California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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JAMES
STRACHAN A
descendant of sturdy, thrifty and canny Scotch parents, James Strachan
was born in Glasgow, and was brought by his parents to the United States
in 1884, when about twelve years of age. His education was begun in his
native land and was continued in the public schools of Chicago, Ill., in
which city the family located. Young Strachan learned his trade of
upholsterer in the Pullman shos at Pullman, Ill., and then traveled in
various states until 1895, when his parents and their children came to
California and made a new home in Sacramento. There he found work at his
trade in the Southern Pacific shops and labored profitably ten years,
saving money with a view to going into business for himself whenever a
good opportunity should offer. His ambition was realized in 1906, when
he opened up a business of his own at Eleventh and J streets, and there
he prospered for two years, when his place was burned out, and he
reopened at No. 1301 J street. Here he has ever since carried on a
.successful business in furniture and upholstery. On November 16, 1898, Mr. Strachan's fortunes for life were united with those of Miss Celia Eyan, sister of the late Frank D. Ryan, a well-known Californian, once a candidate for election to represent his district in our national congress and long in the public service as clerk of the California senate and legislature, and daughter of John C. Ryan, long prominent as a contractor and for many years city trustee. The elder Ryan, of Irish extraction, came to California in 1849 among the pioneers, and almost at once gained recognition as a leader in business and in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Strachan have three children, John E., born in August, 1899, and Hugh and Winnifred, twins, born in March, 1907. Mr. Strachan is a Republican in his political views. Socially he affiliates with the Woodmen of the World and the Caledonians. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |