Butte County
Biographies
JOHN DUDLEY MENG, M.D.
JOHN DUDLEY MENG, M.D. Members of the trades unions may have fixed wages and limited hours, but all hours are alike to the physician, and his reward, sometimes lacking, is often the gratitude of those who have nothing else to give, for the successful physicians answer the appeals of the lowly as well as of the exalted, and the practitioner who looks at each patient through the medium of the almighty dollar is unworthy of his calling, for he has lost the ability to receive the highest reward that can come to anyone—the satisfaction of doing for another that which can never be paid for. Although a resident of Chico, Cal., but a few years, Dr. Meng has done his part toward alleviating the sufferings of his fellow-creatures and it may be said of him that he has not allowed commercialism to overrun the obligations peculiarly his to the poor and helpless.
Born in Callaway county, Mo., June 23, 1856, Dr. Meng descended from a prominent Virginia family, whose history is closely interwoven with the history of that state, and later with the history and development of Pennsylvania. The Meng family is of pure Holland extraction, and the paternal grandfather of the doctor, Woolery Meng, was a Virginian by birth and was a general in the Revolutionary war. He afterward removed to Pennsylvania and died in that state at an advanced age. His son, Charles A., the father of the doctor, was also born in Virginia, but in early manhood took up his residence in Kentucky, where his marriage took place. About 1832 he came west as far as Missouri, locating on a farm in Callaway county. He became prominent in this state and for twenty years was superior judge of Callaway county, serving as such during the Civil war. In politics he was a Douglas Democrat, a Constitutional Unionist, a Liberal, and sympathetic toward the south, and he was twice elected to the state legislature. He was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Lewis, who was born near Bowling Green, Ky., and twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, blessed their union. The parents died at the old home in Missouri.
Being the youngest of the family, John Dudley was equipped with a common-school education in the public schools, after which in 1873, he entered the state university at Lexington, Ky., where he continued his studies for a couple of years. In 1875, he entered the medical college at Iowa City, Iowa, and was graduated from this institution in 1878. Soon after his graduation Dr. Meng engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Warsaw, Mo., and during the several years of his residence there he built up a comfortable practice. In 1882 he removed to a broader field at Sedalia, and after a couple of years’ successful practice there, he resumed his professional studies for a time. Taking a post-graduate course in the St. Louis Medical College in 1884, this was supplemented by a similar course the following year in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, Ill. In 1887 he entered upon a hospital course in New York city, where he received practical training.
Being now thoroughly equipped, Dr. Meng proceeded to the western slope, locating about a year in Los Angeles, Cal., and in 1889 proceeding to San Jose. It was not until 1899 that he located permanently in Chico. Ever a student, he keeps abreast of the times and keeps in close touch with his brother physicians as an active member not only of the Santa Clara and Butte County Medical societies, but also as a member of the State Medical Association. By his marriage Dr. Meng was united with Miss Sarah Rice, formerly of Missouri, and they have one son, Charles Anderson, who is attending Heald’s Business College in San Francisco. In his political convictions the doctor is a Democrat, and he is among the most active politicians in his section, having served for a number of years as chairman of the Democratic central committee. While a resident of Missouri, in 1886 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for nomination for state auditor, but lacked one vote to secure the nomination. Dr. Meng is too deeply engrossed in his professional career to care for political honors, but too good a citizen to shirk the responsibility devolving upon every American.
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California, by Prof. J. M. Guinn, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1906
John Dudley Meng, M.D.
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
WILLIAM ASHLEY WALKER
WILLIAM ASHLEY WALKER. Widely and favorably known as one of the leading contractors and builders of Butte county, William Ashley Walker, of Biggs, holds a place of prominence among the influential business then of the community. Enterprising, ambitious and possessing good executive ability, he has met with deserved success in his operations, and as a man of integrity and worth is highly esteemed by all. A son of the late Erastus Barton Walker, he was born August 6, 1843, in St. Francois county, Mo., where his grandfather, on the paternal side, settled about 1800, removing there from North Carolina.
Born in St. Francois county, Mo., in 1821, Erastus B. Walker followed the occupation to which he was reared, becoming a farmer and stock-raiser. He also dealt largely in mules, shipping them down the Mississippi to New Orleans, for many years continuing the business established by his father at an early day. Coming with his family across the plains to California in 1850, he was for several years engaged in prospecting and mining in the northern part of the state, having claims in Yreka, Laporte and Grass Valley. Locating in San Joaquin county, near Stockton, in 1857, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875, when he remove to Chico, to the home of his son William, where, a few months later, he died. He married, Lavina McKey, who was born in St. Francois county, Mo., and died in San Joaquin county, Cal.
The oldest child in a family consisting of three sons and two daughters, William Ashley Walker was brought up on the home farm, near Stockton, and acquired his early education in the Stockton schools. In 1861 he began business as a brick manufacturer in San Joaquin county. Succeeding well, he enlarged his operations, locating in Biggs as a contractor and builder. In 1870 he took up land near this place, and has since made his home here the greater part of the time, although he has worked at his trade throughout northern California, and from 1874 until 1876 was a resident of Chico, where he manufactured brick. Mr. Walker co-operated with other builders, and for thirty years or more has filled large contracts for building, and has taken contracts for supply material, in this line of his business having furnished the brick used in the building of the Butte County Infirmary, the county jail, and the addition to the county court house. He built school houses at Redding, Maxwell, and in various parts of northern California; erected a hotel in Gridley; and has built nearly all the business blocks in Biggs. He established the Remylard brickyard near Pleasanton, superintending it for two years. He is a most capable, thorough-going business man, and owns business property that he rents in Chico, Biggs, and in other parts of the county, in this way receiving a good annual income.
In Biggs, in 1890, Mr. Walker married Emma Sligar, who was born in Butte county, near this place, where her parents settled on coming here in 1857. Politically Mr. Walker is a loyal supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is active in the management of local affairs. From 1888 until 1892 he served as county supervisor for the fourth district, and in June, 1903, was one of the incorporators of the board of town trustees, of which he has since been the president. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and to the Independent Order of Foresters.
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California, by Prof. J. M. Guinn, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1906
William Ashley Walker
Transcribed by Betty Wilson