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 41
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 41
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Irving W. Brownell belongs to the sixth generation of his family in America. He received a good education in the schools of his vicinity, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade in New Bedford. In 1848 he went to Illinois; and the following year, with a partner, Frank Gushaw, he crossed the plains with ox teams to California, landing in Placerville on August 19. For a time he mined near Hangtown with success, accumulating a few thousand dollars; and with Mr. Gushaw, who remained a partner through all his early movements, he then began in the cattle business and took up government land.
In 1851 Mr. Brownell returned to his old home in Massa- chusetts. The following year, with his brother, L. C. Brownell, he started again for California, buying cattle in Illinois and Mis- souri, en ronte across the plains, to sell in the mines in California. Mr. Brownell was captain of the train. In 1854 he made another trip back East and gathered a band of horses, which he brought back here. Two brothers, W. W. and Edwin F. Brownell, accom- panied him on this trip. In 1861 he made another trip across the continent, going by stage; and on September 29 of that year he was married, in New Bedford, to Lois R. Smith, a native of Nova Scotia, born on January 9, 1841. Her father, William Smith, was a native of Nova Scotia, of English descent. He was a seafaring man, and was lost at sea. Her mother, Rebecca Ellis, was born in Nantucket, Mass., of Scotch ancestry. She made a visit to New Brunswick, and there met Mr. Smith, whom she afterwards mar- ried. After her husband's death, she went to Massachusetts with her daughter, who was then two years old. She died in 1850; and the daughter was reared in Dartmouth, Mass. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Brownell came on the North Star to Aspin- wall, crossed the Isthmus, and boarded the Sonora under Captain Baby, for San Francisco. After their arrival, they went at once to their place at Knight's Landing.
Mr. and Mrs. Brownell were among the first families to locate in what is now Glenn County, then a part of Colusa County; and they witnessed the growth and development of the varied interests of this section.
In 1859 Mr. Brownell had bought eighty acres from Mr. Sparks, on Stony Creek, the nucleus of their present ranch, and had begun raising sheep. In the fall of 1862, therefore, they set-
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tled on the home place on Stony Creek. At that time there was not a honse between their ranch and Princeton but the house at the old Willows water hole and the one on the M. Bryan place, at Sonth Butte. As he succeeded, Mr. Brownell added to his first purchase, until at the time of his death he owned abont fourteen thousand acres, sitnated on both sides of Stony Creek, from above Brownell Rocks to the Simpson place, a distance of seven miles. He was one of the largest sheep-raisers in the northern part of the state, having as high as ten thousand head in the early days, some of them thoroughbred French Merinos. He also raised large quantities of grain, harvesting some three thousand acres a year. His ranch house, which had been built in 1857, before he bought the place, is now the oldest house in the district. Mr. Brownell nsed the water from the creek for irrigation, and raised some of the first alfalfa of the section, using the first ditch. He died on November 26, 1900, and is buried in Woodland. He was a public- spirited and enterprising citizen, and was highly esteemed in his community. In national polities he was a Republican.
Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brownell four children were horn: Louis Elma, Harry Leland, Irving Leroy, and Roscoe Hamilton. Roscoe H. Brownell is married and has two sons, Lonis E. and Irving Woodbridge. He is associated with his brother, Louis E. Brownell, in farming, under the name of I. W. Brownell's Sons. Irving Leroy is married and has one child, Phebe Lois. He is operating part of the home ranch. All the sons live on the ranch, and are well and favorably known as sheep- raisers and farmers.
HENRY B. ST. LOUIS
In the vicinity of Norman, Glenn County, Henry B. St. Louis, the descendant of a prominent pioneer of the state, is carrying . on a successful ranching enterprise which has placed him among the prosperons ranchers of his locality. He was born near Knight's Landing, Yolo County, Cal., on September 2, 1853, the year following his father's emigration to the state. The second in a large family of children, he was reared to young manhood in the vicinity of Knight's Landing, receiving his education in the common schools and the college at Woodland.
Following the completion of his studies, Mr. St. Louis began to work out on ranches in the vicinity of his home. He was occu- pied thus until 1871, when he went to Colusa County, and with his brother, A. T. St. Louis, purchased one hundred sixty acres of land. They continned to add to their holdings until, npon the
Claude Burkitt
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division of the property in 1889, each had three hundred twenty acres. After the property was divided, H. B. St. Louis located on his share, to which he added until he was the owner of six hundred twenty acres. This property is located three miles south- west of Norman, in Glenn County. Until 1904 Mr. St. Louis rented large tracts of land for the raising of grain; but since then he has farmed only his own property, which he devotes to wheat and barley. In conjunction with his brother he rents seventeen hundred acres of pasture land on the river, for a stock range, the two being interested in the raising of stock.
For thirteen years Mr. St. Louis was a director of the Central Irrigation District. A disagreement having arisen, and some of the people in the district having refused to help in the con- strnetion of the irrigation canal, he decided to sink wells; and in consequence of this, he was the first rancher in Colusa and Glenn ยท Counties to put in a pumping plant for irrigation. Now he has three pumping plants, and over sixty acres in alfalfa. He has sold some of his land, but still retains one hundred twelve acres in his home place, one hundred fifty acres in the old Stanton place, and one hundred sixty acres in the foothills.
In Norman, Mr. St. Louis was united in marriage with Laura Cornelia Stanton, a native of Glenn County; and they have two children, Corda Joseph and Mrs. Willie Bell Nichols, both located in this vicinity.
HON. CLAUDE F. PURKITT
A native son, born on September 7, 1876, at Fouts Springs, in that portion of Colusa County now known as Glenn County, Hon. Claude F. Purkitt is the son of G. H. Purkitt, who came to Califor- nia in 1864. The mother, Dr. T. T. Purkitt, born in Sonoma County, was a daughter of John H. Tiffee, a pioneer of 1849, who became one of the best-known stockmen of Northern California. Claude F. Purkitt received his education in the public schools of Colusa and Glenn Counties and the California Business College of San Francisco. Choosing the law for his profession, he studied four years in the office of Judge O. Pirkey, during which time he supported himself by acting as deputy sheriff and tax collector under J. A. Bailey. In 1904 he was admitted to practice in the courts of the state; and two years later he was nominated for dis- triet attorney of Glenn County on the Democratic ticket and was elected. So well did he serve the people that in 1910 his name was written into the Republican ticket for district attorney by his many Republican friends and he became the nominee of both
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parties, an unusual honor and tribute from his fellow citizens. Mr. Purkitt vigorously prosecuted offenders against the law, so that conditions in his district were greatly improved. His per- centage of convictions was exceptionally large; yet so impartial and just was he in the prosecution of his cases that his following and influence steadily increased. After serving eight years in the district attorney's office, he was induced through the solicitation of friends to enter the race, in 1914, for state senator from the Fourth District, comprising Colusa, Glenn, Lake and Mendocino Counties; and so well were his record and personality received during his campaign that he was elected by a large majority in a Republican district. During the sessioins of 1915 and 1917 he was active in securing needed legislation for the different sections of his district, and took a prominent part in passing important bills for the future prosperity and moral uplift of the people of the state. In the sessions of 1915 and 1917 he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and his legal knowledge was very helpful in the work of that committee. He was also a member of other important com- mittees, but his time was given over largely to judicial affairs. He prepared the bill known as Sec. 954 of the penal code of Cali- fornia, which permits different counts to be included in the same indictment or complaint; that is, different crimes of the same character. This has been tested and has proven a boon to the tax- payer; and it expedites the execution of the law. In 1915 he intro- duced a bill which provided that in case of a death a wife would have the same rights to community property as a husband, with- out administration. This did not become a law; but the justice and practicability of the bill were afterwards seen, and as a result, in 1917, amendments were passed which greatly protected the rights of the widow in community property. He successfully led in the reclamation fight in behalf of the farmers of the state, much to the discomfiture of those who attempted to pass legisla- tion to exploit the landowners. By his independent stand he has shown himself to be one of the leading and strong men of the senate; and since its adjournment he has been in receipt of many letters, not only from California, but also from several of the western states, complimenting him on his success.
Senator Purkitt has been very active in the Democratic party of the state; and in 1916 he was a delegate from California to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis, that nominated President Wilson for the second term. At a meeting in St. Louis of the delegates from California, the members insisted on his run- ning for Member of Congress from the First Congressional Dis- triet ; but he declined, owing to his growing practice, which he felt needed his undivided attention at that time. He was a member of
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the State Democratic Central Committee and of the executive com- mittee of that body, being chairman of the committee on platform that wrote the state platform. In the fall of 1916 he took part in the councils of his party, and in campaigning for President Wil- son in California and Oregon.
Since he has been able to devote all of his time to his practice, he has acquired a large clientele ; and he has a very lucrative prac- tice throughout Northern California, as well as in Glenn County, his home. As a relief from the strennons duties of public life, Senator Purkitt farms one hundred twenty-two acres of highly im- proved land near Hamilton, Glenn County, where he has eighty- five acres in alfalfa, from which he has ent as high as an average of ten tons to the acre annually. This property is under lease.
In 1907 Claude F. Purkitt was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Johnson, a native daughter, born in Lake County, whose father, G. W. Johnson, was a prominent pioneer of that county. Senator Purkitt belongs to the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and has held various offices in these organizations. He is prominent in all affairs of his county that make for better conditions for the people and the development of the varied interests that add to the wealth of the county. He is public-spirited and genial, and en- joys to a high degree the confidence of his fellow citizens; and no doubt he will rise to greater political heights if he consents to try for them.
HUGH JAMES GLENN
The late Dr. Hugh James Glenn was one of the most promi- nent upbuilders of the northern part of the Sacramento Valley, where he was a large landowner and a prosperous rancher. He was born in Mt. Vernon, Va., on September 18, 1824, a son of George Glenn, also a Virginian, who moved to Paris, Mo., and passed his last days there. Hugh J. Glenn was educated in the common schools and grew to manhood in Missouri. Desiring to become a physician, he began a medical course in 1844, attending lectures in McDowell's College, in St. Louis. In 1845, however, fired with intense patriotism, he enlisted in the First Missouri Regiment of mounted volunteers, under General Price, for service in the Mexican War; and during the following two years he took part in several battles. After his discharge, in 1847, he resnmed his medical studies in Cooper Medical College, from which he graduated with highest honors in a class of two hundred.
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After practicing two years in St. Lonis, Dr. Glenn decided that he would come to California. On March 15, 1849, he was married to Nancy Harrison Abernathy; and on April 12 of that year, leaving his young bride, he came across the plains. IIe arrived in Sacramento in August, safe but penniless, and went to the mines on the American River, at Murderer's Bar, where he worked a claim for two months; bnt wealth did not roll into his sluice-boxes as he had hoped it would, and so he bought a team of oxen and began hauling freight from Sacramento to Coloma and varions mining camps. He kept at this work until he had enough money to open a livery stable in Sacramento, which he later sold for $5,000. He returned to Missouri in 1850, and put his money into a St. Lonis bank, which failed three weeks later. To get another "stake," Dr. Glenn came back to California in 1851, and located on Stony Creek, where he raised stock that winter. He made up his mind that he would make California his future home; so in the spring of 1852 he went back to St. Louis, and the follow- ing year brought his family and settled in Yolo County, on Pntah Creek. Renting land near Davis, he engaged in farming and stock-raising in company with Major Biggs and S. E. Wilson. He met with success, but in 1856 sold ont his interests and went back to Missouri with his family. There he remained two years, after which he came again to California. He made thirteen separate trips across the plains with bands of horses and cattle, and finally entered into partnership with Messrs. Biggs and Wilson, with whom he continued until 1867. He then bought eight thousand acres on the north end of the Jacinto ranch, in what is now Glenn County. From time to time he added to his holdings, until he had purchased the entire forty-two thousand acres, and also. six thou- sand acres from the Larkin heirs. He continued buying land, and acquired four thousand acres in Tehama County, besides leasing twelve thousand acres of the Butte Creek ranch, and ten thousand acres of the Montgomery ranch. In time he became one of the largest landowners in California. His ambition was to raise one million sacks of grain in one year, but he fell a little short of this on account of the local conditions, though he had eighty thousand acres in grain.
In 1870 Dr. Glenn purchased a large ranch in Nevada, where he engaged in the stock business. This property was sold in 1885, to Miller & Lux, for $250,000. It was known as the Crutcher- Glenn Cattle Ranch, the corporation taking its name from the owners of the property, Waller Crnteher and Dr. Hugh Glenn. In 1871 Peter French began to work for Dr. Glenn as a vagnero. That year he took a bunch of cattle to Oregon, where he bought land from time to time until he had purchased one hundred fifty
J Elernight.
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thousand acres, which was devoted to raising hay and enormous numbers of stock, under the name of the French-Glenn Cattle Ranch. This was sold to Senator Corbett, for his son. Dr. Glenn was a candidate for governor at one time, but was defeated by George Perkins. He was a prominent factor, also, in the State Board of Agriculture. He died on February 17, 1882.
Mrs. Glenn survived her husband until September, 1891, dying at the age of sixty years. She was born in Paris, Mo., a descend- ant of a pioneer family of that state. She had six sons and three daughters, all now deceased but Charles H., Mrs. Charles Leonard, and Frank B.
Like his father, Frank B. Glenn takes an active part in public affairs. In 1899-1900 he served as assemblyman from Colusa, Glenn, and Lake Counties. He has been twice married, first in Oakland, to Dita Bradley, of Nevada, who died in 1890. His second marriage occurred in 1892, when he was united with Phil- mont Jarvis, born in Yolo County, by whom he has one danghter, Nancy Glenn.
JOHN E. KNIGHT
A very enterprising and progressive rancher, who for thirty years or more has been identified in the most honorable way with the development and growth of both Colusa and Glenn Counties, and who through his patriotic devotion to this locality, together with his industry and wise investments, has prospered beyond the lot of the average, is John E. Knight, the son of Leonard S. and Mary A. (Barber) Knight, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. After their marriage, his parents left the British Isles in 1856 for the United States, and arriving here, first settled in Iowa, where they followed farming until 1862. In that year, they came to Cali- fornia and bought a farm on Cache Creek, near the little town of Cacheville, Yolo County, on which they lived until the death of Mrs. Knight, in 1878. Mr. Knight then leased the ranch and bought a hotel in the town of Cacheville (now Yolo) ; and he was still managing the hostelry when his death occurred, on May 19, 1892. He left a family of ten children by his first wife, all of whom survive him, with the exception .of Leonard, his third son and namesake, who owned the home place, and who was called from this life in Yolo, February 3, 1916, widely mourned by a host of friends. The living are: Henry D. Knight, of Sacramento; Mrs. Elizabeth Rehmke, of Woodland; Chris C. Knight, of Wood- land; Mrs. Thomas Murphy, of Yolo; Mrs. Troy Barr, of Wood- land; William Knight, of Willows; Mrs. T. S. Brothers, of
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Merced ; John E. Knight, of this review ; and Enoch F. Knight, of Willows. In Sacramento, Jannary 22, 1880, Mr. Knight was mar- ried the second time, to Mrs. Sarah (O'Neil) Lynch, by whom he left two danghters: Mrs. Vernie Newton, of Woodland; and Miss Vinnie Knight, of Merced. Mr. Knight had been an extensive landowner and stock-raiser; he was a successful and popular hotel keeper; and he proved himself a good neighbor and citizen in the land of his adoption.
John E. Knight, familiarly known as "Jack" Knight, was the ninthi child in order of birth. He was born on the ranch near Cacheville, August 20, 1875. In the summer of 1883, at the age of eight years, he went to Elk Creek, Colusa (now Glenn) County, intending to spend his vacation with his oldest brother, Henry D. Knight, whom he had never seen. Here he was welcomed as one of the family; and he was accorded such a good time, and the attractions of the new locality were so strong, that he remained a year, attending the Elk Creek school, and returned the following summer. When he was twelve years of age, chafing under the restraint of a stepmother's authority, he started out to earn his own living. For a while he found employment in the neighbor- hood; but the memory of Stony Creek, and of his pleasant stay at his brother's house, called him there a second time. He was again received with open arms, and here he spent the remaining por- tion of his youth. He attributes whatever success he may have attained to the unselfish care and love, and the kindly home influ- ence and wise counsel, of his brother Henry and his devoted wife, Dora Squires Knight. At the age of eighteen he returned to Yolo, where he worked for several seasons on the Fair ranch. In 1895, having saved a good portion of his earnings, he decided to try his fortunes in the Alaskan gold fields. With this object in view, he went to Elk Creek to bid his brother and family good-bye, but was dissuaded from taking the trip by his brother Henry, with whom he opened a general merchandise store in Elk Creek the following spring under the firm name of H. D. Knight & Bro.
In September, 1902, this fine establishment with its contents was destroyed by fire. Nothing daunted, however, the Knight brothers started in again and continued together until 1911, at which time they sold the business and Jack Knight came to Wil- lows, where he bought one hundred forty acres of land, a half mile east of town on the Glenn road. This property he devotes to stock-raising, making a specialty of fine dairy stock, which he raises and sells. About the same time, Mr. Knight erected one of the best houses in the county, a modern plastered bungalow of the Mission style of architecture. He put out ten acres to olives, and planted a family orchard. As a result of his enterprise and busi-
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ness sagacity, Mr. Knight has become an important property- owner. He has several ranches and considerable town property. From his holdings, all of which are rented out, he receives a hand- some income, and a satisfactory reward for his years of self- reliant effort.
In Willows, on July 20, 1901, at the bride's home, Mr. Knight was married to Edna Louise Purkitt, a native of Glenn County and the eldest daughter of George H. and Dr. T. T. Purkitt. Rev. Octavius Parker, Rector of St. Luke's Church, Woodland, officiated. Of this union two sons-John Richard Tiffee, ten years old, and George Purkitt, eight years old-have been born. A social favorite generally, Jack Knight is especially welcome among the Elks. He is a member of Chico Lodge.
EDWARD MARION SEHORN
As might be expected of one who has spent his entire life in California, Edward M. Sehorn is patriotically devoted to the interests of the Golden State, and champions all measures looking towards the development of the commonwealth. As proprietor of the Daily Journal of Willows, he has won an enviable place among the upbuilder's of Glenn County, and the state.
A native of Colusa County, Edward Marion Sehorn was born on May 19, 1873, a son of Andrew Wallace and Katherine (Hop- kins) Sehorn, natives of Virginia and Wisconsin respectively, a sketch of whose lives appears on another page of this history. E. M. Sehorn began his education in the public school at Willows. After completing his studies he at once turned his attention to. newspaper work. In 1897 he purchased the paper with which he has since been connected. This semi-weekly and daily messenger to the people has done much towards shaping the development of the county by molding public opinion, and has become recognized as "the home paper" by the majority of the citizens of Glenn County.
Mrs. Edward M. Sehorn was in maidenhood Maude J. Billion, a daughter of the late Joseph Billiou, whose life history is given elsewhere in this work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sehorn was solemnized in Oakland, August 29, 1908. Two children have blessed their union: Joseph Wallace Sehorn, aged seven years; and Edward Marion Sehorn, Jr., aged two years. By a former marriage Mr. Sehorn has a daughter, Catherine, the wife of Talbot Anderson, an extensive landowner in Glenn County. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson make their home in Sacramento. Politically,
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Mr. Sehorn is an independent Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Chico Lodge of Elks.
The Journal is the oldest paper in Willows. It was estab- lished on July 12, 1877, by John A. Patrick, formerly of Dixon, Solano County. Some time later the paper was sold to E. R. Coghlan, who in turn disposed of it to Hon. E. C. Hart. W. H. and K. E. Kelly were its next owners; and then Kelly and Free- man, who started a daily in 1887. Up to that time the Journal had been a weekly paper. Mr. Sehorn later became a partner with Mr. Kelly. In 1897 he purchased the plant, and has since been sole owner. Under his management the paper has come to be recognized as a leading factor in the promotion of all things tending to the general welfare of the county.
JOSEPH BILLIOU
That the memory of a good man frequently and potently lives after him, and glorifies his memory, is illustrated in the life of the late Joseph Billion, of Glenn County. A native of Missouri, he was born in Florissant, near St. Louis, September 22, 1839, a son of Cyprian and Mary (O'Connell) Billiou, both born in that state, the father coming from a long line of French ancestors. Some time after his marriage the elder Billion crossed the plains to Cal -- ifornia with ox teams. Upon his arrival he sought his fortune in the mines in Shasta County. This did not enrich him as fast as he had anticipated it would; so he turned his attention to farming, an ocenpation that he did know something about. He came to Colusa County and settled near Princeton on a ranch, where he made his home until 1876. Having made a success of his labors, he made up his mind that he would make a trip back to his old home in Mis- souri ; and soon after his arrival in Florissant, he passed away, in 1876. His widow lived to enjoy life until she had almost reached the century mark, living with her son Michael in California.
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