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 99

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 99

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

their union. Mr. Lewis belongs to Lodge No. 6 of the B. P. O. Elks at Sacramento, and to Lodge No. 123 of the Knights of Pythias at Loomis. He lias certain hobbies, and one of these is baseball, in which he has figured prominently in many amateur teams and games, acting as a crack catcher and a heavy hitter. He is also fond of hunting and fishing, in which he well demonstrates his natural inclination to sport.

HERMAN A. MUNDT .- An experienced, effi- cient and dependable public official who enjoys an enviable popularity because of his Rooseveltian prin- ciples, which assure every man a "square deal," is Herman A. Mundt, the wide-awake constable of Granite Township, who was elected to office on No- vember 7, 1922. For years he was in charge of the outside crews of men for the gold dredgers of the Natomas Company of California, at Folsom City.

A native son of the Golden State, Mr. Mundt was born at Auburn, in Placer County, on October 8, 1873. His father, Albert Mundt, was a native of Germany, who came from that country about the time of the migration to the United States of such splendid German-Americans as Karl Schurz, and reached California in 1850, as a prospector for gold; he spent his early days in placer mining, and his de- clining years as a claim-holder in Placer County, where he died in 1888, at the rather early age of fifty- eight, his shorter tenure of life having been due to the hardships incidental to pioneer experiences. Mrs. (Myers) Mundt was also a native of Germany, who had been permitted to marry in her native country and to share with her husband all his adventures while accompanying him on his way to the Golden State. The old Mundt home is now owned by Emile Mundt, the eldest son, who is a farmer and a horti- culturist.

Herman Mundt received a good training in the public schools to which he had been sent, and filled with unusual ambition for a lad in his teens, he set out for himself at the age of sixteen to mine for quartz near Auburn, joining the Three Star Com- pany, and he has followed mining ever since. He spent eighteen years in quartz-mining in Nevada, and in the Montana copper fields, and during most of that time he held the position of foreman. In 1908 he removed to Folsom City, and was employed by the Natomas Company of California till January I, 1923. He is a Democrat with respect to his bias in matters of national import; but he is first, last and all the time a broad-minded, broad-shouldered Amer- ican, and never allows partisanship to interfere with his duties either as citizen or constable.

While at Butte, Mont., in 1898, Mr. Mundt was married on April 22 to Miss Julia Sullivan, a na- tive of Black Hawk, Colo., where she was born on August 27, 1876, the daughter of Patrick Roger and Julia (Regan) Sullivan, of New York and Michi- gan, respectively, her ancestry being Irish. Mrs. Mundt was reared in the home of her grandmother Regan, where she went to live after the death of her mother, in 1886. Five children have been granted Mr. and Mrs. Mundt. Edna S. was born on August 5, 1900; Albert H. on January 27, 1903; Kenneth F. on1 January 22, 1906; Aileen on April 23, 1908; and Geraldine F. on December 29, 1917. Mrs. Mundt is a past noble grand of Rebekah Lodge, and also a past senior warden, and Mr. Mundt is a member of

Granite Lodge No. 62, I. O. O. F., and of the Re- bekahs, and alsd of the Encampment, and is a past noble grand, and was also a delegate to the grand lodge convention. The Mundts own their own com- fortable residence on Percifer and Wool Streets, which was completed about nine years ago.

FRANZ DICKS .- A distinguished representative of the German school of music, who has found a cordial welcome in the American land of his adoption, and who has, through his musical genius, amply repaid for whatever of American cheer has heartened him on his way, is Franz Dicks, the popular director and music teacher, of Sacramento. He was born at Duesseldorf, on January 16, 1868, the son of Henry and Augusta (Oterman) Dicks, the father a merchant in good standing, and both father and mother highly esteemed in that famous art center, with its many German-American art associations. Both of these worthy folks are now deceased.

At an early age, Franz Dicks showed a more than ordinary talent for music, especially for the violin, securing when only fifteen years old a notable prize at the Cologne Conservatory, where he was a pupil of Gustav Hollaender for three years. His instructors in pianoforte and theory were Arnold Kroegel and Gustav Jensen. After having been graduated from the conservatory, Mr. Dicks remained for several years in Cologne, as first violinist under the conductorship of Dr. Franz Wullner; and during that time, he was frequently heard as a concert soloist. In 1890, he became concert master at the Staedt Theater in Er- furth, and later he was first violinist in the Staedtis- chen Orchestra in Duesseldorf, his native city. When Mr. Dicks toured Germany, the "Tageblatt," a newspaper of Cologne, spoke of his pleasing, con- genial personality, and said that "the gifted young violinist played with a beautiful, full tone"; the "Westphaelischer Courier" of Dortmund said that "he scored an unqualified success," and that "his Bee- thoven especially was fine-so dignified, majestic and sympathetic"; the famous "Koelner Zeitung," also of Cologne, affirmed that "he did full justice to his Bee- thoven master-work"; and the "Universitaets Nach- richten," of the old university town of Marburg, could not have said more in praise when it declared of him: "We had anticipated hearing a good violinist-and we heard an artist."

Until 1920, Professor Dicks was engaged with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, with which he played, in March, 1920, at Sacramento; but he then resigned his contract and returned here in August, following. He bought a five-acre ranch at Rio Linda, became leader of the Loew's State Orchestra, and is director of music in the Sacramento County schools. His school-work takes him here and there, and he has become one of the best-known of musicians in this locality. His studio is located opposite the governor's mansion, corner of Sixteenth and HI Streets. He is fond of gardening, and is already deeply devoted to Sacramento, which he deems the garden spot of the world. In politics he is a Republican.

In Minneapolis, Minn., Professor Dicks married Miss Antoinette Plessman, a gifted daughter of the Fatherland, and also a local favorite; and one son, named Otto Edmund, has blessed their union. He is a member of the Rio Linda Country Club.

Trang Dicks

Michael Blocker.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

FRANCIS ELTON MASON .- A popular execu- tive whose influence among his fellow-workers is al- ways in the line of progress, is Francis Elton Mason, the superintendent of the American River Division of the Natomas Company, at Natoma. He was born at Athlone, Merced County, on August 15, 1879, and his parents were D. C. and Martha Jane (Sumner) Mason, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter a native daughter. Mr. Mason came out to California in 1872, and his folks are all old-timers. The grand- parents, both paternal and maternal, came across the great plains in 1852, and they all became extensive sheep-raisers. Mr. Mason has closed his useful and fruitful career, but Mrs. Mason is still living, the cen- ter of a group of admiring and devoted friends.

Francis Elton Mason went to the public schools of Tulare County, and in that time was fortunate in pur- suing high school studies for two years. Then lie learned the plumbers' trade and followed it for four- teen years. In 1907, he joined the Lincoln Hardware Company, and was with them for four years as half- owner and manager. He then went to Willows as manager of the hardware and implement department of Hocheimer & Company, and continued to hold that post for three years; and because of his selling power farming machinery, he got into development work. Then he linked up with the Mills Orchard Company, of Hamilton City, and he was three years there as. foreman. In 1917, he came to the Natomas Company, to take charge of development work in this division; and he superintends vast tracts of farm-lands, which are set out to orchards and then sold. Owing to the many problems involved, it is doubtful if the Natomas Company, now recognized as a concern of great im- portance here, could have secured a better man.

Mr. Mason was married, in 1901, to Miss Lena Rose Hoxter, a native of Ohio; and three children have blessed the union: Ruth, Naomi and Frank. Mr. Mason is an Elk, and he is a member of the Mac- cabees. He also belongs to the Farm Bureau. He is fond of music, and within his own family there is an orchestra of five pieces.

ELLIS WESLEY JONES .- The sheriffs of Cali- fornia have long been famous for their sterling quali- ties, and Ellis Wesley Jones, the present incumbent in the office of sheriff of Sacramento County well sustains the interesting and enviable traditions. He was born near Florin, Sacramento County, on June 16, 1874, the son of George H. and Lilly (Simons) Jones, his father, who was born in Illinois, having come across the plains to California in 1870. Mr. Jones and Miss Simons were married here later, and for years they engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also in the management of an hotel. They had the well-known hostelry, "Florin," the place named on account of so many flowers. His father now resides with him, but the mother passed on two years ago.

After receiving his public school education and having grown to manhood, Mr. Jones took over the management of the hotel, and after that he entered the sheriff's office as a deputy under Sheriff Reese. He put in four years in that capacity, learned the ropes, also a deal about human nature, and made many friends. In 1914, he was elected constable of Sacramento Township for four years; and four years later, in 1918, he was elected sheriff by a large ma- jority. In 1922 was reelected by an increased ma- jority. Although a stand-pat Republican, Sheriff Jones is also out for Sacramento, city and county,

every time; hence he does not allow any narrow partisanship to interfere with his hearty support of the best-endorsed men and measures for the locality, in this respect endeavoring to look at local issues in the broader and more independent vein. It is not surprising, therefore, that the sheriff numbers some of his warmest supporters outside of the Republican ranks. He is a member of the Sheriffs' Association of California.

Ellis Wesley Jones was married in Sacramento, taking for his bride Miss Susanna Haiden, who was born in Sacramento, and their fortunate union has been blessed with two children, Doris and David. The sheriff is fond of hunting and fishing, and is a member of the Fraternal Life, of the Masons, the Sciots, and the Elks, while Mrs. Jones is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Jones also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce.

REV. MICHAEL BLOCHER .- A long-active pioneer, successful in attaining comfortable prosperity while making his life useful to the world, and one therefore well-meriting his quiet retirement, is Michael Blocher, proprietor of three acres and a modern resi- dence, recently erected at Rio Linda. He came to Sacramento County on October 2, 1912, from Perthi, in the extreme northern part of North Dakota, in or- der to find a milder climate. He was born near Green- ville, Darke County, Ohio, on October 6, 1864, the son of Christian and Sarah (Specht) Blocher, hoth natives of Ohio, where the father was born in 1836, and the mother eight years later. Mr. Blocher came of Dutch ancestry, a branch of the family having migrated from Hanover, Germany, to Hanover, Pa. His father, a tanner, came West to Ohio, then a wilderness, and settled in Darke County; as an expert tanner, Mr. Blocher always had plenty of patronage. Of the Specht family, little is known, save that the mother came from German farmer stock. Michael Blocher is the third in a family of fifteen children.

In 1886, the family moved to Johnson County, Mo., and Michael Blocher followed in the fall of 1887. There he rented land for general farming, in which he engaged for three years. Moving to Ogle County, Ill., in 1892, he attended school for two and a half years at the Theological Seminary, the Brethren Col- lege, at Mount Morris, Ill .; and in 1897, he moved on to North Dakota, to take up 160 acres of land, which he proved up. In the meantime he entered the min- istry. He helped organize the first church in that sparsely settled region; and he worked most untiring- ly for the development of the Brethren Church there. In 1903-1904 he again attended school at Mount Mfor- ris, Ill., and in 1909-1910 he attended the Bethany Bible Institute School at Chicago. He served as trus- tee of schools, and as clerk of the board of trustees in the township of Ellsworth for many years. Preach- ing and public speaking have been his main interest; but when farming was not good, he added to his in- come by carpentering, meanwhile preaching at Perth. He is still active in the ministry in his community. He organized the Sunday School, and also the Church of the Brethren at Rio Linda, in 1914, with a mem- bership of twelve; and here the work has since gone steadily forward. For eight years he has served as an elder of the church.

Mrs. Blocher was Mary Elizabeth Mayfield before her marriage. She was born at Louisville, Ky., on January 24, 1869, the daughter of William Mayfield, a

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native of Bullock County, Ky. He wore the blue dur- ing the Rebellion, and received wounds at Perryville, Ky. His father, Judge Mayfield, also served in the Union forces, and fell one hour before the wounding of the son. Nevertheless, father and son were planta- tion owners and slaveholders. Mr. Mayfield married Miss Mary Ann Collins, of Bullock County, Ky. He died in Missouri, in October, 1918, when seventy-four years of age. Mrs. Mayfield was born in Kentucky, and died young, survived by four children. Mr. May- field moved his family to Indiana, and was again mar- ried, to Miss Mary Boyd, a native of Kentucky. He became a farmer near Crawfordsville, and lived there for about eight years. Then he moved to Missouri and bought land, and later removed to Sedalia, where he is now survived by his widow.

Michael Blocher was married on September 1, 1889, near Warrensburg, Mo. On coming West, he bought land in the Rio Linda section, and was the first to complete a home on the west side of the S. N. R. R .; and since 1912, he and his good wife have braved the hardships of such a thinly settled region, and have done all within their power to further the social and spiritual welfare of their community, and to make the colony a success. He has given liberally, and perhaps seven-eighths of the sales of land have been effected indircetly through him. Mr. Blocher also owns twen- ty acres of rich bottom land near the village of Rio Linda, and he is a stockholder and director of the Rio Linda Poultry Producers' Association.

EMMETT PHILLIPS .- The eminently success- ful career of Emmett Phillips, the widely-known and popular attorney in Nicolaus Building, Sacramento, forms another chapter in the long and ever interest- ing and instructive history of the bench and bar in California. Born at Sacramento, on March 14, 1892, Emmett Phillips grew up a native son, proud of his birthrights in a natural association with the great empire of the Golden State. His father, also named Emmett, was a native of San Francisco, and he mar- ried Miss Nellie Hayes, of the same seaport town. His was an old family, and worthily he represented it, rounding out a useful and an honorable life. Mrs. Phillips is still living, beloved by all who know her.

Emmett Phillips went to both the grammar and the high schools, in Sacramento, where his parents had been residing many years, and was duly gradu- ated from the University of California, in 1917, with the degree of A. B. He then took some post-gradu- ate work, and having studied law for some time, he passed the necessary bar examinations in 1918 and in March of that year was admitted to practice in the courts of this state. His subsequent practice has been crowned with moderate but substantial suc- cess, a satisfaction alike to him and his clients.

Emmett Phillips, Sr., was an old California news- paper man, the editor of the "Sunday News" for a quarter of a century, and also the guiding spirit of the "Sacramento Valley Monthly." From his father our subject imbibed a keen interest in daily life generally, and especially a fondness for all athletic contests. He has, therefore, done what he could to promote legitimate, healthful sport, and to forward the welfare of the public generally. He belongs to the Elks; and no member is more welcome in their circles.

ALBERT H. MOELLER .- Among the enterpris- ing and progressive business men of Sacramento, one who is optimistic for the great future of California and takes an important part in the utilization and development of the wonderful natural resources of the state, is Albert H. Moeller, who is winning a gratifying measure of popularity by reason of his business ability and his comprehensive knowledge of his chosen line of work. He was born in Davenport. Iowa, April 27, 1885, a son of F. A. and Mary Moel- ler, who aided materially in developing the farming interests of Scott County, lowa, where they raised their family and were substantial farmers until they located in California. They are now living in com- fortable retirement in Sacramento, surrounded by their six children, five boys and one girl, as follows: Gustave H., Hugo P., and Ferdinand A., who are assisting their younger brothers in the business of their Ford and Lincoln automobile agency; Mina, who is competently assisting her mother in presiding over the home; and Albert H. and Richard R., the owners of the Moeller Auto Sales Company in Sac- ramento.

Albert H. Moeller completed the grammar and high school courses in his native state, supplementing his secondary education with a business course. He first engaged in farming in Iowa; then, after taking his . business course, he became an accountant, and was so engaged until 1911, when he removed to Los Angeles, Cal. There he spent six years with the Ford Motor Company, entering their employ as a book- keeper. Year by year he steadily advanced, his appli- cation and talent being appreciated. He was pro- moted first to traffic manager, then to sales manager, and then was made assistant manager, a position he held until 1916, when he was transferred and became manager of the company's branch house in Sacra- mento.

In 1917 Mr. Moeller formed a partnership with his brother, Richard R., under the firm name of the Moeller Auto Sales Company, purchased the Sacra- mento branch of the Ford Motor Company, and con- tinned business at the old location, 1906 M Street. They soon saw the necessity for larger and permanent quarters; so they selected a central location, purehas- ing the site at the southeast corner of Twelfth and K Streets, where they erected a substantial three- story brick building, 80 by 160 feet, one of the finest automobile buildings in northern California, with large display rooms and offices, store or supply rooms, and a large and most complete repair department. They employ sixty men; and as agents for the Ford, Fordson and Lincoln cars, they are demonstrating themselves to be among the most alert and success- ful in their line in the Golden State.

Mr. Moeller was married in Los Angeles, Decem- ber 25, 1922, to Miss Geraldine Pabst, a charming woman, who is a native daughter of California, born at Oakland, but reared and educated in San Francisco. Mr. Moeller is a prominent Mason. He was made a Mason in Sunset Lodge, F. & A. M., Los Angeles, and became a member of South Gate Chapter, R. A. M., and Los Angeles Commandery No. 9, K. T. On his location in the capital city he demitted from the Commandery to Sacramento Commandery No. 2. K. T. He is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, being a member of all the bodies of the consistory in Sacramento, and is a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Sacramento, in which body he is serving as chief raban. With his wife he made the pilgrimage to Washington, D. C., and attended the shrine conven- tion in 1923. He is a popular member of the Sutter Club and also of the Del Paso Country Club. A firm believer in protection as the fundamental principle for the success of American business, he is naturally a supporter of the Republican party. Active in civic affairs, he is an active member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, appreciating the wonderful resources of the Sacramento Valley and the great commonwealth of California, in richness of soil and abundance of mineral wealth. He is enterprising and public-spirited; and movements that have for their aim the building up of his community and the en- hancing of the comfort and happiness of its people, receive his hearty cooperation and support. He has great admiration for the state of his adoption, and full confidence in its continued development.

MISS MARY JUDGE .- Probably one of the best informed of the comparatively few who have made a study of the needs of the poor people of the county, is Miss Mary Judge, the capable secretary of the county charities. She is a native daughter of Sac- ramento, born in the family residence located at Eighth and K Streets, a daughter of Michael and Celia (Kane) Judge. Michael Judge was the first settler on the Sacramento River in 1852, where he farmed for fifteen years; the floods of 1861-1862 were so disastrous that he moved to higher ground, where he continued his farming operations. He was em- ployed on the state Capitol building, and later be- came an employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and was finally pensioned; he passed away in 1909, his wife having preceded him in 1900.

Miss Judge began her education in the public schools of Sacramento and completed her education in a Catholic convent in that city. On February 1, 1911, she became secretary of the county charities, which position she has so capably and conscien- tiously filled that the entire community is indebted to her; she takes an active part in the affairs of the Relief Society, the Woman's Club and the Daugh- ters of America. Miss Judge supports the principles of the Democratic party.

JOSEPH T. MAGUIRE .- Well-known in Sacra- mento as an experienced hlue printer, Joseph T. Ma- guire has demonstrated his ability in many ways as a progressive citizen of California. A native of Ire- land, he was born October 10, 1889, the son of John F. Maguire, a distinguished attorney of Cork, Ire- land, and the grandson of the patriot and writer of note, John Francis Maguire. His mother, Elizabeth T. Maguire, is still living; but his father died in June, 1922.

Joseph T. Maguire received his education at the Christian Brothers' School, the Jesuits' College, and the Royal University of Ireland, graduating with the degree of C. E. in 1909. The following year he spent in doing newspaper work in his native country and then decided he would seek the broader field of America for his talents and in 1910 arrived in San Francisco, where he was employed for a short time. He then went to Willows, Glenn County, and for the following three years was in the employ of the Sacra- mento Valley Irrigation Company as a civil engineer. Mr. Maguire then made an extended trip of six

months back to his native land and upon returning to California located for one and one-half years in Marysville, and later followed his profession with the state reclamation board for two years. We next find him in Stanislaus County in the employ of the county engineer, then back again with the state reclamation board until he ventured upon his present career. In April, 1923, Mr. Maguire disposed of his blue print business to return to the practice of his profession as a civil engineer. His office is located at 908 Seventh Street. He has been fairly successful since hecoming a Californian and has never regretted the move that brought him to the Golden State, in which he is interested in all that pertains to its growth and development. By all who know him he is highly respected as a man of ability and public spirit.

The marriage of Mr. Maguire united him with Miss Amelia Luhrman and they have three children, Cyril, Maureen and Milton. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is a lover of all clean out-of-door sports, and especially is an enthusiastic golf player.

OLE ANDERSON .- Coming to Sacramento Coun- ty, California, more than a quarter of a century ago, Ole Anderson has made good use of his time and opportunities here and is now numbered among the successful ranchers and dairymen of the Galt section. A native of Sweden, he was born in Wermland, Janu- ary 21, 1864, the son of Andrew and Christina (Olson) Anderson, who have both passed away. They were the parents of six children: Andrew, John, Ole, Chris- tina, Caroline, and Mangus. Ole Anderson received a good common school education in the schools of his district, and when nineteen he left his native land to try his fortune in America. Coming directly to Sacramento County, Cal., he located first at Frank- lin, where he worked on a dairy farm and then came to the Galt district. After his marriage he farmed for four years on Staten Island, leasing 600 acres of land and raising grain and beans, then leased the McKune ranch, where he engaged in general farming, stock- raising and maintained a large dairy, employing twelve men in his operations. About eleven years ago Mr. Anderson purchased 311 acres five and a half miles northwest of Galt and here he has developed a fine home place, devoting it to general farming and operat- ing a large dairy with sixty head of high-grade milk cows.

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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 99

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