Biographies
JAMES E. GORMAN
JAMES E. GORMAN.—Among
the well-known citizens of Sacramento is James E. Gorman, a native son, who
holds the position of captain of Truck No. 2, of the Sacramento fire
department. His birth occurred in Sacramento, Cal., June 30, 1858, and he
is a son of James and Mary (McCormick) Gorman. The father came to
California from Massachusetts in 1856 and engaged in mining for a time, and
then followed teaming to the mines. Both parents are deceased, the father
living until he was eighty-two years old, but the mother had passed away at the
age of thirty-eight years.
James
E. Gorman, the oldest of the four children in his parents’ family, received his
education in the public schools of Sacramento. After finishing school he
was in the ice business for ten years, first with the Pacific Ice Company and
afterwards, with the Union Ice Company. Then, on April 1, 1893, he entered
the Sacramento fire department as captain in charge of Truck No. 2; and he has
remained in that position ever since. In 1919 the firemen were required to
take the civil service examination, and he passed the examination with the
title of captain. His sterling characteristics have justified the respect
and confidence in which he is held by the citizens of his native city. During
twenty-four years and ten months of his term of service he put in twenty-four
hours a day at the station, but now they work in two-platoon system. He is
now the oldest captain in years of service in the city’s fire department.
The
marriage of Mr. Gorman, in Sacramento, united him with Miss Elizabeth Drumgold, a native of Altoona, Pa.; and they are the
parents of two children, Ellsworth James, an employee of Lavenson’s
store, and Norine. He built his residence at
10ll L Street, where he resides with his family. Fraternally, he belongs
to Sacramento Parlor No. 3, N. S. G. W., and to the Y. M. I. He is an
active and conscientious member of and worker for the Firemen’s Protective
Association, and in matters of citizenship is thoroughly
public-spirited. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket.
Transcribed 5-17-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 806. Historic Record Company,
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.