Sacramento County
Biographies
MRS. MAUDE I. RITZ
MRS. MAUDE I. RITZ--Descended from a pioneer California family, Mrs. Maude I. Ritz can well lay claim to being a native daughter of Sacramento County, for she has lived in the vicinity of her birth all her life. She is the daughter of James and Mary (Swift) Ferguson, the father a native of New York, while the mother was born at Leeds, England. James Ferguson first came to California in 1851 and mined a short time, returning to New York where he was married. After living in various states he and his wife came to California in 1868, settling in Santa Clara County where they remained until 1874, then moved to Galt, where the family have since resided. A brother of James Ferguson, William Henry Ferguson, was also an early settler of California; he was extensively engaged in freighting to the mines and was known throughout the country as "Harry of the West." James Ferguson passed away at the age of sixty-six and Mrs. Ferguson when fifty-six.
Seven children were born to this pioneer couple: Mildred died in childhood; Emma J. resides at Galt with Mrs. Ritz; Thomas S. is deceased; Elizabeth died in childhood, as did Anna and Charles; Maude I., now Mrs. Ritz, was educated in the schools of Galt and then was connected with the Galt post office for twelve years, and was perhaps the best informed person concerning names of the residents of the south part of the county. At Sacramento, on October 15, 1913, she was married to F. J. Ritz, a native of New York, born at Rochester, the son of Carl and Anna Ritz. Mr. Ritz came to California when a young man and has been engaged in business in Galt for many years, handling gasoline engines, pumps and well supplies. They are the parents of two children, Cleora and Martha.
Mrs. Ritz's brother, Thomas S. Ferguson, was well known as a building contractor at Galt and in 1814 he purchased the business of Don Ray & Company, the firm then being known as the T. S. Ferguson Lumber Yard, and he built up a splendid lumber business in north San Joaquin and south Sacramento Counties. Mr. Ferguson passed away July 3, 1919, leaving a wide circle of friends. His lumber business is now owned by Mrs. Ritz and her sister, Miss Emma J. Ferguson, with D.A. Williamson as manager. Mrs. Ritz is prominent in Chabolla Parlor, N. D. G. W., and Miss Emma Ferguson has been secretary of the Rebekah Lodge at Galt, the land lying just across Dry Creek, in San Joaquin County.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County, California
With Biographical Sketches, Page 650. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.