San Francisco County
Biographies
JOHN McMULLEN
J. McMULLEN
– Among the later developers of Pacific-coast industries
who in a limited period have attained wide reputation, is the syndicate of
gentlemen represented by the San Francisco Bridge Company, with offices at 42
Market street. The nucleus of this incorporation
was conceived and developed by its present President, Mr. J. McMullen, a sturdy
son of New England, who came to San Francisco in 1876, and without funds or capital other than honesty, integrity and perseverence (sic), the heritage of New England’s sons,
worked his way into the foremost commercial circles and by scientific services
satisfactorily performed, has established for himself a name and reputation.
Mr.
McMullen is a native of Woodstock, Connecticut,
born October 16, 1848, his ancestry being from the north of Ireland,
but among the early settlers of Connecticut. His
preliminary education was received in the public schools of Woodstock,
subsequently graduating at the St. Charles College of Maryland. He was
then associated with Norcross Brothers, of Worcester, Massachusetts, prominent
contractors, engineers and builders of public and private buildings, of iron
and stone, and there Mr. McMullen acquired the knowledge of engineering and
scientific construction which were the principles of his later successes.
In
1876 he came to San Francisco with
a view of engaging in a similar line of business, though without a friend on
the coast or any capital to establish himself. Still, with the predominant
feeling that the Pacific coast offered inducements to the scientific builder
above that of any other locality on this continent, and as bridge-building had
been previously performed by inexperienced workmen, the field was open to one
versed in the scientific principles of the business.
Soon
after his arrival in California
he secured several important contracts for bridges and other structures, and
rapidly established a credit and reputation. In 1877 he adopted the name
of the "San Francisco Bridge Company, though having no partners in the
business, and did general contract work in the building of bridges, docks, and
piers. In 1878 he built the Sixth and Seventh street draw dridges (sic) in San Francisco and several highway bridges
in Alameda, Yuba, Plumas and Colusa counties, which character of work continued
until 1881, when he subcontracted under Andrew Onderdonk
to build all the bridges on the Pacific division of the Canadian Pacific
railroad. This contract exceeded $500,000, including the cantilever bridge
across the Fraser river, in which was consumed 1,300
tons of steel. Under contract with the Dominion Government of Canada, they
built the screw-pile lighthouse at the entrance of the Fraser river, located five miles from land, an extremely difficult
piece of work, but all parties were well satisfied when the work was
completed. They also built several bridges in British
Columbia for the Provincial government. In 1883
Mr. McMullen incorporated the San Francisco Bridge Company, with a capital of
$50,000, retaining a large proportion of the stock and officiating as president
and manager. Then
followed the contract to build the Oakland narrow-gauge pier, three miles in
length, including the depot.
They
also engaged in the steam excavation business, and secured the contract to
build section six of the sea wall, from the Board of State Harbor
Commissioners. This necessitated the purchase of a steam-shovel plant and
locomotives at a cost of $60,000. This contract was made more difficult,
because of strong opposition by competitors, but the work was satisfactorily
performed. Then followed the Kentucky-street fill, from Fourth
street to South
San Francisco, contract price $350,000, which involved
the handling of 1,500,000 cubic yards of material. In 1886 they undertook
the construction of the tidal canal between Oakland harbor
and San Leandro
bay, to be one and one-half miles long, with an average depth of twenty feet,
and a width of 400 feet. They purchased large and powerful dredgers, and
for two years were engaged night and day on the canal. This contract was
with the United States Government, amounting to $500,000.
With
the increase of business more money was required, and in 1888 the capital stock
of the company was increased to $250,000. In 1889 they secured the
contract to build the main irrigating canal of the central district in Colusa county, extending from Sacramento river
to Stony creek, a distance of six miles, which involved the handling of
1,250,000 cubic yards of earth. As an advance step over the old methods of
moving earth, with horses and scrapers, the Bridge Company invented a machine
for this particular work in the shape of a gigantic steam dredge, with which
they were enabled to move about 85,000 cubic yards per month. The cost of
this machine was $60,000, and the invention was a progressive step in the
construction of irrigating canals. In 1890 the company built eleven lineal
miles of bridges, and their contracts amounted to upward of $l,500,000, and at present (1891) their contracts foot up
about the same amount. In 1887 they established an office in Seattle,
under the management of the vice-president, George W. Catt. The
business of the company extends east to the Missouri river, and from British
Columbia to Mexico,
and they are also conducting improvements for the Hawaiian government.
Mr.
McMullen was married in San Francisco, in 1879, to Miss
Caroline L. Peterson, a native of Missouri,
and resides at 811 Guerrero street,
where he built a handsome dwelling in 1883.
George
W. Catt, the vice-president, is a native of Iowa,
a graduate of the University of Iowa,
and a civil engineer by profession. H. Krusi, chief
engineer, is a native of New York State,
and a graduate of Cornell University. H.
S. Wood, assistant engineer, is a native of Philadelphia,
and a graduate of Swathmore
College.
Thus,
with a corps of able engineers and efficient assistants, this company has made
rapid progress and their work has become one of the greatest industries of the
country.
Transcribed
3-31-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 400-401, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library