Tehama County

Biographies

Z. P. DYER

Z. P. Dyer, of Red Bluff, who is filling the office of county assessor, was born in California, January 24, 1890, and is a son of Zimri P. and Mary L. (James) Dyer. The father was born in Charleston, Illinois, February 8, 1852, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Cartwright) Dyer, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Illinois, she being a relative of Rev. Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer Methodist minister. Zimri P. Dyer, Sr., was quite a young man when his parents removed from Illinois to Boone county, Iowa, and he there pursued his education in the public schools of Indianola. He afterward taught school in Iowa for two years and in 1873 came to California, where he again took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in this state for thirteen years, becoming principal of the schools at Willows. In 1885 he removed to Paskenta, where he became an employe in the store of Scribner & Corrington. In 1890 he purchased the interest of S. N. Corrington in his Paskenta and Newville stores and continued the business, owing to his close application, thoroughness and dependability, and in connection with his mercantile interests he conducted a feed stable and a hotel. He never sought public office but served as a school trustee for eight years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He was also postmaster at Paskenta for seven years and was appointed a notary public by Governor Markham. Mr. Dyer was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic order and held membership in Newville Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M., of which he was secretary for an extended period. He passed away December 23, 1922, and is survived by his widow, who makes her home in Red Bluff.

Their son, Zimri P. Dyer, Jr., was educated in the common schools of Tehama county, after which he was employed for six years in a general store at Paskenta. He then secured a position with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, working as a freight clerk for two years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Paskenta. He next devoted several years to ranching near Paskenta and again became a resident of Red Bluff in 1921. Here he filled the position of deputy county assessor until 1924 and since that time has been assessor, having been appointed upon the death of the previous incumbent of the office, Louis Winter. In 1925 Mr. Dyer was a successful candidate for the position and has now served for eight years as assessor, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity.

Mr. Dyer was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Robinson, a daughter of Frederick W. and Mary (Corrington) Robinson, and they are prominent socially in the community where they make their home. Mr. Dyer gives his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he has always been an earnest adherent. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks Lodge, No. 1250, of which he is past exalted ruler. He has always been deeply intersted in athletics and finds his recreation largely in fishing but allows nothing to interfere with the faithful performance of his official duties, and that he has been again and again elected assessor of Tehama county is proof of his efficiency and trustworthiness.