Yuba County
Biographies
JOSEPH BRASS
To Joseph Brass and his life partner, Mary A. Burgess Brass, the city of Marysville is indebted for the business block at 319, 321 and 323 D Street. This property, when the couple first knew it, was of one-story frame construction, of early-day design. Fire wiped out the old buildings in the fall of 1887, destroying the family home and Mr. Brass’ places of business, a cigar store and grocery establishment, which were rented by them.
Purchasing the lots, Mr. Brass erected the present buildings, occupying them in the spring of 1888. In July, 1889, he answered the death summons. Left a widow, Mrs. Brass took up the burden and carried to a highly successful consummation the plans her spouse had laid. She survived him until February 6, 1923, aged seventy-eight years, leaving the Brass Block as a monument to the thrift and business acumen of both.
Joseph Brass was a native of Marseilles, France. Mrs. Brass was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and was of Irish and English ancestry. Surviving her are a son, Joseph J. Brass, and two daughters, Mrs. Peter J. Delay and Mrs. I. Edgar Wallis.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 334
JAMES EDWIN LEWIS
Among California’s loyal sons is numbered James Edwin Lewis, a well-known resident of Marysville, familiarly known to his many friends as “Postmaster Ed Lewis.” He was born in Marysville, February 9, 1873; and his parents were A. W. and Emma (Garrett) Lewis, both born in New York State. They migrated to Morrison, Ill. Mrs. Lewis was a sister of the late J. R. Garrett, of Marysville. In 1862 the father made the journey across the plains from Morrison, Ill., to California by means of ox team and wagon, being accompanied by this family, the Garretts and other families. He settled in Yuba County and was first engaged in the work of delivering water from the mountain springs to the residents of Marysville. The following year, in 1863, he volunteered his services in the Civil War, in aid of the Union, joining Company C of the 6th California Infantry, with which he was sent to Arizona. He completed his term of military service in 1865, and after receiving his discharge returned to California, taking up the barber’s trade, which he continued to follow throughout his remaining years. He is survived by the mother, who is now living in Pasadena, Cal. Of their eight children six grew up and are living, our subject being the second in order of birth.
After completing the grammar-school courses, Mr. Lewis entered the Chico State Normal School, which he attended from 1889 until 1892, being obliged just before graduation to abandon his studies, owing to a severe siege of pleuropneumonia. He spent the next two years at Kendrick, Idaho, where he followed the profession of teaching. After his return to Marysville he became shipping clerk, in 1894, for J. R. Garrett. In November, 1918, he was elected a member of the eighth Assembly district of California. The excellent record which he made in that connection led to his reelection for another term of two years. During the session of 1919 he was a member of the following committees: Agriculture; Corporations; Drainage, Swamp and Overflowed Lands; Fish and Game; Military Affairs; and State Grounds and Parks. During the session he succeeded in putting through a compromise bill settling the dispute between the Sutter County farmers and the Armour interests in Sutter Basin, and had to do also with other important matters, taking an active part in passing the Crowley Bill preventing the sale of narcotics. In 1921 he was chairman of the committee on Drainage, Swamp and Overflowed Lands, and a member of the committees on Contested Elections, Efficiency and Economy, Insurance, Irrigation, Live Stock and Dairies, and Ways and Means. While serving as Assemblyman, Mr. Lewis was appointed postmaster at Marysville, March 14, 1922, by President Harding. Resigning his seat as Assemblyman, he took over the direction of the post-office on April 17, 1922. Under his efficient administration the work of the office is being ably carried forward. He is a stockholder of the J. R. Garrett Company.
Devotion to his country is one of Mr. Lewis’ outstanding characteristics. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company L, 8th California Regiment, U. S. Volunteers, being assigned to garrison duty. During the World War he acted as a “four-minute man” and took an active part in promoting the various drives promulgated by the government at that time. He is an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a past president of Marysville Parlor, No. 6, N.S.G.W., and for eight years served as District Deputy Grand President. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, being a Past Exalted Ruler of the Marysville Lodge, No. 783, B.P.O.E., Past Council Commander of the Woodmen of the World and a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 9, F. & A.M. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and finds diversion in fishing and outdoor life.
On September 15, 1900, Mr. Lewis married Miss Hattie Wren, a native of Missouri, who came West with her mother when she was a child. She died on March 14, 1903, leaving a son, Garrett Wren, an electrical engineer by profession. Mr. Lewis’ second union united him with Miss Effie L. Sailor, a native daughter of Yuba County, whom he wedded on April 16, 1905. He has always stood for progress and improvement in affairs relating to the upbuilding of town, county and commonwealth; and his individual qualities are such as have gained him high and enduring regard.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 338-341
LAVERN L. FREEMAN
A successful orchardist, whose accurate and extensive practical knowledge of local conditions has enabled him to operate in the real estate and insurance field to the decided advantage of his patrons, as well as of himself, is Lavern L. Freeman, of Marysville, whose busy office is at 327 D Street. He was born on a farm in McHenry County, Ill., on March 6, 1870, the son of Henry and Sarah L. (Howard) Freeman, farmers and dairy folk; and under their favoring supervision, he began an excellent educational training, which included the best of courses in the grammar and high schools, and the University of Illinois. Then he remained at home until he began a thirty-year experience in teaching.
In 1897 Mr. Freeman located in Sutter County, where he later taught school and was elected superintendent of county schools, serving for four years, after which he took charge of the educational department at the Ione Industrial School, and kept that for four years. After that, he engaged in the real-estate, insurance, and brokerage business, always having the farm and its possible exploitation in mind; and he has been able, since 1917, to put several subdivisions on the market here, and to handle them very successfully, thus extending the fame of Sutter County lands. He is himself very fond of farming, takes a deep interest in progressive agriculture, and has a seventy-acre show place of his own. In politics he is a Republican.
Mrs. Freeman, before her marriage, was Miss Mattie I. Morrison of Redlands, Cal., but a native of Wisconsin. By a former marriage, Mr. Freeman has three children: Myrta A., a teacher in the Stockton schools; Juanita N., the wife of Kenneth Gordon; and Lavern A., who has charge of his father’s agricultural and horticultural interests. Mr. Freeman is a Master Mason, and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Freeman takes a deep interest in the Marysville Art Club, and is active in the work of the organization, promoting thereby the local interest of art and art-study.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 342-347