BENJAMIN ROBERT MEISS

Sacramento County

Biographies

BENJAMIN ROBERT MEISS

BNJAMIN ROBERT MEISS.—One of the most enterprising cattle-growers of Sacramento County who is making a success of the enterprise as president of the Meiss Estate Company, is Benjamin Robert Meiss, a native son born at Drytown, Amador County, November 6, 1869. His father was Louis Meiss, a native of Germany, who came with his parents to St. Louis, Mo., where he was reared and learned the butcher's trade. As a young man he crossed the plains in an ox-team train, arriving in California in 1852, and locating in Drytown, where he began the butcher business. Primitive methods were the vogue in those days, as the country was new and equipment necessarily inadequate. The stock was killed in the open and the dressed bodies were hung in trees, and the meat was peddled to the miners at the various places, and packed on burros. Later on he built the first butcher shop in Drytown and continued in business for many years. Meantime he had begun the stock business, in which he was very successful. His first purchase was 160 acres, the nucleus of the present large holdings, and to this he added until he had 6,000 acres of land. He finally gave up butchering to give all of his attention to his ranching, cattle-raising and sheep-raising, running about 1,000 head of cattle and 10,000 sheep, besides engaging extensively in buying and shipping cattle and sheep. He was thrifty and improved the ranch with a substantial residence and farm buildings. Louis Meiss made a trip back to Germany after he was nicely started in business in Drytown; and in his home land he married Miss Elizabeth Dorn. He brought his bride to California, and their union proved a very happy one until her death, which occurred in 1899, at the age of sixty-nine. He survived her until 1908, dying at eighty-four years of age. Both were held in the highest esteem for their exemplary Christian lives, and they were mourned by a large circle of devoted friends. This pioneer couple were blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living: John lives on the home ranch; Henry, William and Frederick live in Sacramento, as does Mrs. Mena O'Hare; Benjamin R. is the subject of this interesting review; and Frank S., the youngest, devotes his time to the home place.

Benjamin R. Meiss was reared on the ranch, receiving his education in the school of the Buckeye District. From a lad he assisted his father in his sheep and cattle raising and learned to ride, rope and brand cattle, thus early in life becoming an adept in the business. When he was twenty-five he and his brother, Frank S., took over the management of the ranching for his father until the death of their honored and aged parent, when they incorporated the Louis Meiss Estate Company, since which time he has been president and manager of the large holdings and stock interests. He has purchased lands adjoining until they now own 7,000 acres, which is watered by Lagoon Creek and springs and various wells, giving ample and never-failing water for their stock, and making it one of the most valuable cattle ranches in the valley. They also own a 2,000 acre ranch in Eldorado County, as well as a 1,000 acre ranch in Alpine County, where they range their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, their brand, "LM", being well known on the range .In Sacramento Mr. Meiss was married to Miss Jennie Jones, a native daughter of the county, born at Walsh Station. Her parents were very early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Meiss maintain a residence at 2211 P Street, Sacramento, where the family live, and the children are being educated in the excellent schools of the capital city. Their union has resulted in the birth of four children, Elizabeth, Roberta, Genevieve, and Evelyn. Mr. Meiss is an active member of the Eldorado and Amador Livestock Association and the California Cattle Growers' Association, and cooperates heartily in their good work. In national politics, he is a Democrat, but locally he is independent, voting for the men and measures he deems most acceptable to the best interests of the county.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 797. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.