HON. WILLIAM MONROE PETRIE

HON. WILLIAM MONROE PETRIE has been a resident in this city for over thirty years. He was born at Warren, Herkimer County, New York, Nov. 24, 1833. In 1845 the family removed to Illinois, where his father located upon a farm in Lake County not far from Waukegan and no very great distance from Chicago, which was then but a petty village. Mr. Petrie gained a thorough fundamental education in all branches taught in the common schools of his neighborhood, but had early to push for himself in making his own way. When 14 years of age he became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Waukegan. This was in 1849. He continued it steadily for ten years, or until the spring of 1859, when he came with his wife to California, reaching Sacramento, September 7. The journey was made via Salt Lake City, and that far in safety. Upon starting out in the morning, they had barely rounded the point when they met a band of Indians hastily driving stock before them and carrying plunder. They pushed out to "City of Rocks," where they were met by other emigrants and learned that Indians they had seen had robbed a train of emigrants in a deep ravine in Sublette's cut-off to the north, and made their way for safety into timber west of Salt Lake. This train was from Missouri, and its fate was one of the sad incidents in the history of Indian troubles on the plains. This circumstance caused the trains on the road to join together, and when they finally crossed the dangerous portions of the way they formed a train no less than six miles long. The tragic incidents of these times were related to the writer by Mr. Petrie in a most vivid manner and showed strikingly the dangers of those early days. Upon reaching Sacramento, Mr. Petrie shortly entered into business for himself, opening a clothing and furnishings store. In this business he has remained almost constantly ever since, the last ten years having been at his well-known stand, No. 622 J. street. He is the owner of the property, which presents upon the lower floor as usually well stocked and furnished store, and on the upper floor residents of Mr. Petrie and family, and improvement consummated during the past season. In 1883 he was appointed one of the school directors of this city to fill an unexpired term, at the two following elections was chosen by people for the same position. In the fall of 1888 he was brought forward by his party as their candidate in the Eighteenth District for the State Legislature. He was elected by a majority of over 700, being well in advance of the ticket and displayed fully the confidence proposed in him and his great personal popularity. Of course it goes without saying that he was a Republican, being staunch and unreserved in his views, yet broad and liberal. Since he has been a member of the House, Mr. Petrie has taken a prominent part in the practical and profitable legislation of the session. He is a member of the Committees on Education, Retrenchment, and Water Rights and Drainage, all of great importance. He was prominent in securing an appropriation of funds for the grading and improvement of the Capital Park and Fifteenth street, in this city, something that has long been needed, and also in several other important measures. Mr. Petrie is a member in very high standing of the Masonic order, having filled all of the subordinate offices and many of the most elevated; has been a prominent delegate to grand lodges. He is Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of California, having filled the high post of Grand Commander in 1884. He was also Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in 1878. In 1882 he was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Masons; and it is a member of the Thirty-third Degree Scottish Rites, Southern Jurisdiction. Of course he has passed all chairs in subordinate lodges. In 1880 at Chicago, again in 1883 in San Francisco, 1886 at St. Louis, and October, 1889, at Washington, Mr. Petrie attended the National Conclaves of the order. Mr. Petrie was married in 1855 to Miss A. L. Leigh, who it is a native of Steuben County, New York. They have but one daughter, born in California.

Source: An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 253-254.

Submitted by Nancy Pratt Melton.