Sacramento County
Biographies
WILLIAM E. TRAVIS
WILLIAM E. TRAVIS.—A wide-awake
business man of Sacramento, who prides himself on keeping not only abreast of,
but somewhat in advance of the growth and development of the capital city and
its environs, is William E. Travis, the proprietor of the Western Transfer
Company, one of the most popular agencies for the convenience of the traveling
and negotiating public. He is a Hawkeye, and was born in Dubuque
County, Iowa, on October 11,
1860, the son of Zebulon and Minerva (Griggs) Travis, estimable folks now
deceased and at rest from their labors.
Contenting
himself with the usual grammar school advantages of his native district,
William E. Travis farmed for some years in Nebraska,
raising corn, but in 1891 came out to California, and at
Sacramento found a chance to work
at trucking for Mr. Christie. After that, for eleven years he drove a truck for
the Wood-Curtis Company; and in 1908 he bought out the Western Transfer
Company, and now is assisted by his son, Arthur, who is also a member of the
new firm. They have an office at 920 Ninth Street,
and warehouses at Twenty-ninth and J Streets, and keep three trucks busy all
the time, and sometimes need another. In 1923 they started the first
sight-seeing bus in Sacramento, and have arranged an
interesting trip to different places of interest in Sacramento
and environs. The bus has a capacity of thirty passengers. Mr. Travis
supports the best movements for the betterment of the community and he holds
himself independent of mere party ties and obligations, and is therefore able
to exert a stronger and a better influence.
Mr.
Travis was married in Nebraska, to Miss Jennie Wyant, of New York,
and they have been blessed with four children. Arthur is the eldest;
Ernest died at the age of nineteen, a promising young man; and Edith and
Eleanor are the daughters. Arthur served in the aviation corps of the United
States army during the World War; and having done his
duty there, returned to Sacramento. Mr.
Travis is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Retail Merchants’
Association. He is a baseball fan, and is fond of horse-racing.
Transcribed 8-22-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 998. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.