Biographies
SAMUEL BROOKS SLIGHT
More than one-half century of
identification with the history of Sacramento county,
covering the period between his birth October 19, 1858, and demise January 27,
1910, gave Mr. Slight a broad and comprehensive knowledge of this portion of
the west, while extensive travels into other regions made him conversant with
the magnitude of the undeveloped resources of our commonwealth. He was proud of
the fact that he could claim California as his native state and proud also that
his parents were among the goodly throng of emigrants to whose dauntless
courage was due the original American occupancy of ancient Spanish and Indian
habitations. No fortune ever rewarded the efforts of the industrious pioneer
couple, but they gained that which is more to be desired, the esteem of
all associates and the deepest affection of their family. Without any financial
aid from them and without even the advantages of a good education, their son
whose name introduces this article won his way to a substantial degree of
success and in the span of life's brief but busy day accumulated a neat
competency for his wife and children. His start in the earning of a livelihood
was made through an apprenticeship to the trade of a carriage-maker, which
later he followed as a journeyman and finally became a salesman in the same
line of business.
The marriage of Samuel Brooks Slight, in
Sacramento in 1888, united him with Miss Josie Wittenbrock,
a native of Sacramento county, and the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Wittenbrock, of Germany, who came to the west during the
eventful era of the '50's, establishing a home in Sacramento county and
remaining there until death. Mr. and Mrs. Slight became the parents of three
children. Their only daughter is now the wife of J. A. Holland and resides in
Sacramento. The sons are Henry Cyril and Bertram, the elder of whom, while still making his home with his mother in the
comfortable city residence, devotes much of his time to the care of her ranch.
The ranch is on a part of the Haggin grant about four
miles east of the city. This consists of forty-five acres devoted to hop
culture, a business with which Mr. Slight became familiar and in which he was
considered an authority. Notwithstanding the demands of business affairs, he
found leisure for the oversight of the ranch and by his personal efforts made
the place profitable as an investment. Certain of the fraternal organizations
received his especial aid, among them being the Elks and the Eagles, and for
years he also took a warm interest in the Native Sons of the Golden West, his
membership being with the parlor in the capital city. In public affairs he took
little part, yet he was a loyal citizen, progressive in principle and favoring
all improvements of permanent value to the city. Official honors did not appeal
to him, for his tastes led him to find his highest happiness in his home and
among his personal friends, rather than in the turmoil of partisan politics. By
his own unaided efforts he accumulated a competency and left to his family and
estate representing years of thoughtful, intelligent and arduous application to
business affairs.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 960-961. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.