Tehama County
Biographies
EDMUND WRIGHT
was born in Stockport, England, October 27, 1832, and came to the United States in 1861, to California in 1869, and to Red Bluff in 1872. He received his education in Stockport and Manchester, and before coming to this country was a commercial traveler. Upon his arrival in the United States the first work he did was to drive Government mules. After that he was engaged in farming, in Ohio, for two years. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served the cause of the Union until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge in September, 1865. He then purchased 160 acres of land in Ohio, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years. In 1869 he sold out and came to California, for the benefit of his health. Three years he spent in Colusa County. From there he came to Tehama County and purchased 130 acres of land, located seven miles north of Red Bluff. He also bought 1,000 sheep, and engaged in that business for ten years, being very successful. He disposed of the sheep, and, in 1888, sold the farm. At that time he became the senior member of the firm of Wright & Taylor, dealers in groceries and provisions, at Red Bluff. They keep a large stock, and are doing a prosperous business. Their trade extends out of the city for thirty-five miles.
In November, 1863, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Elizabeth Heathcote. She was born in England, came to America when three years of age, and was reared in Wisconsin. They have six children: Walter H., Alice E., Ellen G., George E., Mabel A. and Herbert H. The two oldest were born in Ohio, one in Colusa County and three in Tehama County. Two of the daughters are successful school-teachers. The oldest son is a farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wright is a Republican, and belongs to J. K. Mansfield Post, No. 75, G.A.R., of Red Bluff.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 557-558
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES LOUIS BARHAM
is one of the prominent citizens in Tehama County, California. He was born near Springfield, Missouri, October 2, 1852, and is the son of John and Arabella (Swagerty) Barham. His parents were born in Kentucky, and their ancestors for many generations were natives of that State. They crossed the plains to California in 1857, spent two years at North San Juan, and in 1859 settled in Chico, Butte County. The subject of this sketch is said to have been the first boy who went to Chico to reside. He lived there continuously for twenty-two years, and his parents still reside at that place. Mr. Barham is the oldest of a family of eight children. His education was received at Chico. He earned his first dollar by washing bottles for Hon. E. P. Pond, present Mayor of San Francisco, who is now (1890) the Democratic candidate for Governor of California. Mr. Barham was the pioneer expressman of Chico. He carried the express for Wells, Fargo & Co., and the mail for a number of years. He subsequently accepted a position as clerk for G. W. Dorn & Co., dealers in general merchandise, and was in their employ seven years. He then spent a year in Tombstone, after which he returned and accepted a clerkship with Cone & Kimball, Red Bluff. For six years he was employed by that firm, and during that time he became widely and favorably known as a most obliging and competent business man.
In 1886 he was chosen by the Democratic party as their candidate for County Assessor. He made a lively and spirited canvass, speaking all over the county. His opponent had held the office for thirteen years, but Mr. Barham was elected by a majority of 354 votes, carrying ever precinct except two. He entered upon the duties of his office determined to conduct it in accordance with the law and without being influenced by either party or property. Many of the papers in the office, that would have been of value to him, were destroyed by the former incumbent, which made his duties much more difficult; but he succeeded in reducing the taxation of the county $1.10 per hundred less than the average of the three best years of his predecessor, and he found and assessed 70,734 acres of land in the county that had before escaped taxation. In 1890, without opposition, he was renominated by his party and elected over the strongest man in the Republican party by a majority of 295.
Mr. Barham was married November 25, 1875, to Miss Georgia Holcomb, a native of St. Louis, California. They have one child, Courtney, born in Chico. Mr. Barham is the owner of a comfortable home in Red Bluff.
Our subject is a prominent Mason, has been and is Master of Vesper Lodge, No. 84, and is Inspector of the district, appointed by Grand Master Estee. Mr. Barham is also a Knight Templar. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his political views are Democratic. He is a business man of ability and enterprise, and a citizen every way worthy of the confidence and respect of the people of the county.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 558
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler