Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Archives

Biography of Charles N. Post of Sacramento

Charles N. Post, born in March 1853 in El Dorado County, California, was a distinguished assistant attorney general with a legal career that began in 1880. He served in various roles including city justice of the peace and first deputy attorney general. Post was active in several civic organizations and was noted for his merit-based ascent in law. His background includes roots in pioneering families, and he contributed to community and athletics, notably founding the Pacific Coast Field Trial Club.

Biography of Thomas Alvin Nelson of Stockton

Thomas Alvin Nelson, born in 1862 in Pennsylvania, became the postmaster of Stockton, California. Raised on a farm, he taught in San Joaquin County schools before starting a mercantile business in Lathrop. His popularity led to election to the California state legislature in 1894. Appointed postmaster in 1898, he served under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt. Nelson married Mary A. Howell in 1888, and they had two daughters: Velma and Veda. An active Republican and community member, he held various party roles and was involved in several fraternal organizations.

Biography of Henry Martin Meacham of St. Helena

Henry Martin Meacham, born on January 1, 1846, in New York, served as Napa County’s assessor for twenty years. After a diverse career in retail, due to health challenges, he moved to St. Helena, California, where he planted vines and eventually entered local politics. Elected multiple times, his popularity reflected community trust. Married in 1869 to Mary E. Cullum, they had two children: Etta and Charles. An active member of the Masonic fraternity, Elks, and Eagles, Meacham was committed to various public welfare initiatives.

Biography of John Gilmore McMillan

John Gilmore McMillan, a notable figure in California’s history, impacted railroad construction and civil engineering in Santa Clara County. Born in Rhode Island in 1851, he moved to California at a young age. His professional journey included serving as Sutter County’s surveyor and working with the Central Pacific Railroad. After 1890, he served as Santa Clara County’s surveyor, earning respect for his integrity and innovative contributions, including a new bridge system and a comprehensive county map. McMillan was a family man and active in various fraternal organizations.

Biography of De Witt Appleton of Monterey

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

The present improved condition and appearance of Monterey owes much to such progressive, enterprising designers and builders as De Witt Appleton, a native of San Francisco, born September 28, 1875, the son of David E. and Rachel (Pullen) Appleton, the former a pioneer of 1850. Although hailing from New York city, where he had been associated with his relatives, D. Appleton & Co., world known publishers, he was glad, on landing in San Francisco during the hurly-burly of the early gold rush to drive a dump cart and to work as an employee in leveling off the sand and prepare … Read more

Biography of Alexander M. Allen of Monterey County

A captain of industry who well merits the laurels bestowed upon him for his contribution to the expansion of local trade, is Alexander M. Allan, president of the Monterey Canning Company, Point Lobos, Monterey. He was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles M. and Margaret Allan, the former a miner who had the misfortune to be killed at Nevada City, California. He was a hard-working, honest man, who gave his life, as have so many, in the pursuit of his occupation. Mrs. Allan died in 1924, and will long be pleasantly remembered by many who knew her and … Read more

Biography of Frank Mattison of Santa Cruz

Frank Mattison, born near Santa Cruz, California, on February 5, 1860, served as a member of the state board of equalization from the fourth district of California. He was the son of John S. Mattison, an English-born original California forty-niner, and Lila Miles, of Pennsylvania. Frank’s career began in agriculture and expanded to the grocery business before entering public service. Elected county assessor in 1890, he served three terms. In 1902, he was elected to the state board of equalization. Active in the Republican party, Mattison also held roles in various fraternal organizations. He married Carrie A. Peck in 1883, and they had two daughters, Lila E. and Ruth.

Biography of William H. Leeman of Sacramento

William H. Leeman, born June 24, 1857, in Dubuque, Iowa, was a prominent Sacramento businessman known for his work in the hop industry. After becoming an orphan at a young age, he moved to Sacramento and began working on a hop ranch at seventeen. By twenty-two, he started his own hop-raising business, eventually expanding to two hundred acres of hops and four hundred acres of alfalfa and vegetables in Yolo County. Leeman co-founded the firm W. H. Leeman and Company, engaging in buying and selling hops. A dedicated public servant, he served as trustee of reclamation district No. 537 for thirteen years, contributing significantly to local agricultural development. A Republican and active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he married Kate Farley in 1884, and they had three children: W. W., Gertrude, and Muretta.

Biography of William Henry Langdon

Professor William Henry Langdon, born September 25, 1873, in Alameda County, California, served as the superintendent of San Francisco’s public schools. He introduced numerous progressive educational methods during his tenure, enhancing the practical value of schooling. Educated in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, he graduated from Haywards’ high school and San Jose Normal School. Langdon’s career included teaching positions in San Leandro and Fresno, and in 1902, he was elected superintendent of San Francisco’s schools. He abolished written examinations, reduced class sizes, and emphasized merit-based appointments. Active in various fraternal organizations, Langdon was also a respected lawyer and educator.

Biography of Frederick William Kiesel of Sacramento

Frederick William Kiesel, born February 11, 1874, in Corinne, Utah, is the general manager of the California Winery and cashier of the California State Bank of Sacramento. Son of Frederick J. and Julia Kiesel, who emigrated from Germany, Frederick was educated in Germany, at Greylock Institute in Massachusetts, and at Harvard College, graduating in 1896. He moved to Sacramento, founding the California Winery and later joining the California State Bank, where he became cashier. In 1901, he married Jane Birdsall of Sacramento. Kiesel is a member of the Masons and Elks, and an active Republican.