Biographies
HERBERT C. SWITZER
At Barrie, Ontario, Canada, Herbert
C. Switzer was born in 1869. He attended public schools near his boyhood home
until he was fifteen years of age, then familiarized himself with the work of
the telegraph operator and went to Toronto, where he was employed some years
and advanced himself in railroad work until he became an efficient
transportation man. In 1889 he made his way to Washington and located at Winona,
where he was a railroad agent, telegraph operator, general merchant, and
postmaster. It was through his efforts that the postoffice
was established there and he was in charge of it six years. He was for fourteen
years connected with the freight and passenger departments of the O. R. &
N. R. R. and was with the Great Northern railroad two years, with headquarters
first at Spokane and then at Seattle. From Seattle he came to Sacramento in
1908.
It was to assume the ownership and
management of the freight and passenger steamer Sentinel, which plies between
Sacramento and Colusa, that Mr. Switzer cast his lot with the people of
Sacramento. The boat is new and up-to-date, and is owned
by Herbert C. Switzer & Company. The boat, which has one hundred tons capacity,
is engaged in a general transportation business from all places between
Sacramento and Colusa, making tri-weekly trips.
In September, 1908, Mr. Switzer
married Mary Conroy, a native of San Jose and the daughter of John Conroy, who
was a pioneer gold-seeker in California of 1850 and is now a member of the
household of his son-in-law. Mr. Switzer is a man of enterprise and public
spirit, who believes that his prosperity will depend very much on that of the
city, and there is no local interest conducive to the welfare of the people
that he does not helpfully promote in the extent of his ability.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis, William
L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1007-1008. Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.