Tehama County
Biographies
CHARLES W. FICKERT
Prominent among the leading businessmen and citizens of Red Bluff, Tehama County, California, we find the name of Charles W. Fickert, now deceased. His parents were natives of Germany, and he was born in that country, December 14, 1827. When he was eight years of age he came with his parents to America. They settled in New York City where he was reared and educated and learned the trade of jewelry making. He removed to Philadelphia and carried on his business there until 1861, when he came to Red Bluff, California. Here he started in business as a cabinetmaker and continued it until 1868. In that year he turned his attention to the furniture business. He subsequently erected the building, 82x115 feet, which he used as his furniture store. His business grew with the development of the town and county, and, under his able management, it soon became the leading enterprise of the kind in Tehama County. Mr. Fickert built one of the finest residences in the city, at the corner of Jefferson and Cedar streets. He was a stockholder in and one of the organizers of the Tehama Bank of Red Bluff, and he erected the building in which it was located. For forty-one years he was a member in good standing of the I.O.O.F., and filled all the chairs of the order.
In 1853 Mr. Fickert married Miss Bertha Hagar, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany. Three children were born to them in Camden, New Jersey. One died in that city and two, Laura M. and William Charles, they brought with them to California. Mrs. Fickert’s death occurred July 5, 1888.
January 18, 1890, Mr. Fickert was taken suddenly ill with heart disease and expired fifteen minutes from the time he was taken sick. His sudden death was a great shock to his bereaved family and his many friends throughout Tehama County. During his life he had often expressed his preference for that kind of death when his time should come to go.
William C. had been his father’s assistant in the business since 1872, and had grown up to thoroughly understand its every department. He was reared and educated in Red Bluff, and upon the death of his father he became his successor to the business.
In 1887, Mr. Fickert took for his wife Miss Nellie A. Bartell, a native of Russia. This union has been blessed with a son, Arthur H., born in Red Bluff.
Mr. Fickert is a member of the I.O.O.F., in which order he has occupied all the chairs. He is also a Master Mason, and is Steward of his lodge. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Fickert resides with his family in their fine residence in Red Bluff.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 617-618
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan
ALEXANDER McKEAN McCOY
ALEXANDER McKEAN McCOY, District Attorney of Tehama County, is a man of rare ability. A brief sketch of his life is herewith given:
Mr. McCoy was born in Missouri, June 9, 1852. His father, Joseph McCoy, was also born in Missouri, and is a farmer, stock raiser and cattle dealer. Grandfather Joseph McCoy was one of the earliest settlers in that State. Mr. McCoy’s mother, nee Jane McKean, was a native of Ireland and daughter of Alexander McKean, a native of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are the parents of six sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. They were all born and reared at the old home in Clark County, Missouri, where their father still resides, the mother having died in 1872.
The subject of this sketch attended school in his native state and diligently applied himself to his studies. At the age of twenty-two, in 1874, he graduated at the Christian University at Canton, Missouri. After graduating he taught two years in the University, where he was professor of English Literature and History. In 1876 he came to Red Bluff, California, was employed as principal of the Red Bluff schools for two years, filling that responsible position with credit to himself and with entire satisfaction to the patrons of the school. His health became impaired, however, from the close confinement which his duties as principal required, and in 1878, he left the schoolroom and engaged in the sheep business. He regained his health and continued in that business seven years.
In 1884 he took an active part in politics canvassing the country in the interest of the Democratic Party. As a speaker he is forcible and logical and his words carry conviction with them. The efficient services he rendered at that time were highly appreciated by his party. In 1885 he took up the study of law with Mr. Jackson Hatch, of Red Bluff, a study, which proved congenial to him, and he rapidly became proficient in it. In the spring of 1886 he was admitted to practice by the Superior Court of his county. His age, education, experience as a teacher, ability as a speaker, and the valuable work he had done for his party in 1884, brought him at once into prominence, and, unasked by him, he was nominated for District Attorney in the fall of 1886. He was elected and his services were so satisfactory that in 1888 he was re-elected by an increased majority. At this writing, in 1890, he has been re-elected for a third term by a considerably increased majority over 1888.
In 1884 Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Muth. She was born in Detroit Michigan, and is the daughter of J.L. Muth, a native of Germany, who now resides in San Diego, this State. Mrs. McCoy received her education in the public schools of San Francisco and at the Normal School at San Jose. She was first assistant teacher in the Red Bluff schools at the time of their marriage and she has a fine reputation as an educator. Their union has been blessed with two interesting children, both born in Red Bluff, namely: Ida May, November 16, 1885, and Joseph Muth, September 21, 1889. Mr. McCoy bought a lot in Red Bluff and has built a very pleasant home where he and his family reside. He also has a fruit farm east of town.
Mr. McCoy became a member of the Christian Church at Canton, Missouri in 1873, and since that time has been an active and faithful member. He is an elder in the church in Red Bluff, and in the absence of the pastor, frequently fills the pulpit. He has made a careful study of the evidences of Christianity, and is logical and convincing in his arguments in favor of the truth of the Christian religion. Although Mr. McCoy has never been ordained a minister, his appearance is more that of a Christian pastor than that of a District Attorney of Tehama County. He is a man who justly merits and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and makes his interest in them as great moral institutions second only to his church.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 605-606
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan
CAPTAIN ELBRIDGE G. REED
Captain Elbridge G. Reed, one of the prominent citizens and honored pioneers of Red Bluff, came to California in 1850. A brief sketch of his life is herewith given and will be found of interest to many. He was born in Maine, in July, 1819. His father, William Reed, was born on Plumb Island, and his grandfather Reed was a native of Massachusetts. Their ancestors were Scotch people. William Reed married Hannah Hutchings, a native of Maine. To them were born nine children, all of whom are now living, so far as Captain Reed knows. His father was a Methodist and, in politics, he was a Democrat before the war, but after that struggle he gave his vote and influence to the Republican party. He was a seaman and was both owner and captain of the ship, the William Reed. He was also owner of and had an interest in several other vessels.
The subject of this sketch received his education in his native State, and at the age of fourteen years, entered upon a seafaring life with his father, going before the mast. When he was fifteen years old he was mate, sailing in summer with his father and going to school in the winter. At the age of eighteen he had command of the schooner Diamond. After that at various times he had charge of different vessels. At twenty-three he was commander of the brig Lamertine, in the West India trade. He also sailed the schooner Odd Fellow, a packet from Augusta, Maine to Boston.
In 1849, Captain Reed set sail in the ship Rob Roy for San Francisco. He was one of a company who built the steamer Kennebec, to ply on the Sacramento River between Sacramento and Marysville. His brother, William, was commander while Captain Reed was mate. They ran her for two years and during that time made a considerable amount of money. They then sold the vessel, and Captain Reed went as mate for Captain William Moore on board the San Joaquin. Soon after this he bought the United States Hotel, conducted it about two years and sold it to Mr. Brown. In the spring of 1852, he came to Red Bluff and built the first frame house in the town. It was located about thirty rods east and north of the north end of the bridge on Reed’s Creek, that creek having been named for the captain. For years he entertained travelers in his house, and hunters and miners also found a temporary home with him. Mr. Cavit, the first merchant of Red Bluff, had a small stock of goods in a little board store on the bank of the river. Bull & Baker also started a little store there. These early merchants boarded with Captain Reed. After he moved on his ranch the old hotel was utilized for a school-house, and was finally blown down. In 1870, the captain built his present brick house. At that time his ranch contained 200 acres, but he has since sold a part of it for $100 per acre.
For a time during the navigation of the river Captain Reed acted as night watchman. Before the bridge was built for many years he ran a pontoon. More recently he has engaged to some extent in the real-estate business.
In 1843, he married Miss Susan Randall, a native of Augusta, Maine and the daughter of Captain Samuel Randall. They had a family of six children, three of whom are living; Ellen M., married A. W. Bishop, and resides with him in Oakland, California; Alvira B. married Charles Adams, with whom she resides at Sacramento; and Annie wedded William Cahoon, cashier of the Tehama Bank of Red Bluff. After thirty-six years of married life, Mrs. Reed died. Captain Reed subsequently married Mrs. Emily A. Eastman, widow of Mr. Harry Eastman. They reside on their ranch south of Red Bluff.
This worthy pioneer has had many interesting experiences which he is unable to relate and regrets that he did not keep a diary of the events as they occurred.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 658-659
Transcribed by: Christine Helmick