Sacramento County
Biographies
HUGH McWILLIAMS
A love of plant life that found no
opportunity for development amid the rugged hills and barren farms of his
native Scotland came strikingly into evidence with the settlement of Mr.
McWilliams in America. Although deprived of the privilege of a thorough
education and untrained in botanical lore as well as unfamiliar by experience
with plants and flowers, he had an opportunity after coming across the ocean to
learn the business of a florist and with eager expectancy he entered into the
work in Massachusetts, where he remained for about two years. After he
came to the Pacific Coast he found employment as a landscape gardener and
subsequent experience broadened his knowledge of the florist's art, so that he
was fully qualified to win success when eventually he embarked in the business
of a nurseryman in Sacramento. His knowledge of the industry is not only
broad but also thorough and he has come to be regarded as a western authority
in matters relative to floriculture.
An isolated farm near Stranraer,
Wigtownshire, Scotland, formed the early environment of Hugh McWilliams, who
was born January 15, 1863, and whose limited educational opportunities came
solely through his own determined efforts. From an early age he worked for
farmers in the home community and during that period he acquired a knowledge of cheese-making, but did not afterward follow
the occupation. His father, Alexander, a man of high principles of honor,
but of limited means, lived to be eighty-three and always followed farm
pursuits; the mother, who bore the maiden name of Agnes McClumpha,
died shortly after the demise of her husband. Their son, Hugh, came to
the United States at the age of twenty years, and learned the florist's trade
in the vicinity of Boston, whence in 1885 he came to San Francisco. From
January until October he had charge of the gardens at the summer home of D. O.
Mills near San Mateo, this state, and later he held a similar position with
Mrs. E. B. Crocker for five years. A sojourn of two years in Sonoma county was followed in 1892 by his removal to
Sacramento.
Shortly after his arrival in this city Mr.
McWilliams bought a very small business known as the Elm nursery, located on
Twelfth and U streets. From that humble beginning he has built up a
business known throughout this part of the state. The equipment is
thoroughly modern and the assortment of stock extensive and indeed
exhaustive. Not long after he purchased the nursery he bought five acres
adjacent to Sacramento and this new nursery he named Sutterville
Heights, utilizing the grounds there as a farm for his growing business.
Of recent years he has not only had a trade throughout Northern California, but
extending even to Nevada and Oregon. Shipments of flowers as well as
plants are made in every direction and it is noticeable that those who once
send in an order afterward become permanent customers, finding that they may
place the utmost confidence in the reliability of the nurseryman and in the
care with which he fills all orders. The Ramie Fiber Company secured his
services in experimenting in the growing of the ramie plant. He was
successful in its propagation, using the same methods he had employed in
raising his other plants. The results of his efforts have been embodied
each year in a report to the government as well as to the county.
A visit to the home land in 1888 gave Mr.
McWilliams a desired opportunity to renew the associations of youth. When
he returned to California he brought with him from Scotland a brother, Peter,
who is now a valued assistant in the nursery business. September 26,
1894, Mr. McWilliams was united in marriage with Miss Georgia P. Shaw, of Santa
Rosa, daughter of George P. Shaw, owner of a general mercantile store at Duncan
Mills, Sonoma county. The young couple established a home in Sacramento and since then have
become well known to a large circle of congenial acquaintances. For two
years Mr. McWilliams officiated as chief of the Caledonian Association, whose
activities have enjoyed his interested co-operation and intelligent support. In addition he has been a leading local
worker in the Glide Gun Club and with the Woodmen of the World and the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Often his name has been mentioned for
various offices within the gift of the Republican party
in his city, but invariably he has declined to become a candidate, preferring
to devote his time and attention to the advancement of his business interests.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 764-766. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.