J. C. BAINBRIDGE

PROF. J. C. BAINBRIDGE, though little over twenty-seven years of age, is at the head of one of the most prosperous commercial colleges in America. The description of the college appears in another page of this volume. It is but just to say, however, that Prof. Bainbridge owes somewhat of his success to the unusual energy and abilities of his wife, a sketch of whose life follows this article. Prof. Bainbridge was born November 23, 1861, in Lincoln County, Missouri, but when young removed with his parents to the city of St. Louis, in that State. When he was twelve years of age the family came to California, settling in San Joaquin County, where his father Dr. J. A. Bainbridge, a well-known physician of those parts, still resides. Young Bainbridge received his education in the schools of Oakland and Berkeley, and took a business course in Stockton Business College. After returning from the University he accepted a position in the Stockton Business College, Mr. Clark being then the proprietor, which he held for three years. At the end of that time he bought Mr. Clark out, and conducted the school himself until the fall of 1887 sold out, came to Sacramento and founded the Bainbridge Business College and Normal School. It's really wonderful success has proved Mr. Bainbridge' s peculiar fitness for the work he has undertaken, and mark him deservedly one of Sacramento's prominent citizens. He was married in July, 1885, to Ms. Belle C. Rogers, of Stockton. They have no children. Since taking up her residence in Sacramento, Mrs. Bainbridge has taken a leading position among musical people of this city, and as a teacher, whether of voice or piano, she is singularly successful, a result due not less, perhaps, to her wonderful vitality and inexhaustible energy than to her splendid training and practical methods of imparting knowledge. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, her father being still a resident of Akron in that State, but lived in New York State during most of her childhood and youth, beginning her musical education in the city of New York under Prof. Taylor. Later she went to Boston, and continued the study of music under Prof. J. D. Parker, now a teacher in the Boston Conservatory of Music. In 1881 she accepted the position of teacher of music in Stockton Business College in this State, and came out immediately to fill it. There she met Prof. Bainbridge, and the acquaintance ripening into love, they were married in July, 1885. While in Stockton Mrs. Bainbridge was organist and leader of the choir of forty voices in St. John's Episcopal Church in that city, and occupied their the same leading position in all matters musical that she possesses here. Not satisfied with her knowledge of harmony or of music, whether vocal or instrumental, Mrs. Bainbridge took courses of lessons, including the very severest work, with Ugo Talbo, the distinguished tenor of San Francisco, and also with Professor Hugo Mansfeldt, of the same city, who is acknowledged to be the best instrumentalist on the coast. Upon coming to Sacramento, Mrs. Bainbridge was not content to follow the ordinary hum-drum of a professional life, but at once set to casting about for some suitable person who could aid her in the establishment of an institution of greater pretensions than any existing in this city, or indeed upon this coast. In Prof. Charles Heywood, now well known in this city, she found the required ability, and in the popular St. Cecilia Club we see the beginning of the institution referred to. This club began with about twenty pupils, gotten together by Mrs. Bainbridge's into indefatigable efforts. Prof. Heywood is the leader, and Mrs. Bainbridge the accompanist. Now the club has fifty members. Miss Mary W. Bainbridge, or more familiarly known by her many friends as Mamie, the teacher of Elocution in the Bainbridge Business College, is the sister of the principal, and a young lady of very superior talent. She is a graduate of California School of Oratory, her diploma dating May 11, 1888. She has acquired considerable reputation as a skillful reading and reciter, and is not only a popular young lady when such talents are in demand, but is also a great favorite in social circles generally throughout the city.

An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 259-260.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.