Alameda
County
Biographies
NATHAN
W. SPAULDING
We have a just pride in the pioneers
of our State who were prominent in laying the foundation of this great
commonwealth. Ex-Mayor Spaulding of Oakland is a good representative of a
Californian, and a fine type of American citizenship. He is a descendant from
the good old Puritan stock of Massachusetts, and a native of Maine. At the age
of thirteen he commenced learning the trade of carpenter and builder, having
his father for instructor. He became a master mechanic, and at the age of
twenty-two years started for California, arriving in September, 1851. His
varied experiences in mining, whipsawing lumber to turn the bed of the
Mokelumne river, and building sawmills, is but a chapter of his life, and
through many disasters and disappointments he did not become disheartened. In
September, 1859, he opened a saw factory at Sacramento and invented and devised
the adjustable saw-tooth, which has brought him honor and notoriety as an
inventor and revolutionized the circular saw business. The Pacific Saw Manufacturing Company and the
N. W. Spaulding Saw Company are the largest of the Pacific Coast and among the
leading saw manufactories of the United States. In 1868 he removed his family
to Oakland, where he has since resided, surrounded by an interesting family,
living in a luxurious home. He has taken a deep interest in municipal affairs
of the city of Oakland; serving as a Councilman four years and Mayor for two
terms. Without solicitation on his part, President Garfield, in 1881, tendered
him the important and responsible office of United States Treasurer at San
Francisco. This Mr. Spaulding accepted, entering upon the discharge of his
duties on the fifth day of May, 1881, and holding it until August 20, 1885.
During that time he received and disbursed, or safely kept and transferred to
his successor, more than three hundred and twenty millions of dollars without
the loss of one cent. In public or private life he has maintained a spotless
reputation. His useful inventions and business tact have brought him fame, and
the offices of trust and honor which he has filled have come to him without
solicitation. His Masonic record is almost continued service in office since
1855. He is now Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge in California. He was W. M.
of Mission, 169, for two years, and W. M. of Oakland, 188, F. and A. M., six
years, and filled the office of High Priest in Alameda Chapter for three
consecutive years, and past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch of California.
He is a member of Oakland Commandery and also of Scottish Rite, 33 degree. He
is an active member of the Masonic Board of Relief. In the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows he holds a membership and also in the Encampment.
He is
noted for his generosity, patience, constancy and fidelity; is a true friend,
forbearing and forgiving; fashions, conquers and leads by the Golden Rule. As
an inventor and mechanic who toils daily in his studio and factory, it was a
just tribute to appoint him a trustee of the Leland Stanford, Junior,
University.
Transcribed
By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”, Page 29, Publ. Bancroft Co.,
San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia M. Setty.
ALAMEDA
COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
California Statewide