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 72
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 72
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JOHN M. MORRIS
A resident of Colusa County since the year 1860, whither he was brought when a lad of eight years, John M. Morris has seen and taken part in the growth and development of this section ever since. Ife is a Westerner by birth, having first seen the light of day in the Willamette Valley, in Oregon, on February 28, 1852; and there he was sent to the district school until he came to Cali- fornia. His father, Lewis Morris, was born in Kentucky, and married Louisa Bradley, a native of Missouri. Their children were Thomas W., William A., James M., John M., Mrs. Ida Wel- ton, and Mrs. Edith McGann. In 1849 the father crossed the plains to Oregon. There he farmed until 1860, when he came down into this state and secured two hundred acres of government land in the Hagar grant near Three Rivers, and for seven years farmed to grain. In 1867 he moved to Stonyford, and bought three hun- dred twenty acres of school land, where he raised cattle and hogs with success until his death.
John M. Morris attended school at Grand Island and Stony- ford, after he came to California; and when he was old enough he began farming for himself, taking up one hundred sixty acres of government land in east Stonyford, where he developed a prom- ising ranch. In 1897 he moved to his present place, on which he raises stock cattle and some grain. Mr. Morris is interested in all things that make for the upbuilding of the state, county and district.
Mr. Morris was married at Stonyford, on December 30, 1877, to Miss Susan A. Winn, born in Springfield, Ill., the daughter and the only child of Washington W. and Sarah (Davis) Winn, natives
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of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Mr. Winn was a builder. He migrated with his family to Colusa County, Cal., in 1871, followed the builder's trade in the vicinity of Orland for a time, and then located at Stonyford, where he continued at his trade. Here he and his wife resided until their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris eight children were born: Clarence A., forest ranger, stationed near Banning in the Angeles Forest Reserve; Eva B., Mrs. Hickok, who resides near Lodi; Alonzo J., of Exeter, Cal .; Pres- ton, who resides in Tehama County, Myrta, Mrs. Lake, who lives near Orland; Opal, Mrs. Potter, of Stonyford; Harriette, de- ceased; and Ida, who resides with her parents. Mr. Morris was made a Mason in Snow Mountain Lodge, No. 271, F. & A. M., at Stonyford, of which he is a Past Master. With his wife, he is a member of Eowana Chapter, O. E. S., of the same place. For many years he was a member of the board of school trustees of Indian Valley district, and was active in building the schools and bringing them to a high standard. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family are well and favorably known in Colusa County, where they have taken a prominent place in business and social circles.
CHARLES A. TEMPLETON
To those men who have succeeded in life solely by their own efforts much credit is dne; and of such, Charles A. Templeton is an example. Born in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, February 7, 1863, he was taken to Michigan by his parents while a child. There he attended the public schools and was reared on the home farm, and learned the trade of cheese-maker. In 1884 he came to California, settling in Orland, Colusa County, where he found employment in the store of Albert Papst. Later he worked in the store at St. John owned by C. J. Papst. From there he went into the mountains west of Orland and engaged in the cattle business. Afterwards he rented fourteen hundred acres of land and devoted himself to grain-raising; and after some time spent in this venture, he returned to Orland and worked in the store of B. N. Scribner, of that place.
In 1904 Mr. Templeton started to farm and improve his present ranch of sixty acres. He bought this place, situated one mile east of Orland, in 1887, paying ten dollars per acre, and has improved it steadily until it now ranks as one of the best ranches in the vicinity of Orland. He originally owned one hundred sixty acres, but sold one Imindred acres. Of the ranch, thirty
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acres are in alfalfa and thirty in almonds. His alfalfa runs six tons per year to the acre, with five cuttings yearly. In addition to these interests he has a dairy of fourteen Jersey cows, stand- ard-bred, with registered bull; and he is also one of the organizers, and a stockholder, of the Orland Creamery Co.
Coming to Colusa (now Glenn) County in early manhood, Mr. Templeton has been a part of its steady growth; and like most self-made men, he has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his community. He is a man of public spirit and enter- prise; and all projects inaugurated for the advancement of the commonwealth have found in him a ready helper. He has found time, in the midst of his business interests, to join in the social life of the community. Fraternally, he is a member of Orland Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment, has passed all the chairs, and is a Past Noble Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He also is a member of the Woodmen of the World.
The marriage of Mr. Templeton united him with Miss Millie Sebring, daughter of the late Cyrus Sebring, M. D., who crossed the plains in the early days. He was justice of the peace in Sacramento County, and later held the same office in Newville, Gienn County, in which locality he practised medicine for many years. He was a pioneer of Chico, Butte County. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton are the parents of three children: Fay, the wife of E. Eddy, and the mother of two girls, Grace and Ellyn; Grace, the wife of Wm. Barr; and Gawn, in Orland high school. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
O'SULLIVAN BROTHERS
The O'Sullivan Brothers own and operate one thousand acres of land of their own in the Newland precinct, Colisa County, besides leasing other tracts of land, and are engaged in raising rice and barley. In 1917 they had five hundred acres of the former and two hundred sixty of the latter planted, part on their own land and the rest on rented property. This is an increase of three hundred acres in rice over 1916. To secure plenty of water for irrigation, they have invested in stock in the Cheney Slough Irrigation Company. In the care of their crops and land they use the most modern machinery and implements. Included in their outfit are a combined harvester and thresher, originally drawn by thirty-two mules and horses,. but now propelled by a C. L. Best track-layer tractor, which they also use for plowing; a Rumley rice thresher, with 36x60 cylinder ; seven Deering binders
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for entting rice; and other modern tools and machinery. They own and nse five antomobiles, and have two fifteen-horse-power gasoline engines for pumping seepage water from their land. They employ several men the year round, and during harvest and having have additional help. When the threshing season comes round, there is a particularly busy time at the O'Sullivan Brothers', and they then have from twenty-five to thirty men busily engaged in various ways.
The firm of O'Sullivan Brothers is composed of four enter- prising young men, sons of Jeremiah O'Sullivan, who is men- tioned on another page of this history. These are John P., Jeremiah T., Thomas F., and Dan P. O'Sullivan. Their sister, Mary E. O'Sullivan, is also interested with them in their ranching enterprise. She and her brothers received a good education in the common schools of this county. When the sons were old enough, they began farming, in which they have been very suc- cessful. All are good mechanics, and are looked upon as enter- prising and able business men. They are highly esteemed in Colusa County, where they have won many friends.
JEREMIAH O'SULLIVAN
A highly respected citizen and a well-known rancher in Newland precinct, Colnsa County, Jeremiah O'Sullivan sailed through the Golden Gate on April 7, 1870, from Australia. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, May 10, 1844, and when twenty years of age went to Australia to try his fortunes; but after spending six years there, he decided that his future success was to be found under the Stars and Stripes and embarked to California. On his arrival he went direct to Marysville and there made declaration of his intention to become a citizen of the United States. At once lie set ont to find some work, and for some time was employed as a farm hand. On January 22, 1873, after he had got a start, he and a brother, John P. O'Sullivan, came to Colusa Connty. Here Mr. O'Sullivan has since made his home; and here he won success and prospered beyond his highest expectations. He began on a small scale, and bonght land from time to time until he became owner of one thousand acres, upon which he carried on a very successful business as a grain- and stock-raiser.
Mr. O'Sullivan was married during his early residence in the state, and five children were born into the family: John P., Jeremialı T., Thomas F., Dan P., and Mary E., now her father's
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housekeeper. As Mr. O'Sullivan grew older, he practically retired from hard work, turning the ranch work over to the boys. As soon as they proved their ability to carry on the work snecess- fully, Mr. O'Sullivan deeded the property to them, and his danghter. His good wife had died in 1902; and after her death he reared his family to manhood and womanhood. The children have ever been kind and dutiful to their father, and have all worked together in harmony for their common interest. To Jeremiah T. and John P., he deeded five hundred ten acres, two miles west of the home place; and the balance he deeded to Thomas F., Dan P., and Mary E. On the home ranch are some gigantie walnut trees planted in an early day by Mr. O'Sullivan. The family are members of the Catholic Church. They are all public-spirited, patriotic citizens, and are well and favorably known throughout their section of Colnsa County.
ROSCOE RAHM
A potent factor in the development of the town of Arbuckle, in the vicinity of which he has lived for twenty years, Roscoe Rahm has the distinction of being a native son of California. He was born on July 19, 1872, near Woodland, Yolo County. His father, Frank M. Rahm, was born near Wooster, Ohio. He crossed the plains with ox teams and wagons, by way of the overland trail, to California, in 1851. He settled on government land near Wood- land, where he improved a farm and became one of the important factors in the upbuilding of Woodland and Yolo County. He served as sheriff of Yolo County two terms, and was postmaster of Woodland for several years. He was married in Yolo County to Helen A. Gaddis, a native of Illinois, and a sister of Judge E. Gaddis. The history of the Gaddis family in America dates back to colonial days. The Reverend William Gaddis and his wife, for- merly Deborah Blair, left Ireland and settled in Albany, N. Y., where he was pastor of the Episcopal Church. In the early for- ties he was transferred to Illinois, where he preached until his death.
Roscoe Rahm attended the Woodland schools, after which, for ten years. he was connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. as a telegraph operator and station agent at different places in the Sacramento Valley, on the Sacramento division. In 1898 he was transferred to Arbuckle, where he acted as agent for six years, giving up the position to engage in agricultural pursuits. For ten years he farmed the Kaerth ranch, east of Arbnekle, rais- ing grain and stock with good results.
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Mr. Rahm was united in marriage in Colusa with Nellie Kaerth, born near College City, a daughter of William Kaerth, of whom a sketch will be found on another pages of this work. Two children have been born to this couple: Edith, a graduate of Pierce Joint Union High School, and June Elma.
Mr. Rahm was elected to the board of supervisors of Colusa County from the first supervisoral district in the fall of 1914, after a hard-fought campaign against three opponents, and is serving his constituents with impartiality and with much credit to himself. He stands for progress, and has been an important factor in re- cent improvements in Arbuckle. It was largely through his efforts that electric lights were installed, the main streets of the town paved, and other improvements made in his district. He supports every movement that will be of benefit to the people of the county, is just and impartial in all his publie work, and holds the respect of all who know him. The cause of education receives the hearty support of Mr. Rahm. He has been an active member of the board of trustees of Pierce Joint Union High School for the past fifteen years, serving as president of the board after his first term as a member. He was made a Mason in Meridian Lodge, No. 182, F. & A. M .. of which he served as secretary for seven years, and as Master for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Rahm are members of Gol- den State Chapter, No. 180, O. E. S., of which he is Past Patron.
JOHN PLECK
The enterprising proprietors of the Willows French Laundry, Mr. and Mrs. John Pleck, have built up a creditable business and are meeting with deserved success. Mr. Pleck is a native of France, born in Basses-Pyrénées, June 24, 1884, where he was reared a farmer's boy. On reaching the age of twenty-one years, he entered the French army, serving in the Eighteenth Infantry Regiment of Pau for two years, when he was honorably dis- charged. In October, 1907, he came to San Francisco, Cal., and there began his connection with the laundry business, working in various laundries in the city until 1910, when he came to Willows and started in business for himself.
A few weeks later, on June 24, 1910, Mr. Pleck married the girl of his choice, in San Francisco. The bride was Madaleine Loustau, who was also a native of Basses-Pyrénées, France. Hav- ing an uncle, Henry Foucadie, in San Francisco, she joined him in the spring of 1907, remaining in that city until her marriage to Mr. Pleck.
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It was May 1, 1910, that Mr. Pleck bought out the small French Laundry in Willows, at No. 126 Willow Street; and there he continued in business for three years, meeting with success. Hav- ing accumulated some means, Mr. and Mrs. Pleck purchased the lot where their present laundry is located, at No. 128 Colusa Street, and built the present building, a two-story structure thirty- five by eighty-five feet in size. The entire building is utilized for laundry purposes. It is a fully equipped steam plant, with thirty- horse boiler and electric power, and the most modern and up-to- date machinery for laundry work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pleck have been born two children, Augustin and Henrietta. Fraternally, Mr. Pleck is a member of the Red Men. Like most of his countrymen, he is an ardent Republican.
PETER KISSLING
A resident of Colusa County since October, 1893, Peter Kiss- ling was born in Schwabendorf, Hesse-Nassau, Germany, on De- cember 21, 1859. His father was Jean Kissling, mention of whom will be found in the sketch of his brother, Jean Kissling, in this work. Peter Kissling was the second child in the family. He was brought up in his native place and was educated in the public schools. On the completion of his studies, he made his way to Westphalia, where he worked for a while in the coal mines. Re- turning home on May 2, 1876, he went to Reinscheid, in the Prov- ince of Rheinland, and began an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. He completed his apprenticeship in three years' time, and was thereafter engaged as a journeyman in the same place until 1885, when he established himself as a merchant tailor in Reinscheid.
About this same time, on November 10, 1885, Mr. Kissling was nited in marriage with Miss Ida Koll, a daughter of Fred- erick and Caroline (Kaiser) Koll. The father was a blacksmith and file manufacturer, and died in 1875. The mother is still living. Of six children born into their family, Mrs. Kissling is the second in order of birth.
In 1893, Mr. Kissling sold his interests in Reinscheid, and with his wife and two children came to Colusa County, locating at Arbuckle, where he again engaged in business as a merchant tailor. He was a splendid workman, and established a large and success- ful trade in his line, conducting the business until 1914, when, tir- ing of indoor work and close confinement, he closed out the estab- lishment, to devote his time to looking after his other affairs.
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Mr. and Mrs. Kissling are very enterprising and progressive. They have a nice, comfortable home in Arbuckle, and have given their children the best educational advantages their means would allow. Helen Caroline, a graduate of the Chico State Normal School, was formerly a teacher. She is now the wife of Peter Greve, a rancher south of College City. Rudolph Conrad is also a graduate of the Chico State Normal School. He taught one year in Arbuckle, and then became principal of the Davis grammar schools, which position he filled for seven years. He is now a senior at the University of California, Berkeley. Ida Elizabeth, a native daughter, was born in Arbuckle. She graduated from the Pierce Joint Union High School, and is also a graduate of the Chico State Normal School, class of 1917.
Mr. Kissling owns real estate in and adjoining Arbuckle, and is particularly interested in almond culture and in the develop- ment of the general horticultural interests of his locality. He is independent in his political affiliations. He and his wife adhere to the tenets of the Lutheran Church, in which they were reared.
JOHN J. CURRY
A pioneer who brought with him, when he came to California, some of the best Ohio traditions of husbandry to add to the com- mon stock for the advancement of California agriculture, is John J. Curry, who was born on November 22, 1859, near New Balti- more, Hamilton County, Ohio, in which state he lived until he was twenty-seven years old. His parents, William and Mary (Ken- nedy) Curry, were born in Ireland, and died in Ohio. Two of their sons besides John J. came to California, Patrick H. and Wil- liam H., and they are still residents of the state.
At twenty-seven years of age, John J. Curry came west to Kansas, where he spent a year, after which he worked his way through Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon, and arrived in California in January, 1889, while the great boom was still drawing thou- sands of settlers to the state. For a few months he worked in Chico; but reports as to promising conditions in Colusa County drew him to that district, where he engaged to work first on Old- ham Bros.' ranch, and then on the ranch belonging to Mrs. Mary Johnson. He also put in two years on the W. H. Hodgsdon ranch. He worked hard and saved his money; and when he had sufficient, he bought his present ranch of fifty-four acres, a part of the old Glenn ranch. The purchase was made in 1900, and Mr. Curry was the first one to buy after the great ranch was subdivided and
John & Bury
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put on the market. To improve the property, he had to clear the land of timber along the Sacramento River bottom. While the la- bor and expense have been great, the reward is gratifying, for he has there the richest and most productive soil. On this ranch he has built his house and the necessary farm buildings; and here he is engaged in grain-raising. Mr. Curry also owns forty acres in the neighborhood, which he devotes to grain and alfalfa. Re- cently, too, he set ont two and a half acres to almonds. Be- sides these interests, he has a good herd of high-grade Poland- China hogs.
Mr. Curry is a self-made man of energy and enterprise, who takes an active interest in the upbuilding of the county. Not a little of his time and effort is expended in the activities of the Glenn County Farm Bureau, of which he is an efficient and esteemed member. In politics, he is a supporter of Republican principles.
FRED ARTHUR NASON
Among the men who have contributed to the agricultural development of Colusa and Glenn Connties, mention is dne Fred Arthur Nason, a prominent rancher of the Leesville district. He was born in Brownsville, Piscataquis County, Maine, October 26, 1870. He is descended from an old New England family, mem- bers of which participated in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. His father was William Nason, born in Stillwater, Maine, a son of Edward and Annie (Elwell) Nason. Edward Nason was the son of Edward and Abigail (Small) Nason, who were married at Limington, January 3, 1793. William Nason served as Cor- poral in Company D, Second Maine Infantry, in the Civil War. At the second battle of Bull Run, in 1862, he was wounded in the right arm, on account of which he was honorably discharged and mustered ont after eighteen months of service.
William Nason married Emily Philpot, a native of Maine, born Angust 7, 1841, a daughter of James and Nancy (Seavy) Philpot, both natives of that state. Moses Philpot, her grand- father, served as one of the minute men in the War of 1812. The family is traced back to Capt. James Philpot, of New Castle, N. H., in 1693. Among the maternal ancestors were Richard Philpot, who served in the French and Indian War, and John Philpot, who served in the Revolution. After William Nason received his discharge from the army, he engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber with his two brothers until 1876, when, with his family, he migrated to California and located in Lake County, near Bartlett
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Springs. For three years he manufactured lumber, and then followed farming until he moved to Chico. Some years later he moved to Santa Cruz, where he died and where his widow now resides. They had five children, all of whom are living.
Fred Arthur Nason, the youngest of the family, was reared and educated in Lake County from the age of six until he was twenty years old, after which he attended the Chico State Normal. After this he was employed on ranches in Butte and Solano Counties. In 1899 he began farming in Bear Valley; and in 1903 he leased a ranch, which he operated successfully until 1909. He then purchased his present ranch of eight hundred acres, origin- ally known as the old Spurlock place. There were no improve- ments of any kind on the property and he immediately began its development. He erected a modern and comfortable residence, built suitable barns, fenced and cross-fenced the ranch, and set out orchards and shade trees. The place is devoted to the raising of grain and stock, four hundred and fifty acres being under the plow. In 1917 Mr. Nason received the top price for wheat, selling for four dollars per cental.
At Leesville, Colusa County, on November 12, 1899, Mr. Nason was united in marriage with Miss Anna Boardman. She was born in Bear Valley, Colusa County, a daughter of W. W. Boardman, a prominent rancher and at present a supervisor of Colusa County. Mr. and Mrs. Nason have four children : Ora Rowena, Wilbur C., Donald M., and Barbara A. For the past eight years, Mr. Nason has been a trustee and clerk of the Leesville school district. In politics he votes for the men he considers best qualified for the office, regardless of party lines ; and he is always ready to support all measures for the upbuilding of the county. With his wife he enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM KIRKUP
A native son of Colusa County, William Kirkup was born on the old Kirkup ranch near Sites, in the Antelope Valley, Septem- ber 17, 1876. His father, George Kirkup, was born in England. At the time of the mining excitement in Australia, he made his way to that country. After spending some years there, he came to San Francisco, and from there made his way to Butte County, where he mined on Feather River, near Oroville. Thereafter he followed up different mining excitements in various parts of the state. At the time of the rush into the Kootenay mining country, on the Fraser River, he tried his luck there, but soon returned,
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having accomplished nothing. As early as 1868, he came to Ante- lope Valley and purchased one hundred sixty acres of land. He made a trip to Canada, where a sister lived, and from there went back to England on a visit. Returning to Morrisburg, Canada, he married Margaret MeMartin, a native of that place, and soon af- terwards brought his bride to his ranch in Antelope Valley and began grain-raising, commencing with two horses. As he suc- ceeded, he bought one hundred sixty acres adjoining his ranch, thus increasing his acreage to three hundred twenty acres, and in- vested in a good farming outfit. In addition to his operations as a grain-grower, he was also the largest poultry-raiser in his vicinity, having a flock of six hundred hens. Mr. Kirkup was very liberal and enterprising; and at his passing, in February, 1906, the com- munity lost a noble man and a worthy citizen. His widow is re- siding on the old homestead. Their three children are: William, of this review; Isabella, Mrs. Rigg, of Antioch, Contra Costa County; and James, who resides at Cranmore.
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