Placer
County
Biographies
ALEXANDER B. McRAE
A vacillating purpose will never
bring success. It is in persistency that
the elements of prosperity lie, and continued effort, when guided by sound
judgment, never fails to gain a gratifying and desirable reward. Prominent in the business circles of
Roseville is Alexander Bell McRae, and his life record demonstrates what may be
accomplished through determination, energy and capable management.
A native of Ontario, Canada, he was
born on the 16th of June, 1853, and is of Highland Scotch
ancestry. His grandfather, John McRae,
was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and immigrating to Canada brought with
him his wife and two children. He spent
his remaining days in the English province and attained the ripe old age of
eighty-five years. Alexander McRae, the
father of our subject, was also born in Scotland and during his childhood
accompanied his parents to the new world.
He was reared in Canada and there married Miss Josephine Monro. By trade he
was a millwright and followed that occupation until he lost his life by
drowning, when his son Alexander was five years of age. The mother of our subject had died when he
was a babe of nine days, and he was reared by his grandparents, acquiring his
education in Canada in the public schools.
He came to California in 1872 to accept a position as a bookkeeper in a
San Francisco house, but instead he purchased timberland and engaged in dealing
in wood, furnishing that commodity under contract to the Southern Pacific
Railroad Company. He carried on the
business successfully for a number of years, it proving a profitable venture.
He then purchased a ranch near the
present town of Roseville, where he engaged in farming and in the breeding of
fine horses. He has since conducted the
business and is now one of the most extensive breeders of Norman Percheron,
Clyde and English coach horses in this section of the country. In this way he has done much to improve the
grade of horses found in northern California, and his efforts have not only
been of individual benefit but have contributed to the general prosperity, for
the improved grades of stock raised bring higher prices. Mr. McRae also deals in hay and grain, which
he raises and sells in large quantities, doing a wholesale business. He built a large brick warehouse in
Roseville, and by his capable business methods has acquired a very enviable
reputation as a reliable and trustworthy man throughout California and
adjoining states. He was the owner of Colier, one of the most celebrated French coach horses ever
brought to California. His farm adjoins
the corporation limits of Roseville and one portion of it was within the border
lines of the town. This he platted and
sold as town lots. He is most reliable
in all dealings and his word can be depended upon entirely. He has never permitted himself to bet on any
horse, believing it a kind of gambling.
If he recommends a horse the purchaser may be sure that it is all that
he claims for it. In all transactions
his word is as good as his bond and such a life record as his, crowned with
enviable success, and proves that honesty is the best policy.
In 1875 Mr. McRae was united in
marriage to Miss Maggie Kerr, a native of St. John, New Brunswick, and unto
them have been born six children, of whom five are now living: Lizzie, a successful school teacher now in
the State University; Clarence, a student in Atkinson College, of Sacramento;
and Lester, Russell C. and Cecil, at home.
Mr. McRae and his family attend the Presbyterian Church, of which he is
a trustee. He assisted largely in the
erection of the house of worship and is very liberal in his contributions to
church and charitable work and to all movements that are calculated to benefit the
town. He is recognized as one of the
most liberal and progressive citizens of Roseville and withholds his support
from no enterprise that is calculated to advance the social, material,
intellectual and moral welfare of his community. He is a strong advocate of temperance and of
all that will benefit humanity. Of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is an exemplary member and is now serving
as its treasurer. In politics he is an
unswerving Republican. His marked
capability in business, his watchfulness, his indefatigable industry and above
all his honorable methods have made him one of the most prosperous citizens of
the community, and at the same time he has won that good name which is rather
to be chosen than great riches.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 634-635. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.