Yolo County
Biographies
G. J. GAREY
G.J. GAREY, a farmer and stock-raiser on Cache Creek, in Yolo County, is the son of William and Sarah (Glower) Garey. His father was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, in 1801; was a brick-mason by trade; put up the first brick building in St. Louis, Missouri; came to California in 1849, and was engaged in farming most of his life-time on Cache Creek until a few years before his death, which took place in December, 1888. G.J.’s mother, a few years younger than his father, died in the same place.
The subject of this sketch was born in Iowa in 1837, and came overland to California in 1852, stopped at Bidwell’s Bar, Butte County, where he mined for two years. Afterward he came to Yolo County, and in 1870 settled on Cache Creek where he has since remained, raising grain and stock. His home ranch contains 141 acres of well improved land; and he also has 500 acres of grazing land, on which he pastures 400 cattle. He is not yet married; is a member of Woodland Lodge, No. 81, F. & A.M., and also of Chapter No. 46.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
J.W. BROWN
J.W. BROWN, blacksmith and wagon-maker at Woodland, is a son of Hanford and Keziah (Penn) Brown. His mother, a native of Virginia, is a grand-niece of the celebrated William Penn, and is now living in Ralls County, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years; and her mother lived to the age of 101 years, and her grandmother to the age of 104 years. For eight years the latter was blind, but four years before her death she recovered her sight so that she could see without glasses. Mr. Brown’s father, also a native of Virginia, was a blacksmith by trade and moved to Ralls County, Missouri, in 1828, where he died, in February, 1875.
The subject of this brief mention was born in New London, Missouri, March 18, 1838. He arrived in California August 12, 1887, and November 7 following he opened his present shop. His oldest son, William P., is now a partner in the business.
Mr. Brown married Melinda Caldwell, in New London, September 26, 1859, and their children are William P., George A., James H., Eliza L. and Ruth C.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
FRED MARTINELLI
FRED MARTINELLI, a whole vegetable dealer of Woodland, was born in Italy, a son of Francisco and Teresa (Contana) Martinelli, and came to San Francisco in 1869. Eight years afterward he moved to Woodland, where he is now conducting a large wholesale and retail vegetable trade, running several wagons throughout the county. He opened his present place in 1887, and is driving a prosperous business. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has the reputation of being an industrious and honorable citizen.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
AUGUST DIENDONNI
AUGUST DIENDONNI, a farmer residing in Woodland, is the son of Joseph and Mary (Darras) Diendonni, natives of France. The father died at Knight’s Landing, Yolo County, in 1879, at the age of seventy-four years; his mother died in France, in 1854. August was born in the Province of Lorraine, France, and in 1853 came to California around Cape Horn, all the way on a sailing vessel named Sacramento. He at once went into Yuba County and mined for two weeks on Foster Bar; thence he went to Marysville, and from there to Sacramento, where he remained three years, employed as a gardener; he then came to Yolo County, settling in the sink of Cache Creek, where he lived one year. Then he purchased a ranch on the Sacramento River, which he occupied until 1879, when he moved to Woodland, in 1883, and purchased his present place, adjoining the ground of the Catholic seminary. He still has five acres there and ten acres between Woodland and Cacheville, in grapes.
He married Mary Alexander, who was born in Sacramento, and they have seven children: Eugene, Josephine, Edmond, Frank W.E., Louis, Mary M. and Charles A.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson