Sacramento County
Biographies
BURTON F. HULINGS
The possibilities available to a man of
energy and determination, notwithstanding a handicap of poverty and orphanhood, are revealed in the substantial degree of
success and civic prominence of Burton F. Hulings, a
leading representative of the realty interests of the Sacramento valley and one
of the young business men whose progressive spirit and intelligent energy are
promoting the local welfare. His early years were entirely
deprived of advantages with the exception of such as he made for himself
by his own force of will and painstaking industry. Born at Hamilton,
Ohio, January 31, 1871, he lost his father and mother by death when he was only
six years of age. On that account the struggle to secure a livelihood was
particularly trying. His first work was the carrying of newspapers and in
this he did so well that he was able to earn his way through school. With
little to encourage him, he nevertheless did not permit himself to become
depressed or disheartened. The boundless optimism of youth helped him
through many a difficult struggle and enabled him to eventually make a place
for himself in the world of affairs.
An eastern experience as a railroad employe enabled Mr. Hulings to
secure similar employment when he came west to San Francisco in 1900, at which
time he entered the passenger department of the Southern Pacific
Railroad. Later he was sent to the capital city to represent the
Sacramento Valley Development Association and afterward went to Oregon to represent
the railroad company at the Portland Exposition. Upon his return to San
Francisco he continued in the railroad office in that city until after the
great fire, when he came to Sacramento and here he since has engaged in the
real-estate business. His special sphere of activity has been in the
development of tracts at Orangevale and Fair Oaks, while since October of 1911
he has had a general supervision of the entire improvement of the Hagen grant,
taking charge of the planting of fruit orchards and orange groves for
non-residents.
At the St. Nicholas hotel in San
Francisco, September 4, 1901, occurred the marriage of
Burton F. Hulings and Miss Dora Calder. There
are two daughters of the union, Doris, born in Alameda, and Minolta, born in
San Francisco. Mrs. Hulings is a daughter of
William and Mary Calder, now of Orangevale, and at one time prominent members
of the theatrical profession. Mrs. Calder, who descends from an old
English family, has been a popular actress on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, while Mr. Calder not only rose to fame as a
theatrical star, but also succeeded as a manager and had charge of the first
European tour of Buffalo Bill (Colonel Cody). The Calder family has lived
at different times in New York City, London, and other leading cities of the
world, their choice of a location being necessarily governed by the demands
upon them in their professional work. Eventually, after having risen to
prominence by his masterly delineation of Rip Van Winkle and other legendary characters,
Mr. Calder retired from all professional work and bought a home at Orangevale,
where he is now engaged in the raising of fruit. No citizen of the colony
has been more helpful in its development than Mr. Calder and his standing in
the community is the highest. In his tireless efforts to secure a
betterment of conditions at Orangevale he has had the enthusiastic assistance
of Mr. Hulings, who himself is not only loyal and
patriotic, but also sagacious in plans and capable in counsel. Although
not a partisan he gave constant service during the campaign of Governor Johnson
and is himself a staunch Democrat of the progressive type. Fraternally he
is connected with the Golden Gate Lodge, F. & A. M., of San
Francisco. Through his arduous and untiring efforts a right of way
was secured for the trolley service which it is planned to extend from
Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and which will be operated under the name of the
Sacramento and Sierra railroad. In religion he is an Episcopalian and a
believer in the creed of the denomination, a supporter of its charities and a
contributor to its missionary movements.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 798-800. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.