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HARRY
C. MUDDOX
A special atmosphere of interest envelops the men who have been
identified with the commercial, manufacturing and material upbuilding of
the west. A difficult although ardent task confronts the one who
attempts to delineate their life activities and to bestow adequate
appreciation upon the high inspirational force of their characters. Most
pronounced is this lack of adequate expression in instances of personal
association with the best interests of a city or commonwealth through a
long period of eventful years, and such an instance appears in the
successful enterprises of Mr. Muddox. From the time of his arrival in
Sacramento, May 4, 1872, when a child scarcely six years of age, he
viewed the environment of his future home, up to the present time he has
witnessed the steadfast development of the community, has felt the
impetus of western progress and in the work of advancement has been an
important factor through various lines of endeavor. Many movements
inseparable from the history of the capital city have witnessed his
association and been promoted by his indefatigable earnestness. It is
impossible to measure the height or sound the depth of his connection
with local affairs; suffice it to state that no measure has been
presented of importance to the general welfare that fails of his support
and he may with justice claim that in some respects his own history is
the history of business progress in Sacramento.
An honorable lineage indicates the identification of the Muddox
family with England during past generations. In the year 1862 George and
Isabelle Muddox, who had been born, reared and married in the city of
London, crossed the ocean to the United States and settled in Illinois,
where Harry C. Muddox was born in the city of Alton, Ill., August 26,
1866, he being the eldest in a family of seven children. In a few years
his parents became dissatisfied with their prospects in Illinois and
determined to seek a new location in the far west. The decision made,
they made reparations and then crossed the plains on one of the early
overland emigrant trains that required fourteen days to reach
Sacramento. During 1878 Mr. Muddox started a pottery and sewer pipe
factory on the corner of K and Thirtieth streets and there he remained
in business until his death in 1899, when Harry C. purchased the entire
plant from the estate. Since then he has continued as sole owner and
manager. From the time of taking over the plant he began to make
improvements. The entire works were remodeled. The work of rebuilding
necessitated much expense and consumed much time, but its value is
easily apparent to the most casual observer. Today the plant ranks as
one of the largest, most complete and modern sewer pipe works on the
Pacific coast, and the remarkable development may be attributed to the
sagacious management of Mr. Muddox, who having entered the pottery in
early life and learned the business in all of its details, has been able
to utilize his thorough knowledge for the permanent upbuilding of the
business and the increased efficiency of the equipment.
The management of the plant by no means represents the limit of
the business activities of Mr. Muddox, who is indeed one of the leading
business men and financiers of Sacramento and is now president of the
Citizens Bank, a director of the Capital National Bank and also a
director of the Capital Bank & Trust Company of Sacramento. Upon the
organization of the Capital Fire Insurance Company of California,
January 21, 1911, his energy in the promoting of the new concern was
recognized in his election as president of the company and chairman of
the board of directors, in which capacity he since has served with the
same zeal, the same high-minded devotion and the same power of
concentration noticeable in his every association. Out- side of
financial and business interests, he has found leisure to participate in
the workings of the Sons of St. George, the presidency of which he has
filled with honor, in addition to having served as a delegate to the
Grand Lodge during nine different sessions. At Vacaville, Solano county,
this state, August 26, 189.3, he married Jessie E. Long, who was born,
reared and educated in that city. They are the parents of three
children, Ruth Fay, Forest C. and Isabelle E.
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