History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 253

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 253

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HUBERT FREDERICK SILK .- As the senior member of the firm of Silk & Wheelock, Hubert Frederick Silk is accounted one of the most success- ful business men of Lodi. During a brief residence in that city he has won splendid prosperity, which is an indication of superior business capacity and enter- prise. His advancement has been gained through a recognition and improvement of opportunity. He has ever realized the fact that the present and not the future is the moment for action, and he has labored consistently and along safe yet progressive lines until he is numbered among the foremost representa- tives of business activity in the thriving city of Lodi. He was born in London, England, September 6, 1890, a son of Stephen and Hannah Silk, both natives of England, where Stephen Silk is engaged in the planing mill business. There are three children in the family, Hubert Frederick being the eldest. The others are . Dorothy, Mrs. Entriknap, and Cecil Arthur.

Hubert Frederick Silk received a good education in the schools of the city of London. When a lad he assisted in his father's planing mill. In 1903 he came to Vancouver, British Columbia. He soon took a trip to Nome, Alaska, where he worked at anything he could find to do. Returning to Vancouver in 1906, he began work in the planing mills, which occupied his attention until October, 1914, when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was sent to Weybridge-Surrey, England. There he engaged in the manufacture of aeroplane propellers, and was thus engaged for the duration of the war. He was discharged at Vancouver in February, 1919, with the rank of sergeant. Soon after being discharged he came to San Francisco. He traveled in the West and Southwest for about a year, and then located in Stockton in 1920. Soon after, he removed to Lodi, where he purchased the interest of the senior member of the firm of Gregg & Son, who ran a planing mill on Cherokee Street, east of the Salem school. Under

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the' efficient management of Mr. Silk, the business grew to such an extent that the mill was moved to larger quarters on Sacramento Street, the firm now being known as Enterprise Planing Mill. Here much new machinery has been installed and the mill is fully equipped to handle any kind of mill or cabinet work offered, and with the first-class mechanics employed only guaranteed work will be turned out.

On April 8, 1920, at Modesto, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Silk and Miss Mary Wooldridge, a native of Lakeport, Cal., and a daughter of Lemuel and Helen Wooldridge, early California pioneers who crossed the plains with ox-teams and became ranch- ers in the Golden State. Mr. and Mrs. Silk are the parents of one son, Stephen, and are members of the Episcopal Church of Lodi. Mr. Silk is one of the popular and highly esteemed men of his community, and he has done his part as a good citizen and a useful factor in all public enterprises.

FRANK SORTER .- Numbered among the well- known vineyardists is Frank Sorter, who is located on a twenty-acre vineyard on Almond Avenue, south cf Lodi. He was born at Dundee, Mich., in the Lake Erie country, on July 16, 1868, a son of Andrew and Martha Sorter. The father was a farmer in Michigan and lived to be fifty-three years old, and the mother reached the age of sixty-five, both passing away in that state.

When Frank Sorter was eighteen years old he left the paternal roof and started to make his own way in the world. He went to Burt County, Neb., in the spring of 1886, where he found employment on a farm and later farmed for himself. Seven years later he leased eighty acres on the Omaha Reservation, where he raised grain and corn for seven years. Next we find him on the prairie lands in Thurston County, breaking the virgin soil. In 1900 he went to Box Elder County, Utah, and bought forty acres from the Bear River Water and Irrigation Company. Here he remained seven years, and his principal crops were sugar beets, potatoes and alfalfa. On February 14, 1907, he landed at Los Molinos, Tehama County, Cal., bringing his stallion and brood mares with him from Utah. Here he purchased eighty acres of fine river bottom land for which he paid $100 per acre, and his crops were alfalfa, grain and hay. He further improved the place with a fine house, and within four years time he sold the property for $160 per acre. He then came to the San Joaquin Valley and settled in the Turlock Irrigation District, about five and a half miles northwest of Turlock, where he bought forty acres. He engaged in the breeding of fine horses and also ran a dairy, among his stock being some registered Holsteins. Mr. Sorter brought his land to a high state of cultivation, and at the end of seven years sold the place and stock at public auc- tion. In 1918 he came to the Lodi section and pur- chased twenty acres in vineyard. Here he built a modern bungalow and has installed two irrigation plants.

The marriage of Mr. Sorter occurred at Dakota City, Neb., on April 10, 1893, and united him with Miss Letha Allen, a native of Mondamin, Iowa, but reared in Nebraska, the daughter of James and Nancy Allen. She is one of five children: Sena, Ella, Letha, William, and Louis. Her father was a farmer in Iowa and a pioneer in Nebraska, and there Mrs. Sorter received her education. Mr. Sorter's life has

been active, useful and honorable and commands for him the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

MRS. MINNIE SPERBECK .- A lady who ar- rived in San Joaquin County over fifty years ago, Mrs. Minnie Sperbeck was born in Beetown, Grant County, Wisconsin. Her father, Oscar E. Hamlin, was born in Deansville, N. Y., and came out to Wis- consin when a young man, and there he married Martha J. Stephenson, a native of Terra Haute, Ind. Oscar Hamlin was a contractor and builder in Wis- consin. During the Civil War he served his country in a Wisconsin regiment. In 1872 Mr. Hamlin brought his family to Stockton, Cal., and here he fol- lowed the building business until his death. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Sperbeck's mother passed away in San Francisco. Minnie Hamlin was the oldest of their nine children. Coming to Stockton in 1872, she completed the grammar school through attendance at the Old Crow schoolhouse.

At Placerville, on May 3, 1874, Minnie Hamlin was married to Andrew J. Sperbeck, who was born at Schenectady, N. Y., February 22, 1840, and came out to California, when a boy of fifteen years, in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn in 1855, landing at San Francisco. He followed mining in the Mother Lode region until he volunteered for service in the Civil War, enlisting on July 18, 1863, in Company I, 1st Regiment, California Cavalry. He served in Ari- zona and New Mexico until he was mustered out May 22, 1866. After the war he became a carpenter and was in partnership with O. E. Hamlin, and after his marriage Mr. Sperbeck continued in busi- ness for some years in Placerville. Mr. Hamlin moved away, but Mr. Sperbeck continued in the building business in that region until he died, June 30, 1887. He was a past master in Palmyra Lodge, F. and A. M., and a prominent G. A. R. man. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

After her husband's death, Mrs. Sperbeck sold their holdings in Placerville, and in October, 1887, she located in Stockton. She is a member of Homo Chapter, O. E. S., of Stockton, Rawlins Women's Relief Corps, and was a charter member and first chaplain of the local circle, Ladies of the G. A. R. Her deep interest in progress and protection for American industries and citizens leads her to be a stanch Republican.

MRS. MATTIE M. STEIN .- For years one of the most enthusiastic members of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Mrs. Mattie M. Stein has been signally honored by election to high office in this organization, a fitting recognition of the zeal and interest she has displayed in furthering its com- mendable work, and evidence of her great popularity among its membership. A native of San Joaquin County, her birthplace was Stockton, her parents being John S. and Marie C. (Miller) Harney, hon- ored pioneers whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. After completing her education, Mattie M. Harney was married at the residence of her parents, being united with John F. Stein, who was reared in Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship at the mer- cantile business. He came to California and first lo- cated in Eureka, where he was engaged in business until he removed to Lodi, where he was associated with Fredberger & Kaiser in the general merchan-

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dise business.' Here his ability was appreciated and he became very popular in business affairs until he retired from business to devote his time to their vineyard. He passed away February 9, 1918, a man much mourned for his integrity and sterling worth. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Foresters, and passed the chairs in both lodges. He also was the first treasurer of the Lodi fire department. Be- sides his widow he left a son, John A. Stein, a busi- ness man in Stockton, who is married and has three children. He is a Mason and is past president of Lodi Parlor, N. S. G. W. Mrs. Stein still owns the vineyard that she developed on the part of the old Harney ranch which she inherited from her father. It is now in full bearing and she has taken much pleasure in its care and development.

Mrs. Stein from the early age of eighteen has been active in the Native Daughters of the Golden West. She organized Ivy Parlor No. 88 at Lodi and was its first president, occupying that office for several terms, and was afterwards secretary for eighteen years. Four times she has been elected to office in the Grand Parlor. She was grand trustee for two years, marshal one year, and first vice president in 1921. At the meeting. of the Grand Parlor at San Rafael, in June, 1922, she was elected grand president, the highest office that can be conferred in this organiza- tion. Mrs. Stein is intensely interested in her work as grand president and is faithfully giving her time to the duties of her office, visiting every Parlor in the State. She is also greatly interested in the chil- dren's agency work carried on by the Native Daugh- ters, that has in the last twelve years placed 2600 children in homes. These homes are founded for orphans and waifs, regardless of the parentage, re- ligion or lodge membership. Thus, the order is indeed accomplishing a long-felt want. Mrs. Stein will preside over the Grand Parlor which meets at Stockton, June 19 to 22, 1923. She has held the office of district deputy grand president of San Joaquin County. Her home city of Lodi takes just pride in her popularity and accords her a high place among its residents. She is also prominent in other organ- izations, being a member of the Lodi Woman's Club and corresponding secretary of the County Federa- tion of Woman's Clubs of California. She is a mem- ber of Lodi Chapter No. 150, O. E. S., and Lodi Lodge of Rebekahs, being a past noble grand and past district deputy and ex-secretary of the latter. She is past president of Hartford Woman's Relief Corps No. 78, Lodi, and active in the patriotic work of the order.

GRANVILLE T. STOREY .- Among the ener- getic and far-sighted business men of Stockton may be found Granville T. Storey, the efficient manager of the Peoples Finance and Thrift Company, a loan institution of Stockton, being appointed to this office on November 8, 1921, by the board of directors. Hc was born in Starksville, Miss., on, March 18, 1884. Later his parents removed to Texas and still later to Arkansas, where Granville T. attended the public schools and later entered the Spear-Langford Mili- tary College in Arkansas. Upon reaching young manhood, and after finishing his schooling, he re- turned to Dallas, Texas, and became the assistant cashier in the Santa Fe freight office, later entering the real estate and insurance business, in which line he proved his worth. In 1909 he removed to Stockton

and became associated with the Lee C. Reid Real Estate Company, later establishing his own business. He then formed a partnership with J. P. Triolo, and for three years they continued in business together, when Mr. Storey became associated with the Califor- nia Bean Growers Association. He was the founder of the Ford Federated Factors office in Stockton. His years of experience and careful, intelligent study of the real estate business has made him an authority on land values. He is now engaged in handling real estate and in building homes, and is meeting with his usual success. He has already erected over fifty homes in various parts of the city.

The marriage of Mr. Storey united him with Miss Eva M. Hulen, a native of Placer County, Cal. Free from ostentation and display, he has nevertheless come to the front in connection with the business interests and public life of Stockton and San Joaquin County, and is doing much to shape public opinion and thought, his activities always contributing to progress and improvement.

SUNSET MACARONI FACTORY .- An enter- prise of interest to Stocktonians is the Sunset Maca- roni Factory, of 430 South American Avenue, under the able proprietorship of Messrs. Frank and David Stagnaro. The former was born near Genoa, Italy, on March 26, 1874, and as a boy was fortunate in gaining a thorough knowledge of the making of the finest kinds of macaroni. When, therefore, he came to the United States in 1889, he already had a capital with which to start in the New World on the road to success. Locating in Stockton, he attended private schools where he acquired English, and for thirteen years worked with the Stockton Woolen Mills, while for three years he was with the Holt Manufacturing Company. In 1905, in partnership with his brother David, he opened a small shop on Aurora Street, where they commenced to make macaroni, and from the beginning they turned out from 300 to 400 pounds daily. Later they removed to their present location on South American Avenue, where they erected their modern plant with a capacity of 3,000 pounds daily, and since then their trade has expanded so that their output is about 2,800 pounds daily. They manufacture thirty-four varieties of Italian paste, and their brand of Sunset Macaroni has become especially popular. They also make a fish-paste in the form of fish. which keeps its shape when cooked. Their factory. which is sanitary in every respect, is equipped with the latest machinery; and their wholesale trade is carried on

throughout California, Nevada, and Oregon.

David Stagnaro was also born near Genoa, his birthday having been March 21, 1883, and he, too, came to Stockton in 1889. He pursued the courses provided in the Stockton schools, and after some ex- perience in both the clothing and the grocery busi- ness, he entered into a partnership with his brother Frank, as stated above, and since then he has done his share in building up this well-equipped and well- conducted establishment, of which any business man might well be proud.

Frank Stagnaro is married and is the father of six children: Frank, Rilina, Margaret, John, David, and Fred. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. the Italian Society and the Red Men. David is also married and has one son, David P. Stagnaro. He also belongs to the Catholic Church, the Italian Society and the Red Men.

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MAURICE JOSEPH BYRNES .- Coming from a pioneer family, and having for many years been very actively identified with business and official matters at Tracy, Maurice J. Byrnes is well and favorably known in southwestern San Joaquin Coun- ty. At present he is the proprietor of the Byrnes Rooming House, located at the corner of Front and Sixth streets in the city of Tracy, and at the same time he owns and operates his 640-acre cattle-ranch in Stanislaus County. He is a son of Maurice Byrnes, who was one of Tracy's first settlers and served as constable for thirty-five years. The father was born in Ireland, as was also the mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Walsh. Both were young peo- ple when they came to America. They were mar- ried in the state of Connecticut and settled at New Haven, where the father became a baker. Arriving in California, they took up a homestead near Tracy. They possessed the qualities which made friends among the early settlers, and were held in highest esteeni by all who knew them. Both are now de- ceased. Maurice Joseph is the only member of their family now left.

Maurice Joseph Byrnes was born upon the Byrnes ranch, four miles south of Tracy, on March 29, 1873. He attended the public schools, and later became a deputy constable, under his father, and was also associated with him in a business way at Tracy in early life. He soon branched out into the livery business, and for many years did a thriving business in that line in Tracy.

Mr. Byrnes' marriage occurred in Tracy, where he was united to Mrs. Ordway (nee Cross), born in the state of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes are justly popular. Their guests receive kind and courteous attention, while their generous and public-spirited disposition has won for them a host of friends among their fellow-citizens in their home city.

FRED A. SANGUINETTI .- A native son of California, Fred A. Sanguinetti has been identified in a practical and successful manner with agricultural pursuits during all his active career. He resides on his thirty-five-acre vineyard five miles south of Lodi on Cherokee Lane. He was born north of Stockton on his father's ranch on June 20, 1871, a son of Stephen and Maria Sanguinetti, both natives of Italy, who came to California in 1860 and first set- tled at Stockton; then the father removed to the Waterloo district of San Joaquin County, where he purchased 175 acres of grain land and immediately set about improving it. He was among the first to set out a vineyard and orchard in that district. Fred A. is the third in a family of eight children born to his parents. The father lived to be seventy-eight years old and the mother is living, aged seventy-five years.

Fred A. Sanguinetti attended the Franklin school at Stockton; and when the family removed to the Water- loo district, he attended the Waterloo school. He assisted his father on the home place until he was twenty-nine years old, when he was united in mar- riage with Miss Corinda Maresco, in February, 1900. She was born at Stockton and is a daughter of Louis and Jennie Maresco, both natives of Italy. After his marriage, Mr. Sanguinetti spent one year at his fa- ther's home; then he took charge of his father's twenty-five-acre vineyard on the Eight-Mile Road out of Stockton, remaining there for two years; then he purchased his present thirty-five acres of grain land, which he set to Tokay and Zinfandel grapes. He has installed a five-inch pump with a twelve- horse-power engine for the irrigation of the vine- yard, and a smaller one with a five-horse-power motor for domestic use, and has also built a house and other farm buildings on his ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Sanguinetti are the parents of two sons, Stephen and Leslie. Mr. Sanguinetti is affiliated with the Red Men of Stockton.

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 253

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660