Sacramento County
Biographies
RUSSELL R.
SOBEY
RUSSELL R. SOBEY.--The grandson of one of California’s pioneer residents, Russell R. Sobey is well established in his native state as the proprietor of the Midway Garage and authorized Ford agent at Galt. He was born at Byron, Contra Costa County, October 22, 1894, the son of John H. and Lillian J. (Plumley) Sobey, the father also being a native of Contra Costa County, born near Byron, February 10, 1874. His parents, John H. and Mary Sobey, were natives of Cornwall, England, and they came to California in 1871; here Grandfather Sobey farmed until he met a premature death through an accident when only thirty-eight years old. Mrs. Mary Sobey is still living at Berkeley and was the mother of three sons: Arthur L. is a dentist at Berkeley; Herbert was drowned the same year his father was killed; John H. Is the father of our subject.
John H. Sobey had but little opportunity for an education, getting most of it through his own efforts. When eighteen years old he started out for himself, going to Turlock, where he became agent for the Southern Pacific; and in 1901 he came to Galt, and has since been local agent for the railroad company. At Byron he was married to Miss Lillian J. Plumley, a native of Byron and one of twelve children born to Alonzo and Julia Plumley. Her father was one of the first settlers at Byron, where he was an extensive rancher and stockman. Mr. And Mrs. John H. Sobey have two children: Russell R. Of this sketch, and Darrall H. Mr. Sobey is the owner of a small ranch near Galt and is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
Russell R. Sobey first attended the grammar school at Byron and at Galt, and for two years went to the Lodi high school, finishing his course at the new union high school at Galt. With a natural bent toward mechanics, he took up automobile repair work in 1913 in garages at Galt, and in 1915 he became proprietor of the Midway Garage, where he is engaged in general auto repair work and in the sale of auto accessories and tires. He is meeting with splendid success and is a leader among the young business men of Galt. He belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West and Knights of Pythias, and is a Democrat in politics.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 908.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.