Yolo County
Biographies
Charles T. BIDWELL
The enterprising spirit that led Mr. Bidwell to seek a location in the newer regions of the undeveloped west formed the nucleus of his subsequent success, whereby, through an intimate identification with varied lines of commercial activity, he had become one of the influential citizens of Woodland, contributing personally to the permanent prosperity of the place and occupying an honorable position in the annals of the local history. For years he was one of the leading grain-buyers in Yolo county, but later he abandoned that field of commercial activity and entered the real-estate arena, in which through his thorough knowledge of land values he has risen to prominence. Besides the close attention to all business details, he has found leisure for the management of a large vineyard and has studied grape culture exhaustively, so that he is considered an authority on the subject. Added to other duties he now fills the office of city trustee, to which he was elected in April of 1911 for a term of four years. That office he regards as a trust from the people and it is his endeavor so to discharge its duties as to secure for the citizens needed benefits, substantial reforms and practical improvements.
Prior to his arrival in Woodland in 1872 Mr. Bidwell had lived in Michigan, where he was born in Albion during the year 1845, where also he was educated (attending Albion College) and where he had engaged in book-keeping and clerical work during the years of young manhood. While still making Michigan his home he there married, in 1868, Miss Florence Swain, a native of the state. Four years after their marriage they came to the west and purchased a home in Woodland, where they reared their children, David B., Alice R. and Charles C. The daughter is now the wife of H. P. Snavely and resided in Woodland. After an engagement of two years as a book-keeper in this city, during 1874 Mr. Bidwell was admitted as a partner into the firm of Thomas & Hunt, grain buyers, and a successful business career was then entered upon. Selling his interest in the concern in 1880 he formed a partnership with A. J. Hall under the title of Hall & Bidwell.
For a number of years the firm engaged extensively in the buying of grain, but finally the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Bidwell conducted the business alone for five years. When eventually he retired from the grain business he entered upon real-estate activities under the firm title of Bidwell & Wright, but in a short time the title was changed to Bidwell & Reith and continued as such until 1909, when the junior partner purchased the entire business, Mr. Bidwell retiring to private life. Fruit culture has been one of his “hobbies.” He believes that California has no soil more adapted to the raising of fruit than that of Yolo county and he has put his belief into actual experience through cultivation of a vineyard of eighty acres, which he owns and which is located three and one-half miles south of Woodland. Table and raisin grapes are sold in large quantities from this fine vineyard and buyers always express their gratified surprise at the size and quality of the product, as well as the enormous output from the vines. Without question the land is well adapted to vine culture and unquestionably also the owner understands the art of securing the best possible returns from the investment. In the midst of his duties as a citizen, city trustee, viticulturist and man of affairs, he found leisure for intimate identification with the Republican party, for close study of its progress and for intelligent work in its interests, and both by precept and by example he has given to this cause such assistance as comes from the sturdy, substantial influence of an honorable life.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 876 – 859.
Robert J. GIBSON
While other occupations may reward their adherents with larger financial returns or may bestow upon their disciples greater prominence and broader influence, none surpasses that of agriculture in its relation to the material welfare of the entire world. To those men who are giving farm cultivation their best energies and their keenest intelligence (and in this class none is more intelligent than Mr. Gibson) there has come a realization of the importance of their work, an appreciation of its value to the community of which they are a part. He who causes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before is a public benefactor; how much more may this be said of a man who brings a large tract of land up to a point where the returns therefrom are doubled or trebled, who improves a large farm or turns the first furrows in the virgin soil.
From the standpoint of service of an agriculturist Mr. Gibson has accomplished much for the benefit of his community in Yolo county, but he is not one of those who aspire to public honors or official prominence. Quietly but energetically he devotes himself to agricultural activities. Modestly but forcibly he disclaims any praise for what he has accomplished, yet his efforts are worthy of mention not only from their relation to his personal success, but also from the bearing upon the general prosperity of the agricultural class of the county. A lifelong resident of Yolo county, he was born at the old Gibson home near Woodland October 18, 1859, and from his earliest recollections he has been familiar with rural affairs in this locality, hence he understands the soil thoroughly and knows the best methods to be followed in its cultivation. Education has broadened his mind and quickened his aspirations. It was his privilege not only to complete the studies of the public schools, but also to attend the Hesperian College of Woodland and take a course of study in Heald’s Business College in San Francisco, where he was graduated October 4, 1881.
Returning to the ranch of his father, William Byas Gibson, near Woodland, upon the completion of his commercial course, Mr. Gibson in a few years took over the management of the estate and engaged in raising mules, horses, cattle, sheep and pure-bred hogs. The stock was shipped principally to the east and brought excellent returns upon the investment. Afterward the young farmer started out for himself and to such effect did he work that now he is the owner of a ranch of one thousand acres four miles west of Woodland, besides another valuable property comprising fifteen hundred acres situated near Capay. The supervision of these two properties and their cultivation to alfalfa and grain make him one of the leading grain-growers in Yolo county and his success is the result of indefatigable efforts and shrew intelligence. He is a stockholder of the Yolo Bank and the First National Bank, being also a director in the latter institution. While superintending his large holdings he makes his home at Woodland, where at No. 618 College street he and his wife and son, William B., have an attractive residence furnished in a manner indicative of their refinement and cultured tastes. Prior to their marriage in 1888 Mrs. Gibson was Miss Eleanor Root; her entire life has been passed in California (having been born at Blacks Station) and she is eligible through birth to membership with the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Aside from his agricultural pursuits, Mr. Gibson finds time for fraternal associations. Made a Mason in Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., he is also a member of Woodland Chapter No. 46, R. A. M., Woodland Commandery No. 21, K. T., and is a member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in San Francisco.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 859 – 860.