Yolo County
Biographies
William Harrison MARDEN
Never yet has there been found an individual with soul so unappreciative that he fails to render the reverence and gratitude due those who blazed the way into the unknown west and amid dangers and hardships indescribable established a civilization destined to be tenfold more powerful than its founders dreamed. In common with the majority of this world’s heroes, no glory surrounded the lives of those who risked their all and bore the trials incident to the settlement of a new land, their only reward, and sufficient to them, being the regard and confidence of their associates. In this connection it is interesting to note that for over fifty-five years, owing to his courageous attitude as the leader of an emigrant train which crossed the plains in 1850, the appellation of “General” lovingly bestowed upon him by his associates was borne by Mr. Marden, who passed away at his home four miles southeast of Davis on May 29, 1905.
Mr. Marden was born March 4, 1824, in Coos county, N. H., this also being the birthplace of his parents, William and Polly (Stokes) Marden, who were of English parentage, and who, in 1831, took their family to Chenango county, N. Y., where few settlers had preceded them. Mrs. Marden passed away in 1855, and accompanied by his son Elisha the father later removed to Greenwood county, Kans., where he resided until his death. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marden, only one survives, Elisha, a resident of Greenwood county, Kans.
Educated in the district schools common to that period, William H. Marden assisted his father on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he engaged in teaching school and ultimately was made county superintendent of schools. Following his educational career he went to Waukesha county, Wis., arriving at his destination March 24, 1848. For two years he worked at the carpenter trade, as it was the only thing he could find to do. His cheerful personality and clear, good judgment won him many friends, and it was not surprising that upon his decision to go west he was eagerly joined by others, who urged him to act as their captain, secure in the belief that his strong young manhood and unfailing optimism would assuredly carry them safely to their journey’s end, where, they doubted not the proverbial pot of gold awaited them. With ox teams and prairie schooners, thoroughly outfitted, the party of sixteen started in the spring of 1850, crossing the Missouri river on May 8. The journey proved very tedious, although, in contrast with other companies, who lost large numbers by various fatal diseases, they arrived in California in good physical condition. After several months in the mines at Georgetown, Eldorado county, Mr. Marden settled near Davis, Yolo county, where he engaged in agriculture and stock raising, his original tract consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added from time to time, his estate at the time of his decease aggregating five hundred and twenty-eight acres. In 1869 he opened the pioneer butcher shop in Davis, his business increasing rapidly, and finally he started a hotel and established a hardware store. Until 1880, when he relinquished his business duties and took up his residence on his ranch, he was actively associated with the development of the town and did all in his power to increase its commercial strength as well as to induce settlers to locate in its midst.
Mr. Marden’s marriage, which occurred in Auburn in 1856, united him with Miss Marium Leigh, who was born in Bath, N. Y., and who came to Sacramento county, Cal., in 1854, joining her brother, A. H. Leigh, a resident of Dixon, who had settled in the west in the early ‘50s. To Mr. and Mrs. Marden, the latter of whom passed away April 16, 1899, at the age of sixty-eight, four children were born: William E., a fruit grower and dairyman of Fowler, Fresno county; Susan Annette, who resides on the old homestead, her husband, O. B. Wilbur, being the manager of the Marden ranch; Minnie M., Mrs. Collins, of Oakland; and Grant, a business man of Fresno. Fraternally Mr. Marden was a Mason of Knight Templar degree. He ably assisted in all public enterprises requiring the support of loyal citizens. From the day he cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln he remained a firm advocate of Republican principles and lent material aid to his party. He was postmaster at Davis for a great many years; and was the candidate of his party for sheriff and later for supervisor, but at that time his party was hopelessly in the minority, so he failed of election. A man of broad sympathies and kindly manner, his loss was felt keenly by the entire community which he so staunchly served during his identification therewith, and those who knew and loved him best will not soon forget his memory.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 691 – 693.
John Gusler BOWER
The tendency of the people to drift toward the west and the resultant increase in prosperity and population of the vast regions beyond the mountains find exemplification in the family history of the German race represented by the gentleman above named. Induced by alluring tales concerning life in the new world, William Bower bade farewell to the friends of his boyhood in Germany and crossed the ocean to New York, thence proceeding to Pennsylvania and there selecting a suitable location. A home was established in the Keystone state and among the children born there was a son, John G., father of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and himself a pioneer of the vast west. Later the home was transferred to the newer country of Ohio. From that state, John G., Sr., went to Illinois in young manhood and identified himself with the pioneers on the then frontier of Pike county. At that time he was a rugged young man, stalwart of frame and industrious in disposition, without home ties to bind him to the east, the type indeed of the class of men qualified for pioneer work.
While making his home in Pike county Mr. Bower was united in marriage with Miss Susan Crowder, a native of Tennessee and member of a family of colonial prominence in the south. Her father, Philip Crowder, was born in North Carolina in 1778 and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Robins, was a native of Rutherford county, S. C. The young couple settled in Pike county and three children were born to them during the period of their residence in that state, one of the sons being John G., Jr., whose birth occurred June 3, 1849. During that same year, memorable in the history of California, the father came hither on a prospecting tour, having crossed the plains with a large expedition. His first location was in Trinity county and for a time he successfully mined in the Cow creek country.
Returning via the Panama route in 1851, Mr. Bower made preparations to remove to the coast with his family. During the spring of 1852 he and his wife and children, in a wagon drawn by oxen, joined a large train of emigrants and crossed the plains in safety. August 23, 1852, they arrived at a point known as Hangtown (now Placerville), but in the same year came to Yolo county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres now owned by the pioneer’s namesake. Step by step the land was brought under cultivation. Little by little improvements were made that added to the value of the property and to its convenience as a place of residence. After a busy, useful life, the father passed away at the old homestead July 11, 1894, and here occurred the death of the mother, December 23, 1902. Both were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and regular contributors to charitable movements as well as missionary enterprises. Of their three sons, Philip M. died May 1, 1864. The eldest, James W., is a substantial farmer and stockraiser at Turlock, and the youngest, John G., Jr., owns the old homestead, having purchased his brother’s interest therein.
Primarily educated in the country school of Yolo county, John G. Bower, Jr., later attended the Pacific Methodist College at Vacaville for some years, but at the beginning of his junior year he returned home and with his brother took charge of the farm. Later he became the sole owner of the property, since which time he has remodeled the residence, put up a substantial barn, built a thorough system of fencing and planted trees for shade and ornament, making of the place one of the most tasteful and attractive in the locality. One of the most important accessories of the place is a well of never-failing water, clear and pure. The chief products of the farm were alfalfa and grain. Stockraising also brought in a neat annual income. Skilled management on the part of the owner made the land productive and a very profitable investment. Mr. Bower has raised alfalfa successfully without irrigation. At the present time the entire ranch is utilized for producing sugar beets, and all is under irrigation. Idylwild ranch is one of the most productive in the vicinity of Woodland, and it is dotted with large native oaks, their branches spreading over large areas.
At Woodland, April 7, 1875, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bower to Miss Alice Friel, a native of Yolo county, where since their union they have lived uninterruptedly upon the same farm. Both are earnest members of the Woodland Christian Church and have aided generously the charities and missionary movements fostered by that congregation. Mrs. Bower is a daughter of Jeremiah Friel, born in Virginia, who was a pioneer of 1849, crossing the plains. He returned to the east after a short time, but in December, 1852, removed permanently to the west and settled near Woodland, Yolo county. His wife was Minerva Severe Kirkpatrick, who was born in Tennessee, a descendant of the Kirkpatricks of Scotland. In 1875 the Friel family moved to Lompoc. Mr. Friel became deputy of Santa Barbara and died in December, 1881. The mother died in Los Angeles in 1904. Mrs. Bower completed her educational training at the Young Ladies’ Seminary at Benicia. In national elections Mr. Bower votes with the Democratic party, but in local matters he supports the men he deems the best adapted to office regardless of their party affiliations. Many years ago he was made a Mason in Yolo Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M., in which he has passed through the chairs and at this writing acts as past master. On two occasions he represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state. From early childhood he has been a resident of Yolo county and meanwhile he has witnessed the building of the railroads, the development of the land and the establishment of thriving villages. With everything contributory to the progress of the region he has been identified. The prosperity of the people is a source of deep interest to him and he neglects no opportunity to promote projects for the general welfare.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 693 – 695.