San
Joaquin County
Biographies
LAFAYETTE SELLMAN
The career which this history
narrates began in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, November 23, 1826, and
closed in Stockton, California, March 25, 1889.
Between these dates are recorded the events of an industrious and useful
life, whose later efforts are perpetuated in a prosperous enterprise known as
the Stockton City Laundry, one of the most up-to-date and reliable enterprises
of its kind in the city. The founder,
Lafayette Sellman, was reared on a farm in the east; until reaching young
manhood, when in 1849 he set out for the gold fields of California, coming via
Panama. His first and only experience as
a miner was in the mines at Brown’s Flat, Tuolumne County, where he became
convinced of the uncertainties attending such a life and wisely determined to give
it up and engage in something from which he could hope for more stable returns.
Following his mining venture Mr.
Sellman went to Sonora and for a time engaged in the cattle and dairy business
there, but it was not until he came to Stockton that he was satisfied that he
had found the place offering the most inducements, both in the way of business
prospects and as a suitable place to make his future home. While he was satisfied that he had found the
right place for a location, still he had a desire to see Oregon, and thither he
went soon afterward, but the fact that he remained only twenty-four hours
before returning to Stockton is ample evidence that he had no desire to change
his opinion. It was after his return
from Oregon, about 1871, that he established the nucleus of the laundry
business which with the passing of years has grown to its present large proportions.
Extensive improvements, made
necessary on account of its growth, have made it one of the best-equipped
laundries on the Pacific coast. The
expenditure of $50,000 has made it possible to install an electric-drive system
of 100 horsepower, all run by a single motor; there has also been added a fine
equipment of modern machinery, such as a steam pressure shirt-ironer, a special
ironer for neckbands and cuffs. The
curtain stretcher is a late invention; $9,000 has been spent in remodeling the
working room alone, the flat-work ironer was installed at a cost of
$65,000. A machine for softening water
was installed at a large cost in the new building, which is 50 x 150 feet in
size, and through the introduction of this machine, the use of soaps and sodas
has been greatly reduced. A girl’s rest
room has also been provided, with lockers for each girl, and hot and cold water, and an attractive lunchroom add to their comforts and
pleasures. Since the death of Mr.
Sellman, the business has been continued by his wife and children, Mrs. Sellman
being president, Mrs. J. Y. Coates, secretary and treasurer, and Herman G.
Meyer filling the two offices of manager and vice-president. As president of the company Mrs. Sellman has
endeavored to follow out the wise policy of her husband in the management of
the business, and that she has been successful is seen in the continually
increasing patronage.
Mr. Sellman was first married in New
York, this marriage uniting him with Miss Margaret Coon, by whom seven children
were born, all now deceased. The mother of
these children passed away in 1875, and on December 18, 1878, in San Francisco,
Mr. Sellman married Anna Shafer, a native daughter of San Joaquin County and
the daughter of Adam Shafer, a native of Germany and a California pioneer, who
followed stock raising and teaming in Calaveras County. Six children were born of this marriage as
follows: Henry Lafayette, is now
deceased; Mrs. Grace S. Coates; Mrs. Maude S. Mathers;
Julia died at five and one-half years of age; Mrs. Elsie S. Pike; and Mrs. Ivy
F. Peters, all of Stockton. Throughout
his residence in Stockton, Mr. Sellman was one of the city’s most earnest and
devoted citizens, and for two terms served efficiently as a member of the city
council. He was also a well-known member
of the Independent Order of Red Men, holding membership in the Iroquois Tribe,
in which body he passed through all the chairs, and he was also a member of the
Pioneers Society of the county. Mrs.
Sellman is a member of Lebanon Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, Stockton Hive No.
2, Lady Maccabees, and of Kauwaunita
Council, Degree of Pocahontas.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
376. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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