Yolo County
Biographies
Melvin White BLANCHARD
Backed by a life experience of more than usual interest, Mr. Blanchard enjoys in his closing years not only precious memories which serve to fill many a quiet hour, but also the contemplation of many important changes which have taken place recently and which point to a wonderful future for the west. For the past fifty-two years he has lived and labored with other pioneers of the Woodland section, and it is a source of the utmost joy to him to be able to realize many of the hopes which he has cherished so long.
Born July 14, 1836, in Saratoga county, N. Y., Mr. Blanchard is the only living son of Martin and Matine (Shaw) Blanchard, both of whom were born in Canada, of French parentage. They passed away in Saratoga county, N. Y. Of their three children Melvin W. was the second oldest. Upon the completion of his public school studies he became apprentices to a blacksmith in Glens Falls, N. Y., and after completing his trade he worked in different parts of that state. At the age of twenty he enlisted in Company F, Tenth United States Infantry, and was detailed government blacksmith in frontier service. During the succeeding five years he participated in the life enacted on the plains amid trials and dangers innumerable, determined, as were his associates, to place western civilization on a firm foundation. In 1857 he was in Utah serving as a soldier. Later he became of member of General Johnston’s regiment, continuing in service until 1860, when he was honorably discharged. In 1860 he crossed the mountains to California horseback, locating permanently in Yolo county. After working seven years on the ranch of Samuel H. Lettner, followed by one year on the farm of Dr. H. P. Merritt, he purchased a quarter-section three and one-half miles north of Davis, engaging in grain and stock raising on a large scale. A manager of excellent ability and judgment, he successfully operated in 1897 a tract of five thousand acres, upon which he raised grain. He has added to this place and now owns three hundred and twenty acres, his sons owning four hundred and eighty acres near here, they together owning eight hundred acres. For the past few years Mr. Blanchard has profitably raised cattle, sheep and hogs, his sons Lewis M., and Martin H., ably assisting him in all his ventures. In connection with his large grain culture years ago he employed two modern harvesters which required twenty-six mule power each.
Mr. Blanchard’s marriage April 21, 1867, which occurred in California’s capital city, united him with Miss Mary Neary, of county Mayo, Ireland, whose parents, Martin and Catherine (Conway) Neary, also natives of that country, never left their native home. Her father was well known both in England and Ireland as a successful stock dealer, supplying markets in both countries with cattle, sheep and horses. Of their family of four children, Mrs. Blanchard is the oldest. Mary Neary came to the United States in 1862 with her aunt, Mrs. Catherine McDonald, and in 1864 came west via Panama, settling in Yolo county, Cal., where she has resided since. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard, four grew up: Louis and Martin, who assist their in his extensive farming; Mary, now wife of Adolph Luttges, of Binghampton, who conducts a three hundred and twenty acres farm in Solano county, their home having been blessed with four children: Leta, Louis, Clarence and Gladys; and Josephine, whose husband, Barrett J. Sanderson, is a well known Yolo county rancher, and who has twin sons, Martin and Melvin. Martin Blanchard is an inventor, having patented an equalizer which renders uniform the pulling power of the horses attached thereto, and which may be used with one or any number up to thirty-two teams. He has also invented a device for the harvester, as well as an excavator for ditching, all of which have been patented. In addition to his ranch Melvin W. Blanchard is the owner of valuable Sacramento property, and although retired from the most arduous duties connected with his interests, still maintains an active concern in his affairs. Both himself and sons vote the Republican ticket, and are deeply interested in political developments in general, their good citizenship having placed them among the most prominent and highly respected men of that community. With his family Mr. Blanchard enjoys membership in the Davis Catholic Church, which he supports most generously.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 868 – 869.
Henry Bonapart JOHNSON
This prominent citizen of Madison, Yolo county, was born in South Carolina, in September, 1840, and at an early age he moved with his parents to Cherokee county, Ala. His father, Enoch Johnson, a planter, died in Alabama. The mother dying when Henry was six years old, he was left an orphan and knew little of a parent’s care. His brother Robert was killed in the Mexican war. His brother John enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, went away to the field of carnage and never returned. Henry was sixteen when he struck out for the Pacific, but he “rounded” the Isthmus all right, and landed in San Francisco one stormy December day in 1856. Subsequently he came to Yolo county and here he worked on ranches for about twelve years. Finally he “fetched up” near Madison and became a real farmer and for himself. He bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres southwest from Madison, where he remained for several years.
Mr. Johnson married Martha A. Sneath, a native of Missouri, who had come to this state across the plains in 1857. After her death, which occurred about two years later, he returned east by way of the Isthmus for cattle. In Texas he and several others who were on the same quest bought stock young and old for as low as $6 a head, and they soon had a band of three thousand. As they drove their great herd along working towards the west, Mr. Johnson saw that they would be late getting over the mountains and down into the California valleys. He thought of the snows of the Sierras and concluded to sell his band of about six hundred cattle, which he did. It was a fortunate conclusion for him, for between the cold and cattle thieves many of the herd were lost enroute. He returned to this state in 1868 and went back to ranching. Having sold the Madison farm, he leased for a while, then purchased. His second marriage was to Martha C. Butler, from his native Alabama. Their five children are James, Richard, Sallie, May and Josie. James resides on the home farm. Sallie is now Mrs. Fred Thomas of Winters. May married Dr. D. Heran of Porterville. Richard lives near Woodland. Josie is Mrs. Linn Caruth, of Esparto.
During the last fifteen or twenty years Mr. Johnson has been very successful in his farming ventures. First he raised grain and stock exclusively, later he planted fruit trees and grape vines, and now he has a fine vineyard of about twenty acres of wine grapes on his home place. But he is a grain producer and his farms have always turned out full harvests. He keeps about thirty-five head of stock¾horses and cattle¾on his places. He is a breeder of thoroughbreds, and has several blooded draft stallions at the stock farm. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a member of Buckeye Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., at Winters, and in politics is a Democrat. He also takes much interest in the educational matters of his neighborhood and for several years has served as a trustee of the high school board at Esparto.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 870 – 871.