Yolo County
Biographies
I. J. ELY
I.J. ELY, a farmer at Cacheville, Yolo County, is a son of Warren E. and Emily (Uthsbock) Ely. His father was born in Kentucky in 1811 and settled in Ralls County, Missouri, in early day, and continued there in his occupation of farming until his death; he was a Freemason of high standing. The mother, born also in Kentucky, in 1818, died in Ralls County, leaving five children, all sons. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of these sons, was born in that county, March 6, 1856, and received his school education there. In 1857 he came overland with ox teams to California, being about six months on the road and suffering much privation. He earned his way by driving cattle the first three months and acting as cook the remainder of the time. At Genoa, Nevada County, he left the train and walked to Placerville, better known in those days as Hangtown; but three days afterward he went to Folsom and mined in Placer County, near by, for three months. Soon afterward he located at Cacheville, Yolo County, where he has since remained. His first work in that county was baling hay, which he followed five years, and he then, in 1864, purchased his present ranch of 800 acres of well improved land. He has also 330 acres in Sutter County, which is rented; a part is in clover and a part in pasture.
In 1866, in Yolo County, he married Miss Mary Strode, who was born in 1842 in Missouri, and died in May, 1886, leaving the following five children: Emily J., Belle, deceased, Nora, Ervin, deceased, Cheston, deceased, Frank E., Rodney E. and Leslie S.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
E. A. ALLEN
E. A. ALLEN, a farmer northwest of Woodland, is a son of Ambrose and Valeta (Clark) Allen natives of New York State who moved about 1836 to Illinois, where the father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1875, an exemplary member of the Christian Church and of the Odd Fellows’ order; the mother died in 1876. The subject of this sketch was born in 1855, in Pike County, Illinois, where he grew up; and received his education. In 1871 he went to Missouri, where he remained three years, and then he came to California by rail. In 1879 he purchased his present place of eighty acres, six miles and a half northwest of Woodland, where he is engaged in the raising of grain, clover and livestock.
For his wife he married Miss Susan F. Crellin, in Yolo County; she was born in 1857, in that county, and both her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three children: John R., Maud and Bentie.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
D. P. DIGGS
D.P. DIGGS, a rancher of Yolo County, and a worthy old pioneer of ’49, has had a life-history of more than usual variety and interest, and it is with great pleasure that we give the biography a prominent place in the pages of our work, as is due to its historical importance.
Mr. Diggs was born April 8, 1827, in Montgomery County, Missouri, and is the son of Captain _________ and Jane (Pace) Diggs. Captain Diggs, his father, was born in the State of Vermont, while his mother was a native of Madison County, Kentucky. The father served his country throughout the war of 1812, being in command of a company of soldiers. He was a farmer by trade, and was one of the earliest as well as most respected settlers in Missouri. The subject of this sketch was brought up in Montgomery County, and received his education in the schools of the section. In 1848 he went to New Mexico, in connection with the Mexican war, but returned to Missouri in 1849, and set out at once for California, crossing the plains with ox teams. He went directly to Coloma and found work for six months, driving a team at Sutter’s celebrated mill, being employed by the owners of the mill at $350 a month and board. Mr. Diggs built the corral that stood beside the old warehouse in those early days. On the Fourth of July, 1849, Mr. Diggs and others, did honor to the day by hoisting a home-made American flag on the gable end of their cabin. It was constructed out of red, white and blue shirts, with oak leaves for stars. In 1850 he went to Yolo County, there being then just three settlers on Cache Creek, when he went there. He is now the owner of 350 acres of exceedingly fine land, all well improved and under fences. It lies five miles northwest of Woodland. In conclusion, we should say that Mr. Diggs is a type of our best American citizen, diligent, progressive and prosperous.
He is married to Miss Janet E. Hines, who was born in Ray County, Missouri, in 1837. They have six children, as follows: Mary A., Elnorah A., Irvine P., Sarah S., Maria H. and Marshall M.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
MRS. S. E McCLINTIC
MRS. S. E. McCLINTIC, the proprietor of a farm in Yolo County, is the daughter of Hull Finch and Susan Newcomb; her father was a native of Virginia, a farmer, and the last ten years of his life he was presiding Judge of the court of Callaway County, Missouri, and he died in that county, in 1888. The mother of the subject of this sketch, a native of Missouri, died in the same county, in 1859. The subject of this notice, born in Callaway County, married John McClintic, in April, 1863, just after he had arrived from California, which he had visited in 1851 to locate a place. A week after their marriage they started across the plains and landed at their little home, where they both labored patiently and industriously to supply themselves with the necessities and comforts of life. Mr. McClintic died November 7, 1877, leaving seven children: Samuel A., Emma L., Anna, Willie, Matie, Jessie H. and Agnes R.
The ranch contains 320 acres and is principally devoted to raising wheat.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
WILLIAM S. MONTGOMERY
WILLIAM S. MONTGOMERY was born in Marion County, Missouri, December 25, 1848. His father, Alexander Montgomery, died in California, April 1, 1885, at the age of sixty-three years. His mother, Susan (Martin) Montgomery, is still living and resides in Woodland. They had a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom are living. Four died in infancy. Alexander Montgomery came to California in 1850, and engaged in mining for about one year. In January, 1851, he came to Yolo County, and took up Government land and began to improve it. The next winter he returned to Missouri, and in the spring of 1854 he started across the plains with his family, for his new home in California, where he arrived in September. William S. received his education in the public schools of Yolo County and in the Hesperian College at Woodland. In 1876 he went to Willows, Colusa County, where he built a business house and engaged in the hardware trade. In 1877 he sold out his business and went to Lassen County and took up land, on which he remained seven years. He then found out that his claim to the land was worthless, owing to the negligence or dishonesty of the land agent. He therefore disposed of his improvements for what he could get, and vacated the land. He then returned to Yolo County and took charge of his mother’s farm, which he has superintended ever since. It contains 320 acres, which is principally devoted to the raising of grain. He owns forty acres of land, which he is preparing to plant in fruit.
He was married March 7, 1872, to Miss Ralls, a native of Missouri. They had four children, three of whom are living. Adela, Etta and Elmer. In 1883 Mrs. Montgomery died. In 1885 Mr. Montgomery was married a second time, to Miss Magdalena Glockler, a native of California. Two daughters have resulted from this marriage—Gertrude and Caroline. Mr. M. is a member of the order of K.P. and I.O.O.F.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson