Dr. William W. MacFARLANE

DR. WILLIAM W. MACFARLANE was born in Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri, February 23, 1834. His father was a native of Scotland and was born in 1796, in Ayrshire. He emigrated to America in 1820 and settled in Callaway County, Missouri. He was a graduate of the law department of the University of Edinburgh. On his arrival in this country he engaged in farming and also in teaching in the public school, He was married in 1830 to Miss Catherine Bennett, a daughter of Elijah and Martha (Davis) Bennett. She was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1796. Her parents moved to Missouri about 1824. Dr. Macfarlane's parents raised a family of four children, the Doctor being the oldest. Mary M., now the wife of O. McCrackin, stock-raiser of Callaway County, Missouri; George B., an attorney, practicing at Mexico, Missouri; Captain John D., deceased, was also a lawyer. The Captain commanded a company in a Missouri regiment of volunteers in the civil war. W. W., the subject of this sketch, received his early education in the public schools of Callaway County, principally under the tuition of his father and at Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri. He studied medicine with Drs. T. A. and J. H. Howard at Fulton. During the winter of 1869 and 1861, he attended the first course of lectures at the St. Louis Medical College. Owing to the exciting times and the unsettled state of affairs during the next four years, he did not attempt to finish his medical education. In 1865 he again entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated and received his diploma March 3, 1866. He then commenced the practice of medicine and surgery at Concord, Callaway County, Missouri, where he remained about nine years. In 1873 he was elected physician for the State Insane Asylum at Fulton, which position he held for two and a half years, when he resigned and was appointed as one of the managers of the institution. In 1875 he went to Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri, where he practiced medicine until 1884. At the age of eighteen he crossed the plains to California and remained four years, returning to his home in Missouri in 1856, via Panama and New York city. Like many of the immigrants who came to California during the gold excitement, he became attached to the climate and country of the land of the Golden West. In 1884 he came to California with his family, having decided to make a permanent home in this State. He first settled in Southeastern California, where he remained only a few months, then came to Woodland, Yolo County, where he established himself in the practice of medicine. In 1886 he was appointed County Hospital Physician for one year. In 1887 he received the appointment of Superintendent of the State Insane Asylum at Agnew, Santa Clara County, in which capacity he served two years. In July, 1889, he resigned that position and returned to Woodland and resumed his practice in the city. In March, 1890, he came to Davisville, where he intends to establish himself permanently in the practice of his profession.

He was married November 5, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Thurmond, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Dameron) Thurmond. Her parents were natives of Virginia. She died February 18, 1884, at Mexico, Missouri, previous to the Doctor's removal to California. They have four children: Wallace S., born September 18, 1868. He is a graduate of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and is now employed as a druggist in the drug store of J. B. Elston in Woodland. Claude T., born September 10, 1870, graduated from the high school of Woodland, after which he attended one term at the Hesperian College and two years at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara. He is now clerking in the dry-goods store of J. F. Hink, Woodland. Irnie M., born January 4, 1875, is now a student in the Hesperian College, Woodland, and Paul W., the youngest, was born February 9, 1880, and is attending the public schools of Woodland.

Dr. Macfarlane is a Knight Templar Mason, also a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a member of the Yolo County Medical Society, the California State Medical Association, also the New York Medico-Legal Society. He owns 160 acres of improved land in Yolo County, which is occupied by a tenant and is devoted to the production of hay and grain.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino

Frank MAIER

Having been identified actively with the growth of Davis and vicinity since 1860, Mr. Maier is enabled to enjoy during the closing years of his career the fruits of his well-directed labors, as well as the sincere regard of all who are privileged to know him, both in business and social circles.

A son of Germany, Mr. Maier was born November 2, 1831, neat Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Joseph and Ottilie (Friedel) Maier. In 1837 the husband and father passed away, leaving the care of the younger members of the family of five children to the mother, assisted by her sons. On account of thus being required to lend his aid in carrying on the affairs of the home farm, Frank received a limited education, though he endeavored during his spare moments, which, it must be admitted, were exceedingly few, to add conscientiously to his store of practical knowledge. At the age of twenty-one, the family having become self-supporting, he carried out a long cherished plan of immigrating to the United States, taking passage on a sailer from Havre in 1852. Upon his arrival in New York City he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and finally secured a situation as farm hand, faithfully performing his duties until March, 1858, when he started for California. From New York he went to Panama, and after crossing the Isthmus he completed the trip by boat to San Francisco. From there he went to Sacramento, determined to try his luck at mining, and entered the Rattlesnake Bar fields, but after six months of unrewarded labor left that section and in 1860 became associated with a horsepower threshing machine in Yolo, owned by Alex. Lockhart. After working six years in Yolo county, during which period he carefully hoarded his savings, he seceded in securing capital with which to purchased the property which he has since conducted and which comprises an entire section located two and one-half miles from Davis. A large portion of this tract, which at the time he became its owner was almost wholly unimproved, he planted to grain, erecting necessary buildings and otherwise creating a general appearance of thrift throughout the ranch. At present he cultivates four hundred acres, most of which is in grain, and although his financial condition is all that could be desired, it is not to be inferred that his success was attained without the most frugal methods, both of himself and family, who justly merit the prosperity which they enjoy.

Mr. Maier's marriage, which occurred in Troy, N. Y., in July, 1889, united him with Miss Katie Wesenford, one of his country-women, who came to the United States when twenty-one years of age. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Maier two children were born: Francis and Albert, who are still in the parental home. Mr. Maier is a Democrat, but casts his ballot independently and, though never an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his attention to his personal affairs, has always maintained an intelligent interest in public matters and has been prompt to assist in the development of the community. Active members of the Catholic Church at Davis, both himself and family are well known for their excellent principles and their deep concern in the welfare of their fellowmen.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 878 - 879.

Ebenezer MAJOR

EBENEZER MAJOR, a well and favorably known farmer near Winters, was born March 19, 1826, in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, the son of John and Jane (Maxwell) Major. His father, a farmer by occupation, resided all his life in his native State, New York, dying in 1857, at the age of sixty-five years; the mother also died there, in 1864, at the age of seventy-three years. In their family were sons and five daughters, At the age of seventeen years Mr. Major, the subject of this sketch, began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he mastered and followed in New York until 1851, when he came by way of the Isthmus to California; had to wait thirteen days at the Isthmus for a vessel, which when it came proved to be the German bark Cornelia. He had to pay $300 for cabin passage. After being out about five month the water was exhausted and the ship was obliged to put into land, the nearest port being 500 miles distant. When they arrived they found themselves in Acapulco, and here Mr. Major found the steamers Golden Gate and Panama. Taking passage on the Panama, he paid $100 for passage to San Francisco, at which port he arrived in about ten days. Three weeks afterward he went down the coast forty miles on a schooner, and was employed about a month upon the ranch of a Mr. Gates, running for him the first mower and reaper ever brought to the coast. Then he followed mining two months at Mormon Island; stopped six weeks in Sacramento; mined again two months at Galena Hill; went to North Bar on the Feather River, met his brother David there, who had crossed the plains in 1850, and worked with him about eighteen months, and for a short time on Rapid Creek, etc.; three months on the South Yuba; and then David went into Yolo County and took a claim southwest of Winters upon what afterward became the Wolfskill grant, and while there he met his death by being drowned in the Sacramento River, resulting from walking out upon a plank after dark to board a canoe; his body was found the next morning.
Ebenezer followed mining in different places for about eight years, in which he was successful. He purchased his present place by obtaining a squatter's claim thereto in 1856. He has made upon it all the improvements now visible there. It comprises 170 acres of choice land, well improved, where he raises hay, grain and live-stock, two miles east of Winters. In his political views Mr. Major is a Republican. December 27, 1884, he met with a serious accident. A horse struck him on the hip with his knee and so severely injured the part that Mr. Major still suffers considerably.

Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson August 2004

Rev. John G. MANGOLD

It has always been the aim of the German Evangelical Synod of America to serve the German-American people and to keep them in their faith and make them useful citizens of our country, that has given the people freedom of religious thought; this has been the ambition of the pastor of St. John's Evangelical Church at Woodland. That his ministrations have reached beyond the boundaries of his immediate field of labor is indicated by the fact that for six years, form 1898 to 1904, he officiated as president of the Pacific district of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, while in addition for some time he served as a member of the mission board. Both of these important posts furnished an opportunity for sagacious service to the denomination and also brought him into conspicuous pre-eminence among the talented divines of the faith.

In recording events of importance in the life of Rev. Mr. Mangold we find that he was born January 15, 1864, at Leichingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, where his father, Jacob, engaged in mercantile pursuits. Primarily educated in the excellent public schools of Wurtemberg, he later had the advantages of the gymnasium, and after his graduation he crossed the ocean to the United States, where he hoped to continue his studies and acquire a desired knowledge of the English language. It was his good fortune to study in the Congregational Seminary at Elmhurst, a suburb of Chicago, where he completed the classics and began a course in theology. At the expiration of three years in that institution he went to St. Louis and studies theology in a German Evangelical (Eden) college. After his graduation in 1888 he was ordained to the ministry of the domination which he has since served with true fidelity and intelligent devotion.

Coming to California in 1888 to accept the pastorate of St. John's German Evangelical Church at Pomona, Mr. Mangold continued in that pastorate for three years, and meanwhile was married to Miss Martha Hoops, a native of Nebraska, but from early life a resident of California. During 1891 he went to San Francisco as pastor of St. John's Evangelical Church. The period of his service as pastor was marked by the erection in 1894 of a house of worship. The site chosen for the building was Mason street, between Pacific and Jackson. Resigning from that charge in 1901, he came to Woodland as pastor of St. John's German Evangelical Church and ever since he has ministered to this congregation, besides having charge of the membership at Dixon and Hungry Hollow.

The congregation at Woodland was organized into a church during 1892 through the self-sacrificing efforts of Rev. Mr. Weltge, who at the time was serving as pastor at Hungry Hollow and who by occasional preaching at Woodland gathered together the nucleus of a congregation. The second pastor was Rev. J. Schilling, under whose supervision a house of worship was built, the congregation enlarged and various societies formed for the uplifting of the community spiritually. The third pastor, Rev. J. Endter, served until February of 1901, when Rev. Mr. Mangold was called to the work. Under his ministrations a steady growth has been maintained in every department of the church. The congregation has become known through the munificence of its contributions to missions and charities. The self-sacrificing spirit of the membership has been the secret of the substantial progress made in all good works, and it has been a great blessing to the German people of Yolo county to have had these churches. The young people as well as the older members have risen to honorable positions and won the esteem of their fellow citizens.

The successful labors of Rev. Mr. Mangold have been promoted by the gentle but capable helpfulness of his wife, who, besides the care of a large family, has yet found time to aid in church work and to foster every movement inaugurated for the benefit of the congregation. Her deep religious character has found expression in many ways, perhaps the greatest of which is her wise guidance of the seven children, Anna, Lydia, Martha, John, Carl, Martin and Philip. It has been the ambition of the parents to educate each child adequately for life's responsibilities. The eldest daughter has been educated in the San Francisco State Normal, and the younger members of the family circle also will be given the best opportunities the state affords in its educational institutions.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 682 - 683.

William Harrison MARDEN

Never yet has there been found an individual with soul so unappreciative that he fails to render the reverence and gratitude due those who blazed the way into the unknown west and amid dangers and hardships indescribable established a civilization destined to be tenfold more powerful than its founders dreamed. In common with the majority of this world's heroes, no glory surrounded the lives of those who risked their all and bore the trials incident to the settlement of a new land, their only reward, and sufficient to them, being the regard and confidence of their associates. In this connection it is interesting to note that for over fifty-five years, owing to his courageous attitude as the leader of an emigrant train which crossed the plains in 1850, the appellation of "General" lovingly bestowed upon him by his associates was borne by Mr. Marden, who passed away at his home four miles southeast of Davis on May 29, 1905.

Mr. Marden was born March 4, 1824, in Coos county, N. H., this also being the birthplace of his parents, William and Polly (Stokes) Marden, who were of English parentage, and who, in 1831, took their family to Chenango county, N. Y., where few settlers had preceded them. Mrs. Marden passed away in 1855, and accompanied by his son Elisha the father later removed to Greenwood county, Kans., where he resided until his death. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marden, only one survives, Elisha, a resident of Greenwood county, Kans.

Educated in the district schools common to that period, William H. Marden assisted his father on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he engaged in teaching school and ultimately was made county superintendent of schools. Following his educational career he went to Waukesha county, Wis., arriving at his destination March 24, 1848. For two years he worked at the carpenter trade, as it was the only thing he could find to do. His cheerful personality and clear, good judgment won him many friends, and it was not surprising that upon his decision to go west he was eagerly joined by others, who urged him to act as their captain, secure in the belief that his strong young manhood and unfailing optimism would assuredly carry them safely to their journey's end, where, they doubted not the proverbial pot of gold awaited them. With ox teams and prairie schooners, thoroughly outfitted, the party of sixteen started in the spring of 1850, crossing the Missouri river on May 8. The journey proved very tedious, although, in contrast with other companies, who lost large numbers by various fatal diseases, they arrived in California in good physical condition. After several months in the mines at Georgetown, Eldorado county, Mr. Marden settled near Davis, Yolo county, where he engaged in agriculture and stock raising, his original tract consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added from time to time, his estate at the time of his decease aggregating five hundred and twenty-eight acres. In 1869 he opened the pioneer butcher shop in Davis, his business increasing rapidly, and finally he started a hotel and established a hardware store. Until 1880, when he relinquished his business duties and took up his residence on his ranch, he was actively associated with the development of the town and did all in his power to increase its commercial strength as well as to induce settlers to locate in its midst.

Mr. Marden's marriage, which occurred in Auburn in 1856, united him with Miss Marium Leigh, who was born in Bath, N. Y., and who came to Sacramento county, Cal., in 1854, joining her brother, A. H. Leigh, a resident of Dixon, who had settled in the west in the early '50s. To Mr. and Mrs. Marden, the latter of whom passed away April 16, 1899, at the age of sixty-eight, four children were born: William E., a fruit grower and dairyman of Fowler, Fresno county; Susan Annette, who resides on the old homestead, her husband, O. B. Wilbur, being the manager of the Marden ranch; Minnie M., Mrs. Collins, of Oakland; and Grant, a business man of Fresno. Fraternally Mr. Marden was a Mason of Knight Templar degree. He ably assisted in all public enterprises requiring the support of loyal citizens. From the day he cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln he remained a firm advocate of Republican principles and lent material aid to his party. He was postmaster at Davis for a great many years; and was the candidate of his party for sheriff and later for supervisor, but at that time his party was hopelessly in the minority, so he failed of election. A man of broad sympathies and kindly manner, his loss was felt keenly by the entire community which he so staunchly served during his identification therewith, and those who knew and loved him best will not soon forget his memory.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 691 - 693.

H. L. MARDERS

The greatest westward migration known in the history of the world occurred during the '50s when the newly discovered mines of California proved the magnet that attracted gold-seekers from every portion of the globe. One of the expeditions that crossed the plains had among its most active members a youth of seventeen years, H. L. Marders, who had left forever the old associations of boyhood and had joined in the movement destined ultimately to develop the then unknown west. The young traveler was a member of an old family in the United States and was born in Missouri, April 17, 1837, being a younger brother of William Nathaniel Marders, like himself a native of Monroe county, his birth having occurred August 30, 1834. The brothers were alike in energy of temperament, fertility of resource and fondness for adventure, and many of their experiences in the west were memorable and to a large degree perilous.

An opportunity to work his passage across the plains came to H. L. Marders in 1854 and he eagerly availed himself of the chance. The expedition with its large herd of cattle and its full equipment of wagons and supplies proceeded by way of Fort Laramie and the Platte river, on to Chimney Rock and Echo Canyon, thence via Devil's Slide and the sink of the Humboldt into the mining regions. On one occasion, just as dawn was lighting the east, the guard heard several arrows suddenly whiz by and as he turned an Indian jumped to his feet, exclaiming "How do you do?" Without the pause of an instant the guard shot the Indian twice and the savage dropped dead. Knowing other savages lurked in the distance ready to attack the party, the captain of the train hastily posted a notice for other emigrant trains, warning them of danger. The party then started forward with as much haste as possible and did not pause until they were sixteen miles away. Afterward they learned that every member of the next emigrant train was killed by Indians.

Leaving the expedition in Nevada and remaining behind to earn some needed money. H. L. Marders followed freighting for two years and hauled many loads to Jacobsville, five miles west of Austin, on the Reese river. In addition he hauled salt from Sand Springs to Virginia City. Each trip brought him from $1000 to $1500. One of his chief difficulties was the loss of cattle through the drinking of the alkali water. Notwithstanding all loses he found the freighting business one bringing considerable profit and he followed it both in Nevada and California for a considerable period. Meanwhile he also had frequent intervals devoted to prospecting and mining. The first visit he ever made to Yolo county was during the year 1864 and since then he has been more or less closely identified with various portions of the county. In the vicinity of Woodland he hired out to do a job of plowing and turned the sod neatly and expeditiously with five yoke of oxen, when the rancher himself had been unable to accomplish satisfactory results with seven yoke. For six months he worked for Jesse D. Carr, for several years he lived in Watsonville (Santa Cruz county) and for three years he made his home in Woodland, where he built a large stable and then leased one-half of the building to tenants. The occupations of the early days (mining, freighting and ranching) he tried at different times and had his share of good luck and of adversity, but with it all he never lost his affection for the west and his sincere belief in its future prosperity. For some years he and his brother, William Nathaniel, engaged in the raising of sheep at Casey's Flat, but eventually their partnership was dissolved. In 1900 he located at Esparto, set out an orchard of fourteen acres to almonds and grapes, and has also set out an orchard of twenty-five acres near his place.

The marriage of Mr. Marders took place in Sacramento in the year 1877 and united him with Miss Martha Sweeney, a native of Missouri. She died in 1896, when forty-four years of age. They became the parents of two sons. The elder, Miles, married Mattie Bolden, a young lady from El Paso, Tex., and they have three sons, Miles, Jr., Glenn and Merl of Esparto. The political affiliation of Mr. Marders are with the Democratic party, and his brother, the late W. N. Marders, likewise voted the Democratic ticket at national elections. This brother, who passed away August 13, 1899, owned nine hundred and fifty acres in the Sacramento valley and left, to inherit the estate, his widow, formerly Esther Ryder and their four children, William O., Mabel O. (Mrs. W. E. Nissen), Maude Esther (Mrs. H. R. Brown), and Roy A.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 791 - 793.

William Nathaniel MARDERS

An example worthy of emulation, in that it represented noble and exemplary principles, was the life of W. M. Marders, one of Yolo county's pioneers, who passed away August 13, 1899. To the end, Mr. Marders remained true to his highest ideal of honor, and not one of his many acquaintances was ever able to speak of him in aught but respect and admiration. Born in Monroe county, Mo., August 30, 1834, Mr. Marders spent his boyhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the country schools. At the age of nineteen he determined to start in life for himself, and with his father's gift of $10 a large sum to the boy he fared forth, rich in the hopes of youth. Shortly after this, in 1853, he secured a position as driver with Glenn and Wilson, cattle dealers, who were about the cross the plains. Upon reaching Nevada he allowed the party to proceed without him, and thereupon became interested in mining and followed it for several years. Relinquishing this work, he took up freighting, operating between Sacramento, Auburn, Cal., and Virginia City, Nev., but in 1860, weary of continual traveling, he purchased, in Shasta county, a ranch which he stocked and conducted for the next four years. He then located in Yolo county on a homestead. At this time, however, funds were low and it became necessary to resume for a time his occupation of freighting. Subsequently he went into the sheep raising business at Casey's Flat with his brother Hezekiah, who after several years grew tired of the occupation and took up other work, leaving Mr. Marders in sole possession of the ranch.

November 2, 1873, Mr. Marders married Miss Esther Ryder, a native of Michigan, who came to California when sixteen years old. The young couple took up their residence upon a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Madison, Yolo county, which they purchased and stocked with cattle, horses and mules. From time to time Mr. Marders added to his holdings and at the time of his death, owned nine hundred and fifty acres, considered one of the most valuable stock and grain ranches in Sacramento valley.

Mr. Marders' word was as good as his bond and this, spoken in truth, is the best that can be said of any man. He was devoted to his home and cared nothing for public life, though always interested in municipal work that called for his support. He and his family were members of the Christian Church, which they assisted in every possible way.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marders, namely, William O.; Mabel O., now Mrs. W. E. Nissen, of Palo Alto; Maude Esther, who is the wife of Harry R. Brown, and whose home is in Palo Alto; and Roy A., who resides in Capay. Of all of the pioneer families of the valley none are more highly esteemed than Mr. Marders' widow and her children.

William O. Marders, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Marders, was born near Esparto in 1874, and spent the first thirty years of his life assisting his father on the ranch and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the farming industry, as well as the breeding of horses and cattle. From 1905 to 1907 he ranched in Tehama county before taking up his residence in Woodland, where he spent the next three years. In 1910 he purchased a ranch of twenty acres one mile west of Woodland; this is highly improved and from it he secures annually five or six crops of alfalfa with irrigation. He also has a small dairy supplied by ten cows. In 1904 Mr. Marders married Miss Josephine H. Brown, who was born in Yolo county, her father, Warren Brown, being an early settler here. Mr. and Mrs. Marders have three children, William G., Helen and Russel Alston.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 670 - 671.

George C. MARTIN

George C. Martin, a farmer near Woodland, is a son of James and Lina (Williams) Martin, who were among the early settlers of California, and will be remembered by many old pioneers. They were natives of Virginia, where they remained until 1844; they then moved to Livingston County, Missouri, and resided there until 1853; he sold his property there, spent one summer in Texas, returned to Missouri and remained there until the spring of 1854, when he with his family came overland to the Golden State, with horse and ox teams, and settled in Yuba County, eight miles above Marysville, on the Yuba River. There the senior Martin resided until his death in 1861, when he was sixty years of age. His wife survived until 1884, when she died, in Yolo County, at the age of seventy-five years. In their family were four sons and one daughter, all of whom came to California. One son, M. D. Martin, came in 1849, and died in Yolo County in June, 1872.

George C. was born January 30, 1833, in Giles County, Virginia, and had been all his life upon a farm. He was with his father in Yuba County until 1862, when the well-remembered floods of that year destroyed their agricultural stock. He sold out and came to Yolo County, purchasing a farm northwest of Cacheville, where he remained until the fall of 1870. He then purchased his present property, consisting of 160 acres of choice bottom land, a mile and a half southeast of Woodland, which is well improved and fertile and well stocked with farm buildings, etc. He has altogether in Yolo County 410 acres. His home place is especially adapted to the raising of fruit and alfalfa.

Mr. Martin was married March 7, 1867, to Miss Mary A. Waysman, a native of Missouri, and they have three sons and two daughters, namely: Jackson L., Anna L., James W. (who died July 25, 1883), George V. and Mary V.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

James T. MARTIN, M.D.

The history of this State is unique, thrilling and wonderful. No other country can boast of such exciting and romantic events, or of example so worthy of emulation as California.

The historian here has an almost unlimited storehouse from which to select his material, and to related the narratives of the many interesting and exciting incidents which have taken place in our midst, and the wonderful prosperity which is ascribed to the growth and development of this - the land of promise.

Of course the experiences as told by the pioneers, who came here in an early day, form a most valuable part, and, in fact, are indispensable in chronicling events which have occurred here, and go a long way in making up a history. But aside from all this, there is another class of men, who, in their way, bear just as important a part in the introducing of new ideas, and revolutionizing, as it were, the old set and fogy ways that are so characteristic to many of the old Californians.

In making a retrospect of this country during the past few years, we find that the young men of to-day are rapidly assuming relations, both in the business and professional circles, as well as in the managing of our political affairs and local and public institutions.

In making any mention of this class of men, who are now prominent in one way or another, we feel no hesitancy in presenting the name of James T. Martin, a leading physician of Woodland.

Dr. Martin is a homeopathist, who has bounded faith in that method of treating disease, and in him the people of Yolo County have an able physician, thoroughly versed in his profession. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and though now in the very vigor of manhood has had to undergo many trying hardships in order to properly fit himself to work out the problem of life. A few points of interest in his career, will, perhaps deserve proper mention at this time. His father, Norman Martin, was a descendent of the Scotch Highlanders, coming from that old Celtic stock which underwent so many hardships in the history of that country, and was born in Stronoway, Lewis Island, off the northwest coast of Scotland.

He was a carpenter by trade, and, in 1841, left his native country in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, coming to Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River, arriving there in the spring of 1842. He married a lady named Julia Bridgefarmer, who came from Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and from the time he first went there continued to make his home in Oregon.

James Thurston Morgan, the subject of this article, was born in Yamhill County, Oregon, November 26, 1850. His education was partly received in the public schools, but principally at the Pacific University, at Forest Grove, where he worked his way through school, and was graduated from that institution in 1876, in a class of six, three of whom were Japanese, who have since become prominent in their own country. After graduation he went to Washington, then a Territory, and commenced teaching. He was principal of the public schools at Seattle for nearly two years, and occupied a similar position with the schools of Olympia, the capital of Washington.

All this time our subject was bent upon studying medicine. While in Olympia he met J. B. Huntington, with whom he made arrangements to take a drove of cattle overland to Cheyenne. Upon arriving there, he also proceeded with these cattle by rail through to Council Bluffs and Chicago. This was done with the intent to work his passage East, and avoid paying out any of his limited amount of funds, knowing full well that the plan he had laid out before him would require all the means at his command, and indeed more. At Chicago he bought a railroad ticket to Ann Arbor, which was the only money paid out for fare up to this point of the journey. Arriving at Ann Arbor October 6, 1880, he entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, and in due time, after a great amount of perseverance on his part, devoting his vacations to work in the corn-fields, and employing every spare hour to the best advantage, he won for himself a diploma from that noted institution, June 28, 1883.

Now being well versed in the theoretical part of his profession, the young physician turned his attention toward the attainment of further knowledge in a practical way. Through some friends he shortly afterward obtained the appointment as physician for the Skokomish Indian reservation, with headquarters at the head of Hood's Canal. There he remained until the change of administration occurred and President Cleveland went into office, when Dr. Martin resigned his position and came to California. He opened an office in Woodland, September 10, 1885, since which time he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. While Dr. Martin is an excellent physician, he is at the same time an able surgeon, having a high reputation in this department of his profession.

While a medical student at Ann Arbor he joined the Masonic order, in 1883, and is now connected with Woodland Lodge, No. 156. Since his residence in this city he has associated himself with the Order of Chosen Friends, Ancient Order of Foresters and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Woodland, first joining that body in Forest Grove, Oregon, some fifteen years ago.

Dr. Martin is at present a member of the Advisory Board to the Trustees of the Hahnemann Medical College of San Francisco.

He was married March 31, 1885, to Mrs. M. M. Huntington, a native of Switzerland, but reared in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a widow with two children, viz.: Lutie and Fred. Huntington, the former born in August, 1874, and the latter April 26, 1877. Mrs. Martin is a sister of the eminent artist Carl Guthers, whose paintings have taken an international prize at the Paris Salon. She is also a sister-in-law of General Flower, of St. Paul, Minnesota. By the present marriage there are four children, viz.: Genevieve, born January 29, 1887; Thurston Guthers, born May 5, 1888; Lewella and Lenala (twins), born April 25, 1890.

Such in brief is a resume of the life of our subject. He is a man of fine gentlemanly ways, possessing a modest and unassuming manner, and is not gifted with any unnecessary display or waste of language, -- more especially so in his professional capacity. Yet in a social way he is pleasant and congenial, and has a happy faculty of making many friends.

He is a man who is thoroughly interested in his chosen field of labor, and practices his profession for the love he has for it, and the interest he takes in suffering humanity.

He was elected a member of the International Hahnemann Association at the meeting held in Montreal, Canada, in 1889.

He was elected Vice-President of the California State Homeopathic Medical Society, at San Francisco, on the 14th of May, 1890, and was also chosen as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, having for its object supervision of measures of legislation affecting the welfare of medicine, and especially of the Homeopathic school.

Dr. Martin certainly has a bright future before him, of which, it is equally certain, he is deserving.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891

John MARTIN

John Martin, one of Yolo county's most esteemed pioneers and who will not soon be forgotten by his many friends, was a southerner, his birth occurring January 1, 1832, in Surry county, N. C. His father, John Martin, Sr., was born in the same county, but lived some years in Missouri, where he farmed extensively. He then spent a year in Texas, later taking up his residence in Kentucky, where he remained until his death. John Martin, Jr., with his mother, lived for a time in Buchanan county, Mo., in 1851 moving to Fremont county, Iowa. After his mother's death Mr. Martin continued to reside on the farm until the year 1859, when, with his brothers, H. P. and P. P. Martin, he came across the plains with ox-teams to California, settling on new land in Yolo county. The house that they built was the first one in Plainfield. John Martin spent the winter of 1862 in Iowa, but returned the following spring by the overland trail with horse teams. Soon after this he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land seven miles southwest of Woodland, and some time later he bought three hundred and twenty acres adjoining this, and thereafter he devoted his best efforts to its development. Again, in 1890, he purchased twenty-five acres one mile south of Woodland, on Cemetery avenue, upon which he erected a substantial dwelling and other buildings and otherwise improved the place until it ranked among the best in the locality. In addition to his orchard he also raised alfalfa. He concentrated his attention upon his small tract and continued to improve it materially until his death, January 8, 1892. Mr. Martin was a Democrat. He was a member of the Christian Church and was in sympathy with all progressive movements of the locality.

Mr. Martin's widow, Belle Hutton (Winter) Martin, with the assistance of her son, Wilfred, actively conducts the affairs of the farm, which is modern in every way. The place is in alfalfa, and in addition to stock raising and general agriculture a dairy, which is fitted with a separator, is one of their business assets, and they also lease forty acres of alfalfa land adjoining the place. Mrs. Martin was born in Montgomery county, Mo., and come to California in November, 1872. Her father was Sterling Winter, of Blount county, Tenn., and her mother was Dicy Birdwell. There were ten children, of whom three are living. Upon the completion of her studies at the Danville Female Academy of Missouri, she became a teacher, but shortly after was married to Mr. Martin, November 18, 1872, at the home of her father in Montgomery county, Mo. She came to Yolo county a bride and took up her duties on the farm, becoming a true helpmate to her husband in every sense of the word. She is a member of the Christian Church of Woodland and takes an active part in all the departments of church work, and is also an active worker in the cause of temperance, being a member of the W. T. C. U. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin we mention the following: John W. is a farmer near Woodland; Harry S. died in Woodland in 1906; Jessie, Mrs. H. W. Krines, lives in Santa Maria; Marie, Mrs. F. W. Haslam, resides in El Paso, Tex.; and Wilfred manages the home farm and dairy.
Mrs. Martin is a member of the Rochdale Company of Woodland and of the Woodland Creamery Company. She has ably demonstrated her ability to take charge of and successfully manage the affairs left by her husband, and by her many friends she is much loved and esteemed for her many charities and kindnesses.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 594 - 597.

John D. MARTIN

The power of concentration has been exemplified in the successful activities of Mr. Martin. From early youth he had devoted his energies wholly to the nursery business. While others have drifted from one occupation to another in a desire to find something both congenial and profitable, it was his good fortune at an early age to become identified with an industry for which he was well adapted by natural endowments. As a result of his long association with the occupation there is now no detail with which he is unfamiliar; whether in selection of stock, in judicious choice of suitable varieties, in grafting of trees, or in marketing of crops, in all he displays the sagacity and keen discrimination that have produced his present high standing as a fruit-raiser.

In recognition of his noteworthy success with one of his specialties, the title of "Strawberry" Martin has been bestowed upon him by his hosts of friends and still clings to him, notwithstanding the fact that of late years he has concentrated his attention on seedless raisin grapes as a specialty, giving up to a large extent the production of the rare and delicious varieties of strawberries that once gave him local fame. The nursery business first engaged his attention at the age of thirteen years in his native county of Niagara in York state, where he had received a grammar-school education. The need of earning his own livelihood forced him to leave school at the completion of the grammar course and he then took up the nursery business with a company that gave him charge of two hundred men when he was only sixteen. Being a lad of rugged health as well as tireless energy, he was never absent from his place of work on any days except the 4th of July and Christmas day for a period of ten years. Year after year he continued without the loss of a day's time and he was so energetic in his work that in one year he and his men grafted the enormous number of five million trees. For about three years he was superintendent of Niagara county poor farm, resigning in 1882 for the purpose of coming to the west.

An experience of one year in a nursery in Yolo county was followed by the return of Mr. Martin to his previous occupation in New York, but in 1884 he again came to Yolo county, this time as a permanent resident. Renting twenty acres on Cache creek, he began to plant strawberries, blackberries and loganberries and finally he had the entire tract under cultivation to the choicest varieties. The output was enormous, but Sacramento furnished a convenient and profitable market for even the largest crops, and an immense trade was established in that city, as well as in Yolo county itself. The first large crop was taken off in 1886, and from that year until 1900, he carried on the place profitably. The arrival of his berries was looked forward to with eagerness by buyers catering to the tastes of critical customers. The products invariably brought the highest market prices, this being due not only to care in cultivation, but to the original discrimination in the selection of stock.

Meanwhile having purchased twenty-seven acres of unimproved land and having planted the same to seedless raisin grapes, in 1900 Mr. Martin removed to his new location and here he has built up a very productive and remunerative vineyard. A capable overseer is employed to reside upon the farm and manage the vines, while the owner himself now spends much of his time traveling both in the east and the west. Various improvements have been made from time to time. A good barn and a packing house were erected and the grapes are cured and packed on the premises. For the year 1910 the entire expense of raising, picking, curing and packing the raisins totaled $750, while a crop of forty-five tons of choice raisins brought $4,200 on the market, and the crop of 1911was equally valuable, this representing a gratifying revenue for twenty-seven acres of land in Yolo county. The owner's success has encouraged others to enter the same occupation, for he has proved what may be accomplished with this soil by careful management and practical business forethought.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 679 - 680.

Fred MARTINELLI

FRED MARTINELLI, a whole vegetable dealer of Woodland, was born in Italy, a son of Francisco and Teresa (Contana) Martinelli, and came to San Francisco in 1869. Eight years afterward he moved to Woodland, where he is now conducting a large wholesale and retail vegetable trade, running several wagons throughout the county. He opened his present place in 1887, and is driving a prosperous business. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has the reputation of being an industrious and honorable citizen.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Antone MARTY

Among the enterprising and progressive residents of Yolo county is Antone Marty, of the firm of Marty Brothers, he and his brother Martin (and until his death the late Joseph Marty) owning and controlling jointly a five hundred acre seven miles northwest of Sacramento, known as the Golden Eagle dairy, the largest and finest plant of the kind in Yolo county. The brothers were natives of Canton Schwytz, Switzerland, the birth of the eldest, Antone, occurring January 20, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and there, too, he learned the dairy business under his father Bernardin Marty, in the Alps. The father afterward came to Sacramento and spent his last days with his son, Antone, at whose home he passed away December 21, 1911.

Antone Marty immigrated to the United States April 30, 1890, and joined his uncle, Joseph Marty, who conducted a dairy in Sacramento county south of the capital city. Two years later Martin Marty arrived and secured a position on his uncle's ranch, and the following year Antone purchased a one-third interest in the uncle's dairy, and at the same time took into partnership his brothers, Martin and Joseph. Nine years later, in 1902, the brothers purchased the interest of their uncle and continued the management of the dairy until October, 1908, when they purchased their present ranch, comprising five hundred acres of rich bottom land, three hundred and seventy-five of which is in alfalfa. Immediately after purchasing the property the brothers erected three commodious, sanitary barns for dairy purposes, provided with cement floors, running water and gas for lighting. In the boiler house a sixty-horse power engine was installed for the operation of the separator, electric lights, machinery and pumps, and a water tank of ten thousand gallons capacity was also set in place. A twenty-five-horse power engine is used to force the water through the pipes, the heavy water pressure insuring adequate fire protection. For the accommodation of the twenty-five employees who assist in the work of the ranch a comfortable boarding house was built; also a blacksmith shop and a milling plant and steam feed mixer, for the preparation of feed and hay for the stock. In addition to the ranch interests already mentioned, it is necessary to state that the brothers are also raising hogs on a scale that considerable to the yearly income. Of their three hundred and fifty cows, two hundred and fifty are milked at present, and from fifteen to eighteen cheeses are made daily, each weighing twenty-five pounds. One thousand gallons of milk are shipped daily on their launch, Milk Maid, to their Sacramento depot, at No. 300 N street, this being in charge of Martin Marty. Four retail and two wholesale delivery wagons are required in the operation of the extensive business and altogether forty horses are used on the ranch and in the dairy interests. The yield of alfalfa from three hundred and seventy-five acres (six clippings) provides feed for four hundred head of cattle and horses as well as several hundred hogs, besides which they sell about seven hundred tons annually. Splendid shipping facilities are provided by the Marty station on the new Sacramento and Woodland electric railroad, a switch on the ranch affording direct communication. The Golden Eagle dairy is admirably located on the west side of the Sacramento river, where there is a landing for the launch previously mentioned. The brothers also own a valuable ranch of one thousand acres at Clipper Gap, Placer county, where a specialty is made of raising and shipping wood.

In Sacramento Antone Marty was married, February 6, 1898, to Miss Susan Durrer, a native of Turner Falls, Mass. Her father, Joseph Durrer, upon coming to California first located in Sacramento, and later settled in Tehama county, where his daughter was educated. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Antone Marty: Hedwig, Antone and Adel. He is a member of the Foresters of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Red Men and the Helvetia Verein. His fraternal and business interests do not absorb all of his time and thought, however, for he is greatly interested in the welfare of his community and loses no opportunity to lend a hand in its behalf.

Martin Marty is a resident of Sacramento, having charge of the firm's business at that point. Joseph Marty was accidentally drowned in the Sacramento river March 18, 1912, while repairing a barge at the landing.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 579 - 583.

James O. MAXWELL

Few names have been associated more intimately and none more prominently than that of James O. Maxwell, who as property owner, editor, councilman, mayor, chairman of the Democratic county central committee and in other capacities has proved the loyalty of his citizenship and the sincerity of his devotion to city and county. Numerous enterprises for the progress of the community owe their inception to his business acumen and far-seeing vision. The present modern water system was established during the period of his service as councilman and he was foremost in furthering the project. For six years he has filled the mayor's chair and is the present incumbent of the office, to which he was elected in May of 1911. As the presiding civic official he has proved not only energetic but also reliable, not only resourceful but also judicious, and the best interests of the city have been conserved under his executive supervision, besides which he also has evinced a commendable public spirit through his able service of fourteen years as a member of the board of trustees.

Early in life Mr. Maxwell became identified with newspaper work and his association with the same has continued up to the present, being now, however, limited to articles published in various newspapers and magazines of the coast. A Missourian by birth, he was born in Cooper county May 26, 1838, and was one of three children, his sister and brother being Susan, wife of M. R. York, who died at Madison, Yolo county, Cal., and Thomas J., a miner in Mexico. The genealogical records show that the Maxwells came to America during the colonial period of our country's history and established the name in Virginia. John Maxwell, a Virginian by birth, served as a commissioned officer during the Revolutionary struggle, but died before the expiration of the war. Inheriting his patriotic ardor, his son Thomas, left his native Virginia to do service during the war of 1812. Later he crossed the mountains into the frontier regions of Kentucky and settled in Madison county, where he became the owner of a plantation and a large number of slaves.

Following the westward tide of emigration the Maxwell family, transplanted to Kentucky grounds from Virginia, next became pioneers of Missouri, the first of the name in that state having been Thomas J., son of Thomas, and a native of Madison county, Ky. For some years he earned a livelihood as a farmer in Cooper county, Mo. During 1856 he brought his wife and three children across the plains to California in a train consisting of twelve wagons and thirty-five men. Six months were spent on the road and during the time Indians were so troublesome that the emigrants stationed men around their camp each night to guard them as they slept. Upon their arrival in Yolo county Mr. Maxwell bought out a squatter on the old Taylor place, two miles northwest of what is now Woodland. Three years were spent on that ranch and then he removed to an unimproved tract near Winters. Building a store at Buckeye, he engaged in mercantile pursuits besides managing his farm. Eventually he became the owner of large tracts of land and engaged extensively in the sheep business. Later he turned his attention to the raising of fruit. When death ended his labors in 1903 he had reached the age of eighty-nine years, and for sixty years he had been an earnest member of the Baptist Church. In politics he was a Douglas Democrat. Being of a southern family he had inherited a number of slaves, but these he refused to receive, preferring that they be given their freedom in accordance with his views upon the slavery question. In young manhood he had married Rhoda, daughter of James D. and Ellen (Stephens) Campbell, natives of Virginia, but for years residents of Marion county, Ky., and later farmers of Missouri, where Mr. Campbell, a veteran of the war of 1812, died in 1839. Eventually his widow came to the west, where she died at the home of her daughter near Winters at the age of more than ninety years. Mrs. Maxwell was eighty-two years of age at the time of her death in 1902.

When fifteen years of age James O. Maxwell entered the printing office of the Boonville Observer, where he remained for two years. In 1856 he accompanied his parents to California and later had charge of the store at Buckeye, also served as deputy postmaster until 1860. He set up the first type in the county on the old Yolo Democrat, published at Cacheville, and afterward assisted in the publication of the Cacheville Spectator, which succeeded the old Democrat. During 1860 he returned via the Isthmus of Panama to the east and entered the University of Kentucky at Lexington, where he remained a student for two years. On his return to the coast by way of the isthmus, he entered the printing office of the California Alta Publishing Company in San Francisco as a compositor and afterward worked in the commercial and advertising departments. On coming again to Yolo county, he began to raise grain on a ranch and at the same time acted as editor of the San Luis Obispo Mirror. Later he became manager and editor of the Woodland Democrat and afterward published the Woodland Reporter, which he managed for eighteen months with Robert Lee and then sold out to his partner. Besides his attractive residence on Main street, he owns other property in Woodland and for years also owned a ranch comprising four hundred and twenty acres fifteen miles southwest of Woodland and five miles northeast of Winters, but this tract he recently sold and now owns a small farm containing forty well-improved acres two miles southwest of Woodland devoted to alfalfa and grapes.

Fraternally Mr. Maxwell was made a Mason in Buckeye Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., at Winters, and he also belongs to the Sons of the Revolution. In Yolo, Cal, January 12, 1870, he married Anna Gaddis, who was born in Waukegan, Ill., and attended the California State Normal School, afterward engaging successfully in educational work. Her father, the late Henry Gaddis, is represented elsewhere in this volume, and her brother, Hon. E. E. Gaddis, is one of the leading jurists of the state. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell consists of three children. The older son, William C., is an attorney-at-law in San Francisco. The only daughter, Rhoda, a graduate of the California State Normal School, is principal of the Oak Street school in Woodland. The younger son, George L., also resides in Woodland and is engaged in the dairy business.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 860 - 862.

Thomas J. MAXWELL

THOMAS J. MAXWELL, a farmer at Winters, Yolo County, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, January 3, 1815. His father, Thomas Maxwell, was among the first settlers of Kentucky, moving to Madison County, Missouri, in 1825, where he died March 18, 1826. His mother, who was a Miss Gardes, was born on the Potomac River and died in 1862, in Madison County, Missouri. The first school that she ever attended was at the house of General Washington. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Missouri until 1856, when he came overland to California, landing near Cacheville, Yolo County, and took up a tract of land which proved to be upon a grant. He accordingly abandoned it, moved to Buckeye, bought a claim and built there the first store in the place, and also held the office of Postmaster from 1857 to 1859. He then disposed of his ranch and store and went into the hills with a band of stock and afterward disposed of his stock, and he now lives in Winters, retired from active business. He is the proprietor of 500 acres of good land, seven acres of which are set out in fruit.

He was married December 8, 1836, in Cooper County, Missouri, to Miss Rhoda Campbell, who was born February 4, 1817, in Tennessee, the daughter of James B. and Nellie (Stevens) Campbell, both natives of Virginia. Their children are: J.O., born May 26, 1838; Susan F., born January 14, 1848, and is now the wife of R.York; and Thomas J., born January 20, 1856.

Source: Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©

J. B. McARTHUR

J. B. McArthur, cashier of the Bank of Winters, is personally an illustration of the rapid rise to prominence which characterize the young blood of California. The Bank of Winters first opened its doors for business in 1885, with E. Wolfskill, president; William Sims, vice-president; and E. E. Kahn, cashier. In 1886 J. B. McArthur succeeded E. E. Kahn as cashier; Mr. Kahn's other business duties requiring so much of his time he was compelled to resign his position as cashier, but still acted as secretary. They have held their respective positions from that time until the present. Mr. McArthur was born March 24, 1849, in Ontario, Canada, a son of Daniel and Catherine (McDonald) McArthur. His father, a farmer by occupation, resided in Canada a greater portion of his life, dying there in 1857, at the age of sixty-five years; and the subject of this sketch was but four years old when his mother died. He was brought up on a farm and started out in life for himself at the age of fourteen years, going to Minnesota, where he spent a year, thence to Nebraska, where he was six years engaged in farming. The next three years he passed as a student at a college in Illinois; thence he went to the State University of Nebraska, where he attended one term; in 1875 he came to California and located at Vacaville, where he accepted a position in the service of the Vacaville & Clear Lake Railroad Company as station agent, and remained three years; and he finally removed to Winters, accepting a position with the railroad in that city. He was employed as station agent until 1886 when he accepted his present position. It may be said of him that "he was old when young that he might be young when old," and his success in life has been entirely the result of his own industry, energy and perseverance.

He was married, in 1877, to Miss M. L. Bryce, a native of Kentucky. Three of their four children are living, namely: Mary E., Charles S. and Bessie M.

Mr. McArthur has about 480 acres of land in Tulare County, on which is carried on general farming, and 960 acres in Washington. His neat and tidy residence in Winters is located on East Abbay street. He has been a member of the Baptist Church since he was eighteen years of age.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Mrs. S. E McCLINTIC

MRS. S. E. McCLINTIC, the proprietor of a farm in Yolo County, is the daughter of Hull Finch and Susan Newcomb; her father was a native of Virginia, a farmer, and the last ten years of his life he was presiding Judge of the court of Callaway County, Missouri, and he died in that county, in 1888. The mother of the subject of this sketch, a native of Missouri, died in the same county, in 1859. The subject of this notice, born in Callaway County, married John McClintic, in April, 1863, just after he had arrived from California, which he had visited in 1851 to locate a place. A week after their marriage they started across the plains and landed at their little home, where they both labored patiently and industriously to supply themselves with the necessities and comforts of life. Mr. McClintic died November 7, 1877, leaving seven children: Samuel A., Emma L., Anna, Willie, Matie, Jessie H. and Agnes R.

The ranch contains 320 acres and is principally devoted to raising wheat.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson

Andrew McCLORY

a farmer of Putah Creek, Yolo County, was born February 14, 1821, in Patterson, New Jersey, a son of James and Helen (McGee) McClory, natives of Ireland; the father settled in that State in 1800. At the age of twelve years young McClory went to New York City and began the study of art, under the instructions of Henry Inman, and continued there three years, and then one year more under William Page, being in the academy three or four years. In 1838 he started West through Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburg, where he followed painting until 1842. He then went to St. Louis and to Independence, Kansas, Santa Fe, and in the winter of 1843 left Chihuahua and New Mexico for the south fork of the Platte, near where Denver city is now located; in 1844 he returned to Missouri, and in six months went to New Orleans, and then into the State of Mississippi; and, being in Pittsburg in 1846, when the Mexican war broke out, in 1847 he enlisted and was appointed as First Lieutenant of Company H, attached to the District of Columbia and Maryland Regiment, and held the position of Provost-Marshal of the city and department of Jalapa until the close of that contest; he was discharged at Pittsburg. In 1849 he came by way of Missouri overland to California, by wagon, arriving at Sacramento. He engaged in gold digging until 1852, when he settled on a ranch on Putah Creek, and resided there five years; then he moved upon land which he now owns one mile north, and which comprises at present 445 acres, fertile and in good condition.

He was married in Sacramento November 19, 1865, to Miss Lydia Chillson, who was born December 25, 1830, in Mississippi, and they have one son, Andrew R., who was born November 15, 1869.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

J. McCLURG

J. McClurg, deceased, formerly a farmer of Yolo County, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1829, a son of Robert and Nancy (Eaton) McClurg, and was nine years of age when his parents removed with him to Knox County, Ohio; his father was a farmer all his life, his death occurring in Knox County, Ohio, in 1865, at the age of seventy-two years. Accordingly the subject of this sketch was raised on a farm. In 1852 he came to California, by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco after a voyage of sixty-two days by sail vessel on the Pacific ocean, as he could not obtain passage on a steamer. The first year in this State he spent in the mines, with poor success, and then he located upon his ranch in Yolo County, four miles southwest of Woodland, consisting at that time of 160 acres. He since then increased his estate to 470 acres. By his industry and good judgment he converted his place from one of a bare plain to a farm as fertile and well-improved as any in the county. After an active and well spent life he died, February 20, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years. The farm is still devoted to general agriculture and a small dairy, at present being four miles south of Woodland. It is superintended by Miss J. McClurg, a sister of the deceased, who came to California in February, 1869, to keep house for him. By his will she was made the executor of the estate, and she has managed the affairs with as great financial ability as the best of men could do.

Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891, pages 372-373
Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler, September 2004

J. I. McCONNELL

J. I. McConnell, of Woodland. The father of the subject of this sketch, George M. Mc Connell, was born December 24, 1817, in McMinn County, East Tennessee, and in 1850 came with his family, consisting of wife and two sons, to California, by way of Salt Lake, arriving at the mines at Coloma in September. After working in the mines for two years, he came down to Sacramento city with the intention of returning East by water; but, as the floods were high and no steamers going, he was persuaded by friends to go into Yolo County and pre-empt a claim about a mile east of the city of Woodland. He followed farming there until 1858; then he moved to Sonoma County, where he remained until 1868, and finally settled in Hollister, San Benito County, where he still resides. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Adams, was a native of Tennessee, and died at Hollister in 1871, at the age of fifty-three years. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are now living, viz.: William E., who resides in Santa Rosa; James I., the subject of this sketch, and George W., who was born in Yolo County, and resides at Hollister.

James I. was born in Tennessee, December 18, 1845, and was therefore five years old when he was brought to this State. He was educated at different places, but mostly at Sonoma, at a Presbyterian school, as his father was a Cumberland Presbyterian. From 1868 to 1871 he taught school in San Joaquin County; then two years in the department of mathematics in Hesperian College at Woodland; next, 1880-'85, he was Principal of the public school of Woodland, and then, 1885-'87, he had editorial charge of the "Daily Democrat"; and finally, in 1888, he was appointed Postmaster of Woodland. He is president of the Woodland Building and Loan Association, which was organized about four years ago; and while he was a teacher he was also a member of the Educational Board of this county for six years. In all his public positions he has given satisfaction, being social, pleasant-mannered and accommodating. He is a member of the orders of the United Workmen and Knights of Pythias, and has filled all the offices in the lodges of both societies in Woodland.

Mr. McConnell was married in 1871 to Miss Lillian Swain, a native of Marshall, Michigan, and they have one daughter, named Gertrude L.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler, July 2004.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1891. pg. 327.

John McCOUBREY

Among the prosperous industrial men of Winters Mr. McCoubrey occupies a prominent place, his sterling qualities and mechanical as well as business ability, having won the esteem and confidence of his associates. He is a native of Maine, his birth having occurred two and one-half miles from Robbinston, December 28, 1848. He received his education in his home section, and until the age of seventeen remained with his parents, William and Sarah (Peacock) McCoubrey, of Maine and Scotland, respectively. His father, a ship joiner by occupation, spent his last years in Maine actively conducting his duties until his death in 1898, survived by his wife, who died two years later.

In 1865 John McCoubrey went to Boston, Mass., where he became an apprentice to a blacksmith, and three years later passed an examination before the mechanical board, permitting him to practice his trade. In 1876 he established a general horseshoeing and wagon joining shop in Putnam, Conn., but in 1877 he removed to Newark, N. J., where he remained until the fall of that year. Having determined to seek his fortune in the west he sold his interest in his business to his partner and crossed the plains by emigrant train, the journey occupying thirteen days. The day after his arrival in San Francisco Mr. McCoubrey accepted a position as foreman in a shoeing shop at $4 per day, and until the spring of 1878 resided in that city, having been there during the Kearney excitement, which occurred upon the site of the present city hall grounds. During the same year he went to Visalia, thence to Dixon, and in 1883 he went to Old Mexico, and for a time remained in the vicinity of Mazatlan. Finding that climate disagreeable, he returned to California and located in Winters. Shortly afterward he took a lease of the J. L. Depree place, retaining it for five years, after which he returned to his eastern home. In 1889 he returned to Winters, where be bought his present business property, and since then has conducted a general blacksmith shop with great success, his place being located on Main street adjoining the postoffice.

In 1898 Mr. McCoubrey visited Nome, Dawson City and other Alaskan points, as well as the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea and while in that country he witnessed the midnight sun. He returned to San Francisco on the St. Paul, after a most exciting trip. One of his most dangerous experiences was on board the Samoa, before reaching the Aleutian Islands, when, without warning, he and one hundred and fifty others were caught in a terrific storm which lasted forty-eight hours.

In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. McCoubrey with Miss Josephine Kennedy of Foster, R. I., and the next year he came to California. In 1904 he was elected on the no-license ticket to fill the office of city trustee, which position he held for five years. Also, for one term he held the office of city recorder, but resigned before the close of his term. He might have held many other public positions but for his disinclination to become a politician. He is a member of Othello Lodge No. 31, K. P., Dixon, and a charter member of the U. R. K. P. of Woodland. He has always been a stanch Republican and has endeavored at all times to live up to the teachings of practical Christianity. His parents were Presbyterians, in which faith he was reared, and his earliest impressions are those of a refined and cultured home.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 763 - 764.

Fred Frank McCULLOUGH

Diversified avenue of industrial activity are open to people removing to Yolo county, but agriculture still continues to be the leading occupation and one to which turn for a livelihood the greatest number of settlers. As an instance of the opportunities afforded by the soil when wisely cultivated, mention should be made of Fred Frank McCullough, whose large measures of success have been gained since he arrived in Yolo county and entered upon the laborious task of developing a farm. As a result of his ceaseless industry and sagacious management he has become the owner of a large landed estate and now holds a position among the leading farmers and stock raisers of the entire county.

The genealogy of the family is traced back to the original American settler, John McCullough, a member of an ancient and influential Scotch Presbyterian family. Shortly after he accompanied other members of the family to Pennsylvania and had settled in the forests of that colony he was taken prisoner by the Indians, who kept him captive in Ohio for eight years. When finally he was exchanged he returned to his old Pennsylvania home and engaged in farming. Afterward he removed to Maryland and developed a farm near Frostburg, but his last days were spent in Pennsylvania. His son, Alexander, was born in Franklin county, Pa., near the Maryland state line. During young manhood he married Elizabeth Siler, a native of Frostburg, Md., and in 1856 they became pioneers of Champaign county, Ill., where they developed a farm near Urbana. Of their five sons and two daughters Fred Frank was the fourth in order of birth and he was a native of Frostburg, Md., born March 9, 1854. When only two years of age he was taken to Illinois, and his first recollections cluster around a tract of government land homesteaded by his father. As soon as he became old enough to work he assisted in the cultivation of the claim and gave his whole time to farm work with the exception of a few months each year spent in attendance upon country schools.

Coming to California during the autumn of 1874, Mr. McCullough settled in Sutter county and secured employment on a ranch opposite Grand Island. Two years later he removed to Solano county and rented three hundred and twenty acres near Bird's Landing. The year 1886 found him a resident of Yolo county, where he rented a section near Dunnigan and engaged in the grain and stock business. About 1891 he bought three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land and removed to the new tract, which he improved and developed. Later he bought a quarter-section adjoining, and this gives him four hundred and eighty acres in one body, the whole comprising his homestead, a well-improved and valuable property in the vicinity of Dunnigan. In addition he owns and manages three hundred and twenty acres near Blacks Station and five hundred acres northwest of Dunnigan, the large landed possessions representing his own untiring industry and frugal economy. Besides the raising of stock and of general farm crops, for some years he has engaged in buying and selling mules, sheep and hogs and now devotes much of his time to this important occupation.

During the period of his residence in Solano county Mr. McCullough there married, December 5, 1883, Miss Mary Gapen, who was born and reared at Suisun City, the daughter of John M. and Janettte (Wallace) Gapen, born in Pennsylvania and Michigan, respectively. Her father crossed the plains to California in 1849 and her mother crossed in 1848. They became pioneers of Solano county and died in Vacaville. Of the five children born to them Mrs. McCullough is the third oldest. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough are the parents of six sons and five daughters. The eldest, Fred G., attended a business college at Oakland and is now assisting his father in the management of the ranch. The others are Meredith, Victor, Marshall, Burns, Ruth, Welthy, Lemuel, Nevada, Marion and Elizabeth. The Masons have the active assistance of Mr. McCullough through his identification with Dunnigan Lodge No. 284, F. & A. M.; Woodland Chapter, R. A. M., and Woodland Commandery No. 21, K. T. Ever since attaining his majority he has voted the Republican ticket and in Yolo county he has served the party in county and state conventions, besides giving to its candidates his quiet influence and steadfast support. For his labors as a public-spirited citizen and as a capable farmer the county is indebted to him and rightly places him in a foremost position among its prosperous and progressive residents.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 883 - 885.

William McCULLOUGH

William McCullough, a prominent rancher of Yolo County. Among those not pioneers who have yet been identified for many years with Yolo County, the gentleman whose name heads this article stands prominent. He is a native of New York city, born March 2, 1844, his parents being William, Sr., and Agnes (Johnston) McCullough, both of whom were of Scotch ancestry, and born in the north of Ireland, whence they removed to New York. There the father started in business in 1831, on a small scale, afterward locating in Sullivan County, New York, in the mercantile business. He had stores, at different times, in three towns of that county, and amassed a considerable fortune, by the exercise of industry and good business ability. He afterward removed his family to East Orange, New Jersey, but being anxious to try mercantile life in the new West he himself went to Rochester, Minnesota, and started a store, with his usual success. He remained there until his death, July 17, 1878. His widow survived him until May 3, 1890, dying at East Orange.

At the age of fourteen years the subject of this sketch commenced attendance at the Ashland Collegiate Institute, Ashland, Greene County, New York. When not at school he had been accustomed from early age to assist in his father's store, and on leaving college he proceeded to Rochester, Minnesota, where he rejoined his father and resumed his labors in the latter's establishment. In 1861 he went to the family home in the East, and, becoming imbued with the patriotic spirit, offered his services at Newburg in defense of his country's flag, and was accepted, on the Fourth of July, 1861. He was assigned to duty in Company H, Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until disability compelled his discharge. He was then not eighteen years old, but being broken in health he proceeded to California to recuperate. Much improved in vigor, he went back East, where he intended to re-enter the service, but finally yielded to his mother's entreaties and refrained. In 1868 he returned to California, and after looking around for a time located temporarily in the San Joaquin Valley, where he was engaged in harvesting during the season of 1869. After that he came to Yolo County, where he has since made his home, and with whose interests he has since been identified. He has owned his fine home ranch, consisting of 692 acres located six miles northwest of Woodland, since 1874. He has, besides, other valuable landed interests, namely, 450 acres in the Capay Valley, as fine land as can be found in the State of California; 280 acres of timber land in Shasta County, and a 200-acre farm in Olmstead County, Minnesota.

Mr. McCullough is one of those men whose word is as good as his bond, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Honest and upright in all his business relations, he deservedly ranks among the best men of the county.

Mrs. McCullough was formerly Miss Emma Curtis. She is a native of Kent County, Michigan, where she was born February 17, 1848. They have one child, a daughter, named Mattie.

Mr. McCullough is modest and retiring in his disposition - one of those who never seek after public place or patronage - yet always performs in a conscientious manner his duties as a citizen. He is a member of William H. Seward Post, No. 65, G.A.R., of Woodland.

Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891, pages 369-370
Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler, September 2004

P. H. McGARR

One of the enterprising men of Yolo county who has made his home here since 1886, Mr. McGarr is well known throughout Winters and vicinity not only as an orchardist of exceptional ability, but also as a most public-spirited citizen, prompt to lend his efforts toward the progress of the community.

A native of Canada, Mr. McGarr's birth occurred January 6, 1865, in Guelph, where he received his education, spending his youth on the farm of his parents, Patrick and Ann (Cunningham) McGarr, natives of Guelph. At the age of twenty he came to California, successfully conducting a farm in Solano county for eleven years prior to his removal to Yolo county, where he has since been engaged in fruit raising. For many years he leased an orchard in the vicinity of Winters, but in the fall of 1911 he accepted the position of foreman for M. Kahn, having charge of his large orchard, located three miles west of Winters, to which he gives his undivided time.

In Woodland, February 29, 1892, Mr. McGarr was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Baker, whose birth occurred in Solano county, and whose parents crossed the plains from Illinois in the early '50s. She died in September, 1907. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McGarr, as follows: Francis L., Henry H. (both of Winters), Edith M., William D., Clark A. and Raymond P., the four last mentioned residing at home. Mr. McGarr's second marriage occurred in San Francisco and united him with Mary Gotellie, a native of Italy, who by a former marriage had three children, Anthony, Joseph and Louis. A Republican in politics, Mr. McGarr is a broad minded and generous citizen, interested in all public movements of merit. He is a communicant of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, as are also his wife and family.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 296 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

James M. McHENRY

To Mr. McHenry, one of Yolo county's earliest pioneers, belongs much of the credit for the establishment of both business and social life on a substantial basis in that section, his foresight and executive ability having been of incalculable value in that connection.

A native of White county, Ky., Mr. McHenry removed to Missouri with his parents, who spent their last years in that section. His father, James McHenry, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Moody, a relative of the famous Evangelist Moody. James McHenry, Jr., successfully conducted a farm in Missouri until his marriage with Miss Pierce, whereupon he disposed of his eastern interests and crossed the plains with his bride in the early '50s. For some months he mined with varying success, later engaging in the teaming and livery business in Modesto, Cal., where he built the first hotel in that section. Upon the death of his wife, who left two daughters, Margareta, Mrs. Paul Tietzen, of Berkeley, and Almeda, Mrs. Davidson, of Santa Maria, he sold his business in Stanislaus county and removed to Santa Rosa, where he continued to exert his efforts as a progressive and capable citizen, contributing largely to the development of that locality until 1873, when he settled in Woodland. Shortly thereafter, in partnership with Al Eaton, he opened an up-to-date livery barn, conducting also many other public enterprises, including the survey and maintenance of a stage road between Woodland and Lake county. Upon the sale of his livery interest to H. C. Duncan he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Esparto, Yolo county.

January 25, 1875, Mr. McHenry married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Duncan) Keithly, born near St. Joseph, Mo., and to their union two children were born: William Lane, who now resides near Esparto, and Ethel Terry, who after her graduation from the San Francisco Business College became the wife of Charles P. Murphy of that city.

Mr. McHenry was a man of literary as well as business ability, and contributed many leading articles to various county papers. A charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Capay, he served as noble grand for many years. He was a stanch Democrat and for some years was supervisor of Stanislaus county. As an active member of the Christian Church, to which he lent his willing support, he endeavored at all times to conduct his life according to the principles of practical Christianity, his generosity and kindly interest in the welfare of his fellow men having fully merited the confidence and esteem which he enjoyed.

Elizabeth Duncan was the daughter of Charles and Dorcas (Coffman) Duncan, native of Tennessee and Maryland, respectively, and received her education in the public schools near St. Joseph, Mo. Her paternal grandfather, Joel Duncan, of Scotch parentage, was also a native of Tennessee and settled in McDonough county, Ill., where he farmed until his death. His son Charles spent his youth in Illinois, removing later to Andrew county, Mo., where he operated a farm for a time. Later he located in Henderson county, Ill., where he remained until 1864, going thence to California, with his wife and seven children, in company with twelve families westward bound, their well-stocked wagons being drawn by horses. After five months of weary travel, not the least of their troubles having been the necessity of frequently keeping the Indians at bay, they reached Yolo county, where Mr. Duncan filed upon a homestead near Plainfield, actively conducting his ranch until his death in 1886, at the age of eighty years, lacking but two weeks. Of the various sections in which Mr. Duncan had made his home, he found no climate so agreeable as that of California, which he termed the land of sunshine and flowers.

Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Dorcas Coffman, who was born in Maryland and who accompanied her parents to Hancock county, Ill. Her father, Jacob Coffman, born in Maryland, was a farmer by occupation, and with his wife spent his last years in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were blessed with the following children: Louisa J., now Mrs. W. J. Chard, of Washington; Mary C., who became the wife of H. H. Hungate, and who now resides in Walla Walla, Wash.; Elizabeth, Mrs. McHenry; William J., who makes his home in Waitsburg, Wash.; Nancy A., now Mrs. J. T. McJunkin, of Hanford, Cal.; H. C., who resides in Fair Oaks, Cal.; James C., of Shasta county; and Lane, who prior to his removal to Garfield county, Wash., served for eight years as clerk of Yolo county.

January 25, 1866, Elizabeth Duncan became the wife of William Keithly, who was born in Indiana, and who moved to McDonough county, Ill., with his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Roberts) Keithly. The son assisted upon his father's farm until 1852, when , with his brother John, he crossed the plains to Yolo county, Cal., with the aid of ox-teams. Later he took up a homestead and engaged in stock raising, but owing to continued exposure under adverse climatic conditions his health failed to the extent that in 1869 he was forced to sell his interests. Shortly thereafter he purchased a ranch of one thousand and ninety-two acres in the Esparto section, conducting his affairs with great success until his death in Sacramento in 1872, when but forty-five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Keithly were the parents of three children, as follows: Frank, who is a farmer near Esparto; Charles H., who resides in Prince Rupert, Canada; and Hattie, Mrs. Mehmedoff, of Esparto.

Since the death of her second husband Mrs. Keithly has divided her time between the home ranch and her Woodland residence, continuing an active interest in the affairs of the estate, which in 1909, was sub-divided and sold, the heirs reserving forty acres each.

William Lane McHenry was married to Rosella Carrick, whose birth occurred in Yreka, Siskiyou county, Cal. They now make their home in Yolo county, where, in addition to his share of his father's estate, Mr. McHenry conducts a ten-acre tract devoted to horticulture, his enterprise and good management having placed him among the leading citizens of the community.

Highly cultured, and of a generous, sympathetic temperament, Mrs. McHenry is greatly beloved among her many friends, and in addition to lending practical aid in the various auxiliaries of the Christian Church, in which she enjoys active membership, maintains a deep interest in the suffrage movement, her thorough study of the question enabling her to intelligently assist in that work.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 304-306 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

Robert J. McKINNEY

The swift flight of almost sixty years has left its impress of civilization and growth upon every part of the west since first Robert J. McKinney, then a rugged youth eager for adventure, beheld its valley and mountains and discerned with prophetic foresight the greatness of years to come. As early as 1859 he became a rancher of the Capay valley and thereafter until his earth life closed, he contributed his quota to the agricultural development of Yolo county, at the same time aiding in the moral, religious and educational upbuilding of his community. No enterprise for the general welfare failed of his earnest support. Church work especially enjoyed his general assistance and from early life he was a devoted member of the United Brethren denomination. Of recent years he yielded to the affectionate appeal of the local congregation, numbering from thirty to thirty-five members, and served as their pastor, filling the pulpit with dignity at the regular services, officiating at the marriages of a goodly number of young people, and giving to the dead those last tributes of respect which the church commends and affection suggests.

Various removals of the family brought their interesting changes into the early years of Robert J. McKinney, who was born in Tennessee December 27, 1837, and lived there and in Mississippi during early boyhood, later making a brief sojourn in Arkansas. During the spring of 1854 he started for California and drove a team of oxen across the plains. The route of the expedition followed the course of the Platte river and took the party through the present site of the city of Denver, thence westward to Salt Lake City. After they had crossed the north Platte the ferryman warned them that they would encounter a band of about seven hundred Arapahoe Indians. The captain, James Simms, who had crossed the plains in 1852 and understood the danger of Indian attacks, immediately made preparations for trouble. They had traveled but a short distance when some of the savages met them and demanded five head of fat cattle. Not daring to refuse yet realizing that the cattle were sorely needed by the expedition, the captain tried to temporize and eventually offered them three head of sore-footed cattle. Angered thereby the savages jerked him from his horse, tore his clothes, bruised his body and left him decidedly the worse for the experience. Three of the Indians traveled with the train all day and remained with them at night, the whites retreating to their wagons for sleep and leaving their uninvited visitors to the occupancy of a tent. In the morning they found that the Indians had cut all the ropes of the tents and had fled. On another occasion the Indians stampeded the cattle, but the stock had been well guarded and not a head was lost.

After an interesting journey of six months and six days the party arrived at their destination and Mr. McKinney worked at Sonora, Tuolumne county, until March of 1856, when he removed to Eldorado county and engaged in mining six miles north of Hangtown (Placerville). A subsequent experience as a teamster earned him a livelihood at Bloomfield, Sonoma county, from which point he came to Yolo in December of 1859. The development of the country caused him to relinquish agricultural pursuits in favor of horticulture and latterly he had only two head of stock, a radical change from the early years with their large stock interests. In the vicinity of Esparto he purchased a small but well-developed fruit farm with improvements that represented his own keen intelligence, sagacious judgment and tireless industry. Here he raised prunes, almonds and apricots, and the six and one-half acres of orchard return a flattering revenue of the original investment.

Nine children were born of the union of Mr. McKinney and Miss Mary Armstrong, a native of Missouri. They are named as follows: Robert L., James D., George W., John W., Leonard S., Nora E., Mary Olive, Ella J. and Florence E. The first-named son married Emeline Murphy and has two children, John W. and Felicia N. Mary Olive had a daughter, Estelle M., by her marriage to William Finley, and by her second marriage to J. M. Coppock, she became the mother of two children, Everett and George. Ella J. McKinney was the wife of John Bishop and after his death married Frederick C. Newman, having one son, Harry Wesley Bishop, by her first union. Throughout his life Mr. McKinney voted with the Republican party, but no partisan spirit entered into his life and he always avoided official cares, preferring to devote his entire attention to private cares. He passed away at his home in Esparto July 6, 1912, much loved and esteemed by everyone.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 761 - 763.

Henry McNEILL

The first excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California had subsided and the tide of emigration had passed its flood when the McNeill family left their Illinois home for the undeveloped regions of the vast western portion of our country. There were not wanting, however, thousands of emigrants to pursue the popular route of overland travel and in their own party were a goodly number of resolute pioneers intent upon reaching the distant land of their opportunity. With the expedition there was a lad in his fourteenth year, Henry McNeill, who with the fearless nature of youth saw much to enjoy and nothing to discourage or depress in this move from the old friends and the former associations of his parents, William H. and Christina McNeill. With the heritage of Scotch and Irish blood they were the inheritors of the energy, thrift and shrewd judgment characteristic of that race and these qualities aided them in their efforts to earn a livelihood in the west.

The native place of Henry McNeill was in the vicinity of Chicago, Ill., and the date of his birth was August 16, 1840. When he was in his fourteenth year, in 1854, he crossed the plains and afterward he had little opportunity to attend school, it being necessary for him to earn his own way in the world. The first western location of the family was at Bay Point, Contra Costa county, whence they went to Oregon, but in a short time returned to California and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land near Plainfield, Yolo county. The parents spent their declining days in Lake county, this state, where they died at advanced ages. When it was possible for Henry McNeill to acquire land of his own he bought six hundred and forty acres seven miles southwest of Woodland and there for many years he carried forward agricultural pursuits with considerable success.

In order that his children might enjoy good educational advantages Henry McNeill removed from the ranch into the village of Woodland and bought a house on West Main street. Surrounding the residence were three acres suited for gardening purposes, and thus he found abundant opportunity to gratify his fondness for work. Six of his children attended the Catholic convent and all were given the best possible advantages in order that they might be prepared for life's responsibilities. At his town residence his death occurred February 14, 1898. Many tributes of sympathy were conveyed to the wife and children. There was universal expression of an appreciative sense of his labors as a pioneer and a regard for his honesty as a man, his patriotism as a citizen and his sagacity as a farmer. His wife still survives him and resides in the city home. She was formerly Miss Julia Finegan, a native of Ireland, who upon coming to this country landed in New York City. In 1856 she came across the Isthmus of Panama with a sister to San Francisco, where they had two sisters living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McNeill occurred in San Francisco July 10, 1862, and they became the parents of eight children: Henry W., of Woodland; Frank, who died in early life; James P., manager of the home ranch; Julia Christine, who married Hiram Bullard, of Woodland; Margaret May, Mrs. Burtt, of Woodland; Frederick Charles, of Woodland; D. Byron, of Antioch, and Mary Florence, who became the wife of George Herrington, and resides in Woodland. All of the boys attended St. Mary's College, where they finished their educations. The ranch, still owned by the wife and mother, is under the capable supervision of James P. McNeill, who was born near Antioch, Contra Costa county, this state, and received excellent educational training in the public schools, Herperian College at Woodland and St. Mary's College of San Francisco, now of Oakland. The same wise lines of agriculture followed by the father are utilized in the ranching operations of the son, who further with a growing appreciation of the value of the stock industry is raising the best grades of stock on the farm. One of his specialties is the raising of horses and mules; another specialty is his flock of six hundred sheep headed by an animal for which recently he paid $50 and which is a pure-bred Merino with the ideal markings of that popular breed.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 782 - 784.

M. J. McWILLIAMS

a farmer near Woodland, is a son of Andrew and N. Margaret (Stanton) McWilliams, natives of Ireland who came to the United States in 1820, locating in the State of New York, where they resided until 1840. They then removed to Iowa, and in 1849 came overland to California, there being four members of the family. M. J. and his brother Bryan located in Nevada County and engaged in mining until 1852, when they came into the Sacramento Valley and took up a ranch on the banks of the American River. In 1862 they disposed of this farm and settled upon another at Buckeye, in Yolo County. Thirteen years afterward, namely, in 1875, Mr. McWilliams purchased forty acres two miles east of Woodland, where he now resides a prosperous farmer.

He was born October 11, 1833, in Plattsburg, New York, and October 4, 1869, in Iowa City, Iowa, he was married to Mary A. Freeman, a native of that city. Their children are five in number, as follows: Margaret E., born August 7, 1873; Anna F., December 4, 1874; Julia, June 10, 1877; Joseph F., November 1, 1879, and Mary, January 14, 1883.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Robert A. MEIER

An experience with conditions in different parts of our own country and in the territory of Alaska gives to Mr. Meier a comprehensive knowledge of climates, soils, business opportunities and practical advantages of various localities. The opinion formed through this experience leads him to favor Woodland and Yolo county as offering an excellent opening to young men in the line of both agriculture and business. Since coming to this city he has acted as manager of the Woodland Alfalfa Products Company, also as selling agent for the alfalfa mill at Orland and in addition as Yolo county agent for the Ford automobile, these diversified lines of business activity bringing him to prestige and prominence. The plant of which he is manager has a capacity of twenty-five tons per day and is operated by electricity. This being the only mill of the kind in the county, there naturally exists a wide demand for its products and we find that there is a steady sale here and in every part of the coast region. Under the able supervision of the manager the plant turns out a satisfactory product that finds approving buyers throughout this part of the state.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., March 13, 1884, Robert A. Meier is the younger son of the late August and Wilhelmina (Heimerdinger) Meier, both of whom died in Minneapolis. The father had lived in Illinois as a boy and young man and there enlisted in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war, serving at the front until the expiration of his period of enlistment. Later he became an early settler in Minnesota, and there met and married Miss Heimerdinger, whose parents had been pioneers of the northwest and had been established in Minnesota prior to the famous Indian massacre in that state during the Civil war. The parental family comprised two sons and one daughter. The elder son, Fred, is now the manager of the beet sugar plant at Visalia.

Upon the completion of the studies of the Minneapolis grammar and high schools, Robert A. Meier entered the Pillsbury Military Academy at Owatonna, Minn., and continued his studies there for several terms. Later he spent a year in the University of Minnesota. Upon starting out to make his own way in the world he went to Washington and engaged in mining for two years with more or less luck. Next he sailed for Alaska with the intention of prospecting and mining in the Klondike region. Making his headquarters at Nome, he traveled through various parts of the mining district, prospected here and there, took up some claims and met with his share of prosperity and adversity while endeavoring to find gold. Five summer and four winters were spent in the far north. During one of these winter he was stormbound on Candle creek, two hundred miles above Nome, where often the thermometer registered as low as seventy below. In spite of the rigors of the environment he found much to interest him in the isolated northern country and regards his experiences there as profitable if not always pleasant. Upon his return to the United States he settled in California and engaged in well-drilling at Porterville, where he operated two steam rigs. During July of 1912 he came from Porterville to Woodland and entered upon the duties of manager of the Woodland Alfalfa Products Company, besides which he later took up the agency for the Ford automobile in this county. Accompanying him to this city were his wife and daughter, Bernice, the former having been Miss Gertrude Cunningham, a native of Pike City, Sierra county, this state, and a resident of Fresno at the time of her marriage.


Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 886 - 888.

Hiram P. MERRITT

Hiram P. Merritt, of Merritt Station, Yolo County, the most extensive breeder of live-stock in Northern California, is a representative of the best type of the American business man. Like most men who have achieved distinction in their respective callings, he started in life without capital save a fine physical organization and an active and well-poised brain. A pioneer of 1850, he came here a young man, and after passing through more than the usual vicissitudes and reverses of those early days, he has by industry, economy and shrewd judgment long stood in the front ranks of Yolo County's wealthy, influential citizens.

Dr. Merritt was born January 24, 1830, in Fairhaven, Rutland County, Vermont. His father, Noble Merritt, was a lumberman. His mother's name before marriage was Elizabeth Bates. He was three years of age when his parents moved to Allegany County, New York, by way of Lake Champlain and Erie Canal. In their new home his father engaged in the lumber business, as that portion of the State of New York was then a dense forest; and here young Hiram assisted his father to the extent of his ability, thus forming the habits of industry which he still retains, although of late years his heavy work has been more of the intellectual kind. As the prospects in Western New York for business with the commercial world were not satisfactory to his ambition, he started for the West in company with his uncle, Sydney Merritt, as far as Detroit, and alone to Indiana. On starting, his cash capital was only $15, and arriving at South Bend, Indiana, he found his capital reduced to $2.50. Here he first secured employment in a drug store, which place he retained for six years, receiving as compensation only his necessary expenses, with the privilege of studying medicine. By diligence and economy, and occasional practice at dentisty, he became able to attend medical lectures and graduate at the State Medical College of Indiana, in the spring of 1849. Returning to South Bend, he followed his chosen profession, in partnership with his old preceptor. His father sent him $100 at the beginning of his practice for the purchase of a horse to use in attending calls. He gave $25 of this to an aunt to keep for him, with the intention of coming to California, which he did the next year - 1850. He joined an Indiana party, comprising the Wall Brothers (now of Denver), Dan W. Earl, of San Francisco, and others. At Council Bluffs he utilized his medical knowledge in a small-pox epidemic, vaccinating the multitudes as he sat upon the wagon-seat. He also had many occasions to exercise his medical skill while crossing the plains.

The party arrived in Sacramento in August. The first business in which Dr. Merritt engaged after arriving her was that of running a meat-market, at Bridgeport, on the South Yuba, and financially he was successful. In three months he sold out, went to the North Fork of the Cosumnes River, in Placer County, intending to follow the practice of medicine; and while residing there he became famous as a hunter. On one occasion, while out hunting deer, he was shot at by an Indian, the ball striking the rock on which he was sitting and throwing the splinters into his face. At another time he was engaged with a party of miners in a skirmish against Indians who had stolen their horses and mules, and in this engagement about thirty Indians were killed.

But, as the settlers were few and there was but little sickness among them, and as the Doctor had no taste for mining, he would have returned East could he have collected money enough and continued his medical studies in Philadelphia. As it has turned out, however, it is probably for the best for him that he remained in this State. On the first day of January, 1851, he passed through Yolo County the first time, being at the time engaged in transporting merchandise by mule pack-train between Sacramento, Scott's River, Yreka and other points north, a distance of 400 miles; and although his capital was small, he made money. Going next to Carson Valley, with some $2,000, he did a prosperous business buying cattle, horses and mules of emigrants on their way to California and selling them to settlers in the Sacramento Valley. After thus accumulating considerable money he entered farming pursuits on an extensive scale in Yolo County; but the first effort was a failure. Yet he took courage and began to retrieve his fortune by returning to Carson City and resuming his old trade with the emigrants. He did not undertake to wait in idleness for his grain to grow, as most others did, but improved his time in trading. He adhered to his agricultural pursuits until about three years ago, when he rented all his agricultural lands in Yolo County, since which time he has been occupied looking after his extensive stock-breeding farms and other interests. Thus he has been busily employed every season since he first came to the State, except that of 1856, when he made a visit to the East; but even this time he utilized the opportunity by bringing with him a herd of horses, which he disposed of profitably after his arrival here. Although he early abandoned his medical profession, his knowledge of hygiene and medicine has doubtless been of great benefit to him through this long period. He has made some money, of course, by the natural rise in the value of his lands, and has become by far the most extensive stock-raiser and mule-breeder in Central California, having grazing grounds in several other parts of the State besides Yolo County, and also in Nevada. In Yolo County alone he has over 4,500 acres of good land; the exact number of acres cannot be told without a study of the public records, and is the largest land-owner in the county. He has 2,500 acres of the finest land where he resides, at Merritt Station, which point is named after him. It is on the line of the railroad between Woodland and Davisville, whence as much grain is shipped as from any other point on the road. The Doctor has 14,000 acres in Trinity and Mendocino counties, devoted to grazing and breeding mules and cattle. On an extensive tract in Nevada he has 30,000 sheep or more. He is one of the original owners in the great Seventy-six Canal in Fresno and Tulare counties, which serves to irrigate immense tracts of land. It is one of the most gigantic enterprises of the kind in California. The Doctor's example has ever shown that he is a firm believer, not in luck, but in untiring industry. He has been President of the Bank of Yolo ever since its organization. He has made two trips to the Eastern States, and in 1878 he made a trip across the Atlantic, visiting Great Britain and various points on the continent of Europe; was in Paris during the great exposition of that year. He is so firm a believer in the capacities of the soil and climate of Central and Northern California that he really maintains that an industrious man can not only make a living off of ten acres of ground here, but actually lay up money. In view of this fact he holds that the price of land here is absurdly low.

The Doctor was married May 26, 1868, to Miss Jeannette E. Hebron, and has two sons and two daughters. The sons, Alanson A. and George N., are both with their father, and by both inheritance and training they are exemplary young men, having been brought up to appreciate the utility of industry.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

C. MEZGER

C. MEZGER, proprietor of the bakery and restaurant in Woodland, was born in Europe, in 1846, and in 1856 he was brought to America, landing at New York city. Within seven years he learned his trade in the Pine Bakery, and then came by water to San Francisco, in 1866, and a short time afterward to Yolo County, where he was first engaged upon a ranch for three years; and then he went to Woodland, worked for Otto Sloan. Fourteen years afterward he bought the place on Main Street in Woodland, which he now occupies, near the Bank of Woodland. He married Mary Orlner, who was born in 1870, and they have six children: Otto C., Max J., Bertha M., Harry, Ernest and Lawrence.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Fred MEZGER

a farmer in the northeastern part of Yolo County, was born in Wurttenberg, Germany, March 13, 1837, a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Katz) Mezger, both natives of the same place. In 1859 he came to the United States and lived in New York until 1868, when he came by way of the Isthmus to the Golden State and shortly afterward settled upon 160 acres of land about seven miles northwest of Yolo, where he is now enjoying life as a prosperous agriculturist.

In 1865 he married Miss Claus, a native of Wurttenberg and a daughter of John and Barbara (Bayer), and they have nine children: Fred, Frank, Charles, Theodore, Albert, Eugene, Katie, Mary, and Clara.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Theodore MEZGER

A Teutonic origin is indicated by the family name of Mezger and it is learned that the ancestry, as far back as the records can be traced, lived and labored in Germany, belonging to the sturdy and honorable middle class forming the bulwark of that and every other country. The founder of the name in the new world was Frederick, father of Theodore and a resident of his native land until arrival at mature years left him free to decide as to a future location, when he took passage on an ocean steamer and crossed to New York City. For a time he held a position in the American metropolis and during the period of his residence there he married Katherine Clause, a native of Germany. Shortly after his marriage he brought his young wife to California via the Panama route in 1868, and after landing from the steamer at San Francisco her proceeded to search for a permanent location. Chance led his steps to Yolo county, and he became one of the pioneers of this portion of the commonwealth. On every hand were evidences of a frontier environment. Vast tracts of land, on which a furrow had never been turned, showed the possibilities for the agriculturists of the future. With characteristic decision he promptly entered a claim to three hundred and twenty acres of raw land, whose richness and fertility his shrewd judgment discerned. Later he also operated the ranch where now his sons reside and here he passed away in May, 1908, after a long and useful existence devoted to the welfare of his family and the upbuilding of his chosen community.

The large family reared by Frederick and Katherine Mezger and carefully trained by them in habits of industry and integrity are now scattered in different places as their occupations have called them, but all are reflecting credit upon the memory of their honored father and are adding prestige to the family name by their own busy, useful lives. The eldest son, Frederick, holds a position as an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad and is a prominent local worker in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Charles resides in Sacramento. Frank and Theodore are partners in the management of the home farm and cultivate about six hundred acres. The other sons are Albert, of Yreka, and Eugene, of Woodland. Kate, the eldest daughter, is the wife of John Mast, of Madison. Mary married Frederick Dill and lives in Yolo county. The youngest daughter, Clara, resides with her mother in Woodland, where they own a comfortable cottage and enjoy the friendship of their many acquaintances. All of the children received fair educational advantages and all were born and reared in Yolo county, where they are known and respected for worthy traits of character. The brothers adhere to Democratic principles, but as yet have taken no part in local politics. Fraternally Frank and Theodore hold membership with the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows at Black's Station and contribute generously to the charities of the organization, as well as to other movements for the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the community. In addition to their partnership in the management of six hundred acres in Yolo county, Frank also owns some four hundred and eighty acres in Washington. The brothers rank among the resourceful and energetic farmers of the county and merit a large degree of success through their devotion to duty, their adherence to honorable principles and their energetic application to agricultural enterprises.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 676 - 677.

Antone MILLER

The life which this narrative sketches began in Alsace (then a part of France, but now belonging to), Germany, June 8, 1837, and closed at Woodland, Cal., February 14, 1879. Between the two dates there was an era of energetic activity resulting in property accumulations and an honorable standing in business circles. When nineteen years of age Mr. Miller had accompanied his parents to the United States, where a heavy bereavement came two months later in the death of the father and mother in the city of New Orleans. There were six children in the family and of these Antone, Wendall, Ignatius and Joseph came to California, settling in the Sacramento valley. The three latter followed the butcher's trade. The youngest of the sons, Antone, had learned the trade of a brewer at Strassburg and had followed the same in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a few years. In 1861 he came to the coast via the Isthmus of Panama and settled in Sacramento, whence he came to Yolo county. Forming a partnership with John Shirley, he started a brewery on the farm of E. Lowe, midway between Woodland and Yolo. Two years later the plant was removed to Woodland and the Yolo brewery continued under the prosperous management of the partners. They borrowed $500 for the purchase of five acres of land at $50 per acre and $250 for the improvements, but this money they were soon able to repay During 1868 a modern building was erected with large cellars and every facility for the prosperous continuance of the business. After the death of Mr. Miller the brewery was managed by Mr. Shirley for two years, when it was sold and the partnership dissolved. It should be stated that when they came to San Francisco Mr. Miller was the means of saving a would-be suicide in that city, the man afterward becoming a wealthy citizen.

The marriage of Antone Miller and Bridget Comer was solemnized in Sacramento April 17, 1864, Father Hugh Gallagher officiating. The Comer family originated in Hungary, but accompanied William the Conqueror to England and some of the name bore a part in the famous battle of Hastings. Eventually they settled in Ireland and built the noted castle Comer in Kilkenny. Barnard Comer, a farmer who died in Ireland, had made three trips to the new world and in one of these he came as far west as California. His wife, who like himself was a lifelong resident of Ireland, bore the maiden name of Bridget Ward and was of English ancestry on the paternal side. Among their children there was a daughter, Bridget, a native of Athlone, Ireland, and the last survivor in a family numbering eleven children. At the age of fourteen years she left Anthlone and crossed the ocean with a brother to join their sister, Mary, then living in Boston. In 1864 the young girl came to California via the Nicaragua route, traveling up the Pacific on a steamer that was burned during its return trip. Two years after the death of Mr. Miller his widow removed from Woodland to a ranch two miles northwest of town and on that place she reared her children. Devoted in her allegiance to the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church at Woodland, she not only gave liberally to its original establishment , but also contributed generously to the building of two houses of worship, as well as a convent.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were seven children. Mary Elizabeth married Timothy Noonan and resides in Oakland, Mr. Noonan being connected with the San Francisco Examiner. Barbara, Mrs. O. A. Lowe, died in young womanhood. Frank has operated the home farm for years. Antone died at the age of twenty-four years. Glory married J. C. Montgomery and resides on a ranch near Davis. Bertha is living at the old homestead. Ignatius, who served as a member of a California regiment in the Spanish-American war for four years, received an honorable discharge at the close of the war and returned to Yolo county, taking up farm pursuits at the old homestead.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 835 - 837.

Frederick MILLER

Frederick Miller, a prominent rancher and business man of Yolo County, was born May 10, 1841, in Washington County, Maryland, the son of Charles and Rosannah (Myers) Miller, both of whom were born and died in Maryland. Mr. Miller came honestly by his occupation as farmer, for his father was that before him. He was brought up and educated in his native county, and there remained till 1860, when, at the age of nineteen years, he set out for California, the route chosen being across the Isthmus of Panama.

The voyage to Aspinwall by steamer Northern Light, and from Panama to San Francisco by the Sonora, was a long and tedious one of twenty-five days.

Mr. Miller stayed but a short time in San Francisco. Coming on directly to Yolo County, he accepted a position and worked for wages at $30 per month for three years, at the expiration of which time he bought, in partnership with N. Myers, a ranch two miles east of Woodland, where he farmed for two years; then sold out, going to his native home, by way of Nicaragua; remained there two years, but with the taste of California, was determined to return to share some of the blessings of this great ad glorious State, being one among the number to witness the driving of the golden spike connecting the two roads Central Pacific and Union Pacific. He landed in California the second time in June, 1867, when he at once rented 800 acres of land, for a number of years, where he made the foundation of his present business; also became a prominent stockholder in the Bank of Woodland. In 1887, he purchased 320 acres of his present home, for $18,000; the following year bought 160 acres, for $10,000 and in 1887 purchased the last 160 acres for $13,500, completing the section or 640 acres, which can be sold for $100 per acre at the present time. The above figures plainly show that Mr. Miller did not get his land at Government prices, and justly deserves the name of a shrewd business man, and by his honesty and faithfulness to his business has become one of Yolo County's first and best-known men. On this fertile ranch he raises large crops of grain and carries on generally farming. He is a member in high standing of the Masonic order, being connected with the blue lodge, No. 156, Chapter No. 46, and Commandery No. 21.

He was married to Miss Ella Diggs, a native of Yolo County, born October 5, 1855, the accomplished daughter of D. P. Diggs, a sketch of whose life will be found on another page. To them were born two children: Norman B., November 29, 1880 and Marie M., born December 6, 1886.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891, Pages 646-647
Transcribed by: Christine Helmick

Hezekiah M. MILLER

The civic welfare of Woodland depends upon the patriotic spirit and progressive co-operation of citizens of intelligence and high principles of honor, not the least noteworthy among whom stands H. M. Miller, a pioneer resident of Yolo county and since May of 1910 an incumbent of the office of city trustee. As an extensive land-owner and influential rancher, he has been identified intimately with the agricultural development of the region and has proved an important factor in the development of the stock-raising industry. Since first he arrived in Yolo county, during the year 1871, he has remained here with the exception of a brief period spent at his old eastern home, and while he has met with many discouragements in his agricultural efforts, the final outcome has been most gratifying.

Several generations of the Miller family have lived and labored beneath the flag of the United States. The immigrant, John Miller, came from Germany and settled in Maryland, where he engaged in farming in Frederick county. In his native land he had been confirmed in the Lutheran Church and always he remained faithful to the doctrines of that denomination. Among his children there was a son, Charles, born in Frederick county, and married to Rosanna Myers, a native of Washington county, Md. The home farm of Charles Miller stood two miles from Sharpsburg and near it was fought the famous battle of Antietam, during which the family took refuge in their cellar. The wife and mother had died in 1860 before the beginning of the war, but the father lived until 1868 and spent his last days in Frederick county. The father of Mrs. Miller was Frederick Myers, a native of Washington county, a descendant of Germany ancestry, an adherent of the Lutheran faith and a lifelong farmer, owning a farm near Antietam creek.

In the family of Charles Miller there were four children, of whom Hezekiah M., the third in order of birth, was born in Frederick county, Md., November 13, 1850. After he had received a fair education he secured employment as a clerk. During 1869 he went to Illinois and settled at Mount Morris, Ogle county. From there, November 1, 1870, he started for California, but the near approach of winter forced him to stop temporarily in St. Joseph, Mo., whence in the spring he took up the journey toward the west. Upon his arrival in Yolo county he secured employment as a farm laborer. After two years of hard work and frugal saving he and his brother, Frederick, rented land. Their first efforts were frustrated by a drought, but in the second and third seasons the weather proved more propitious, hence the returns were more encouraging.

Returning east in 1876 Mr. Miller spent nine months in Maryland. At the expiration of the visit he came again to California and with his brother purchased four hundred and eighty acres near Knights Landing. On this place the brothers engaged in farming for about eleven years, but finally in 1888 H. M. sold out to his brother and became connected with Lowe, Myers & Co., (organized in 1868) through the purchase of the interests of E. R. Lowe. The business has since been conducted under the title of N. Myers Co. The concern owns eight thousand acres of land at Cranmore, Sutter county, of which twenty-six hundred is tillable, while the balance is devoted to the raising of sheep and cattle. Mr. Miller owns one-quarter interest in the ranch, Noah Myers, his uncle, owns another quarter, E. Poffenberger also owns a quarter, while the remaining quarter interest is owned in conjunction by Luther Poffenberger and S. C. Deaner. In addition to his interest in the immense ranch, Mr. Miller owns an adjoining ranch of one hundred and sixty-nine acres. After having resided on the ranch from 1888 until 1902, he then removed to Woodland and bought property which he still owns and occupies.

The first marriage of Mr. Miller occurred in Marysville, October 12, 1887, uniting him with Matilda Belle McGrath, who was born in Washington county, Md., and died in Woodland March 31, 1897, leaving three children, Noah Lee, Elizabeth Rose and Sarah Mabel. The second marriage of Mr. Miller took place at Sacramento January 1, 1900 and united him with Miss Abbie Lee McGrath, a sister of his former wife and an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for years she has been a prominent local worker. They have one son, Leslie Clyde. The McGrath family was established in Maryland during an early period of our country's history and became transplanted in California shortly after the American occupancy of this state, where Samuel McGrath, father of Mrs. Miller, long engaged in farm pursuits in Sutter county and accumulated a competency through his untiring industry and excellent judgment.

Mr. Miller was made a Mason in Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., in 1872, was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Woodland Chapter No. 46, R. A. M., in 1874, was created a Knight Templar in Woodland Commandery No. 21 in 1888, and was made a member of Islam Temple, N. M. S., San Francisco, in April, 1911. He has been secretary of the chapter for four years and has been recorder of the commandery for the past eight years. With his wife he is a member of Yolo Chapter No. 60, O. E. S.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 794 - 796.

Walter MILLSAP (#1)

a farmer near Cacheville, was born in Missouri, February 27, 1833, the son of Hyal and Rebecca (Huffaker) Millsap, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Missouri and finally died there. The latter was then brought up by an uncle, who lived in Clinton County, that State. In 1850 he came overland with some cattle to California, and arriving at Hangtown he disposed of them and worked in the mines during the ensuing winter. In 1852 he bought his present ranch of 117 acres in Yolo County, near Cacheville, and here he has ever since resided a prosperous farmer and a well-known citizen.

In 1856 he married Miss Amanda J. Lowe, a native of Kentucky, and the names of their children are: William Newton, Martha Washington, Oliver, Cassander Amanda, Leander Walter, Lucy Eleanor (deceased), Rowena, Rufus Melvin, Wirt, Gertrude and Albert Perry.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Walter MILLSAP (#2)

To none is higher honor given than to those fearless forerunners of a later civilization who, in the midst of dangers seen and unseen, in the face of the turbulence incidental to life at cosmopolitan mining camps, steadfastly pursued the even tenor of their way, holding fast to principles of integrity and uprightness and proving themselves to be of that desirable element forming the bone and sinew of a new country. Such was the character of the late Walter Millsap and such the reputation he acquired and maintained from the time of his arrival in the west during the pioneer era until the time of his decease at a ripe old age. In the annals of Yolo county his name is worthy of perpetuation, not alone from the fact that he came here in 1852 and ever afterward continued to be identified with the same locality, but also from the high motives that animated his being and the keen intelligence that actuated his agricultural activities.

Between the date of his birth, which occurred in Lincoln county, Mo., February 27, 1833, and the time of his death, which took place at the family home in Yolo county February 2, 1910, there was in the life of Walter Millsap an exemplification of the qualities of energy, honesty and perseverance that combine to form an ideal manhood. When only seventeen years of age he bade farewell to the friends of his early days and started across the plains with a large expedition of goldseekers, who ended an uneventful journey during the autumn of the same year with their safe arrival in California. After he had worked as a miner for two years he abandoned that occupation and turned his attention to agriculture, coming to Yolo county, of which afterward he remained a resident. At first as a renter and later as the owner, he occupied and operated the farm with which so many of his useful activities were associated. During 1858 he built on the place a house for the accommodation of his family, for he had married, May 8, 1856, Miss Amanda J. Lowe, a native of Kentucky. About the same time he put up a barn and later other necessary buildings were added. Fruit and shade trees were planted and little by little the raw land was transformed into a beautiful farm.

The early memories of Mrs. Millsap are associated with Missouri, for when she was yet very young her father, Archibald Lowe, became a pioneer of Jackson county, that state, where he died. During 1850 his widow brought the family across the plains to California and settled in Nevada county, but as early as 1853 they became pioneers of Yolo county, where Amanda Lowe was married at Madison. From early life she has been an earnest member of the Christian Church and her husband likewise was devoted to the doctrines of that body. The sincerity of their Christian belief was proved by their many acts of kindness, their helpfulness to the destitute and their self-sacrificing devotion to the enlargement of the church. Wisely and conscientiously they reared their large family, doing by each child the best their circumstance permitted and inculcating in their minds the highest principles of honor and a love of justice. In her advanced years and widowed condition, Mrs. Millsap finds her greatest joy in the prosperity and well-being of her children. There are six sons and four daughters still living and one little daughter, Lucy E., died at the age of eight years. The eldest, William N., makes his home in Shasta county, this state. Mrs. Martha Odlum resides in Woodland. Leander W. carries on mercantile pursuits at Yolo. Mrs. Cassandra Snyder is a resident of San Francisco. Rowena is the wife of John Norton and lives in Woodland. Rufus L. resides in Lake county, Melvin H. in Yolo county and Wirt, a farmer by occupation, superintends the old homestead, now the home of himself and wife, Mary E. (Shannon) Millsap, born in Virginia City, Nev.; they have an only child, Francis Edmund. Gertrude is the wife of Allan Lawcock and lives at West Berkeley, while Albert, the youngest of the large family, is engaged in business at Portland, Ore., where for some years he has made his home.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 880 - 882.

Hon. William MINIS

In retracing the genealogy of this gentleman, we find that a grandfather, John Minis, was a native of the north of Ireland and came to the United States in old age with five sons, landing at Pittsburg in the year 1800. The eldest of these sons, William Minis, was the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He first settled in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and then moved into Beaver County, same State, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1859. He married Mary Cochran, also a native of Ireland, and they brought up two sons and two daughters; both the daughters are deceased.

The younger of the sons, the subject of this sketch, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1819, and spent his younger days with his father upon the farm, indeed until he was thirty years of age. Being in a "backwoods" section of the State, his advantages for education were limited to what could be obtained in the pioneer log school-house, and a short term at an academy. During the early gold-mining period, a company of 300 members was formed at Pittsburg, called the "Pittsburg Company," to come to California. This was joined by Mr. Minis, who at the time was living eighteen miles distant on the Ohio River. They came upon a chartered steamboat to St. Joseph, Missouri, where Mr. Minis and three others left the company and joined a stock company with Captain Winters at the head. They crossed the Missouri River April 7 and landed at Sacramento August 7, 1849, among the first immigrants of that year. Going immediately to the mines on the Yuba River above Marysville, at a place called Long Bar, Mr. Minis and his comrades began work; but as there was much sickness there they soon returned to Sacramento. They next went to Clear Creek, twelve miles west of where Shasta is now, and camped there about six weeks, during which time they buried one of their number at that place. Of sixty miners at that point, twenty sickened and died. But gold was plentiful; every man able to work took out from the dry diggings there $50 to $500. The rainy season approaching, they returned to Sacramento, arriving there a few days before Christmas, 1849, and wintering in and about that city.

In the spring three of Mr. Minis' mess companions went to the mines, while he and another man named Wells built a house on the Coloma road, as a wayside hotel. This was conducted by Mr. Minis about fifteen months, when he sold out his interest and joined his messmates at Ford's Bar on the American River, and worked there in the river mines until the autumn of 1852. Then, together with his companion, J. J. Lytle, he came into Yolo County, settling on the banks of Putah Creek, and followed agricultural pursuits there until 1858. They intended to buy land at first, but the title was not clear. In 1857 the grant upon which they settled was confirmed to William Wolfskill; and in that year Mr. Minis purchased the old Tule House seven miles west of Sacramento, which in those days was the great place for making money, Sacramento being the commercial center. After running that house about three years he sold out and bought 2,000 acres of land in this county, which he fenced for grazing purposes; and on it he built a nice residence. Altogether, he expended upon the place about $10,000; but the flood of 1862 came and everything went down the river. This of course left Mr. Minis in financial straits. In the spring he settled in the little town of Washington, in Yolo County, directly opposite Sacramento, and remained there until December, 1865. During that fall he was elected Sheriff of Yolo County and at the end of two years he was re-elected, -- thus serving four years. In 1869 he was elected joint Senator for Solano and Yolo counties, and served a term of four years. On going out of the Sheriff's office he was elected Justice of the Peace and Town Recorder for Woodland. In 1875 Mr. Minis was elected Surveyor General for the State of California, which office he held from January, 1876, to January, 1880. For the next six years he was a grocer in Woodland; but in the autumn of 1886 he was elected County Treasurer, and in the fall of 1888 was re-elected, and is therefore holding that position to the present time. In 1853, while living upon the Wolfskill grant, he was elected County Surveyor, and re-elected several times, without opposition. In 1856, while he was keeping the Tule House in Yolo County, he was elected to the Legislature and served four months. He has always been a Democrat, and an efficient worker for the party; has never been beaten for office but once; has also been a faithful attendant at the county and State conventions of his party for more than thirty years past. He has never been known to have an enemy.

In 1857 Mr. Munis <sic> was married to Mrs. Elmira Gale, a native of Ohio, and by this marriage there was one son, George, who is now in the United States Land Office at Sacramento. By the present marriage there is one daughter, Mollie, who is the wife of F. E. Lambert, of Sacramento, and the mother of two children.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Napoleon MINOR

In forming an estimate of any section, we instinctively turn to the ranchers and farmers of the region, as the surest test of the stability and future prospects of the place. If we find them prosperous and progressive, we know assuredly that the section must be good and carry away the best opinion. Judged by such a standard, Yolo County has no competitor in California in the vastness of its resources and the certainty of the brightest future. Indeed, it is on all sides admitted that Yolo is the county of comfortable homes and well-to-do farmers, a county where all have plenty and most an abundance of the good things of this world. Prominent among the representative agriculturists of Yolo County is found Napoleon Minor, a pioneer citizen and a worthy man in every respect. He was born in New London County, Connecticut, October 30, 1832, and is the son of Thomas B. and Marian (Dolbear) Minor. Before proceeding to give a detailed account of Mr. Minor's life, it will be well to refer to the name Dolbear, which will be recognized at once as one of the older and more distinguished of New England. John Dolbear, from whom the family is sprung, came originally from Shropshire, England, where he was born in March, 1747. His son was George Dolbear of Boston, Massachusetts, who married Mary Sherwood, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and died January 1, 1790. His son, George Benjamin, born December 25, 1752, died January 26, 1828, married Margaret Fox, born November 15, 1755. Their children were Mary, born October 12, 1782, and died January 25, 1828; Lucy, born January 8, 1785; Benjamin, born November 28, 1789; Guy, born November 24, 1790, died June 18, 1823; and Marian, the mother of the subject of this sketch, born December 20, 1795.

Mr. Minor remained at his birthplace until twenty-two years of age, when in 1854 he set out for California on board the ship Northern Light. Reaching San Francisco, he remained there but a short time before going to Downieville, where he prospected for a time. Thence he went to Marysville and for three weeks worked on Webb's Ferry. After that he took a job of cradling grain at $4 per day for George Leet. A month later and he was at Yuba City working on a thresher at $2.50 a day, a job that lasted two months. He then bought a team and went to freighting from Marysville into the mountains. This business he continued from 1859 to 1861. In the following year, in partnership with Mr. C. French, he took a band of sixty-five mules to Colusa County to graze. That was the year of the great floods in the Sacramento Valley, and for a while they were kept busy hunting high spots for their stock. They also bought hay, etc. of James Winkler, on the Sacramento River at St. Louis in Sierra County; in 1867-'68 they bought goods and sold them at Pine Grove. As soon as they could they went back to Marysville with their stock and went thence, to the Butte mountains, and from there to Spring Valley, where they left their stock for the winter. In the following spring, Mr. Minor freighted to Austin, Nevada, and other points, and then, coming down to the valley, rented land of the California Pacific for four years. In 1871 he sowed 790 acres to wheat, and on account of the dry season only harvested 9,000 pounds of grain. Nothing daunted him, however, and by 1875 he was enabled to purchase the fine ranch which is still his home, and which lies about a mile west of Davisville. It consists of 600 acres of the best land, where in addition to general farming he raises a great deal of stock.

Mr. Minor is a man of indomitable energy, a hard-worked and a shrewd business man, but generous and public-spirited, and has accomplished very much during his life. He was married in August, 1870, at Sacramento, to Miss Mary E. Rogers, a native of Connecticut. She died universally regretted, December 1, 1878, aged thirty-three years and ten months, leaving two children, -- Maud E., born July 24, 1871, and Lorenzo G., born May 6, 1873. On October 26, 1881, Mr. Minor was married for the second time to Miss Louise Wolf, a native of Keokuk, Iowa. They have three children: Arthur N., Louise L. and Albert L.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Samuel L. MONDAY

Samuel L. Monday, a farmer of Yolo County, is a son of James and Elizabeth (Burdon) Monday; mother a native of New Jersey. The nativity of his father is not known. He obtained his surname from the fact that he was found on Monday as an infant on board of a wood-boat at Philadelphia. He was a farmer during his life, finally locating in Ohio. Mr. Monday, the subject of this sketch, was born December 6, 1813, in Philadelphia, and was but two years of age when his parents moved with him to Ohio; in 1838, he went to Illinois and bought a soldier's warrant to a piece of land, settled upon it, as he supposed and after gathering one crop from it he found that he had located on the wrong quarter. He then rented twenty acres of land and improved that for four years. Next he went back to the vicinity of his old place and purchased 160 acres, which he occupied until 1850. He then came to California, and in 1852 he returned by water to his Illinois home, and in 1854 came overland to the Golden State with a quantity of live-stock, but from 1856 to 1859 he was a resident again of Illinois, when he came again to California with his family to remain. Being well experienced in traveling upon the plains, he was appointed captain on the last journey. On all the wagons was written in large letters "Monday's Delegation". Arriving in this State, he located first in Sacramento, where he ran a hotel eight months, and then for fifteen years he followed teaming between Sacramento and the mountains. In 1868, he settled upon the ranch in Yolo County of 160 acres, which he now occupies. He also owns 160 acres at Lake Tahoe and 140 acres in Ohio. Mr. Monday has been Coroner for two years, Constable four years and Public Administrator two years.

He was married in Ohio in 1837 to Miss Harriet Gramen, born about twenty-two miles from Cincinnati, in Ohio, and they have had two daughters, namely: Anna, who is now the wife of W. E. Parker, and Hattie, now the wife of C. Scott.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891, Pages 606-607
Transcribed by: Christine Helmick

James William MONROE

The fact that he represents the third generation of the family, on both the paternal and maternal sides, actively identified with the material upbuilding of Yolo county, is a source of no small gratification to Mr. Monroe, who to the honors associated with the offices of sheriff and tax collector, adds the further distinction of being a native son of the county. His father, John T., crossed the plains with his parents from Missouri to Oregon in the early '50s, and in the early '60s he came by team to California, where for many years he engaged in ranching in Yolo County, after which he engaged extensively in the sheep business in Colusa county. Eventually he retired from active labors and his last days were spent quietly at his home in Santa Barbara county, where in 1883 his earth life was ended. Fraternally he was prominent in Masonry and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Shortly after coming to Yolo county he formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Campbell and they were married at the home of her father, William Campbell, a pioneer of the early '50s, and a man of local prominence, a large rancher and a man of sterling traits of character, one who had a wide acquaintance among the frontier settlers. Judge James Monroe, our subject's paternal grandfather, made his way from Missouri to Oregon in the early '50s and served as judge in that state. After coming to Yolo county in the '60s he engaged in the stock business until his removal to Colusa county, where his last days were passed.

The county sheriff was born in the Buckeye district, Yolo county, August 5, 1867, and received the best educational advantages the locality afforded. During 1884 he attended Hesperian College in Woodland, and in 1885-86 he took a course in Pierce Christian College at College City. During 1890 he entered the Stockton Business College, and the following year he completed the course, graduating with honor. After his graduation he became an accountant for Pratt & Manley at Fowler, Fresno county. A year later he left their employ to enter the Santa Fe Railroad office as clerk and ticket agent, but from that position he was summoned home to manage his mother's property. Upon his return to Yolo county he entered extensively into agricultural operations and for some time followed the occupation with success, but eventually left the farm in order to become a buyer of livestock and also to embark in the butcher business. In his business dealings with the wholesale merchants of San Francisco and stock raisers of Yolo county he uniformly has proved reliable, efficient and accurate. The esteem in which he is held results from honest dealings with all. His word has proved as good as his bond. In every instance integrity has been his watchword and square dealing has been his creed.

The marriage of Mr. Monroe took place April 9, 1902, and united him with Miss Elvira Grey Duncan, also born in Yolo county, and they have four children, Mary L., Forest D., James W., Jr., and Wyatt Campbell. Mrs. Monroe is the only daughter of Wyatt Godfrey Duncan, who settled in Yolo county about sixty years ago and has been identified with its development, being one of its largest land owners. He is still living on his ranch near Capay and enjoys the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends. Since his election to office Mr. Monroe has resided with his family in Woodland, having a comfortable home at No. 740 College Street. In fraternal relations Mr. Monroe holds membership with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Woodmen of the World. Always stanch in his fidelity to the Democratic party, he has been a leader in its local councils and a popular man in its conventions. During a period as county supervisor he gave the closest attention to matters brought before the board for consideration. To each measure he gave a vote based upon his personal convictions of right and wrong. The interests of the tax-payers were guarded and economy was his watchword, yet at the same time he supported progressive enterprises. For every dollar of public money expended he endeavored to get value received. At times his views were not in accord with those of the majority of the board, but no one questioned his sincerity or the integrity of his purpose. When he was brought before his party as a candidate for sheriff and tax collector two years after he had been elected supervisor of the fifth district, he was nominated over two of the most influential and popular Democrats in the county. The election of 1910 showed that he had won the victory with a flattering majority, and since entering upon his duties he has been fearless in their discharge and determined in his efforts to maintain the law-abiding reputation of the county where he has been a lifelong resident.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 227-229 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

Alexander MONTGOMERY

The history of the world contains the record of few migrations more vast in volume or more sweeping in results than that of the accession to California's population during the years of 1849 and 1850. During that era the Montgomery family began an identification with the state which has continued up to the present and has proved profitable and pleasant for the several generations of the name resident herein. A father, William, with his three stalwart sons, Alexander, William W. and Hugh (all of whom have passed from earth), were the founders of the name in northern California, for in January of 1851, after a brief experience in mining, they came to Yolo county and took up land on Putah creek. Returning east by water in 1853, the father visited former friends and then came across the plains accompanied by his wife, who was born in West Virginia, but had removed to Missouri in girlhood. Kentucky was his native commonwealth, but before coming west he had engaged in farming in Ralls, Marion and Shelby counties, Mo., successively. After coming to the west he gave his attention to the developing of land and the raising of farm products. When seventy-four years of age he passed away; his wife lived to be eighty-one.

Among the sons of this honored pioneer was Alexander, himself a settler of 1850 and a man of forceful traits. Born in Kentucky March 7, 1822, he grew to manhood in Missouri, where May 4, 1845, he married Miss Susan Martin, daughter of Andres and Katherine (Harrison) Martin, natives of Virginia, the latter of Scotch extraction. Mr. Martin, who was of Irish descent and the son of a Revolutionary soldier, removed to Missouri about 1832 and settled in Marion county, where he engaged in farming until advancing years rendered retirement advisable. He lived to be ninety-four and his wife was eighty at the time of death. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The eldest of their nine children, Susan, was born in Fairfax county, Va., January 8, 1828, and grew to womanhood in Missouri, where she married Mr. Montgomery at the age of seventeen years. Three of their children were born in Missouri and the others are native of California.

The eldest son in the family, William S., was born in Marion county, Mo., on Christmas day of 1848, and crossed the plains at the age of five years in company with his parents. From 1872 until 1876 he had charge of the old homestead. For a year he engaged in business at Willows, Glenn county, where he built the first house in the village. For seven years he lived on a claim in the Big valley, Lassen county, and thence came to Yolo county, settling on a farm. By his first wife he had four children, one of whom died at two years and another, Ida M., when thirty-three; Etta married J. Johnson, a rancher near the old homestead, where she died; and Elmer settled at Red Bluff. The second wife of William S. Montgomery was Magdalena Glockler, a native of California, and who died in 1902, when thirty-six years of age. Six children were born of that union, one of whom, Frank, died at the age of three years. The others, Gertrude, Caroline, William, Marie and Oleta, remain with their father.

In the family of Alexander Montgomery there were, besides the son, William S., before named, fourteen children, three of whom died in childhood. The eldest daughter, Rebecca M., married William King, of Davis; Susan A. married John A. Johnson, of Woodland; Sarah E., Mrs. Enoch Johnson, lives at Lincoln, this state; Dora A., Mrs. L. L. Ralls, a widow, makes her home at Woodland; Minnie Jeff Davis married Eli Snider, of Yolo county; Lee Jackson Stewart, who owns forty-six acres of the old homestead, married Kate Glockler, and they have three children; Orlena is the wife of A. E. Glockler, a rancher of Yolo county; Andrew, of Sacramento, married Louisa Glockler, and they have one daughter; James Carey and John Pelham, who each inherited forty-six acres of the estate, have since purchased in partnership one hundred and twenty-eight acres from their mother, but more recently their partnership has been dissolved. John Pelham married Letta Tamm and they have one daughter living, Mercedes Madge. Upon the death of Alexander Montgomery his widow inherited the family residence at Woodland, as well as one-half of the home farm of six hundred and forty acres, the other one-half being given to the children. After a useful and successful career as a farmer and promoter of local upbuilding, the father died April 2, 1884, at the age of sixty-two years and twenty-three days. His last resting place is marked by an attractive monument in the Davis cemetery.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 832 - 834.

J. C. MONTGOMERY

Other localities besides his own community recognize in Mr. Montgomery one of the most experienced horsemen of the entire state. His interest in and liking for animals date back to his earliest recollections, and he can scarcely recall the time when he was not familiar with the qualifications necessary for well-bred horses. The care of stock came intuitively to him, and even in early youth his judgment was sought by his seniors when in doubt as to the best method of caring for or training a certain horse. As a boy he became interested in raising trotting stock, and he has continued in the enterprise to the present time, meanwhile selling many fine specimens, as well as retaining several that have made records. At one time he was part owner of the famous French stallion Fortuno, which was awarded medals at French shows, and as a three-year-old won the second prize at the California state fair. For a number of years the animal sired all of the fine colts raised in this vicinity and some fillies sired by him are still on the Montgomery farm. Dan Logan, 2:11 ¼, which Mr. Montgomery owns and has entered at a number of races in the pacing class, and which was raised on his farm, is by Charles Dunby, out of Effie Logan, and a full brother of Jim Logan, the champion three-year-old pacer of the world, holding now and for some time past the world's record of 2:03 ¼.

The distinction of being a native-born son of Yolo county belongs to Mr. Montgomery, who was born near Davis in 1872, and is a member of a highly-respected family of the community. Attendance at the public schools was followed by a course of study in Hesperian College at Woodland, and upon the completion of his education he returned to the old homestead to assist his mother in its management, remaining there until 1895. For a time he farmed in partnership with his brother, and later he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. At this writing he owns and occupies forty acres in Solano county, across the line from Yolo county, besides owning fifty-five acres in the same neighborhood. For three successive years his home ranch was under cultivation to sugar beets, and this enriched the soil to such an extent that the year afterward he harvested forty sacks of barley to the acre.

After leaving the old homestead, Mr. Montgomery established a home for himself, being united in marriage, in November of 1895, with Miss Glory C. Miller, who was born and reared in Woodland, Cal., and received an excellent education in the schools of the state. Her father, Antone Miller, was an honored early settler of California, and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have two children, a daughter, Mary Ethel, to whom is being given all the educational advantages within the means of her parents, and a son, Edwin Lowell. The family standing is high socially and they have a large circle of friends in the community, where for years they have been prominent residents.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 807 - 808.

William S. MONTGOMERY

WILLIAM S. MONTGOMERY was born in Marion County, Missouri, December 25, 1848. His father, Alexander Montgomery, died in California, April 1, 1885, at the age of sixty-three years. His mother, Susan (Martin) Montgomery, is still living and resides in Woodland. They had a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom are living. Four died in infancy. Alexander Montgomery came to California in 1850, and engaged in mining for about one year. In January, 1851, he came to Yolo County, and took up Government land and began to improve it. The next winter he returned to Missouri, and in the spring of 1854 he started across the plains with his family, for his new home in California, where he arrived in September. William S. received his education in the public schools of Yolo County and in the Hesperian College at Woodland. In 1876 he went to Willows, Colusa County, where he built a business house and engaged in the hardware trade. In 1877 he sold out his business and went to Lassen County and took up land, on which he remained seven years. He then found out that his claim to the land was worthless, owing to the negligence or dishonesty of the land agent. He therefore disposed of his improvements for what he could get, and vacated the land. He then returned to Yolo County and took charge of his mother's farm, which he has superintended ever since. It contains 320 acres, which is principally devoted to the raising of grain. He owns forty acres of land, which he is preparing to plant in fruit.

He was married March 7, 1872, to Miss Ralls, a native of Missouri. They had four children, three of whom are living. Adela, Etta and Elmer. In 1883 Mrs. Montgomery died. In 1885 Mr. Montgomery was married a second time, to Miss Magdalena Glockler, a native of California. Two daughters have resulted from this marriage-Gertrude and Caroline. Mr. M. is a member of the order of K.P. and I.O.O.F.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson

William W. MONTGOMERY

One of the earliest settlers of Yolo county was William W. Montgomery, whose death, which occurred April 12, 1894, at his home, two miles southeast of Davis, deprived that community of one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens. A thorough business man, his excellent judgment and wise control of every detail of his affairs justly merited the admiration which they inspired, and his success was but commensurate with the industry and executive skill put forth in that behalf.

Mr. Montgomery was born March 31, 1830, in Ralls county, Mo., and received a common school education, eagerly seizing the meager educational advantages offered at that period. His parents, William and Rebecca (Simmons) Montgomery of Logan county, Ky., and North Carolina, respectively, settled in 1825 upon a tract of undeveloped land in Ralls county, Mo., later moving to Marion county, thence to Shelby county, where they continued to farm until 1850. In that year, accompanied by two of his sons, Alexander and William W., the father crossed the plains, joining his son Robert, who in 1849 had gone to Eldorado county, Cal., in company with other gold seekers. After a period of success in the mines, the party located farms on Putah creek, Yolo county, confident of the bright future awaiting the great untouched resources of that section. In 1853 William Montgomery, Sr., returned to the wife and mother who so anxiously awaited his return. In 1854 they bade goodbye to the scenes so familiar to them both and turned their faces toward the golden west, in which they had placed their hopes. Mr. Montgomery was a Democrat, loyal to every principle held by his party, and until his death, at the age of seventy-four years, he retained a deep interest in all public movements of worth. His wife, who had faithfully shared every sorrow and joy of her husband and children, passed away in her eighty-fifth year.

William W. Montgomery, a youth of twenty at the time of his removal to California, displayed at an early age keen judgment, which, united with perseverance, soon placed him in the ranks of the most successful and prosperous ranchers of that community. Owing to the character and situation of his land, which afforded ample pasture and excellent facilities for the production of hay, he was enabled to raise profitably both horses and cattle, his chosen type of the latter being the famous Durham Shorthorns. By means of careful attention to his interests Mr. Montgomery became the owner of eleven hundred and three acres, the management of which, upon his death, was undertaken by his widow and their only son, John Elmo. Seven hundred acres of the property is used for pasture, practically all of the remainder being devoted to the use of their stock, the herd now numbering about four hundred. The high grade of the stock secured from the Montgomery ranch is recognized by all cattle dealers. Though much of their tract is well suited to the production of fruit and cereals, their income from stock raising is such that they prefer to continue under the regime established by the original owner.

Mr. Montgomery's marriage on October 23, 1862, united him with Miss Caroline Jones, whose birth occurred in Carroll county, Ark., and who accompanied her parents to California in 1857, crossing the plains with ox teams. William M. Jones was born in North Carolina and several years later moved with his parents to Kentucky, where he received his education, later taking up farming as an occupation. Afterwards he settled in Missouri, and later went to Arkansas, where he remained until his location in the west. His wife, formerly Nancy Bass of Barren county, Ky., accompanied her husband through all his travels, passing away at their home in California at the age of seventy-five. Upon his arrival in the west Mr. Jones engaged in farming and stock raising upon two hundred acres six miles southwest of Santa Rosa, Cal. He served as justice of the peace in Sonoma county, and until his death, while in his eighty-fourth year, actively conducted his interests. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were both active members of the Baptist Church, to which they lent generous support, and they enjoyed the esteem of many friends. They were blessed with nine children, five of whom are living, Mrs. Montgomery being the third oldest. Since her marriage she has resided in Yolo county, and not only during the life of her husband did she aid and sympathize in all his interests, but since his death she has continued her intense devotion to all things in which he was interested. With the help of her only son, J. Elmo, she has managed the ranch with such wisdom that in the past few years it has steadily increased in worth. It has been enlarged by the purchase of two hundred acres now numbering thirteen hundred and twenty acres.

William W. Montgomery was always interested in and a lover of fine horses, which is also true of Mrs. Montgomery, and she and her son have for many years have been breeding thoroughbred and standard horses. Her son, J. Elmo, is now the owner of Jim Logan, a horse which he trained, and he drove him as a three-year-old at Woodland, where he made a record of 2:05 ½, and again, in 1912, drove him at Grand Rapids, where he made a record of 2:03 ¼.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 805 - 806.

M. W. MORGAN

M. W. MORGAN, a farmer of Yolo County, was born January 6, 1883, in Trumbull County, Ohio, a son of Ezra and Harriet (Jordan) Morgan, natives of New York State. In 1851 the senior Morgan came to California and in 1853 sent for his two sons M. W. and Emery B., who taught the first school in the Cacheville district. The farmer returned to Ohio in the spring of 1856. Previously, M. W., at the age of sixteen years began sailing on the lakes. At the age of twenty-one years, in 1853, he came to California, as mentioned, landing in San Francisco, and in a short time went to Yolo County, and settled on his father's farm, until his father returned to Ohio. Then he went to selling goods in the mountains, and followed that business successfully until 1867, when he returned to Yolo County and purchased the place where he now lives. During the same year he went back to Ohio and Iowa; and while East he was married, in Davenport, Iowa, August 18, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Neal, a native of Ohio. He came with his wife to California and settled upon his ranch; but in 1877 his wife died, leaving an only daughter, Clara L., born September 5, 1870. Mr. Morgan has toiled faithfully and honestly for many years in the Golden State, and well deserves the enjoyments of the beautiful home which he has made near the foothills of the Coast mountains. His ranch contains 200 acres.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino

C. D. MORIN

C. D. Morin, dealer in tin and hardware at Woodland, is the son of John and Julia (Brandmore) Morin, natives of Canada. His father was a cooper by trade, for a time held the office of inspector of potash, and died when C. D. was a small boy, in Montreal, Canada; and the mother died in Brockville, Upper Canada. Mr. Morin was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1832, and at the age of seventeen years he began to learn the trade of tinner in Brockville, Canada, with John Lafayette. In 1852 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed nine months, and then he came overland to California, stopping, however, at North Platte and Fort Laramie, where he was engaged for a time in trading with the Indians. He came that far with a band of sheep owned by Z. Rochon. He arrived in Sacramento in 1853 and followed mining one summer season at Salmon Falls on the American River; next he followed his trade a year at Sacramento; then mined again one year at Indian Diggings; returning to Sacramento again, he remained there until 1858, when he went to Fraser River, during the first flush of excitement from that quarter, and for a short time was employed there by a man named Bragg. He spent a month in the mines, and returned to Sacramento, stopped there four months, and then for eight months he worked for M. Winchell at Cacheville., Yolo County, in the tin business, and he then bought him out. After conducting the business there for seven years he moved to Woodland, where he has succeeded well in business, and being one of the prominent citizens of the place. He has a nice residence on Court street. He is a member of Woodland Lodge, No. 22, A.O.U.W.

Mr. Morin married Miss Minnie B. Schindler, a daughter of David Schindler, born in Wisconsin, and they have three children: Mattie M., aged twenty-two years, and Minnie M., aged twenty years. Mattie is a music teacher, and Minnie is a dressmaker.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

J. M. MORRIN

There is a vast difference between character and reputation, the former representing what a man is, the latter what he is believed to be; but when the two qualities are correlative a splendid harmony results. Of Mr. Morrin it can truthfully be said that not only his character, but his reputation as well, is indicative of generous, manly principles and noble ambitions. Born in Piqua, Ohio, April 11, 1847, he received a fair education in the schools of his home district, cheerfully laboring on his father's farm until the age of twenty-eight years, when he became imbued with a determination to make his own way in the world, the success of his efforts being demonstrated by the further record of his life. His first move was to Yazoo City, Miss., where he remained about eighteen months, his popularity being attested by his being chosen to fill the position of deputy assessor, which office he held until 1876, when he changed his domicile to Marshalltown, Iowa. From there he went to northwestern Kansas, from there to Emporia, and still later to Cedar Point. The latter move he never regretted, as it was there that he met a lady who afterward became his wife. She was formally Essie Chittenden, a native of Crystal Lake, McHenry county, Ill. Afterward they located a homestead at Golden, Stanton county, Kan., which place they proved up on and still own.

In 1892 the family came to Yolo county, Cal., where, in Rumsey, Mr Morrin purchased the site of his store, erecting a building in which he opened the merchandise business which he still carries on. Besides this building and his residence, he also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas previously mentioned, as well as his Yolo county property in the river bottom, which comprises an almond orchard and a flourishing young orange grove, irrigated by means of a gasoline engine. Highly improved, his property sets forth unmistakably the thrifty and progressive methods of the owner.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrin, namely: Bertha (deceased), Ethel, James C. and Sylva. Ethel is a graduate of the Berkeley high school and the Oakland Polyclinic; Sylva is attending the San Jose Normal School, a member of the class of 1913.

Besides caring for his merchandise business Mr. Morrin efficiently fills the office of postmaster in Rumsey, having been appointed to that office shortly after his arrival in Yolo county. In Kansas he joined the A. O. U. W., with which he is still affiliated. He is a Republican, and although not identified with any religious denomination, is a firm believer in the Golden Rule and its practical application, while his wife is a member and earnest worker of the Methodist church of Rumsey. Few men in Yolo county enjoy the prosperity and esteem which have long been the portion of Mr. Morrin, whose hand and heart are ever interested in the welfare of his fellow men.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 500 - 501.

Asa W. MORRIS

It would be difficult to discover, in a careful enumeration of the progressive and prosperous citizens of Yolo county, one whose success has been due in greater degree to his own unaided and resolute exertions than is the case with Asa W. Morris, the owner of large tracts of farm lands and widely known as a dealer in pure-bred registered Holstein cattle. Out of hardships and discouragements, through obstacles disheartening to a man of less inflexible determination, he has risen to a degree of success gratifying to himself and indicative also of the opportunities offered by this county to men of his type. When he came here he was without means and forced to work out by the day. Nor had he received any of the higher educational advantages, as regular attendance at academies had been precluded by reason of the necessity of self-support. In spite of these and other handicaps he has achieved recognition as a farmer of decided capabilities and a citizen of recognized worth.

While having made Yolo county his home since 1879, Mr. Morris claims Pennsylvania as his native commonwealth and was born near Waynesburg, Greene county, May 8, 1857. From his early recollections he has been accustomed to labor and thus he gained habits of self-reliance and industry valuable in his later activities. His first marriage took place at Waynesburg, Pa., in September of 1879 and united him with Mary E. Call, who was born and reared in that place. The young couple at once came to California and settled in Yolo county, where he secured work as a farm hand. Significant of his persevering industry is the fact that he worked on a farm for five years without missing a day. With the savings of that period he was enabled to buy the equipment necessary for the cultivation of land, and he then began as a renter. Later he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land at a low price, and since then he has added to the tract until he now has eight hundred and eighty acres in the home place. Shade trees were planted, a near residence erected and outbuildings put up, so that the farm bore evidence of the prosperity of the owner and the thrift of its occupants.

An important addition was made the previous holdings of Mr. Morris when he bought ten hundred and twenty-one acres four miles east of Woodland, where he built such houses as were necessary and made other desired improvement for a modern dairy. On that place he keeps a herd of over two hundred and fifty head of pure-bred Holsteins. He owns the celebrated Riverside Sadie De Kol Burke, which holds the world's record from seven days to six months for milk, also owns Aralia De Kol, holding the world's milk record for one year. Think of 28,065 9-10ths pounds of mild in a year over fourteen tons of milk! Competent judges assert that Mr. Morris has one of the best herds of Holsteins in the United States, the animals being uniform as to refinement of type and standard of excellence. Utility has been made the chief desideratum of the herd, but quality and size have not been sacrificed in the attempt to secure dairy excellencies, and the drove therefore has a high standing among all admirers of Holsteins. Mr. Morris is a member of the Holstein-Freisian Association of America. In 1912 he completed his fine residence on First street, Woodland, built in mission style, and from here he continues the management of his ranches.

The first wife of Mr. Morris passed away in 1905, and in March of 1911, at Washington, D. C., he married Mrs. Cassia (Keller) Black, a native of Waynesburg, Pa., and the widow of A. H. Black. They are prominent members of the Woodland Christian Church and have a host of friends in this city. Politically Mr. Morris has adhered to Republican principles ever since he attained his majority, but he is not active in local affairs and takes little part in campaign activities. His only daughter, Miss Zella, resides at home and is popular in social circles. The four sons, Frank L., Charles C., Harry V. and Asa J., are partners with him and aid him in the management of the business, conducted under the firm name of A. W. Morris & Sons, which was incorporated in 1910. The two eldest sons are married and all are well educated, having had the best opportunities offered by the Woodland schools, as well as the benefit of study in business colleges.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 802 - 804.

Jacob MOSBACHER

One of the most courageous pioneers of the west was Mr. Mosbacher, who passed away near Madison in 1903, survived by his four daughters and his wife. The latter was formerly Mrs. Mary Cooper, whose birth occurred in Ireland and who died at the old home November 23, 1904. Mr. Mosbacher was born August 22, 1820 in Bavaria, Germany, where he received his education, immigrating in 1842 to Miami county, Ohio, where he resided eight years. In 1850 he came to San Francisco via Panama, arriving at his destination with no capital save his won determination, which later proved fully adequate to meet the trials which ensued.

Stopping for a short time at Dutch Flat, Mr. Mosbacher continued his way to Hangtown, where he was a prospector and overseer in mines for the succeeding eight years. With his earnings of $2,000 he settled in 1858 in Yolo county, where he filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, two and one-half miles south of Madison, happy in the knowledge that the hardships which he had endured as a miner were gone forever. Later he purchased a quarter section in Napa valley, also a similar tract adjoining his homestead, and still later added to his holdings one hundred and eighty-four acres near Woodland, the larger portion of which is fine bottom land, thus at the time of his death owning five hundred acres of fine land.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mosbacher five children were born: John, deceased; Eva, Mrs. Mulcahy, who resides in San Francisco; Margaret, now the wife of H. T. Lynch of San Francisco, and a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy; Rose, Mrs. Harry Han, of Madison; and Susie, who was educated at Holy Rosary Academy and is now Sister M. J. Alenie of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, residing at the convent at Fresno.

Mr. Mosbacher was a Republican, intelligently interested in political issues, and he endeavored at all times to exercise his rights as a progressive and broad-minded citizen, his unquestioned business ability and genial temperament having placed him among the most successful and popular men of the county.

Harry Han, to whom rose Mosbacher was united in marriage September 5, 1905, is a native of Deedsville, Ind., and for the past sixteen years has been a resident of Yolo county, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mrs. Han received from her father one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of the old homestead, two and a half miles south of Madison, and here she and her husband make their home. An advocate of Republican principles, which he is prompt to support, Mr. Han is well known as a citizen of the highest worth, always among the first to aid in public enterprises of merit. His wife, who maintains active membership in the Madison Catholic Church, lends practical aid in the charitable work carried on by that institution and is known as a woman of rare sympathies and kindly personality.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 326-327 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

John MULL

a horticulturist at Woodland, is a son of Jacob and Almira (Sage) Mull. His father was born in 1807, in the State of New York, and his mother in 1812 in Connecticut, and they are both now living in Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Mull, the subject of this brief notice, was born in Nunda, Livingston County, New York, February 20, 1832, and was but a year old when the family removed to Ohio. He grew up to manhood there and married Charlotte Chandler, the daughter of Salmon and Naomi Chandler, born May 1, 1832, in Ohio, the date of their marriage being November 9, 1854. Mr. Mull was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1859, when he came overland to California, settling in Yolo County. He took up a quarter section of land about six miles south of Woodland, and occupied it for fifteen years, when he sold it and purchased seven acres in the eastern portion of Woodland, where he now resides. Mrs. Mull is the owner of forty acres six miles south of Woodland, which is rented. Mr. Mull was Road-master for six and a half years, and during his term of office he put upon the county roads the first load of gravel. The children are: George T., who was born September 20, 1855, and Rosa L., who was born October 24, 1857, and is now the wife of William Wallace: both are natives of Ohio.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

John J. MURPHY

This respected citizen and successful mechanic of Woodland is a native of San Francisco, born January 7, 1869, a son of John C. and Bridget L. (Pierce) Murphy. His father, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, crossed the Atlantic and located in Boston, Mass., where he prospered as a butcher. About 1861 he came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and settled in San Francisco, where he re-engaged in the meat business, occupying a shop at New Montgomery and Minnie streets, until his retirement, since which time he has been a member of the household of his son John J. Now, at ninety-three years of age, he is hale and hearty, scarcely impaired either physically or mentally. His good wife died in San Francisco in 1900. Of their three children, of whom John J. was the first born, two are living. Agnes is Mrs. Longinetti of Guatemala, Central America.

It was in the public schools of San Francisco that John J. Murphy acquired such education as was available to him. When he was seventeen years old he was apprenticed to the Union Iron Works of San Francisco to learn the blacksmith's trade, of which he was master after four years' work and instruction. The following seven years and six months he spent as a blacksmith in the employ of the Pacific Rolling Mills. Of this period, he served three years as foreman of an important department of the establishment. Then we find him at Fort Bragg, Mendocino county, where for three years he was foreman of the blacksmith department of the Union Lumber Company. Going back to San Francisco, he was for six years engaged as blacksmith for the Risdon Iron Works. In May, 1907, he located in Woodland, Yolo county, and was until September, 1911, blacksmith for the Faulkner-Peart Company. Then, having bought the old Henry Heitman shop, at No. 314 Main street, he put new life into its business, which he has continued with increasing success ever since, giving his attention chiefly to general blacksmithing, carriage and wagon making.

Mr. Murphy was married in Sacramento February 14, 1912, to Miss Ella Robinson, who was born in Vermont. Personally, Mr. Murphy is a man of enterprise and of much public spirit, interested in a helpful way in all that pertains to the welfare of the community with which he has so satisfactorily cast his lot. In fact there is no measure for the general good that does not receive in some substantial form his encouragement and aid.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 701 - 702.