Sutter County Biographies

Yuba City has always been foremost, for a town of its size, in its first-class industrial establishments, such as the plumbing and sheet-metal works of Dan F. Brown, on Plumas Street. He is a native of the Golden State, and was born at Marysville, in Yuba County, on December 5, 1887, the son of J. H. Brown, a rancher who came when a boy to California, helping to construct the telephone line across the continent., J. H. Brown is now deceased, having rounded out a career of real usefulness as a successful agriculturist. He had married Miss Alice Hogan, born in Nevada; she has survived and is still the center of a circle of devoted friends.

Dan Brown pursued his studies under the public-school teachers in Yuba City, and then took up the plumber’s trade, serving his apprenticeship under George Schumacher, and working at his trade as a young man. In January, 1922, he engaged in business for himself. From the start he carried a full line of plumbing supplies, and also a good stock of sheet metal, that he might do any work required in that line. He employs three men, and is kept busy equipping houses and flats. In politics a Democrat, he has never allowed narrow partisanship to interfere with his hearty support of whatever seemed best, in men or measures, for the community.

When Mr. Brown married, he chose for his life-mate Miss Margaret Clyma, a native of Sutter County, a daughter of Frank and Mae (Haddick) Clyma, natives of Sutter and Colusa Counties, respectively. The father is dead, but the mother is still living in Yuba City. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of the business college in Marysville. She assists Mr. Brown in the office, and is his bookkeeper. Mr. Brown is a member of the Builders’ Exchange and the Yuba City Merchants’ Association. He and his wife have witnessed many changes and improvements in Yuba City, and have the satisfaction of knowing that some of the desirable things effected there have been due in part to their own efforts.

OSCAR W. LANZENDORF

The West is a splendid field for youth and enterprise, and many positions of trust and responsibility are here filled by young men of proven ability and worth. To this class of citizens belongs Oscar W. Lanzendorf, a civil engineer of ability, who acts as road commissioner of Sutter County, in which connection he is doing effective service for the general good. He is a native son of California and was born in San Francisco, July 5, 1888, his parents being Ernest and Bertha (Henisch) Lanzendorf, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father came to California in 1876, and his marriage occurred in San Francisco, where he was engaged in merchandising. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lanzendorf are still living.

Oscar W. Lanzendorf attended public and private schools and afterward became a student at the University of California, from which he won the B.S. degree in 1912, on the completion of a course in civil engineering. He then entered the service of the State and for five years was in the employ of the California Highway Commission. After our country entered the World War, Mr. Lanzendorf, in November, 1917, enlisted as a private in the United States Army and was assigned to the Engineers Corps, becoming first lieutenant in the 20^th U.S. Engineers. He was sent over seas, serving one year in the war zone. He was mustered out at the Presidio, in San Francisco, in August, 1919. After being released from military duty he resumed his connection with the State Highway Commission and a few months later was made assistant county engineer of Sutter County, which had issued $810,000 in bonds for building public highways. When the work was completed, Mr. Lanzendorf was appointed county road commissioner; and he is now filling that position, with his office in Yuba City. His professional knowledge and practical experience enable him ably to direct the labor of those in his department, and under his supervision the public highways of the county are maintained in excellent condition. He is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and belongs to the Yuba-Sutter Post, American Legion. Mr. Lanzendorf gives his political support to the Republican party, for he believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government. His influence is at all times cast on the side of advancement and improvement.