Biographies
HARRY W. ADAMS
One of the most prominent men in the
commercial world along the Pacific coast and one who has devoted careful study
of freight rates throughout the United States to the extent that he has
procured many improvements in conditions in that department, is Harry W. Adams,
who fills the important position of traffic manager of the Pioneer Fruit Co.,
at Sacramento, Cal. The life of Mr. Adams has been a reverse of the usual order
of procedure of the active California citizen, for he was born on the Pacific
coast and went East as a child, instead of being born in the East and coming to
the West. His father, who was a major in the United States army, devoted
practically his whole life to military service and passed away some years ago.
Harry W. Adams first saw the light of day
in San Francisco, on July 10, 1861, but after a few years in the East, he
finally returned to the coast and his native city. He attended the public
schools and upon leaving his studies became variously employed for a few years,
then going to Salt Lake City, to become clerk in the Union Pacific Railroad
office there, and he soon advanced to the position of assistant general freight
agent, which he held for a number of years. After that he was connected with
the freight departments of the Union Pacific, Oregon Railway and Navigation Co.
and Texas Pacific Railroad Co., and came to be known as one of the best
informed freight and traffic agents in the entire West. Eventually he was
induced by Mr. Bills to come to Sacramento, and accept the position of traffic
manager of the Pioneer Fruit Co., which he is holding at the present time with
that efficiency and trustworthiness for which he is known among the business
people in that line of work. By careful observation and studying the freight
rates throughout the country he was instrumental in reducing the rate to the
Atlantic seaboard from $1.45 to $1.15, and a corresponding reduction
to points west, and this accomplishment has been the means of saving for
the farmer many hard-earned dollars. Mr. Adams' company ships fruit all over
the United States, and from time to time sends large consignments to foreign
ports, which necessitates clever manipulation of the shipments and a thorough
knowledge of the best arrangement and order of shipping.
Mr. Adams is a member of the San Francisco
Transportation Club and the Sutter Club of Sacramento. He affiliates
fraternally with the Masons, having attained to the thirty-second degree,
Scottish Rite, and is also identified with the Order of
the Eastern Star. In 1890 he married Miss Lula Holladay, a native of Illinois,
who is a lady of culture, interested in charitable work and a member of the
Tuesday Club of Sacramento. She is identified with the Order of Eastern Star
and is one of the Past Grand officers of the Grand Chapter of California.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages Pages 961-962. Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.