JOHN SKELTON
John
Skelton, one of the prominent citizens of Sacramento, was born at North
Shields, Northumberland, England, April 19, 1837, and is a son of Thomas
Skelton. His mother’s maiden name was Reed. His father was a draughtsman of marked
skill and ability, as well as a thorough and practical ship carpenter and
joiner. John Skelton was reared at his native place, and there received his
education in the private schools. At the age of sixteen years he was bound out
to a foundryman, and learned the moulder’s trade. His parents having died,
however, he determined to leave the country of his birth and seek his fortune
in foreign lands. In accordance with this decision he sailed from Liverpool,
January 6, 1857, on the sailship The Protector, of Bath, his destination being
California. The voyage proved a memorable one, and will never be forgotten by
those who participated. When off Cape Horn they were caught in a terrible
storm, and so imminent was the danger of going to the bottom that the captain
ordered the mate to cut away the masts. The mate answered, “No, sir! If we live
this storm out, we will need those masts.” So they were let stand. Although all
hands had given up hope, the storm was ridden out safely. No port was touched
at by the vessel on the entire voyage, though an unsuccessful attempt was once
made. Water for drinking purposes gave out, and it became necessary to spread
the sails to catch rain. They tried to make the harbor of San Francisco on 3d
of July, but before they had entered the Golden Gate a heavy fog obscured
vision, and the vessel drifted about for over two days waiting for a chance to
get in. Burning barrels were cast overboard, and fog-horns were constantly
blown, but neither answer nor pilot came. When the fog cleared so that objects
could be seen, it was discovered that the ship was on the point of running into
a bank, there being just time to avoid it. They landed on the 6th of
July. Mr Skelton then came to Sacramento by boat, and was soon engaged in the
wood business at the corner of Front and N streets. Two years later he secured
a contract from the Steam Navigation Company to move the freight brought by the
company’s steamers for the Folsom Railroad, using a two-horse truck in the
work, and receiving $230 per month in payment. He then re-entered the wood
business on J street, between Second and Third. Two and a half years later he
removed to his present location, on Fifth and I streets. Mr. Skelton was
married in England, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Hunter, a native of North Shields,
England. They have three children, vis.: Eliphalet, John Thomas, a clerk in the
Southern Pacific Railroad office, and Mabel. Mr. Skelton, a Republican
politically, is a member of the School Board of Sacramento, and takes an active
interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of the cause of education.
He is a member of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, A.F. & A.M.; Capital Lodge, No. 87,
I.O.O.F.; is Chaplain of Ben Bow Lodge, Sons of St. George, and for 1889
representative in Grand Lodge from the local lodge of Chosen Friends, and was
elected one of the Grand Trustees, also Treasurer of Lodge 96, Chosen Friends,
of Sacramento.