Sacramento County

Biographies

LESTER WILKINSON

In large measure the development of the business of W.P. Fuller & Company in Sacramento has been due to the personal efforts and business ability of Lester Wilkinson, who has been connected with this store for nearly thirty years and has been the head of the business here for the past two years. He was born in El Monte, Los Angeles county, California, on the 25^th of July, 1879, and is a son of Christopher and Elvira (Moody) Wilkinson, both of whom were members of old American families, established in this country in colonial days. The parents settled in southern California in pioneer times, but later moved to San Luis Obispo county, this state, where their deaths occurred.

Lester Wilkinson attended the public schools, but quit school in boyhood in order to go to work. At the age of twenty years he entered the employ of W.P. Fuller & Company, at Oakland, starting as an office boy. Twenty-nine years ago he came to the company’s branch house in Sacramento and in subsequent years, by reason of his efficient and faithful service, was promoted through the various positions until, on April 1, 1929, he was made the head of the Fuller interests in Sacramento, a position of great responsibility. That he is a man of natural sagacity and outstanding business ability has been demonstrated by the manner in which he has measured up to the demands of every position which he has filled and well merited the final promotion.

Politically Mr. Wilkinson is a republican and is interested in public affairs, though the demands of business preclude his taking a very active part in politics. He is a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 5, B. P. O. E., the Sutter Club and the Exchange Club. Mr. Wilkinson was married to Miss Lotta Bush, of Oakland. Her father came to California from New York in his teens and became one of the famous stage drivers of the early days. He is today one of the very few survivors of the old stage drivers who were among the most distinctive institutions of the west during the days of its early development. Mr. Wilkinson is a lover of outdoor life, trout fishing being his favorite form of recreation. He is a man of pleasing address and is a popular member of the circles in which he moves.

Transcribed by Debbie Gramlick.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 Pgs. 278-279. The PioneerHistorical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Sacramento County Biographies