William OBERHOUSE

WILLIAM OBERHOUSE, a Yolo County farmer, was born May 5, 1823, in Prussia, and was only six months old when his father died. In 1845 he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans. The first five years in this country he was a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, engaged as a ship-calker. In the spring of 1850 he came overland with mule teams to California, driving a team every day and having the ground only for a bed every night. He was just ninety days in making the trip, which was a pleasant one. He was among those who were the first to go upon the south side of the Humboldt, where there was plenty of feed. Arriving at Sacramento, the company disbanded and Mr. Oberhouse followed mining two months at Coloma, when he was taken sick and returned to Sacramento. Then he went by water from San Francisco to Humboldt County, being three weeks on the ocean. He visited Scott's River and Scott's Valley and Shasta Creek on mule-back, and, his mule becoming mired in the snow, he turned him down upon his side and dragged him down the hill by the tail! He stopped two weeks on Shasta, or Whisky Creek, and was raided one night by some Indians. Some of his company were killed and some robbed. He returned to Sacramento and drove a water-wagon until 1853, when he returned to Missouri by way of the Isthmus. Remaining at St. Louis until 1855, he came again to California, by way of the Isthmus. After visiting Sacramento and Yolo County, he took a piece of land in Solano County, which afterward proved to be grant land and he rented it for a time. Crossing the creek into Yolo County he purchased a squatter's claim to a tract which he has ever since made his home and which he has highly improved. There are now 480 acres of the homestead, and he raises hay, grain and live-stock. It is three miles east from Winters.

Mr. Oberhouse was married in 1854, to Miss Frederica Bearnbum, a native of Prussia, and they have had three sons and four daughters, namely: Emma L., wife of George Sims; Ella L., George, William D., Louis E. and two deceased. All the sons are married.

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

John H. OESTE (#1)

The agricultural possibilities of the west, supplemented by the unwearied industry of the man, have made it feasible for Mr. Oeste to merge the position of a stranger whose entire possessions were limited to $5 for the gratifying responsibilities incident to prosperity, influence and landed possessions. As an instance of the opportunities afforded by Yolo county the chronicle of his life repays perusal and it further presents to young men the example of what may be accomplished by thrift, frugality and practical common sense applied to farming operations. The large farm shows the care of the owner in even the smallest detail. The fields of barley, wheat, and oats indicate that he is an expert in the raising of grain. The broad-spreading pastures with their flocks of sheep, their drove of hgs and their band of mules prove that he understands the care of stock and makes this department the most profitable part of his farming operations. Every part of the six hundred acres bespeaks the thrift of the owner and gives evidence of his fitness for his chosen occupation.

Referring to the family history of Mr. Oeste, we find that he was born in Germany April 21, 1837, and came to America with other members of the family at the age of seventeen years, settling with them in Milwaukee, Wis, where he remained until 1858, thence going to St. Louis and New Orleans. The father, Jacob William Oeste, was born and reared in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and followed farm pursuits, also conducted an inn in his native province. When he brought the family to America in 1854 he settled in Milwaukee, Wis., but the severe climate of that locality affected his health injuriously and in May of 1868 he came to California with the hope of receiving physical benefit. For a few years he engaged in ranching seven miles west of Davis, Yolo county, but in 1872 he sold the property to his son, William, and retired from farm pursuits. His death occurred when he was sixty-six years of age. After becoming a citizen of the United States he voted the Republican ticket at all elections. During young manhood he had married Annie Catherine Voigt, a native of Kur-Hessen, and she accompanied him to Wisconsin and later to California, where she died at sixty-seven years of age. Five of their seven children attained maturity, namely: John H., who owns large interests near Davis; Sophia, Mrs. G. Schmeiser; David Theodore, deceased; William, who purchased the old homestead in Yolo county; and Carlotta, Mrs. Frank Ruhstaller, of Sacramento. William married Barbara Niedecker, who was born in Germany and died on the home ranch near Davis, leaving seven children, viz.: L. Carrie, Mrs. William S. Wright; Matilda L., Mrs. Edwin B. Taylor, of Dixon; Edna C., William Charles, George David, Amelia B. and Frank.

The trip by way of Panama to California during the year 1863 almost exhausted the scanty resources of John H. Oeste and forced him to seek employment without delay. Proceeding from San Francisco to Sacramento he secured a job of teaming across the mountains and thus laid the foundation of subsequent prosperity, for the wages were excellent and his frugality unceasing. For a time he worked in a store at Sacrmento, from which city he removed to Yolo county and invested in land near Davis. Ever since then he has labored incessantly to pay for the farm and make such improvements as were needed from time to time. The ranch is now under excellent cultivation and bears all the necessary improvements, the entire result coming from the efforts of the owner. In his work he has had the efficient assistance of this wife, whom he married in 1870 and who was Mary E. Strippel, a native of Germany. They are the parents of five children, Theodore, Henry, Adolph, Julius and Sophia.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 871 - 872.

George A. OGDEN

The man whose name is the title of this sketch is one of the best posted grain dealers in Northern California. He has built up a large business and is well known and highly respected by all with whom he has had to do in any way. Always, his integrity is unquestioned and often it is said of him more truly than it has been said of many others, "his word is as good as his bond." George A. Ogden was born at Plainfield, Yolo county, Cal., September 28, 1863. His father, Andrew Ogden, a native of the Old Dominion state, started for California by way of Cape Horn in 1848, and arrived at Sacramento January 1, 1849. After some not entirely satisfactory experiences as a miner for gold he settled in Yolo county and became a farmer and stock-raiser. He bought and improved a farm near Plainfield, on which he lived and prospered until his death which occurred in 1892. His widow, who was before her marriage Miss Georgiana Blair, is living at Woodland, Yolo county. Of the eight children she bore to her husband seven are living. George A. was the third in order of birth.

Amid the healthful and moral environments of the farm, George A. Ogden was reared and learned farming and the value of industry and honesty to one who would make a real success of life. He was educated in the public schools near his father's farm and at Atkinson's Business College at Sacramento, where he was graduated in 1880, when he was about seventeen years old. His father owned a grain farm near Anderson, in Shasta county, and this the young man managed successfully for ten years, improving his knowledge of agriculture and learning the ways of business and of men. Of course he made mistakes sometimes, but he got on. He came to Woodland in 1890 and engaged in the grain trade, and that has been his business ever since. During the first eight years he was a buyer for Eppinger & Company, and since then he has been in the trade wholly for himself. He buys and ships grain so extensively that his operations demand a warehouse having a capacity of eight thousand tons of grain and four thousand tons of hay. His establishment is connected with the Southern Pacific tracks by a private switch.

It was in Redding, Shasta county, Cal., that Mr. Ogden married Miss Mary Wolfe, a native of Oregon, who has born him two children: William H., a high school graduate, is assisting his father in the conduct of his business. Hazel is a member of her parents' household. In his political views Mr. Ogden is a Republican. He is a Past Grand of Woodland Lodge No. 111, I. O. O. F., and a member of the Woodmen of the World.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 421 - 422.

Robert L. OGDEN

Extensive operations mark the agricultural identification of Mr. Ogden with Yolo county. For many years he has been operating the Spanish ranch, the Clark ranch and the Bend ranches near Dunnigan, and his lease of the property gives to him the use of three thousand acres, a vast area embracing some land that is well adapted to the raising of grain. With the comprehensive equipment provided for his ranch he is enabled to harvest large crops with promptness and efficiency. As a rule he sows from fifteen hundred to two thousand acres in wheat and barley and the average yield is from twelve to fifteen sacks per acre. In addition to the care of the grain and the other crops raised on the ranch, he has given considerable attention to stock and raises standard bred horses and also mules, finding in this department of agriculture a remunerative adjunct to the grain business.

The distinction of being a native son of the state belongs to Mr. Ogden, who was born in the city of Sacramento March 20, 1861, and is a son of the late Andrew J. and Georgia Ann (Blair) Ogden, natives respectively of Indiana and Texas. The father, who descended from English ancestry and claimed England as the native country of his parents, left Indiana during young manhood and came via the Panama route to California about 1850, very shortly after the discovery of gold. For a time he engaged in hauling freight to and from the mines. As soon as he married he established a home in Sacramento. Later he came to Yolo county and took up one hundred and sixty acres of raw land from the government. The tract was in the vicinity of Woodland, then a mere cross-roads hamlet. After he had developed and improved the ranch he sold it and removed to Colusa county, where he followed general farming. Eventually he returned to Yolo county and bought land near Plainfield, where he developed a new farm from the primeval condition of nature. In 1888 he died while still carrying on that place. Since his demise Mrs. Ogden has made Woodland her home.

The parental family comprised four sons and four daughters, all of whom attained mature years. Robert L., the second oldest in order of birth, passed the years of boyhood principally in Yolo county, where he received his early education in the public schools. After he left these schools he entered Hesperian College and took one year of study, later completing a commercial course at Sacramento, his native city. From an early age he has regarded agriculture as his life work. The occupation of farming has proved congenial and even its most monotonous duties he does not find irksome, for every detail interests him. In Woodland, July 8, 1883, occurred his marriage to Miss Laura Elizabeth Murray, who was born near Davis, Yolo county, and attended the Woodland public schools during girlhood years. She is the daughter of Conkling B. and Emma J. (Wright) Murray, natives of Scotland and England respectively. They both crossed the plains with ox-teams in the early '50s, the father following farming and blacksmithing near Davis. The young couple began housekeeping on a ranch in Shasta county, where Mr. Ogden assisted his father and a brother in the cultivation of a tract of one thousand acres. At the expiration of eighteen months he returned to Yolo county and settled on the old homestead at Plainfield, where he carried forward agricultural operations during the ensuing six years. From the old homestead in 1893 he removed to the Spanish ranch near Dunnigan, his present headquarters and the center of his large grain and stock interests.

The political views of Mr. Ogden bring him into sympathy with the Republican party, whose men and measures he upholds with ballot and influence. Averse to office-holding he has never consented to fill any of the local positions for which he is so admirably adapted, but prefers to concentrate his attention upon the cultivation of the ranch and the care of his stock, leaving to others the anxieties incident to official life. In fraternal relations he holds membership with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Davis. Three children came to bless his marriage and the deepest sorrow that has fallen to the wedded life of himself and wife is the loss of their daughter, Oleta, who passed away in 1898 at the age of ten years. Another daughter, Laura, is spared to bring sunshine and happiness into the home. The only son, Fred, a young man of excellent education, is married and resides on the ranch, of which he acts as foreman.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 789 - 791.

Lewis OLDS

Lewis Olds, a Yolo County farmer, was born June 5, 1822, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, a son of Cheney and Anna (Walker) Olds, natives of Massachusetts. The father, a farmer and shoemaker, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and received a pension from the Government. He was a pioneer settler in Illinois, in 1836, in Whiteside County, where he lived until his death in 1874; his wife survived until 1883. They had six sons and three daughters. Lewis was raised on a farm, and when of age he engaged in lead-mining in Wisconsin for several years. In 1850 he came across plain and mountain to California with horse teams, the trip occupying four months. He arrived at Hangtown and commenced mining at Coloma. In the fall he went down in the valley to sell some stock, and he also killed some animals and elk. Late in that season he went to San Jose and spent the winter. In the spring of 1851 he was a short time in San Francisco, and then spent three years in the mines at Yankee Jim's and Michigan Bluff, with moderate success. In 1854 he settled upon his present property, six miles from Woodland, which he obtained from the Government by pre-emption, and on this he made all the improvements now existing there. The place consists of 160 acres, and he carried on general farming and stock-raising.
C. Olds, his brother, was born in August, 1832, in Cattaraugus County, New York, was raised on a farm in Illinois, and was twenty years of age when in 1852 he came across the plains to California with ox teams, the time of the journey being five months. After arriving here he spent five years at the mines at Yankee Jim's, with moderate success, in collecting gold. Then, in 1857, he settled in Yolo County upon a farm adjoining his brother, where he has ever since been a constant resident engaged in agriculture. In 1868 he returned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus, and in 1889 he visited Illinois again, but is more than ever satisfied with his location in the Golden State.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler, July 2004.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1891. pg. 336-337.

George W. AND William F. OLIVER

GEORGE W. AND WILLIAM F. OLIVER, two young farmers well known throughout Yolo County, are natives of Missouri and the sons of James and Louise Ann (Yornnell) Oliver. Their father was born in Kentucky, in 1807, and has been a farmer all his life; their mother is a native of Missouri, and they are still living, about two miles from their sons. The family came to California overland in 1859, having a weary voyage of five months. First they rented 200 acres of land in Sacramento County and worked upon it two years. They next moved to a point of the upper Stockton road, five miles southeast of Sacramento, and remained there but one year; then they went into Yolo County and the first year rented a tract of land, and finally, in 1882, entered the quarter section where they now reside, three miles from Woodland. At present there are eighty acres, which is principally devoted to the raising of grain, and a moderate quantity of fruit.

George W. Oliver was born in 1837; William F. Oliver was born in 1851, and in 1885 married Miss Mary Billings, in Yolo County, and their children are Elma L. and Daisy E.

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

William E. OSBORN

The manager of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, William E. Osborn is a resident of Woodland and has charge of the company's business in that territory, besides managing the districts of Knights Landing and Yolo. As early as 1897 he entered the employ of the Nevada County Electric Power Company and when the interests of the concern were merged into those of its successor, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, he continued with the newer organization, whose affairs he has superintended with characteristic sagacity and keen intelligence. After having filled various subordinate positions he was made manager for Nevada City in 1901, but the following year he was transferred to Woodland, where he has since remained as manager for the company. Meanwhile the business has reached a size three times larger than that of 1902 and this gratifying increase is due in no small measure to his capable management and tactful control of the entire situation.

A study of the history of the Osborn family reveals their connection with California ever since the era of mining activity. Hosmer Prosper Osborn, who was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., and engaged in the clothing business in New York City, on hearing of the discovery of gold joined with a company of other Argonauts in the purchase of the sailing vessel Morning Star, which came to California via the Horn during the year 1849. Like all newcomers of that era, he hastened to the mines. His experience was principally in Auburn ravine and did not bring any special good fortune, so he settled in Sacramento, where he engaged in the hardware and stove business. One of the destructive fires of the pioneer era wiped out all of his former profits and forced him to begin anew without capital. At first he operated a bakery, but later he removed to the line of Placer and Sacramento counties and embarked in the sheep business. Selling out the flock in 1873 he returned to Sacramento and there opened a wood and coal yard, which he managed until his death in 1884. Honored among the early settlers, he was chosen president of the Sacramento Pioneer Association and filled the position for some time. During the early days he was also a member of the Sacramento Volunteer fire department.

The marriage of this California pioneer had occurred some time before he left New York City for the western coast of the continent. He had chosen as his wife Marietta Folger, who was born at Hudson, N. Y., and who in 1852 came via the Horn on a sailing vessel to San Francisco, accompanied by her five daughters. Her death occurred in Sacramento. Of the eight children forming the family all but two attained maturity and three are now living. The youngest child and only son, William E., was born in Sacramento, Cal., December 8, 1855, and graduated from the high school of the capital city in 1875. During 1876 he matriculated in the University of California, which institution in 1880 conferred upon him the degree of Ph.B. Upon his return to Sacramento he aided his father in the coal and wood business. Upon the death of the proprietor he became manager in 1884 and continued as such until he had closed out the business in 1891. Later he went to Guatemala, Central America, where for four years he engaged in raising coffee. Returning to California he spent a short time in Sacramento and in 1897 entered into the business relations which have developed to their present importance.

The first marriage of Mr. Osborn united him with Miss Caroline Korb, who was born at Marysville, Cal., and died at San Francisco during the year 1901. Later he was married in Woodland to Mrs. Fannie E. Foley, a native of Shasta county, this state, and the mother, by this union, of a daughter, Marietta C. Osborn. The family are identified with the Unitarian Church of Woodland and Mr. Osborn officiates as a member of the board of trustees, besides aiding liberally in the maintenance of the church and the support of its charities. In national politics he votes with the Republican party. The Chamber of Commerce has had the benefit of his intelligent co-operation and business experience, while other movements for local advancement also have not lacked his cordial helpfulness. As past president he is connected with the Native Sons of the Golden West and his fraternal relations are further enlarged through his association with Nevada City Lodge No. 518, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.


Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 753 - 755.

William OVERHOUSE

Among Yolo county's modern and prosperous farmers was William Overhouse, who recently passed away leaving a name which will always rank high in the community where he lived and labored for thirty years. Mr. Overhouse was born in Prussia May 5, 1823, and was bereft of his father at the age of six months. When twenty-two years old he joined his fortunes with many other people bound for America and upon landing at New Orleans, made his way to St. Louis, Mo., where for four years he worked at the trade of ship caulker. In 1850, having heard many tales of the opportunities to be secured in the far west, he bought a mule team and with a party of eager emigrants started overland for California. After six months of vicissitudes sleeping on the ground beneath the stars at the close of each weary day, the travelers arrived at last in the promised land. Mr. Overhouse was among the first to go upon the south side of the Humboldt, where plenty of food was to be found for stock. At Sacramento the company disbanded and Mr. Overhouse followed the example set by many new arrivals, for the next two months devoting his energies to mining. Illness fell upon him, however, and he was obliged to return to Sacramento, thence to San Francisco, where he took passage for Humboldt.

With the aid of a faithful mule he visited Scott valley, stopping a fortnight at Shasta on Whiskey creek, where one night the camp was raided by a band of Indians, who, with their accustomed abandon, committed theft and murder. Mr. Overhouse escaped unscathed, however, and returned to Sacramento, where he secured work as a driver in the employ of the city. Homesick for the east and its more encouraging aspect of life, he yielded in 1853 to the impulse to again visit Missouri, going by way of the Isthmus. The next two years he spent in St. Louis, returning in 1855 to California via Panama. Passing through Sacramento which held for him many memories of his first visit there, he rented a piece of land in Yolo county, later purchasing a squatter's claim of four hundred and eighty acres three miles from Winters, which he devoted to grain and stock raising, erecting a ten-room comfortable dwelling, which at the present time is modern and in fine condition. On this property are several large fig trees three and one-half feet through and fifty feet high, which were planted by Mrs. Overhouse thirty years ago. Mrs. Overhouse was formerly Miss Fredricka Bearnbum, also a native of Prussia, and married Mr. Overhouse in 1854. They were blessed with three sons and four daughters, two of whom are deceased. The others are: Emma L., now Mrs. George Sims; Ella O.; George; W. D.; and Louis E. Mr. Overhouse was a firm Democrat and an active and efficient member of the Lutheran Church.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 876 - 877.

William D. OVERHOUSE

The men to whom may be ascribed justly the honor of bringing a community to a thriving and successful state are those who have unselfishly put their personal interests second to the needs of the public and with foresight and untiring effort, supplemented by unfailing optimism, have assisted in the task of bringing to fruition plans which shall place on a solid foundation the district to which they have lent their citizenship.

Numbered among those who have not only planned but who have judiciously carried out their ideas to the benefit of their fellow men is W. D. Overhouse, who has spent his entire life in Yolo county, his birth having occurred near Winters, April 13, 1864. Upon completing his education in the public schools he engaged in farming, early displaying the high principles and executive ability which have distinguished him among his associates. He is the son of the pioneer, William Overhouse, who is represented elsewhere in this work. For the past twenty-two years Mr. Overhouse has successfully farmed the Cradwick fruit ranch, and has spent much time and thought in its improvement, being a firm believer in progressive and up-to-date measures in all fields of labor.

Mr. Overhouse was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Parker, whose birth occurred in Virginia City, Nev., and who received her education in the schools of Winters. Her parents, Thomas and Libbie (Cradwick) Parker, natives of England, were among the first settlers of Winters. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Overhouse: Adrian, who is employed as a bookkeeper by the Earl Fruit Company of Sacramento, Cal.; Ray; Harold; Leonard: Edith, who graduated from the San Jose State Normal in 1909, and who now teaches in the grammar school of Sacramento; Leta; and Melva.

Mr. Overhouse is a charter member of Acacia Camp, W. O. W., and Court Winters No. 87, Ancient Order of Foresters, in both of which lodges he takes an active interest. The Democratic party has always received his hearty support as an elector, and he has at all time maintained a comprehensive interest in political affairs in general, though he has never desired public office. As a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Winters he is known as one of the most able and generous factors of that institution and is prompt to aid in the uplifting and far-reaching work connected therewith.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 639 - 640.