Early Influencers: The Human Officer and The Dealer

When motorcycles came to California in the late 19th century, and cars remained unaffordable to most residents, two men from different backgrounds rose to fame for leadership and service: Frank Woodson, Sacramento’s first Humane Officer; and William A. Langley who sold the Excelsior Motorcycle at his bicycle repair and locksmith business in downtown Sacramento.

Rising Star Charles Balke (front) trying out the new Excelsior at William A. Langley’s shop circa 1912. Vince Martinico

Frank Woodson’s father, J.A. Woodson, an original bicycle Wheelman, was educated at Michigan’s Wesleyan Seminary. In 1858 he read law in the Sonoma County office of Jackson Temple, later a State Supreme Court Justice. In San Francisco Woodson founded the Pacific Law Reporter Daily Record. In 1872 he moved to Sacramento as law and literary editor of the Record. When it merged with the Sacramento Union, he became literary editor. He co-founded the Sacramento Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children and the Sacramento Humane Society. He also co-founded the California Museum Association and served as a trustee of the State Mineral Cabinet.

Son Frank, born in 1868, officiated at the new Sacramento Velodrome in 1901, when Turville of Philadelphia raced against Lake of New York. Frank became known as the first county Humane Officer, called to take care of animals, deceased, abused, sick with rabies, or out of control. He also led a Sacramento Motorcycle Brigade, helping with crowd control, auto races, and voter registration.

Frank met William A. Langley when the latter moved to Sacramento in the early 1900s. Born in Massachusetts in 1873, Langley’s parents brought him to the West Coast, where he worked in a Washington lumber mill beginning at age of 14. The family moved to Lodi, where he became a bicycle dealer before moving to Sacramento.

Langley first displayed motorcycles at the 1911 California State Fair. He traveled all over the state, traversing in snow, and even to Mexico with wife Ellen.

William A. Langley with wife Ellen. Vince Martinico.

Frank Woodson rode one of Langley’s Excelsiors while traversing the roads in his job as Humane Officer. Langley led coed groups, photographed activities and posted them outside his downtown store. He started the Sacramento Motorcycle Club, accepting women whose dues were waived. Three females joined. Langley’s reputation for putting on good races grew beyond the California borders. National stars came to Sacramento because of Langley’s reputation.

Riders accompanying William A. Langley on one of his many outings.

Capital City Motorcycle Club

Aware of the growing motorcycle craze, the Capital City Wheelmen watched the exploding popularity of the motorized two-wheeler. As a result, in 1912 it proposed that the two groups co-sponsor races, and a year later, officially merged as the Capital City Motorcycle Club. Frank Woodson served as president of the new club. While Langley did not participate in many competitions, Woodson raced in a trying endurance race on mud and slippery roads from Sacramento to Tahoe and Reno. He was known as an expert rider while Langley was known as a highly skilled repairman.

So well versed was Woodson in race rules, that he was appointed State Referee by the Federation of American Motorcycles, which preceded the American Motorcycle Association. He was known as honorable and fair. In 1919 he presided over a new record achieved by two riders traveling from Sacramento to Stockton.

Frank Woodson, right, with hill climbing champ Archie Rife and Carl Mankel after certifying a new record traveling from Sacramento to Stockton in 54 minutes, beating the old record by 11 minutes, in a sidecar in 1919. Pacific Motorcyclist and Western Wheelman Magazine.

Langley maintained a stellar reputation as a businessman. “The machines handled by Mr. Langley are considered as good as any in the market, and so thoroughly does he understand their construction and operation, that having the confidence of the buying public, he is able to sell them against any and all competition.” Langley was an expert repairman and locksmith, skills which he didn’t tout. “He employs only skilled workmen, and his materials are as good as can be obtained, while his charges are as reasonable as are consistent with good service and the adequate profit essential to the success and permanency of any business of whatever character.”

In 1918, Langley’s wife Ellen died at the age of 36 upon giving birth to their first child at home. A year later Langley married Elma, who took up the seat behind him and eventually had four daughters. ”He is credited by those who know him well with the possession of admirable public spirit…” He was known to carry traffic ordinances in his wallet.

Langley died in 1950, Woodson in 1921. Two men, two lives, two crossed paths in an early sport that took over the nation. While both men are unknown to many, they illustrate the sportsmanship and goodwill of the early motorcyclist revered to this day.