MRS. MARY L. LAMPSON

Sacramento County

Biographies

MRS. MARY L. LAMPSON

MRS. MARY L. LAMPSON.--Among the leaders of the citrus fruit industry in Sacramento County is numbered Mrs. Mary L. Lampson, owner of The Palms at Orangevale, one of the finest fruit ranches in the state. She was born near Lincoln, Maine, December 16, 1868, the eldest daughter of Charles Wesley and Mary Jane (Robbins) Osborne. The mother, following the death of her husband, remarried, becoming the wife of William P. Warren, a native of Maine. Mary L. Osborne accompanied her mother and stepfather on their journey to California in 1874 by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and after reaching this state they settled in the Alexander Valley, eight miles from Healdsburg, in Sonoma County. Mr. Warren cleared the land of timber and through arduous labor brought it to a high state of development, becoming the owner of a valuable orchard. He reared a family of seven children and was numbered among the honored pioneers of that region.

Mary L. Osborne attended the Alexander Grant School, and while a student at the Healdsburg High School was united in marriage with Augustus Lampson, who was born near West Point, Calaveras County, Cal., June 14, 1864. His parents came to this state during the gold rush of 1849, and his father was very successful in his search for the precious metal, acquiring valuable mining claims which are now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lampson. As a young man Augustus Lampson followed the trades of the blacksmith and wheelwright, for fifteen years conducting a shop on Mokelumne Hill, and was widely known for the high quality of his work as well as for his integrity and reliability. Later Mr. Lampson located in Geyserville, where he embarked in the hardware business, erecting a substantial building and placing therein a carefully selected stock. Prospering in his undertaking, he decided to broaden the scope of his activities and also opened a garage. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and for several years he served as constable, while he likewise acted as school trustee. For fourteen years he continued to live and conduct his business in Geyserville. At the end of that time he sold the business to his son, Everett David, who is conducting the enterprise under the style of A. Lampson & Sons, the name first adopted. In December, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Lampson removed to Orangevale, locating on their newly purchased ranch of fifty acres, situated on the Greenback Highway; but Mr. Lampson was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, passing away on March 11, 1917, after a four days' illness with pneumonia. He was a man of sterling worth, capable and enterprising in business, loyal and public-spirited in matters of citizenship, and faithful to every trust reposed in him.

Mr. and Mrs. Lampson were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are sons, and there are now ten grandchildren in the family circle. Chester William, the eldest in the family, was born August 24, 1889, and is now operating a ranch at Santa Rosa, Cal. He is married and has three sons. Everett David, born May 18, 1891, is married and has one son. He resides at Geyserville and ranks with the leading merchants of that place. Walter A. was born March 13, 1894, and aids in operating his mother's ranch. He is married and has two sons. Warren Lee, an enterprising merchant of Geyersville, was born June 8, 1896. He is married and has two children. Alvin W. was born January 17, 1898, and is engaged in merchandising at Cloverdale. By his marriage he has become the father of two children. Myrle Robbins was born February 2, 1900, and is the possessor of marked literary talent and linguistic ability. He is the author of the book entitled "On Reaching Sixteen," now in its fourth edition, and is an intimate friend of the noted educator, David Starr Jordan. While a student at Stanford University he was selected by the Quaker Church for relief work in Russia, and spent twelve months in that country, returning to the United States in January, 1923. He translates Russian with case and has mastered seven languages. He married Miss Bertha Goethe of San Francisco, who was graduated from the language department of Stanford University, and they reside at Hayward, this state. Harriet Josephine, born February 3, 1902, is the widow of L. Walters, of Sacramento. The younger members of the family are Glenn Sumner, who was born September 7, 1903; Clyde Porter, born December 2, 1905; Florence A., born November 18, 1907; and Willis Ellory, born March 17, 1910.

In addition to rearing this large family Mrs. Lampson has also sheltered and educated children whose parents were unable to provide for them, and has enabled them to start out in the world equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. She was married on July 21, 1921, to Orlando Lampson, a younger brother of her first husband and theirs is a most congenial union. Mr. Lampson concentrates his attention upon the management of The Palms, a highly productive tract of fifty acres, devoted to the raising of oranges, grapefruit, Bartlett Pears, prunes, plums, grapes and olives of choice varieties. The packing-house on the ranch is kept busy during ten months of the year, and the fruit from The Palms orchards, finds a ready market because of its superior quality and flavor.

Mrs. Lampson is a very capable business woman, and since the death of her first husband has supervised the operation of her ranch, which ranks with the best in the state. Mr. Lampson was identified with the Masonic Fraternity, and she is a member of the Eastern Star, belonging to Natoma Lodge, No. 64, at Folsom. For over thirty-two years she has been an earnest, conscientious and helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and its teachings guide her in the daily relations of life. She is a valued member of the Community Club of Orangevale, and for more than three decades has been connected with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Of broad, humanitarian spirit, she supported those movements which have for their object the betterment of the condition of humanity and the elevation of the standards of life to a higher and more ideal plane. Her days have been filled with unostentatious acts of charity, and kindness, and her kinder, womanly qualities have made her greatly beloved.

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 299-300. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.