Yolo County
Biographies
Henry Leinberger
The acquisition of a trade or profession is one of the most important features of the preparation of youth for the journey through life. The man who knows how to do one thing well, and who possesses sufficient business ability to make capital of his knowledge is certain to succeed sooner or later. Mr. Leinberger, one of Washington’s leading citizens, and owner of the only slaughter house in this locality, learned his trade in Germany, where he was born in 1830. In 1850 he immigrated to America, landing at Wilmington, Del. For a time he worked in Philadelphia, but returned to Wilmington, going thence to Baltimore, where he carried on his trade a number of years. Again removing to Wilmington, he opened a butcher shop of his own, which he conducted until his marriage in 1858 with Miss Minnie Gilla, a native of Delaware, whereupon the young couple took passage on the steamer St. Louis, bound for the isthmus, which they crossed, boarding on the opposite shore the ship John L. Stevens. In San Francisco, which they reached April 1, 1858, they resided for a time, Mr. Leinberger traveling north during the excitement of the discovery of gold in the Fraser river section. After prospecting several month he returned to California, where he secured employment on a ranch near Hicksville, Sacramento county. Later he established a butcher shop in Sacramento, and in the fall of 1860 located in Washington, Yolo county, where he purchased a small shop. Through his efforts and tireless energy, his trade grew rapidly and he later erected a slaughter house, which he has since enlarge and of which at the present time the daily output is about forty sheep, five to six cattle and several hogs, which he disposes of to the wholesale market in Sacramento. In 1911, from July 5 to August 11, nine hundred and twelve sheep were dressed in his abattoir, which is conceded to be one of the most up to date in the country. Not long since Mr. Leinberger took his son into partnership with him and the firm is now known as H. L. Leinberger & Son.
Mr. and Mrs. Leinberger were blessed with five children, as follows: Henry, Jr., of Washington; Charles, of Sacramento; William J., a partner in the business; Louisa, Mrs. F. P. Smith, of Sacramento; and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Limnell, of Washington. Since 1863 Mr. Leinberger has been an Odd Fellow, being a charter member of Schiller Lodge of Sacramento, and he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest Odd Fellow in Washington.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 537 – 538.
Foster Noble Clarke
A lifelong identification with Yolo county has given to Mr. Clarke an intimate knowledge of its agricultural possibilities and a firm belief in the future prosperity an importance of the region. As one of the native sons of the county, he cherishes for its institutions and affection peculiarly loyal and a faith intensely patriotic. His sentiments however do not find expression in office-holding, for he is averse to any participation in political affairs and prefers to concentrate his attention upon the supervision of his ranch near Knights Landing, a well improved property consisting of two hundred and eighty acres adapted to raising of grain and the pasturage of stock. As a specialist of stock he has engaged in raising cattle, mules and hogs and has found the stock industry an important adjunct to general farming.
The founder of the Clarke family in America and in California was William J. Clarke, a native of Ireland, but from early life a resident of the United States. After a brief sojourn in Illinois, where he followed the cabinet-maker’s trade, he came across the plains to California with ox-teams, a journey of six months bring him to Sacramento July 4, 1849. He immediately went from that city to the mines and for some years he devoted his time wholly for the search for gold, in which he met with fair success. Upon leaving the mines he came to Yolo county and took up his present farm, later purchasing land near Dunnigan. Besides the two hundred acres which he owned there he also owned six hundred and sixty acres near College City, Colusa county, as well as a large stock ranch in Plumas county. His last years were spent in College City, his death occurring there is 1895. He served as justice of the peace at Dunnigan, and besides being a member of the Society of California Pioneers, he was fraternally associated with the Odd Fellows and the Masons. After he settled in Yolo county he met and married Katherine Tenney, who was born near Galena, Ill., and who survived him a number of years. Besides their only son, Foster N., they had three daughters: Elizabeth, Mrs. J. E. Caine; Margaret, Mrs. W. Powers; and May, the wife of G. R. Stover, and all reside in College City.
At the home farm near Dunnigan Foster N. Clarke was born January 16, 1874, and there and at College City he passed the years of boyhood, meanwhile learning the rudiments of agriculture and also gaining a fair common-school education. After he had completed the studies of the common schools he spent a year in Pierce Christian College at College City and in this way, with the additional advantage of habits of thoughtful reading and careful observation, he has become well informed. He first engaged in viticulture in College City and in 1898 he located on his present ranch of two hundred and eighty acres, on which he had made valuable improvements. This is one of the oldest farm places in Yolo county, and he has about sixty acres in alfalfa, although his principle interest lies in the raising of mules and horses. In Woodland, April 6, 1898, he was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Gates, who was born and reared in Red Bluff, Cal. The Gates family is of southern lineage and Ross F. Gates, father of Mrs. Clarke, was a native of Tennessee, but came to California with other members of the family when a small child. In the early ‘50s Mr. Gates was engaged in stock-raising in Tehama county and now resides in Los Angeles county. His wife, in maidenhood, Kittie Beckwith and a native of Shasta county, died in Red Bluff. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have three children, Wilson J., Alice May and Grace Noble. The family attend the Christian Church, Mrs. Clarke being identified by membership with that denomination. Fraternally Mr. Clarke holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. With careful thought for every detail connected with ranching, he is succeeding in his chosen occupation and now holds a position among the progressive farmers of his native county.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 538 – 542.
Calvin N. Robinson
By his splendid business ability and sterling characteristics Calvin N. Robinson has won not only prosperity, but likewise the unqualified regard of his associates throughout Winters and vicinity, to the development which he has contributed most generously.
Born January 28, 1875, in Nevada, Mr. Robinson came a year later to Yolo county, Cal., brought hither by his parents, who came originally from New York. In 1881 they moved to Solano county, remaining there for two years, and then returned to Yolo county, where C. N. Robinson has since lived and which place he has made the field of his labors. The only child of his parents, he was given a thorough education in the public schools which was later supplemented by a course at the Atkinson Business College in Sacramento. Starting out in life for himself he first purchased forty-three acres on Putah creek and later added sixty-six acres to his holdings, his property being now divided as follows: apricots, ten acres; peaches and plums, twenty-five acres; grapes, fifteen acres; and tomatoes, three acres; the remainder of the land comprising the grounds surrounding his comfortable home. In 1910 he sold thirty-three tons of apricots and shipped two thousand boxes of peaches, his tomatoes yielding three and one-third tons to the acre and his vineyard producing twelve hundred boxes for which he received $1.25 per box. He is also engaged in raising hay and stock, for which he finds a ready market.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hall, whose birth occurred in Texas, and whose parents migrated to California when she was but a child. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have three children, Florence M., Zelda E. and Baby.
Mr. Robinson is a Republican, intelligently interested in political developments and is a member of Acacia Camp No. 170, W. O. W., and the Christian Church of Winters, in which his wife also holds active membership, endeavoring at all times to lend his best efforts to the progress of the community and the welfare of his fellow citizens.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 542 – 545.