Sutter County
Biographies
GRANT DAVIS
A prominent rancher and sheep-raiser of Sutter County, Grant Davis was born near South Butte, now called Sutter City, May 5, 1866, a son of Eli and Sophie (Hindman) Davis. The former was born March 20, 1830, in Columbiana County, Ohio, a descendant of one of two brothers who immigrated from Wales to the United States in Colonial times; while from the other brother was lineally descended Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy from 1861 to 1865. Eli Davis went to Iowa in 1840 and lived there until 1852, when he crossed the plains, working his passage by driving an ox team and prairie schooner. He went directly to the mines at Seventy-six and was engaged in mining and prospecting for himself for several years, but with indifferent luck. On going to Marysville, he engaged in teaming for a while and opened a livery stable, which he conducted tor two or three years, being in company with a friend. He sold his share to his partner and then located near the present home, buying a squatter’s right at first; and then, when the land came into the market, he purchased it. Embarking in farming and stock-raising, he was quite successful, and from time to time purchased additional land until he owned about 3000 acres, one-half of which he planted to grain, and the remainder was used for pasture land and for raising hay. He raised sheep and cattle quite extensively until his death, which occurred in 1909. Eli Davis served in the California State Militia and for several years was captain of the Butte Mountain Rangers, a company organized in Sutter County. For twelve years he served as supervisor of District No. 3, also of Sutter County. With Theodore Hull, B. F. Walton, Captain Wilbur, George O’Lear and George Wilson, he was interested in the fight made against hydraulic mining, being one of the first to agitate the question in Sutter County. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of eight children: Wallace, Clara, Sophia, Edith, Ruth, Ella Virginia, Florence and Grant, the fourth child and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Davis resides in Alameda, holding title to about 700 acres of tule land and 730 acres in the Sutter Buttes.
Grant Davis attended the Washington district school and Napa College. Before his father’s death, he was foreman on the ranch, and after his death he received 160 acres of the old home place by inheritance. He also leases 850 acres from his mother and runs sheep on this tract, having about 1400 to 1500 head of ewes. He purchased, besides, 800 acres of butte land in the vicinity of his mother’s tract, which he also uses for sheep-raising.
On April 27, 1899, at Sutter, Grant Davis was united in marriage with Emma Forderhase, a native of Warren County, Mo., and a daughter of W. H. and Louise (Whisbrock) Forderhase. Her parents’ sketch is given on another page in this volume. Emma Forderhase came to California about 1888; but she attended the Missouri schools, where she received a good education. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of two sons, Cecil and Percy, both associated with their father. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Davis is a stanch supporter of that party’s principles, casting his ballot for the movements that tend toward the betterment of his community.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 668
ARTHUR L. HILL
An executive of valuable experience, a real asset to the company he represents, is Arthur L. Hill, the popular superintendent of the California Packing Corporation, at Yuba City. He was born at Yakima, Wash., the son of A. L. and Mary Allen Hill, pioneers on the Pacific Coast, later locating in Sutter County. He received his education in the public schools; and while yet a young man, he went into the fruit industry, working for various organizations in different parts of the State, and giving satisfaction to each. He was particular, in the case of each engagement, to add to his knowledge of industrial and other conditions, as much as he could, and gradually he built up a stock of first-hand information that has proved of value to him in his present position.
Although away from Sutter County a part of the time, Mr. Hill always regarded this section as his home; and in 1910, he came back to take charge of this large plant, which has grown to its present imposing proportions, with its very complete and up-to-date equipment, since he assumed control and accepted the responsibility. A modest man, fond of his home, and his family of three children, Mr. Hill would be the last to claim much for his life and work; yet in making such a success of an enterprise so representative of this district, he has accomplished much for the general welfare and has helped to call the attention of the outside world to the natural advantages of Sutter and Yuba Counties.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 675