GEORGE A PUTNAM

Sacramento County

Biographies

GEORGE A. PUTNAM

GEORGE A. PUTNAM, an honored citizen and prominent member of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, is a native of Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and was born May 15, 1825. His father, George S. Putnam, a native of Danvers, Massachusetts, was born in 1780 and died in 1840, aged sixty years. His mother, Polly C. Putnam, née Carter, a native of Fitchburg, was born in 1785 and her death occurred in 1868, aged eighty-three years. The early life of Mr. Putnam was spent on a farm, and he attended country school. At the time of his father’s death, at the age of fifteen, he started out to make his own way in the world. He went to Boston, where he entered a store, and attended evening school. He remained there until 1849. When the gold excitement was extending over the country, he determined to come to the Pacific coast and sailed from Boston, February 4, 1849, on the ship Leonore. He came around Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco, July 5, 1849. He went up in the mines, on the Yuba River, and was very successful; he remained there until 1853, when he came to Sacramento and was engaged in teaming and transportation to the mines, in which business he continued several years. In 1857 he was appointed deputy sheriff and held that position until 1863. Upon the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Second California Cavalry but was rejected on account of physical disability. The following year, 1862, he enlisted again and was rejected. In 1863, he received a Major’s commission and was appointed Paymaster in the United States army and remained in the service until June 15, 1865. After being mustered out he went East and spent several months. Upon his return in December he was appointed box and stamp clerk in the Sacramento postoffice, where he remained five years. In 1871 he was appointed Internal Revenue Assessor for the fourth district, and held that position until the office was abolished by the Government in 1873. He was then appointed Deputy Federal Collector of the fourth district and served until June 1874, when he again became connected with the postoffice until March, 1877. He was then elected city tax collector and has been re-elected for seven successive terms; he still holds the office, the present term making fourteen years. Mr. Putnam is identified practically with political affairs, is an active member of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers and is one of the present directors. He has held that position for the past twelve years. He is a member of Sumner Post, G. A. R., at Sacramento. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the order of I. O. O. F., the K. P., and also Exempt Firemen’s Association. Mr. Putnam was married in Sacramento October 5, 1855, to Miss Phoebe A. Sylvester, a native of Plymouth, Massachusetts. They have two sons: George P. and Charles H. Mr. Putnam has been a Republican since the organization of the party.

Transcribed by Vicky Walker, 12/27/07.

Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 780-781. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.