Dolan
& Middlemass, wholesale and retail grocers, northwest corner of Seventh and
N streets, Sacramento. This firm commenced business March 17, 1884, succeeding
Leon Salomon, and is composed of John H. Dolan and Joseph H. Middlemass. In the
few years elapsing since their commencement here, they have built up a business
which has already placed them among the principal firms of Sacramento, and
which is steadily increasing in volume. Their wagons deliver goods in all parts
of the city, and their outside trade with country towns has become an important
feature of this business. John H. Dolan, of this firm, is a native of
Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, born April 20, 1857, his parents being
Michael and Mary (Dooley) Dolan. His early boyhood days were passed at his native
village, and in 1869 he accompanied his father to California, locating in
Sacramento. He obtained employment at the Central Pacific Railroad shops,
carrying messages for E. F. Perkins, then superintendent of the motive power
and machinery. After two years there he went to Terrace, Utah, and engaged in
the machinist’s trade in the shops of the Vermont Central Railroad at St.
Albans. After two years there he again commenced attendance at the schools,
this time near Moretown, Vermont, where his father had purchased a farm. After
spending a year and a half at school he went to Salem, Massachusetts, and
engaged as clerk in the grocery store of John Hurley, a relative by marriage.
Two years later he returned to Sacramento, and went into the foundry of the
Central Pacific shops under Allen, foreman and was engaged there three years as
core-maker. He then went to Wadsworth,
Nevada, and engaged in braking on the Central Pacific under Frank Free. Three
years later he was promoted conductor, and served in that capacity for three
years on the Truckee Division. He then came to Sacramento to engage in
business. Mr. Dolan was married in this city May 30, 1881, to Miss Maria
Foizey, daughter of Richard Foizey, foreman of the Central Pacific tank
department. Mr. Dolan is a member of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W., having joined
the order at Truckee. He also belongs to California Lodge, K. of H., and to
Capital City Grove, No. 66, A. O. D., of which he was secretary two years. Mr.
Dolan is a popular man, genial and courteous in his manners, and is an active, pushing
man of business, who knows no such word as “fail.”
An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California.
By Hon. Win. J. Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 315-316.
© 2004 Marla Fitzsimmons.