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 89

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 89

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MADISON L. DURBIN .- Prominent among the Native Sons of the Golden West is the name of Madison L. Durbin, who has the honored distinction of being California's oldest native son. He was born on December 28, 1848, one of three children of War- ren Perry Durbin, a native of Howard, Mo., and his wife, Evelyn (Harbin) Durbin, a native of Mem- phis, Tenn. His brother, Thomas, is a resident of Petaluma; and his sister, Clara, is now Mrs. Meh- ring of San Francisco. Warren Perry Durbin, our subject's father, was one of eight children born to Daniel Durbin and his wife: Mrs. Ann Gregg, de- ceased; Mrs. Amanda Bowman, who married John Bowman; Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Beachman and Mrs. Bell, all three deceased; and Daniel, Simeon and Warren Perry. Mr. Durbin's ancestors were well represent- ed in the carly wars, for both of his great-grand- fathers served in the Revolutionary War under Washington, and his grandfathers Durbin and Har- bin served in the War of 1812 and were at the Battle of New Orleans with General Jackson.

In 1836, Daniel Durbin, the grandfather, made. a trip to Oregon and established the first trading- posts for the Hudson Bay Company, fur traders. Highly honored and respected among the Indian tribes he came in contact with, he soon was known in all the trading-posts. He organized all the com- panies for the expeditions. In 1842, he returned to his home and organized a company to come to Cali- fornia. This company consisted of seven men, as follows: The late Gen. John Bidwell of Butte County, James Madison Harbin, known as "Mat" Harbin, the late John Walker of Santa Rosa, John Bowman, Capt. Granville P. Swift, Daniel Durbin, and "Old Truckee," a French-Canadian Indian inter- preter who was able to converse in all the Indian languages of the tribes that were encountered on their trips through the vast territories, where few white men had explored or traveled, These hardy pioneers reached California in 1842. They found only two white men in northern California; these were John Wolfskill, on Putah Creek, and George Yount, in Napa County. While still in the high Sierras, they sighted a river, which they named "Truckee River," after their Indian guide and inter- preter. They journeyed on to Oregon, but the mem- ories of this beautiful country lingered with them, and they turned back and came to California. Soon after their return, Old Truckee passed away. In his death these worthy pioneers lost a noble friend, a man of no mean ability in the understanding of his fellow-men, regardless of distinctions in race and religion; a man who would gladly lay down his life for his comrades; a friend in the most real sense of the word.

In 1844 three men of the original party of seven, Daniel Durbin, John Bowman and John Walker, went to Willamette County in Oregon. In 1846 Warren Perry Durbin organized a company to go to the West. On their arrival at Redding, via the Lassen route. the party divided, Warren Perry Dur- bin going to Oregon, and our subject's mother's people (the Harbins) coming to California. On their arrival they settled in Napa County on the Yount grant. In 1848 Daniel and Warren Perry Durbin returned to California and also settled in Napa County, Daniel Durbin establishing his resi- dence close by the Harbins'. Warren Perry Durbin married Miss Evelyn Harbin in 1846, and on De-

M. L. Durbic

Willard Warner _.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

cember 28, 1848, they were blessed with a little son, Madison L. Durbin. In 1851, in Napa County, Daniel Durbin passed away at the ripe old age of ninety years. Such a worthy life may well be looked upon with high regard. It is indeed a high mark of distinction to have. the courage, determination, persistence and ability necessary to win one's way through such a wild country, and to leave such an enduring memory to all coming generations.

Madison L. Durbin's grandfather Harbin had a quarter-section of land. He passed away after liv- ing over eighty years.

In 1849 Warren Perry Durbin bought a Spanish mile (approximately 610 acres) in the Green Valley, Solano County, from General Vallejo. He was the owner of the first piece of property that General Vallejo ever sold. He lived until he was sixty-two years old, and his wife passed away in 1918 at Sac- ramento, about ninety-three years of age.

The schoolhouse being eight miles from his home, in Green Valley Township, Madison L. Durbin, when a boy, had to ride to school on a mustang. This was the first school that he ever attended. Later, at Benicia, he attended a school taught by C. J. Flatt, and this school was later turned into a private law school.

On April 27, 1881, Madison L. Durbin was mar- ried to Margaret Russell Brownlee, a native daugh- ter, of Napa County, Cal. After their marriage, he and his wife resided in Sonoma County for ten years. They are the parents of one son, Russell Madison, born March 23, 1882, at Glen Ellen, So- noma County. They moved to Fresno, and there Mr. Durbin took charge of the extensive Eggers vineyard. He had charge of 500 employees work- ing on this ranch and in the winery. In 1899 he came to Tyler Island and with Col. H. I. Seymour purchased 200 acres of land from the late Alexander Brown. He built a fine house on this ranch, which has been the Durbin home ever since. When he first bought this tract of land, it was very swampy and was filled with dense shrubs; but through his untiring efforts, this waste tract has been developed into a productive ranch. About sixty acres have been devoted to asparagus, and the balance to fruit- growing and farming. There are two large irriga- tion plants in operation on the ranch.

Mr. Durbin is a stanch Democrat, and served on the State Central Committee for several terms, and also as a delegate to county and state conventions. In former days he was a member of the Santa Rosa Parlor, No. 28, N. S. G. W., at Santa Rosa; and he is now a member of Courtland Parlor.

WILLARD WARNER .- A wide-awake, progress- ive and experienced business man is Willard Warner, the manager of the Cascade Laundry, at 1515 Twen- tieth Street, who has been engaged in the laundry business during his entire industrial career. When a young man, he drove the first steam-laundry wagon in Seattle, and later he worked in the various depart- ments of the laundry. He was observant, not merely of what was going on in the same concern, but of what was being attempted in rival establishments; and when he came to Sacramento, he was ready for any problems that might present themselves in con- nection with his new enterprise. Mr. Warner was born in Fulton, N. Y., on Jannary 4, 1869, of a dis- tinguished family prominent in the history of the

Empire State. His parents removed to Minnesota, and he was educated in that state.

About thirty-two years ago Mr. Warner came to the capital, and, he has since been identified with the largest laundries in the city, principally as manager. When the Cascade Laundry was established in 1903, he was chosen manager; and to accept the new post, he gave up a very desirable position with the Union Laundry, also an excellently equipped concern, which position he had filled for five years. Since taking hold of the Cascade's affairs, he has made it the largest laundry establishment in northern California. The Cascade Laundry was incorporated with a capitaliza- tion of $60,000, and it now employs 125 men and women, and has a pay-roll totaling $100,000 annually. As a strictly modern plant, it is equal to the best on the Coast. Mr. Warner is president of the Laundry Association, and a member of the Chamber of Com- merce and the Rotary Club.

At Seattle, on May 19, 1890, Mr. Warner was mar- ried to Miss Flora Rich, a popular belle of Seattle. A son, Eugene, is associated with his father in the conducting of the laundry; and there are two daugh- ters, Philo and Adeline. Mr. Warner has just re- turned from the annual convention of the Laundry Owners' Association of California, which was held at Riverside, Cal., on May 17, 18 and 19, 1923, and which elected Mr. Warner as its general secretary.

REV. WILLIAM H. HERMITAGE .- Distin- guished among the most honored representatives of Christianity in Sacramento County is the Rev. Wil- liam H. Hermitage, the scholarly, efficient and popu- lar rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Sacra- mento. He was born at Margate, about fifteen miles from Canterbury, England, on January 6, 1882, the son of John James and Emily (Robinson) Hermi- tage. His father was a building contractor, and of such honorable position that he was elected to be mayor of the city for several terms; he died during the World War.

William Hermitage attended the parochial schools, and during the Boer War he went out to South Africa. From there he shipped for Australia, and spent two years in that country. In January, 1907, he came from Australia to California, and at San Mateo he took a classical course. Then he went to the Church Di- vinity School in preparation for the ministry, and received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion. He was the first assistant at the Grace Pro-Cathedral, in San Francisco, and then, in the same city, was rector of the Church of the Incarnation. He had been ordained as deacon on May 29, 1912, and on June 11, 1913, he was made priest, at the Grace Pro-Cathedral.

On November 1, 1916, the Rev. Mr. Hermitage came to Sacramento, and since then his influence, as rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, one of the most earnest and active parishes in the city, has been enviable. He is public-spirited, in close touch with both California and Sacramento movements, and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

On November 1, 1912, and at San Jose, Rev. Mr. Hermitage was married to Miss Anna Belle Wythe, a native danghter of San Jose, who holds the degree of Bachelor of Music from the College of the Pacific, and now teaches harmony in the Sacramento high school. Mr. Hermitage is fond of fishing and is a Mason and Elk, and also belongs to the Lions Club in Sacramento, of which he was the first president.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

MANUEL JACINTO .- A worthy representative of the native sons of the Golden State, is Manuel Jacinto, who was born December 12, 1879, in Yolo County on a farm, the son of Marion and Carry (Silva) Jacinto. His father came from the Azores Is- lands to California when he was a boy, and settled on a ranch and farmed in various places in Yolo and Sac- ramento County. He passed away in 1911, his wife having died in 1902.

Manuel Jacinto was educated in the public schools of Sacramento County. He helped his father on the ranch, and when he became a young man he engaged in the wood-peddling business. His business has grown to such an extent, that he now has two large trucks which are used in making deliveries. He has been engaged in the construction work of the state and county highway, and he and his partner built eighty miles of road. Although carrying on an exten- sive coal and wood business, Mr. Jacinto conducts an eighty-acre ranch, which is devoted to bean-raising. Mr. Jacinto is independent in his political views, cast- ing his ballot in favor of the candidate whom he deems best fitted for office, regardless of party ties. Frater- nally, he is a member of the U. P. E. C. and I. D. E. S., Portuguese societies. He is deeply interested in the progress of his business and is a public-spirited and enthusiastic supporter of all measures proposed for the benefit of the community.

RODNEY J. MORRISSEY .- The many improve- ments and the general advancement in the matter of real estate and insurance brokerage that have made that field of commercial and financial endeavor in California more satisfactory of recent years may well be ascribed, in part, to such far-seeing, experienced and progressive operators as Rodney J. Morrissey, the genial president of the popular Carmichael Com- pany, whose offices are at 811 J Street, in the capi- tal city. He was born in Tehama County, California, first seeing the light on a farm on January 28, 1879, the son of James B. and Nellie (O'Hair) Morrissey, his father having come out to California in 1875, while his mother had preceded Mr. Morrissey here, from Iowa, when she was a little girl. He was a farmer, and is still honored as a man able to super- vise a day's extensive work; Mrs. Morrissey breathed her last in 1917, leaving a blessed memory.

Rodney Morrissey attended the public schools, al- though even as a boy he was called upon, by un- favoring circumstances, to make his own way. He worked for the Holbrook, Merrill & Stetson Company, which was succeeded by the Miller-Enright Company, wholesale suppliers to plumbers, and he was next with the Standard Oil Company, at Sacramento. In December, 1906, he made his first venture with real estate, joining Messrs. Wright & Kimbrough; and he remained with them until August, 1919, when he became vice-president of the Carmichael Company. He came to his new responsibility equipped with an exceptional preparation and experience, having pre- viously taken a business college course that offered him much for his present line of endeavor. Mr. Mor- rissey is a successful, salf-made man, and represents in a very interesting manner the Carmichael Com- pany, with its admirable methods and exemplary standards, now admittedly one of the most prominent real estate and insurance firms in all Sacramento County. This corporation continues to lead the real

estate and insurance business in Sacramento. In February, 1923, the Morrissey brothers, including R. J. and E. G. Morrissey, became the owners of this corporation, and the business is being success- fully continued at the same address.

In 1904, Mr. Morrissey married Miss Cecelia M. Hooke, a native daughter of Sacramento. He belongs to Parlor No. 26, of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and Lodge No. 6, of the B. P. O. Elks, and is a Mason of the third degree.

ANTON INDERBITZEN .- A man of enterprise, publie spirit, and progressive ideas that he put into practical use, was the late Anton Inderbitzen, a na- tive of Switzerland born in Canton Schwyz, January 12, 1870, who was left an orphan at the tender age of ten years, thus being early forced to earn his own livelihood. He worked on farms at dairying and stock-raising, and learned the care of a dairy herd and the growing of farm produce. By his work he paid his own way through the local school, obtain- ing good grammar-school education. He was not satisfied with his environment; and having heard and read of the opportunities awaiting young men who were not afraid to work in the Land of the Stars and Stripes, he determined to cast in his lot with the Americans. So it happened that Anton Inder- bitzen came to Louisville, Ky., in 1889, where he spent a year employed in a dairy. In 1890 he came to Sacramento City and soon went to work on the Joerger ranch, near Folsom, where he continued for about three years. During this time he studied English, learning to speak and read the language of his adopted country. Next he entered the employ of A. Meister's dairy in Sacramento, where he con- tinued steadily for nine years, serving with such eredit and diligence that he was made foreman, a position he filled creditably and with ability for about four years. While thus employed, he was married in Sacramento, November 5, 1899, being united with Miss Marie Dettling, who was also born in Canton Schwyz, a daughter of Franz Carl and Elizabeth (Steiner) Dettling, farmer-fo'k in the land of Wil- liam Tell, where the daughter Marie was educated in the public schools. In 1895 she came to Sacramento, where she made her home until her marriage to Mr. Inderbitzen. For two years after his marriage, Mr. Inderbitzen continued as foreman for Mr. Meister until November, 1901, when he resigned to engage in business on his own account. They then leased the Hanlon ranch on the Cosumnes River, where he in- stalled a pumping plant and raised alfalfa, engaging in dairying. He held the lease for twenty years, and during all this time was engaged in the manufacture of cheese under the well-known brand Imperial Crown, a California full-cream cheese. His dairy herd comprised from 125 to 160 head of milk cows; so that on some days as much as a quarter of a ton of cheese was made, the product being principally sold in Sacramento. The herd of Holsteins had been bred up with great care until they were of a very high grade and were excellent milkers. In October, 1921, Mr. Inderbitzen gave up dairying and moved to Sacramento, purchasing a residence at 2016 Thir- ty-sixth Street, where he resided with his family. But he was not permitted long to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for about five months later he was called hence to that bourn whence no traveler returns, pass- ing away on April 2, 1922. A man of great energy,

a. Inderbyen

PILOT

Sperry OV. Dryer,

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

enterprising and of pleasing personality, he was mourned by his family and many friends.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Inderbitzen had proven very happy, and was blessed with the birth of three children. Antone is a graduate of Christian Brothers College, Sacramento. From the age of seventeen until he was twenty years old, he was actively en- gaged in ranching with his father. Then he went to San Francisco for further study, taking a course in accountancy for eight months in the San Francisco Institute of Accountancy, after which he was em- ployed at the offices of the Northern California Milk Producers as assistant to the bookkeeper, remaining with them for a period of eighteen months. He then resigned to accept his present position as credit man with the Dunn & Frazer Company, furniture dealers in the capital city. A second son, Charles, was act- ively engaged on the home ranch from sixteen to twenty-one years of age, when he took a course at Heald's Business College in Sacramento; but having a strong predilection for the machinist's trade, he is now in the employ of Arnold Brothers, Hudson and Essex automobile dealers, as an automobile mechan- ic. The youngest of the family is Maric, who is at- tending the Sacramento high school.

Fraternally, the late Mr. Inderbitzen was a mem- ber of the Red Men and a charter member of the Sacramento Helvetia Verein; while politically he was loyal to the Republican party and principles. Since his death, Mrs. Inderbitzen continues to reside at their home in Sacramento, surrounded by her children and many friends, and is looking after the interests left by her husband. A woman of much business ability and great personal charm, she is highly esteemed and respected by all who have come to know her and to appreciate her many winsome attributes of mind and heart. Mrs. Interbitzen is a member of the Ladies' branch of the Sacramento Helvetia Verein.

EUGENE L. McCUBBIN .- A World War vet- eran, highly honored and respected among his many acquaintances, Eugene L. McCubbin was born on October 16, 1893, at Oleanda, Cal. His parents, Hardy Lears and Lydia (Davis) McCubbin, came to California in the nineties from Louisville, Ky. His mother passed away in 1911; his father, a physician and surgeon, has his offices in the Ochsner Building, Sacramento, Cal.

Eugene L. McCubbin obtained his early education in, the public schools. When he was a senior in the University of Nevada he enlisted in the first officers' training camp in the United States army. For seven- teen months he saw active service in the front lines of the French battle-fields. He was commissioned as first lieutenant and saw service at St. Mihiel and the Argonne offensive. He returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge from Camp Kearney. For two years he worked with his father growing rice on their ranch in Sacramento.

Mr. McCubbin has been in the services of the city since 1921. He figures prominently in all the athletic occasions of his community, and is a loyal supporter of the Y. M. C. A. athletic work. On January 1, 1922, Afr. McCubbin was appointed physical instructor for the Sacramento high school. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. Being a World War veteran, he is a member of the American Legion, and stands high as an honorable representative of American manhood.

SPERRY W. DYE .- A lover of the water, Sperry W. Dye has served for many years on bay and river steamboats. He was born October 12, 1872, at Wal- nut Grove, one of the four children born to Sperry and Elizabeth (Sharp) Dye. His maternal grand- father, John Sharp, was one of the pioneers of the county and the founder of Walnut Grove.

Sperry Dye, the father, was one of the daring pio- neers of 1863, who crossed the plains from Iowa by ox team and suffered hardships and privations while opening up this beautiful territory. He settled at. Walnut Grove, by the Sacramento River, and there farmed and reared his family. During the early part of the Civil War be was in the quartermaster's department and in the government transport service, and took part at the battle of Pea Ridge. He was one of the first farmers to enter the asparagus industry, and also planted the first cherry trees in this vicinity. He succeeded John W. Sharp as postmaster at Wal- nut Grove. Sperry Dye, Sr., passed away in 1912, aged sixty-seven years. His widow survived him only a year, passing away in 1913. She was born at Dry Creek, Eldorado County, soon after her parents ar- rived in California; but she received her elementary schooling at Walnut Grove and finished her educa- tion at Hesperian College, Woodland, after which she engaged in teaching school till her marriage to Sperry Dye, July 4, 1869, the ceremony occurring at the Capital Hotel in Sacramento. Their union proved a very happy one. They were successful as farmers and horticulturists; and they reared a fine family. Besides Sperry W. Dye, there are two brothers, Cor- odon and Milo, and one sister, Amy, now Mrs. Brown, all fiving at Walnut Grove. One brother, John fra, died in his youth.

Sperry W. Dye is a graduate of the Walnut Grove grammar school and of the old college at Walnut Grove. When eighteen years of age, after completing his studies in the local schools, he started out for him- self and obtained a position at steamboating on San Francisco Bay and its tributaries. He followed this life on the water, with the Union Transportation Company, the California Transportation Company, and the Santa Fe Railroad Company boats, working his way up from wheelsman to captain. When he resigned, he was captain on the "Capital City." He is still keeping up his captain's papers, and all these years he has been a member of the Masters and Pilots' Association of San Francisco, and its prede- cessors. About ten years ago, he gave up steamboat- ing and settled down on the old Elizabeth Dye ranch. He now has 150 acres of land devoted to general farming, to orchards of pears, peaches, and plums, and to asparagus. He is married and has one little daughter, Marcella, eleven years of age.

While steamboating, Mr. Dye served on the fol- lowing steamers: "Capital City," "Pride of the Riv- er," "Onward," "Aurora," "Dauntless," "Capt. Web- er," and also on the tug "A. H. Payson," the ferry- boats "San Pablo" and "Occan Wave," the Southern Pacific Railroad Company's boat "Apache," and others. He was associated with Captain Tyler, who married Miss Mary Sharp, and with the late Capt. Thomas Corodon Walker. Tyler Island of the Delta country of Sacramento County was owned by and named after the father of "Captain Tyler of the River Boats." These two captains built the noted passenger boat the "T. C. Walker," that today plies between San Francisco and Stockton. He was also associated with

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

the late Capt. William T. Forsman, who was pilot of the large side-wheeler "Yosemite," which ran be- tween Sacramento and San Francisco in the days of the gold-excitement in California. Sperry W. Dye's uncle was Capt. Robert Sharp, who was a captain on the river boats for many years previous to his death.

Mr. Dye is a musician. He plays hoth the cello and saxophone, and is a member of the Walnut Grove orchestra. In national politics, Mr. Dye favors Republican policies; but in local matters he votes for the men and measures he thinks best adapted to serve the publie welfare, regardless of party consid- erations.

HARRY G. CHARLES .- An efficient, faithful executive, never failing to do the best he can for the interests of others entrusted to him, is Harry G. Charles, the outside agent of the Dredgermen's Union, at Sacramento. He hails from San Francisco, having been born in that city on October 25, 1873, the son of H. A. Charles, who came in 1848, and had married Miss Martha G. Robinson, born in Missouri and who crossed the plains, landing at Marysville in 1850. From 1853 to 1855, he was secretary of the California Stage Company, and remained so until that company was absorhed by the Wells Fargo Express Company; and he was a charter member of the stock- broking firm of Hall, Charles & Mackey, afterward Hall & Charles, and a charter member of the first stock board in San Francisco. He was also secretary of the Julia Mining Company, at his death, which occurred in San Francisco in 1882, it being his six- tieth year. He was kind-hearted and beloved, and was well-known.

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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 89

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