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 59
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 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
GEORGE MELLOR
Prominent among those who had great faith in the future of Willows, and who gave tangible evidence of that faith by both lib- erally investing in local property and subscribing generously, in 1891, to the fund raised by citizens to aid in the formation of a new county, was George Mellor, a native of Devonshire, England, where he was born on April 3, 1847, and where he was reared on a modest farm. When he had reached the age of thirteen, his father put him out for four years as an apprentice to a blacksmith, under whom he received excellent training, according to thorough Old World methods, and became a clever and skilful workman.
Soon after attaining to the dignity of a journeyman, Mr. Mel- lor sailed from England for the United States; and traveling as far westward as Cheyenne, Wyo., he worked there at his trade. In the early seventies he came to California, and entered the em- ploy of William Johnson, who had a blacksmith shop at Dixon.
In 1877, Mr. Mellor reached Willows, and soon started in bus- iness as the pioneer blacksmith here. He bought the corner lot at Butte and Walnut Streets, and erected there a blacksmith's shop, in which he continued in business for many years. He was a skilled mechanic and gunsmith, and never lacked employment. With unbounded faith in the future, he invested in town lots, and at Walnut Street erected a brick block. He owned a number of city lots, which he later sold at a fair profit.
Louis ash
683
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
A few years before his death, which occurred at Willows on November 25, 1911, Mr. Mellor retired from active life and gave himself up to rest and the enjoyment of leisure hours. He was a wide reader in English history, on which he became something of a local authority. Mr. Mellor was a Mason, a charter member of Laurel Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., at Willows, and he was also a member of Marshall Chapter, No. 86, O. E. S.
George Mellor was twice married. His first wife was Miss Agnes Cadman, an Englishwoman, whom he married in Dixon while he was employed there. She died in Willows, in October, 1881. On January 30, 1884, he married Mrs. Dora Kyes, born in Baltimore, Md., but who had been a resident of Willows since April, 1879. She was a widow with two children. Since her hus- band's death, Mrs. Mellor has lived on the old home place. She is an active member, and also a Past Matron, of Marshall Chapter, No. 86, O. E. S., at Willows.
LOUIS ASH
Not everyone puts his shoulder to the wheel with the same confidence and enthusiasm as does Louis Ash; yet if more ranch- ers viewed their work with the same broad attitude of mind, suc- cess would oftener attend the labors of those to whom is com- mitted the responsibility of getting the earth to yield its utmost for the benefit of the sons of men. Louis Ash is a native son, born on the old Ash ranch in Colusa County, May 20, 1886, a son of the late Captain William Ash, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Louis Ash was educated in the public schools of Colusa County and at Heald's Business College in San Francisco, after which he returned to the home ranch and, with his father and brothers, operated it in partnership. After his father's death he continued on the old home ranch of two thousand acres as super- intendent until 1911, when he leased the ranch. Here he is en- gaged in raising grain on an extensive scale. Besides this branch of agriculture, he devotes considerable time to the raising of a good grade of hogs.
In all his ranching operations, Mr. Ash makes use of the most modern machinery and methods, using a seventy-five horse power Best tractor for plowing and putting in his grain, to which he plants between seven hundred and twelve hundred acres annu- ally, and a Holt combined harvester for the harvesting of the crop. With his up-to-date machinery he not only does his own work, but reaps and threshes some thousand acres for his neighbors, which
684
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
work adds to his annual income. The grain from his ranch is hauled to the Berlin warehouse, two miles distant, which makes a very convenient shipping point.
Lonis Ash was united in marriage in San Francisco, with Miss Marguerite B. Myers, born in Colusa County, a daughter of Jacob E. Myers. He is a pioneer farmer and stockman of the county, and has been identified with its growth and development for many years. Mrs. Ash received her education at St. Ger- trude's Academy at Rio Vista. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ash two children have been born, Marie Louise and Margue- rite Lois.
Mr. Ash is a member and past Vice-Grand of Spring Valley Lodge, No. 316, I. O. O. F., at Arbuckle, and is Past Chief Patri- arch of the Encampment; and he is also a member of Marysville Lodge, No. 783, B. P. O. Elks. In politics he is a Republican, and has been an active member of the County Central Committee. Since becoming of age, in 1907, Mr. Ash has been a director in the William Ash Company, a family corporation.
JOHN P. RYAN
A civil engineer and licensed land surveyor, who has prac- ticed his profession in both Oregon and California, and especially throughout this section of the latter state, John P. Ryan is a citi- zen who, by his public spirit, has contributed much toward the building np of the communities in which he has lived. He is a na- tive of Wausau, Wis., where he was born on March 15, 1883. When only ten years old, he came with his father, Frank Ryan, to Hamilton City, Glenn County; and there he attended the coun- try schools. Later, when more advanced in his studies, he finished a course with honor at the Van Der Nailen School of Engineering at Oakland, and so laid the foundation for his eventful career.
For two years Mr. Ryan was in the employ of the United States Geological Survey, in the Sacramento Valley; and for three years he served as engineer to the Sacramento Valley Sugar Com- pany, at Hamilton City. He spent another three years as assist- ant engineer to the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company, at Willows; and this experience may be said to have brought him to the fore, for one of his important engineering accomplishments was the designing and constructing of a concrete irrigation system for Monroeville, Glenn County-a system of underground cement pipe line unlike any other in the county.
685
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
At present Mr. Ryan is special tax agent for a number of cor- porations owning property in this part of the state. He examines lands, and reports systematically on their condition. His unde- niably high personal character, together with his known reputation for experience and technical ability, peculiarly adapts him for this responsibility, assuring his patrons of a trustworthy and intelli- gent handling of their interests.
In 1907, Mr. Ryan started the anti-saloon movement in Glenn County. He gave liberally of his time and energy to the work of effacing one of the great sources of crime and poverty; and in a few short years he saw his efforts rewarded in turning the county dry, with the exception of a single town.
In June, 1914, Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Mary Sauer, a charming lady from Pittsburg, Pa .; and one daughter, Miss Mar- garet, has blessed their union. Mr. Ryan is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, and is also active as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
ZACHARIAH LUCE
A ranchman who is favorably known among other ranchmen of his vicinity, and concerning whom every one has a pleasant word to say, Zach. Luce, as he is familiarly called, is esteemed by his many friends in Newville for his industry and progressive spirit. A native of that part of Colusa County which is now Glenn County, he was born on September 20, 1876, on the old home place near Newville, the youngest child of Alonzo and Elizabeth Luce, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. He went to school at Newville and West Side until he was seventeen years of age, and for another four years worked with his father at farming.
When he attained his majority, Zach. Luce started out for himself. He commenced driving teams, and for eleven years fol- lowed teaming with fair financial success. About 1901, he rented the home ranch of fifteen hundred twenty acres, and went into the raising of cattle, hogs and horses. In 1907, the home place was subdivided. He took his own share, and farmed two hundred thirty acres, devoting his efforts especially to hogs and cattle. On this place he has built a residence and barns, and made the neces- sary improvements.
At San Francisco, on August 15, 1903, Zach. Luce and Miss Edith May Lockwood, a native of Elk Creek, were married-an event that contributed in no small degree to Mr. Luce's later pros- perity. Mrs. Luce is the daughter of William and Sarah (Knight) Lockwood, natives of England, who settled in Yolo County, Cal.,
686
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
and afterwards became early settlers of Elk Creek. They now re- side at Newville. An active Republican, supporting Republican platforms, but broad and liberal in his views toward local candi- dates, Mr. Luce in 1914 was elected constable of Newville Town- ship, which position he is now filling with entire satisfaction to his community.
MARCUS L. CONKLIN
An experienced agriculturist and an expert goat-breeder, Marcus L. Conklin has for years contributed something peculiarly his own towards bringing California into the front rank of the great sisterhood of American states. Born December 14, 1853, in Jo Daviess County, Ill., he came with his parents to California. His father was Levi Conklin, a native of Onondaga County, New York State; while his mother was Cynthia A. Wells, a native of Illinois, in which state she was married. After serving with honor in the Mexican War, Levi Conklin came to California in 1853. Here he embarked in farming, having been brought up on a farm in the East.
In 1865, the elder Conklin moved to Marysville, and later to Colusa County, now Glenn County, where he located a pre- emption claim, and later a homestead, which is now a part of Conklin Bros.' ranch. He went into stock-raising and general farming, and was very successful. In 1880, he took up sheep- raising, but at the end of three years gave it up for cattle, horses and hogs. In the arduous work of the ranch he had the coopera- tion of his sons. The father passed away in 1897. The mother died in Red Bluff about 1885. They had six children, five of whom grew to maturity: Marcus L .; George W., who died at the age of fifty-one; Josephine, Mrs. Harriman; Abram; Wells; and Walter, who died at nine years. Of these, Abram and Wells are associated together in the stock business.
Marcus Conklin went to school in Marysville, and then worked with his father up to the time of the latter's death; for being the oldest son of the family, much was expected of him. When he first came to this section of the county, practically the entire area was government land, and there were few or no settlers here. Now the ('onklin Bros.' ranch embraces some two thousand five hundred acres. Three brothers, M. L. Conklin, A. Conklin and Wells Conklin, are in partnership together; and each con- tributes to the reputation of the firm for successful breeding. Having been one of the first families in this part of the state to go in for goat-raising, they have spared no pains or expense
J. Talbot anderson
689
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
to elevate and maintain the standard of their breed; and they are among the most active members of the Angora Goat Breeders' Association of the United States. Marcus Conklin is, in fact, one of the board of thirteen directors, a second vice-president, and chairman of the financial committee-positions of responsi- bility, as will be seen from the fact that the association handles about two million dollars' worth of products every year. They brought to California two of the thoroughbred Billies, imported from South Africa at a cost of eight hundred dollars, and among the finest specimens in the state. They are said to be the largest goat-raisers in Glenn County.
Popular in business circles, Mr. Conklin is equally so among the Masons, being an active member of Newville Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M. Abram and Wells Conklin were born at Yreka; and from the time they were lads, they have been working with stock. Abram is married to Alice Wilder; and they have two girls, twins, Rubina and Rudena.
THOMAS TALBOT ANDERSON
A native son of California, Thomas Talbot Anderson was born in Colusa County on September 25, 1895, a son of John Thomas and Susie (Pickings) Anderson, the former born in Mis- souri and the latter in Colusa County. His father, when a lad of twelve years, came to Modoc County, Cal., where his uncle, Thomas I. Talbot, had a stock ranch of large proportions. There he rode the range and learned a great deal about the stock business, so that when he came to Colnsa County he became a valued assistant to another uncle, James R. Talbot, who owned large ranch and stock interests southwest from Willows. Here he remained for some time, and later became associated with Logan brothers, with whom he continued until he engaged in ranching and stock-raising on his own account. He went back to Modoc County, and in Big Valley, where he had acquired land on the Thomas I. Talbot ranch, began raising stock, at which he continued very success- fully until his death, which occurred in San Francisco on July 31, 1905. His widow, now Mrs. Gibney, resides in that city. Of the union of John Thomas and Susie (Pickings) Anderson, Thomas Talbot Anderson is the only child.
ยท The early life of Thomas Talbot Anderson, from the age of five, was spent on the stock ranch in Modoe County ; and his school- ing, until he was twelve, was obtained in the public schools of his locality. At the age of twelve years he became a student in
690
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
Belmont Military Academy, in San Mateo County. After an attendance of six years, during which time the foundation of his young manhood was laid, Young Anderson entered the agricul- tural department of the University of California, at the experi- mental farm at Davis. One year before he completed the course he took up ranching. In 1917 he purchased his present place, located about one and one quarter miles from Davis, in Yolo County, where he makes his home. Here he is raising alfalfa and stock, using the modern methods whereby "two blades of grass are made to grow where only one grew before," and is meeting with good success.
Mr. Anderson was one of the heirs of his great-uncle, James R. Talbot, and upon his death inherited an interest in the Talbot ranch located southwest from Willows. Having an ambition to own a large body of land, Mr. Anderson used his income to pur- chase the interests of the other heirs, until today he is the owner of thirteen thousand three hundred acres of that ranch. This he leases for stock- and grain-raising.
The marriage of Thomas Talbot Anderson with Miss Catherine Sehorn was celebrated in San Francisco on November 8, 1915. Mrs. Anderson is the daughter of Edward M. Sehorn, editor and proprietor of the Willows Journal, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. She was born in Willows, Glenn County, and received her education at Mt. St. Gertrude Academy at Rio Vista, in Solano County. This happy couple have been blessed with one son, Thomas Edward Anderson. Mr. Anderson is a very progressive citizen. His aim in life is to do all that he can, by giving of his time and means, so far as he is able, towards improving the condition of the people, and towards giving pub- licity to the advantages of soil and climate to be found in Cali- fornia, of which state he is proud to be called a native son.
HENRY MILLIGAN
A ranchman who, by hard labor, economy, and the wise ap- plication of the lessons of yesterday to the solution of the problems of tomorrow, has succeeded where many others have failed, is Henry Milligan, who was born near Alexandra, Licking County, Ohio, on May 11, 1848, and came alone to California when he was twenty-one years of age. His father, Robert Milligan, was a na- tive of Douglas, Isle of Man, England. He was a millwright, and came to Ohio in 1843, where he followed his trade and the milling business near Alexandra. There also he was married to Electa
691
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
Benjamin, who was born in Massachusetts. They removed to Ma- rion County, Iowa, in 1856, where he continued for a time in the milling business and in farming. Later they removed to Utica, Mo., where the father died in 1883. The mother afterwards re- moved to Rising City, Neb., and died in 1893. They had five chil- dren, three of whom are living. Henry is the oldest. He was raised on a farm in Iowa; and at sixteen years of age, in 1864, when the terrible Civil War was at its height, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, in which he served with credit for six months, after which he was.mustered out at Rock Island Barracks and honorably discharged. In Omaha, he went to work for the Union Pacific, and stayed with them for two years; and then, in 1869, he came to California.
Arriving in California, Mr. Milligan was attracted to New- ville, in what was then Colusa County; and having no capital of his own, he commenced working out as a ranch hand for other peo- ple, in which he continued for some years. In 1883, however, he took up government land and started in for himself.
In the middle of the nineties, he commenced to manage the present home place, going into stock-raising and general farming. He started with eighty acres, and later added to it until he had seven Imindred twenty acres in the ranch. This land he devotes to sheep, cattle and hogs, and to the raising of grain.
Mr. Milligan was married at Newville, on May 1, 1879, to Miss Clara Luce, a native of Sonoma County, where she was born in 1861. She died on New Years' Day, 1917. Two children blessed this union : Anna, who is deceased; and Ira Arthur, who is farm- ing the home place. Politically, Mr. Milligan has always been a Republican. He has served his community as trustee and clerk of the West Side school district.
JACKSON VAN SCYOC
The proprietor of a general merchandise store, Jackson Van Sevoc brought to his responsible undertaking a varied experience in other fields, acquainting him with human nature and the practical affairs of human life. Born on December 27, 1851, in Fremont County, Iowa, he attended school a short time. Early in life he began work on a Western farm. Leaving home in 1872, he went for a year or two to Wyoming, and while there broadened his experience by contact with frontier life.
Later, in 1874, Mr. Van Seyoc came to what is now Fruto, being employed on ranches in the winters, and spending the
692
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
summers in the mountains of Round Valley, Mendocino County, in the stock business for John Boggs. On November 10, 1880, he was married at Colusa to Miss Lucy Beasley, a native of Illinois. That same year Mr. Van Seyoe bought a hotel in Elk Creek, which he continued to manage until 1883. He then sold the property and bought his present home place. At first, he con- tented himself with a hundred twenty-six acres; but from time to time he added to his original purchase, until now he is the possessor of eight hundred acres of the best land in this section. He took up stock-raising and general farming; and working early and late, and giving intelligent consideration to details, he has made of his enterprise a decided success.
In 1914, Mr. Van Seyoc embarked in the general merchandise business; and all those who have had the pleasure of dealing with him, and choosing from his well-assorted and up-to-date stock, are impressed with his adaptability to the mercantile life.
Four children-Stella, William, Junius and Dewey, all living -blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Van Seyoc. Fraternally, Mr. Van Sevoc is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Lodge No. 321, of Newville, in which he has passed through all the chairs.
ANTWINE T. ST. LOUIS
The honor of being a son of a pioneer of California, as well as being a pioneer in his own right, is accorded A. T. St. Louis, who is farming with his son west of Willows. He is descended from an old and honorable French family, and was born at St. Louis, Mo., January 17, 1852, the same year that his father, Colbert St. Louis, crossed the plains to the Golden State. Colbert St. Louis was a native of Canada, born near Montreal, and came to the United States at an early day, locating in St. Louis County, Mo. The town and county of St. Louis were named in honor of members of his family who played an important part in the early development of that section of the country. On the trip across the plains, the party of which Colbert St. Louis was a member was attacked by cholera; but fortunately only one death resulted. On his arrival in California, Mr. St. Louis located his family in Yolo County, in the vicinity of Knights Landing, where he engaged in farming for a year. He then sold out and bought a tract of land near Yolo, in that same county, where he farmed and made his home until his death in 1863. He was married three times, the third time to Miss Margaret Lucia, who was born in St. Louis. They had six chil- dren who grew up, Antwine T. being the eldest of the family. The
.
CLT St Louis
695
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
others were Henry B., living in Glenn County; Mary, Mrs. Wil- liam Spence of Colusa County; Margaret A., Mrs. H. V. Branham of Willows; Emma, Mrs. Jule David of Chico; and George E., of the vicinity of Glenn. After the death of Mr. St. Louis, his widow married Louis Jarvis, and resided at Willows.
A. T. St. Louis was educated in the public schools of Yolo County, and was reared to farm work. In 1869 he came to Colusa County. Near Colusa he was engaged in cutting wood for a time, until he met with an accident while hunting, on March 17, when he suffered the loss of three fingers of his left hand by the premature discharge of his gun. Nothing daunted, he was at work in the hayfield in May of that year. In the fall of 1870 he bought a quar- ter section of railroad land. He put the first plow in the soil, built fences and buildings, set out trees, and planted grain, which, when harvested, he had to haul to Princeton, as that was the nearest point for transportation. Later the grain was hauled to Norman, when a station was established there. He branched out in his oper- ations by leasing land, and farmed from four thousand to seven thousand acres annually to grain, using modern machinery to plant and harvest his erops as such innovations came into exist- ence. He added to his own holdings, and now owns four hundred acres of good land. He has made a success of his operations as a rancher.
In Woodland, Yolo County, occurred the marriage of A. T. St. Louis with Mary E. O'Brien, a native of New Bedford, Mass., but a resident of California since 1865. Their marriage has been blessed with ten children: John Joseph, assisting in farming the old home place; Annie, who died aged four years; Vandever A., in Sacramento; Maybelle, wife of M. Bond; George M., assisting on the home place; Margaret Agnes, Mrs. Swensen of Monticello; James Colbert, who died at the age of sixteen; Monica Marie, Mrs. Miller of Orland; Herman J., also assisting on the home ranch; and Lucy Agnes, Mrs. Reeve of Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. St. Louis have fourteen grandchildren to brighten their pathway in their declining years.
The improvements seen today on the home ranch were all placed there by Mr. St. Louis. A considerable acreage is now in alfalfa. Since 1910 he has resided with his wife at their home in Sacramento, which he purchased at 1214 P Street. However, he still superintends his ranch, and leases lands adjoining, engaging in farming on a large scale, in which he is assisted by his sons. Much of his success he credits to his faithful wife, who is a splen- did housekeeper. She did her housework, reared her children, and cooked for some twenty-eight men during busy seasons.
696
COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
In politics a Democrat, Mr. St. Louis was a candidate for su- pervisor at one time, and lost the election only by two votes. He has served faithfully as a school trustee in Liberty district, and was on the first board organized, that built the first schoolhouse. Now, in the evening of their days, this sturdy pioneer couple, after forty-seven years on the plains of Glenn County, can look back on work well done and a life well spent, with no regrets for work un- done, for they have given their utmost endeavor to build up and advance their home county.
CHARLES A. BUTLER
A merchant of Elk Creek who has both set and maintained a high standard in the conducting of his business, so that patrons from miles around come to select from his varied and excellent stock, is Charles A. Butler, who was born on March 9, 1886, in North Yakima, Yakima County, Wash., and came to Colusa County in 1887, the year of the great California boom, in com- pany with his parents, Engene T. and Anna (O'Neal) Butler, natives of Iowa and Washington. The former had come to Colusa County when a lad of sixteen years, and later engaged in the sheep business, driving a band to Washington Territory, where. he was married. He returned to California in the above-named year, and became a stockman on Stony Creek, where, with a part- ner, Warren Green, he ran sheep until 1892. He then went into the cattle business, carrying it on until 1915, when he sold his interest and retired. He is now residing on his ranch southwest of Elk Creek.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.