mechanical lines has enabled Maurice Thomas Mahan, a member of the firm owning and operating the Mahan Bros. Garage in Sacramento, to obtain a substantial success in life. He is one of California's native sons, born in Roseville, April 30, 1896, a son of John William and Elizabeth (Curtin) Mahan. John William Mahan came to California in 1861 and engaged in mining for several years; he then located in Roseville, where both parents are now residing.

Maurice Thomas Mahan received his education in the grammar and high schools and business college; after finishing school he became interested in the auto- mobile business and in May, 1919, the Mahan Bros. Garage was established on J Street; the company is composed of our subject, F. C. Mahan, J. J. Mahan and \V. E. Doyle. The company is equipped to do all manner of repairing, automobile trimming, paint- ing and welding. Three members of the firm saw ser- vice during the World War and two of them were in France; Maurice T. Mahan was commissioned en- sign in the navy. Fraternally Mr. Mahan is a mem- ber of the B. P. O. Elks, N. S. G. W. and American Legion of Sacramento.

GEORGE E. MCCUTCHEN .- The successful municipal government for which Sacramento has long been famous is undoubtedly due in part to the know- ledge, experience and wisdom of the local legal pro- fession, ably represented by Attorney George E. Mccutchen. A native of the Old Dominion, he was born at Lexington, Va., on January 19, 1895, the son of Ernest E. and Rosalie (McKay) Mccutchen, of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Mccutchen was a railroad engineer, a good provider, and like his wife, some- thing of an idealist; and they are now living, com- fortably situated in their advanced years, in Vir- ginia.

George Mccutchen attended the public schools of Virginia and California, and in 1917 he was graduated from the University of California with the A. B. de- gree. The same year, having studied law at that uni- versity, he was admitted to practice in the California courts, but the World War led to his entering the U. S. Army in 1918. He was in the I. C. O. T. S. at Camp Grant, but owing to the armistice, he was hon- orably discharged on November 30, 1918. He belongs to the American Legion, and is a Republican. Active in civic and social affairs, he is a member of the Del Paso Country Club and the Sutter Club.

JAMES H. REED .- An enterprising and progres- sive man of affairs, whose success has contributed to the fame of Sacramento as one of the busy marts in the Golden State, is James H. Reed, the president and manager of the Reed Tire Company at 1313 K Street. He has become a recognized authority on tires and also in regard to other matters of vital in- terest to the automobile world. A native of Penn- sylvania, Mr. Reed was born at Pittsburgh, on March 23, 1885, the son of James H. and Minnie (Bear) Reed, both now deceased. He attended the local schools, enjoying also the advantages of training under the Pennsylvania high school system, after which he entered the rubber field by learning the trade, as a rubber mechanic, and never stopped until he had mastered the industry in all of its branches. He was credited from the first with a natural apti- tude for his work, and with a vision of the future in the tire trade, and plenty of "pep" and ambition, he could not well do otherwise than go ahead toward the success he has finally attained to.

In 1906 he came out to California, locating in Los Angeles, where he remained until 1915; and then he removed to Sacramento, and since that time has been established in business for himself. He handles all makes of tires, and in the Reed Tire Company, at 1313 K Street, has an up-to-date, wide-awake and serviceable branch. They also have branch stores at Chico, Marysville, and in Stockton, and employ twenty or more thoroughly experienced and compe- tent persons. Everything in the tire line, and every- thing concerning tires which the particular motorist believes he ought to have, is what Mr. Reed's com- pany aims to supply. He is a member of the Sacra- mento Chamber of Commerce, and as a stanch Re- publican, he always favors legislation helpful to trade. He is an Elk, a member of Sacramento Lodge No. 6, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club.

At Lindsay, Tulare County, on January 1, 1912, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Janette A. Coombs, and their marriage has resulted in the birth of three children, Kathryn, James, and Betty.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

HARRY S. BAIRD .- Long experience, genera! business ability and progressive methods are win- ning for Harry S. Baird a well-deserved success in Sacramento County. He was born in Marquette, Kansas, on June 6, 1888, the son of Dr. O. W. and Charlotte (Rink) Baird, the former a practicing phy- sician in Marquette, where he is well and favorably known.

Harry S. Baird completed the grammar and high school courses while living in Kansas; then entered the Kansas State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated in 1911 with the degree of B. S. He then came out to California and from 1912 until 1916 he was an instructor in the Davis Agricultural College, a branch of the University of California, and from 1916 until he came to Sacramento he was assistant professor. In 1920 he accented a position with the Northern California Milk Producers' Asso- ciation as superintendent of their manufacturing in all their plants; then in 1921 he was made manager of the association, with headquarters in Sacramento, and successfully maintained that responsible post until he associated himself with the Pure Milk Dis- tributers concern located at Thirteenth and S Streets, where he is giving the best that is in him as manager to promote their growing business. He is a man of good business acumen and with his high sense of honor has made a name and place for himself in the business circles of the capital city, where his name stands for progress and initiative.

The marriage of Mr. Baird on June 4, 1913, united him with Miss Edna Beaulieu, a native of Kansas, and they have a son. Fredric S. Baird. Mr. Baird is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Rotary Club in Sacramento, and a member of the Sutter Lawn Tennis Club.

RALPH H. LEWIS .- A lawyer with a successful practice as a high-principled attorney, is Ralph H. Lewis, who was born at Windsor, Colo., on Novem- ber 9, 1892, the son of C. C. and Etta (Butler) Lewis, the latter now deceased, after a life of blessed use- fulness to others. The couple were pioneers, and contributed what they could for the betterment of the new and fast-developing country in which they for years pitched their tent.

Ralph Lewis owes his formal education to the grammar and high schools for which Colorado has long been famous, and the University of Colorado, where he pursued excellent courses for two years, and also Drake University, of Des Moines, from whose law school, in 1915, he was graduated, with the LL. B. degree. Since 1916, he has been practicing his profession in Sacramento. He was also city prosecuting attorney for a short time, thereby add- ing to his experience. He is a Democrat, in respect to his bias in matters of national import, but too broad-minded to be anything else than a good "non- partisan booster," and a man-above-party.

In 1917, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Anne Zangerle, a native daughter and a member of all interesting California family; and they have two children, Clifford and Jerome. For four months, during the World War, Mr. Lewis served his coun- try, as a soldier in the United States Army, and now he belongs to the American Legion. When at Drake University, he was on the football, basket-ball and track teams, and he is naturally fond of outdoor life. He joined the Sigma Chi fraternity of the University

of Colorado, and today belongs to the Sciots, the Masonic order, American Legion, and the Y. M. C. A. He is also an esteemed member of the Sacra- mento Chamber of Commerce, and is deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to the historic past and the prospective future of Sacramento County.

JOSEPH JENSEN .- The progress in recent years of California agriculture, pointing the way to farmers generally throughout the country as to the most approved methods, is due in part to such enterprising and industrious ranchers as Joseph Jensen, whose at- tractive farm lies along the Placerville Road. He is a native of Denmark, but for twenty years or more he has helped to develop the resources of the favored district, which is today one of the most promising in California. He was born on August 28, 1878, and his parents were Yorgen and Annie Jensen, worthy and substantial farmer folk, both living and thriving in the old country. Joseph attended the excellent Danish schools, then worked as a farmer, and at the age of twenty-three came out to the United States. He was fortunate in soon finding his way to California; and although many sections looked good to him elsewhere, he was convinced that his future was to be bound up with the Placerville Road dis- trict. There he rents and operates about 700 acres, all devoted to grain; and in the enterprise he has been fairly successful.

Mrs. Jensen was Miss Carrie Jensen, before her marriage, and they were married at Sacramento. They now have one boy and four girls: Dagny, Clara, Margaret, Raymond and Jane. Mr. Jensen is a Republican.

HENRY GREEN .-- The high standards attained by the Sacramento musical world are reflected in the widely-acknowledged achievements of Henry Green, the accomplished music' teacher, whose studio is at 3811 4th Avenue, in the Capital. He was born at Cornwall, and comes from a picturesque part of Old England famous for its association with the lives of great musical leaders. His father, Frederick Green. came out to the United States in 1858, and stayed for about three years; and in 1876 he ventured on a voyage to Australia, and died there. He married Miss Phillipa Waters, and both husband and wife made an excellent record for usefulness in the world.

Henry Green attended the excellent English schools of his home district, where he also com- menced his musical training; and in far-away Aus- tralia he was able to make additional progress in mu- sical studies. He came to the United States. in 1891, for the second time, for he had been here in 1873, and had located for a while at Virginia City, Nevada, where he mined and taught music, and had then, in 1876, gone back to England. In 1882, he went to Australia, where he remained eight and a half years; and in 1891 he returned to the United States. He located at Grass Valley, and in 1915, came to Marysville, where he was a director of the Marysville Band, and then for two years he was in Hammond- ton and Oakland. On July 1, 1919. Professor Green came to Sacramento, and for the past three years he has been teaching music in the Sacra- mento high school. In addition, since December, 1920, he has directed the Boys' Band, which that year won the third, and the next year, the first prize, at the state fair. This band has a membership of

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

some forty youths, the youngest lad being ten and the oldest eighteen years of age. He belongs to the Federated Teachers' Association, and does private teaching. In politics, he is an Independent.

Professor Green was married, in 1882, to Miss Minnie Bernice Quick, a native of Australia, and three children have been born to them. Olive Blanche, the wife of Reuben Terry and the mother of four children, is the eldest; George H., the fa- ther of two children, comes next; and Frederick I. is the third in the order of birth .. He was in the World War, as a member of Battery E, 348th Heavy Artillery, 91st Regiment, saw service in France, and was one of the number who entered the officers' train- ing school and got his rank of lieutenant. Mr. Green belongs to Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. Elks.

JOHN HOEFLING .- Among the highly respected orchardists of the New Prague district of Sacra- mento County is John Hoefling, owner and propri- ctor of a highly productive orchard of eighteen acres at Rio Linda. Mr. Hoefling came to Rio Linda in 1913 in the interest of six families at New Prague, Minn., and located on seventy-two aeres, which he developed to orchards of olives, almonds and pears, spending nine years in its development; irrigation for this traet was obtained from deep wells. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 4, 1863, the youngest of eight children. He received a good education in the schools of his native country and at an early age became interested in horticulture; and after leaving school he learned a trade. In 1882, in company with his brother Adam, he left Germany for America. Arriving in Philadelphia, Pa., Adam Hoefling remained there and our subject went on to Ohio, and later he went to Nebraska, spending some time as a range rider. In March, 1883, John Hoefling was a mem- ber of a party who started for South Dakota with a four-horse team; they passed through Aberdeen, S. D., when that city was a mere village of a thou- sand people. Fifty miles from Aberdeen the party located on land; later John Hoefling sold his interest to his brother Valentine, and returned to Dayton, Ohio. However, the following year he returned to South Dakota, and he and his brother took up 320 acres of government land, which they farmed together for four years. Many were the hardships and priva- tions of those sturdy pioneers of the Northwest. ln the fall of 1889, Mr. Hoefling decided to go to eastern Minnesota; so with one team of horses, a yoke of oxen, a pair of colts and other stock, he started. While en route he passed through forty-one towns. After a short time he returned to South Dakota to work in the Black Hills for the railroad on construc- tion of tunnels.

On November 28, 1891, Mr. Hoefling was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Nicoloy, born in Luxemburg, Germany, who came to America in 1887 and located at New Prague, Minn. In December, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Hoefling located at Harvard. Nebr., where they engaged in farming until 1894, when they sold their farming interests and were returning to Minnesota when Mr. Hoefling received the news of his brother Valentine's accidental death. For the next four years, Mr. Hoefling conducted his brother's farm. In 1898 Mr. Hoefling removed to Montgomery, Minn, and for eleven years conducted a feed mill, when he sold his business and returned to New Prague, Minn., and for two and a half years

operated a feed mill business. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoefling; Annie resides in Sacramento; Margaret is the wife of Charles Lipold and has one son and resides at Rio Linda; John W. is married and has one son, and resides in the Robla district; Phillip is associated with his brother John W .; Ambrose and Gertrude are at home with their parents. Mr. Hoefling is affiliated with the Catholic Foresters.

EDWARD A. ANNEREAU .- An expert techni- cian who is especially well posted as to some of the needs of the up-to-date motorist, is Edward A. Annereau, the enterprising proprietor of the shop under his name, so widely known as the best- equipped headquarters for auto-trimming and paint- ing. A native son of the Golden State, Mr. Annereau was born at Pleasant Grove, California, on October 1, 1876, the son of Thomas James and Sarah (John- son) Annereau, the former of whom is still living. These worthy pioneers came to California when things were still in the making, and often not yet begun, and they found their highest pleasure in strenuously endeavoring to solve the many problems confronting the founders of the commonwealth.

Edward Annereau was six years old when his parents arrived in Sacramento, where he was to enjoy his schooling. At an early age, he took up automobile painting and trimming, and when he was able to do so, established himself in business in San Jose. In 1920, however, despite his success in the old Santa Clara Valley, he returned to Sacramento, and here he has maintained a business requiring the services of seven well-trained assistants. He belongs to the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and to the Auto Club of the state, Kiwanis Club and Sacramento Lodge No. 6 of Elks, and his pride in his shop work stimulates a pride in civie improvements. He is fond of outdoor life, which is another way of saying that he is fond of Sacramento County.

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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 152

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