Biographies
RICHARD C. IRVINE
The
twentieth century has been marked by the inauguration and rise of many
public-spirited projects, few of which possess greater value or promise greater
benefit than the good-roads movement. As a pioneer worker in the developing of
the roads R. C. Irvine gained local prominence many years ago, when the
movement was yet in its infancy. Consistently advocating permanence in roads,
from the first he opposed the temporary quality and unsatisfactory nature of
such work as was done on the roads, but gave the pressure of influence toward
better highways as a precursor to better farms and larger profits to the
farmers. Before automobiles had come into common use and their owners had
united to advocate a more satisfactory highway, he had attracted attention
through his persistent efforts to interest property-owners in such work. It has
been his privilege to see a marked advance and a deepened interest in the
movement, but he believes the work already accomplished is only the predecessor
of greater efforts in the years to come.
Taking
up a consideration of Mr. Irvine's personal history, it may be stated that he
was born in Jefferson City, Mo., February 5, 1846, a son of Capt. Alexander and
Lou Anne Irvine, of that state. His father raised a company which was assigned
to the regiment of Colonel Donovan for service in the Mexican war, and he
served as captain. Wounded in the first engagement of his company, he started
for the Paso Robles Springs, Cal., but after a few weeks became so ill that he
was obliged to turn back. Nevertheless, in 1850, Captain Irvine piloted a train
across the plains to California, where the family made their home. Richard C.
Irvine for some years attended the public schools of St. Louis, Mo., but in
1859 he accompanied the family to California and settled in Eldorado
county, where he continued his studies in the public
schools. In 1862 he secured a clerkship in the general mercantile business in
his home county and continued in the same position until his removal in 1870 to
Sacramento, where he engaged as clerk with R. Stone & Co., wholesale
saddlers. Later he was promoted to a salesmanship for the company. When they
first sold out in 1881 to A. A. Van Voorhies &
Co., Mr. Irvine brought stock in the new concern and continued a partner in the
business until January of 1891, when he sold out his interest.
After
a period of service as county assessor from 1891 to 1895 Mr. Irvine was
appointed by Governor Budd as a member of the bureau of highways, the
executive's attention having been drawn to him through his intense interest in
every phase of the good-roads movement. During 1896 he resigned the position to
take charge of a large saddlery in Los Angeles. After
a year in Southern California he returned to Sacramento and took charge of the
Capital Soap Company until 1898. From that time until 1903 he served as deputy
to the city street superintendent, after which he was manager of the Wilson
Manufacturing Company. His first appointment as city superintendent of streets
came to him in January, 1906, and for two years he filled the position with
scrupulous fidelity, resigning in January of 1908 to serve as general inspector
over country roads, which office had been tendered him by the county board of
supervisors. At the expiration of a term of two years he was again appointed
city superintendent of streets and continued to fill the position with marked
intelligence and industrious application.
The
marriage of Mr. Irvine and Miss Adelaide Wells took place in Sacramento in
March of 1881 and they have since been popular in society functions, also
contributors to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with which they are
identified. Always stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic party, Mr. Irvine is yet broad in his views and concedes to
other voters the same choice of nominees and measures which he demands for
himself. A man of genial disposition and companionable nature, he finds
pleasure in social and fraternal activities and is one of the founders of the
McNeil Club of Sacramento. In addition he has been a leading local worker in
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Honor, Loyal Order of Moose and
the Masonic Order, in which he has taken many degrees, including that of Knight
Templars and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 900-901. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.