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 78
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 78
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Ever in the ranks of the progressnive citizens of the county, he sold off some of his ranch to settlers, inducing them to come and settle in the neighborhood, so that a school could be estab- lished in that district; and upon its organization he became a trustee and served for many years. He was active in the forma- tion of Glenn County, and was elected a member of the first board of supervisors, serving two terms. He was known all over the county as "Uncle Bona"-a name in whichi respect and venera- tion were mingled. He continued a resident of this section until his death, at the age of eighty-seven years, on May 7, 1914, and was hale and hearty to the last. Napoleon B. Vanderford was originally a Methodist ; but as there was no church of that denomina- tion in this section, he joined the Christian Church, in which he served as a trustee and was a leading and very active member. His wife died in 1904. Nine children were born in the family of this worthy couple: George, of this review; Charles, who died at the age of thirty-six; Martha, Mrs. Willis Drew of Orland; Sarah, Mrs. David Squires of Ukiah; Ellen, wife of Edgar Hunter of Willows; Annetta, Mrs. E. E. Smith of Elk Creek; Marticia, wife of Geo. R. Gillaspy of Elk Creek; Hinson, of Orland, and Mary, Mrs. Richard T. Bedford of Elk Creek.
George Vanderford was reared and educated in Sutter County, attending the school in Washington district, and was trained to farm work at an early age. At the age of nineteen he went to Mendocino County, and on the Bald Mountain range began rais- ing cattle, starting with a band of one hundred head, which he drove from the tules in Sutter County. He established the CD brand, bought land until he owned some three thousand acres, and carried on the cattle business there until 1889, when he sold ont and located at Elk Creek. After coming to this county, he continued in the live stock business, though on a smaller scale. He bonghi three hundred twenty acres on Grindstone Creek, below the land owned by his father, and leased other land, and has been actively engaged in raising grain and stock ever since. Upon the death of his father he administered the estate. He is now operating his own ranches, and has leased the old homestead. He runs a dairy and raises alfalfa, which is irrigated from Grind- stone Creek. He also owns twenty acres seeded to alfalfa near Orland, under irrigation from the government canal.
Mr. Vanderford was married at Elk Creek to Miss Mary E. Province, a native of Pottawatomie County, Kans., and a daughter of Nathan Province. Four children have blessed this union; Napoleon B., George Oval, Veryl, and Willard. Mr. Vanderford has served as school trustee for several terms, and part of the time as clerk of the board. He is an active member of the Chris- 47
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tian Church, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for a long time, and a deacon in the church as well. In politics he is a Republican, and has served on the County Central Committee for years. He is a self-made man, has friends wherever he is known, and is counted one of the upbuilders of Glenn County.
JAMES LE ROY LUCAS
One of the successful business men of Glenn County, and a native son of Colusa County, James LeRoy Lucas was born at Arbnekle. June 2, 1889. His father, James P. Lucas, is also a native son of California, born in Sutter County. His grandfather, J. B. Lncas, a native of Missouri, was a soldier in the Mexican War, serving in a cavalry regiment, after which he became a pio- neer of California. The Lucas family, therefore, is one of the early pioneer families of the state. James P. Lucas was a farmer at Arbuckle, Colnsa County, where he first settled, until 1891. Then he located at Elk Creek, Glenn County, and engaged in horticulture, setting ont a prune orchard. He was elected con- stable of the third judicial township of Glenn County, and has served as such ever since, this being his fourth term in the office. The marriage of James P. Lucas united him with Miss Lita Jacks, a native Californian, and a lineal descendant of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Md., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
James LeRoy Lucas is the only child of his parents. He was reared in Elk Creek, and received his early education in the public schools. When sixteen years of age, he began clerking for Knight Brothers, in their store. After one year there, he entered the Western School of Commerce, now Heald's Business College, at Stockton. However, as he was working his way through school, he took a vacation in order to earn the necessary funds, and entered the United States Forestry Service. Being only seventeen years old at the time, he was the youngest man in the service. Six months later he returned to business college and finished his course, graduating in 1908.
After his gradnation, Mr. Lncas became manager for Knight Brothers' store at Fruto, and continued in that position one year, after which he went to Princeton, Colusa County, for a short time, and then to Stockton, where he worked as clerk in a stationery store. On leaving this work he went to Pittsburg, Cal., and was employed as bookkeeper at the ship yards there for a period of six months. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Elk Creek, as bookkeeper for Knight Brothers, and continued in the
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same position for their successors, O. F. Bickford & Son, until they burned out, in 1913. That year Mr. Lucas formed a partner- ship with H. D. Knight and Charles. A. Butler, the firm being known as Knight, Butler & Lucas; and they bought a lot and erected their present large building, where they have since engaged in the general merchandise business. Aside from assist- ing in the management of the business with Charles A. Butler (Mr. Knight residing in Sacramento), Mr. Lucas is postmaster at Elk Creek, having been appointed in December, 1913, and is filling the office acceptably to all concerned.
The marriage of Mr. Lucas, which took place in Colusa, July 26, 1913, united him with Miss Myrtle Turner, a native daughter, born at Middletown, Lake County; and they have been blessed with two children, Joseph LeRoy and Colleen Saxon. Politically, Mr. Lucas is a Democrat; and he has served as a member of the County Central Committee.
WILLIAM WIRT LUDY
Whoever labors to secure the development of his country, striving to bring out its latent resources; whoever is devoted to the general welfare of the people, seeking to promote the cause of justice and directly or indirectly to advance their commercial, educational and agricultural growth, he it is who earns a place as a public benefactor, and is entitled to mention in the pages of history. Such is the character, and such is the record, of William Wirt Ludy, a settler in California of 1868. Mr. Ludy is a native of Ohio, born in Delaware, Delaware County, January 11, 1849. His father, Daniel Ludy, died when his son was a little child; and the lad was then taken into the home of his maternal grandfather, James Adkins, by whom he was reared, and was given an educa- tion in the common schools. Meanwhile he assisted with the work on the farm owned by his grandfather until he was nearly nineteen years old.
On January 1, 1868, William Ludy landed in San Francisco, having come to California by way of Nicaragua. From San Fran- cisco he took another boat for Sacramento, and thence to Butte City, where he went to work on the John Parker ranch as a farm hand, and remained two years. In 1870 he homesteaded a quarter section of land three miles east of Butte City, which was at that time but a straggling settlement of a few houses in what was then Colusa County, and began making improvements, as the land was barren when he settled on it. He broke the land himself with a two-horse walking plow, built a small cabin, put up fences, and
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set out every tree seen on the place today. Here he engaged in the raising of grain; and though meeting with many setbacks by drought and other difficulties that beset the ranchers of the county, he held stedfastly to his work and was rewarded with success. Later he leased land in various places, which he farmed to grain, devoting his own property to the raising of stock. He specialized in the raising of mules, which he sold all over the state, thus becom- ing known far and wide as a mule-raiser. As success rewarded his efforts, he added to his holdings from time to time, until he now has four hundred acres in the old home place, which he im- proved with good barns and a commodions ranch house. In addition he has nine hundred eighty-five acres of what is known as the Stone place. In 1910 he harvested forty-three thousand sacks of barley from his lands with one combined harvester, drawn by mules. In contrast with the modern methods of agri- culture now employed in the county, it is interesting to note that the first crop of grain he harvested was threshed out by horses tramping it, that being the method then in vogue. He often speaks of the primitive conditions of the county as he first saw it, when wild game abounded and antelopes by the hundreds roamed at will over the broad expanse of prairie and fed on the wild grasses that grew in abundance. At that time there was not a levee on the Sacramento River from Red Bluff to Sacramento.
Mr. Ludy has been twice married, first in Butte County, on September 11, 1873, to Mary Cornelia Thompson, a native of Illinois, who crossed the plains with her parents at an early day and settled in Butte County. Of this union five children were born, three of whom are living: Alice, wife of R. H. Young, of Glenn County; Charles D., operating the home ranch with suc- cess ; and Abbie May, who married Engene Snodderly. One child died in infancy, and another at the age of two years. The wife and mother passed away on January 27, 1880. On January 29, 1884, Mr. Ludy was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Elizabeth Brines, a native of Illinois, by whom he had five children: Ger- trude, who married J. A. McManus, of Chico; Pearl, now Mrs. J. C. Ohrt, of Colusa; Wirt Walter; Benlah Ann, who became the wife of Frank Barton, of Anderson, Shasta County; and John Dale, who lives at home.
In national politics, Mr. Lndy is a Democrat; but for local offices he considers the men, and the offices to be filled. In fra- ternal circles, he is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also of Butte City Court, No. 1793, I. O. F. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is liberal in his support of worthy charities. His influence as a stockholder in the Bank of Princeton, Colnsa County, lends weight to the standing of
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that institution. While never an aspirant for public office, he has served as road overseer of his district for fourteen years. Ever a firm friend of education, he helped erect the schoolhouse in the Carson district, and has served as a trustee ever since. In the evening of his days he is surrounded by his family, and by a wide circle of friends, made during the many years he has lived in the community, by whom he is honored and respected for his many good deeds.
JAMES B. TOLLEY
A man who deserves the credit of being called "self-made" is James B. Tolley, a farmer and prominent citizen of the Orland district. He was born in New York, and was educated in the public schools. In 1885 he joined the triangulation department of the United States Government Coast Survey. He worked along the northeast coast, visiting all the important lighthouses and other points of interest that came under his observation, and performing every duty required of him to the best of his ability; and from foreman in the ranks he became chief of party in 1890. Ten years later, on account of ill health, Mr. Tolley resigned his position and came to California.
After his arrival in this state, Mr. Tolley visited all the points of interest in the Southland; and on his arrival in the Sacramento Valley he decided that Orland offered the best oppor- tunity for a settler to develop land with promise of financial suc- cess. In 1901, therefore, he located on twenty acres two miles southeast of town and began making improvements. It was necessary for him to become a student again, this time of agri- culture; for he had never had any experience whatever in farm- ing, and had never milked a cow or cared for stock. He began planting fruit trees of various kinds, and also shade trees and ornamental trees; put in a family garden; and installed a small pumping plant, and put in some alfalfa. He now has a comfort- able home, and maintains a dairy of ten graded Jersey cows, with suitable barns and ontbuildings to house his stock. Mr. Tolley early observed the large amount of water that was going to waste, but which could be utilized; and he prophesied that the govern- ment would some day take up the project, which later was done. He was one of the first three men to sign up under the govern- ment irrigation service at Orland. The coming of irrigation has given great impetus to intensive farming. Where once large grain fields waved in the sun, there are now many homes of contented people, making a livelihood and acquiring a competence through the cultivation of twenty-acre tracts.
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On April 5, 1893, in New York City, Mr. Tolley was united in marriage with Ella Clough, a native of New York State. They have two children : James Haviland, born in New York City, Feb- ruary 5, 1894, who is a member of the United States Marine Corps; and John Frederic, born in Orland, October 29, 1902. Mrs. Tolley is one of the charter members of the Presbyterian Church, and laid the corner-stone for the present building, on the corner of Mill and First Streets. Mr. Tolley served six years as trustee of the Orland school district, and for two terms was a director in the Orland Unit Water Users Association. From a boy he has always been fond of outdoor sports, and still takes an active interest in them. Descended from Revolutionary stock, Mr. Tolley is eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
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ARTHUR P. DEACON, D. D. S.
In the very front rank of American professional men who have set the pace for colleagues in the same field of scientific endeavor the world over, is the American dentist, known to be scientifically practical and practically scientific, and among the most progressive of all workers in the medical field; and among California dentists few stand higher than Dr. A. P. Deacon, one of the leading dental surgeons of Willows, and the oldest in point of service here. He was born at Toronto, Canada, February 7, 1874; and ten years later he moved with his parents to Oakland, Cal. There he attended the excellent Oakland grammar schools, and in time entered and graduated from the Oakland high school.
Young Deacon had now evidently decided upon his profession ; and so he matriculated at the University of California, and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from the dental depart- ment of which he graduated in 1900. He practiced dentistry for four years thereafter; and the place where he first hung out his shingle was at Susanville, Lassen County. While a resident there, he showed his willingness to share in civic duties by becoming clerk of the board of trustees at Susanville.
In 1904, he removed to Willows, where he has since been active in his professional work. He bought out the dental offices of F. W. Seydel; and it was not long before the town was aware of the advent among its bustling citizens of a man of push and of scientific mind.
Mr. Deacon, having once established himself at Willows, soon proved to be about as active in public affairs as he was in his professional work. He was elected a trustee of the town, and
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served in that capacity for four years, from 1910 to 1914. During this period many matters of real importance to Willows were taken up and carried through by the trustees. The new City Hall was erected; the fire department was equipped with an up-to-date system; a sewer was put in; cement sidewalks were laid; and in 1914 the town was voted dry.
Crowning the doctor's life was his marriage with Miss Louise Ward, of Los Angeles, now the mother of two children: Louise and John R. Deacon.
HARRY W. MANOR
A worthy son of a worthy pioneer settler of California, Harry W. Manor was born on Cache Creek, in Yolo County, November 13, 1868. He is a son of the late Alexander B. Manor (a sketch of whose life will be found on another page of this history) and his estimable wife, who was Mrs. Martha M. (Smith) Rice prior to their marriage. Harry W. Manor spent his boyhood on the ranch, and received his education in the public schools and in Sacketts Academy in Oakland, from which he was graduated. After his graduation he returned to the home ranch and assisted his father, driving big teams in the grain fields and gradually taking many of the burdens from his father's shoulders. At the time of his father's death, Mr. Manor was selected by the heirs of the estate to represent them in the store at Williams. He entered actively into the management of the business in 1892. In 1893 the Manor Estate bought out the interest of Mr. Crutcher; and thereafter continued the business until 1895.
In 1895, Harry W. Manor was instrumental in selling out the store; and he then returned to the home ranch, which he operated with his mother and his brother, F. E. Manor. The two brothers continued together until 1907, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Manor then embarked in ranching independently, farming his own ranch of nine hundred sixty acres, five miles west of Williams. Since then he has added to his holdings from time to time, until he now owns ten hundred eighty acres of fine farming land. Be- sides his own land, he leases other property, operating in all some thirty-four hundred eighty acres, all plow land, devoted to raising grain and stock. About half of his acreage is sown to wheat and barley each year. In 1907 he purchased a one hundred ten horse power steam tractor for use in propelling the combined harvester. In 1915, however, finding another kind of rig more economical, he bought a seventy-five horse power Holt Caterpillar for plowing, harrowing and harvesting; and in 1917 he purchased a new Harris
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separator. In addition he keeps three eight-mule teams. He also specializes in cattle and hogs; and his brand, the letter M, is well known among stockmen.
Mr. Manor was united in marriage at Williams, with Miss Ella Williams, a native daughter. Her father and mother were the founders of the town of Williams and are mentioned on an- other page of this history. Mr. and Mrs. Manor are Republicans in politics, and are prominently identified with all progressive movements for the betterment of the county and state. Mr. Manor is a member of Floral Parlor, No. 164, N. S. G. W., and Marysville Lodge, No. 783, P. B. O. Elks. He was a member of the committee at the celebration of the opening of the State Highway, and was one of three who gave a beef for the barbecue, when they fed some five thousand persons. Again, when the soldiers were passing through Williams on their way to the cantonment at American Lake, he was one of the committee and gave a beef for the occasion, with three other men. On this occasion, the proceeds of the meals went to the Red Cross. Both Mr. and Mrs. Manor threw themselves into the work and helped to make it a success. As a citizen, Mr. Manor is always to be found on the side of right; and in the county where he has spent the best part of his life, he is highly esteemed for his sterling qualities of manhood.
FRED HART
Among the native-born sons of California, none is more favorably known or more highly respected than Fred Hart. He was born on May 29, 1872, in Colusa County, in that part which is now included within the borders of Glenn County. He is a son of James Hart, a native of Canada, who came to the States, and eventually to California, and was married at Williams, Colusa County, to Miss Mary Williams, whose parents were pio- neers of this section.
Fred Hart was the only child of his parents. He received his education in the public schools, and in Pierce Christian College, pursuing his studies until he was about twenty-one years of age. After completing his schooling, he remained on the home ranch, which he operated together with his father until 1909. He is now farming three hundred twenty acres to grain and raising some stock, and is meeting with well-deserved success.
Mr. Hart was married in Oakland, Cal., to Miss Dolly Hollo- way, a native daughter of Sutter County; and they have one son, James H. Mr. Hart is a supporter of the Republican party, and is a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
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RICHARD FRANKLIN WEST, D. D. S.
What wonderful progress has been made in the science of dentistry, and especially in American standards and methods, and how much each professional man, fitting as a cog in the wheel of the complex mechanism of modern society, may contribute to the comfort and health of the Imman being, is seen in a few hours' fellowship with Dr. R. F. West, one of the most enterprising dental surgeons of Willows. His father was Silvester West, a native of Monroe County, Mo., who came to California in 1874, and settled in Willows, then in Colusa County. He worked on the Glenn ranch for a number of years, and later rented a thousand acres of the same estate, which he farmed for several seasons. He was active in the formation of the Central Irrigation District and the construction of its canal, and in numerous other ways dis- played his aggressive publie spirit. He married Miss Sarah F. Asheroft, of Missouri, and by her he had eight children: Lulu, Henry, Richard Franklin, Mrs. Mary T. Downing, Thomas J., Chalmer E., Edmund S., and Addie Elizabeth.
Born on a ranch near Willows, March 27, 1884, R. F. West attended the local public schools, and being an ambitious student entered and graduated from the high school also. But he did not stop there. He matriculated at the University of California, choosing the dental course; and in 1908 he was graduated with honors, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. While at the university, few members of the Xi-Psi-Phi fraternity, of which he was a member and the secretary-treasurer, were more popular than he.
For two years he practiced dentistry at San Francisco; and during that time he acted as assistant in the meteorological lab- oratory at the university. Then he removed, in August, 1910, to Willows; and here he became the equally popular successor to Dr. M. Pirkey.
Richard Franklin West was united in marriage with Miss Elma Gladys Swartout, a native daughter. Three children brighten their home: Graham, Catherine and Richard. Dr. and Mrs. West are popular in social and fraternal circles. He is at present the Noble Grand of the Willows Lodge of Odd Fellows, and with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. Busy as he is, he finds great pleasure in living for and doing for others; and it is a matter of no little satisfaction to him that he has been per- mitted to assist two of his brothers through college, who will soon graduate from the dental college of the State University.
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FRANK CHAPMAN McENESPY
Descended from pioneer stock who became influential and well-to-do citizens of the Sacramento Valley, Frank C. McEnespy is operating a ranch of three hundred twenty acres under lease from A. B. Tennant, four and one half miles northwest from Colusa. Here he has eighty acres in rice, two hundred ten acres in barley, and thirty acres in white beans. Mr. McEnespy was born in Dayton, Butte County, on December 9, 1873, a son of James Bradley and Inez (Spencer) McEnespy. His grandfather, Richard MeEnespy, came from Bedford, Pa., to California in 1849. He was born on board a quarantined immigrant sailing vessel in New York harbor. His father and mother, both Irish, died of smallpox, and the babe was taken by a Pennsylvania German fam- ily to their home in Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm, was educated in the German language, and could speak no other until he was sixteen. On arriving in California, he engaged in mining and farming. He was interested in the first grist- mill in Butte County. After becoming well-to-do, he went on a note for forty thousand dollars with a friend, in 1896. When the hard times came on, he was forced to make settlement, and it broke him. He died in Chico soon after, at the age of seventy-two. When fourteen years of age, James Bradley MeEnespy enlisted as drummer boy for service in the Civil War, in a Pennsylvania regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and was afterwards honorably discharged, but reenlisted in the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1865, he came to California. Thereafter he was engaged in farming, in Butte County, until his death, at which time he left a valuable estate. His widow still lives in Chico.
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