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 54

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

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HARRY C. MUDDOX .- A study of the lives of the men who have been leaders in the develop- ment of Sacramento City and County discloses no name more worthy of honorable mention than that of Harry C. Muddox, banker, manufacturer, finan- cier, rancher and breeder of fine stock, in all of which he has made an outstanding success. Arriving here with his parents when a child scarcely six years of age, he has witnessed the steadfast development of the community, has felt the impetus of Western prog- ress and has been an important factor in various lines of endeavor. Many movements inseparable from the history of the capital city have been promoted by his indefatigable earnestness and no measure of impor- tance to the general welfare has failed of his support.

An honorable lineage indicates the identification of the Muddox family with England during past genera- tions. In the year 1862, George and Isabelle (Bun- dock) Muddox, who had been born, reared and married in the city of London, crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel to the United States and settled in Illinois, where Harry C. was born at Alton, August 26, 1866, the eldest of seven children; the others being Harriet Alice, Emma May, George L., Ralph H., Isabelle E. and Flora M. Here the father learned the trade of potter and becoming an American citi- zen soon after his arrival here, he enlisted in the Civil War, but did not see active service. Determined to seek a home in the far West, they crossed on one of the carly emigrant trains that required fourteen days to make the journey, arriving at Sacramento on May 4, 1872. In 1878 George Muddox started a small clay pottery plant on K and Thirtieth Streets, making jugs, jars and churns by hand; ten years later he be- gan the manufacture of sewer pipe, using horse- power. He passed away in 1899 highly esteemed by all who knew him, survived by his widow until May 28, 1921; a loyal and devoted citizen of his adopted country, he was a charter member of the British Benevolent Society of Sacramento and a member of the Foresters.

Harry C. Muddox attended the public schools of Sacramento and the Atkinson Business College in pursuit of an education and then started with his father in the pottery business. Upon the death of the latter he purchased the sewer pipe plant from the heirs of the estate, becoming sole owner. From the time of taking over the plant he began to make ex- tensive improvements. The work of rebuilding neces- sitated much expense and consumed much time, but the plant now ranks as one of the largest and most complete sewer pipe works on the Coast. This re- markable development may well be attributed to the sagacious management of Mr. H. C. Muddox, who having entered the pottery in early life and learned

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the business in all its details, has been able to utilize his thorough knowledge for the permanent upbuilding of the business. Their product is sold from Port- land, Ore .. to Los Angeles and to Reno, Nev .; they employ no salesmen, their pipe being sold entirely on its merits. He competes with other plants of the kind in Portland, Ore., and does a large business in that city, as he deals in clay products made from pure potters' clay.

The management of this plant by no means repre- sents the limit of the business activities of Mr. H. C. Muddox, for he ranks among the leading financiers of Sacramento County. He is president and owns a con- trolling interest in the Citizens Bank of Sacramento, is a director and large stockholder in the Capital Na- tional Bank of Sacramento, owns a controlling inter- est in the Geo. W. Prising Company of San Fran- cisco, is a director of the Capital Fire Insurance Company of California, and also of the Sacramento Hotel Company, and owns the Muddox block at Oak Park and the Oak Crest Dairy at Sheldon. On his country place, six miles south of Sacramento, Meadow View Stock Farm, he breeds fine draft horses, short- horn cattle and Berkshire hogs, and he is the owner of some of the finest registered stock in California.

At Vacaville, Cal., August 26, 1893, Mr. H. C. Muddox was married to Miss Jessie E. Long, a native daughter of that city, and they have three children: Mrs. Ruth F. Doud of San Francisco, Forest C. and Isabelle Elizabeth. Mr. Muddox is the oldest living past president of the Sons of St. George, at Sacra- mento, and is a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and one of its organizers. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. A truly pro- gressive citizen, he has ever maintained a deep inter- est in civic affairs that has won for him the confidence and esteem of the whole community.

MICHAEL MILLER .- To the student of history. and to all loyal Californians, nothing could be more interesting or worthy of preservation than the lives of the late "Mike" Miller and his wife, Charlotte. An houdred pioneer of Sacramento County, Mr. Miller was well known throughout the Valley. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832, and came to this country in 1846 at the age of fourteen. In Chi- cago he learned the trade of saddler, and in 1850 crossed the plains, arriving three days before Cali- fornia was admitted to statehood. His first business venture was a grocery store, which he conducted for three years in the town of Coloma. He then came to Sacramento and worked at his trade of saddler. In company with Mr. Wise, he bought a lot 60 by 80 feet on Ninth Street, opposite the Plaza. An old shack stood on the ground, but this was torn down and a two-story brick block erected, and here the two partners conducted a livery stable, one of the first in Sacramento. Later Mr. Miller bought out his partner's interest and ran the business alone for many years. This property, which has since become valuable, and is retained in the family, cost Mr. Miller at that time five thousand dollars, an apt illustration of the rise of property valuation in the state.

The name of this worthy pioneer is found on many of the early day rosters in Sacramento Valley. He was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department. those sturdy boys who, at the call, dropped every- thing and, in full regalia, dashed to the rescue of both life and property, at no small risk, with the

primitive weapons at hand; he was a member of the old Sacramento Hussars, a volunteer company which was later taken into the State National Guard. Prom- inent in the Republican party, he served four years as supervisor. Fraternally, Mr. Miller was a member of the 1. O. O. F., having joined the Coloma lodge shortly after coming to California: in church affilia- tions he was a Catholic. February 1, 1913, marks the passing of this man, well known for his many good deeds and active interest in all that pertained to the upbuilding of our glorious state.

On April 13, 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Charlotte Walters, who was born in Ger- many. She was brought to the United States at three years of age, and was reared in Zanesville, Ohio. With her sister, she came to California in 1855, via Panama, and lived in Hangtown, now Placerville, and there the marriage took place. Mrs. Miller wit- nessed many events in the early days in Sacramento, among them the laying of the foundation of the State Capitol Building, and of the Catholic Cathedral. She was a personal friend of General John H. Sutter and his wife, and dined at their home. John Marshall, the first discoverer of gold, was also among her friends; in fact, her personal reminiscences include so many famous events and people that to chronicle them would be to write a chapter of early days in Sacramento. For many years a member of the Epis- copal Church, Mrs. Miller has lent her aid to many good works in her home community, always taking an active interest in the advancement of this valley where she has spent the greater part of her life; the property originally purchased by her husband is still in her possession, together with other real estate holdings, and for the past forty-five years Mrs. Miller has resided in the same house, the old home endeared to her by many memories.

After Mr. Miller's death his sons carried on the business, later turning it into a garage. Charles F., the oldest son, died August 31, 1922, and Henry K., the only surviving child, now carries on the garage. and aids his mother ju looking after her business interests. He married Jeanette Sullivan and they had two daughters: Caroline, the late Mrs. Laurine, who had a child, Jenny Marie; and Annie Pugh.

HENRY S. PORTER .- An honest, worthy and venerable pioneer of Sacramento County is found in the person of Henry S. Porter, whose residence in the county dates from 1859, where he followed farm- ing until a few years before his death on March 31, 1916. at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, on October 15. 1831. of Scottish ancestry. At the age of seventeen he left his native land for the New World, and after arriving in New York engaged in business there for nine years.

The marriage of Mr. Porter occurred on October 14, 1857, uniting him with Miss Amelia Brown, also a native of County Cavan, Ireland. Mrs. Porter re- mained in Ireland until she reached young woman- hood, when she accompanied her sister to America and for nine years resided in New York, where she practiced her profession as a nurse. She was still engaged in her chosen vocation when she was married to Mr. Porter. Soon after their marriage they started to California via Panama, and on November 18. 1857, arrived in San Francisco. They remained but a short time in the Bay City, soon setting out to seek a suit-

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able place for their permanent home. They located on a farin near Folsom, and there they lived for al- most half a century. Eight children were born to this worthy pioncer couple; and of these, three are living: Henry G., residing in San Francisco; Mary J., the wife of E. C. Bedell, a well-known orchardist of Placer County, Cal .; and Robert, residing in Roseville, Cal. Five are deceased: William, Arthur, Ann F., Charles and Joseph. There are five grand- children and one great-grandchild. For a number of years Mr. Porter served as a trustee of the Sylvan school district. He was independent in his political affiliations. Both he and his wife were formerly mem- bers of the Roseville Grange, and he also was a mem- ber of the Roseville Lodge, No. 203, I. O. O. F., in which he had filled many of the important offices. Mrs. Porter passed away on May 23, 1918, in San Francisco, being more than eighty-nine years old. Mr. Porter was identified with all public enterprises to the limit of his time and strength, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

HON. FRANK D. RYAN .- The son of a pioneer and himself a native of Sacramento, identified with the carly history of the state and county, where he was prominent during all the years of his active life. the late Hon. Frank D. Ryan was born May 11, 1859, a son of John C and Maria (Lyons) Ryan, both par- ents natives of Ireland and now deceased, their life history being in another part of this volume. After going through the public schools of Sacramento, he taught school in the country districts for a time, and then graduated from St. Mary's College in 1878.

On his graduation, Mr. Ryan studied law in Sacra- mento and was admitted to the bar in 1880. In 1882, at the age of twenty-three, he became a member of the state assembly, the youngest member of that body; he served as chief clerk of the House from 1885 to 1887. A fine orator, it was a foregone conclusion that he would make a success of the law, and in 1891 he was elected district attorney of Sacramento County, serving two terms, until 1899; in the meantime hold- ing other important public offices, such as trustee of the state library from 1898 until 1902; trustee of the state normal school at Chico from 1898 to 1901; and from 1901 to 1903 he was trustee of Fort Sutter. He served as commissioner of public works of Sacramento from 1899 until 1907, when that office was abolished. His private practice he carried on as a member of the law firm of Ryan & Devine.

The almost phenomenal career of this really bril- liant attorney is unique in many respects; he had no influential connections to use as stepping stones ; what he did have was an outstanding character and personality, making him a natural leader, and added to these a sincere desire to help his fellowmen, to ad- vance his city, county, and state, and that his efforts brought him public prominence made his obligations even greater and more arduous, and he fulfilled them in every respect. From 1880 to 1894 he was a mem- ber of the National Guard, an inspector on the staff of Brigadier-General Sheehan. He was one of the founders of the N. S. G.W., and past president of Sacramento parlor No. 3, past president of the Grand Lodge of the state, also. He was past exalted ruler of the Sacramento lodge of Elks; a member of the Eagles, and of the Y. M. I., in which he took an active interest.

The marriage of Hon. Frank D. Ryan, on Novem- ber 25, 1883, united him with Ella Boutwell, also a native of Sacramento County, and four children blessed their union: Frank D., Jr., Estella, Ruth, and Irenc.

PETER J. SHIELDS .- The lineage of the Shields family indicates a long line of Celtic ancestors and it was not until 1843 that Patrick Shields transplanted this branch from the Emerald Isle to the shores of the Atlantic. At the time of emigration he was a man of middle age, frugal, purposeful and industrious, but handicapped by lack of means. Accompanied by his wife, Mary, and their sons, he crossed the occan to the new world and proceeded to the then undeveloped regions of the Mississippi Valley, where he took up a tract of government land and entered upon general farming. With the aid of his boys he transformed a raw tract into a productive farm and ultimately acquired the title to 210 acres of fertile land, which he had stocked with a large herd of cattle as well as other stock. His death occurred in November of 1856, when he was sixty-five years of age. Surviving him were three sons, of whom Fred- erick and Dennis sought homes in the undeveloped lands of Minnesota. The third son, John, was born in Ireland April 26, 1835, but was brought to Amer- ica as a child in his mother's arms. In his early manhood, with a party of adventurous young men, he went to Minnesota, but the gold excitement called him to California. He left his Illinois home May 4, 1856, landing in San Francisco on June 14, after an uneventful trip via Panama. For three months after his arrival he operated a threshing machine for the owner, after which for eight or ten months he worked at three dollars per day in the mines at Farmers' Diggings and elsewhere along the American River. The first association of John Shields with western agriculture occurred in 1857, when he bought a squatter's right to 324 acres, covered with brush and timber, and containing a black and sandy loam which proved very productive. The ranch was in Brighton Township, Sacramento County, thirteen miles from the city of Sacramento, and bounded on the north by the American River. The original Hangtown crossing was near his ranch, but later that name was discarded for the present title of Mills. All of the improvements on the place were made by Mr. Shields, who about 1879 increased his holdings by the purchase of 100 acres near the original farm. Twenty acres were planted in a vineyard, and the crops were so large that it is said about twenty-four tons of grapes were harvested from three acres in one season. One hundred acres were planted to an orchard of peaches, pears, plums and French prunes. November 18, 1859, he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Bow) Lynch, who was born in Ireland, crossed the ocean to Massachusetts in early life and in 1855 became a resident of California. They had a family of five daughters and two sons, namely: Mary, who became Mrs. Charles Deterding; Lizzie A., Mrs. M. C. Pike; Alice: Hannah, who made a specialty of instrumental and vocal music and rose to a high rank in the pro- fession; Emily: Peter J., the subject of this sketch; and Robert E. The mother, who possessed unusual ability, made a specialty of the fruit industry and attained a reputation as one of the most thorough and prominent orchardists in the entire state. As an authority on horticulture her advice was sought

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by people from all parts of the West. When she died in 1905 the State Fruit Growers' Association passed suitable resolutions of regret and condolence and allnded to her as "the fruit queen of California," a title which her wise and long-continued labors fully justified.

At the old homestead situated on the American River, Peter J. Shields was born on April 4, 1862. The neighboring schools afforded him fair advantages. Later he was graduated from the Christian Brothers College in Sacramento. At the age of eighteen years he took up the study of the law in the office of A. P. Catlin. Three years later he was admitted to prac- tice at the bar of the state. With professional ambi- tions and youthful hopes he took up the practice of law. only to find himself forced to abandon practice at the age of twenty-four and to give attention to the restoration of his health, which had been seriously injured by over-study. As the hest means of physi- cal recuperation he sought outdoor employment and turned his attention to a careful study of livestock, with such success that he since has been selected to act as judge in many of the most important stock shows in the entire country. It is said that his judg- ment of an animal is seldom at fault. At a glance he detects their favorable points as well as the appar- ently invisible weaknesses which prove a blemish to their record.

During the period of open-air activities as a means of health restoration, the young man had not wholly relinquished all identification with city affairs, but still held the office of trustee of the California state library, to which at the age of twenty-three years he had been appointed by Governor Bartlett and in which his service was so satisfactory that he was again appointed in 1897. When he returned to Sac- ramento in 1895 he became a deputy to the state librarian, filling the position for nine months. Dur- ing the next two years he served as secretary of the California code commission, while later for a similar period he held the private secretaryship to the gov- ernor, during the same period likewise serving as secretary of the State Agricultural Society. Resum- ing the practice of law in 1899 as an associate of the Hon. Hiram W. Johnson, since governor and United States senator from California, he continued in private practice until in November. 1900, when he was elected judge of the superior court of Sacramento County by the largest majority ever given a judge of that county. While a Democrat in politics, he received a majority of 1,800, the largest ever given up to that time. The first election was for an unex- pired term, after which he was reelected by a very heavy vote, and then in 1908 he was chosen judge by the largest vote given any candidate on either side. Judge Shields has continued to be reelected and at the present time is judge of the superior court, a position he has held since 1900. In the office of jurist Judge Shields proved impartial and tactful, the pos- sessor of a profound knowledge of jurisprudence and the exemplifier in his own forceful character of the ethics of the judicial office. Only an admirable per- sonality could attain to his popularity and prestige. Democracy, civil duty and good government are among the causes that have enlisted his attention. Sincerity of purpose has directed his conduct in every relation of life and has governed his official admin- istration of the affairs of his eourt. Every move- ment for the upbuilding of the Sacramento Valley

has enlisted his sympathy and he has been particu- larly helpful in promoting reclamation work. Edu- eational activities have benefited by his wise partici- pation; and probably the most important act of his life was his furtherance of the university farm and school of agriculture, located at Davis. From the first he favored the plan for such an institution and realized that it could be made most valuable to the material development of the state. Not only did he aid the cause hy forcible speeches on the subject. but in addition he drew the bill creating such a school, and through his efforts it was passed by the legislature. In its present usefulness and future value to state advancement it is now and will continue to be for years to come a monument to the sagacious efforts of himself and other high-minded, patriotic citizens broad in vision and prompt in action.

BERNARD J. McSHANE .- Prominent among the capable superintendents of the well-organized system of California police may well be placed Ber- nard J. McShane, the efficient and popular chief of the Sacramento police department. A native of Ire- land, he was born on November 22, 1885. His father was Edward McShane, who is now deceased, having rounded out a useful and honored life; his mother was Annie Murphy, before her marriage, and she is still living, in comfortable retirement, in the Irish Free State.

Bernard McShane attended the schools of his na- tive district up to the time of his migration, at the age of fifteen, to the United States; and once here. he tarried for four years in New York City, where he both worked and studied. In 1905, however, he moved on to the Pacific Coast, reaching San Fran- cisco, where he entered the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad as a handler of freight. He next became a clerk, and then he was employed to do special work in the department of railway police. He was assigned to the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland divisions for three years, and when he first came to Sacramento, in 1916, he was given charge of this division. Abreast of the times, and determined to give the people of Sacramento the best there is, in the way of police protection, he is lined up with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He was one of fifteen delegates from the state cf California to attend the recent meeting of the asso- ciation, which took place at Buffalo. N. Y., June 11 to 15, 1923. He was present at every session, and brought back with him to Sacramento such valuable information as appealed to his inquiring and acquir- ing mind.

On July 1, 1920, Mr. McShane was appointed chief of the Sacramento police. He is a Republican in the matter of his party-platform preferenees, but is really the choice of the entire people; and ever since he has had the reins of the department in hand, he has done his best by the community as a whole, without fear or favor. He has been ably supported by one of the best police forces in the state, so that staff and chief share the honors of an effective police administration that has made Sacramento one of the safest, most enjoyable and most desirable places for residence in all the state.

In Sacramento, Cal., July 29, 1916. Mr. McShane was married to Miss Jessie T. Fourmy, an attractive and gifted lady of Louisiana, and they have one child, a daughter named Violet Teresa. Mr. McShane be-

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longs to the Elks of Sacramento, and he is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club of the same city. He is fond of hunting and other outdoor sports, and is interested both in the historic past of Sacramento County and in the promis- ing future of this favored region of the state.

CHARLES P. NATHAN .- One of the leading merchants of Sacramento, where he has been prom- inent in business circles since early days in the city's history, Charles P. Nathan arrived in this country from Germany, his native land, while yet a young man, inexperienced, but with a good common school education, and having as one of his characteristics that which every boy of his race inherits, an inclina- tion for work. After his arrival in the New World he was variously employed in the Eastern and South- ern states for about three years; and then, in the year 1869, he came to California. The three dollars he had in his pocket when he landed on American soil had grown a little, so that he was able to start a store, 20 by 80 feet, in Sacramento on J Street, be- tween Sixth and Seventh Streets; and from this small beginning grew an enterprise that occupied three complete floors as a modern department store, one of the largest in northern California, the building being located on J and Sixth Streets. Started in 1869, his holdings have increased by purchase of adjoining properties until he now owns a frontage 100 by 160 feet; but after enjoying the patronage of the citizens of Sacramento and environs in that location for fifty- one years, the beautiful store was destroyed by fire on Friday, November 13, 1920. The firm of Chas. P. Nathan & Sons have since been carrying on their business on three floors of a six-story building at Eighth and L Streets. They also own and operate the Bon Marche, the leading ladies' garment shop in Sacramento.

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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 54

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