Yolo County
Biographies
Rev. Michael WALLRATH
Versatility is marked in the make-up of Father Wallrath, and whereas for years his main purpose in life has been the building up and forwarding the interests of the Catholic church in California, he has been no less active in advancing the material welfare of every community in which his duties as pastor have taken him. The Wallrath family was one of long and honorable standing in Germany, where the name is perpetuated in a town in honor of one of its members. Father Wallrath was born in Bockum, Rhenish Prussia, January 17, 1841, being one in a family of ten children, of whom six now survive, born to Zachaeus and Catherine (Jansen) Wallrath. After the death of the wife and mother the father, a blacksmith by trade, came to the United States, and a few years afterward he passed away in San Francisco. Devotion to the cause of religion was a strong characteristic of the family, and one of the sons, Rev. William Wallrath, is now a missionary in Beluchistan, India.
While only a child Michael Wallrath showed the possession of mental ability above the average. His school studies were undertaken when he was only four years old and six years later he completed the course in the local school, after which he continued his studies under a private tutor. When twelve years old he was appointed an assistant teacher in the school of his home town, at first having forty children under him and later sixty. At the age of fifteen he taught in Crefeld, with one hundred and eight children under his charge, and continued in this responsible position for three years. Again taking up his studies he was for two years a student in the normal school at Kempen, Dusseldorf, after which he taught for one year in the city of Viersen. Later for five years he was principal of the school at Amern, St. George. With the idea of devoting his life to the cause of the church, he had in the meantime utilized his spare time in the study of the classics under a private tutor.
The identification of Father Wallrath with America dates from the year 1866, in which year he entered the Seminary St. Mary’s of the West in Cincinnati, where he completed the classics and philosophy and began the study of theology. Indications of ill health and a tendency to lung difficulties made it advisable for him to seek a warmer climate, and therefore in 1871 he came to California. In Eureka, Humboldt county, he completed his studies under Father A. Guggenberger, a celebrated scholar in that city. On September 24, 1871, Father Wallrath was ordained to the holy priesthood at Marysville by Bishop O’Conner. He was first assigned as instructor in mathematics, elocution and physics at St. Joseph’s College, Humboldt county, while there also having charge of the mission at Table Bluff, and afterward he had charge of the parish of Crescent City, Del Norte county. That was in a day when railroads in that part of the country were unknown and even wagon roads were few, so that he was obliged to ride the entire distance on horse back over the Indian trails. The hardships endured seemed but to deepen his devotion to the work he had undertaken, becoming especially interested in the welfare of the Indians, for whom he built St. Michael’s Church. Later he erected the Catholic Church at Trinidad, following this with a pastorate of seven months at Weaverville, when, on May 26, 1877, he was given charge of the congregation at Colusa, the Church of the Immaculate Conception. With his characteristic progressive spirit Father Wallrath at once took steps to provide a more suitable house of worship and in 1879 the foundation was laid and the cornerstone placed with suitable ceremonies by Rt. Rev. E. O’Connell, the church being dedicated under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. On the following Easter Sunday the brick edifice, seating four hundred, was completed and opened for worship. Surrounding the substantial parsonage, which was completed in 1880, is a small orange orchard that is now in bearing. Besides his other work in Colusa, and perhaps of even greater importance, was the encouraging support which he gave to the parochial school, organized in 1888, with a substantial building completed in 1892 at a cost of $24,000, and since then in charge of the St. Ursuline Sisters.
To mention nothing of Father Wallrath’s efforts in Colusa outside of the church would be unjust, for in other ways he contributed to the upbuilding of the city. In 1889 he built the Washington block on Fifth street, 86x150 feet, two stories in height, undoubtedly the finest building in the city at the time. He himself drew the plans for the building, which was erected under his personal care, and he burned the brick used in it, as well as the brick for the parochial school. He also erected eight dwelling houses.
During the early days of his residence in Colusa Father Wallrath heard the call for spiritual help and uplift in the country round about and responded eagerly. At Willows, Glenn county, he established Santa Monica’s parish and in 1878 erected a brick house of worship for the congregation. He continued to have charge of the parish until 1884, when a resident priest was installed. In the meantime, in 1882, he erected the Church of the Sacred Heart at Maxwell, and in 1884 at Orland, Glenn county, St. Dominick’s Church, this later being embraced in Santa Monica parish. During the year last mentioned he also built a chapel at Grand Island in 1892 the Church of the Incarnation at Williams and in 1899 the Church of the Holy Cross, Arbuckle. Still another congregation organized through his energy and devotion was that at Mount St. Zachary, where in 1895 he erected the Church of the Visitation. At great expense a summer resort was here made for the Sisters, and it is only just to say that this is counted one of the most beautiful spots in California. In 1904 and ’05 Father Wallrath built the Church of the Holy Ghost at Sites.
What was Colusa’s loss was Woodland’s gain when, on May 4, 1911, Father Wallrath was transferred to the Holy Rosary Church at this place, and in the meantime he has won the love and admiration of his parishioners and citizens in general by his unwearied devotion to the cause of the church and to the welfare of humanity. Besides the church in Woodland he also has charge of the missions at Winters, Madison, Guinda, Davis, Blacks, Knights Landing and Broderick, the mission last mentioned having been organized in 1911. As a result of Father Wallrath’s enterprise a new stone church is now under way at Woodland, also one at Madison, and one has just been completed at Guinda. Ever since taking up his high and holy calling as pastor Father Wallrath has not ceased to labor for the development of the Roman Catholic Church, and his record for erecting churches in this faith is surpassed by few in the country.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 617 – 620.
James David BAIRD
The opportunities afforded by Yolo county to men of self-reliant spirit and persevering energy find a striking illustration in the successful activities of James D. Baird, who came here at the age of ten years, the son of a pioneer who gave to his children the heritage represented by rugged constitutions, education and sagacious training. The family is of Anglo-Saxon lineage and its representatives in the new world give evidence of the possession of many of the traits for which that race is famous. In his own history it is apparent that he is a man not easily daunted by discouragements and not readily disheartened by obstacles. Quietly by energetically he worked his way forward until now he ranks among the large land-owners of the county as well as one of its most loyal citizens and progressive farmers.
Born on the Isle of Wight, England, January 24, 1849, James D. Baird was a very small child when the family crossed the ocean to the United States. The father, Thomas, who had married Mary Ann Hodgen, followed the trade of a millwright in his native land, and in this country found similar employment. After a brief sojourn at Richmond, Ray county, Mo., the father brought the family to California in 1859, crossing the plains with ox teams, and six months later he settled near Woodland, Yolo county. There he bought a tract of raw land one mile east of Woodland, afterwards adding to it and ultimately developed an improved farm of four hundred acres. Meanwhile he also operated a flour and grist mill at Woodland and thus earned a livelihood for his wife and children at a time when the land was not sufficiently cultivated to be remunerative. Both he and his wife spent their last days in this county.
Upon the completion of the studies of the common schools James D. Baird gave his whole time to farm work. After the death of his father he took charge of the home farm for a time, but about 1880 he made a purchase of three hundred and twenty acres near Knight's Landing, forming the nucleus of his present possessions. The land boasted very meager improvements. Little by little he expended time and money upon its building until it became one of the most valuable ranches of the locality. A commodious residence was one of his principle improvements, but in addition he erected three substantial barns as well as other outbuildings. A pumping plant proved to be a valuable addition to the farm equipment. Shade trees were added that add greatly to the attractiveness of the grounds and there are also some old native oak trees still standing on the place, one of these being an oak that measures six feet in diameter at its base and that has immense branches extending more than one hundred feet in every direction.
From time to time Mr. Baird added to his original acquisition of land until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres in one body, provided with an excellent system of fencing and suited for cultivation in grain. Besides the raising of wheat, which is one of his specialties, he has other crops that produce a neat income each year and he also engages in raising horses and mules of good grades. Like many of the other men now living in Yolo county, he began here without means and by dint of unwearied labor and wise management he has accumulated a valuable property comprising one of the well-kept ranches of the locality. Of recent years he has been less active in work and has enjoyed his ability to relinquish heavy manual labor, turning over to his sons many of the duties once attended to by himself. As he looks back over the long period of his residence in the county he recalls the appearance of Woodland when it was a mere cross-roads hamlet, whose transformation into a thriving town he has witnessed with interest. Within his recollection the country has been developed from a wilderness into a region of thrifty villages and valuable farms, railroads have furnished convenient markets for all produce and have enabled the people to keep in touch with metropolitan enterprises.
On January 30, 1876, at Woodland occurred the marriage of James D. Baird and Miss Annie M. Schindler, who was born of Swiss parentage in New Orleans, La. She is the daughter of William and Catherine (Durst) Schindler, natives of New Glarus, Switzerland, who immigrated to the United States and settled in New Orleans, where the father died. Mrs. Baird became a resident of Woodland in March, 1873. She and her husband have reared a family of seven children. The eldest, Edward L., is married and engaged in business in Woodland. The next three sons, James David, Joseph G., and Ernest R., are practical farmers of excellent business ability and carry on the home ranch. The youngest son, William F., holds a position in the First National Bank of Woodland. The daughters are May Irene and Anna Mary. Mr. Baird is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Woodland. Politically he is a stanch Republican. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 620 – 622.