W. A. Caswell

 

W. A. Caswell, proprietor of the International Hotel, is to-day one of the representative hotel men of Sacramento, though he has been in the business but a comparatively short length of time. Mr. Caswell is a native of Kingstown, Ontario, born December 29, 1842, his parents being Henry and Catharine (Miller) Caswell, both of whom were natives of Limerick, Ireland. On coming to America the father located on a farm near Kingstown, and there the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. In 1864 W. A. Caswell came to California, taking the steamer Ariel from New York on the 23d of February, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and landing at San Francisco from the steamer Constitution, March 18, 1864. He came at once to Sacramento and worked at anything at which he could obtain employment, but principally under B. R. Crocker, on the railroad work just commencing. After about a year of this employment he went with Dr. Cluness, with whom he remained about two and a half years. His next occupation was bill-posting, and he obtained the ownership of the bill-boards and privileged. His business prospered and he kept adding to its scope. He started the transfer bus and ran it three or four years. For some years he had the agency for the Chronicle, and all northern newspapers, which paid well. He was also manager of the Metropolitan Theater.  So that when he decided to give up his other business and embark in that of hotel-keeping, in 1885, he was leaving a prosperous business behind him. With characteristic energy he at once set about the improvement of the International Hotel, upon taking its proprietorship, and now has a house of great beauty in its finish, fittings and appointments.  Doubtless most of the citizens of Sacramento would be astonished upon entering the hotel to observe the wonderful change which has come over the house. It requires, of course, some time to build up a trade for a hotel, even with the best of management, but such a hotel as the International now is, is certain to succeed and will repay the liberality with which it has been fitted up, regardless of expense, but mindful only of the comfort and convenience of the guests. The hotel is conducted on the European plan, and the spacious restaurant is open day and night. Mr.  Caswell was married in Sacramento in October, 1870, to Miss Susan Gibbs, who came to the State from Illinois with her parents when a mere child.  Their children are: Maude, William Henry, and Edison W. The parents of Mr. Caswell came to Sacramento in 1870, and here his father died in 1876. His mother, who is now seventy-six years old, and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Caswell, as does the latter’s mother, who is aged seventy-five. Mr. Caswell is a member of Concord Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M.; of the Royal Arch Chapter, No. 3, and of Sacramento Commandery. He is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., and of Red Jacket Tribe, No. 28, Red Men. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Caswell has made his start in this city, and his success has been won by close attention to business, and indomitable pluck and energy.