Tehama County
Biographies
WILLIAM W. WATKINS
Among the well-known pioneers of Tehama County and the Sacramento Valley, none perhaps are more worthy of mention then the above named gentleman, who first saw the light of day in Terre Haute, Indiana, January 4, 1824. His father, William Watkins, was a native of New York and a millwright by trade, who emigrated to the then far Western State of Indiana in 1810; his mother, nee Irene Watkins, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1850 the subject of this sketch, in company with three others, started across the plains via Forts Laramie and Bridger, and Salt Lake to California, arriving safely in the land of gold, and first located at Diamond Spring, where they spent the first year in mining. In February, 1851, they changed their mining operations to Clear Creek, Shasta County, and then to what was known as Tadpole Creek, where they established a trading post. In August, 1852, they purchased teams, and began teaming between Colusa and Shasta, which business they followed until 1854, when they began farming, and raising hogs and sheep, continuing jointly until 1859. Mr. Watkins then went to Tehama County, purchasing farm land, which he cultivated on his own account, still keeping up the same business of sheep and hog raising. He is now located in the southern portion of this county, at the town of Kirkwood, on his farm of 260 acres, and is also a dealer in real estate.
He was united in marriage August 31, 1859, with Miss Elizabeth Ashurst, a native of Missouri, who crossed the plains in 1857. They have six children living, viz.: Lorena M., the wife of John A. Beauchamp, a native son of California and a resident of Kirkwood; William J., Catherine J., Harry F., Ellen P., Charles A., and Lebbeus, who died October 1, 1876. Politically Mr. Watkins is a Republican, and was formerly an old-time Whig. He has been School Trustee of Montgomery district about fifteen years, and is a member of the F. & A. M., Oreland Lodge, No. 265, of Oreland.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino
LAFAYETTE FISH
LA FAYETTE FISH, a prominent and progressive farmer of Tehama County, is a native of New York, dating his birth November 21, 1827. He is the second of five children born to P. William and Lois (Grover) Fish, both natives of Vermont. The father died in 1854, and the mother survived until 1870. When our subject was nine years of age the parents moved to the State of Michigan, and in 1840 moved back to New York, settling in Genesee County. In 1842 they went to Iowa, locating in Scott County, where our subject attended the public schools and completed his education at the select high school. For two years following he taught school in Davenport, and in 1853 crossed the plains to Oregon, and in 1854 came to California, locating at Yreka, where he engaged in mining. In 1856 he returned to the States, via Panama, remaining four years. In 1860 he again crossed the plains to California, locating near Tehama, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter. In 1871 he located on his present farm of eighty acres, situated one mile north of Corning, in Tehama County.
Mr. Fish was married in Hickory Grove, Iowa, November 18, 1858, to Miss Jennie Carter, and they have four children living: William A., Oren, who died July 14, 1867; Jennie M., Alfred R. and Grant C.
Mr. Fish has always taken a warm interest in the cause of education, and in 1867 was appointed a Trustee of Tehama School District. Politically Judge Fish is a Republican, and takes an active part in all the political issues of the day, having been in 1888 selected as one of the delegates from Tehama County to the Republican State Convention.
In 1878 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is still holding that office. Judge Fish has served his district faithfully and honorably, and by his impartial administration of justice and legal ability, has acquired the confidence and respect of the people of Tehama County.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino
CHARLES HUNT
CHARLES HUNT, one of the well known citizens of Tehama County, is a native of Huntsville, Missouri, born April 10, 1827, the son of Daniel and Agnes (Bailey) Hunt. The former was a native of Kentucky, and was the first white settler in the northern part of Missouri; the town of Huntsville was named after him; the latter was a descendant of one of the old Maryland families, and was a native of that State. Our subject, the seventh of twelve children, was reared and educated in his native place and followed farming until 1849. He, like many other of the pioneers, was attracted by the glitter of gold which had been discovered in California, and at once made preparations and started across the plains, via the Humboldt route, arriving in Sacramento in 1850. He first located in the mining town called Rough and Ready, where he remained during that year, engaged in mining. All the trains or companies crossing the plains became afflicted with scurvy, and so bad that for many months they were incapacitated for hard work; and in fact, our subject has never fully recovered from the effects of the disease. For a time Mr. Hunt followed various occupations, mining, trading and general labor, and in 1852 he crossed the ocean to the East, returning to California with a large drove of cattle. After disposing of his stock he roamed about for a time, making another trip to the East, and this time he brought back a band of mules. He made his headquarters at Wolfskill Ranch in Yolo County, making frequent trips to Sacramento, where he found ready sale at good prices for his mules. In the fall of 1868-’69, he became one of the contractors of the Central Pacific Railroad, then in course of construction, remaining in that capacity until 1868-’69. He then went to the town of Princeton, Colusa County, where he purchased farm property, and in August, 1877, he came to his present farm of 320 acres, located near the Sacramento River, three and a half miles east of Corning, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Hunt has been twice married, first in Platte County, Missouri, in 1855, and the second union took place December 10, 1872, in Colusa County, California, to Mrs. Nancy Shattock, a native of Kentucky. She had one child by her first marriage,—George M. Shattock. Mr. Hunt is an old-time Democrat, and holds strictly to party principles. He has been School Trustee of Moon district for several years.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino