Biographies
MRS.
JOSEPHINE B. FREEMAN
MRS. JOSEPHINE B.
FREEMAN.–Always interesting as a worthy representative, on the one hand, of one
of the most esteemed pioneer families of early days, and again as the widow of
the late Abraham Clark Freeman, one of the most scholarly and distinguished
attorneys and lawyers on the Pacific Coast, Mrs. Josephine B. Freeman enjoys an
influential and enviable position, in which she daily renders society some
needed or commendable service. She was born in Mansfield, Ohio, the
daughter of Alfred Foulks, a native of Beaver County,
Pa., and afterwards the founder of Rome, Ohio, where he was the pioneer
merchant, and where he remained until his demise. Mrs. Freeman’s mother,
before her marriage, was Euphemia Pugh, also a native
of Mansfield, and a cousin of United States Senator George Ellis Pugh; and
after her husband’s death, she brought her family of five children out to
California. They crossed the plains with her brother, J. Wood Pugh, and
for six months traveled on their way with comparative safety, despite the many
dangers due to Indians and natural conditions. She purchased land at Elk
Grove, and improved two ranches, setting out there one of the first vineyards
in the county. She was a wonderful woman, endowed with much business
ability, and was greatly interested in the Golden State, in which she saw such
promising opportunities. She died at the age of seventy-three, leaving
five children, among whom Mrs. Freeman was the youngest.
After completing the
required studies in the local schools, Miss Foulks
attended the College of the Pacific at San Jose. Having secured the
coveted parchment there, she returned home and soon after was married to
Abraham Clark Freeman, the rising young lawyer, their union proving a very
happy one until he was called away. She brightened and blessed both his
life and her own, always taking a deep interest in his work, and encouraging
him in every way in the attainment of his ambition as a scholarly analyst in
law and as the author of the first book of national import produced on the
Coast, and one of the most authoritative and successful volumes of which
American scholarship may boast. One child, named Mabel, was granted to Mr.
and Mrs. Freeman. She is the wife of Benjamin Romaine, a prominent
attorney in San Francisco.
Since Mr. Freeman’s
lamented death, this accomplished and ever approachable lady has continued to
reside at their beautiful home, at the corner of Washington and Presidio
Avenues, in San Francisco, over-looking the bay, a home of which she is
especially fond. Both the artistic residence and the picturesque grounds
were originated by her and the home may well be regarded as one of the modest
but dignified show-places of the metropolis. She also owns a mountain home
named "Pine Hurst," in Placer County. This estate includes the
whole of the summit of Soda Springs Valley, or about 500 acres on the North
Fork of the American River, declared by many to be next in beauty to the
Yosemite, and has a fine automobile road leading to the very doors of
"Pine Hurst." She divides her time between her city home, her
ranch, and the mountain home, "Pine Hurst," and from each she
dispenses a genuine California hospitality.
Mrs. Freeman is a
member of the San Francisco Woman’s Press Club, the Society of California
Pioneers, the California Club, the Laurel Hall Club and the Assembly, and was
one of the founders of the Salon. She is fond of literature and travel,
and has a well-selected library. With her husband, Judge Freeman, she
traveled in the United States, Mexico and Alaska, and
in both 1900 and 1901 in Europe, when they visited the British Isles and the
storied lands of Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and Egypt. Since
the inevitable laws of Nature summoned her late and widely esteemed husband
from earthly scenes and labors, it has been a matter of peculiar consolation
and satisfaction to many that one who shared his high
ideals is left to carry out in some measure his unfinished work.
Transcribed 2-7-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 397-398. Historic Record Company,
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.