USA > California > Glenn County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 38
USA > California > Colusa County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 38
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year he bought a lot of horses and mules at a dollar a head at Santa Barbara, and took them to Ash Valley; but again, through the unprecedented snows that year, he lost all his stock.
In this brief recital of the early operations of this pioneer stoekman, is outlined a series of setbacks such as might easily have discouraged the average man; but he was bound to succeed, and so he kept at it, and his present prosperity was obtained largely by hard work and unremitting perseverence. In October, 1874, he set up on a dairy ranch near Colusa, and for the long period of thirty years he was active in dairying. During the latter days of his residence there, he started in to buy and sell cattle; and since then his efforts as a stockman have been attended with marked success.
In 1900, Mr. Turman came to Willows; and eight years later he formed the Turman-Mitchell Land & Cattle Co., of which he is the president. This company controls ten thousand acres of grazing land on the hills west of Willows, where their cattle range and are fattened. This company also owns nearly a half interest in the Lake County Land & Cattle Co., of Oregon, which possesses six thousand cattle. In addition he is the president of the H. B. Turman Co., which has another fifteen hundred head ranging and grazing, and a ranch of four hundred eighty acres three miles northwest of Willows. One hundred eighty acres of this ranch is in alfalfa, and the rest is in grain. The company also rents graz- ing land west of Willows. As a cue to Mr. Turman's capacity for enterprise, mention may be made of a big deal engineered by him when he bought one thousand forty steers in Arizona, on which he cleared forty thousand dollars six months later.
Mr. Turman has been married three times. On the first occa- sion he was wedded to Miss Mary Semple, a native of Benicia, Cal., the daughter of Dr. Robert Semple. With Will S. Green, Dr. Semple founded the Alta California, at Benicia, the first news- paper printed in this state. He was president of the committee which framed the constitution of the state in assembly in Mon- terey. Mrs. Turman was one of the first white girls to be born in California. Three children of that union are living, who assist their father with his various stock and ranch operations: Joseph Benton, Lewis Frank, and Robert Semple. The oldest child of the family, Oscar B., is deceased. The second marriage united Mr. Turman with Mrs. Susan H. Nye, also a native of California, and a daughter of Dr. Lull, founder of the town of Princeton, Colusa County. His third wife was Meta Stephens, a daughter of Dr. L. P. Tooly, of Willows. Mr. Turman is a charter member of Colusa Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a Past Grand; and he is also a member of the "Clampers," of Willows.
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Incidents related by this pioneer of the early days in this section of California are very interesting. He recalls seeing as many as five thousand cattle grazing or lying about on the ground near old "Willow Slough," where, in the fall of the year, was found the only water nearer than the river. All were sleek and in good condition. Another incident happened in 1867, at one of the rodeos held one and one half miles east of what is now the site of Willows. When rounding up the cattle, the vaqueros drove in a herd of twenty-four antelope with the stock. When the band passed Mr. Turman he threw a rope and caught one animal, which they had for dinner that night. Many other thrilling inci- dents of the pioneer life in this section, now fast passing from the memory of the present population, are recounted in the interest- ing conversation of this pioneer citizen.
SAMUEL JAMES LOWE
As a contracting carpenter and a man of affairs, the late Samuel J. Lowe was both literally and figuratively one of the builders of Willows. He was born in Maryland in 1833. When twenty-one years of age he moved to Missouri, and at Paris, in Monroe County, followed his trade as a carpenter. When the Civil War broke out, he espoused the canse of the Confederacy and en- listed for service; and throughout the terrible conflict he fought under the Confederate banner.
In 1885 Mr. Lowe settled in Willows and hung out his sign as a contracting carpenter and builder. His first work here was done on the old Baptist Church. Many of the buildings he erected are still standing as monuments to the honesty of his workmanship.
Samuel J. Lowe was united in marriage with Miss Willie Maupin, a native of Virginia; and of their union the following children were born: Mrs. M. Hannah, of San Francisco; Henry H., of Hamilton City; Samuel, now deceased; Leatha A, and Mrs. Sadie Ajax, of Willows; Lemona, of San Francisco; and Clifton O., a traveling hardware salesman in San Francisco. Mrs. Lowe died in 1894, and Mr. Lowe passed away in 1904. Mr. Lowe was a consistent member of the Methodist Church. His passing was felt as a distinct loss to the community in which he lived.
Miss Leatha A. Lowe is the proprietor of the leading milli- nery establishment in Willows. Her store was established in 1907, and is recognized as the local headquarters for artistie millinery. Miss Lowe specializes in the latest designs and styles. She has built up a large trade, her patrons coming from all over Glenn
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County. With her sister, Lemona, she is also interested in a mil- linery establishment in the exclusive Geary Street district in San Francisco.
NICHOLAS WILSON HANSON
The records of California show the birth of many men who have attained to a prominent place in the history of the various counties, besides those of national repute. Of the men who have taken hold with a zeal and a determination to perpetuate the deeds of the forerunners of our civilization, Nicholas Wilson Hanson is a worthy representative. He was born in Lake County, Septem- ber 8, 1868, a son of William P. Hanson, a Kentuckian by birth, but who was reared in Coles County, Ill. William P. Hanson came as a forty-niner to this state by way of Panama, accompanied by his father, George M. Hanson. They located in Marysville; and later William P. went to the mines on Feather River for a time, after which he returned to Marysville and with his father built the first bridge across the Feather River between Yuba City and Marysville, costing some $30,000. It was also one of the first bridges built in this part of the state. They ran it as a toll bridge for a year, when the flood waters washed it away. Grandfather Hanson erected the first brick house in Yuba City, a two-story structure, the material for which was shipped around the Horn. This building is still standing, and is occupied as a residence.
The Indians from Lake County, Cal., went to the rancherias along the Sacramento River to hunt and fish, sometimes visiting Marysville. Their bartering attracted the attention of William Hanson, and he found some Indians to act as guides, going with them to Upper Lake, in that county. They traveled by way of Sulphur Creek, through Grizzly Canyon; and when going through the latter Mr. Hanson killed a large grizzly bear, giving the name to the canyon, by which it has ever since been known. He was one of the first white men to make the trip through by Sulphur Creek. After he had explored the country in Lake County, he returned to Marysville for his family. Mrs. Hanson traveled all the distance on horseback, as no roads were in evidence at that date; while her two small children were carried on the saddles of her husband and his father.
The grandfather, George M. Hanson, was born in Tazewell County, Va., March 13, 1799. He was married in Lebanon, Va., in 1819, to Miss Polly Ellington. They had seven sons and three daughters, all of whom crossed the plains except two daughters, Sidney Elizabeth and Jerusha, who married in Illinois and died
Ma Hanson
Bethenia a Hanson. n.W. Hanson,
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there. One daughter, Elizabeth, came to California. The sons were William P., Nathan E., George M., James F., Daniel, Rufus, and David M., who resides at Vallejo, the only one now living. In 1821 the grandfather moved to Kentucky and engaged in mercan- tile business. He later emigrated to Clark County, Ill., and for twenty-five years was in public life in that state, twelve years in the house and senate. In 1847 he visited Texas with the idea of locating there, but returned home dissatisfied and outfitted for Oregon Territory. Before he was ready to start, news of the dis- covery of gold in California came and he again changed his plans. He left Coles County in April, 1849, with three ox teams and a family carriage drawn by horses. They rendezvoused at Indepen- dence, Mo., where they joined a train of thirty-five wagons and teams and one hundred persons, among whom were only three women and a dozen children. John G. Allender was chosen cap- tain to guide the train to-California. They arrived at Yuba City in November, 1849. They were destitute, having lost everything they had in the mountain fastnesses and the snows of the Sierras. Mr. Hanson opened a hotel, and soon built up his fortunes in the hotel business and by building a ferry, and later the toll bridge mentioned. After it was destroyed he and John C. Fall built an- other. He became prominent in politics and was a delegate to the convention that nominated John C. Fremont. He was a warm friend of Lincoln, and from him received a commission as Super- intendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern District of Califor- nia. He was a Mason for over fifty years. He died in Lake County, August 1, 1879, after a long and useful life as a pioneer frontiersman and a builder of our great commonwealth.
The father, William P. Hanson, took up farming and stock- raising as a surer way to prosperity than mining. He began in Lake County, and later took up government land in Sutter County; and in 1879 he located in what is now Glenn County, near the set- tlement of Willows. Besides his own claim he leased land near by ; and here he raised grain and stock until his death in 1889, when he was accidentally killed by being run over by a train. At his death the community lost one of its most efficient upbuilders. He was a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he was a Re- publican. He married Lydia Wilson, a native of Maryland, who located in Illinois at an early date, where she and Mr. Hanson were married upon his return from California by way of Panama, in 1853; and together they came across the plains with ox teams. Eight children were born to this pioneer couple, of whom the old- est and youngest are deceased. Those living are: Mrs. T. H. Newsom, of Glenn; Mrs. Ella Stout, of Sacramento; Mrs. Clara Miller, of Hammonton, Yuba County; George M., near Glenn;
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Nicholas W., of this review; and Mrs. Lydia Huffmaster, of Lees- ville. All were born, reared and educated in California. Mrs. Lydia Hanson passed away at the home of her son, Nicholas W., on November 21, 1910.
Nicholas W. Hanson was the sixth child in order of birth in his parents' family. His schooling was obtained in the public schools of Sutter and Glenn Counties. Meanwhile he worked on his father's farm until the death of the latter; and ever since he has been following his chosen vocation in Glenn County. In 1902 he came to the section where he now lives, purchased a ranch of three hundred thirty acres of the Glenn estate and began making im- provements by clearing the land and planting to grain and pro- duce, also raising hogs and cattle. His ranch, as seen today, shows what labor he has expended in getting it under cultivation during the past fifteen years. In the beginning it was covered with heavy timber and underbrush. He raises good corn on the bottom land; and produce of every description is grown in abund- ance on his property, which is kept in a high state of cultivation through his close personal supervision of the ranch work.
In 1897, on December 8, was celebrated the marriage of Nich- olas W. Hanson and Miss Bertha A. Hull. She was born in Kan- sas, and came to California with her parents in 1889. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are recognized as leaders in their social circle. They are charitable and hospitable, and have a host of friends, who admire them for their many fine qualities of mind and heart. In 1916 Mr. Hanson built one of the most substantial and modern houses in the county, the contract being executed by J. W. Halter- man of Willows, who prepared the plans from ideas given by Mr. and Mrs. Hanson. In this home the many friends of this worthy couple are entertained in a fitting manner. Mr. Hanson counts five generations of the family in this state, beginning with his grandfather, George M. Hanson, and coming down to the Stout family in Sacramento, who have children married and with fami- lies. Like his father, he has made a name and place for himself in the county. He is serving as one of the levee trustees of Levee District No. 1. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows at Willows.
JOSEPH ZUMWALT
When Joseph Zumwalt crossed the "Great Divide" in 1892, at the age of ninety-two years, another of the prominent upbuild- ers of the state passed to his reward, after leaving the imprint of his enterprising personality upon the varions communities where
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he had lived and labored. The Zumwalt family is of German de- scent on the paternal side, one Jacob Zumwalt having immigrated from that country with two brothers, George and Adam. The former settled in Pennsylvania, and the brothers settled in Vir- ginia. Jacob married Nancy Ann Spurgeon, who was of English ancestry. They had a son, also named Jacob, who built the first hewn log house north of the Missouri River, northwest of O'Fallon station.
Joseph Zumwalt was born in Ohio in 1800, and lived there amidst pioneer conditions on the then frontier until 1829, when he went to Indiana, meeting there with about the same conditions as in the place of his birth. In 1833 he moved to Will County, Ill., and settled on a farm. He cleared the place from the timber, and engaged in farming among the Indians, who then inhabited a considerable part of that section of the country. In Ohio he had married Mary Ogle, likewise a native of that state. With her and their nine children, he left their home in the late forties, and made the long and dangerous trip across the plains to California, behind the slow-moving ox teams. They arrived at their destination on October 23, 1849, without mishap. Mr. Zumwalt at once located his wife and children in Sacramento, and with three of his sons went to the mines along the Yuba River, where he met with good success for two years. In 1850 he had located his family at what was known as Zumwalt Flat, so that they could be near where he was mining.
So successful was he that in 1852 he decided he would go back to Illinois, making the journey via Nicaragua. The following year he returned to this state with some stock, which he sold in the mines, and once more resumed mining himself. Two years later he moved to Solano County, and in the vicinity of Silveyville be- gan raising stock and grain. Seeing the advantage of having good stock, instead of the long, rangy Spanish cattle, Mr. Zumwalt once more made a trip back to Illinois and spent one year in gathering a band of cattle and sheep, which he drove back to California, to his ranch in Solano County. He continued the stock business there until 1872, when he came to Colusa County, to that part now included in the boundaries of Glenn County. Part of his land is now the site of Willows. He erected the first frame house in the place. After living here for ten years, he sold out and moved to. Anderson, Shasta County, where he passed his last days. His wife died in 1886, at the age of eighty-two years. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are numerous in Colusa and Glenn Counties, and are among the most highly respected citi- zens of the valley. Many of them are occupying positions of honor and trust throughout the state.
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SAMUEL ISAAC STORMER
The late Samuel Isaac Stormer, of Colusa and Glenn Counties, was one of the well-known pioneer citizens of the Sacramento Val- ley, having been a resident of the section later embraced in Glenn County from 1867 until his death, and much good was accom- plished by his indomitable energy and enterprise in laying the foundation for our present prosperity.
Mr. Stormer was born in Morgan County, Ill., January 25, 1831, and was educated and reared to the life of a farmer in that state. On March 3, 1853, in Schuyler County, Ill., he was married to Miss Luvica Jane Cartmell, who was born on September 6, 1834, in Rush Connty, that state. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stormer took np their residence in Adams County until the spring of 1864, when they ontfitted with provisions, and with their three children crossed the plains with mule teams, settling in Aus- tin, Nev. In 1867 they finished their journey to the Coast, and took up their abode in Colusa County, where Mr. Stormer engaged in grain-raising, continning that ocenpation for many years, and in time acquiring thirteen hundred acres of land. He was a prom- inent factor in the Grange movement in Colnsa County, and was counted a successful farmer.
After many years as a rancher in Colnsa County, Mr. Stor- mer moved to the Purkitt ranch of eleven hundred acres which he had purchased in Glenn County, near Willows, and there farmed for a time, finally retiring to a comfortable home in the little city, where his last days were spent in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. He and his helpmate lived to celebrate their golden wed -. ding anniversary, which was held at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Potts, on March 3, 1903. The children born to this couple, and who grew to maturity, are: Martha Jane Potts, John Benton, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Greene, Charlotte Ann (who died aged twenty-one), Samnel Palmer, James Winslow, and Haydon Cas- sius. The grandchildren are: Mrs. Cora F. Wickes, Mrs. Mand M. Lightner (now deceased), and Miss M. Monreo Potts; G. I. Stormer; James, Norene, and Barbara Stormer; Mrs. Mattie Belle Ames and Floyd A. Greene; and Sylvan I. and Wynona Stormer. The great-grandchildren are: Thelma J. and Elizabeth Wickes, Howell and Mavis Lightner, and Lester, Elizabeth, Floyd L., and Samuel T. Ames.
Mr. Stormer was never so happy as when surrounded by those he loved; and his home life was always cheered by the voices and presence of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandehil-
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dren. At the time of his death, on March 15, 1909, he was deeply mourned; for he was a man whose whole life had been devoted to the welfare of his fellow citizens and the upbuilding of his com- munity. Mrs. Stormer lives in Colusa, still enjoying life at the age of four score and three years.
JAMES RICHARD GARNETT
How fortunate it is to be well prepared when the time comes to assume the responsibility for the management of important in- terests, is shown in the case of James Richard Garnett, now in charge of the Glenn County ranch property left by his father, who in his time was a man of affairs. James Richard Garnett was born near Dixon, Solano County, July 17, 1861. He is the son of James St. Clair Garnett, who first saw the light near Hannibal, Pike County, Mo., the town immortally associated with Mark Twain. In 1853, when the great streams of humanity were flowing toward the Pacific, James St. Clair Garnett crossed the plains to California, driving a band of cattle, and after a laborious and dan- gerous journey located near Dixon, where he took up land and en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. At the time of his death, in 1908, his landholdings amounted to about thirty thousand acres, which included a fine ranch of fifteen thousand acres, some twelve miles southwest of Willows. In young manhood he was married to Miss Elizabeth Marksbury, a native of Kentucky; and when he died, he left six children : William H. and J. N. Garnett, who have charge of the old home ranch in Solano County; Mrs. H. P. Tate, who resides at Vacaville; James Richard, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. W. F. Chaney, of San Francisco; and Mrs. W. W. Foster, who lives at Vallejo.
James Richard Garnett pursued his studies in private schools, and particularly in a private school in Dixon and at the Oak Mound School, in Napa. He then attended the California Baptist College at Vacaville, Heald's Business College at San Francisco, and the University of the Pacific at San Jose. For two years he was on the old home ranch with his father. In 1882, he came to Willows and took charge of his father's fifteen thousand acres here. In early days wheat and barley were grown, eleven thou- sand acres being operated at one time by means of thirteen eight- mule teams of the ranch and ten eight-mule teams that were hired, which. used to assist in carrying the grain to the warehouse in Willows. What these operations meant may be gathered from the fact that one year the yield amounted to sixty thousand sacks of
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grain. In recent years grain farming has been given up for sheep- raising and cattle-raising; and now Mr. Garnett is the largest sheep-raiser in Glenn County. He disposes, on an average, of ten thousand sheep a year; and at one time, counting both sheep and lambs, there were twenty-four thousand head on his ranch. At the present time, however, the average is ten thousand sheep. He has, also, five hundred head of cattle; and with these he is equally suc- eessful. On his ranch, also, may be found an almond orchard of ten acres, now eighteen years old, which, under the scientific care of its owner, has never failed to produce a good crop .. Ten acres are also devoted to raising grapes.
When Mr. Garnett married, he chose for his bride Miss Minnie F. Messenger, a native of Rhode Island, by whom he has had six children: James F., who married Bell Branham, by whom he has two children; Gladys B., the wife of Joseph Reidy, and the mother of one child; Rena B .; John M .; Raymer St. Clair, who married Pera Simpson, by whom he has three children; and Mar- garet M. Garnett. Mr. Garnett and his family attend and support the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Garnett is in sympathy with Democratic principles and policies. As a citizen he is highly es- teemed ; and he has always taken an active part in the building up and development of the county.
HERMAN QUINT
A pioneer of the later period in California, who brought with him to the Coast a record for positive accomplishment in other parts of the country, and a ripe and valuable experience such as has often contributed to the solution of problems here, is Herman Quint, who was born in Cooper County, Mo., December 15, 1844, in which state he was reared on a farm. In the fall of 1864, he came to Illinois and located near Belleville, where he worked in a coal mine. After that he farmed rented land; and still later he was employed in the construction of a railroad bridge across the Mis- souri River-a work extending through three years. Then he went back to farming, which he continued until the beginning of the eighties.
In August, 1880, Mr. Quint arrived at Willows and took up lnis first work on a California farm, working on a threshing ma- chine for his brother, Fred Quint. One year later, he rented land on the Pratt grant, in Butte County, which he farmed to grain for four years.
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When Mr. Quint settled at Jacinto, he bought eight hundred eighty acres of the Glenn estate, eight miles northeast of Willows. He developed and improved the property, and in 1912 sold eight hundred acres to the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Co., of Wil- lows, retaining eighty acres for his home, where he now lives. Thirty acres of this he planted to alfalfa, and in addition he laid out a family orchard. He has a dairy with a herd of fourteen Holstein cows, and also raises Berkshire hogs, keeping a thor- oughbred boar.
In 1864 Mr. Quint married, choosing for his bride Miss Cath- erine Cash, a native of Missouri, by whom he has had four chil- dren : Catherine, Mrs. J. R. Vaughan; Belle, Mrs. P. O. Eibe; Wil- liam, living in Zion City, Ill .; and Henry, living in Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Quint have fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Quint is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Willows Lodge.
MAYBERRY DAVIS
Mayberry Davis has been a pioneer of California since 1855. That year he came to the state by way of Panama, from his home in Clark County, Ill., where he was born on November 18, 1839. Since his arrival here, at sixteen years of age, he has been closely identified with the development of the Sacramento Valley, and especially of Butte, Colusa, and Glenn Counties. In the early days, until the legislature established the boundary lines for each county, there were no distinguishing features between Butte and Colusa Counties, as far as the east side of the river section was concerned, and the poll tax collector would get over the line into Colusa and gather in the tax from her citizens. Mr. Davis worked for wages on ranches in the first two counties named. In 1859 he felt encouraged to strike out for himself, and rented land near Butte City, devoting his time to the raising of grain, in which he met with success. In 1861, Mr. Davis took up a government claim near Butte City, proved up on it, and for some time farmed the land. On February 26, 1866, he bought the present home ranch of one hundred sixty acres, then raw and uncultivated ground. He greatly improved the place,. erecting buildings, fencing the land, and bringing it under cultivation; and here he carried on his ranching activities until a few years ago, when he retired to pri- vate life to enjoy the remaining years of his life in comfort and plenty.
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