Sacramento County
Biographies
JAMES STRACHAN
A descendant of sturdy, thrifty and canny
Scotch parents, James Strachan was born in Glasgow,
and was brought by his parents to the United States in 1884, when about twelve
years of age. His education was begun in his native land and was continued in
the public schools of Chicago, Ill., in which city the family located. Young Strachan learned his trade of upholsterer in the Pullman
shops at Pullman, Ill., and then traveled in various states until 1895, when
his parents and their children came to California and made a new home in
Sacramento. There he found work at his trade in the Southern Pacific shops and
labored profitably ten years, saving money with a view to going into business
for himself whenever a good opportunity should offer. His ambition was realized
in 1906, when he opened up a business of his own at Eleventh and J streets, and
there he prospered for two years, when his place was burned out, and he
reopened at No. 1301 J street. Here he has ever since
carried on a successful business in furniture and upholstery.
On November 16, 1898, Mr. Strachan's fortunes for life were united with those of Miss
Celia Ryan, sister of the late Frank D. Ryan, a well-known Californian, once a
candidate for election to represent his district in our national congress and
long in the public service as clerk of the California senate and legislature,
and daughter of John C. Ryan, long prominent as a contractor and for many years
city trustee. The elder Ryan, of Irish extraction, came to California in 1849
among the pioneers, and almost at once gained recognition as a leader in
business and in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Strachan have
three children, John R., born in August, 1899, and Hugh and Winnifred,
twins, born in March, 1907. Mr. Strachan is a
Republican in his political views. Socially he affiliates with the Woodmen of
the World and the Caledonians.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 845-846. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.