Sacramento County
Biographies
FRANK A. LAFFERTY
As the successor of his father in an
important and well-known business Mr. Lafferty has become associated with
commercial activities in Sacramento, where for a long period he has owned and
managed a livery and boarding stable located at No. 1510-14 J street. Until the death of his father and for some
time afterward the business was conducted under the firm title of J. A.
Lafferty & Son, while the management of the stables differed little from
that of the present time, although recently special attention has been given to
the maintenance of pleasure vehicles suitable for excursion and tally-ho
parties. No stable in the city surpasses this establishment in the
elegance of its outfits and the beauty of its teams, nor does any excel it in
the possession of a modern structure equipped with every facility for the
expeditions and thorough dispatch of work. The building, indeed,
represents a style of architecture admirably suited to the west, and affords
visible evidence of the proprietor's wisdom in harmonizing the structure with
the environment.
Membership in the Native Sons of the
Golden West (in which he has been very active as president and influential
worker) comes to Mr. Lafferty by virtue of his nativity in California, where
his birth occurred at Colfax, Placer county, June 30,
1871, in the home of John Allen and Mary J. Lafferty. His father, who was
born in Des Moines, Iowa, April 27, 1845, was brought to the west by his
parents in 1850 and entered the primary room of the school at Iowa Hill.
Later he completed the studies of the grammar school. When he started out
to earn his own way in the world he took up teaming and for a short time
followed the occupation at Colfax. Next he was employed as a brakeman
with the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company. Later he drove a stage out
of Colfax to various points until 1872, when he removed to Sacramento and
embarked in the teaming business. From that beginning he drifted into the
livery trade and established a large patronage, continuing at the head of the
stables until his death in 1904, when he was succeeded by his son the latter
having been identified with the work ever since he left school and thus being
thoroughly familiar with all of its details. Besides his membership with
the Native Sons previously mentioned, he is associated with the Elks and the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he votes with the
Republican party. His marriage took place in
Sacramento November 22, 1897, and united him with Miss Emma Schwartz, who was
born in Sacramento, being a daughter of Benjamin Schwartz. They are the
parents of two daughters, Beatrice and Frances, both of whom are pupils in the
city schools.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 787-788. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.