Sacramento County
Biographies
CAPT. WILLIAM FRANKLIN
LOWER
CAPT. WILLIAM FRANKLIN LOWER.—The
career of William Franklin Lower has been characterized by industry,
perseverance and progressiveness; he has been a capable member of the
Sacramento fire department for the past twenty-nine years and is well known and
highly respected by all who know him. He was born in Albany,
Iowa, September 19, 1862, a son of William and Margaret
Lower, natives of Illinois. The
family came to California via Panama
in 1863, and while en route the mother of our subject passed away at sea on the
trip from New York to Aspinwall. The father continued the journey and
located in Sacramento, where he
engaged in contracting until his death. Many of the early buildings give
credit to his ability as a builder.
As only child, William Franklin Lower was reared in the
capital city and received his education in the public schools. After
leaving school, he assisted his father in his building until he had become
assistant postmaster at Madison, Yolo
County, where he continued for one
year. He then tried his hand at farming at Santa Barbara;
and after this he returned to Sacramento
and entered the Southern Pacific shops, where he worked for fifteen
years. Meanwhile, he was a call man of the Sacramento
fire department, his first service beginning in 1892,
although the department books only show 1894. In 1894 he became a fireman and
acted as captain of Engine No. 4 at Twenty-sixth Street from the time the fire
house was built; when Oak Park was annexed to the city, Mr. Lower was made
captain of Engine No. 6, located on Fourth Avenue between Thirty-fourth and
Thirty-fifth Streets.
The
marriage of Mr. Lower united him with Miss Kate Trofcer,
who was born in Washington, D.C. Locally he gives his support to
progressive, constructive legislation, regardless of party lines, supporting
the best man for public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights
of Pythias and the Owls.
Transcribed 8-13-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 995. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.