Sacramento County
Biographies
HENRY MERRITT RICH
HENRY MERRITT RICH.--Sacramento is fortunate in having
efficient and experienced men at the head of the many projects put forward to
advance its natural resources and promote the prosperity that is rapidly
spreading throughout the entire valley.
Among these must be mentioned Henry Merritt Rich, in charge of the
United States Engineer's office in the city.
Practically a self-made man, he has attained to this position so early
in life through native ability along engineering lines, augmented by studious
application and the determination and force of character necessary to success
in all walks of life. Mr. Rich is a
native of Wheatland, Yuba County, born August 14, 1889, and
a son of William Nicholas and Priscilla (Best) Rich, both of whom are still
living, at the good age of seventy-five years, having celebrated their Golden
Wedding in June, 1920. They were born in
Iowa, and came to California in 1887, settling first in Sutter County, ten miles west of Yuba City, and later moving to
Wheatland, Yuba County, where they still reside.
Henry
Merritt Rich attended the Wheatland grammar and high schools, graduating from
the former in 1903, and from the latter in 1907. Upon completion of his high-school course he
went to Oakland and there worked as a mechanic in a garage until
February, 1909. In May, 1909, he entered
the Vander Naillen Engineering School of Oakland; and
from that date until August, 1910, fifteen months of continuous school, he
devoted his entire time to the studies necessary to fit himself for his chosen
profession.
After
completing the engineering course, Mr. Rich began work for the United States
Land Office, surveying in Glenn, Tehama, and Mendocino Counties, sectionizing
government land. In May, 1912, he entered
the United States Engineer’s office in Sacramento, his duties consisting in the
surveying of the Sacramento River in 1912; and in 1913-1914 he was on the
complete survey of the San Joaquin River from Herndon, near Fresno, to
Stockton; in 1916 he was on the Sacramento, surveying and also in charge of
wing-dam construction and repair; and in 1917 he was in charge of the United
States snag boat on the Sacramento, until September, 1917. That year he entered the U.S. Army as
lieutenant, and served in that capacity in the Engineers until December, 1918,
though, to his disappointment, he did not get overseas. After finishing his military service, he
worked at various jobs with the Sacramento office until August, 1919, when he
was put in charge of engineering for the Sacramento District, which position he
still holds (1923); and his practical experience in the work necessary for this
particular district has been of inestimable value to him in carrying on the
affairs of his office.
The
marriage of Mr. Rich occurred in Sacramento, June 8, 1921, and united him with Mary
Loretta Blackmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer, of Sutter County, where the mother still
resides, one mile below Meridian; the father was drowned in
the overflow during the winter of 1903.
Mrs. Rich was born and reared at the home place near Meridian. Fraternally, Mr. Rich is a thirty-second
degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner. He is a member of the American Association of
Engineers, and politically is a Republican, actively interested in all civic
affairs, and particularly in all measures for the development of this section
and the broadening of the social and economic life of the community.
Transcribed by Suzanne Wood.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 610. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Suzanne Wood.