Sutter County
Biographies
ERNEST R. HAUCK
A representative man of business affairs in Sutter County is Ernest R. Hauck, the energetically enterprising proprietor of Hauck Bros., dealers in men’s furnishings and shoes, their headquarters at Live Oak being one of the most popular rendezvous in this section for those who insist on getting the best at the most reasonable prices. A native of Minnesota, born at Faribault, on August 10, 1891, he is a son of John and Ernestine (Rockzin) Hauck, who came out to California in 1907 and located at Live Oak, where two brothers had previously settled. There they farmed until Mr. Hauck’s death in 1910. He was a pioneer of the class who make new paths, and build for others, as well as for themselves. Mrs. Hauck is still living, the center of a circle of many devoted friends.
Ernest Hauck enjoyed such educational advantages as were available in Minnesota, and also passed through the Sutter City High School. When old enough, he joined his brothers, who were then conducting a general merchandise store at Live Oak. That establishment was afterwards disposed of, and the present one was opened in connection with the post-office; he and his brother, C. W. Hauck, being successful in their venture from the start. Mr. Hauck is now serving his fifth year as clerk of the school board; and he is also secretary of Reclamation District No. 2054.
At Live Oak, in 1915, Mr. Hauck was married to Miss Jennie E. Wilcoxon, a descendant of a famous pioneer family, and a daughter of Straud Wilcoxon; and they have two children, Jane Mae and Mary Ernestine. Mr. Hauck is a Mason of the third degree, and is also an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman. He is found <sic> of outdoor life, especially of fishing.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 545
J. M. CRESS
An industrious, straightforward business man, who is justly achieving success in his line of work, is J. M. Cress, who was born at Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Ill., on November 2, 1868, the third of the thirteen sons of the late Daniel M. and Mary (Finch) Cress. The former was a native of Illinois, and the latter of Missouri. At present, there are only three sons living: William, of Sacramento; Eli, of Oroville; and J. M., the subject of this review.
J. M. Cress was reared on a farm. In 1879, he emigrated to California and located at Oak Park, Sacramento. In time he went to work for the United Railroad Company on their omnibus line, being thus employed in San Francisco for seven years. On returning to Oak Park, he engaged in contracting teaming and construction work, and then for two years worked in Butte County, oiling and graveling the roads. He again returned to Oak Park and was employed by the Oak Park Water Works, excavating for their well and plant. In 1908, Mr. Cress purchased fifteen acres of land at Live Oak, and here he has resided ever since, making another purchase of twenty acres of rich bottom land on the Feather River. For some time he devoted his entire energy and time to the cultivation of these ranches; but recently he subdivided one of them and has been selling lots to good advantage. He has erected seven residences, and still has from fifty to sixty lots on which he will build for patrons. In Oak Park, he erected four residences and sold them, his first one being the ninth house built in that district.
In 1894, at San Francisco, J. M. Cress married Miss Virginia Del Mar; and they became the parents of four children: Gertrude, Mrs. J. C. Bankey, of Live Oak; Hazel, Mrs. B. Nelson; Walter; and Bertha. Mr. J. M. Cress served as deputy constable of Sutter Township, in Sacramento County, for one term. In national politics, he is a Democrat, and endorses the platform of that party. He is always ready and willing to do his part to promote the greatest good to the greatest number, and stands high in the community.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 550