Biographies
PAUL R. OPDYKE
PAUL
R. OPDYKE.—The imagination may well be given free play
in a study of the contracting differences between what the old-timers called
"contracting" and what an enterprising operator of today, such as
Paul R. Opdyke, of 1009 Seventh Avenue, Sacramento,
would consider a day’s work for himself and crew, with their up-to-date methods
and modern appliances and machinery. He was born on a farm in Shasta
County, on February 20, 1889, the son of Andrew Jackson and Olive C. (Wilcox) Opdyke. The father was a sturdy pioneer of the
seventies, who crossed the great plains and mountains
and finally arrived, safe and sound, in the Golden State. He is now
deceased, having completed a very useful course in life. Mrs. Opdyke, however, is still living, an object of esteem and
affection to many.
Paul
Opdyke attended the local grammar school, and then
went to the Shasta high school. Afterwards, he took charge of his father’s
ranch for a time, and then learned the carpenter’s trade, under a first-class
architect, serving a thorough apprenticeship of five years. During this
time, he was also living on the ranch, and was able to make some money on the
side. In all that he did, he set before himself a high standard; and his
efforts, in the main, were attended with success.
On
September 30, 1921, Mr. Opdyke came to Sacramento,
and since then his career has been one of steady progress. He is deeply
interested in Sacramento City and County, both in their historic past, when
substantial foundations were laid, and in their promising future, when this is
sure to be one of the most attractive sections of the Pacific
commonwealth. Confining himself largely to residences, he has erected many
of the finest homes, in one year having built no less than seventy houses, most
of them of superior design, and all as well constructed as the allowances of
investment would permit. Residents, as well as owners, never fail to take
the dwellings put up by Paul Opdyke.
At
Redding, in 1913, Mr. Opdyke was married to Miss Iva Ione Tucker, a popular belle
of Texas, with all the accomplishments of a Lone Star lady; and they have had
three children; Paul R., Jr., Jasper Jackson, and Elizabeth Opdyke. Mr.
Opdyke belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West,
being affiliated with the Sacramento Parlor; and he is also a member of the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a
Republican. He is fond of fishing, and for that matter, of the always
appealing outdoor life of California in general, so much of which is at its
best in Sacramento County.
Transcribed 5-26-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 842. Historic Record Company,
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.