Yolo County
Biographies
Robert W. Browning
To the pioneers of western civilization who suffered all manner of hardships and baffling failures, yet who were sustained throughout this trying period by their splendid faith in their ultimate victory over the problem presented by this new and untried land, too much credit cannot be given. The pleasant and convenient conditions of life in our modern day so strongly contrast with existence in the last century that the bravest of us would not feel sufficient courage to attempt, for any compensation, to live and work and suffer under the circumstances that surround our forefathers.
One of the most manly and indomitable characters who played his part as a pioneer we find in Robert W. Browning, a southerner, with the high ambitions and earnest, impulsive nature of a true son of the south. Born near Tompkinsville, Monroe county, Ky., December 1, 1833, he came to the coast at the age of twenty with his parents. The journey was made in 1854 across the plains, and in the same year the family settled on the farm which Mr. Browning now occupies, four miles southwest of Woodland. The father, Charles Browning, passed away here in 1861, when sixty-two years of age. The mother lived to reach the age of seventy-nine, passing away in 1882. South Carolina was the birth state of the elder Browning, and his wife, Elizabeth, was born in Kentucky, the native state of her parents, James and Ann (Hibbit) Crawford. Both Mr. and Mrs. Browning were earnest Christians and were members of the church of that denomination. Mr. Browning was a loyal Whig until that party passed out of existence, when he allied his political sympathies to the Democratic party. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Browning: Ann Brandon and James C., deceased; Mrs. Martha Welch, who resides near Woodland; Mrs. Jane Lawson, of Woodland; Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes, of Eureka; Mrs. Mary Dameron, deceased; William Y., deceased; and Robert W.
Answering one of the greatest needs of the country, R. W. Browning established himself in the freighting trade in 1861 and during the next four summers carried on the business of transporting goods between Sacramento and the mines in Nevada. Meanwhile he devoted much of his time to his farm of one hundred and sixty acres that he had pre-empted, and later he bought adjoining land until he now has a ranch of five hundred acres, devoted largely to the raising of grain, besides which he carries on a dairy.
In 1889 the cottage which had sheltered the family during their first years in the west was removed and replaced by a comfortable, substantial dwelling. Mrs. Browning, formerly Miss Martha Kincheloe, was born in Missouri, the daughter of Z. B. Kincheloe, who resides five miles southwest of Woodland. Then children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Browning. The eldest child, Lela, married Lanson Merritt, by whom she had two daughters, Gladys A., and Florence C.; after the death of Mr. Merritt she became the wife of John Reith, Jr. The other children are William M. Browning, who served as auditor of Yolo county and is now accountant in the Bank of Yolo; Elizabeth, the wife of A. C. Huston, an attorney of Woodland; Zora, the wife of Henry J. Bush, who is in the mercantile business in Woodland; Charles B., deceased; Harry H., who married Miss Gladys Knight, of Woodland; Irma, Mrs. W. G. Stephens, of Woodland; Philip Ludwell, deceased; Victorine and Donald M., who are still at home. The mother of these children died March 17, 1910, at the age of sixty years. She had been an active member of the Christian Church of Woodland.
The Bank of Yolo, a solid and reliable institution, controlled by some of Woodland’s most responsible citizens, has enjoyed Mr. Browning’s services as vice-president for many years. Mr. Browning is an avowed Democrat. For the past twenty years he has served as school trustee and is a member of Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M. His firm, dependable character and his faithfulness to duty have earned for him a high regard in the community which he has helped to build.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 211-215 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.
Mrs. Emma C. Laugenour
As compared with the volumes that have been written exploiting the accomplishments of men in bringing California up to its present state of development, little or nothing has been said concerning the part women have taken in this same work. While from an outward viewpoint the characters they have represented in the drama have been less conspicuous perhaps than those portrayed by the men, nevertheless they have been equally necessary to bring about the ends accomplished, as many men have declared in giving the synopsis of their lives. Few of California’s early settlers recognized more thoroughly than did John D. Laugenour the sustaining help and comfort which he received from his wife, and he frankly gave credit to her for much that he was able to accomplish during his long residence in the west. Emma Christene Watkins was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, May 12, 1842, and was therefore about eighteen years of age when she became the wife of John d. Laugenour in 1860. Of the eight children born to them five are now living and exemplifying in their daily lives the high principles of manhood and womanhood instilled in them by the teachings of their parents. Named in the order of their birth they are as follows: Philip T., Henry W., Jesse D., William R., and Emma Carter, the wife of Walter F. Malcomb.
To the tactful sympathy, as well as conservative judgment of his wife, Mr. Laugenour attributed much of his success, and the fact that since his death she has faithfully endeavored to carry out plans of both philanthropy and business in which she deems he would have been deeply interested, is proof of the confidence and understanding which existed between them.
As president of the W. C. T. U. of Woodland, and as the principal financial backer of the Home Alliance, a paper devoted not only to the temperance movement, but to general news as well, Mrs. Laugenour has done much to aid in the banishment of the liquor evil, and by her womanly sympathy and sunny personality, united with pecuniary assistance, has lightened many a sad heart and given more than one poor but ambitious young person a chance to prove himself. She has lived to see the cause of temperance victorious in Yolo county, but now the saloons are banished from every part of the county, with the exception of Broderick and Clarksburg. She is also happy to have lived to see the object for which she labored for twenty years¾the enfranchisement of women¾crowned with success, she having been the pioneer and the foremost worker in her county in pushing the cause of suffrage to a reality. In 1900 she bore a part of the expense incident to the erection of Mary’s Chapel, near Yolo, in order that those who could not go to the city churches might have a place to worship, as well as to provide accommodations for funeral corteges from the outlying districts of Yolo county. She also organized the Mary’s Cemetery Association, which she has served as president about fifteen years, and it was during this time that Mary’s Chapel was built. In her home, Christene Cottage, Woodland, always open to those who seek comfort and assistance, Mrs. Laugenour dispenses true hospitality. To her, life holds nothing sweeter than doing for those less fortunate than herself, and it is meet that her name should be, as it is, a synonym for purity and beauty of character.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 215-216 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.
John D. Laugenour
A residence of nearly forty years in Yolo county made it possible for John D. Laugenour to witness its development, as well as to be a contributor to its progress. Over twenty years have passed since Death ceased his activities, but such was the impress that his life made upon those who were privileged to know him and labor with him that he is still remembered and revered by old pioneers as one of the strong factors in the growth and development of the country, and of Yolo county and Woodland in particular. A native of North Carolina, he was born near the city of Salem, December 23, 1823, and was reared and educated there. His parents were farmers, and it was quite natural therefore that he should assist with the farm duties when school was not in session. In 1847 he went to Indiana and there learned the wagon maker’s trade. Two years later the rumors of the finding of gold in California put a different aspect upon the whole situation, and as soon as possible he made arrangements to come to the west in search of his fortune. Hopes were high in the hearts of the little party of five that started from Indiana in the latter part of the year 1849, consisting of Thomas F., Lewis, George and John D. Laugenour and Joseph Spurgeon, a friend. Their five yoke of faithful oxen brought them into Hangtown in September in the following year, the termination of a long and tedious journey by way of Fort Hall. Months of intense privation had been endured, including not only sickness and danger, but hunger as well, and only those who have experienced a similar situation can know the joy that was theirs when they were able to make a permanent camp and share in the crude comforts that for the time being are exalted to the point of luxuries. The first winter was passed in the mines of Kelseyville, and the following spring Mr. Laugenour started out for Hangtown, having only twenty-five cents in his pocket. Here, as in Kelseyville, he was not satisfied with his efforts, but he made no mistake in removing to the south fork of the American river, where he realized between $500 and $600 a day.
With the money which he made in this venture Mr. Laugenour went to Yankee Jim’s, Placer county, where, in partnership with his two brothers, he established a trading post, in connection with which he also carried on a teaming business. Desiring to settle down to the life which was after all more congenial to him, Mr. Laugenour disposed of his interest in that part of the state and came to Yolo county and on January 12, 1852, he made his first purchase of land, stocking it with cattle. The venture proved profitable from the beginning, inasmuch as stock was bringing high prices in the market, and as that was in a day when fencing was not required to mark individual properties the large herds of cattle could graze unmolested over large tracts of land. He increased his herds to take advantage of the opportunities offered, but when the business began to be overdone and changed conditions reduced the price of stock, he wisely disposed of his cattle. Adjusting himself to the changes which came with the passing years, Mr. Laugenour wisely took up grain farming, being associated in this undertaking with L. M. Curtis. Among the ranches which they operated was the famous Glenn ranch, in what is now Glenn county. In 1860, Mr. Laugenour purchased a large tract of land on Cache creek, which was also devoted to grain raising. Going to Knight’s Landing in 1867 he there opened a mercantile business with C. F. Thomas, the firm making a specialty of buying and selling grain. Later, owing to the increased production of wheat and barley in that section, Mr. Laugenour erected a grain warehouse which he and his partner, Mr. Thomas, conducted successfully for seven years. The extension of the railroad to Woodland was destined to make a change in Mr. Laugenour’s plans, and in the same year, 1874, he removed to this city to make his home. He was guided in his decision by the belief that the town would one day be a shipping center of importance and he lived to see that his foresight had been correct. Gradually disposing of his scattered interests he devoted his attention to the development of Woodland and vicinity, aiding in many public enterprises, not only with capital, which was vastly important, but also with energy and executive ability as well.
Mr. Laugenour’s marriage in 1860 united him with Emma Christene Watkins, who was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, in 1842, the daughter of Enos Watkins. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Laugenour five are living, as follows: Philip T., Henry W., Jesse D., William R. and Emma Carter, the latter the wife of Walter F. Malcolm. With the exception of Jesse D., a resident of Salem, N. C., all of the children are living in Yolo county. Up to the time of his death, April 18, 1891, Mr. Laugenour actively conducted his affairs, enjoying among his friends and associates a reputation that was as honorable as his character.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 221-222 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.