Colusa County
Biographies
ROBERT COSNER
Robert Cosner was born in Lancaster County, March 22, 1831. He passed his early life on the paternal farm. In 1839 his family removed to Ohio. Here young Cosner received instruction in the common schools, and afterward attended the Vermilion Institute, at Hayesville, Ohio, during three sessions. For several years he worked at the carpenter’s bench, and so, fortified with a fair education and a useful trade, he was equipped for his life-work. He came to California in 1852 and at first engaged in mining for a few months. Then he worked at his trade, and was employed as a mine superintendent.
In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of Amador County, which office he filled for three terms. While in this county he became warmly attached to Hon. James T. Farley, and did much toward electing him to the United States Senate. Mr. Cosner removed to San Francisco in 1870, and he became interested in lands in Yolo and Colusa Counties. He was appointed secretary of Reclamation District No. 108, and held that office sixteen years. In 1873 he was appointed superintending engineer of that district. Mr. Cosner removed from the southern part of the county in June, 1886, severing his official connection with the Reclamation District, and came to the county seat to reside. He was urged in 1888 by many of his friends to permit his name to be used as a candidate for the office of County Treasurer. There were a number of candidates, the vote was divided, and Mr. Cosner received a handsome support, though not quite sufficient for success.
“Colusa County” – by Justus H. Rogers – Orland, CA – 1891 – pp 403
G. W. MILLSAPS
George W. Millsaps, who resides on his farm on the stage road between Willows and Newville, was born in Main County, Kentucky, June 15, 1822. At a tender age he was carried by his family to Howard County, Missouri, and shortly afterward to the frontier portion of Randolph (now known as Macon County), Missouri. Mr. Millsaps remembers some of the dangers in that locality and early period. He recalls that in July, 1832, the year of the celebrated Black Hawk War, he being then ten years of age, how his father, learning one morning that the Indians were approaching, ordered the whole family to hurry up and hide in the corn-field till he had ascertained the danger.
He was married, June 14, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Dunn, a native of Cumberland County, Kentucky, who bore him eleven children. Mr. Millsaps started overland for California, April 18, 1854, arriving in Placer County the following August. He settled where Roseville now stands, but only remained there one year, moving to Sacramento and residing there three years. He came to his present home in July, 1858. Here, on a splendid ranch of two thousand six hundred and forty acres of rolling land, he raises wheat, barley, and rye, and keeps a large herd of cattle, horses, and mules, besides hogs and sheep.
“Colusa County” – by Justus H. Rogers – Orland, CA – 1891 – pp 403-404
HON. W. F. GOAD
Among the residents of Colusa County who have gained a State reputation is W. F. Goad, now living in San Francisco. He is a native of Hopkins County, Kentucky, and a son of Peter Goad, a Virginian by birth. His father was a farmer, and on the parental acres young Goad learned the honorable occupation of tilling the soil. His education was obtained in the schools of his native State. He remained on his father’s farm until twenty years of age, when he made up his mind to seek his fortune in the gold mines of California. Accordingly, on April 3, 1852, he set out overland with an ox-train for this State, accompanied by his brother, J. C., now a resident of Tulare County. Arriving at Beckwith Pass, August 22 of the same year, in the Sierra Nevadas, he engaged in mining for one year, meeting with fair success. This life, however, was not to his liking, and in the following winter he came to Colusa County, where he purchased a farm, and once more engaged in tilling the soil. He took a deep interest in public affairs, being a prominent Democrat. In 1857 he was elected County Clerk, which position he held three successive terms. In the meantime he took up the study of law, and in 1863 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State. He engaged in the practice of his profession in Colusa, and in 1867 he was elected to the office of District Attorney. In 1870 he assisted in organizing the Colusa County Bank, of which he was president for twelve years, and is still a director and stockholder. In 1876 he made a visit to his old home in the Blue-grass State, the Centennial celebration at Philadelphia, and the national capital. While in Washington he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. In 1880 he made a tour of Europe, accompanied by his wife, visiting the principal places of interest in England, Scotland, Egypt, Palestine, and the Continental countries. Upon his return he located in San Francisco in the practice of his profession. He was not to settle down to private life, however, as the people recognized his ability, and he was twice elected a member of the Board of Education of that city, during each term of which he was president of that body. He has ever been a warm friend of the public schools, and he took a leading interest in building up the schools of that city to their present high standing.
April 27, 1863, he was married, at Colusa, to Miss Mary C. Cook, a native of the same county in which he was born. He is the happy father of four children, one son and three daughters, and enjoys domestic life in his palatial residence on the corner of Washington and Gough Streets, surrounded with the comforts which a refined taste could suggest and ample wealth provide.
“Colusa County” – by Justus H. Rogers – Orland, CA – 1891 – pp 404-405.