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 85

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 85

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James Wesley Howard married Miss Joan Wills, one of California's native daughters, and they have become the parents of two children, Phyllis Eliza- beth and Dorothy Denise. Mr. Howard is a Knight Templar Mason and a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sacramento; while Mrs. Howard is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Mr. Howard is also an Elk, and likewise holds membership in the Sutter Club, while his political support is given to the Republican party. He has spent practically his entire life in California, and has

contributed substantially toward its development and progress through his mining operations, which have been of a most important character. He has found that the field of opportunity is open to all, and not- withstanding the fact that others have been more advantageously equipped at the outset of their careers, he has nevertheless outdistanced many and gained a position of leadership in his chosen line of activity.

CHARLES E. GIBBS, Jr .- Classed among the enterprising, progressive, and influential ranchers of Sacramento County is Charles E. Gibbs, Jr., born May 14, 1892, at Alameda, Cal. He is the only living child (his sister having passed away) of Charles E. Gibbs, Sr., a native of California. His grandfather was also named Charles E .; he came to the Golden State from the East in 1849, during the gold excite- ment, being a member of the firm of Scotchler & Gibbs, the first cannery firm in California. They built the old Black Diamond Cannery at Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, which the elder Gibbs operated until 1896, when he retired. However, he was not per- mitted to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for he dicd soon after his retirement. The father of our subject is now a broker in San Francisco, but making his home in Alameda. In early days he had married Emma May George, born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Charles E. Gibbs, the third, was educated at the Alameda public school and the Belmont Military Academy of San Francisco, where he was graduated in 1911, and that year, at the age of nineteen, he be- gan to make his way in the world as a buyer for George A. Webster, a produce merchant of San Francisco. For three years he worked for Mr. Web- ster, buying potatoes, chiefly in the delta country of San Joaquin County. He then obtained a position with Wolf & Son of San Francisco, with whom he was employed but a short time. An early opportunity came to him, and he associated himself with the Cali- fornia Fruit Canneries, now the California Packing Corporation, as a buyer, and seven years were spent in the delta country from Rio Vista to Newcastle, Placer County, in the employ of this company. Then, for a year, he represented the American Fruit Grow- ers, at Sacramento.

In 1921, Mr. Gibbs leased Mrs. Cowing's 150-acre ranch at Walnut Grove, Cal., and since that time has operated this property, 100 acres of which has been developed into a splendid orchard of pears and plums, while the balance is open land. He also leases 200 acres on Andrus Island, which has been devoted to asparagus and celery. In 1922, with a partner, J. W. Burchell, Mr. Gibbs purchased 738 acres of the Brack tract on Hogg Slough in San Joaquin County. This property was formerly a part of the Jacob Brack estate. It has seventy-five acres in pears and 500 acres in asparagus; the balance is used for pasture and grain. The ranch is operated by tractors and horses.

On October 18, 1916, at Sacramento, Charles E. Gibbs, Jr., was married to Gladys Grey Duhain, a native of Sacramento, and the daughter of Charles and Marie (Grey) Duhain. She was left an orphan while still an infant, and was reared by her aunts and educated in the schools of Sacramento and San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs were the parents of two children: Grey Maric; and Charles E., the fourth.

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Mr. Gibbs was bereaved of his faithful wife, June 10, 1923, whose death was a great loss to the community, and to her family and many friends. Mr. Gibbs is a Republican and a member of the Sutter Club in Sac- ramento.

FRANK G. WATERBURY .- For thirty years Frank G. Waterbury has resided within the borders of Sacramento County, and throughout the entire period his activities have been of a constructive char- acter, contributing to public progress and improve- ment as well as to individual success. He is now conducting a prosperous business as a building con- tractor and is also the owner of a valuable fruit farm near Fair Oaks. He is one of California's native sons and was born near Clarksburg. Yolo County, December 25, 1869, of the marriage of James Water- bury and Mary Glanville, the former of whom was born in New York in 1825. The father crossed the plains to California in 1849 with the rush of gold- seekers and engaged in placer mining in Shasta County, later purchasing land in Yolo County, where he followed the occupation of farming. At the out- break of the Civil War he returned to the East and enlisted in the 92nd Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years and nine months. After re- ceiving his discharge from the army he was married at Polo, Ill., in 1865, and started with his bride for the Golden State, going by way of Panama. Mr. and Mrs. Waterbury were numbered among the honored pioneers of Yolo County. The former passed away at the age of sixty-eight, while the latter's death occurred when she was in her sixty-fourth year.

Frank G. Waterbury is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, five of whom survive. He was reared in Yolo County and there attended the public schools, afterward completing a course in Howe's Academy. On starting out in the business world he entered the employ of the Shasta Lumber Company in the capacity of stationary engin- eer, and soon afterward was placed in charge of all their engines at Camp Shasta, being thus occupied for six years. In 1893 Mr. Waterbury removed to Sac- ramento, and he has since been a resident of this county. In the same year he took charge of the dredge work on Reclamation No. 150, to which he gave his attention for two and a half years, and the efficient manner in which he performed that task won for him favorable attention. The Netherlands Land Company sought his services as dredge in- spector for their eight dredges, and for seven months he remained with that firm, which later became known as the Holland Land Company. In 1917 Mr. Waterbury purchased ten acres of the Henry Grundman ranch near Fair Oaks, which he has con- verted into a model fruit farm, specializing in the raising of oranges, olives and almonds. His work in connection with irrigation projects was of a most important character, and he has aided materially in making this one of the most fertile and productive sections in the state. He has also become well- known as a building contractor, and many examples of his handiwork are to be seen in the Folsom and Fair Oaks districts. He recently completed the Roberts School on the Greenback Road, and his bus- iness is a large and growing one.

In May, 1893, Mr. Waterbury was married to Miss Amanda Ruth, whose birth occurred near Lin-

den, San Joaquin County. Her parents, Andrew and Sophia (Ryder) Ruth, were both natives of Indiana, and the father was one of the progressive farmers of San Joaquin County. Mr. and Mrs. Waterbury have an adopted son. Cecil Waterbury, whom they are carefully and tenderly rearing. Mr. Waterbury is well informed on questions of public moment, and has made his life count as a forceful factor in ad- vancing the interests of his state along many lines.

MITCHELL J. BALLARD .- A young man of much energy and business acumen, whose activities have materially contributed to the general growth and public welfare, is Mitchell J. Ballard. He was born in Detroit, Mich., October 24, 1890, and while still a youth was deprived of the loving care of his parents, being reared in the home of his uncle.

Mitchell J. Ballard attended the grammar and high schools in Detroit; and after graduating from the latter he entered the' Indiana County Normal School in Pennsylvania. After completing a course at that institution, he traveled for a year throughout the South with his uncle. In 1911 he entered the employ of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, where he was engaged until his removal to California in 1913.

Upon his arrival in the Golden State, Mr. Ballard located at Los Angeles, the year the Ford Motor Company opened their plant in that city, where he continued in their sales department for a period of about three years. He became greatly interested in the state, appreciating its climate and the productivity of the soil, so much so that he determined to make it his future home. Looking about for a suitable location in which to establish a Ford agency, he selected Sacramento, and on August 17, 1916, in part- nership with H. F. Goodrich and W. P. Rouse, the present business was established at the corner of Seventh and M Streets. Since then, Mr. Rouse's interest was purchased by his partners, and now the firm is Goodrich & Ballard. They are the largest Ford dealers in the capital city, and their business is steadily increasing under the efficient methods em- ployed in its management.

Mr. Ballard is also interested in other lines of busi- ness endeavor, being president of the Lap Bit Machine Company, manufacturers of a reboring machine, a newly patented device for reboring cylinder blocks, which effects a saving of time and money. He owns the Courtland Motor Company, operating the Ford agency and garage at Courtland, a growing and suc- cessful business. He is president of the H. J. Gel- ling Company of Sacramento, engaged in automobile painting, enameling and trimming. Mr. Ballard is also particularly interested in ranching, having a great liking for the country and for seeing things grow. He owns a ranch of 140 acres in Reclamation Dis- trict No. 900, in Yolo County, devoted to orchards and alfalfa. He is a director in the California Almond Packing Corporation.

The marriage of Mr. Ballard occurred in Los An- geles, uniting him with Miss Hazel Hilt, a native of Minneapolis, Minn. During the World War, Mr. Ballard expressed his patriotism by taking an active part in the Liberty Loan drives of the county. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is a member of Los Angeles Lodge, No. 99, B. P. O. Elks, and the Rotary Club, Del Paso Country Club, and Sutter Club, of Sacramento.

If Sulland

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IHISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

WILLIAM BELL LADUE .- Among the promi- nent and outstanding figures in building circles, the name of William Bell Ladue is well-known to the home-builders of Sacramento, where he has intro- duced many modern, high-class residences and apart- ments which have been very popular in this thriving and prosperous city. He was born on April 19, 1884. at Roseville, Cal., the son of William E. and Mollie ( McKewen) Ladue. His father for years was sexton of Odd Fellows Cemetery, and was born in Humboldt County, Nev., while his parents were crossing the plains on their journey to California. His Grandfather McKewen was a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. Ladue is a descendant from French and English stock.

William Bell Ladue was educated in Sacramento, to which city his parents came when he was six years old. After leaving school, for three years he worked in the laundry business and then became an apprentice in the carpentering trade to Ed. Hook, where he was employed for fifteen years. In 1919 he went into busi- ness for himself. He was the builder of the Carmel Flats, and has devoted his attention to residences and apartments.

On October 1, 1908, William Bell Ladue was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Stadler, a native daugh- ter of Sacramento. They are the parents of one child, William E. Mr. Ladue has been an honorable and upright citizen, and has labored effectively and ear- nestly to uphold the interests which have made for public improvement. Politically he adheres to the Republican party; fraternally he is a thirty-second-de- gree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner. He is a past district deputy of both the subordinate lodge and the Encampment branch of the Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Builders' Exchange. Mr. Ladue is very fond of outdoor life, especially hunting. A broad-minded, public-spirited citizen, he takes a deep interest in everything relating to the welfare of his community.

ADOLPH J. and HAROLD R. MATTHIAS .- Experienced caterers to the motoring world, Messrs. Matthias Brothers, at Oak Park, have done their share through the liberal and energetic management of the People's Garage there, towards advancing the progress of everything pertaining to the resident or touring motorist's welfare. They have not only studied carefully for years the conditions and prob- lems affecting the needs of users and owners of auto- mobiles, but have sought to anticipate the wants of the public, with the result that the People's Garage has been given a liberal patronage by the apprecia- tive public.

Adolph J. Matthias was born in Sacramento on March 3, 1886, the son of Louis W. and Katherine ( Metzler) Matthias, both of whom are natives of San Francisco, representing old pioneer families. Grandfather Matthias left his native Germany and went to South America and later sent for his intended bride, who joined him there and they were married on board a British man-of-war. They came to San Francisco and in that city the husband followed his trade of cabinet-maker. Louis W. Matthias came to Sacramento forty-three years ago and for many years he was in the employ of the state printing office and then was with the Sutter Engraving Com- pany and now is doing business for himself as an electrotyper. He is a past master of Concord Lodge,

F. & A. M., and a member of the Sciots. Adolph J. took the usual public school courses and then went to Howe's Academy. He then worked under his father in the state printing office for a year; next worked at the plumbing business for three years; then look up work as a stationary engineer and put in eleven years at that, while he was active in a garage in the day time. He was married in 1906, at Sacra- mento, to Miss Louisa Wahl, born in Sacramento, and they have had five children: Louis, who died aged nineteen months, and Thelma, Bernice, Gertrude and Adolph J., Jr. For thirty-four years Mr. Matthias has lived on one block. He is public-spirited and as deeply interested in Sacramento of the past as he is in the Sacramento of the future.

Harold R. Matthias was born at the family home on December 31, 1897, and he attended the public schools of the city and then started to learn the trade of auto mechanic. In 1918 he purchased the Oak Park Garage from M. Hamilton & Son, and conduct- ing that business for three years, he sold out to join his brother in the People's Garage. He was married in 1917, to Miss Phoebe Blanche Johnson, a native of Denver, Colo., and they have two children, Edith M. and Lois K.

In 1921 Adolph J. and Harold R. Matthias formed a partnership and erected a modern brick edifice on Thirty-fifth Street in Oak Park, where they conduct one of the successful garages in that growing suburb of the capital city. They have the agency for the Gould Batteries, United States Tires and the Casto- lene oils, and these speak for themselves. They employ six men in the usual season and do a gen- eral garage and repairing business. Messrs. Matthias Brothers are Republicans in national affairs, but locally support the best men and measures. They belong to the Blue Lodge of Masons and to the Sciots, and are counted among the representative business firms in Sacramento.

ERIC E. FULTON .- No resident of Sacramento County has made greater contribution to its improve- ment and development than has Eric E. Fulton, the builder and superintendent of the Fair Oaks Irriga- tion District. He is the architect of his own fortunes. and his life history constitutes an example of indus- try, determination and honorable dealing that others might profitably follow. A native of Kansas, he was born July 2, 1886, and is a son of McFarland and Nancy E. (Hoffman) Fulton, who were married in Osborne County, Kans., April 13, 1880. The father was born in Belmont County, Ohio, October 22, 1855, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Gay) Fulton, who were there married, having removed from Philadel- phia, Pa., to that section with their parents during the early forties. Andrew Fulton acquired a tract of school land comprising 270 acres, situated eleven miles east of Sinclairville, Ohio, and by arduous labor removed the dense growth of timber from his place. prepared the soil for crops, and eventually trans- formed his property into a highly productive farm. He was a man of strong convictions, whom neither fear nor favor could swerve from the course he be- lieved to be right.

McFarland Fulton went to Osborne County, Kans .. in 1879, and there met and married Nancy E. Hoff- man, a daughter of Rasmus and Elizabeth (Gilmore) Hoffman, pioneer settlers of Monroe County, Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, Joseph Hoffman, was of

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German ancestry and followed the occupation of farming in Pennsylvania. The Gilmore family is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and its members have gained distinction in judicial affairs as well as in religious activities as adherents of the Presbyterian Church. In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Fulton came to California to join members of their family, and resided at Rich- mond Point until 1918, when they removed to Fair Oaks, where they have since made their home. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Fulton has been identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a charter member of Fair Oaks Camp No. 7014. He formerly belonged to the camp at Salina, Kans., and filled all of the offices therein. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton have reared a family of five children, namely: D. O. Fulton, of Sacramento; Ora May, the wife of F. W. Hayes, also a resident of Sacra- mento; Eric E., of this review; Mabel, who married S. G. Linnell, of Woodland; and Ethel Blanche, the wife of C. R. Hayes, of Sacramento.

When but thirteen years of age, Eric E. Fulton left home and started out in the world on his own ac- count, going to Salina, Kans., where he obtained work in a flour mill. He was advanced to the position of flour tester and was thus occupied until 1902, when his health became impaired and he started for California to join his brother, D. O. Fulton, who was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Point Richmond. Eric E. Fulton also entered the service of that firm and, ambitious to progress, enrolled as a student with the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa., completing a course in mathematics, another in carpentry, and a third in blacksmithing. For nine years Mr. Fulton remained with the firm at Point Richmond, and then resigned his position owing to ill health. In 1911 he arrived in Orangevale, and finding the climate beneficial he decided to establish his permanent home in this local- ity. He at first worked on the Hinkle estate, and in 1913 became connected with the Fair Oaks Irriga- tion District, with which he has since continued. As his experience and value increased he was intrusted with heavier responsibilities, and at length assumed the duties of superintendent, which he is now ahly discharging, having been reelected to that office on February 7, 1923. He is rendering to the residents of this section a service of great value and impor- tance, and recently completed the laying of irrigation pipes and the replacing of old laterals installed by the first private company. Ninety-five men have been frequently employed in the construction crews. In directing the labors of those under him Mr. Fulton displays tact, consideration and good judgment, thus securing that cooperation and good-will of his sub- ordinates which make for increased efficiency of operation.

On February 7, 1906, in San Francisco, Cal., Mr. Fulton was married to Miss Viola Parks, the young- est daughter of Israel and Martha (Green) Parks, both now deceased. She was born in St. Paul, Minn., October 23, 1889, and in 1895 accompanied her par- ents on their removal to California. They established their home at Richmond, Cal., and there the father met an accidental death on the morning of April 23, 1904, while working in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. He was identified with the Yeo- men Lodge, and his life was an upright and honor- able one. The mother passed away at Vallejo, Cal.,

June 27, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton have four chil- dren : Faith Lucille, Travine, Edwin and Victor. Mr. Fulton's home is situated on a tract of two and a half acres in Fair Oaks, and he also owns a ten- and-a-half-acre ranch one mile east of the village. He has unbounded faith in the future of his district and utilizes every means at his command to promote its development. He is a valued memher of the Pacific Improvement Club of Fair Oaks and acts as one of its directors. He has taken cognizance of his opportunities, utilizing them to the best advantage. He is a young man who has not yet reached the zenith of his powers, but judging from what he has already accomplished the future holds for him great possi- bilities.

FRANK B. BATES .- Popular in social, financial and commercial circles, Frank B. Bates, of Court- land, was born under the sunny skies of California. The Bay City, San Francisco, claims his birth, for he first saw the light there on May 28, 1855. His father, Benjamin Bates, was an Englishman who came to the United States when only three years old, accompanying his parents, who were made nat- uralized Americans in New York; and in 1849 he came out to California, a true Argonaut, by way of Panama, and settled at San Francisco. He later moved to the Sacramento River section, near Court- land, or rather, near the site of this town, for the settlement had not then been thought of; and in 1849 he had sent around the Horn the portable house he was to live in, which became one of the first buildings on the river. When John Hollenbeck, now of Ryer Island, first landed in the vicinity of what is now Courtland, he stayed at this house, which was erected on June 18, 1850.

Benjamin Bates married Miss Jane Patton, a pop- ular belle from New Jersey; and when Frank was a year old, his father came to the Courtland neighbor- hood, soon going to the mines for a brief trial of luck, and afterward returning to the river again. He bought 128 acres of land where Courtland now stands, farmed this as best he could, and passed away there at the age of eighty. Mrs. Bates lived to be eighty, also, and to do her full share, like her honored hus- band, in making straight the paths for those coming after. They had five children. Jeanette is deceased; Frank, of this sketch, was the second in the order of birth; Mary Emma, now deceased, was Mrs. Peck, of Sutter Island; Anna is Mrs. Congdon, of Sacra- mento, while Charles is also deceased.

Frank Bates attended the Onisbo district school, and later completed his studies at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara. After that, he lived on the home farm most of the time, and the dwelling in which he now resides was built in 1863. When Benjamin Bates died, some of the ranch was sold to clear an indebtedness, and the balance was inher- ited by Mrs. Bates. On her death, this was divided, and Frank Bates received fifty-seven acres, which he afterward sold off in town-lot subdivisions, at Court- land, and now he owns only forty acres, adjoining the town. Twenty acres of this tract is devoted to fruit-orchard purposes, and six to vineyard, while the balance is open land. Recently, he has leased his land to tenants. The lots upon which the new Onisbo chapter of the Masonic Lodge has just erected its new temple were a part of Frank Bates' estate.

Frank . VB. Bater

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Mr. Bates has had many opportunities to enter poli- tics. but he has always declined to do so, and he has preferred to vote independently for the best men and the best measures.

CHARLES SCHMITT .- It is an old saying that a printer's is a roving trade, but such records as that of this pioneer newspaper man of Sacramento will go far to contradict this testimony. For he has been a publisher in that city for fifty-two years, and that is a record for any line of business. A native of Rhenish Bavaria, Charles Schmitt was born Octo- ber 9, 1836, the son of Nicholaus Schmitt, promi- nent in that famed city, where he was a member of the German parliament in 1848. Both father and son came to the New World in December, 1849, the father as a refugee, having taken part in the Revolu- tion of 1848, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., and there the lad learned the trade of printer under par- ental supervision.

The West beckoned the young man with tales of fortunes made over night in the gold fields, and in 1856 he came to California via Panama, coming up the Pacific from the Isthmus in the steamer "John L. Stephens." After arriving in San Francisco, the first two years were spent in that city at his trade of printer, and then, in 1858, the young Argonaut tried his luck in the mines in Tuolumne County, and at San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, and then went to Colorado, Arizona and Old Mexico.

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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 85

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