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 60

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 60

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

The untimely passing of Mr. Myers in 1922, com- ing just at the prime of life, before he was yet fifty- two years of age, took from Sacramento County one of its most influential and energetic workers for the common good. He was trustee of the Grand Island Reclamation District, and was a man of far-sighted vision, active in projects for the further development of his part of the state and practical in all his under- takings, the type of man always found at the helm of economic advancement. He was the president of the Courtland Bank at the time when it was organ- ized, and remained in that position up to the time of his death. He was a prominent member of the Cali- fornia Pear Growers' Association and of the Califor- nia Canning Peach Growers' Association, and be- longed to Courtland Parlor, N. S. G. W.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Myers took over the management of the estate, and with the assistance of her son Louis J. is carrying on the farming operations on the same broad, progressive plan followed by Mr. Myers. She is endowed with much tact and business ability; and Mr. Myers al- ways gave much credit for his success to his talented wife, who assisted him in every way and encouraged him to gain the fulfilment of his ambitions.

BURTON M. HODSON .- A high degree of artis- tistic perfection marks the exhibits of the Hodson Studio in Sacramento. The consensus of opinion on the part of competent judges indicates that Mr. Hod- son possesses much talent and ability as a photogra- pher far above the average. An innate knowledge of proportion, an instantaneous comprehension of artistic outlines and a highly developed appreciation of graceful poses are characteristics admirably qualify- ing him for success in art. These qualities, while justly belonging to him through inheritance from a gifted father, have been so developed and perfected through study and experience that they have brought him professional prominence and local prestige, com- bining to give him a reputation which has been en- hanced through his ease of manner and affability of demeanor. When it is mentioned that Mr. Hodson has been actively identified with Sacramento Parlor No. 3, Native Sons of the Golden West, it will be recognized that the success of his work reflects added credit upon his native commonwealth. Oakland is his native city and July 22. 1875, the date of his birth, his father having been J. R. Hodson, a native of Illinois and from youth a photographer of eminent skill. As early as 1872 the elder Mr. Hodson estab- lished a studio in Sacramento. At different times he had art galleries in various bay cities. Eventually in 1894 he established his studio in San Francisco, where for a few years he limited his attention strictly to photography; but the development of his genius led him into the field of portraiture and he has since become a popular portrait painter of the exposition city.

At the age of five years Burton M. Hodson accom- panied his parents to Sacramento and here he was sent to the primary school, later the grammar and then to the high school. He can scarcely recall a time when he was not interested in photography. The sci- ence appealed to him in early years. The difficult processes incident to producing a finished picture appealed to his genius. Having made a life study of the science he is qualified for successful work in all of its specialties. Reading and research have

broadened his knowledge of art, while practical expe- rience has developed his inborn tastes, until now he occupies a rank of unquestioned prominence among the photographers of California. From boyhood he has devoted himself to his profession. Politics has not diverted him from his art. Fraternal interests, limited to membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Sacramento Lodge of Elks, as well as his membership in the Kiwanis Club, have not been allowed to infringe upon his constant devo- tion to his chosen calling, and it is to this persistent devotion to achieving his ambition, supplemented by intelligence, affability and refinement, that Mr. Hodson owes his growing success. Endowed by nature with a pleasing personality, he is well-read and well-posted, and it is a pleasure to converse with him and enjoy his generous hospitality. Sharing with him in the good will of his acquaintances is his estimable wife, who prior to their marriage in 1908, in her native city of Sacramento, was Miss Lillian May Nelson, member of an old, prominent and honored family of the capital city.

MRS. MATILDA STAHL,-A very interesting woman, who is not only an old-timer but also a native daughter proud of her association with the Golden State, is Mrs. Matilda Stahl, who was born at the Fifteen-mile House on the Placerville road, Sacra- mento County, a daughter of William Deterding, who was born in Hanover, Germany, June 11, 1818. There he received a good education in the excellent schools of the Fatherland and there, too, he learned the wagon-maker's trade, after which he married Wilhelmina Rosenberg. The young couple came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1850, where he ran a wagon shop. He became interested in the stories of the new El- dorado and soon decided to come hither. In 1852 he brought his family across the plains in an ox-team train, arriving in Placerville in the autumn of that year. He first kept a store at Grizzly Flat and then at Diamond Spring and still later at Logantown. During this time he also freighted between Sacra- mento and the mines, as well as mined some. Then he opened a wagon shop at Ninth and J Streets, Sac- ramento, where he was in business until he purchased the Fifteen-mile House on the Placerville road in 1857. The hotel and store was the first night out of Sacramento by the freighters and was well patron- ized, and "Deterding's" or "Fifteen-mile" was a very popular place in the early days, for its comfort, rest and meals. He gave parties and balls two or three times a year, always enjoyable occasions to the many guests from Sacramento and all over the county. Church and Jones, the leading orchestra in the capital city at the time, furnished the music and his entertainment was highly appreciated. He added to his holdings, becoming owner of 520 acres, and was a very substantial and influential man of affairs. When he passed away in 1881 he was mourned by his family and friends and particularly by his fellow members in Schiller Odd Fellows Lodge and the Lutheran church. His widow survived him until 1887. being the mother of six children: Mrs. Christine Rice and Mrs. Julia Thielbahr, both now deceased: Charles, a farmer in Fair Oaks; Mrs. Matilda Stahl, the subject of our interesting review; Mrs. Isabelle Dee, deceased; and Mrs. Minnie Ecklon, of San Fran- cisco.

Matilda Deterding was reared in the heathful en- vironment of her father's ranch at Fifteen-mile House.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

She enjoyed and was benefited by the great outdoors, of which she was always a great lover. Her educa- tion was had in the Kinney school.

Matilda Deterding was married at her parents' home to Mr. John Stahl, a native of Pennsylvania and a carpenter by trade, who came out to Sacra- mento, Cal., a young man. They followed farming on Mrs. Stahl's ranch, a part of the old Deterding place, until they sold it to the Natomas Company. However, before this they had located in Oak Park, where they built their comfortable residence and have since resided. They have also built and own several other residences in Oak Park. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl's union has been blessed with two children, both girls: Irene, who is Mrs. Smith of Oak Park; and Tillie, who makes her home with her parents.

Fraternally Mr. Stahl is a member of Industrial Lodge of the I. O. O. F., while Mrs. Stahl and her daughters are members of the Capital City Lodge of Rebekahs. In religion, Mrs. Stahl was reared in the Lutheran Church, of which she is still a member.

GEORGE P. YOERK .- Among the real promot- ers and upbuilders of Sacramento County, and espe- cially of the city of Sacramento is numbered George P. Yoerk, who is also a native son of the capital city. and whose interests, rapidly extending along impor- tant and representative lines, have been forceful fac- tors in its development and growth. The section has profited greatly by his long continued and well directed work and his own prosperity has been ad- vanced in a notable degree during the years, for he stands today among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in Sacramento.

George P. Yoerk was born in Sacramento, July 20, 1871, and in that city he attended the public schools and Atkinson's Business College. His parents were C. A. and Margaret (Lenz) Yoerk, early settlers of the Golden State, who are represented on another page. Immediately following the completion of his education, George P. Yoerk became associated with Mohr & Yoerk in the mercantile business as assistant manager; then in 1918 he became president of the company and at the present time is serving as presi- dent and manager. Mohr & Yoerk are not only the oldest, but the largest retail grocers in Sacramento County, and occupy a new building 80 by 80 feet. at the corner of Eleventh and K Streets, being now cen- trally located. Some years ago they incorporated the Mohr & Yoerk Realty Company, of which he is vice-president. This company is conducted separate- ly from Mohr & Yoerk, being the owners of their realty holdings.

The marriage of Mr. Yoerk united him with Miss Ella Sherburn, a native daughter of Sacramento, a daughter of W. H. Sherburn, a pioneer now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Yoerk are the parents of two children. Phillip and Margaret. Mr. Yoerk votes with the Republican party and fraternally is past exalted ruler of the Sacramento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. Elks; he is a member of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W .. and serves as treasurer of the Retail Meat Dealers' Asso- ciation of Sacramento. He is interested not only in all matters of national moment, but in local affairs as well, and cooperates in many movements which have had direct bearing upon the upbuilding and pros- perity of the city. He gives active aid to all projects of the Chamber of Commerce and the Y. M. C. A ..

of which he is a member, and it is well known that his influence is ever on the side of right, progress and improvement.

AUGUST W. YOERK .- A worthy and estimable representative of a pioneer family is August W. Yoerk, the youngest son of Charles A. and Margaret (Lenz) Yoerk, whose illuminating biographies are sketched elsewhere in this historical work. He was born at Sacramento, Cal., on February 22. 1875, and growing up in that city he attended its grammar and high schools, thus fitting himself for the responsi- bilities of life which he was to assume later on. He further successfully continued his studies at the Berkeley Preparatory School. Returning to Sacra- mento, he became a clerk for Hall, Luhrs & Com- pany, and by application to detail and mastery of the daily problems which confronted him for solution, he gradually worked his way upward until he now occupies the position of president and general mana- ger for this progressive firm. In politics Mr. Yoerk is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Elks, the Sutter Club and the Wild Goose Country Club.

WILLIAM D. CARR .- A poultryman whose suc- cess has come as a reward of courage and optimism, is William D. Carr, whose extensive yards are located about ten miles northeast of Galt and some five miles east of Arno. He was born on the old Carr place in the locality of his present home on September 5, 1874, the son of Seymour and Mary (O'Neal) Carr. the former a native of New York. the latter a native of Missouri. Seymour Carr came across the great plains by way of the historic Salt Lake route, and reached California on September 1, 1859; and for a short time he tried his luck at mining. Then he set- tled in Sacramento County and spent his first years in agricultural pursuits on the Conner Ranch, on the Cosumnes River. Later he came to the present home place and there acquired about 240 acres. Here he spent the balance of his days, farming in a progressive manner. He eventually passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ella Hauschildt, in his seventy- second year. His wife, a noble woman, highly es- teemed, breathed her last at the old home place, also when in her seventy-second year. Seven children were granted this worthy couple. Alice has become Mrs. T. L. White, of Pacific Grove. Esther has become Mrs. Peter Germain, of Galt. Elmour lives at San Jose, Cal. Ella is better known as Mrs. Ed Haus- childt, and lives near Mrs. Germain. William D., the subject of our story, is the fifth-born. Maud D. lives at Forest Hill and is known as Mrs. W. N. Henning. And James T. is residing near Mrs. Germain and Mrs. Hauschildt.

William D. Carr attended the Alabama district school, and at the age of twenty-one started out for himself by working on ranches. From 1904 to 1914 he was a lineman doing construction work for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company in northern Cali- fornia; but in the latter year he returned to Sacra- mento County, where he has been farming ever since. He received twenty-six and a half acres as his share of the Seymour estate, and later he sold six acres. He has three acres devoted to orchard. In general, how- ever, he uses his ranch for poultry-raising, and has from 500 to 600 hens in his yards.

In addition to his successful activity as a poultry- man, Mr. Carr is a deputy state fire warden, and

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gladly gives his attention to the conservation of the natural resources of the district in which he lives and prospers. He is independent in political affairs, and seeks to support, without party trammels, the best men and the best measures.

THOMAS KELLY .- Among the pioneers of Cali- fornia who bore an active part in the development and growth of Sacramento County was Thomas Kelly, who passed away in the prime of life at his country home in the San Juan grant. The honesty. the industry, and the loyalty which formed the dom- inating elements in his success were qualities in his character which made him highly respected in the community where he made his permanent home. He was born in Ireland April 1, 1832, and was only fifteen years of age when he came to America, stop- ping in New Haven, Conn., where he learned the blacksmith trade. At the age of twenty he took passage on a sailing vessel around Cape Horn to California and upon arriving in the Golden State he prospected and mined.

In Sacramento in December, 1859, Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Margaret Moony, also a native of Ireland; her parents died when she was small and at the age of ten years she came to America, direct to New Haven, later coming to California, where she has resided more than sixty-five years. She was reared in the home of Mrs. O'Toole, the eldest sister of Mr. Kelly. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Mrs. McMillan resides in Fair Oaks; Mary Jane became the wife of John Donahue; and Thomas, Jr .. has charge of the home place on the San Juan Grant. In the early seventies Mr. Kelly bought land in the San Juan Grant and began farm- irg. but only lived for a short time; he was survived by his widow and their three children, who continued to operate the home place. Mrs. Kelly now resides with her daughter, Mrs. John Donahue, and is held in high esteem by all who know her.

JOHN DONAHUE,-In taking up the history of the men who are connected with the development and progress of Sacramento County, mention should me made of John Donahue, who has continuously resided in the county since 1863. He was born in Graniteville, Nevada County, Cal., May 23, 1856, the eldest son of Cornelius and Margaret (Calhoun) Donahue. Cornelius Donahue was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830, while the mother of our sub- ject was born in Listowel, Ireland, in 1832. The mother passed away in Sacramento in 1864, survived by her husband and two sons, John, the subject of this sketch, and Daniel; subsequently Cornelius Dona- hue was married to Miss Mary Hayes of Sacramento, and they have one daughter, Catherine Van Maren.

Cornelius Donahue came to the United States as a boy of fourteen years of age and located in Bos- ton, Mass., but later went to New York, where he learned the moulder's trade, which he followed as a journeyman, working from New York to Mis- sissippi, Louisiana and Texas; in 1853, accompanied by his wife, he came via Panama to California; he prospected in Grass Valley and later engaged in freighting by ox and mule teams to Virginia City, Nev. In 1863 he purchased a tract of land on the Auburn road, thirteen miles from Sacramento, where he began farming; later he added 320 acres to the original purchase. Three hundred twenty acres of the original tract is now the estate of Daniel Dona-

hue. Cornelius Donahue was a Democrat and served one term as constable of Center Township; he passed away at his home on the Auburn road in 1881, aged fifty-one years. John Donahue and his brother Dan- iel attended the public school adjacent to their home and were always associated in their ranching activi- ties until 1904 when they mutually agreed to dis- solve partnership. For many years the Donahue brothers were prominent as barley and wheat grow- ers on the Del Paso grant, at times farming as many as 1,200 acres.

In 1892, Mr. John Donahue was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Kelly, a native of Sacramento, Cal., the second child of the late Thomas Kelly, also represented in this volume. The mother of Mrs. Donahue is now ninety years old and makes her home with her daughter. In 1893 the Donahue brothers bought 313 acres adjoining the property of their father, Cornelius Donahue, which is now the property of our subject, with the exception of seventy acres, which has been sold for colonization pur- poses. Mr. Donahue has developed his ranch to orchard and has built a fine residence, where he enjoys the peace and comfort so well carned. Mr. Donahue served one term as justice of the peace of Center Township. Fraternally Mr. Donahue is a past officer of the M. W. A.

JAMES J. KENEALY .- Eight years ago James J. Kenealy retired from his business as contracting plas- terer, which he had followed for a half century in Sacramento, and bought a ranch home eighteen miles northeast of that city, consisting of fourteen acres. which he has developed into a highly productive prop- erty. He was born in the city of Cork, Ireland. Octo- ber 23, 1850, a son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Dono- van) Kenealy, both natives of Ireland. James J. Kenealy is the only survivor of the five sons born to these parents. Jeremiah Kenealy was superintendent of the Bainbridge Estate in Ireland, and both parents lived and died in their native country.

James J. Kenealy received his education in the schools of Ireland, and on October 14, 1868, set out for America, going direct to St. Paul, Minn., where an uncle resided. He found work in the lumber camps of Minnesota, and also worked in the railroad yards. In 1875 he removed to San Francisco and there followed his trade of plasterer, which he had learned in Minnesota. He was engaged in contract work on many of the larger, older buildings in San Francisco. Removing to Sacramento, he here became general superintendent for J. S. Painter, the Sacra- mento contractor, and during his years in the business became well and favorably known throughout central and northern California.

The marriage of Mr. Kenealy united him with Miss Celia Hallanan, a native of St. Louis, Mo., who when two years old came to California via Panama with her parents, Patrick and Bridget (O'Malley) Halla- nan, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Patrick Halla- nan was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for many years. He passed away about ten years ago. The mother still lives, and makes her home at 314 T Street. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenealy. Bert is a contractor in Honolulu, where he has built many of the important buildings, among them being the Union Church and the Queen's Hospital. James A. is a mechanic, and is foreman for the contractors Herndon & Finnigan;

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he is married and has two children. Gertrude is the wife of H. M. Flynn, and they have two sons and reside in Sacramento. The fourth in order of birth is Jack P. Mr. Kenealy received his United States citizenship in San Francisco in 1876. He is a Demo- crat in his political allegiance. The family are devout Catholics.

MRS. MARY A. DETERDING .- Among the fine country estates in Sacramento County is the San Juan Meadow, which is the property of Mrs. Mary A. Deterding, one of California's native daughters, who spent her entire life in this section of the state. She was born near Mills Station, across the river from her present home, and is the eldest of seven children in the family of John and Elizabeth (Bows) Shields, pioneer farmers of 1852. Her brother, Hon. Peter J. Shields, is one of the foremost jurists of Sacramento, and an account of his life is published elsewhere in this volume.

Mary A. Shields was reared and educated in her native county, attending the Kinney district school and St. Joseph's Convent at Sacramento. On reach- ing womanhood she married Charles W. Deterding, of Sacramento, and three children were born to them: Charles W., Jr., who serves as county engineer and resides in the capital city; John R., who is a veteran of the World War; and May, the wife of A. D. McDonell, a well-known farmer of this district.

Sixteen years ago Mrs. Deterding purchased her present farm, which was a portion of the old San Juan grant, and she carefully supervised the clearing and development of the tract, which lies eleven miles northeast of the state capital. It contains 425 acres and fronts on the historic American River. For about eight years the river bottom lands were utilized for the growing of alfalfa, but the entire acreage is now being set out to fruit trees of choice varieties of peaches, Bartlett pears and French prunes. There are forty acres of prune orchard, forty acres of pears and fifty acres of peaches. A four-acre plot on an elevated portion of the ranch is set aside for the drying and curing of the fruit. The most modern methods are employed, and in the drying season thou- sands of trays are to be found laden with the fine fruit awaiting the curative powers of the sun's rays, the dehydrating system not being in use here. Mrs. Deterding also raises alfalfa in abundance and has transformed her ranch into one of the finest agricul- tural properties in the state. She is a practical busi- ness woman and displays foresight and executive abil- ity in the management of her affairs. Since she began operating in this district, the remainder of the San Juan Grant has been subdivided by a local realty firm; and at the present time the adjoining territory has been largely settled in ten-acre home tracts and is known as the Carmichael district. Of a generous, sympathetic nature, she has done all within her power to aid the new settlers in the Fairoaks and Carmichael districts and has greatly endeared herself to them.

Mrs. Deterding is prominent in club and social life and is a past president of the Thursday Club of Fair- oaks. She is also a member of the Carmichael Com- munity Club, which she aided in organizing and devel- oping, and likewise belongs to the California Prune and Apricot Growers' Association. She is deeply interested in the welfare and progress of her district,

and her spirit of helpfulness and her altruistic work have made her respected by all who have the honor of her acquaintance.

WILLIAM J. SMITH .- Another orchardist who has demonstrated the superiority of the Sacramento County husbandman, and the excellent resources of this part of the Golden State, is William J. Smith, of Grand Island, four miles to the south of Court- land, where he was born on October 18, 1860, the son of George A. Smith and his good wife, who was Miss Margaret Hale before her marriage. They were both natives of Bavaria, Germany, her father having come to California as early as 1853, when he ranched on Steamboat Slough, in the swamp land. Both par- ents reached the fine old age of eighty, and closed such careers of usefulness that their memory is revered by all who knew them. They had four children: William J., George S., Edward Hale, and Ida Ma- linda, who was the wife of Scott Ennis, and died in Sacramento.

William J. Smith attended the Onisbo district school, and then went to the California Military Academy in Oakland, where he was graduated in 1879. On the death of his father he received one- sixth of the estate, valued at $200,000; and having always engaged in farm work since he left school, he was able with this substantial start to develop one of the finest ranches in the state of California. He has 720 acres of highly developed orchard land on Grand Island, and in 1894 he and his father together bought 670 acres of land from E. R. Parvin; and these tracts, together with fifty acres of the old home place, constitute his land holdings today. He and his father had hard work reclaiming the land from the waters of the Sacramento River. The district constructed three different levees, and each in turn was washed out before the present one was finally constructed by means of dredgers. This one has proved to give ample protection against the floods. He has 100 acres of peaches, 200 acres of plums, and 200 acres of pears, of the variety for shipping, while the balance of the acreage is set out to apples, nectar- ines, and cherries. He finds by experience that he obtains the best results for fruit-yield and quality by irrigating freely after the fruit has been picked and shipped, and not during the growing season, although during this period he does cultivate to the highest degree. He packs his fruit and ships it East under his own brands, including the "Hiawatha Brand," the "Cathryn Smith for Freedom Brand," and the "W. J. Smith Brand." He has erected a large packing- house at his own landing on the Sacramento River, and ships by boat from his ranch. He employs from 100 to 400 men at various seasons. In 1917 he con- structed his large new residence, one of the largest in northern California, a very sightly and beautiful man- sion, which commands a splendid view up and down the Sacramento River, and also of the Coast Range and the snow-clad Sierra Nevadas.

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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 60

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