Sutter County
Biographies
FRANK W. DeWITT
An enterprising agriculturist and horticulturist who is meeting with success in his chosen calling is Frank W. De Witt, of Sutter City, who was born on the De Witt ranch in South Butte Pass, Sutter County, March 9, 1881, a son of William Golder and Florence (Armstrong) De Witt, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume. Frank De Witt received his education in the Brittan Grammar School and the Sutter Union High School; he was reared to farm life and was associated with his father until his marriage.
On September 21, 1904, Mr. De Witt was married to Miss Minnie Helen Wood, born at Meridian, a daughter of William O. and Helen (Jones) Wood. William O. Wood was also born at Meridian, where his father, Ira H. Wood, owned a ranch. Grandfather Wood was born in Ohio in 1833, and in 1852 came to California with his oldest brother, driving an ox team across the plains. He mined for a time on the Feather River, but later gave that up and engaged in furnishing wood for steamboats at Marysville and Yuba City. In 1854, Ira H. Wood returned East; but soon thereafter he removed to Texas, where he remained for one year, and then again came to California and mined for short time. He then removed to Yuba City and engaged in the wood business until 1859, when he settled on his ranch of 280 acres three miles northeast of Meridian. Ira H. Wood married Miss A. A. Curtis; and they reared a family of six sons and three daughters. Mrs. De Witt’s mother was born in Sutter County, a daughter of James G. and Amanda (Borden) Jones. James G. Jones was born in Canada in 1829, and in 1849 emigrated to Illinois, remaining there until 1852, when he came to California. Arriving at Hangtown in August of that year, he mined on the Middle Fork of the Feather River for a short time and then removed to Meridian, where he furnished wood for the steamboats. From 1853 to 1857 he mined in Siskiyou County. Coming back to Meridian, he finished building his first house the day President Pierce was elected. He was trustee of Reclamation District No. 70. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood: Minnie Helen, now Mrs. De Witt; Lloyd, Ira; and Clara, now Mrs. Heaton. William O. Wood passed away at the age of fifty-nine. Mrs. Wood is still living.
After his marriage, Mr. De Witt engaged in ranching. From 1917 to 1920 he resided at Tierra Buena, where he developed a forty-acre tract to vineyard and orchard. In 1920 he located in Sutter City and purchased a four-acre tract. Here he has a comfortable home; and from this place he superintends his agricultural projects, in which he is meeting with merited success.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. De Witt: Clinton William, who is assisting his father, and Grace Dorothy. Mr. De Witt has served as clerk of the Brittan Grammar School. He belongs to Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F.&A.M., at Yuba City; Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., of Marysville; and Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T.; and he is a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Sacramento. Both he and his wife are members of Fidelia Chapter No. 56, O.E.S., in Yuba City; and Mr. De Witt is also a member of the Marysville Sciots, and of Shamrock Camp No. 360, W.O.W., of Yuba City. A cultured and refined woman, Mrs. De Witt is prominent in civic and social circles, and wields a wide and helpful influence. She was one of the organizers of South Butte Lodge No. 225, N.D.G.W., of which she is vice-president; and she is also a member of the Sutter Woman’s Improvement Club. Mr. and Mrs. De Witt are greatly interested in the development of this favored section and assist as far as they are able in promoting its growth and upbuilding. They are liberal and kind-hearted; and it is a pleasure to visit them and enjoy their genial hospitality.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1164-1165
CONRAD CHRIST
For over a third of a century Conrad Christ has resided in California. He is a man of good business capacity, honest and honorable, and since taking up his residence on his home ranch, four miles south of Yuba City, he has taken his place among the leading citizens of his locality. Born near Christiana, Norway, August 23, 1867, he is the eldest son of John and Gundhild (Christianson) Christ, natives of Norway. The father was graduated from Asker Seminary when twenty years of age, having worked his way through school. He followed the profession of teaching for twenty-seven years in his native land, and there passed away in 1881, aged forty-seven years. The mother lived to be fifty-five years old, passing away in 1894.
Conrad Christ was the second of five children in his parents’ family. He attended public school until his fourteenth year, and then went to work on his uncle’s ranch in Norway. In 1889 he came to America, to the home of his sister in North Dakota. Here he worked for a few years, and then removed to Minneapolis, where he learned the baker’s trade. In 1895 he came West and located in Tacoma, Wash. There he followed his trade for two years, and then came to San Francisco, in 1897, where he opened the New Western Bakery on Sutter and Lion Streets. His business grew to such proportions and required such close application that his health was impaired, and in consequence he was obliged to sell out his business. In 1913 he purchased ten acres of land in the Barry district of Sutter County; and this tract he has developed to Phillips cling peaches, and improved with a residence and other buildings.
In San Francisco, in 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Christ, uniting him with Miss Anna Solomonson, a native of Smaland, Sweden; and one daughter has blessed this union, Alice, a graduate of the University of California, class of 1923, with the degree of A.B., who is now doing graduate work at her alma mater. Mrs. Christ passed away at her home, on April 5, 1923. She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Ladies’ Aid, and belonged to the Bogue Wednesday Club. A woman of true Christian worth, she had many friends, who with her family mourn her taking. Mr. Christ is a member of the Barry Center of the Sutter County Farm Bureau. In politics, he is a Republican. His church affiliations are with the Barry Methodist Church, to whose benevolences he is a liberal contributor.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1168