El Dorado County
Biographies
SIDNEY P. GRAY
Sidney P. Gray, one of the leading business men of Shingle Springs, Eldorado county, conducts an up-to-date grocery business and also deals in gasoline and oil. Mr. Gray is descended from one of the real pioneer families of the gold country, and was born in Eldorado county, on a farm near Shingle Springs, August 25, 1868. He is a son of Young and Julia (Porter) Gray, of whom the former died August 7, 1894, and the latter January 7, 1927. Young Gray came to California in the year 1854, bringing his bride across the plains on their wedding journey. He came to Eldorado county in the late ‘50s, and like many others first engaged in mining, then later preempted land on which he farmed for the remainder of his life. There were nine children in the family, all of them now living.
Sidney P. Gray was educated in the rural schools, then assisted his father on the home farm, and later engaged in farming on his own account, in which he continued until he purchased his present grocery business in 1922. Mr. Gray carries a complete line of staple and high class groceries, and has a very thriving trade at Shingle Springs. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party, but he has never sought public office for himself.
Mr. Gray was married to Miss Annie V. Marks, a daughter of Dan Marks. She was also born in Eldorado county and is a representative of pioneer stock in both the paternal and maternal lines.
History of the Sacramento Valley, California
By Mj. Jesse Walton Wooldridge Page 53.
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., Chicago (1931)
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
J. T. BARKLEY
The late J. T. Barkley, who was for many years engaged in business in Pleasant Valley, is well remembered as a man of sturdy qualities, clean cut and straightforward in all of his dealings and congenial in his social relations, so that his death, which occurred in 1915, was greatly regretted throughout the wide range of his acquaintance. Born in Nova Scotia, on the 10th of April, 1860, he was there reared and educated, and in 1881, soon after attaining his majority, he came to California and for a number of years was employed at various lines of work. Finally he engaged in business in Pleasant Valley, and this he carried on successfully until the failure of his health.
Mr. Barkley was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Ahart, a daughter of J. W. and Elizabeth (Field) Ahart, and they became the parents of four children, Letitia, Grace, Jessie and Jack. There are also two grandchildren. J. W. Ahart was born in Tennessee about 1833 and was there reared and educated. In 1851 he crossed the plains to California and lived at Colfax and Grass Valley for a while, but eventually came to El Dorado county, where he devoted his attention to mining during the remainder of his life. His wife came from Germany to California, making the long voyage around Cape Horn, and her marriage to Mr. Ahart occurred in Nevada. To them were born fourteen children, of whom nine are living. The father died at the age of eighty-four years and the mother when sixty-nine years old. Mrs. Barkley came to Camino, El Dorado county, in 1914, and established a grocery store, which she conducted successfully until 1930, when she turned it over to her son Jack. She was the oldest merchant in Camino. She belongs to the Native Daughters of the Golden West, coming of the old pioneer gold mining stock of the Sacramento valley. She has witnessed the rise and development of this section of the state and is proud of the fact that she has had a part in its progress and improvement. She is well known throughout this section of the valley and is very highly regarded by all.
History of the Sacramento Valley, California
By Mj. Jesse Walton Wooldridge Page 52-53.
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., Chicago (1931)
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
MAJOR L. WILLIAMS
A descendent of one of the pioneer families of Eldorado county, Major L. Williams is widely known as one of the most substantial and respected citizens of this division of California. He had been most successful in ranching throughout a long career, and has made his home in El Dorado since the year 1910.
Major Williams was born at Des Moines, Iowa, April 21, 1853, a son of Charles and Emily (Waterman) Williams, who came to Eldorado county, in 1855, crossing the western plains with an ox team and enduring all the customary hardships and dangers incident to this long and perilous journey. The father bought a squatter’s rights and proved up on the property, continuing to engage in farming until his death. Eight children were born to them, all of whom are living except two.
Major Williams was educated in the common schools of Eldorado county. At the age of sixteen years, he decided to make a start for himself, consequently returned to the old home place and remained there until 1910, when he came into the town of El Dorado to reside. He continued to engage in ranching after this change, and was so engaged until the death of his wife in 1923. Major Williams was married in 1913 to Mrs. Lucy Vance, who was the mother of two children by a former marriage. Major Williams is a republican in his political views.
History of the Sacramento Valley, California
By Mj. Jesse Walton Wooldridge Page 51.
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., Chicago (1931)
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler