Yuba County
Biographies
JASPER N. ARMSTRONG, JR.
The well-directed efforts of Jasper N. Armstrong, Jr., have not only been a source of individual prosperity but have also been an important factor in the agricultural development of the Prairie district of Yuba County, where he is widely and favorably known. He was born in Cooke County, Texas, December 23, 1873, and is the next to the youngest son in a family of seven children. His father, Jasper N. Armstrong, Sr., who married Sarah M. Howard, left Texas in 1873 and started with his family for California, settling in Wyandotte, Butte County. They are still residents of that county and make their home in Honcut.
Jasper N. Armstrong, Jr., was reared and educated in Butte County, attending its public schools, and at an early age began working in the harvest fields and on the stock range. Later he began clerking in a general store at Honcut and subsequently embarked in general merchandising on his own account at that place, being thus occupied for eleven years. He then disposed of the business and entered the same line of business at Alleghany, Sierra County, where he was connected with mercantile interests for seven years. In 1909 Mr. Armstrong turned his attention to farming, and has since followed that occupation with marked success. In association with his brother, Harvey H. Armstrong, he owns and operates the old Gould ranch of 1100 acres, situated twelve miles northeast of Marysville, in the Prairie district. They have 800 acres of rich bottom-land and also run stock on the Sierra Federal reserve during the summer months. For some years they raised Percheron horses, as well as high-grade shorthorn cattle; but lately they are specializing in raising sheep, having large flocks and thus ranking with the leading wool-growers of this part of the State. They are members of the National Wool Growers’ Association, State Wool Growers’ Association, and Marysville District Wool Growers’ Association.
Mr. Armstrong was married at Honcut on October 1, 1899, to Miss Mary Ella Haling, who was born on Honcut Creek, in Butte County. Her parents were George and Alice (Sivils) Haling, born in Connecticut and Butte County, Cal., respectively. The father was a pioneer merchant at Phillips Corners, on the La Porte road, and afterwards engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a veterinary surgeon, and also followed that profession. He is now deceased, and is survived by his widow and four children, of whom Mrs. Armstrong is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have five children: Mrs. Mildred A. Pearson of Sutter County, Mrs. Irene W. Gardella of Yuba City, Leta Lucille, Stanley Haling, and Margaret Jasper. Mr. Armstrong is identified with Honcut Camp, M.W.A., of which he is Past Consul. He believes in scientific methods of agriculture and keeps abreast of the times in every way. He is a prominent and influential resident of the Prairie district; and his aid and influence can always be counted upon to further any measure for the general good.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 546-549
HAROLD C. LAURITZEN
In disposing of the chances that have come his way in life, this enterprising native son of the State has shown both discretion and sound business judgment, and has won an enviable place among the upbuilders of his community. Born in Petaluma, Sonoma County, on October 16, 1888, he is the son of Chris and Clara (Dahlman) Lauritzen, the former a native of Denmark and the latter of Sonoma County. Coming to California in 1878, the father engaged in the cattle business, and later came to Petaluma and maintained a butcher shop, also engaging in the livery business. These business enterprises he abandoned in 1889, and from that time until his death, in 1895, he engaged in ranching. The mother survives him, making her home in Petaluma.
Harold C. Lauritzen is the only son and the eldest child of a family of three children, two of whom are living. He was reared and educated in Petaluma, and at the age of fifteen went to work as a clerk in a shoe store. Later he was a clerk in the banking house of William Hill & Company in Petaluma. Going to San Francisco, he was with the San Francisco Savings Union; and he also pioneered in rice-growing at Biggs, Butte County. In 1919 he engaged in grain-farming in District No. 10, Yuba County; and 1920 marks the date of his entry into the business life of Marysville, when he purchased the Marysville Steam Laundry, of which he is sole proprietor. This laundry was first started in a small way on E Street, some thirty years ago. It now occupies a modern plant at the corner of Fifth and G Streets, maintaining the highest efficiency in service in all its departments, with all modern machinery installed, and operated by experienced employees, some of whom have been with the laundry over twenty years. They take a personal interest in giving the patrons the best of service, and that this fact is appreciated is attested to by the fact that many of the customers who patronized the laundry at its opening are still retained on its lists.
Since Mr. Lauritzen took over the laundry its business has increased beyond his most sanguine expectations. He is now doing three times the amount of business they had when he took possession. Each year he has added new machinery and increased the capacity until now he has reached the limit of expansion possible in the present quarters, which, though large, are not half large enough to meet the growing demands. This handicap is embarrassing him so much that he contemplates the erection of a new plant in the near future, with more than double the capacity of the present plant. It will be most modern, and up-to-date in every way, built with particular attention to ventilation, lighting and sanitation, so as to insure rapidity of work and the comfort of the employees. the new plant will be a model in every way, as modern in equipment as any in the State, the largest of its kind north of Sacramento. It will be a big improvement to the City of Marysville, materially adding to the industrial importance of the city. At present there are about thirty on the pay-roll. Automobile equipment is being used for delivery; and after January, 1924, they will also add the towel cabinet supply to their service for Marysville, Yuba City and vicinity.
Mr. Lauritzen is an enthusiast, is very optimistic and is never idle. His energy seemingly knows no bounds; thus he is able to give the entire business his watchful supervision and care, which insures success for the enterprise. He is a member of the Laundry Owners’ Association of California and the Laundry Owners’ National Association.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 549-550