Sacramento County
Biographies
FREDERICK C. CHINN
An ambition for the acquisition of a
profound knowledge of the science of optics has been the impelling influence in
the studies of the popular and successful optician whose name introduces this
article, whose personality is familiar to the people of Sacramento, and whose
professional and business standing as the president of the Chinn-Beretta
Optical Company has brought him into prominent association with leading people
of Northern California. From youth he has been a close student of this,
his chosen calling and has made a scientific study of every phase of
investigation pertaining to vision. The result of such long-continued
concentration has been the attainment of an enviable reputation in his
specialty and this led in its turn to an appointment as a member of the state
board of optical examiners, of which he officiated as secretary for a
considerable period of helpful association.
Descended from an old and honored southern
family, Frederick C. Chinn was born in the city of Baton Rouge, La., November
2, 1870. While that family, like all others of its locality and
generation, had suffered heavy losses by reason of the devastating effects of
the Civil War, he nevertheless enjoyed exceptional advantages, although these
were partly made possible through his own determined efforts. An early
attendance at the public schools was followed by a period of study in private
institutions, after which he resumed attendance at a public institution of
great value, the state university, where he continued his earnest endeavors to
acquire an education satisfactory to his aspirations. The year 1887
witnessed his arrival in San Francisco and his fortunate association with the
profession of an optician, which ultimately led to greater successes than even
the most glowing dreams of his youth had
prognosticated. Coming to Sacramento in 1897, the following year he
organized the optical company which he now serves as president and which has
the reputation of being the largest firm of the kind in the world.
Besides the establishment at Sacramento, the company owns and conducts stores
at Oakland, San Francisco, Vallejo, Fresno and Stockton, each of which has a
gratifying patronage in its own city.
Necessarily the demands upon his time made
by a business so extensive and engrossing leave Mr. Chinn little leisure for
participation in public affairs, yet he keeps well posted concerning all
movements for the general welfare and is especially interested in enterprises
for the advancement of his home city of Sacramento. In politics he votes
with the Republican party. Fraternally he holds
membership with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. February 22,1892, when little more than twenty-one years of age, he was
united in marriage with Miss Rose McKenna, of San Francisco. They are the
parents of three sons, namely: Frederick Harold and Bolling
Robertson, who have enjoyed the excellent advantages offered by St. Mary's
College in Oakland, this state; and Francis Conrad, who was born in 1902
and is now a student in the public schools of Sacramento.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Page 766-767. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.