Sacramento County
Biographies
GEORGE WILLIAM CAPLES
Widely known throughout Sacramento as a man of conscientious principles and devotion to his
duties as a citizen, Mr. Caples is numbered among the
most trusted employees of the Elk Grove Vineyard Association, and by virtue of
his unswerving honor and kindly manner fully merits the esteem with which he is
regarded by his associates.
Mr. Caples was
the sixth child of Dr. James and Mary J. (Walker) Caples, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, who came to California in 1849 across the plains with ox-teams. They returned
east to Illinois via Panama and in 1853 again came across the plains, this time with a
drove of horses, and since then they have resided in Sacramento
County, he being now eighty-nine years old, while the mother is
eighty-five. George W. Caples was born November 16, 1859, nine miles south of Folsom, Cal., and received his educational training in the public
schools of that town. After completing his studies he engaged in farming, but
upon being appointed postmaster of the city of Folsom in 1889, he discontinued
personal attention to his agricultural interests, opening an insurance office
in connection with his official duties. He capably managed both departments of
work until 1891, when he resigned the postmastership
to accept a position as foreman for the American
River Land and Lumber Co., now known as the Eldorado
Lumber Company. Meantime he journeyed to Detroit, Mich., where he became a student in Pernin
Institute, completed a general business course, and returned then to the west.
He established a shorthand school in Carson City, Nev., which he conducted for several years, and in 1900 located
in Elk Grove, Cal. He filled an appointment as farmer at the county hospital
for about five years, leaving the service in 1906 to take his present situation
with the Elk Grove Vineyard Association.
June 17, 1885, Mr. Caples
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Crossette, the
ceremony taking place in Auburn, Cal., and to their union four children were
born: William Crossette, now on the battleship
Wilmington; Isabelle Virginia, Mary Ethel and James Cecil. Mrs. Caples was a native of Folsom, and daughter of William and
Mary C. (Hodgdon) Crossette,
natives of Massachusetts, her father being a pioneer of 1849. She received her
education in Perry's Seminary at Sacramento, where owing to her thoughtful attention to her studies
she won a high place among her classmates.
Despite many discouragements and trials,
Mr. Caples has never lost the optimistic spirit
which has been one of his chief characteristics, and although his financial
condition does not admit of luxuries. for which indeed
the family do not yearn, being fully satisfied in their love for each other and
the true comfort which they enjoy, feels himself rich in his blessings and
regards as a priceless treasure the honor in which he is held by his wide
circle of
friends.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 1024-1025. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.