Tehama County
Biographies
RODERICK HENRY BIERCE
is one of the pioneers of Red Bluff an done who has had much to do with the building of the town, and its history.
Mr. Bierce was born in Prattsville, Green County, New York, September 2, 1833. His father, Alexander N. Bierce, was a native of Massachusetts, but was a resident of New York for a long time. Grandfather Alexander A. Bierce was born in France and came to America early in the history of the country. Our subject’s father was in politics a Whig and in religion a Methodist. He married Deborah Allcot Morrison, a native of Yonkers, New York. To them were born eight children, Roderick H. being the sixth and one of the four who are now living. He received his early education in New York, and in 1848, when he was fourteen years old, the family removed to Illinois and settled in the village of Dixon. At that place he finished his education and learned the carpenter and millwright trade and there worked for seven or eight years.
In 1859 Mr. Bierce crossed the plains to California and engaged in mining at Weaverville, Trinity County, meeting with good success. After that he came to Red Bluff. The next year, however, he returned to the mines and built a flume, but the claim proved a failure and he met with a serious loss. He then came back to Red Bluff and commenced work at his trade. His first work was to assist in building the Antelope flouring-mill, six miles east of Red Bluff. In 1863 he formed a copartnership, Bierce & Powell, contractors and builders. In connection with their other business they built a planing-mill and manufactured sash and doors, and also added a lumber yard. They built the Red Bluff Hotel, and it burned down before it was completed. A stock company was formed and they rebuilt on the same site. The hotel finally became the property of the builders. Great depression came upon the city and they sold it at a heavy loss, only receiving $2,500 for it. The hotel was afterward sold for $21,500. This firm dissolved and Mr. Bierce carried on the lumber business alone. On the completion of the Blue Ridge flume by Frank Campbell and Welton, Mr. Bierce was selected manager of their lumber yard and planing-mill. This was in 1874. They afterward sold to the Sierra Flume & Lumber Company, and Mr. Bierce was retained in his position. The company was reorganized and became the Sierra Lumber Company, and he continued with them until 1886. In that year he went to San Diego and took charge of the lumber yard and was manager for the Coronado Beach Lumber Company. After being there nearly a year he went to San Quentin, Lower California, and assumed charge of the lumber yard and store of the International Company of Mexico. October 20, 1888, Mr. Bierce returned to Red Bluff and has since been engaged in contracting and building. He has this year (1890) completed the erection of the Red Bluff flouring-mill, a large and valuable one.
Mr. Bierce was married in 1869, to Mrs. Margaretta Mitchell, widow of Mr. Reuben J. Mitchell. By her first husband he had a son, R. J. Mitchell, and by Mr. Bierce she has had four children, three sons and a daughter, all born in Red Bluff, viz.: Roderick N., who is now in the Signal Service office at San Francisco; Ralph S.; Rollin H. and Edith M. Mr. Bierce is a life-long Republican; has voted for General J. C. Fremont and every Republican candidate for the presidency since. When he came to Red Bluff there were only thirteen Republicans in Tehama County, and during the dark days of the Rebellion there were many disloyal people in California. A Confederate flag was carried in triumph through the streets of Red Bluff. The patriotic blood boiled in the veins of Mr. Bierce and his partner, Mr. Powell, and they attacked the disunionist. Several shots were fired, and they arrested him and sent him to Sacramento a prisoner. The flag displayed on that occasion is now in the possession of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Red Bluff. Mr. Bierce, after that occurrence, was one of the leading spirits to organize a company of Home Guards, and stood ready to fight or die for his country. The organization of the company had a salutary effect in preserving peace and making the lives of the people secure.
For six years Mr. Bierce was a School Trustee, and has ever taken an active interest in educational matters. He was one of the charter members of the Ancient Order of the United Workman, of Red Bluff, and has been a Master Workman for several terms. He is a prominent member of the Mason fraternity, was master of the blue lodge two years, and has filled nearly every other office in the lodge. He is also a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Bierce was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of the city, and was Chairman of the Board for two years. He was Chief of the Fire Department for six years; and on his retiring from that department, the members showed their appreciation of his services by presenting him with a splendid gold watch. It was a pleasant surprise to Mr. Bierce and he treasures the token highly.
To the biographer it is a pleasant task to record the history of one who, by his generous deeds and manly conduct, has endeared himself to his fellow citizens, and has led that upright and honorable life of which his posterity justly feels proud.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 569-570
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
BRUCE B. LEE
of Red Bluff, Tehama County, California, lately deceased, was the eldest son of Barton Lee, one of the early settlers and founders of Sacramento. The old firm of Priest, Lee & Cornwall was one of the wealthiest and most noted in the early history of California. Mr. Lee’s grandfather, Benjamin Lee, was a pioneer of Skaneateles, New York, and also of northern Ohio. The Lees came originally from the Scottish branch of the family. Mr. Lee’s mother, nee Henrietta Lee Steele, was a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and a descendent, on the maternal side, from the Virginia branch of the Lee family.
Bruce B. Lee was born in Iowa, September 26, 1838. He crossed the plains to Oregon and California in 1844. Mr. Lee is enthusiastic over Tehama County and believes it to be the best in the State. During his residence in California he has held many prominent positions; was elected to the State Legislature as a member of the Assembly from Sacramento County, in 1868; was appointed Harbor Commissioner by Governor William Irwin, in 1876; was elected Grand Commander of Knights Templar in 1880, and secured the Triennial Conclave of that order for San Francisco, in 1883; and at the time of his death was Prelate of Red Bluff Commandery, No. 17, K.T., Past High Priest of Red Bluff Chapter, No. 40, R.A.M.; and Captain of Company D, Eighth Battalion, N.G.C. Mr. Lee was manager of the largest insurance agency in America. He is the owner of a fine orchard, and has for sale about 200 acres of the finest orchard land in the valley.
July 2, 1868, Mr. Lee wedded the lady of his choice, Miss Ada Titus, the acknowledged belle of Sacramento in the days of Governor Haight’s administration. Mrs. Lee is the daughter of Colonel J. W. Titus, of Sacramento, and is a leading member of the Episcopal Church, and a vocalist of more than ordinary ability.
Mr. Lee devoted his checkered and eventful life not alone to making money and accumulating wealth, but to ameliorating the conditions of the indigent and suffering, and thus by making bright the pathways of many a poor soul he has also brought sunshine and happiness into his own life. He was a man who reverenced his God, loved his neighbor as himself, never sought notoriety, and enjoyed fun as much as any one. By his fellow citizens he was regarded as liberal, generous, talented and full of business push and enterprise. His death took place in December, 1890.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 570-571
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler