PITT B. RACKLIFFE

Sacramento County

Biographies

PITT B. RACKLIFFE

PITT B. RACKLIFFE.--Sacramento need never fear that it will cease to be one of the most desirable of all residential towns in California, so long as such enterprising and accommodating merchants as Pitt B. Rackliffe, the popular grocer of 3001 Franklin Boulevard, have charge of the catering to domestic wants. He knows the many ins and outs of his line of trade; and he works upon the theory that if he places his experience at the disposal of his patrons, they will be so well satisfied that their patronage will steadily increase.

A native of the state of Maine from which so many valued citizens have come, Pitt Rackliffe was born on a farm on July 28, 1876, the son of Benjamin and Laura Rackliffe, who came to Sacramento County, lived lives of comparative comfort, and passed away, rounding out a record for usefulness and the esteem of mankind. Pitt Rackliffe attended the local public grammar school, and then went to Hampden Academy at Hampden, Maine, and by 1894 he had come to Sacramento. For a while, he worked in a retail grocery, and then he busied himself as a commercial traveler for several years. He increased his knowledge of trade, added much to his geographical range, and in 1911 he engaged in business for himself at his present location. He erected his fine building, and since then has been more than successful. Carrying a large line of the very best commodities obtainable, and being satisfied to handle these at always a reasonable profit, Mr. Rackliffe has won where others have lost, because of his personal and real interest in his patrons, and because of his willingness and his desire, at all times, to serve.

When Mr. Rackliffe bought his property in Curtis Oaks subdivision there were only a few houses between his place and the river. He put up the first business block, which was then outside of the city limits, later erected a garage, drug store, barber shop and meat market and sought renters for these establishments and had an up-hill pull for several years, but he is now reaping the reward for his foresight and pioneer work. He is now situated in the center of one of the best residential districts in the city and he has put in over $2,600 in street improvements alone about his own property. In all his business dealings he has sought to satisfy his large and growing trade.

In 1905, Mr Rackliffe was married to Miss Laura Pippin, an accomplished Eastern lady, who enjoys with him the social life in Masonic circles, he being a Mason. He is fond of out-of-door sports, and has a fine hunting lodge in Eldorado County. He belongs to the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants’ Association and the Lions Club. In politics, he is Republican.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 905-906. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.