James L. PACE

James L. Pace, a farmer of Yolo, is a son of Richard R. and Elizabeth (Proctor) Pace, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. He was born in Boone County, Missouri, August 16, 1836, and at the age of twenty-two years he went to Pike's Peak with ox teams, and three weeks afterward came on to California with the same outfit, arriving on the banks of the Mokelumne River, where the train disbanded. Mr. Pace came to Yolo County and worked by the day until the spring of 1863, when he went to the coast and bought a drove of hogs, brought them to Yolo Valley, fattened them in the stubble fields and then disposed of them the same year. He then bought another drove and took them in the mountains near Auburn and sold them there. Returning to Yolo County, he drove a number of the same to Cedar Lake for H. C. Yerby, in 1864, and remained there until 1866. During this time he purchased a small ranch in Lake County, bought some stock for it, and in 1866 drove a band of cattle to Yolo County and pastured them upon the old Snodgrass ranch, being a partner of D. Cramer. He then disposed of his ranch in Lake County, married Miss Porter, October 6, 1875, and began to spend their summer seasons in Yolo and their winters on the ranch. In 1889 Mr. Pace bought another ranch of 160 acres about three miles from Yolo and eight from Woodland, where they expect to make their permanent home. The ranch of 8,000 acres belonging to Messrs. Pace & Cramer is well stocked.

Mr. Pace's children are: Ralph H., Myrtle A. and Pauline E., all natives of Yolo County.

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

Edward Adolph PALM

One of Yolo county's native sons is Edward A. Palm, a resident of Broderick, and who for the past eight years has efficiently served as county supervisor. He was born near Washington, as it was then called, July 21, 1859, the son of Adolph C. and Wilhelmine (Thoelen) Palm, who were born respectively, in Oldenburg and Bremen, Germany. Upon the discovery of gold in California the father (a cabinet-maker by trade) came to the United States, landing in New York, from there making his way across the plains with oxen by way of St. Joseph, in 1849. For nearly a year after his arrival in the west he prospected in the mines on the American river, then locating on a ranch four miles from Washington. There he made a specialty of raising vegetables, for which he found a ready market in the mines, making a trip once a week. In 1860, associated with H. Harms, he established a chicory manufacturing plant, the venture proving entirely successful, and he continued his interest in the same until 1882, when he sold out.

In 1856 Adolph C. Palm returned to Germany and was there united in marriage. Subsequently he brought his bride to his new home near Washington, Cal. This continued to be their home until 1882, when Mr. Palm divided the ranch with his sons and he engaged in the cultivation of hops, which at that time sold as high as $1.25 per pound. After the death of his first wife, which occurred in October, 1876, he was married to Miss Lizzie Thielebeule, who survives him. Until his death in 1888 Mr. Palm was actively engaged in the management of his affairs, and afterwards his sons, Henry and Edward A., took charge of the property. There were four children born of Mr. Palm's first marriage and the two sons above mentioned are the only ones living.

After finishing his education in the public schools Edward A. Palm entered Hesperian College, and it was after completing the course there that he returned home and engaged in raising hops on twenty-five acres of land. This land he later sold and thereafter on leased land he continued hop raising, which has at all times proved a very lucrative business. He now owns a hop ranch of eighty acres at Sheldon, Sacramento county, where he has every modern improvement for gathering, curing and baling his hops. In 1904 he was elected on the Republican ticket to fill the office of county supervisor and four years later he was re-elected. After having given eight years of his time to the office he declined re-election when the office was again offered him in 1912.

The marriage of Edward A. Palm, November 27, 1881, united him with Miss Wilhelmina Schaper, who was born in Sacramento county, the daughter of Henry and Caroline (Tospann) Schaper, natives of Hamburg, Germany. The parents came to California across the plains in 1852. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Palm: Henry, a carpenter in Sacramento, who by his marriage with Miss Ethel Jones has a son, Arvid D.; Elmer, who assists his father on the hop ranch; Walter, a brass moulder in Sacramento; Della, the wife of Henry Steen, also residing in Sacramento; Florence, Mrs. John McCaw, and Lester, at home. Fraternally Mr. Palm is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being identified with Eureka Lodge No. 4, of Sacramento; also a member of Woodland Aerie No. 1629, and the Sacramento Lodge, L. O. O. M., and he is further associated as a member of the Society of Junior California Pioneers, his father before him being a member of the Sacramento California Pioneers.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 590 - 593.

P. PALMER

P. PALMER, sexton of the Woodland Cemetery, is the son of Alvia and Rhoda (Bordman) Palmer, natives of New York State; his father died when the son was nine years old, and the mother is still living in Sanders County, New Brunswick, at the age of seventy-eight years. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 18, 1837, and was ten years of age when his widowed mother moved with him to Michigan, where he received three months schooling. After a residence there of ten years, he moved to Illinois and lived there eight years; then resided for a short time in New Brunswick, and finally, in 1880, he came to California, since which time he has resided mostly in Yolo County. He has 160 acres of land near Madison, and he has had the situation of sexton of the present cemetery six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Fleming, is a native of Pennsylvania, and they were married in 1860, in Mercer County, Illinois. Their two living children are: Adelia A. and Robert C., and there are two deceased, Charles and Harry. Mr. Palmer is a member of Grafton Lodge, I.O.O.F., at Lodge No. 215, A.O.U.W., and Post No. 65, G.A.R.

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

Barney PARISH

Barney Parish, a farmer near Cacheville, is a son of James and Nancy (McCan) Parish, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. He was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1835. In 1858 he came by water to California and soon went to Virginia City, where he was engaged in mining one winter. In the spring he went to Grass Valley, and in a month to Yuba County, where he was employed by a mining company for five months. Purchasing then a team, he began freighting from Marysville to the mountains, which business he followed two years. Selling this outfit, he went to San Joaquin County and then again to Virginia City, Nevada, in 1862, but within a few weeks he returned to Yolo County and worked for George and William Woodard for four years. In 1865 he bought 217 acres of land, of M. Lowe, and in 1869 purchased the farm of fifty acres where he now resides, a half mile from Cacheville and five miles from Woodland.

In 1865 he was united in marriage with Mary Boub, and they had five children, all of whom are dead but one son, named Edward. Mr. Parish, for his present wife married Miss Annie Weamer, and by this marriage there are six children: Elizabeth, William, Annie, Otto, Theodore and Minnie.

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

John Robert PARKER

The laborious existence of a progressive Iowa farmer, whose broad fields of grain stretch from his barns in every direction, was exchanged for the radically different yet no less busy life of a California sheep-raiser when in 1876 Mr. Parker removed to the western coast as a permanent settler. Prior to the removal his life had been marked by few changes, the first of any importance having been the migration of the family from Ohio to Iowa when he was a lad of thirteen years, and the second event of prominence occurring when he made a trip to Pike's Peak at the time of discovery of gold in Colorado. The latter journey interested him in the west, but the results from a moneyed standpoint were unsatisfactory and he cheerfully returned to agricultural efforts on the home farm.

John Robert Parker was born at Newark, Licking county, Ohio, November 9, 1838, and at the age of thirteen in 1851 he accompanied his parents, Timothy and Catharine (Trout) Parker, from Ohio to Iowa, settling in Poweshiek county, where he aided his father in the clearing of a government claim. Later he took up land for a homestead and spent many years in making improvements, bringing the soil under cultivation and securing those returns to which the efforts of capable farmers entitle them. While he gave his attention almost wholly to agriculture, there was a time in young manhood when he taught school and he continued in that profession for a very short period after his marriage, thus earning the money he needed for defraying indebtedness on his land.

The establishment of a home on an Iowa farm followed the union of Mr. Parker with Miss Sarah Dillon, a native of Ohio and a woman of forceful personality and attractive qualities. Eleven children were born of the marriage, but three of these died young, namely: Everett, John and Lena; and Elbert died in 1904. Those now living are as follows: Durward C., Eugene D., Freeman, Jennie K., Luella, Eva and Mary E. The first-named son, a resident of Esparto, married Minnie Gates and is the father of two daughters. Eugene D., of Capay, Yolo county, married Daisy Goodnow and has two children, Milo and Fern. Freeman, who lives at Esparto, is married and has two sons, Ervin and Everett. The first-named daughter, Jennie K., is the wife of Richard Chinn and the mother of four children, John, Lela, Erma and Blanche. Luella, Mrs. Hugh Chinn, has four children, Lowell, Amy, Nella and Stella. Eva married Jack Simpson, a dairyman living at Meridian, Sutter county; they are the parents of three children, Elmo, Elmer and Vernon R. Mary E., the last-named member of the Parker family, married Paschal Moore and they are living on a dairy ranch near Woodland; their family comprises three children, Marvyn, Leoma and Ola.

Shortly after his arrival in Yolo county and his taking up of land, Mr. Parker went back into the hills, where he bought about three thousand acres of range land. On this vast tract he herded a flock of three thousand head of sheep. The business proved profitable, although the net returns were largely reduces through the depredations of wildcats, wolves and coyotes. In those days wild animals were plentiful and hunting excursions were frequent in the vicinity of the Snow mountain, where frequently Mr. Parker aided in the killing of bears. On his large ranch near Esparto he planted eight acres in an orchard which forms a valuable adjunct to the place. At one time he owned an almond orchard of thirty acres in Hungry Hollow, but this he sold. Throughout the long period of his residence in Yolo county he gave consistent aid to all movements for the general welfare and especially helped in the work of the Christian Church, whose doctrines he upheld by precept and theory. His interest in educational progress led him to consent to serve as a school trustee, but as a rule he declined all offices and took no part whatever in public affairs and politics aside from voting the Republican ticket. When death came to him, February 24, 1902, it removed from the county one of its pioneer sheep-raisers and worthy ranchers, a citizen of sterling, rugged characteristics, of pronounced strength of character and unquestioned integrity in every relation of life.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 768 - 770.

Bernard W. PARRISH

Fifty years of agricultural and commercial activity wrought their startling transformations in the aspect and environment of Yolo county during Mr. Parrish's residence here. When he came here he was young and strong, but friendless and almost penniless. The devotion he exhibited in the management of his ranch and the wise judgment he showed as a farmer and stock-raiser placed him in the forefront of the agriculturists residing in the vicinity of Yolo. In his old age, weakened by bodily infirmities, he was surrounded by the affectionate ministrations of family and friends and comfortably supported through the returns from the labors of his years of strength. The home place, paid for by his own self-sacrificing efforts, developed through his tireless industry and improved with a harmonious striving toward the beautiful and the useful, is now capably superintended and intelligently tilled by William W., one of his sons and himself a resourceful rancher with a thorough knowledge of the raising of grain and stock.

A pioneer of 1858 in California and a resident of Yolo county since 1861, Barney Parrish was born in Allegheny county, Pa., September 18, 1830, and grew to manhood upon a farm in his native locality, having no educational advantages except such as his own determination provided. After he had worked as a farm laborer for some years in 1858 he went to New York City, where he took passage on a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama and from the isthmus he traveled north to San Francisco on the John L. Stevens, landing in the summer of 1858 with $5 in his capital, a stranger in the city. Immediately after his arrival in the west he went to the mines and began to work in placer digging, but the untiring efforts of the next three years convinced him that other occupations would afford him a more satisfactory livelihood. Coming to Yolo county he secured work as a ranch hand and for four years he worked for wages. In 1865 he bought the equity in two hundred and twenty acres and began to improve a farm. On that place he began housekeeping with his bride in the fall of 1865, the young wife having been Miss Mary Boub, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. Her death in 1871 left him a widower with one son, Edward. The latter has been employed as an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad for the past fourteen years and makes his residence at Roseville.

During the year 1872 Mr. Parrish married Miss Anna Wimmer, who was born near Baden-Baden, Germany, but has lived in the United States since thirteen years of age and grew to womanhood in Yolo county, where she was living at the time of her marriage. Born of this union are six children, as follows: Mrs. M. Elizabeth Hines, of Oakland; William W., the manager of the old homestead; Anna, who married Thomas McConnell and lives in Nevada; Otto, who is a farmer near Yolo; Mamie, Mrs. Asa Bender, of Woodland; and Theodore, who resides in Woodland. For a long period the family have lived near Yolo, where Mr. Parrish owned a valuable farm of two hundred and seventy acres. The tillable land is devoted principally to wheat and barley, while in the pastures may be seen stock of the best grades. The house has been remodeled and enlarged and a substantial barn has been added to the equipment of the property, which has been further improved by the planting of fruit and shade trees.

The death of Mr. Parrish occurred May 25, 1912, when the community lost one of its noblest citizens and the family a cherished husband and father.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 560 - 563.

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth PAUL

Among the most enterprising and highly respected citizens of Winters is Mrs. Paul, a horticulturist who is making a success of her undertaking and a woman of sterling qualities and courageous optimism, who has been a resident of this ranch for twenty-eight years. During this time she has seen it develop from a cow pasture to a full-bearing orchard, a part of which she has set out a second time.

In maidenhood Mrs. Paul was Miss Hill, born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, July 20, 1852, the daughter of William and Esther (Cunningham) Hill, who were natives of England and Ireland, respectively, and who settled in Canada in an early day. Jane E. Hill received her education in the schools of Guelph and at an early age became the wife of James Haynes, who was born in Lower Canada, and who, five years after their marriage, passed away in Guelph, where he was laid to rest. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes were blessed with three children, as follows: William H., of Sacramento; Minnie, who became the wife of O. E. Fuller, of Sacramento, and has five children, Wesley, William, Eveline, Ruth and Mary; and Maud, the wife of A. H. Blanchard, of Sacramento, and the mother of one child, Laurena J. Mr. Haynes was a carpenter by trade and a broad-minded Democrat, interested in all public enterprises of worth. After Mr. Haynes' death in 1884 his widow came to Yolo county and located on the ranch she now occupies, consisting of twenty acres and located one mile west of Winters. Not a tree was on the place at that time, but since then it has all been set out to orchard, principally to peaches and apricots, and five acres have been reset to Muir peaches, the last mentioned land having been in peaches for the past twenty-seven years. The balance of the land is in full bearing, the crop either being dried or shipped to the cannery.

In Woodland Mrs. Haynes was married to Joseph H. Paul, who was born in Canton, Mo., February 9, 1851. Of the five children born of this marriage four are living. Joseph F., the eldest, married Miss Emily Hardy, and they and their son, Joseph L., reside in Sacramento; the other children, Cornelius, Rudolph and Lauretta J., make their home with their mother.

Joseph F. Paul is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and his brothers, Cornelius and Rudolph, are members of the Independent Order of Red Men and the Foresters. All of the brothers are Republican, intelligently interested in both civic and national political developments. Mrs. Paul is a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Winters. She is a woman of indomitable energy and perseverance and in her horticultural efforts is ever forging onward to success. She is much esteemed by those who know her for her many acts of kindness and her universal good nature.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 587 - 588.

B. G. PERKINS

B. G. Perkins, proprietor of the flouring mill at Woodland, is a son of Frederick F. and Eleanor (Lee) Perkins, natives of Connecticut, the father a farmer by occupation. Mr. Perkins of his sketch was born at Niles, Michigan, in 1846; in 1863 he came to California and was first engaged in keeping books in San Francisco. In 1871 he started for Lower California with 13,000 head of sheep, but suffered misfortune and got out with 2,500 head, turning them over to creditors. He returned to his old home in Michigan and there remained until 1888, when he again came to California to prospect for a permanent home. He finally selected Woodland, in June, 1889, where he has since run the City Mill. It is owned by the Bank of Woodland; its capacity is thirty-five barrels a day, the engines being seventy-five horse-power. The expense of running the mill is $25 a day. It was built in 1860.

In 1872 Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Glover, of Detroit, Michigan.

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

Henry PERRY

Henry Perry, machinist and proprietor of a shop in Woodland, is the son of Elisha and Nancy Perry, natives of Maine. He was born in Franklin County, that State, March 16, 1822. At the age of twenty-two he went to Wareham, Massachusetts. In the year 1847 he went to Penobscot County, Maine, where he was engaged in blacksmithing for ten years. He then came to California in 1858, by water, and since then has made two trips East. He first came to Yolo County in 1860, when there was but one house in Woodland, and was owned by Frank Freeman, and ever since then Mr. Perry has made Woodland his home. He embarked in the machine business in 1870, in a shop back of the present Bank of Woodland. His present establishment is on Fourth street, between Main and Lincoln avenue. He does a much larger business than the size of his shop would indicate. The machinery he is running here cost $2,500. The engine is a five-horse power. Blacksmithing is also an industry included within his operations.

In 1849 Mr. Perry married Miss Elizabeth Whitehouse, by whom he had two children, John F. and Jessie R., and Mrs. Perry died in 1864, while Mr. Perry was in California. January, 1869, he married Mrs. Rachel Mudgett, a widow with two sons. By the present marriage there are the following children: Etna J., aged eighteen years; Emma W., seventeen years, and Clarence H., sixteen years.

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

Peter PETERSON

That well known and highly esteemed citizen of Yolo county, Peter Peterson, was born in Skaane, Sweden, October 4, 1849, and was a student in the public schools in vogue there from the day he reached school age until he was seventeen years old, when he went to Denmark to become a student in the Gylland Agricultural College. There he was duly graduated, and for a year thereafter he was foreman on a large farm. That position he gave up to take up the study of civil engineering in the Scientific School at Lyngby. When he had mastered a two-and-a-half years' course, in which he was given much field practice, he was graduated with the degree of C. E. Then he entered definitely upon his professional career and practiced civil engineering in Denmark. In the meantime he took a course in dairying at Aero, Denmark, where he graduated under Professor Pontopidan. During his practice of civil engineering he made several trips to Sweden, professional duties calling him there.

It was in 1884 that Mr. Peterson located at Cedar Falls, Blackhawk county, Iowa, where he engaged in dairying and building creameries. In the latter work he became well and favorably known throughout Blackhawk and Trinity counties. In constructing a milk separator he invented a ball-bearing journal which he patented in 1887. So far as is known that was the first ball-bearing ever invented and was the beginning of a revolution in machinery construction which has spread to machinery in nearly every department of manufacture. That was in March. In the fall of the same year he went to Brookings, S. Dak., where he bought a three hundred acre property and engaged quite extensively in farming and stock raising. There he remained until 1908, gaining a reputation as a successful business man and achieving popularity as a citizen. For some years he was supervisor of Elkton township, Brookings county, and he also filled the offices of school trustee and clerk of his township school board. It was in 1908 that he located at Woodland, Yolo county, and bought a small farm east of that city. He sold the place in 1911, however, to the New Northern Electric Company, and purchased a residence on Elliott street, Woodland, with two acres of land. He also owns a farm of eighty-seven acres at Moore's Dam, eight miles west of Woodland, which he is improving. Besides his pleasant home at No. 101 Elliott street he owns three other houses in Woodland.

Mr. Peterson's marriage at Cedar Falls, Iowa, united him with Miss Anna Olsen, a native of Sweden, who has borne him two children: Otto M. has charge of his father's home farm; Clara Olivia is Mrs. Raffaeta of Woodland. In his political affiliations Mr. Peterson is an independent Republican, and fraternally he is a devoted and helpful member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his dealings with his fellow men he is not only honest, but liberal, always giving the other party to a transaction as good a show as his own, even preferring to yield a point when there is a chance that the other man needs the benefit of it more than he does himself. Charitable in his aspirations, he is liberal in his views on all questions vital to men and their fortunes.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 636 - 637.

Hon. George W. PIERCE

The eminent position among the galaxy of states forming our Union secured and maintained by California is due to the loyal devotion, not alone of her native-born citizens, but also of those who through long years of association have become imbued with an intense affection for the commonwealth as well as a sincere faith in her future possibilities. In practically all else save the accident of birth Mr. Pierce is a typical Californian and to the state where he has lived since childhood he gives a patriotic loyalty unexcelled by the devotion of the native sons. Combined with his affection for the west is an intelligent appreciation of the advantages offered by the region. These qualifications led to his selection by the California Promotion committee (composed of successful business men of San Francisco and other cities of the state) as lecturer-at-large to visit Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, where he delivered addresses in many cities concerning the west and portrayed vividly but without exaggeration the prospects for future greatness of the coast country.

The Pierce family has been represented in California since the year 1852. George W. Pierce, Sr., who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1814, traveled overland to Wisconsin in 1835 and settled in Kenosha county, where he took up a tract of raw land. There he married Miss Eunice French, who was born in Connecticut October 28, 1821. For some time the young couple gave their attention to the development of a farm from their unimproved claim. Three children were born on that farm, but the sole survivor is George W., who was born December 10, 1850. During 1852 the parents left him with relatives in Wisconsin and they came overland to California, where the father tried his luck in the mines of El Dorado county. Removing in 1854 to the "Big" ranch, owned by Hutchinson & Green, he devoted his time to transforming the property into a productive tract. The failure of the firm in 1860 put the land on the market, and he bought twelve hundred acres, which for many years he cultivated. Retiring in 1888 to Davisville, he died in that place in February of 1891.

When the first hardships of western existence had been ended and the first obstacles overcome, the parents decided to bring their son to the coast, and in 1859 the mother returned to Wisconsin for him. In 1860 she brought him to California via Panama, reaching San Francisco in May 1860. Since then George W., Jr., has known no other home save the west. Here he completed his studies in the public schools. In 1875 he was graduated from the department of civil engineering, University of California, with the degree of Ph. D., being the first young man from the Sacramento valley to graduate from the institution. A thorough course in civil engineering qualified him for successful work in that difficult occupation and already he had entered upon work with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company when, owing to an accident to his father, he was obliged to return home and assume the management of the ranch. After a time his father began to improve and meanwhile he had formulated plans for the study of the law, but again ill health prostrated the parent and the son finally abandoned all hope of a professional career. The disappointment was keen, yet there have been many compensations, no the least of which is the high esteem in which he is held as an agriculturist and horticulturist and the aid he has been enabled to render the farming interests of his county.

The ranch owned and operated by Mr. Pierce comprises twelve hundred acres situated on Putah creek five miles west of Davis. All of the improvements on this splendid property have been made since the present family took possession. One of the most valuable improvements is an orchard of one hundred and fifty acres planted largely to almond and prune trees. For many years a large flock of Shropshire sheep has been kept on the place, also a fine drove of full-blooded Shorthorn cattle, and the sale of the stock in the general markets brings an important annual revenue to the owner of the ranch. Grain and other crops are raised in large quantities and with considerable profit. Although educated for another occupation than agriculture, the owner has been remarkably successful in his ranching operations and has made of his task a science and a pleasure as well as a source of profit.

Every movement for the expansion of the resources of California receives the stanch aid of Mr. Pierce. Prominent in the organization of the Almond Growers' Association of Davisville, he served as its vice-president for some years. Further he aided in organizing the California Grain Growers' Association, which held its first convention in 1902 and which has established headquarters in San Francisco. Of this important movement he has officiated as president. The united effort of its members has proved most helpful to the grain interests of the localities most largely represented therein. When a location of a site for the experiment farm of the University of California was under consideration there were thirteen counties offered sites and seventy-seven sites altogether were offered in the various counties. Knowing the fertility of the soil on Putah creek and the central location of Davis for adaptability and experimental purposes, Mr. Pierce was foremost in advocating the location of the farm at Davis. After about fifteen months the commission decided on the location he had selected, securing for Yolo county the state institution. It is an interesting fact that fifty years prior to the location this farm secured the first prize as the best ranch for general farming in California.

In 1910 Mr. Pierce was selected by a coterie of capitalists as an expert on lands and soils to visit Panama and report on the condition and the desirability of lands as an investment. He spent about six weeks there, later making an exhaustive report on the country. In 1911 he was sent to Arizona to examine copper mines. He is the executive member of the Yolo County Panama-Pacific Exposition commission and is very active in securing and arranging for Yolo county's representation and exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco and the California Pacific Exposition at San Diego in 1915.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Pierce has been chosen to serve in various posts of trust and honor, notably that of representative in the state assembly of 1898, also serving in the session of 1899 and the special session of the same term. Able service was given as a member of the committee on ways and means, on education, on public buildings and grounds, and on swamps and overflowed lands. His party has utilized his services upon its state central committee. Under the administrations of Governors Budd and Gage he served as a trustee of the State Normal school at San Jose.

Mr. Pierce was married to Miss Susan Gilmore, a native of El Dorado county, Cal., the daughter of Nathan Gilmore, who came to California from Indiana across the plain in 1849. He discovered and founded Glen Alpine Springs, near Lake Tahoe, and this is still in the possession of his daughters. He died in Placerville. Mrs. Gilmore was in maidenhood Amanda Gray of Kentucky. She came across the plains to California in 1850, and died at El Dorado. The two daughters who survive are Mrs. J. L. Ramsay, of Freewater, Ore., and Mrs. Pierce. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce became the parents of four children, two of whom, Gilmore and Eunice, died in infancy. Two sons are living, George G., attending the University of California, class of 1915, and Dixwell Lloyd, a pupil in the Woodland high school, class of 1914. In fraternal relations Mr. Pierce is past noble grand of Davisville Lodge No., 169, I. O. O. F., and with his wife belongs to the Rebekahs. In his own locality he is a very influential citizen and the varied avenues of activity that have secured his co-operation are the richer and more successful for his intelligent support and sensible suggestions.

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 229-232 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

Albert J. PLANT

Formerly prominent in business circle of Davis, Yolo county, Albert J. Plant was born in Bangor, Butte county, Cal., June 11, 1859, the son of Lewis J. Plant, of Alabama, and Sarah (Lanham) Plant, a Kentuckian, having crossed the plains from St. Joseph, Mo., in 1852. Locating in Clipper Mills, Butte county, Mr. Plant prospected for a time, later engaging in the hotel business, which proved most profitable. Subsequently, when the Central Pacific Railroad started the construction of a line to connect at Terrace, Utah, with the main road of the Union Pacific, he utilized the insight which he had gained in his last venture by at once taking advantage of the opportunity thus presented for the establishment along the prospective line of eating houses for the accommodation of the railroad crew. To this end he traveled in advance of the workers, and upon reaching Terrace remained for a time. Returning to California in 1859 he located in Davis, Yolo county. His next enterprise was the launching of the pioneer newspaper of that section, the Davisville Advertiser, in connection with which he conducted a grocery store. In addition to this publication he maintained a restaurant in the railroad depot of the town, and also opened a liquor store later, actively continuing his duties until his death in 1897. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Plant, namely, Eudora, Mrs. Frank Swan, now deceased; Laura, Mrs. C. W. Paine, who resides in Sacramento; Edith, of Pacific Grove; Ethel, now Mrs. George Sutton, whose home is in Vallejo; and Albert J., the subject of this review.

At the age of sixteen Albert J. Plant started in life for himself, working for a time in Sacramento, and later establishing a cigar store in that city. In 1886 he returned to Davis and took the position of bookkeeper with Liggett & Drummond, merchants, faithfully performing his duties for nine years. In 1896 he determined to start in business for himself, and thereupon engaged in the grain and warehouse industry at Davis, which he conducted so judiciously that his position in the financial world became yearly more secure and the business grew until he operated three warehouses in which were stored large quantities of grain. He was also grain buyer for Garrett & Thomas, of Woodland, and beside his many other duties was for some years notary public and agent for several life insurance companies. A life-long Republican, he was very prominent and active in the party. His death occurred at his home in Davis December 27, 1911.

From his wife, who was formerly Mary Borchers, of Sacramento, and to whom he was married in 1888, Mr. Plant received the most helpful encouragement in all his undertakings, and her death in 1907 brought grief beyond expression to the stricken family. Of the four children, Forrest A., was a student at the University of California at the time of his father's death, after which he gave up his studies and has since had charge of the grain and warehouse business, conducting it along the lines maintained by the father during his lifetime; this son is also administrator of the estate; Lois M., (Mrs. H. Beckett), June Rose and Marion B. complete the family. Mr. Plant was an active member of Golden Seal Lodge No. 110, K. P., of Davis. By his straightforward business methods and integrity he had acquired a high standing and his passing away was not only a great loss to his family and friends, but to the whole community.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 788 - 789.

Mrs. E. POCKMAN

In the list of those holding a prominent place as agriculturists in Yolo County, the name of Mrs. E. Pockman is entitled to a leading position, both on account of the excellence of her fine ranch, and because of the admirable way in which its affairs are managed. She is the widow of the late J. M. Pockman, who was one of the older and more respected residents in the county. He was a native of Missouri, and the date of his birth was January 9, 1842. When a young man he came to this State with a party of others, some of whom settled in Yolo County, among them William Hatcher, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Pockman arrived in 1852, and in the following year settled in Yolo County, making it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1882. He was married to Mrs. Pockman, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Brown, at the town of Yolo, on October 20, 1873. Mr. Pockman spent the active portion of his life in Yolo County, was a man possessed of an unusual amount of energy and perseverance, and was always actuated by the highest motives. He was a man very highly esteemed throughout the community, both for the kindness of his heart and the generosity of his nature. He provided well for his family, doing for them all that a kind husband and father could accomplish, accumulating during his life a considerable property.

Mrs. Pockman is a native of Wisconsin, where she was born in 1854. When she was a mere child her parents removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they lived till 1872, when they came to California. She is the owner of a splendid tract of 640 acres of beautiful farming land, all of it lying in Yolo County and all of it highly improved. She has four children, three boys and one girl.

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

Samuel P. POND

a retired farmer residing at Woodland, was born October 25, 1818, in Vermont, the son of Willard and Ama (Patrick) Pond, natives of the same State. He was but four years of age when his mother died, and when he was eleven years old his father died, and he went to live with an aunt (of the subject) at Hubbardton, Vermont. At the age of fifteen years he went to Brunswick, New York, and found employment upon a farm for two years; next he was engaged on the Erie Canal for two years; then for four years he followed the sea; then he was on a farm again in Vermont, working for his cousin until 1842; and in 1843 he purchased a farm in New Haven, Addison County, that State, where he resided until 1850, when he came to California. In this State he followed mining until 1852, in the Big Canon in El Dorado County; he then took up a ranch near Cacheville, in Yolo County, and occupied it until 1858, when he disposed of it and bought 160 acres about a mile and a half northeast of Woodland. In 1866 he moved into Woodland, buying a fine little residence on Lolas street, where he is now enjoying life.

In 1842 he married Anna Gregory, a native of Vermont, who died March 7, 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. They reared two adopted daughters, -- Ellen W. and Alzada S.

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

Adelbert Deloss PORTER

In the quality of her citizenship Woodland has always been blessed. Numerous as have been the men identified with her progress, devoted to her well-being and loyal to her welfare, perhaps none has manifested a more sincere in civic upbuilding than that which gave individuality to the noble and successful career of A. D. Porter, and his passing out of life removed an influential factor from the throbbing current of local commerce and finance. For almost one-half century it was his privilege to be identified with the history of Yolo county. When in later life he turned in retrospect to the changes wrought during that long period of growth, he might well have exclaimed: "All of which I saw and part of which I was." It was during 1870 that he relinquished agricultural activities in the county and came into town, whose upward progress he aided ever afterward. While he was a man of diversified abilities and varied interests, he became especially prominent and influential in business and financial affairs. The realm of politics he never entered, yet civic duty and good government were among the causes that enlisted his mind and heart. By reason of his stanch devotion to all that makes for the welfare of mankind and the uplifting of humanity, his death was a great loss to all unselfish and high-minded citizenship.

Mr. Porter came to California from Wisconsin, where he was born at Racine, October 23, 1845, and where he received a common school education at Menasha, Winnebago county. During 1861 he left home and journey to New York City, where he took passage on a ship bound for the Isthmus of Panama. From Aspinwall he crossed to the Pacific coast, thence sailed up to San Francisco and immediately after leaving his ship came direct to Yolo county, where ever afterward he made his home. Here he found work as a farm laborer. After he had gained a thorough experience in agriculture as conducted in this county he began to rent land. From the first his economy and wise judgment brought him satisfactory returns. Until 1867 he lived on land adjacent to the Sacramento river, but in that year he removed to what was known as the Bellesterling ranch and there he remained for three years.

When he relinquished agricultural activities to take up business pursuits, Mr. Porter selected Woodland as a most desirable location and in 1870 he rented a small room and embarked in the grocery trade. It was not long until his small quarters were insufficient to accommodate the needs of a growing business. To secure adequate accommodations he built a store on Main street, but this he was soon obliged to enlarge. Later he added a warehouse, in order to have abundance of space for the storage of his large stock of groceries. The variety of the stock was increased as the demands of the trade grew larger and eventually the store became one of the most important of its kind in the entire county. Meanwhile it had been brought to the keen mental vision of this progressive merchant that Woodland offered an excellent opening for a banking institution. Thereupon he began to interest capitalists in the undertaking and without difficulty he secured the needed number of stockholders for raising $300,000 of capital stock, with a limit of $10,000 to each person. In January of 1883 the Bank of Yolo was organized and on the 1st of June following it opened for business. After serving for many years on the board, he finally retired from the directorate and sold all of his stock in the institution. The bank now has a combined commercial and savings capital and surplus of $500,000.

During the period of his management of a bank devoted especially to business men and large depositors, it had been brought to the knowledge of Mr. Porter that there was need of a savings institution whereby young people might be encouraged to save their small earnings. Older people had also expressed their desire for such a bank, in order that they might receive interest on time deposits. Therefore in 1891 he organized the Yolo County Savings Bank in Woodland, with a capital of $60,000. The original headquarters of the bank were in rented rooms, but later Mr. Porter bought a site on Main and College streets and erected a structure equipped with all modern banking facilities and conveniences. Until his death he continued to serve as president of this bank. Meanwhile he had acquired other interests, prominent among which was his identification, with A. W. Gable and J. Byrns, in the building of the Byrns hotel in 1883, and subsequently by purchasing the Byrns interest he became two-thirds owner of the hotel. He also owned a residence on Main street, one of the most attractive homes of Woodland. Three years after coming to the west he had married Miss Elizabeth Mosby, who died June 14, 1897. Of their nine children, Lena died in 1885, Frank in 1904 and three others passed away in infancy. W. A. resides in Berkeley, Clarence became a farmer in Mexico, Harry D. remains in Woodland and Cora, Mrs. Talbot Ware, is living in Berkeley. July 4, 1902, Mr. Porter married Mrs. Mattie Knox, who survives him.

In the midst of his usual business activities death came suddenly and unexpectedly to Mr. Porter. On the 3rd of March, 1911, after a busy day at the bank, he returned home, cheerful and apparently as well as usual. It had been his intention to pass the evening at a basket-ball game, but when he found that his wife, who was ill, would be left alone, he excused himself to his friends and passed the evening in her company, retiring shortly after nine o'clock. Between ten and eleven o'clock he was awake and conversed with his wife, but after dropping to sleep again his breathing became heavy and he relapsed into unconsciousness, from which physicians could not rally him. He did not again speak or give any sign of recognition. The immediate cause of death was cerebral thrombosis, a condition resulting from degenerative changes in the arteries of the brain and closely connected with a weakness of the heart.

One who had known Mr. Porter for twenty years said of him: "No one could come into contact with Mr. Porter without feeling that he was a remarkable man, a man of high sense of honor, a man of generous and exalted instincts and high ideals. He was public spirited and very earnest and unselfish in promoting the interests of the state, county and city, and he could be depended upon to liberally encourage every legitimate public and private enterprise the purpose of which was to promote the general good and prosperity. Although his career was remarkably brilliant he was exceedingly modest in relating an account of it. Coming to California while yet a boy, with no advantageous circumstances to smooth his pathway, by his genius, superb judgment and dauntless courage he accumulated a handsome competency and rounded out a business career of which the highest and noblest might be justly proud. And this was accomplished by such means as an honorable and just man may always employ. He was charitable and hospitable in a marked degree. No one in distress ever appealed to his sympathy and went away empty-handed. Many a young man starting in life felt the influence of his favor; he having fought the great battle of life successfully, knew its trials and loved to smooth the pathway to success for the young. Charitable benefactions at all times and in many forms were generously, though unostentatiously, dispensed by him among those who were less fortunate than himself. Many a poor man, many an honest laborer, many a poor widow and orphan child will miss his thoughtful generosity. He was a man not only of sound judgment, but a man of strong convictions and fearless in their advocacy, and yet he was tolerant of the views of others and reasonable in all things. His judgment in important business matters was so well recognized that it was much sought after by others and was always freely and frankly given. Indeed, his whole life from his boyhood days in far away Wisconsin to the hour of his decease was an exemplification of honest effort, intelligent judgment and honorable conduct in every detail."

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 853 - 855.

William Alexander PORTER

Notwithstanding business interests that have required his presence elsewhere during recent years, Mr. Porter is still bound to Yolo county by the ties of a long residence here and by the intimate friendships that form the silken thread in the web of life. Patriotic devotion to the welfare of the county naturally characterizes one who claims it as his native place and whose father belonged to its splendid band of pioneers, men of sturdy fearlessness, bone and sinew of the original development of California. To that pioneer, Adelbert Deloss Porter, late of Woodland, appropriate reference is made elsewhere in this volume. Suffice it to say in this connection that he left to his descendants the heritage of an honorable career upon civilization's last frontier.

While the family home was in the vicinity of Black's Station, Yolo county, the birth of William Alexander Porter occurred December 2, 1867, but from the age of two years until about 1905 he lived in Woodland and its schools gave to him the rudimentary advantages that lie at the basis of all true education. From the local schools he was sent to the high school of Oakland and with a course of study in that institution his school attendance was brought to a close. Inherited ability for business pursuits as well as a natural aptitude for financial affairs have characterized his subsequent history. Beginning to fill a clerical position with the Bank of Yolo in 1885, he soon rose to a position of importance in that concern, where his accuracy as an accountant paved the way to other responsibilities and trusts. For twenty years he continued with the bank, meanwhile winning the confidence of a large list or depositors and gaining a reputation for tact, a conservative policy in financial enterprises and an almost unerring judgment in loans and discounts.

A long identification with the financial concern was terminated with the resignation of Mr. Porter in 1905, at which time he engaged in the real estate business in Berkeley and formed a partnership with W. R. Laugenour under the firm title of Laugenour & Porter. The connection continued for about four years and then Mr. Porter carried on the same business alone until January of 1911, when the present firm of Knowles & Porter was established, the senior member of which is George R. Knowles. The firm has its offices at No. 2184 Shattuck avenue, Berkeley, and carries on a general real estate business, also makes loans, places insurance and engages in the building of residences for sale. The investments and interests of the firm associate them intimately with the territory contiguous to the San Francisco bay, but particularly with that portion thereof adjacent to Berkeley. In addition to these interests Mr. Porter has invested heavily in lands in Sonora, Mexico. The location of the property offers excellent advantages for the stock industry, and accordingly he has placed a large herd of stock on the ranch, the whole being under the care of resident persons. Since the death of their father he and his brother, H. D., have been retained as administrators of the estate, and in addition he is a stockholder in the Yolo County Savings Bank. The various interests of a business nature which he retains in Yolo county make necessary occasional trips to the old home and thus afford him an opportunity to keep in intimate touch with every phase of local upbuilding and also to visit those to whom he is bound by the ties of lifelong friendship.

The marriage of Mr. Porter took place in Woodland in August 15, 1892, and united him with Miss Kathryn Stephens, daughter of J. J. Stephens, of whom mention appears on another page of this work. The distinction belongs to Mrs. Porter of being a native daughter of Yolo county, for her birth occurred at Madison. To some extent she was also educated in this county, although she enjoyed the further advantage of a complete course of study at Mills College and is a graduate of that famous institution of learning. One daughter, Dorothy Nell, has blessed their union. To aid movements for the advancement of the city Mr. Porter considered it to be a privilege during the long period of his identification with the citizenship of Woodland. Perhaps no measure enlisted his sympathy to a greater degree than that relative to the building of a library. With other public-spirited men, he promoted the movement from which finally resulted the present Carnegie library building, and for ten years he had the honor of serving as secretary of the Woodland public library. To others the influence of his efforts to promote the library served as an incentive to aid in this progressive project, and the fact that Woodland now boasts a building as substantial in construction as many towns much larger in size may be attributed to the efforts of such men as Mr. Porter, who likewise gave personal attention to the securing of the best class of reading matter for the library and to the maintenance of a magazine and newspaper department free of access to all residents and to visitors. His interest in Woodland and Yolo county had in it no flavor of politics, for he is not a politician in any sense of that word, and both in his former place of residence and at Berkeley he has refrained from participation in public affairs except from the standpoint of a loyal citizen, impartial in spirit and independent in thought.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 784 - 786.

Arthur Albert POWERS

As a partner in the clothing firm of Rosenberg & Co., Mr. Powers has worked his way forward to a position of influence among the business men of Woodland, which city, always fortunate in the civic loyalty of its people, boasts no resident more devoted than he to the upbuilding of its commerce and the expansion of its business interests. Nor has he only that narrow loyalty which seeks civic growth at the expense of outside and extraneous movements for the general welfare; on the other hand, he is a true patriot, intensely and earnestly devoted to the progress of the state, of which he is a native son and a lifelong resident. Diligence in business and ability as a salesman are indicated by his long identification with the establishment in which he is now the managing partner and to which he has given years of useful labor, for it was in this store that he began as a clerk about thirty years ago when first starting out to earn his own way in the world.

Representing the third generation of the Powers family in California, Arthur Albert Powers was born at Bodega Bay in Sonoma county, December 9, 1865, and is a son of Warren and Jane (Hiller) Powers, who came across the plains to the west with their parents early in the '50s. For years the father lived in Sonoma county, but finally he removed to Yolo county and settled at Old Cottonwood. Later he removed from that place to Woodland and for many years served as a peace officer of the town. At this writing he acts as janitor of the supreme court rooms in San Francisco. The mother died about 1871, leaving a daughter and a son, Arthur Albert, the latter at the time only about six years of age. He has lived in Yolo county from the age of five years and received his education in the grammar schools of Woodland. During 1883 he entered the employ of M. Michael, a clothing merchant of Woodland. Soon he demonstrated his admirable qualifications for this line of work. With frugal saving he put aside his earnings so that they might be utilized in a later investment in business and thus he finally was able to join with Mr. Rosenberg in buying out the interests of his employer. The purchase was consummated January 7, 1904, since which time he has continued the business under his personal management, Mr. Rosenberg making his home in San Francisco.

During October of 1912 the company took possession of their new quarters at No. 531 Main street, where they have a modern equipment and every facility for the satisfactory continuance of the business. Not only is their establishment the oldest in Yolo county, but the largest as well, and a complete assortment is carried of men's and boys' clothing and furnishings. The gratifying growth of business may be attributed to the splendid management of Mr. Powers, who personally oversees every detail and assumes the responsibility of every department. In the midst of his manifold duties as manager of the store and a partner in the business, he has found leisure to take an active part of forwarding the local success of the Republican party and also aided in the organization of the Merchants' Association of Woodland. Numerous fraternal organizations also have had the weight of his co-operation and influence, among these being the Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Foresters, Companions of Foresters, Foresters of America (in which he is past officer) and the local lodge as well as the encampment of Odd Fellows.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 801 - 802.

E. D. PRATT

One of the most successful and highly esteemed ranchers of Winters is E. D. Pratt, who since 1861 has been a resident of Yolo county, to the development of which he has contributed materially. A native of New York, he was born in Erie county August 4, 1835, and removed in 1842 to DuPage county, Ill., with his parents, Daniel and Lucretia (Cook) Pratt, natives of New York. In 1861 E. D. Pratt left the farm and came to California with ox-teams, crossing the Missouri river at Omaha, Neb., up the Platte to Sublett's cutoff, then into Humboldt and Honey Lake valley, in which section he noted numerous natural springs, both hot and cold, many of which were within four feet of each other. While camping on Green river his party was besieged by Indians, who drove away some of their cattle. Pressing onward toward the desert, which they crossed in thirty-six hours, they struck northward, shortly thereafter reaching water, much to the relief of both themselves and their weary stock. After a six months' journey full of dangers and hardships, the travelers reached Marysville, Cal., the latter part of the trip having been made in company with a train of seventy wagons.

Mr. Pratt remained with his brother-in-law, S. M. Enos, being employed in the old tule house that was washed away in the flood of 1862. This was rebuilt and Mr. Pratt continued there until he and Mr. Enos became associated in the stock business in Yolo county. About 1865 Mr. Pratt sold his interest and returned to Illinois, and after one year settled in Iowa. In Poweshiek county, that state, he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1876, when he returned to Yolo county and ever since he has been engaged in stock-raising and horticulture. Some years ago he purchased ten acres of the Wolfskill tract near Winters, settling it out to peaches. Selling this property in 1908, he then located in Winters, where, on Putah creek, he has a small prune orchard.

The marriage of Mr. Pratt, which occurred December 18, 1872, in Grinnell, Iowa, united him with Miss Mary J. Hamilton, who was born in Syracuse, N. Y., and whose parents, Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Shaw) Hamilton, were natives of New York and England, respectively. Mr. Hamilton died in Grinnell, Iowa, in 1875, and Mrs. Hamilton in New York in 1906. Their children were as follows: Mary J. (Mrs. Pratt), Frank F., James V., William A., Harriett (Mrs. C. McIntyre) and Andrew J. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are Raymond E., a fruit grower in Winters, who married Miss Sophia Dunnebeck and has one child, Cecil; Edith M., a graduate of the San Jose normal school and now the wife of Dr. M. W. Haworth of Sacramento and the mother of two children, Edith Claire and Maiva Wells; and Elmer H., who makes his home in Lodi with his wife, formerly Bernice Thistle, and their daughter, Dorothy.

Mr. Pratt is a stanch Republican, prompt to lend to his party all the influence in his power, and as a citizen of broad, generous principles and sterling characteristics, fully merits the wide esteem which, throughout his career, he has enjoyed. His wife is a woman of rare qualities and as an active member of the Christian Church of Winters is untiring in her aid of the many worthy causes supported by that institution.

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 276-277 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.