Yolo County
Biographies
H. J. HANSEN
Back to the period when authentic history is lost in traditional lore the Hansen family lived in Denmark and followed the sea as sailors. The geographical location of the peninsula where they were born and reared attracted them to an ocean life as a means of livelihood, for, brought up within the sound of the sea and familiar with sailors from their earliest recollections, for generation after generation the men of the family gave their preference to work on shipboard. Always starting in very lowly capacities, some of them rose to be masters of vessels, while others occupied more humble rank, yet filled their positions with the same fearlessness characteristic of the higher officers. Nor was Peter Hansen less brave than his progenitors, and many a time in his seafaring expeditions he encountered great peril with calmness. Although fond of the sea he was not averse to the quiet pursuits of the landsmen, and when his ship rounded the Horn in an early day, a desire to see the west led him to give up his work and join a throng of gold miners in Trinity county. The mines not proving profitable, he removed to Butte county and took up land near Chico, where he spent the remainder of his life. After he settled in California he married Elizabeth Boydstun, who was born in Arkansas, and crossed the plains with members of her family at an early age.
Among the children of Peter and Elizabeth Hansen there was a son, H. J., who was born near Chico, Butte county, in 1877, and received a common-school education, supplemented by attendance at the Chico Business College. After leaving the college he was employed for five years in a business office in Chico. During 1905 he married Miss Catherine Eggleston, member of a pioneer California family. They are the parents of two children, Willis E. and Dorothy M. Coming to Yolo county in 1906, Mr. Hansen since has engaged in farm pursuits here, although he still retains an interest in the old homestead near Chico. The ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has operated since his arrival in the county, has been greatly improved. An innovation which as proved profitable was the planting of twenty-four acres of Egyptian corn. Some of this has run forty sacks to the acre and all has been sold at $2 per sack. The barley yields about thirty sacks to the acre, and under the present mode of cultivation and fertilization will give larger returns in the future. Thirty acres of the farm are under alfalfa, which always proves a profitable crop. The owner realizes the value of fine stock and the animals to be found on the farm are unexcelled in quality and breeding. The mares are not only good work animals, but in addition they produce fine colts of the Percheron strain. A herd of one hundred Poland-China hogs proves an income producer. The milch cows are the best that could be bought in the community and the stock animal is a fine type of thoroughbred Holstein. At the state farm Mr. Hansen won the prize in 1910 for the best grade of cream and the highest dairy score, the prize being a $200 bull calf presented by George A. Smith. Since he came to this county he has been so closely tied to farm work and so anxious to improve the condition of the property that he has had no leisure for participation in public affairs, nor has he identified himself with any fraternities aside from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and their kindred society, the Rebekahs, to which latter his wife also belongs.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 642 – 643.
John B. ANDERSON
Across the ocean and over the trackless deserts the tide of emigration has always drifted toward the setting sun. Several generations of the Anderson family have lived in the new world, and George and Mary A. (Freeland) Anderson, were both natives of Canada, but they descended from Scotch and Irish progenitors who had left their old homes for the unknown possibilities across the great sea. It was natural that John B. Anderson, who was born in 1863, at Shanly, Ontario, the home of his father, George, one hundred miles from Montreal, should feel the call of the west, and in responding to the nameless fascination it exerted over him should come to the shores of the Pacific in his search for a permanent location. Nor did he travel the entire distance in one journey, for in 1888 he stopped at White Pine, Nev., and entered the employ of the Eberhart Mining Company, an English corporation, for whom he worked about three and one-half years.
Coming to California in 1892, Mr. Anderson arrived at San Francisco without definite idea as to his future location. Being a stranger, he had no friends to consult in reference to desirable points for employment and for settlement. By chance, as he was standing on the street one day, he heard two men talking about the village of Davis and they described Yolo county in glowing terms. The description interested him and he decided to investigate for himself, the result being that he became a permanent citizen of the county. Nor has he had reason to regret the happy coincidence which led to his settlement here, for he has prospered in this community and has become a highly honored and influential citizen.
After having worked for the Anderson Bros., in their almond orchard, Mr. Anderson hired out for one year on the Greene ranch. Next he entered the employ of McFarland, Smith & Co., dealers in general merchandise in Davis, and later bought out the proprietors of the establishment, which he conducted as the Davis cash store, the largest general merchandise establishment in Davis. His continuous in business terminated in February of 1910, when he sold the store to P. S. Marshall, and he in turn sold to Rummelsburg & Bierbaum, the present proprietors. Among the farmers he not only built up a large trade but won a high standing through unvarying integrity and uprightness in all transactions.
Before the local bank was established, he handled large amounts of money for farmers of the neighborhood and built up a banking business of considerable importance. Much of this was for accommodation and brought no returns financially, but it gave him the confidence of his customers, and in no instance did he betray any trust reposed in him. Like the majority of the residents of the county, he has owned considerable property here, and at one time he had twenty-six town lots near the state farm, but these he has sold.
The first marriage of Mr. Anderson took place in 1899 and united him with Miss Alvina C. Henning, who was born in Solano county, this state, and died in Yolo county in 1905, leaving an only son, George F. In 1908 Mr. Anderson was again married, this time being united with Miss Minnie Campbell, who was born in Missouri, but has been a resident of California from early life. One daughter, Helen C., blesses this union. Various fraternal organizations receive the allegiance and aid of Mr. Anderson, who enjoys the insurance privileges of the Woodmen, as well as the social opportunities afforded by identification of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. With his wife he has been connected with the local chapter of the Eastern Star, as well as the charities and civic helpfulness for which the Rebekahs are well known.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 643 – 645.