Yolo County
Biographies
William Bray
William Bray, a farmer near Woodland, was born February 23, 1832, in Monroe County, Kentucky, a son of Richard and Annie (Woods) Bray. His father, a farmer by vocation, was a pioneer of that county, and died there at the age of sixty-two years. The genealogy of the family is traceable to Germany. In their family were five sons and one daughter. Mr. William Bray was brought up on a farm in Kentucky, and was but nineteen years of age when in 1852 he came overland to California, with ox teams, starting March 10 and arriving August 14. His first stop was among the mines on Hopkins Creek, in Onion Valley, where he followed mining until about the middle of November, when he went to Yolo County and located 160 acres of land, which has ever since been his home. It was then perfectly wild, the country being overrun with antelope, wild horses, and grizzly bears, etc. in the mountains, but he has long since made it a model residence. He also in early day followed mining in Grass Valley, Nevada, (County?) and on Feather River, with moderate success. The place at present comprises 340 acres, three miles southwest of Woodland, where Mr. Bray followed general farming, stock raising, and raises what fruit is needed for family use. He is a practical farmer and reliable citizen.
He was married March 4, 1860, to Miss Harriet Eakee, a native of Jackson County, Tennessee, and of their seven children six are now living: Alexander C., John E., who died January 22, 1878, aged fifteen years, four months and twenty-five days; Sara A., Lucy J., James I., William H. and Mary C.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Page 735 – 736
Transcribed by Pat Houser
William F. Cassel
William F. Cassel, a farmer residing between Woodland and Davisville, was born October 10, 1832, in Washington County, Virginia, a son of John and Anna (Weeds) Cassel. His father, a native also of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation, moved from the State of Cole County, Illinois, in 1833, being a pioneer there. He took up Government land, a part of which is now within the limits of Charleston, the County seat, and remained thereon until the death of his wife in March 1855. He then sold out and removed to Adams County, same State, where he resided until his death, March 24, 1887, when he was aged ninety-three and three months, and three days before his death he walked a distance of six miles.
Mr. William F. Cassel, the subject of this biographical mention, was brought up on a farm. At the age of fifteen years he left home and drifted about, visiting New Orleans, St. Louis, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc., until December 9, 1850, when he left for California. He sailed from New York on the Northern Light to Greytown, and from the Isthmus to San Francisco, arriving March 9, 1851. He went to the mines in Sierra County, near Downieville, and he remembers well the evening that place received its name. He thinks that Mr. Downie spent at least $10,000 for drinks that evening! Mr. Cassel remained there until 1963, experiencing the usual vicissitudes of a miner’s life and enjoying moderate success. He then purchased land in Sonoma County, near Santa Rosa improved and cultivated it and made it his home until October, 1877, when he sold out and moved into Yolo County, upon his present property of 320 acres of choice farming land, six miles from Woodland and four from Davisville, with good gravel roads to each place. There he is engaged in stock raising and general agriculture. He is a practical farmer and his place is always found in a presentable condition.
He was married in December 1860, to Mrs. Sarah Lowe, a native of England, and they have five sons and two daughters, viz: Hiram F., deceased, Robert E., William F., Leonard J., Sarah B., Addie M., deceased, and Richard C.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Page 737
Transcribed by Pat Houser
W. B. Gibson
W. B. Gibson, one of the early settlers of Yolo and an agriculturist near Woodland, was born May 20, 1831 in Louisa County, Virginia, a son of William and Susan (Turner) Gibson, both natives of that State. The grandparents on both sides were in the Revolutionary war. William Gibson moved from Virginia to Missouri in 1837, locating in Howard County, where he remained, a farmer, until his death, which occurred April 10, 1840. He was born July 13, 1799, and learned the brickmaker’s trade. His wife died April 23, 1877, in Napa County, California. Mr. Gibson, our subject, was brought up on a farm until 1850, when he came overland with mule teams to the Golden State, the journey occupying four months. Going direct to Yolo County, he preempted 160 acres of land from the Government on Cache Creek, in company with a man named Cooper. Two months afterward he went to Scott’s River and followed mining until the following spring. He then went to Oregon, was there three months and returned to Yolo County, Arriving July 15, 1851. He remained on his ranch until the discovery was made that his land was part of a grant. Accordingly, in 1857, he disposed of the same and located upon his present property, consisting then of 160 acres a half mile from what is now the city of Woodland, making it a beautiful and attractive home. He now has some 2,400 acres, all in this county, and he principally raises grain, hay and stock. He was the first to settle in that portion of the county. The plains then were covered with elk, antelope and wolves. Mr. Gibson is justly entitled to the success which he has earned, coming to California without means and having by his industry and economy added to the wealth of the county.
December 23, 1857, is the date of Mr. Gibson’s marriage to Miss Mary E. Cook, a native of Kentucky, whose people came to California across the plains in 1853, and are now living in Yolo County. Their children are three sons: Robert J., born October 18, 1859; Thomas B., born October 2, 1861, and is now a member of the firm of Gibson & Co., one of the largest hardware firms in the county; and Joseph W., born June 4, 1863.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 730-731
Transcribed by Pat Houser
Joseph H. Harlan
Joseph H. Harlan, a farmer five miles southwest of Woodland, is one of the worthy citizens who have amassed a fortune by the cultivation of the soil, and stands at the front of the class. He was born May 9, 1829, in Boyle County, Kentucky, a son of George and Johanna (Hilm) Harlan, both natives also of that State. His father, a farmer, in 1853 moved to Cooper County, Missouri, and continued as a farmer and stock-raiser there until his death, in 1845, when he was about forty-seven years old. His wife died in 1852, at the age of fifty years. He brought up six sons and three daughters. Joseph H. was reared on his father’s farm. At the age of twenty-one he struck out in the world for himself, working and trading, allowing no opportunity to make an honest dollar to escape. In 1853 he came to California, with ox teams and other livestock, being only three months on the road and the journey being pleasant. The train did not camp out twice in the same place. On arriving in this state, Mr. Harlan first stopped in Sierra County, on the head-waters of the Feather River, to recruit; he then was in Colusa County twelve months, and another twelve months in Butte County, where he had located to remain, but his claim was found to be a grant land, and he went to Solano County, having a similar experience; and in the autumn of 1860 he settled on 160 acres of Government land in the western portion of Yolo County, known as the Buckeye ranch. At that time the land was all a bare plain, visited by elk, antelope, deer and bands of Spanish cattle. In 1863 he moved again upon a ranch three miles and a half northwest of Woodland, where he remained until 1872, when he purchased his present place, five miles southwest of Woodland, where he built a handsome residence in 1873, and has a fine home. He owns 2,820 acres in Yolo County, on which he carries on general farming raises livestock; and he also has 1,800 acres in Fresno County, devoted also to general farming. Mr. Harlan is a practical farmer, a wide-awake citizen and a generous neighbor. He has given employment to many deserving men.
He was married November 15, 1855, to Miss Grace H. Barnes, a native of Missouri.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Page 735
Transcribed by Pat Houser