Sutter County
Biographies
DAVID U. FINCH
More than half a century has passed since David U. Finch came to California with his parents, who first settled near Winters, Solano County, and resided there from 1869 to 1876. David U. Finch was born in the southern part of Michigan, July 14, 1852, a son of William and Frances (Enos) Finch, natives of New York. The paternal grandfather, David Finch, settled in Michigan in frontier days, where he engaged in farming; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The father, William Finch, engaged in the lumber business when a young man; later he farmed in Michigan. There were five children in their family: Inez, Minnie, William, and an infant, all deceased, and David U., the only survivor, who was the third child. In 1869 the family removed to California. The father engaged in farming until his death, at the age of fifty-six, while the mother of our subject lived to be eighty-three years old.
David W. [U.] Finch obtained his education in the public schools of his native state and was seventeen years old when his parents brought him to California. He learned the practical side of agriculture at an early age and remained at Winters with his parents until he decided to start out for himself. He went to Folsom and eventually became superintendent for the Natomas Vineyard Company, and for thirty-two years was in charge of the general ranch work for his company.
Mr. Finch’s first marriage occurred in San Francisco in September, 1876, and united him with Miss Savilla J. Gwynn, a native of San Francisco, daughter of William M. Gwynn numbered among the prominent and progressive ranchers on the Sacramento River. Mr. and Mrs. Finch were the parents of four children: Daisy, deceased; Lottie, now Mrs. Morgan who resides in Portland, Ore.; William resides at Hetch Hetchy; and Edwin lives in Plumas County, Cal. Mrs. Finch passed away in 1883. Mr. Finch was subsequently married at Sacramento in September , 1886, to Miss Margaret McCarthy, born in Eldorado County, daughter of Patrick McCarthy, a native of Ireland. By this union there were eight children: Henry, deceased; Walter H., whose sketch may be found in this work; Vera, deceased; Aileen; Harold; Madeline; David, Jr.; and Lucile, deceased. Mr. Finch located in Sutter County in 1909 and purchased 300 acres on the Feather River in Reclamation District No. 1001, one and a half miles above Vernon, on which he raises beans and alfalfa and conducts a dairy. In politics Mr. Finch is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a Past Grand of Folsom Lodge, I.O.O.F., and with his wife is a member of the Rebekah Lodge; he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Folsom.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1178
HOWARD R. CATLETT
An able farmer and a citizen of practical worth and ability, Howard R. Catlett is named among the representative citizens of Pleasant Grove, Sutter County. He is a native of Pleasant Grove, Cal., born February 17, 1888, the fourth of five children born to John Richard and Fannie (Coppin) Catlett, natives of Indiana and California, respectively. John R. Catlett came to California about 1870, and was married at Pleasant Grove, where he purchased a tract of 320 acres of land; later he bought another half section which is known as the old Catlett home place. When the Northern Electric Railroad was built, a station was erected on this ranch and is known as Catlett Station, in honor of Mr. Catlett. John R. Catlett added 180 acres more to his holdings, this being located on the Feather River; then he bought a quarter section known as the Vestal place; on this extensive acreage he engaged in grain- and stock-raising. Mrs. Catlett passed away July 16, 1922, survived by her husband and five children: Josephine, now Mrs. Yuhre; Benjamin Franklin resides at Pleasant Grove; Robert C. lives at Pleasant Grove; Howard R. is the subject of this review; and Russell B. resides at Verona.
Howard R. Catlett received his education at the Cottonwood district school; when he was twenty-one years old, he went into partnership with his brother Robert C. and his father on the home place; they farmed about 1800 acres of land, some of it being leased. This partnership lasted about ten years, when our subject began farming on his own account. His father deeded 280 acres of land to him as his portion of the home place; forty acres of this he sold off, retaining the balance of 240 acres.
On September 20, 1910, at Sacramento, Cal., Mr. Catlett was married to Miss Gretta Ellen McCurry, born at Lincoln, Cal., daughter of L. W. and Viola (Milton) McCurry. L. W. McCurry was a practicing physician, now deceased. After his death his wife removed to Wheatland, where the family of five children were reared and educated. Mr. Catlett’s home place is devoted to rice and wheat raising; he also has a flock of 600 bronze turkeys. Four years ago he erected a modern residence on his ranch. He has installed three five-inch electrically operated fifteen horsepower motors for pumping water for irrigation purposes; besides he has a water-right from the Auburn ditch to irrigate ninety acres. Mr. Catlett is a Republican in politics and fraternally belongs to Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F.&A.M., at Yuba City, and to the Sciots of Sacramento, which his wife is a member of Fidelia Chapter No. 56, O.E.S., of Yuba City.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1180-1181