Abner ABELE

Abner Abele, a farmer of Yolo County, is a son of Joseph and Francisca (Yeager) Abele, natives of Germany. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 7, 1826, lost his parents when fourteen years of age, and when twenty-five years old emigrated to this country. The first five years here he spent in Buffalo, New York, following his trade as cooper; spent one year in Canada; returned to Buffalo, and next was in Erie, Pennsylvania, two years, where in 1856 he married Theckla Heemle, also a native of Wurtemburg. After following his trade two years in the latter place he went again to Canada and conducted a cooper-shop of his own three years, when he came to California, by the Isthmus route. Going to Yolo, he first worked as a day laborer until 1862, and then purchased a place of his own. He now has 1,120 acres two miles west of Cacheville. He has three sons and three daughters living, namely: Joe, Alois, John, Francisco, Josephine, Mary and Ragena. Two of his children are deceased, -- Adolph and Agata, besides a grandson named Joe Abele.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891

Alois Henry ABELE

The measure of success which has rewarded the painstaking efforts of Mr. Abele is the measure of his ability. Adversity handicapped him in youth. Almost before he was able to lisp the name of "father," that parent was taken from the home by death. Later the mother married again, but died while still a young woman. Orphaned and hampered by poverty, the young lad began to earn his livelihood at an age when most boys are in school. His education has been obtained almost wholly by self-culture. Experience has been his teacher. The loneliness of his position developed within him self-reliance and perseverance. When he started out for himself he learned to give way to no discouragement however great. As a result of his earnest endeavors he has acquired a finely improved ranch of about fifteen hundred acres, containing three substantial barns and a large granary, attractive shade and ornamental trees and a neat residence for the occupancy of the family. When it is considered that this estate has been secured by the unaided efforts of the owner, it will be realized that he is a man of unusual force of character and energy of will.

The founder of the family in America was John Abele, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and by trade a wagon-maker and cooper. During the year 1854 he crossed the ocean to Canada and found employment in the manufacture of wagons. Returning to Germany in a short time he there married Annie Yost, who was born and reared in the same village as himself. Accompanied by his wife he then went again to Canada and resumed work at his trade. While the family were living near Hamilton, Canada, a son, Alois Henry, was born February 7, 1858. The following year the father, in search of a less rigorous climate, came to California and, being pleased with the country, sent back for his family, who joined him in Yolo county in 1860. He opened a shop at Cacheville and undoubtedly would have attained a fair degree of success, had not he died in 1862 at the age of twenty-eight years. After a subsequent marriage his wife died in San Francisco while in that city for medical treatment.

Among four children Alois Henry Abele was third in order of birth. With such meager preparation for life as a brief attendance at country schools afforded, at the age of fourteen years he entered the employ Dave Schindler, remaining with him for ten months, was later in the employ of Mike Bemmerly for two years, and still later was employed as driver of a team and wagon for Schuerle & Miller, brewers, at Woodland, holding the last-mentioned position for five years. October 3, 1882, he was united in marriage in Woodland with Miss Mary E. Weber, who was born at Stuttgart, Germany, and came to this country in 1876 with her mother, Mrs. Bertha Weber, settling at Woodland, where she remained until her union with Mr. Abele. The young people purchased and settled upon three hundred and sixty acres of land near Dunnigan. This he placed under cultivation and improved with a neat set of farm buildings. The residence stands in Yolo county six and one-quarter miles south of Arbuckle and eight and one-quarter miles northwest of Dunnigan. From time to time he has added to the dimensions of the ranch until now he owns fifteen hundred acres in the home place, wheat and barley being the principle products. An excellent grade of stock is kept on the home place. Business methods are utilized in the harvesting and marketing of the crops and in the entire management of the land, so that the returns are gratifying to the owner. Mr. Abele was the first man in his section to set out and raise the spineless cactus for stock food and fruit. To demonstrate their enterprise and interest in all movements that tend to build up the county Mr. and Mrs. Abele, when the company that is planning the electric railroad through the valley asked for a right of way over their ranch, gave it freely.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Abele numbered eight children, but Annie died in childhood and Clara E., Mrs. Spencer, who was popular in a large circle of acquaintances, passed away in 1906. Bertha M. is the wife of John Keehn, of Woodland. Agnes L., Mrs. W. G. Myers, resides near Arbuckle, while Victoria R., Amelia D., John Shirley and Alois Henry, Jr., still remain at the homestead. Ever since he attained his majority Mr. Abele has voted with the Democratic party in national elections, but in local issues he supports the men whom he considers best qualified to represent the people regardless of their political tenets. Mr. Abele and his family are members of the Catholic Church at Woodland. His interest in educational progress led him to accept the position of director and later he was made clerk of the school district, so that his connection with the public schools has been protracted through a period of some twenty-seven years. At different times he has served on the grand and petit juries. Throughout the county he is honored as a man of broad views, untiring energy and sagacious judgment.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 523 - 527.

John ABSHIER

foreman of Goble Bros.' ranch, in Yolo County, is a son of Elizur and Mary (Reed) Abshier, natives of Iowa. His father, a farmer, came to California in 1863. He had four children, of whom John is the youngest. He was born in Lee County, Iowa, in 1863, and was but five months old when his parents crossed the plains to this State, and ever since then he has been a resident of Woodland, of which place also the Goble Bros. are residents. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and in 1885 took charge of their ranch of 160 acres, where he raises clover principally. His wife, whose maiden name was Parr, is a native of this State, born in 1853, and they have two children, -- Leroy and Lenora.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

P. J. AIKEN, M.D.

P.J. Aiken, M.D., Medical Director of the Veteran Home Association, was appointed to this position September 1, 1888, where he has, for treatment, cases especially of rheumatism, asthma, catarrh, etc. He was born in Ohio in 1841, and as he grew up he was employed for a time in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, afterwards in the United States Signal Service; was attending Washington (Pennsylvania) College when the war broke out; and he enlisted in 1862, at the age of nineteen years, and served until in 1865. He studied medicine at Jefferson Medical Collage, Philadelphia, and afterward practiced at Virginia City, Nevada, for five years; next at Winters, Yolo County.

He has four sons and two daughters. The eldest son is attending University, the second is at Yountville, the third is attending high school, and the fourth is at home.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891, Pages 800-801
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan

Richard ALGE

An identification with the business interests of Woodland covering practically the entire period from 1878 to the present time gives to Mr. Alge the prestige connected with pioneer citizenship and the influence associated with successful activities. As a friendless immigrant to the shores of America his experience was not dissimilar to that of thousands of young aliens, who, brave in hope but penniless in purse, seek the rich opportunities of the new world. In the midst of a people whose language sounded strange to his ears and whose broad prairies presented a forlorn aspect to his vision he began the task of earning a livelihood, a task whose possibilities seemed indeed limited until a fortunate decision brought him to California and thus started him in the upward path of progress. Throughout the entire period of his residence in the west he has been interested in the meat business, first as an employee in a market, later for years as the energetic co-partner in a flourishing establishment, but more recently only from the standpoint of a retired market owner, whose attention is now concentrated upon the shipment of livestock to San Francisco and the management of his property interests in and near Woodland.

About the middle of the nineteenth century there resided in Voralberg, Austria, a farmer and educator named Joseph Alge, a man of considerable ability and a lifelong resident of Austria, which had been the home of unnumbered generations of his ancestry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Madgdalena Vogel, also died in Austria. Of their nine children five were spared to attain maturity, but the only one of the number to come to America was Richard, whose birth occurred at Voralberg April 2, 1852, and whose early days were passed on the home farm. After he had completed the studies of the common schools he served an apprenticeship to the butcher's trade in his native land, whence in 1872 he came to the United States. His first experiences in the new world were gained at New York City, Newark, N. J., and Philadelphia, and from the latter city in 1875 he came to San Francisco, where he found employment at his trade.

The year 1878 found the young Austrian a newcomer in Woodland, where he spent one month in the employ of the Mossmayer meat market and eighteen months with Frasier & Gary, also butchers. Finally he resigned in order to form a partnership with George Armstrong under the firm title of Armstrong & Alge, and the two started a new shop on Main, between First and Second streets. For a period of about thirty years the partnership was continued pleasantly and profitably, but eventually the senior member of the firm disposed of his interest to Mr. Alge and retired to private life. Eighteen months later, in 1910, Mr. Alge leased the shop to other parties and since then has devoted himself to the shipment of stock to the metropolitan packing houses and stockyards, also to the supervision of his business and residence properties in Woodland, and to the management of his alfalfa ranch of seventy acres about one and one-half miles north of the city. Besides other important interests, he serves as a director in the First National Bank of Woodland, in which for years he has been a stockholder.

After coming to the west Mr. Alge formed the acquaintance of Miss Louisa Graff, and they were married in Sacramento, her native city. For years they, with their only child, Bertha, have been leading members of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and have contributed to its maintenance with the utmost generosity, while in addition Mr. Alge has been a helper of various movements for the general welfare and an interested participant in public affairs. In political views he has voted with the Democratic party ever since he became a naturalized citizen of our country, and his party has depended upon him for the support of its measures and nominees. His fraternal relationships include enrollment with the Herman Sons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Foresters. In 1882 he became a charter member of Company F, Third Regulars, N. G. C., and served for three years. He also served for five years as a member of the Woodland volunteer fire department. It has been his privilege to witness much of the growth of Woodland. When he came here it was a hamlet of insignificant proportions, but gradually it has expanded in area and commercial importance and has taken upon itself metropolitan improvements of the greatest value to property owners and business men. With this slow but sure development it has risen to a foremost rank among the cities of this class in the state and its substantial commercial prestige may well be the basis of future advancement.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 251-257 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

C. A. ALLEN

C. A. ALLEN, a farmer northwest of Woodland, is a son of Ambrose and Valeta (Clark) Allen natives of New York State who moved about 1836 to Illinois, where the father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1875, an exemplary member of the Christian Church and of the Odd Fellows' order; the mother died in 1876. The subject of this sketch was born in 1855, in Pike County, Illinois, where he grew up; and received his education. In 1871 he went to Missouri, where he remained three years, and then he came to California by rail. In 1879 he purchased his present place of eighty acres, six miles and a half northwest of Woodland, where he is engaged in the raising of grain, clover and livestock.

For his wife he married Miss Susan F. Crellin, in Yolo County; she was born in 1857, in that county, and both her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three children: John R., Maud and Bentie.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson

John Carl ALTPETER

Born near Saarbrucken, Prussia, March 2, 1832, John Carl Altpeter was a son of Frank and Magdalene (Dinner) Altpeter. The parents both died in their native land, the father when John Carl was eight years old. The youngest of the three children of the family, he is the only survivor. He remained in Germany until he was seventeen years old, educating himself in the public schools, then, in 1849, came to the United States, making the voyage on board a sailing vessel which landed at New York. Having too generously rendered financial assistance to comrades on shipboard, he arrived in America penniless, but accidentally met a cousin, who helped him reach Rochester, N. Y. From there he went to Orleans county, that state, and found work on a farm at $72 a year and his board, and at the end of the year had $44.75 in cash. Continuing to work and save, his mother soon joined him and eventually they bought twenty acres of land in Orleans county, N. Y., and later more land until they owned a farm of eighty acres.

December 20, 1860, in Monroe county, N. Y., Mr. Altpeter married Miss Catherine Nessel, a native of Patterson, N. J. Her father, Peter Nessel, was born in Alsace, France, became a leather-dresser and immigrated to New Jersey, where he worked at his trade until he moved to Monroe county, N. Y., where he continued in the same line of endeavor, established a leather store and acquired a farm. He died in Rochester and his wife, Margaret (Koerner) Nessel, a native of Bavaria, died in 1876 having borne him seven children, four of whom are living and of whom Mrs. Altpeter was the eldest. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Altpeter located on a farm in Monroe county, N. Y., which they operated ten years. Then they removed to Mr. Altpeter's farm in Orleans county, where they lived nine years.

In 1882 Mr. Altpeter removed with his family to Berkeley, Cal., making his home there about three years. In 1885 he moved to Woodland, Yolo county, where he bought a six acre ranch, on which he has since lived. For sixteen years he rented twenty-five acres of vineyard land of Professor Loughridge, half a mile east of town. In 1901 he bought a ten acre vineyard four and one half-miles out on Cache creek, and five years later sold it an invested in improved property in Woodland. At this time he owns eight houses in the city, which he rents. Mr. Altpeter's success is the well-deserved success of the self-made man, made in fair competition with the world and with a due regard for all the rights of others. While prospering abundantly he has not forgotten the community at large and has never failed to respond generously to any appeal for the good of his fellow citizens.

On the 20th of December, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Altpeter celebrated their golden wedding. They have had three sons, Louis, Charles and Edward. Louis is in Seattle, Edward in San Francisco, and Charles is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Altpeter are communicants of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he has been a member of its board of trustees ever since its organization. Politically he is a Republican.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 439 - 440.

Earl T. ANDERSON

One mile south of Woodland, on the Davis road, lies Victoria orchard, a beautiful fruit farm which throughout the county is renowned for its high state of cultivation and the excellent quality of its products. The owner of this property, (which was known as the old Briggs ranch at the time he acquired it) is Earl T. Anderson, one of Yolo county's youngest horticulturists. He was born November 10, 1888 in Lewis county, Mo. His father, William T. Anderson, is engaged in breeding thoroughbred horses on his stock farm near Lexington, Ky. Earl T. Anderson was educated at LaGrange, Mo., and also attended the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill. In Lewis county he assisted his uncle in the management of his stock farm consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, upon which fine horses and mules were raised, the herd numbering at one time one hundred head. Mr. Anderson had long felt a desire to locate in the golden west, concerning the beauty and prosperity of which he had heard so many glowing tales; therefore, in 1909, he came to California and after carefully surveying the various opportunities presented to him chose his present ranch in Yolo county, which had the advantages of being in a greatly improved condition and in being in close proximity to the rapidly growing town of Woodland, thus easily answering the question of shipping. The high standard of excellence enjoy by this property at the time of Mr. Anderson's purchase has not only been maintained, but in the short period it has been in the hands of its new owner has shown various phases of improvement which are the result only of his thoroughly modern and progressive methods. Victoria orchard, located at Mullen station on the South Pacific, comprises eighty acres, divided as follows: Apricots, twenty acres; grapes (Muscat and Thompson seedless raisin varieties), sixty acres; fifty fig trees (the drying species); thirty-five fine English walnut trees; one hundred and fifty almond trees; five hundred olive trees (Mission and Navodella, pickle and oil varieties); seventy-five silver prune trees; seventy-five peach trees; also a number of orange, lemon, nectarine, chestnut, persimmon, quince and cherry trees. Besides his fruit, Mr. Anderson raises a fine quality of alfalfa on a small portion of his land.

Mr. Anderson has for some time been keenly interested in thoroughbred horses, and with his father is interested in breeding them in Kentucky, where have been raised many of the notably swift runners which have taken part in California meets. Though not a native of this state, Mr. Anderson is intensely interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of Yolo county, and his friends are aware that he may be counted upon to respond to the best of his ability to the various calls for the betterment of the community.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 482 - 485.

Gus. ANDERSON

Gus. Anderson, a farmer of Yolo County, was born January 13, 1831, in Sweden, and sailed for New York in 1852. He lived there until 1859, and then came across the plains and mountains to California, first locating in Butte County. In the spring of 1860 he came into Yolo County, and was employed by the man who owned the place which he, Mr. Anderson, now occupies. He purchased it in 1864, - 160 acres of good land.

March 2, 1873, at Mr. Wolfram's place near Black's, Mr. Anderson married Miss Mary Bopp, a native of Switzerland, and they have a family of five children: George, Oscar, Andrew, John and Anna. Mr. Anderson is an industrious citizen, as nearly all Swedes are.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler, July 2004.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1891. pg. 347.

John B. ANDERSON

Across the ocean and over the trackless deserts the tide of emigration has always drifted toward the setting sun. Several generations of the Anderson family have lived in the new world, and George and Mary A. (Freeland) Anderson, were both natives of Canada, but they descended from Scotch and Irish progenitors who had left their old homes for the unknown possibilities across the great sea. It was natural that John B. Anderson, who was born in 1863, at Shanly, Ontario, the home of his father, George, one hundred miles from Montreal, should feel the call of the west, and in responding to the nameless fascination it exerted over him should come to the shores of the Pacific in his search for a permanent location. Nor did he travel the entire distance in one journey, for in 1888 he stopped at White Pine, Nev., and entered the employ of the Eberhart Mining Company, an English corporation, for whom he worked about three and one-half years.

Coming to California in 1892, Mr. Anderson arrived at San Francisco without definite idea as to his future location. Being a stranger, he had no friends to consult in reference to desirable points for employment and for settlement. By chance, as he was standing on the street one day, he heard two men talking about the village of Davis and they described Yolo county in glowing terms. The description interested him and he decided to investigate for himself, the result being that he became a permanent citizen of the county. Nor has he had reason to regret the happy coincidence which led to his settlement here, for he has prospered in this community and has become a highly honored and influential citizen.

After having worked for the Anderson Bros., in their almond orchard, Mr. Anderson hired out for one year on the Greene ranch. Next he entered the employ of McFarland, Smith & Co., dealers in general merchandise in Davis, and later bought out the proprietors of the establishment, which he conducted as the Davis cash store, the largest general merchandise establishment in Davis. His continuous in business terminated in February of 1910, when he sold the store to P. S. Marshall, and he in turn sold to Rummelsburg & Bierbaum, the present proprietors. Among the farmers he not only built up a large trade but won a high standing through unvarying integrity and uprightness in all transactions.

Before the local bank was established, he handled large amounts of money for farmers of the neighborhood and built up a banking business of considerable importance. Much of this was for accommodation and brought no returns financially, but it gave him the confidence of his customers, and in no instance did he betray any trust reposed in him. Like the majority of the residents of the county, he has owned considerable property here, and at one time he had twenty-six town lots near the state farm, but these he has sold.

The first marriage of Mr. Anderson took place in 1899 and united him with Miss Alvina C. Henning, who was born in Solano county, this state, and died in Yolo county in 1905, leaving an only son, George F. In 1908 Mr. Anderson was again married, this time being united with Miss Minnie Campbell, who was born in Missouri, but has been a resident of California from early life. One daughter, Helen C., blesses this union. Various fraternal organizations receive the allegiance and aid of Mr. Anderson, who enjoys the insurance privileges of the Woodmen, as well as the social opportunities afforded by identification of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. With his wife he has been connected with the local chapter of the Eastern Star, as well as the charities and civic helpfulness for which the Rebekahs are well known.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 643 - 645.

John Wesley ANDERSON

The genealogy of the Anderson family is traced to Scotland, but several generations have been identified with American history. John Anderson, who was born in Virginia shortly after the immigration of the family, became a builder and there still stand in the Old Dominion many fine old buildings that are monument to his skill in construction. For years he was the leading contractor and builder in Stafford county, Va., where he owns a fine plantation of two hundred and forty-four acres. At the close of the Civil war he began to rebuild the place which had been devastated by soldiers. In time the farm became once more an attractive homestead, where hospitality reigned and good cheer abounded for stranger and friend. At that place he died when sixty-five years of age. There also in 1895 occurred the demise of his wife, Delphia (Curtis) Anderson, a life-long resident of Virginia. Sixteen children formed their family and ten of the number attained majority.

The sixth child in the large family, John Wesley Anderson, was born at the old homestead near Fredericksburg, Va., September 21, 1848, and completed his education in Wallace academy. From 1872 until 1874 he was employed in Baltimore, and during 1875 he came to the Pacific coast with his brothers, M. O. and J. H., the former of whom served as captain of the San Francisco police force for fifteen years and the latter ranked as sergeant on the same force. Coming to Yolo county, John Wesley Anderson secured a position as superintendent of the Oakshade orchard of three hundred and forty acres situated one mile east of Davisville. For ten years he continued in the same position. Upon leaving that place he superintended the planting of three thousand acres of fruit trees in the Orangevale colony of Sacramento county. Next he superintended the planting of an orange grove in San Diego county. Upon the ranch in Yolo county which he had previously purchased he settled in 1891 and since then he has visited every part of the west where fruit is grown, studying the soil and climate in relation to fruit possibilities.

For a long period Mr. Anderson has been a leading worker in the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as a trustee and as Sunday-school treasurer. Politically he votes with the Republican party. His marriage took place in Yolo county and united him with Miss Clara Cecil, a native of Missouri, their union being blessed with two daughters, Mary Cecil and Alma. The family still reside one-half mile east of Davis, where Mr. Anderson owns ninety-five acres, planted to table grapes, prunes, pears and almonds. Throughout this entire region he is known as an expert in fruit culture and his judgment is sought wherever the relation of fruit trees to soil or climate is brought into question. When chosen horticultural commissioner it became his duty to inspect all nursery stock prior to exportation and seldom indeed was his decision questioned, for throughout the entire county the growers of fruit early came to realize that his interests were their own and that adherence to his sagacious judgment would redound to their own financial advantage.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 608 - 611.

William A. ANDERSON

Prior to the discovery of gold that made California the Eldorado for the aspiring purposes of the youth from many lands, there crossed the plains with a large expedition of wagons and oxen, a sturdy young man of eighteen years, Thomas Anderson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a member of a pioneer family whose limited means prevented him from receiving any great educational advantages or any business training except such as appeared in an apprenticeship to the trade of a carriage-maker. However, the lack of means did not prove a handicap to one possessing resolution of spirit and energy of character; with the courage characteristic of the frontiersman he left the associates of early life to cast in his fortunes with an unknown land. About two years after his arrival in California gold was discovered at Sutter's camp, and the tide of emigration swiftly tuned toward this point from all portions of the civilized world. The incoming of settlers created a demand for vehicles and he found employment in the making of wagons and carriages. For some years he had business headquarters at Sacramento, where at one time he owned the site of the Western hotel. The floods and fires of early days caused him heavy losses, but it was his privilege to live until prosperity had cast its benediction upon the west, and when he died in 1886 the town which he remembered as a typical headquarters for miners had developed into a populous, refined and progressive city. With a distaste for politics, he had never allowed his name to be presented as candidate for any of the local offices, but on one occasion he accepted a position as deputy in the office of the county treasurer, and during the several years of his service in that capacity his books were said to be models of accuracy and neatness.

For a long period subsequent to his arrival in the west Thomas Anderson remained a bachelor, but eventually he established a home of his own, choosing as his wife Miss Katherine Leigh, who was born in Louisiana and came to California with her parents during the early '50s. Her death occurred in 1879, at which time her son, William A., who was born August 6, 1875, was too young to realize the heavy bereavement that had fallen upon the family. There were nine children altogether, but only three are now living. Lillie is the wife of E. F. Haswell of Rumsey, and Rose married T. D. Parker of Winters. The only surviving son, who is now one of the most prominent attorneys of Woodland, received his education primarily in the public schools, later under a private tutor, and finally in the San Francisco Business College, from which he was graduated in 1891. Immediately afterward he took up the study of law, which he completed in the office of C. W. Thomas of Woodland. Since being admitted to the bar, in January of 1897, he has engaged in the practice of his profession at Woodland, where he has risen to influence among the members of the bar. Near the city on Cache creek he has a finely improved vineyard, and to it he gives personal attention, finding recreation and relaxation in the change from arduous mental labors to interesting outdoor activities.

Two children, Wilella and George Clark, comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, the latter of whom was Ella Armstrong, a native of Reno, Nev., and a graduate of the San Jose Normal school. She is a daughter of Alexander Armstrong, one of the leading pioneers of Yolo county. The family are identified with the Christian Church, and Mr. Anderson is numbered among the liberal contributors to its work in Woodland. As past president he holds official relations with Woodland Parlor No. 30, N. S. G. W. Besides being connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is also a member of Woodland Circle, Companions of Foresters, the Foresters of America, and is now serving as Junior Beadle of the Grand Court of California.

The principles of the Republican party always have received the intelligent support of Mr. Anderson, who, while not entering into partisan affairs, nevertheless is numbered among the leading men of Woodland in civic and political affairs. When in July of 1898 District Attorney Hopkins left Yolo county on account of illness, Mr. Anderson took charge of the office for the balance of the term, retiring in January of 1899. During April following he was elected city attorney of Woodland and served for a term of two years. Nominated for district attorney in 1902, on the face of the returns he was elected, in evidence whereof a certificate of election was tendered him. Eventually, however, he was counted out through a technicality, but not until he had filled the office for two years, attending to all of the work incident thereto and drawing his salary at regular intervals. When the final decision was rendered he relinquished the office, but in the autumn of 1906 he was elected by a most emphatic majority. A service of four years proved satisfactory to the people, and he retired in January of 1911 with every evidence of success in the important position. He was the first district attorney for fifty years who obtained a sentence of hanging in the prosecution of murder in Yolo county. One of his most important responsibilities was the planning for and signing of a contract for the erection of a steel railroad bridge over the Sacramento river, the same to cost $1,000,000. Much to the discomfort of the railroad officials, he held off from signing a contract until he had secured one that was satisfactory and protected the people's rights. Not only in this matter, but in all enterprises of grave importance to the taxpayers, he represented the people with fidelity, intelligence and tact, while as a private citizen, no less than when in public office, he has proved patriotic, loyal and alert to advance the prosperity of city and commonwealth.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" page 247-249 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.

John T. ARCHER

Among the most extensive ranchers of Yolo county are Mr. Archer and his son Byron, who by their sterling qualities and excellent business ability have won the highest regard of their fellow citizens. Born in Devonshire, England, August 12, 1849, John T. Archer, when six month old, came to the United States with his parents, Daniel and Ann (Hutton) Archer, who settled Middleton, Dane county, Wis. At the age of twenty-three, in 1873, the son accompanied his father to Albany, Ore., where he remained a year prior to locating in Healdsburg, Sonoma county, in October, 1874. A year later the family permanently settled in Yolo county, where Daniel Archer purchased on Cache creek a partially improved tract of four hundred acres, which adjoins Madison. Subsequently Daniel Archer sold forty acres of this to the railroad for a town site. Upon completion of Vacaville and Clear Lake Railroad in that section in 1876 land values rose rapidly and Madison soon became a commercial center of importance. Cottonwood being devoid of shipping facilities Madison secured the business which had formerly gone to Woodland. The Archers replaced their original buildings by more substantial structures, improving two places, one of which was occupied by John T. Archer, the other by his son Byron. Daniel Archer having retired from active duties in 1878 he lived retired from that time until his death, in 1902. In partnership John T. Archer and his son Byron are extensively engaged in raising hay and grain, using their own as well as rented land, besides which they have ninety acres in alfalfa. The land is well watered from the Consolidated ditch. They gather their crops with a Haines-Hauser combined harvester which has been operated by the family since 1892. Prior to this, in 1879, they purchased a portable barley roller, the first mill of that character ever operated in the county, and with this they ground their own as well as their neighbors' grain for feed. They own forty mules and thirty horses, and are extensively engaged in raising cattle and sheep. The marriage of John T. Archer, September 25, 1879, at Cacheville, united him with Miss Carrie Lippincott, who was born near Knights Landing, the daughter of Josiah R. and Sarah (Bower) Lippincott. The latter were natives of Ohio, from which state they came to California via Panama in 1858. On the farm on which they located near Knights Landing the father subsequently died, and the mother died at Cacheville. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Archer we mention the following: Daniel A., died when five months old; John Byron married Miss Lela Chinn, of Capay, and they have one child, Irma A.; Elwood is on the home place; Clayton H., married Adelphia Chandler, and they have two children, Herbert C. and John T.; Lowell Lippincott and Frank Edward, who are graduates of the Madison grammar school and the Capital City Commercial College, are interested in raising mules and hogs and are also working with the older brothers in their business; Ethel S. is now Mrs. D. H. Gilliam, and they reside near Madison with their three children, Leona A., Mary C. and John Archer; Edna Mae is now Mrs. D. D. Russell, of Madison; Etoil E. is the wife of Aubrey Howard, of Woodland, and the mother of one child, Joyce B.; Ruth and Venus, who complete the family, are both at home. Elwood and Clayton H. Archer have been engaged in the butcher business for the past four years in partnership with their father, operating stores in Winters, Esparto, Madison, Guinda and Capay, and in connection with operating their stores they also buy and sell livestock extensively. As citizens of progressive spirit and exceptional business ability Mr. Archer and his sons fully merit the wide esteem which they enjoy. The elder Mr. Archer has always been a stanch Republican and he and his family are active members of the Christian Church at Madison and liberal supporters of all movements that tend to uplift the morals and enhance the interests of the county in which they live. John T. Archer's brother, Edward H.Archer, is serving efficiently as surveyor general of the port of San Francisco, to which office he was appointed by President Taft and is known as a man of honor and high principles.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 534 - 537.

Robert O. ARMSTRONG

ROBERT O. ARMSTRONG, an enterprising farmer of the Capay Valley, in Yolo County, is a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Armstrong. His father, a native of Kentucky, was a farmer most of his days, and crossed the plains to California in 1857; followed farming and stock-raising here and in Capay Valley, and later he went to Lake County, where he died in 1885. The subject's mother, a native of Tennessee, died in Capay Valley, in 1862. All their seven children are living in California. Mr. Armstrong, the subject of this paragraph, was born June 14, 1848, in Andrew County, Missouri, where he lived until 1877, when, as before stated, the family came to California. They lived in Nevada County for a few months, and then came into Capay Valley, where Robert and five brothers are still living. Mr. Armstrong started out in the world for himself in 1866, first renting a place of Mr. Davis for three years, and in 1871 purchased his present place, which is situated in the finest little valley in the State; it consists of 165 acres of excellent land.

Mr. Armstrong was married in the "City of the Woods," February 21, 1873, to Miss Maggie J. Alexander, who was born in Capay Valley in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have two sons and three daughters, namely, Otta M., Robert A., Erma P., Alma L. Agnes L. and Ernest C.

Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©