California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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FREDERICK
C. CHINN An
ambition for the acquisition of a profound knowledge of the science of
optics has been the impelling influence in the studies of the popular
and successful optician whose name introduces this article, whose
personality is familiar to the people of Sacramento, and whose
professional and business standing as the president of the Chinn-Beretta
Optical Company has brought him into prominent association with leading
people of Northern California. From youth he has been a close student of
this, his chosen calling and has made a scientific study of every phase
of investigation pertaining to vision. The result of such long-continued
concentration has been the attainment of an enviable reputation in his
specialty and this led in its turn to an appointment as a member of the
state board of optical examiners, of which he officiated as secretary
for a considerable period of helpful association. Descended
from an old and honored southern family, Frederick C. Chinn was born in
the city of Baton Rouge, La., November 2, 1870. While that family, like
all others of its locality and generation, had suffered heavy losses by
reason of the devastating effects of the Civil War, he nevertheless
enjoyed exceptional advantages, although these were partly made possible
through his own determined efforts. An
early attendance at the public schools was followed by a period of study
in private institutions, after which he resumed attendance at a public
institution of great value, the state university, where he continued
his. earnest endeavors to acquire an education satisfactory to his
aspirations. The year 1887 witnessed his arrival in San Francisco and
his fortunate association with the profession of an optician, which
ultimately led to greater successes than even the most glowing dreams of
his youth had prognosticated. Coming to Sacramento in 1897, the
following year he organized the optical company which he now serves as
president and which has the reputation of being the largest firm of the
kind in the world. Besides the establishment at Sacramento, the company
owns and conducts stores at Oakland, San Francisco, Vallejo, Fresno and
Stockton, each of which has a gratifying patronage in its own city. Necessarily the demands upon his time made by a business so extensive and engrossing leave Mr. Chinn little leisure for participation in public affairs, yet he keeps well posted concerning all movements for the general welfare and is especially interested in enterprises for the advancement of his home city of Sacramento. In politics he votes with the Republican party. Fraternally he holds membership with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. February 22, 1892, when little more than twenty-one years of age, he was united in marriage with Miss Rose McKenna, of San Francisco. They are the parents of three sons, namely: Frederick Harold and Boiling Robertson, who have enjoyed the excellent advantages offered by St. Mary's College in Oakland, this state; and Francis Conrad, who was born in 1902 and is now a student in the public schools of Sacramento. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |