Yuba County
Biographies
M. H. BINNINGER
As a member of one of the old pioneer families of Yuba County, M. H. Binninger is well entitled to representation in this volume, for the same spirit of enterprise which animated his forebears is manifested in the conduct of his business affairs and in his public activities. He is numbered among the prominent ranchers of the Hallwood District, and that he is a man of strict integrity and moral worth is indicated by the high esteem in which he is held by those among whom his entire life has been passed. Mr. Binninger was born at Browns Valley, Cal., July 14, 1860, and is the fifth in a family of ten children. His father, W. T. Binninger, enlisted in the United States army and participated in the Mexican War of 1846, serving in the commissary department under Catp. G. W. Paul. At the close of the war he returned to Missouri, and in 1849, when gold was discovered in California, crossed the plains in an emigrant train, reaching Sacramento in October. There he encountered his father, Jacob Binninger, whom he had not seen for some time, having been away from home for twelve years, and found that the family had also joined the Argonauts of 1849. In that year W. T. Binninger came to Yuba County and engaged in mining on the Yuba River, near Browns Valley. In 1854, in association with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Faulconer, he built the Empire Hotel on a site two and a half miles from Browns Valley; and for some years he conducted that hostelry. From 1862 until 1865 he was proprietor of the Plymouth Hotel in Browns Valley, and in 1875 he became proprietor of the Summit House. He became widely known, owing to his activities in that connection, and remained at the Summit House until called to his final rest on February 23, 1920, at the venerable age of ninety years. He was married in Sacramento to Miss Dorothy Gunderman, who was born in Germany in 1836 and came to Sacramento in 1849. She passed away in 1916, when eighty years of age. They are survived by eight children: Mrs. Alice White, of Colusa; Walter J. B., of Marysville; M. H.; Mrs. Jennie Townsend, a resident of Oroville; Mrs. Annie Diver, whose home is in Los Angeles; Mrs. Bertha Bergman, of Nevada City; and Fred B. and Louis D., both of whom are living in Marysville.
M. H. Binninger removed with his parents to Summit House in 1875, being at that time a youth of fifteen, and on starting out in life for himself, he engaged in stock-raising and wool-growing. He also managed the Binninger estate, but for the past three years has given his entire attention to ranching in the Hallwood District, recently purchasing a lease of the Boomer farm. He specializes largely in stock-raising, and also owns 200 acres in the vicinity of Summit House, which was destroyed by fire in 1922. His land is very valuable, containing nearly 1,000,000 feet of timber. He is thoroughly conversant with the details connected with the breeding and care of stock, and is interested in all modern developments along agricultural lines. Mr. Binninger’s interest in his community is that of a public-spirited citizen who desires its substantial development along all lines; and as road boss of the Cordua District he is performing effective service for the public good. He is conscientious and efficient in the discharge of his duties, and under his administration the public highways are kept in splendid condition. He has always been loyal to any trust reposed in him, and his worth is generally acknowledged.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 445-446
GARTH H. OTTNEY
The city of Marysville, with its various lines of activity, has drawn within its hospitable borders many men whose business capacity and fine traits of citizenship would be a credit to any community. Among these Garth H. Ottney has a place. Born on April 28, 1889, in Sandusky County, Ohio, he was reared on a farm in Isabella County, Mich., where the family moved during his early childhood. His first employment was in the Great Lake Ship-yards at Toledo, Ohio, and later he was in the shipping department of the Toledo Biscuit Company.
Mr. Ottney first came to Marysville in 1909; and in January, 1910, he entered the employ of C. F. Aaron, in the insurance business. After the entrance of our country into the great war, this patriotic young American enlisted in the army, in August, 1917, becoming sergeant-major of the 161st Aero Squadron, and saw sixteen months active service over seas in England and France, finally having charge of headquarters at the 5th Air Depot, Zone of Advance, as sergeant-major. Returning to the United States, he was mustered out at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, in May, 1919.
On returning to civilian life, Mr. Ottney came home to Marysville, and here entered into the real estate and insurance business for himself, in August, 1919, dealing in city and country property. He is also in the grain and dried-fruit business; and besides these activities is also secretary of the Yuba-Sutter National Farm Loan Association, associated with the Federal Land Bank, and for some time represented the California Joint Stock Land Bank for both Yuba and Sutter Counties.
The marriage of Garth H. Ottney, occurring in Yuba City in October, 1920, united him with Miss Ruth Cooper, a native of Yuba City, descended from one of the pioneer families. Mr. and Mrs. Ottney are both active in all community interests. A firm believer in cooperation in all lines, both business and social, Mr. Ottney is a charter member of the Marysville Rotary Club. Fraternally, he is a member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E., and Yuba-Sutter Post No. 42, American Legion.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 446