davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
w. E. DARGIE.
State Senator From the Seventeenth
District, Alameda County.

State Senator From the Seventeenth
District, Alameda County.
Mr.. Dargie is a native of California, and
one of the rapidly advancing young men
of the State. He had the opportunities,
and improved them, of school education,
and then learned the trade of printer in
the Office of the San Francisco Bulletin.
When he struck out for himself he be-
came proprietor of the Oakland Tribune,
one of the best evening papers upon the
coast, and which he has conducted with
eminent success, possessing as he does
the rare combination of qualities that dis
tinguish the successful Journalist and
business manager. His prominence in
his community and his ability COM
mended for him appointment as Post
master of Oakland, and he filled the term
with high credit to the administration
and to himself. Senator Dargie will not
speak of his career or give any data of his
life, and declines to aid the search for
dates, etc., in his career. We know him.
however, as stirring, progressive young
man, interested in several important in
dustrial enterprises; as standing high
among his people; as courageous, of deep
convictions and of humane impulses and
striking social qualities. He is married
and the father OF children. As political
worker he is remarkable man, being
tireless, fearless and an admirable tao
tician. His record in defeating the late
Henry Vrooman in a political contest
forms indeed a part of State history. AS
legislator he is watchful over the inter-
ests of his constituents, jealous of en-
croachments upon liberty, proud OF his
native State an6 earnest in forwarding its
interests, and as having opinions on all
public questions, and the courage to ex-
press and defend them.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
ELI DENNIsoS.
State Senator from the Sixteenth Dis
trict, Alameda County.

State Senator from the Sixteenth Dis
trict, Alameda County.
Mr.. Dennison represents Alameda
County in the Senate, it being the Six
teenth Senatorial District. He was born
in Onondagua, N. Y, in the year 1927.
He received the necessary primary edu-
cation and then entered the Monroe
Academy, from which he was graduated
with honor. Mr.. Dennison came to Cali
tornia in 1852 and located in Sierra Coun-
ty, where he engaged his energies in
mining successfully for four years, when
he came to Sacramento, and here gave
play to his natural business instincts in
merchandising, which he followed for a
considerable time. He was always noted
for presclence, the capacity to see good
business opportunities, and the ability
and courage to seize upon them at the
right time. His disposition in that direc-
ton led to his seeing that large and
profitable train traffic could be estab
hshed upon the transcontinental railroad,
when it was completed. He applied for
leave to open up such a business, and Sc
curing the grant he proceeded to estab-
lish himself in that line. He achieved
eminent success, and has ever since the
opening of the Central Pacific Railroad
conducted the train traffic the selling of
papers and articles of need and comfort
Southern Pacific Company lines. 1t is
now twenty-one years since Mr.. Denni-
son launched upon the business, which is
one requiring executive ability, capacity
to handle large number Of employees,
and one that is loaded with countless de-
tails, requiring for it's control and safe
conduct, a mind comprehensive in its
grasp, and a skill that is at once
vigorous, bold, and many sided.
Mr.. Dennison has proved to have
these qualifications, and he has accord
ingly achieved success in pursuit in
which the majority of men would most
likely fail. Mr.. Dennison is connected
recently with the California Pacific Rail-
road, running through Laundry Farm in
Alameda County. He has in late years
taken more than usual interest in politics.
and has been an active worker and dis
Greet adviser in the councils of the Re-
publican party. He has been repeatedly
chosen to represent the party interests in
its county, district and State Conventions,
and was delegate to the last two Re
publican National Conventions held. Mr..
Dennison has not in the Senate a great
deal to say as maker of speeches, though
he is able to command his position in q
debate; but what is better, he is one of the
best observers in the body, and per-
uniting nothing to escape him, qualified
by business and political experience.
having wide knowledge of men and being
a good judge of character, he is such a
representative as an active, business
pushing and progressive people, like
those of Alameda need. He has a circle
of friends as wide as the settlement of the
coast and is well known from one end of
the State to the other.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08

two years in the academy he went
to Waverly, Iowa, in 1857, where he en-
gagged in the newspaper business In
1861 he went to st. Louis, and enlisted in
the Twenty-seventh Missouri Regiment
of Infantry as private. In 1862 he was
promoted to Lieutenancy and assigned
to duty under General Schofield, COM
handing the District of ST. Louis. In
1868 he was made Captain and Provost
Marshal of the st. Louis District, In
1864 he was appointed Provost Marshal at
Batesville, Arkansas. After service in
the army until in the summer of 1864, he
resigned on account of disability, and re-
turned to Wavcrly, Iowa, and engaged in
business pursuits until 1853, when he
removed to Carthage, Mo. In 1869
he was elected to the State Sen
ate and served for four years with
credit to his constituents and the State.
He was candidate for Lieutenant
Governor of Missouri on the
Republican ticket in 1876, appointed
United States Marshal in 1877, and by
President Arthur re-appointed in 1881,
He was elected Colonel of the Fifth Regi-
ment of the National Guard of Missouri,
and filled the position from 1881 to 1884.
He removed to California in 1885, locat-
ing in the City of Los Angeles, where he
purchased an interest in the Los Angeles
Daily Times, of which he became the
business manager. March, 1889, he was
commissioned Major and Brigade In
spector on the staff of General E. p,
Johnson, commanding the First Brigade.
N. G. C. In September last, he was
elected Colonel of the Seventh Regiment
of the same brigade, and on the incoming
of Governor Markham he was appointed
Acknowledgement of the State of Califor-
MIA. General Allen is married man and
the father of three children. He is ex-
tensively engaged in zinc mining, and
has large interests in Jasper County,
Missouri. He is a man who wins and
holds friends. He is spoken of by his
neighbors Of Los Angeles with enthusi-
asm, as one of pure life, sterling integ-
rity, broad hospitality and fine business
nhilitN
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
EDWARD p. CoLGAN.
State Controller OF the state of Cali
fornia, Elected November. 1890.

State Controller OF the state of Cali
fornia, Elected November, 1890.
Mr. Colgan was born in Santa Rosa,
Sonoma County, in the year 1856. He
went to school under the public system.
until the year 1873, was a diligent and
ready scholar, and improved the oppor-
tunities offered him fully. On leaving
school he began work in a blacksmith
shop and followed the trade until he
was called by the people of Sonoma,
who had watched his course, and
admired the man, to serve them as Sheriff
of the county. This was in 1886, and Mr..
Colgan made his canvass as nominee of
the Republican party. On the completion
of his first term it was seen that the peo-
pie demanded his reelection, and his
party therefore again proposed him and he
was again honored with the important
trust. This service brought him up to and
into the campaign of 1890, in which the
demand of the people of Sonoma that he
be given a place upon the State ticket of his
party was wisely respected by the State
Convention, and he was nominated and
in November elected State Controller
against the strongest candidate the
Democracy could have selected. Mr..
Colgan is married and is the father of two
children. He is a prominent member of
the Native Sons of the Golden West. In
all communities where he is known he
commands the respect of the people. He
has strong executive ability, is a man of
firmness, but arrives at no conclusion
hastily. His sympathies are broad and
his impulses all kindly and patriotic. His
father the writer of these lines well knew
as an old line Republican when the pres
ent Controller was a lad in Santa Rosa.
The father died in Santa Rosa, in 1873,
but Mr.. Colgan's mother is still living.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08

He was born in Lockport, New York,
october 10, lS43. He received liberal
education at the Lockport Union School,
and came to California in 1861. His first
LABOR here was in service as clerk in the
hardware establishment of Rockwell,
Coye q Co., San Francisco, where he
renamed until 1868, when he engaged
in stock brokerage. He, however, fol-
lowed that vocation but short time, re-
turning presently to his former employ
ment, IN which he remained until the
firm went out of business in 1874 His
capacity for business led to his being in
vested with the management of the city
affalrs OF the famous Novato Rancho,
then owned by Sweetser q belong, the
latter gentleman being the father Of the
subject OF this sketch. In 1879 his father
bought out his partner, and the younger
Mr.. belong removed with his family to
the rancho. In 1884 the people of his
district choose him to represent them in
the State Senate, which he did with such
devotion and ability for four years that in
1888 he was reelected to the position.
Perhaps no higher contemporary tribute
could be paid to any American citizen,
than such one of esteem and confidence
Since Mr.. Belongs removal to Marin
County, his whole business has been
farming, dairying, and stock-raising and
fruit growing. In 1885 his father died,
erty referred to. to his son. This Novato
Rancho consists of 5000 acres, and its
dairy is stocked with 1,l00 cows. The
daily shipment of milk to San Francisco
from the ranch will average $50 gallons.
During his Senatorial terms Mr.. Delong
has been one of the most dilligent and
useful members that ever represented
constituency in the Legislature. He has
served upon the Committees on Agricul-
ture, State Prisons, Commerce and Navi-
cation and Elections. He is a man of
liberal thought and broad views, and
his business capacity and foresight are of
especial usefulness to him and the people
he so ably represents. He enjoys the re-
spect and esteem of tho citizens of his
district, and one of his best informed
nelghborS says to US of him: ''He can
have about any position of trust that he
might ask of them, that it is in their
power to grant.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
A. j. JOHNSTON.
superintendent of State Printing fol
the State of California.

superintendent of State Printing fol.
the State of California.
Mr.. Johnston, one of the best known
mento, has had the high honor conferred
upon him of being appointed Superinten-
dent of the State Printing Office. Mr..
Johnston was born in Nevada County in
1857. He attended the common schools
until he was eleven, when his family re-
moved to Sacramento i'll 1868. Here he
continued in the public schools until
1877, when he went7tO work in the State
Printing Office under the late Thomas
Springer, the last State Printer elected by
the direct vote of the people He re-
manned in that employment one year,
and then entered the job printing estab-
where he labored until the year 1852,
when he started into business for himself
as JOB and book printer. at 4i0 J street
with tide veteran printer r. w. Lewis. as
his partner. On the death of Mr.. Lewis
he succeeded to his interest in the bust
ness, in the year 1886. Later Mr.. w. J.
Hassett was associated with him. and the
firm became A. J. Johnston d Co., and so
remained until Mr.. Johnston was APP
pointed Superintendent OF State Printing,
when he disposed of his interest in the
job printing business to his father, who
with Mr.. Hassett now conducts it. Mr.
Johnston is married man and is the
fether of two children. He is a man of
fine executive ability, genial, yet digni-
fled, companionable and well met, yet
preserving the respect OF all by his con-
sentative bearing under all circum-
stances. He is just the man for the posi-
ton to which he has been chosen, as he is
master workman, has business ability
of good order, is firm in conviction,
cool of judgment and infexible in the
discharge of duty. He has hosts of
friends, and is held in the community in
high esteem, commanding respect and
inspiring confidence in all who have
dealings with him.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
WILLARD C. BAILEY.
State Senator From the Thirty-Second
District, Santa Clara County.

State Senator From the Thirty-Second
District, Santa Clara County.
Colonel Bailey is State Senator from the
Walworth County, Wisconsin, July 81,
1913. He spent his early years as did the
average farmers son in those days-work-
ing hard all summer to secure four
months of schooling" in the winter. In
like manner young Bailey worked his
way through college, and was graduated
with the degree of Master of Arts from
one of the best educational institutions in
all the land. On the outbreak of the war
he entered the army of the Union, and
battled through the rebellion among Wis
consin volunteers. At the close of the
war, on returning to Wisconsin, Mr..
Bailey was made Judge Advocate General
OF Militia in that State, under Governor,
now Secretary RuSk, of President Harri-
sons Cabinet. In 1873 he came to Califor-
mia and entered upon the practice of law in
Monterey County, which he pursued about
year, when he returned to Wisconsin,
where he followed his profession until
1875, when he again came TO California
and located in San Jose, where he still
resides and is engaged in the practice of
law. Colonel Bailey is a member of the
Republican State Central Committee,
Commander OF John A. Dix Post,
q. A. X, and Colonel OF Logan Camp,
Army and Navy Republican League,
ofsSan Jose. While he lis devoted to
the law and has full practice, he deals
to some extent in real estate.
and in that business manifests high bust
ness capacity. In the late election he de-
teated his Democratic opponent by very
handsome majority, and during the cam
paign proved himself to be an accom-
plished worker in the hastings. A num-
Der Of his speeches in print that we have
read prove him to be fluent in language,
graceful in diction, vigorous in assault
and fearless in defense. He appears to
have won the people of his district COM
pleteiy and certainly by his effective
stump oratory, and to have done infinite
service for the Republican ticket in a
county upon which the party has no mort
gage. Governor Rusk has paid Colonel
Bailey high compliments, as have other
distinguished men who know of his abil-
ity, but of course we cannot quote in so
brief a notice as this. Colonel Bailey has
q natural fund of humor, is quick in
repartee, ready in debate, careful in judg-
ment, and discreet and upright in all
matters. His speech at the beginning of
this session, seconding the nomination of
Hon. Leland Stanford for United States
Senator, at once gave him a standing in
the Senate, and it is here predicted that he
will be found one Of the most able, active
and accomplished members Of the State
Senate.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
SOME PUBLIC MEN.
Sketches Of Some of Our Legis-
latOrs and State Officers.
Personal Matters Concerning Senator's,
Assemblymen, and Officers that
Gives an Insight Into Their Careers
and the Steps by Which They At
tanned Their Present Positions.

The SUNDAY UNION presents herewith
pen pictures of number of Senators, AS
semblymen and new State officers of Cali
fornia. These sketches have been made
upon the basis of carefully collected data,
and may be relied upon as correct histor-
sically. The judgments expressed con-
corning the citizens whose lives are thus
reviewed, are those with which the pub
lie are familiar, or are those entertained
by the constituents of the legislators and
by the people who have had best oppor-
tunity to observe the men and know the
estimation in which they are held in their
respective communities. In this group
of some fifty citizens in public life, the
reader will note with interest that very
many, if not the majority, owe their
prominence to-day to unaided exertions,
to persistence in their pursuits. and that
most of them have known what it is to
battle hard with the world.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
Il. r.. DRAY,
State Senator From the Thirteenth Dis
- trict, Sacramento County.

State Senator From the Thirteenth Dis
- trict, Sacramento County.
Findley R. Dray represents Sacramento
County in the State Senate. He is one of
Sacramento's foremost and most re-.
spected citizens. No man stands better
with his people. His life has been clean
one, his example has been one of purity
and uprightness, and his influence is in
variably cast for the best interests of the
people. Mr.. Dray is proud of Sacra-
mento, and Sacramento is proud of Mr..
Dray. He was born in Bedford, Pennsyl-
vania, October %, 1888. When he was but
child the family moved to Iowa, re-
naming there until 1874; thence to Mis-
souri,, where it remained until IS4S.
From 1S49 to 1850 Mr. Dray resided in Hi
nois, and in the latter year he crossed the
1850. Stopping a little time at Placer,
vile, he came on to Sacramento, and
here he has ever since made his home.
His early education he received in the
schools of the West, and in California he
has broadened and builded upon it. by
reading much and by practical expe-
rience in business and official walks. He
was Deputy Sheriff of Sacramento
County in 1S64-65; Public Administrator
in 1861; Assessor from 1865 to 1875 in
elusive, and.Supervisor, succeeding to the
term of IL. o. Seymour, deceased. He
mined short time after arriving in the
State, but in Sacramento his first
business was the manufacture of
mining implements. In 1851 he engaged
in mining enterprises in Sierra County,
but soon returned to Sacramento, and
resumed manufacturing, building the
first fifty tanning mills made in
the State, his shop being on the
spot where the Capitol now stands.
In 1852 he engaged in teaming. He
visited other sections of the State.
but returned to this city just after ''the
great fire, 4" to find the place almost blotted
out and it's site deluged with water. He
then went to Nevada County, and en-
gagged in merchandising at McCourtney's
Crossing for one year, and in June. 1854,
returned again to his first love, Sacra-
mento, locating land south of the city and
began farming, which he followed until
1857, when he sold out, and clerked i'm
grocery house until 1862. He married in
1861. In 1863 he visited the Reese River
mines for short time. = He was elected
Senator in 1886, and again in 1889. He
has been for several years surveyor and
director in the Sacramento Bank. and
in late years has given his whole attention
to the banks business. Mr.. Draw is a
Republican and leadersin the party. He
is man of deep convictions, vigorous
action, and far-seeing. He is not at all
illiberal, however; he is fervently patri-
otto. an untiring advocate of all that is
best in the American idea, is a champion
of Sacramento County, and one of the
most earnest of men in all movements to
develop the State and build up and
strengthen its communities. In the SEN
ate he proved to be representative who
is watchful, fearless and industrious to a
degree uneqdalled.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08

charged important duties with skill and
to the satisfaction of that commercial
body. He was an active worker in the
late campaign in the interests of the pres
ent Governor, and contributed largely by
his labors to Governor Markham's sue
cess. His ability was recognized by the
party, which made him its Campaign
Committee Secretary, post of RESPONSE
bllify greater in Importance and involy-
ing more onerous duties than any other
related to the campaign. Mr.. Higgins is
married man. He is popular in the
best sense and meaning of the word. He
is cool and collected, far-seeing and gifted
with the tact that distinguishes the man
who achieves his ends in such important
positions as that Mr.. Higgins now fills.
1t is safe to say that while he is the Gov
ernor's Secretary there will be no COM
plants of discourtesy made against him,
and that he will discharge his duties
calmly, with dignity and with becoming
firmness, and without particle of affec-
tatlon or self-conceit. During his short
stay in Sacramento he has won friends
rapidly, and is already building for him
self a residence in the esteem of this
people.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-08
FRANK McGowAz.
State Senator From the First District
Humboldt and Del Nol.te COMMITTEES

State Senator From the First District.
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
Mr.. MCGOWAN was born in Steilacoom.
Washington, in the year 1859. He came
to this State in 1850 with his family, which
located in San Francisco, where the SUBJ
ject of this sketch received a common
school education until he was IL years of
age. In 1873 removal took him to Arcata,
humboldt County, where the boy was
continued in school for two years more.
He then went to work in a hotel, but in
all his leisure moments he paid attention
to the storing of his mind and the Guilt
waiting of his intelligence, especially in
literary work. When he attained his ma
jority he went to Eureka and began the
study OF the law in the Office of j. d. II.
Chamberlain. and with such diligence
that in 1888 he was called to the bar, be-
ing admitted to the Supreme Court. He
began to practice in that year. He at
once proved his capacity and his fitness
for the profession he had chosen. In 1886
he was elected to seat in the Assembly.
where he served with distinguished credit
to his constituency and to his State. His
people testified their appreciation of him
Senator for the district named above.
Senator MCGOWAN can with pride
point to the fact that he ran 400
votes ahead of his ticket. He has
large and lucrative practice. He is nat
ural orator, and his ability as debater
has been recognized in the fact that he
has been called to stump the State for the
Republican party ever since 1882, in
which service no young man has more
distinguished himself. One of his notable
efforts was one Of his earliest speeches
when he advocated the placing of General
Stonenan upon the retired list. He was
chosen to place Judge DeHaven in nomi-
nation for the Supreme bench at the late
Republican State Convention, and did so
in manner to win deserved plaudits.
He enjoys the distinction, also, OF having
led the stampede for Markham in the
same convention. Senator MCGOWAN is
Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Elections. He is also member of the
Committee on the State Library, of the
Judiciary Committee and OF the Commits
tee on Capital and Labor. Senator Me-
Gowan is married. He is a clear-seeing
man, OF energy and persistence and brill
liant imagination. He is held in high
esteem by the people of his district, and
is clearly in the front rank of young men
of the State who are in line for promotion
to positions of weighty importance and
high trust.