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 93

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 93

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Mr. Hinsey is married, and is the Father of six sons, viz .: Charles M., a veteran of the World War; George L., a resident of La Moine, Shasta County, Cal .; Walter Blaine, an accomplished musician; Don- ald M., who also enlisted in his country's cause in the war against German autocracy; Philip H., who spent six months with the United States Army in Siberia; and Ralph, in high school.

Mr. Hinsey is keenly interested in radiography and has a complete receiving outfit at his home. He gives his political support to the Republican party. He has served as school trustee and as a member of the church control board, and has done everything within his power to exploit the resources and promote the welfare of his community. He was one of the organ- izers of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, of which he became the first president, serving for some years on its hoard of directors; and he is also a member of the Fair Oaks Civic Club and chairman of the committee on the Plaza and Auditorium build- ing program. From early boyhood he has furnished a correct solution to the difficult problem of self- support and has demonstrated the fact that prosperity is ambition's answer. His breadth of view has en- abled him to recognize opportunities not only for his own advancement but also for the development of his community, and his loyalty and public spirit have prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former.

FAIR OAKS FRUIT COMPANY .- Richly en- dowed by nature with fertility of soil, an abundance of water and salubrity of climate, Sacramento County has become famous for the production of citrus and deciduous fruits; and one of the leading agencies for the marketing of this commodity is the Fair Oaks Fruit Company. On February 25, 1901, a local co- operative association was formed under the name of the Fair Oaks Fruit Association, which ceased to function owing to the non-payment of assessments; and on November 2, 1902, the Fair Oaks Fruit Com- pany was incorporated with an authorized capital of $25,000. It paid the debts of the old association, taking over its plant, which comprised a one-story building 30 by 50 feet in dimensions. The company now owns a large modern plant, supplied with steam equipment for sterilizing purposes and operated by electric and water power. The buildings now erected, not including the almond-bleaching warehouse, cover 44,000 square feet.

The olive-oil mill, which produces the San Juan brand of oil, is of reinforced concrete, and in it are installed the latest and most-improved types of ma- chinery and equipment for work of this character. It has a capacity for crushing fifteen tons of raw olives daily, and particular attention is paid to sani- tation, the oil being carefully protected at every stage in the process of manufacture. It is conducted through pipes to the settling vats, which are thoroughly coated with paraffine, and fitted with siphons so that the water is carried out, thus pre- venting the overflow of the oil. It is then sent by pipe-line to the curing cellar, where it precipitates matter held in suspension, and is next pumped to the filtering machine, supplied with fiber discs, afterward passing into a closed tank, from which it is weighed into cans and is then ready for the market. The oil is obtained from the flesh of ripe olives of choice and carefully selected varieties, and this careful selection

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accounts for the fine flavor and popularity of the San Juan brand. The processing houses have been doubled this year, and will again be doubled next year to meet the demands of the new orchards and in- crease in crops. The orange house, with facilities for packing three carloads daily, is frequently taxed be- yond its capacity; and the almond house adjoining. with its 5,000 feet of floor space, is used as a tem- porary storeroom.

The rush of crops commences in the latter part of August with almonds, and in 1922 about 200 tons were marketed through the Almond Exchange. This commodity is followed quickly by olives for shipment fresh and for canning, and at this time there are available for such purposes over 100,000 gallons. Be- fore the processing of olives is over, the oranges are ready, all being usually shipped before the end of the year. Oil-making ends the busy season, generally in February or March. Approximately sixty people are employed in caring for the different crops. Local labor is used, and the carnings of the company as well as the wages of its employees are spent at home. This means much to Fair Oaks, and the industry is also of substantial benefit to Sacramento City and County. During the twenty years of its existence, the enterprise has enjoyed a continuous growth, and the little frame building valued at $1,000 has been re- placed by a substantial, well-equipped plant worth in the neighborhood of $150,000. The success now at- tending the activities of the company is directly due to the untiring efforts and administrative powers of W. W. Hinsey, secretary, treasurer, general manager and moving spirit of the enterprise.

LAWRENCE B. KIERNAN .- Among the con- scientious and capable employees of the city of Sac- ramento Lawrence B. Kiernan has for the past nine years served in the capacity of superintendent of South Side Park. He is well known and highly es- teemed by all who know him and the patrons of the South Side Park appreciate his efforts in the improve- ment of this pleasure resort. A native son of Cali- fornia, he was born in Sacramento January 21, 1883, a son of John and Mollie (Shields) Kiernan. John Kiernan has spent the greater part of his lifetime in newspaper work and is still active along that line. Both parents are still living.

Lawrence B. Kiernan was educated in the public schools of Sacramento and at the age of sixteen learned the boiler-maker's trade, which he followed for fourteen years; following this he was employed as a detective by the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, and one year was spent in the employ of the Ebner Hotel in Sacramento. On October 14, 1914. he was appointed by the late E. J. Carragher, late commissioner of education, as superintendent of the South Side Park, a position he has filled to the entire satisfaction of the city, and through his efforts this park has become one of the most beautiful in the city of Sacramento.

Mr. Kiernan's marriage, May 31, 1918, united him with Miss Florence Laverone, a native of Santa Rosa, Cal. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and fraternally is connected with the B. P. O. Elks, the Eagles and the Sacramento Parlor, No. 3, N. S. G. W.

FRANK J. NEWMAN .- A wide-awake man quite representative of the leaders in the development of the automobile industry in Sacramento County is Frank J. Newman, the proprietor of the Folsom Garage, on Sutter Street, Folsom City, the authorized Ford and Fordson headquarters in that locality. As the mana- ger of one of the oldest garages owned by an indi- vidual in the county, he wields an enviable influence among motor men; and those who know him need not be told that his influence is always for progress and the public good.

He was born at Winnemucca, Nev., on February 1, 1883, and accompanied his parents, Julius and Pauline Newman, to Winters, Cal., in 1885, just when the Golden State was awakening to its great "boom." His father was an expert shoe- and harness-maker, and when he passed away, in 1908, at the early age of forty-nine, he left behind a record for usefulness and practical accomplishment which could not fail to in- crease the regret of those who knew him that he had' not been permitted to live and work longer. Mrs. Newman, the center of a circle of devoted friends, is now a resident of Dixon, in Solano County. The worthy couple had four sons and two daughters, and among these it has been the privilege of Frank New- man to minister to the main support of his mother for years, giving her every care and attention. A brother, Charles F., a resident of Sacramento, is also an expert in automobile mechanics, and is in charge of the garage at the Globe Mills in the capital city.

Leaving home at the early age of sixteen, Frank Newman went to San Francisco, where he entered the employ of the machine shop at the Union Iron Works, spending four years in his apprenticeship; he com- menced at four dollars per week, and gradually worked up. Afterwards he worked for a short time as a journeyman, and in 1906 came into the shop at Natoma for the Natomas Company of California, to do general machine and auto-repair work; and although the automobile was yet in its infancy, he awoke to the understanding that if he was to make good for some- body in this line, that somebody ought to be himself. Hence, he made a start, with a partner; and by work- ing very hard they maintained an auto stage line from Folsom City to the capital, and in 1910 opened the present garage.

Mr. Newman has been identified in various interest- ing ways with the development of automobiling in northern California, owning one of the original four- cylinder Reo motor cars, which, after it had traveled some 365,000 miles in stage service in this county, was much commented upon in articles accompanied by the usual illustrations. Some of these well-written tributes appeared in the Scientific American in 1914, and the following year in the Popular Mechanics magazine. In 1916 Mr. Newman effected the dissolution of the partnership by buying out his colleague's interests; and as the garage business was becoming the more important factor, he gave up staging and devoted himself exclusively to the wants of the motorist. In that same year, 1916, he added the Ford to his agency list, and he has been very successful in the disposal of many of these popular vehicles, doing well also with the later product, the wonder-working Fordson.

Twice Mr. Newman was able to enlarge his garage, making over into a workshop what was formerly a hotel; and such has been his success in salesmanship that he holds the record for contracts effected at both the highest and the lowest levels. On the morning of

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Ay Newman

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

March 13, 1923, the garage was completely destroyed by fire. A new garage, with twice the former capacity, has been built, and will be occupied in June, 1923.

Socially, Mr. Newman is popular, being a familiar figure in Granite Lodge, No. 63, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in matters of national political moment, and believes in wise legislation, designed to steady and foster industry and commerce. First, last and always, he is a good fellow, and one of the reasons for his ever-increasing patron- age is this, that he looks upon every customer as another good fellow, and tries to hand him out a square deal.

WILLIAM P. DWYER .- A well-known citizen of Sacramento, and the representative of a pioneer fam- ily, is William P. Dwyer, president of the Sacra- mento Transportation Company, which has grown and flourished under his management. Sacramento is his birthplace, where he was born on October 30, 1876, a son of Captain Thomas and Ellen (Flana- gan) Dwyer, both natives of Ireland. Thomas Dwyer was born in 1831, and was endowed with a spirit of enterprise; and when, in 1848, some acquaintances tried to persuade him to go with them to the New World, he readily consented. He came to Toronto, Canada, in all the vigor of his young manhood, and there commenced the battle of life. He engaged in the lumber trade, working at that during the winter, and on a farm during the summer. 1n 1852 he came to the United States, going to Ohio; and there he obtained his first contract work, the getting out of a certain number of railroad ties. After this he went to Lake County, Ill., and again worked on farms in the summer, going to the pine woods of Wisconsin in the winter, where sometimes for six weeks contin- uously the sun never melted the snow from the sides of the trees nor from the roof of his shanty.

In 1859, during the Pike's Peak excitement, in company with a party of friends, Thomas Dwyer started for the gold diggings; on reaching the Mis- souri River at Council Bluffs, they learned that the Pike's Peak gold excitement was a humbug, and some of the party turned back; but Thomas Dwyer and his partner struck out boldly for California, the land of gold and sunshine. They came with ox teams, and after a journey of five months arrived in Susan- ville on September 3, 1859. He spent a year in the mines of Shasta County, and went to Chico during the following summer and ran a thrashing-machine in Butte and Colusa Counties. When the season's farm work was over, he bought some timber-land on the Sacramento River in Colusa County, and com- menced cutting the wood; he got together about 2,500 cords, taking in a partner to share the expense, bought a wood barge, and brought the wood down to Sacramento, where he could dispose of it to the schooners in the river. This was the origin of what is today known as the Sacramento Transportation Company. He afterward bought a small steamer to tow his barges. About this time, in 1866, J. H. Rob- erts, H. L. Miller, Michael Rigney, N. McNear, and C. Clots were added to the firm, which was then known as the Sacramento Wood Company. In 1879 the name was changed to the Sacramento Transporta- tion Company, and the firm was incorporated under the laws of the state.

Notwithstanding the California Steam Navigation Company was running in opposition to them, their

business steadily grew from year to year. Increased towing facilities being required, the "Verona" was added to their fleet in 1873; the "San Joaquin No. 2," in 1877; the "San Joaquin No. 4," in 1882; the "Gov- ernor Dana." "Dover," and "Flora," in 1883; and in 1889 another steamer was added. At that time the company operated a fleet of twenty barges, which have been added to from time to time to accommo- date their fast-growing trade.

In 1881 the company engaged in the manufacture of brick, erecting kilns on the Riverside road, five miles below Sacramento, where they used the most- approved appliances. In 1888 a new patent system was introduced, called the continuous kiln, with a capacity of 60,000 brick per diem; they also had in operation four Quaker brick machines, with a capacity of 140,000 daily.

In 1868 Thomas Dwyer was married to Ellen Flan- agan; and they had five children: Francis Thomas, Mary Ellen (Mrs. Robert T. Devlin), John Jeffrey, William Patrick, of this sketch, and Thomas Edward. Mr. Dwyer died in 1890, and Mrs. Dwyer in 1896.

William P. Dwyer obtained his education in the Brothers' College and at St. Mary's in Oakland, graduating with the class of 1891. When he reached young manhood he was taught the transpor- tation business, so that when his father passed away it was an easy matter for him to continue the busi- ness along the lines inaugurated by his father. In 1923 the plant was remodeled and the most modern equip- ment was installed to replace the old, the capacity being increased to 30,000,000 brick annually. All hand work is eliminated, and a superior product is manufactured; the plant runs continuously, the year round.

William P. Dwyer was united in marriage in San Francisco with Miss Ethel Clare, a native of that city; and they are the parents of four sons: William Patrick, Jr., Thomas Robert, Richard Collins, and Peter Guilford. Mr. Dwyer is a Republican in pol- itics; and fraternally he is a member of the Elks, the Sutter and Del Paso Country Clubs of Sacramento, and the Family Club of San Francisco. He has con- tributed in a large measure to the upbuilding and im- provement of the part of the county in which he makes his home, for he belongs to that class of rep- resentative American men who, while promoting their individual progress and success, also contribute substantially to the general prosperity.

ROBERT L. UPHAM .- A most interesting rep- resentative of an old pioneer family is Robert L. Upham, the rancher of Sherman Island, who has 180 acres of about as rich and choice farm land there as may be found anywhere in Sacramento County. He is prominent as a Republican, and also as a mem- ber of both the Knights of Pythias, of Rio Vista, and the Eagles, of the same place, enjoying a popularity in those fraternal orders such as must always come to the man who accords honor and fraternity to others. He was born on the Upham Ranch, on Sherman Island, on July 6, 1880, the son of Lorenzo M. and Elizabeth (Brown) Upham, highly-esteemed farmer-folk of Sherman Island who owned and oper- ated some 500 acres and had six children, among whom our subject was the second in the order of birth. Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Fraser of Rio Vista, was older; and Clarence Irwin, in Hayward, de- ceased, Celeste, and Lester, of Portland, and an

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infant, were younger. Robert went to the Rio Vista schools, as well as to the schools in Collinsville and in San Francisco, where he attended the Lincoln School, and in Santa Clara; and when fifteen years old he began to make his own way in the world. He worked on the dredger of the San Joaquin and Sac- ramento River delta island levee, which took about fifteen years to build, rising to a position of leverman operating the dredger, and then for a couple of years was superintendent of the Rio Vista water- works. His father had sold his farm on Sherman Island to a Mr. Ober, and in 1916 Robert L. and his sister, Mrs. Fraser, bought back from Mr. Ober 180 acres of the old home place. This ranch has until recently been devoted to the raising of alfalfa, and also vegetables, but Mr. Upham is putting it into asparagus.

Mr. Upham was married at Rio Vista to Mrs. Emma Elizabeth (Nevin) Jose, the ceremony occur- ring on December 9, 1911. An accomplished lady, she was born at Rio Vista, the danghter of Joseph and Emma (Joy) Nevin, the former a native of County Antrim, Ireland, the latter of Deptford, County Kent, England. Her parents were married abroad, and came out to California in 1868, where Mr. Nevin busied himself at his trade as a carpenter. Mrs. Nevin passed away at thirty years of age; while Mr. Nevin lived to be fifty-three. They had four children: John, who is in Ukiah; Jennie, deceased; Emina E., Mrs. Upham; and William, who also is deceased. Mrs. Upham went to the Rio Vista grammar school, and she is now a past most excellent chief of the Pythian Sisters' Lodge at Rio Vista.

CLARENCE B. CUNNINGHAM .- A very popu- lar representative of one of the greatest industrial organizations in California, controlling important commercial and financial interests in Sacramento County, is Clarence B. Cunningham, the efficient district manager of the Earl Fruit Company, from 1891 to 1922. He is a native of the state of Massa- chusetts, and was born there on March 26, 1871. His father was Richard Cunningham, of Nova Scotia, and he married Miss Carrie A. Whitman, of the same picturesque country along the Atlantic.

Clarence B. Cunningham attended the public schools of the East, and in 1891 came out to California and joined the Earl Fruit Company, and located at River- side. In 1896, however, he was transferred to Mills Station, where he now resides. He married a daugh- ter of Joseph Studarus, an old settler of Mills Station, and so identified himself with a California family; and he is at present building his new home on the Fair Oaks road.

Mr. Cunningham introduced the Chester White hog into California, and for ten years was president of the State Swine Breeders' Association. During the war, he served on Merritt's staff, and was one of three "dollar a year" men of the federal live- stock commission. However, because of his work for the government, his health broke down. He is very much interested in the development of Sacra- mento County, and for years experimented with grapes, which he received from the United States department of agriculture, and he has come to enjoy the distinction of adding no less than five commercial varieties to the products of the state, an accomplish- ment of much practical value.

Mr. Cunningham married Agnes Barbara Studarus,

November 14, 1904, at the residence of Joseph Stu- darus, her father. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Sutter Club, and Del Paso Country Club, all of Sacramento. He likes baseball, fishing and out-of-door life generally.

DONALD McCLAIN .- A popular young business man, and enterprising, progressive citizen, was the late Donald McClain, a native son proud of his asso- ciation with this great commonwealth. Born near Franklin, Sacramento County, November 4, 1884, he was a son of Frank McClain, a rancher of that vicinity. Donald McClain attended the public school at Franklin as well as at Elk Grove, and after being graduated from the latter he entered Atkin- son's Business College in Sacramento, where he pur- sued the regular course, and was duly graduated. He then entered the office of the secretary of state, Charles F. Curry, where he spent several years in pleasant and profitable employment. Resigning his position, he spent four years as assistant in the city auditor's office under Fred Carey; and on the con- solidation of the city assessor's and city auditor's offices under one head, he served in the same capac- ity under Ed. Haynes. His fidelity, and the in- creasing value of his experience were much appre- ciated, and he continued in his position for a further period of eight years, making twelve years of service in the city hall. He then resigned to take up farm- ing at Walnut Grove, being interested with his aunt, Mrs. Sol Runyon, and his brother Harry, as owners and operators of the Point ranch on Andrus Island, devoted to the raising of fruit and asparagus.

Mr. McClain was married in Sacramento on Au- gust 10, 1911, to Miss Bertha L. Russell. She was born at Lakeview, Lake County, Ore., a daughter of Robert and Josie (Chatfield) Russell, native son and daughter of California and both representatives of pioneer families. Robert Russell was a lumber manufacturer, a member of the Russell Lumber Com- pany, and was also a farmer and stockman in south- ern Oregon. Mrs. McClain was the oldest of their three children, and received her education in the Sacramento schools. Mr. McClain was greatly in- terested in the civic and social affairs of the county. He was secretary of the Farmers' Protective Asso- ciation, and was also one of the organizers and the secretary of the California Asparagus Growers' As- sociation, working zcalously and filling the office until the association was well established, when he resigned a short time before he was called away. He was also secretary of Andrus Island Reclama- tion District until the time of his passing. He was not permitted long to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for he was called from the scene of his constructive efforts on February 4, 1923, at thirty-eight years of age, deeply mourned by his family and friends.

Mr. McClain was a prominent Mason, being a past master of Tehama Lodge, F. & A. M., of Sacramento, and was also a Knight Templar and a thirty-second- degree Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the same city; and with his wife he was a member of Onisbo Chapter. O. E. S., of Courtland, of which he was a past patron and Mrs. McClain a past matron. Mr. McClain was also a popular mem- ber of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W., and of the Rotary Club in the capital city. In national politics, he was a Republican.

Donald McClain

Geo W Hack Berdenia F Hack,

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

GEORGE W. HACK .- Among the oldest settlers now living in Sacramento County, George W. Hack is well and favorably known and highly respected. He was born in Canastota, N. Y., April 25. 1846, a son of George and Mary Ann (Jenkinson) Hack, born in England, who came to New York on their honey- moon and for a time followed farming in Canastota. Afterwards they removed to Calhoun County, Mich., settling near Albion, and continued to reside there until 1852, when he crossed the plains to California. In 1855 the mother and three children came via Panama and joined him on his ranch, just south of Freeport on the Sacramento River. Here they im- proved a farm and resided until their death, the father at eighty-four and mother at sixty-two years. Three of their children were born in the East and four in California, making a family of seven children, as fol- lows: George W., the subject of this interesting re- view; John T., who died at Freeport; Annie E., Mrs. Carrington, who died in Sacramento; N. D., on a part of the old home; Mary Ann, Mrs. John Oswill of Contra Costa County; Emma, Mrs. George Landis of Sacramento; and Charles J., who died near Free- port.

George W. Hack, while yet a young lad, came out with the family to California via the Isthmus of Panama. Living on the farm, he attended school in the Union district, two miles away, the distance be- ing covered by walking morning and evening. From a boy he assisted his father till twenty-two years of age. Meantime his father had purchased a ranch on the lower Stockton road, which George W. Hack farmed.

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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 93

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