Sacramento County
Biographies
CLARENCE C. CUFF
From the earliest ages the science of
architecture has fascinated men of broad mental vision. The monuments and
cathedrals that have stood in massive grandeur for centuries
untold bear witness to the desire of man to express his aspirations and visions
in stone or marble. At no time, however, has the profession risen to such
prominence as in the history of the twentieth century, whose
remarkable commercial development demands artistic yet substantial architecture
as the expression of its character. Noteworthy among the architects who are
formulating and developing the cities of the present day, mention belongs to
Clarence C. Cuff, member of the firm of Cuff & Diggs, architects who for
some years successfully have engaged in their chosen profession in Sacramento,
meanwhile designing and planning a number of the finest structures in this part
of the state.
Of Canadian birth and ancestry, Clarence
C., son of H. W. and Mary Cuff, was born in the city of Toronto January 15,
1871. The excellent schools of Toronto furnished him with the best
grammar-school advantages and he continued his studies until he was fifteen
years of age, when he discontinued school work for the occupation in which he
was destined to make a subsequent success. The preliminary study of
architecture was carried on with an architect of Toronto, whose instruction
guided him wisely and thoroughly through the formulative
period of his researches. Later he had the advantage of three years of study in
the Toronto School of Architecture, from which he was graduated with a high
standing. Immediately after completing his course of study he went to
Buffalo, N. Y., and entered the office of an architect, with whom he remained
five years. Later he was employed by architects in different parts of the
United States and thus gained a thorough conception of favorite styles of
architecture in the various localities. While following his profession in New
York City he there married in September of 1904 Miss Louise Schuster, a cultured
woman of eastern birth and thorough education.
After his arrival in the west during 1905
Mr. Cuff engaged with an architect in San Francisco for one year, after which
he came to Sacramento and for two years held a position in the office of the
state architect. Later he formed his present partnership with M. I. Diggs and
under their capable alliance the substantial grammar-school at Marysville has
been erected, the Diepenbrock theatre presents an
added attraction for lovers of dramatic art in Sacramento, the Travelers Hotel
of Sacramento and the Eldorado county courthouse at
Placerville have been built, the California Hospital at Sacramento is accepted
as a model of the kind, the warehouse of Thomson, Diggs Company forms an
addition to the business part of the city, and the residences of D. W.
Carmichael, C. B. Dewees and Senator M. Diggs stand
as monuments to the originality and skill of the architects. Since he crossed
from Canada into our country Mr. Cuff has made a study of national problems and
has given his allegiance to the Republican party. He
is a member of the Knights of Columbus and professionally is an active member
of the Architectural League of Sacramento and an associate member of the
American Institute of Architects.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 820-822. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.