Yolo County
Biographies
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 country.
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
DANIEL F. HOUX
DANIEL F. HOUX, a farmer near Black’s, Yolo County, was born December 7, 1845, in Johnson County, Missouri, a son of Leonard and Sarah (Tebbs) Houx, natives of Kentucky, and old-time settlers of California, coming in 1852. Daniel’s uncle was captain of the train coming overland, and he being well acquainted with the features of the route, they were only about three months on their way. After remaining in Washington about a month, they moved up upon the place of Mr. E.G. Berger, camped there about two weeks and then went to the place of the above-mentioned uncle and followed farming there the ensuing winter. During the next autumn they returned and settled on a place where the subject of this sketch is now residing, and has occupied it ever since 1853.
The subject of this sketch attended business college in San Francisco and school at Vacaville; 1873-’86 was engaged in farming in Colusa County, and then bought out the heirs of the old homestead. The place now contains 160 acres of excellent land, being situated three-fourths of a mile east of Black’s. In the spring of 1877 he built upon this place a fine residence.
He was married in Arbuckle, Colusa County, August 29, 1878, to Miss Lucinda F. Maupin, a native of Humboldt County, California, and they have two children living and one deceased, namely: Minnie M., born April 5, 1881, and Royal R., July 6, 1886. The deceased is Lulu M.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
JAMES J. BLACK
JAMES J. BLACK, a farmer at the town of Black’s, Yolo County, is a son of Thomas G. and Margaret (Morrison) Black, the father a native of Georgia, and the mother of Illinois. His father, born in 1809, became one of the early gold hunters of California in 1849, returned East in 1851 and came to the Golden State in 1852, bringing with him his family and locating in Sacramento County, where he lived until 1856; he then came to Yolo County and settled where the town of Black is now situated. In 1866 he moved to Colusa County, and died there August 1, 1868.
Mr. James J. Black was born December 22, 1857, in Scott County, Illinois, and was with his parents until they settled in the place where Black’s now stands. Then, May 1, 1869, he married Miss Margaret Tennis, a native of Illinois, and shortly afterward purchased 160 acres of land, in the center of which Black’s is now located; from him the town is named. He was engaged in mercantile business from 1885 to 1887, when he sold out. He is now keeping a warehouse. He has been a dealer in grain ever since the town was started in 1875. He is a member of the orders of Chosen Friends and Odd Fellows at Galesburg, Illinois. His children are: William B., born September 21, 1865; Clarence O., October 17, 1870; James L., November 13, 1885; and Ida J., February 3, 1887.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Betty Wilson