Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-20

1S3bi--1lS SuGtdC5ST.
Hon. B. B. Rediing, who died in San
Francisco August 81, 1SS2-and of whom we
PRESENT an excellent portrait above, pre-.
pared especially to the order of this
journal-was one of the pioneer men
of tie State whose life was closely
interviewer with the history of Cali
fornia. He was born Of Yarmouth, Nova
Scotia, January 10, 1924, and consequently
at the time OF ais death was IS years, Z
months and 4 days of age. Mr. R9iding has
go left his impress upon the State OF CaIitor
MIA, and had such largo place in the esteem
Of her people, that an outline sketch of bis
life will be welcomed. His father was na-
tive of Gloucester. Mass, ard bis mother Of
Shelburne, Nova Scotia. At an early age
his mind turned toward the contemplation of
nature and the study OF her laws. He bs-
came early a student OF natural history and
kindred scientific subjects, and throughout all
his alter life gave much attention TO these
studies-indeed in his laser years they wers
the especial delight of his mind, aud in them
he found rast and recreation from daily duty.
From his youth he was of excellent habits
and never attached 10 himself any of
those youthful c)rvivial l,bsrjiss that
so frequently become the masters of
the man. He was methodical, exact and
circumspecS in business, AMI very early
developed those traits which mark the pos
SCISSOR as fitted for business pursuits. In the
year 1910 he set out for the city of Boston,
and being possessed Of letters of warm recon-
incubation he had 10 difficulty in securing
employment. AS boy Of sixteen he there
fore catered the house of Henry 4 Co., whole
sale druggists, though aG very low salary
He remained with the firm one year, waco it
closed its business and lie entered the whols-
sale grocery es Adjustment of Msusler &
Read, which situ2tion he held for two years.
He left this employment 10 invest his limited
savings with LemUel Putnam il the grocery
business. MIR. Re6dilg was rooted in the belief
that he could do himself no greater IL jury tn IN
to engage in the sale of Gqunrs in connec ion
with his business, and resisting the pressure
to induce him to relax IN this respsct, the
business was CT sed, and be entered into q
partnership in the grOcsEy and sbipchandiery
business in Boston, tha firm bsi5g Bo8ker,
Bourne & Reaoing. He met wish . reason.
able degree of success, but on tie discovery
of gold in California he was seized with de-
sire to try his fortunes in the new land and
enter upon broader hsld Of action, and one
in which he thought lie saw opportunities for
more rapid advancement in business He
accordingly returned to his native plaza and
organized company of young men TO come
TO the Pacific coast, He was chosen PFesi-
dent of the company. They bought the brig
Mary Jaue loaded her with lumber and
sailed from Yarmouth in November Of the
year 1919, and landed in San Francisco May
T. 1850. The majority of the members OF
the company LETT immedistely for the gold
diggings, intrustiug ship and cargo to Mr.
Redding for disposal. He soon effected an
advantageous sale Of both and closed UP,
satist actoFily TO all, the affairs # the organ
lzasiop. He had married in Boston, in 1916,
the sister Of his first partner, but his family
wss not with him, and. being tree handel, he
struck out for the mining region, and after
few weeks Of travel and prospecting along
the Yuba he located aG Plttsburg Bar
and lsbored for wages, receiving $40 per
day. In this camp he became sc once a
prominent figure, because of his sobristy, his
strict business principles and his unwavering
integrity. He was called upon TO act as an
Intermediary in the disputes Of mineAs, solic-
tied to defend those charged with Cffeusss, TO
draw up contracts, bills of sals AID transfers,
and generally to advise aud counsel in bust
ness and legal matters. fUs al this he was
well. fitted by the equipose # his. mind, his
clear peFcep;ive faculties, and his ulwaVer-
ing adherence to the principles IF rigE &, and
evsn-handed Justice. Interested deeply, Nas
are all good citizens, in the welfare and al.
vanceme1s Of his country, he was nct care.
less observer OF political events, and was not
AFRAID to avow his beliefs, nor 90 maintain
them in discussion. Public attention was
thus drawn upon him, and e was very so n
sent to the Democratic State Convention to
represent Yuba constituency. In 1853 Mr.
Redding found himself q representative in
the Legislature from Ydba a4d Sierra coua-
ties. That year attempt was made TO ex.
tend the period In which slave oElers might
take their slaves cut of the State, and Mr..
K ddiDg was enc of the twelve who voted
against the proposition in the Assembly
When he lef5 the legislature his abilities
had Commanded suen recognition, that he
was called to the editorial corps OK the State
Democratic Journal, then owned and edited
by Vincent L. GaiGer and B f. W2sh-
ington. July 4, 1858, he wa9 ANNOUNCED
in that paper as partner with u Tiger, b. f.
Washington rataiui bis part proprietor
ship, but suceetdir & also 20 Pickering &
Fitch in the Tines and TRANSCRIPT Il may
be noted SIS peculiar circumstance that tie
fourth psgo of the Journal was for some
ms nths about this period, and during Mr.
Readings edigor5Gi1 Of it, printed in the
French language. August 8. 1858, the Jour
nal absorbed the Californian. Mr.. Wesh-
ington reliuqutshed his pr, prietorship and
B. B. Reddiag aud 2. @. Johnson wers the
names that appeared as propTistors. Sub3e-
quently the firm mama appeared as B. 3 Red
ding & Co, the other p4rt0ers being James
McClatchy and p, g. johnson. From Sep
tember 90, 1854, t. April IA, 1865, no firm name
appeared on the Journal but after that date
the title B. d. Redding & Co. reappeared
Mr.. Radding remained editor Ct the paper
until it ceased publication in 1857. His
journalistic career was marked one. He
opposed dueliDg, so popular in the early days
OF California, pointed out the folly of the
code, was the friend of liberty and free
thought, the advocate of liberation and the
better interests of mankind, lie was vigor-
Gus, plain spoken and fearless writer. He
did not assail wiIliully, nor attack except he
believed it to be his duty and in the cause of
right and justice. April z, 1856, he was
elected Mayor Of the city OF Sacramento, and
served one yasr. and his official career in
the capacity, like that in the State Legi.-
lature, reflected honor both upon himself ana
the peop'e for whom ne acted The next of.
fetal position he filed was that of State
Printer. he occupying that Office fo- one term
In 1868 he was elected Secretary of State,
a change In the Constitution having made
that an elective. which was before az appoint.
ed officer. He held this position until 1867.
In 1868 the Central Pacific Railroad Com.
psny, eccgriziug the business abilities cf Mr..
Redding, his peculiar ftuess TO mineia among
men, and his sterling integrity, called him to
its aid, giving him the Trustworthy and in-
portant position Of Land Agent for the COM
psny, and in that capacity he served the com.
psny as an enploye, and was at the same
time the trusted friend and associate of the
members OF the corporation up to the day Of
his death. MIR. Redding during all his career
In California had not relaxed in bis attention
to scientific subjects natural history more
than all else engrossing his attention. An ex-
tended trip through Europe gave him oppor-
tunities to enlarge bis fund Of information.
and it proved also stimulus to his mind
broadened it still more in its views, aud wss
revelation to him In many respects concern
log men and their manners. He was not slow
20 improve this opportunity, and his
keen observant powers and reter tive memory
made the tour TO him one of tie highest
benefit. In 1870. more largely through his
exertions than those Of any one else, the State
entered upon the policy OF protecting aud
propagating food fishes in her rivers, lakes
aud streams. Under the Law then passed
Mr. Redding was appointed one of the Fish
Commissioners, and held the position there.
after and until his death. His strong mind
gave its beat energies t. the subject. He was
an ardent lover off azure, q devot,d p'scicuit
urist. and he labored for twelve ears wish
out fee or pecuniary reward TO introduce iuto
OR waters the best varieties Of food fishes
and to preserve those native to our Stats.
Bat his labors did not cease there. for
through the exertions OF his Commission
many otter States in the Union have pro6ted.
and California fishes have become plentiful
ia foreign waters. In this labor Mr. Reddine
workedin harmony with, and largely through,
tire United States Fish Commission ard its
agency in California. His natural love for
the sciences drew him instinctively TO associ.
ton with men of ike predictions, AID he
thus became distinguished member Of the
California Academy of Natural Sciences and
contributor to its archives Of valuable pa.
per1. In the RFcnRD. rSInx ard Il, nAh.