Tehama County
Biographies
PETER MORRISON CLEGHORN
PETER MORRISON CLEGHORN was born in Lenoxshire, Scotland, April 25, 1820. His parents, James and Betsey (Morrison) Cleghorn, were natives of Scotland. They carried on farming, in a limited way, and were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. To them were born fourteen children, and all except one lived to adult age. Eight of the family still survive. The oldest brother, James, is a resident of Iowa and, at this writing, is eighty-three years of age. The subject of this sketch was the fifth child. He received his education in his native land and became proficient in farming and in the care of stock, especially sheep. He emigrated to Canada in 1848. He there worked at lumbering, both in the woods and saw-mills, and later became an engineer. After remaining in Canada for five years and losing his health, he sought a change of climate, went to the State of New York and for four years drove a team for Seymore Bros, & Co. He then went to Iowa, where he spent a year, after which, in 1859, he crossed the plains to California. He immediately engaged in mining, on Butte Creek, and made good wages. From there he went to Chico and worked for General Bidwell, driving and breaking horses. Next he assisted Mr. John N. Montgomery in the sheep business. In 1866 he entered into that business for himself. He began with about 475 head of sheep and not a foot of land, and continued the business for eighteen years. At the end of that time he had 3,400 acres of land and from 2,500 to 3,000 sheep. In 1884 he sold out, and purchased a neat and tasteful home in Red Bluff, where he now resides. He employs his time in caring for the grounds around his home, and he lives on the interest of his money.
June 24, 1889, Mr. Cleghorn married Miss Sarah O’Brian, a native of Canada. She is a member of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Cleghorn is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A.M.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©
JOSEPH WEXELBERGER
JOSEPH WEXELBERGER is one of the enterprising business men in Red Bluff. He is a native of Austria, born December 11, 1849. His parents were both natives of that country, and were members of the Catholic Church. His mother died in 1876, and his father in 1882. Mr. Wexelberger received his education in Austria, learned the cabinet trade with his father, and worked at the business there for eleven years. He then came to America, went first to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he worked in the coal mines for three years, and from there went to Alabama, where, for three more years, he also worked in the coal mines. After that he came to California, and for three years was employed in a quartz mine at Auburn, working for wages. Next he purchased a toll bridge, which he kept for two years and a half. In 1884 Mr. Wexelberger sold out and came to Red Bluff. Here he bought a bakery and saloon of Mr. John Dyer, put the property in fine condition, now employs three hands, and is doing a prosperous business. He has the patronage of the leading citizens of Red Bluff, and sells a large proportion of the bread and cakes used. He combines the two great commodities of life for which people expect to pay money; and, being a shrewd, obliging business man, his enterprise is a successful one.
Mr. Wexelberger was married, November 5, 1882, to Miss Maggie Frech, a native of Bavaria. Their union has been blessed with two children: Charles and Thraca, the former born in Tehama and the latter in Placer County. Mrs. Wexelberger is a Methodist. He was reared a Catholic. Politically he is a Republican, and is liberal in his views on all subjects.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©
DR. WILLIAM D. OLENDORF
DR. WILLIAM D. OLENDORF, who for many years has been a resident and practicing physician of Red Bluff, came to California in 1849. He was born in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, June 18, 1820. His father, Peter Olendorf, was a native of that State, born in the Mohawk Valley. Grandfather David Olendorf was a native of Germany, came to America before the Revolution, and participated in the struggle of the colonies for their independence. The Doctor’s mother was nee Cornelia Murry. Her father, William Murry, came to this country from England before the Revolution and was a soldier in that war.
The subject of this sketch is the only son and the fifth born in a family of ten children, six of whom are living. He was educated at Clinton, New York; read medicine with Dr. F. G. Thrall, of Hartwick; and attended a course of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, graduating at the session of 1842-’43. He was then engaged in the practice of his profession in his native State for five years. In 1849, as already stated at the beginning of this article, Dr. Olendorf came to California and settled in Shasta County, where he resumed practice and remained seven years. In 1858 he located in Red Bluff. Dr. Bradway had preceded him to the town, but Dr. Olendorf is now living pioneer physician of the city. By devoting close attention to his business he soon established a lucrative practice in Red Bluff and vicinity, which he has continued for thirty-two years, meeting with eminent success and numbering among his patients nearly all the old residents of the place. He has had charge of the county hospital, and has been honored with the office of president of the Medical Society of Tehama County.
In 1844 he married Miss Emily A. Harrington, who has since that time shared the joys and sorrows of his life. Their union has been blessed with three daughters, all born in Red Bluff. Georgene is the wife of D.B. Lyon, a prominent business man of Red Bluff, whose history appears in this book. Frankie C. and Nettie reside with their parents. The single daughters are members of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor built an attractive home on the corner of Oakland and Jefferson streets, where he is spending the evening of his busy life in quietude and comfort. He has taken an active interest in the growth and development of Red Bluff and from time to time has made investments in real estate here. He is the owner of several dwelling-houses, has a half interest in a book-store, and has ten acres of land, one-half mile from the city, which is devoted to French prunes.
Dr. Olendorf is a Mason and has held the office of Master of the lodge. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©