Sacramento Archives - Page 4 of 5 - California Genealogy

Biography of William Emil Gerber of Sacramento

William Emil Gerber, born September 8, 1852, in Buffalo, New York, was a key figure in the industrial and business landscape of central California. His parents, Pantalion and Sybilla Gerber, immigrated from Germany in 1844 and settled in Sacramento in 1860. Gerber’s early education took place in Sacramento and Buffalo, New York. He began his career in the grocery business before serving as county auditor and recorder for Sacramento from 1877 to 1885. Gerber held leadership roles in several enterprises, including the Earl Fruit Company, Buffalo Brewing Company, and California State Bank. Married to Hattie A. Lyon, he was active in community affairs and various fraternal organizations.

Biography of Lawrence Fisher of Sacramento

Lawrence Fisher, born November 22, 1832, in Bolton, Lancashire, England, was a prominent blacksmith and resident of Sacramento for over 30 years until his death on February 4, 1903. He began his career in England and continued in Cleveland, Ohio, before moving to California in 1872. Employed by the Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroad shops for 21 years, Fisher was recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship. He also managed a 143-acre ranch near Sacramento. Fisher married Mary Morgan in 1855, and they had six children, three of whom survived him. His widow resided at 631 E Street, Sacramento.

Biography of Nathaniel Ellery of Sacramento

Nathaniel Ellery, born in Eureka, California, on July 18, 1872, served as the state highway commissioner of California by 1904. A Stanford University graduate, Ellery earned degrees in Bachelor of Arts and Civil Engineering in 1895. He initially served as Humboldt County surveyor in 1899 before his appointment as commissioner. His effective work in improving California’s road system showcased his civil engineering expertise. Ellery married Lulu I. Fraser in 1899, and they resided in Sacramento. He was active in fraternal organizations and supported the Republican party. His parents, Franklin and Elizabeth Ellery, had New England Puritan roots.

Biography of Albert Elkus of Sacramento

Albert Elkus, born August 17, 1857, in Sacramento, California, was a prominent clothing merchant and influential Republican in the county. His father, Louis Elkus, an immigrant from Germany, was a successful businessman and community leader. Albert joined his father in business in 1873 and later established his own successful retail clothing stores in Sacramento and Folsom. He held significant political roles, including city trustee and president of the Central Republican Club. In 1882, he married Bertha Kahn, a talented pianist. Albert Elkus was highly regarded for his business acumen, political influence, and community involvement.

Biography of George Woodward Dufficy, M. D. of Sacramento

Dr. George Woodward Dufficy, born in Marysville, California, in 1871, is a prominent physician in Sacramento. He descends from pioneer families, with his mother, Edwina (O’Brien) Dufficy, arriving in California in 1849, and his father, Michael C. Dufficy, an Irish immigrant and lawyer turned merchant. George graduated from St. Ignatius College and the University of California’s medical department in 1898. He initially served as resident physician at Sisters Hospital in Sacramento before establishing a successful private practice. In 1901, he married Evelyn Rackliffe, daughter of former state treasurer Levi Rackliffe. Dr. Dufficy is active in local medical societies and the Democratic Party.

Biography of Warren E. Doan of Sacramento

Warren E. Doan, born March 8, 1862, in Portland, Oregon, was the official court stenographer of Sacramento County, California, from 1897. Son of Riley R. and Sarah Catherine (Butler) Doan, Warren pursued a career as a court reporter after leaving school. He initially worked in Placer County before his long tenure in Sacramento. Warren married Kittie E. Young in 1883 and they had one son, Norman E. Doan. Riley R. Doan, Warren’s father, was an inventor and mechanic who moved westward in 1852 and held various occupations, including sawmill owner and mine foreman, before settling in Elmira, California.

Biography of Charles Forrest Curry

Charles Forrest Curry (1858-1930) played a significant role in shaping California’s public policy as a dedicated public servant. Born in Naperville, Illinois, he was the son of Charles H. M. Curry, a prominent San Francisco jeweler and Republican leader. Charles Forrest Curry moved to California in 1873 and pursued various roles, including county clerk and state assemblyman, before becoming secretary of state in 1894. He married Lillie A. Sieperly in 1892 and had two children. Active in numerous fraternal organizations, Curry’s career was marked by his commitment to public service and community involvement.

Biography of John Samuel Daly of Sacramento

John Samuel Daly, a prominent attorney in Sacramento since 1898, was born on June 5, 1873, on a ranch near Antelope, Sacramento County, California. His father, Judge Elisha Daly, a pioneer who arrived in California in 1850, was a farmer and former district judge from New York. John was educated at Stockton Business College and San Jose State Normal School, graduating in 1896, and later studied law at Stanford University. Admitted to the bar in 1898, he has balanced his legal career with extensive agricultural interests. Daly is active in various fraternal organizations and has been a notable supporter of the Republican party.

Biography of Michael J. Desmond

Michael J. Desmond, born in Boston in 1861, has served as city clerk of Sacramento since 1896. Son of Irish immigrants William and Ellen Desmond, he moved to Sacramento in 1871. Educated in Boston and Sacramento public schools, Desmond became a skilled boilermaker before transitioning to public service. He first served as clerk of the police court before his long tenure as city clerk. Married to Mary Morley in 1896, they have two children, Gerald and William. A Democrat, Desmond is active in the Elks Lodge and Woodmen of the World, respected for his meticulous and dedicated public service.

Biography of Hon. Frederick Cox of Sacramento

Hon. Frederick Cox, born January 16, 1828, in England, has significantly impacted banking and business in central California. After immigrating to America in 1846 and working in various trades, he co-founded a successful butchering business and later entered the cattle industry. In 1881, he helped establish the California State Bank, serving as its president since 1894. A prominent Democrat, he served in the California State Senate from 1882 to 1886. Cox’s long and respected career is marked by his enduring contributions to the financial and social fabric of Sacramento.