Yuba County
Biographies
CHESTER O. GATES
A native son of Yuba County, Mr. Gates has passed his entire life within its confines, with the exception of a few years in the bay metropolis; and as was his father before him, he is now an active participant in the business life of the county and takes a helpful part in furthering the advancement of his home community. Born in Marysville, July 10, 1883, he is the son of James O. and Louisa (Gunther) Gates, the former a native of Yolo County and the latter of Maryville. James O. Gates came to Marysville when a boy, and entered the employ of the White, Cooley & Cutts Hardware Company on the spot where he later engaged in business for himself, at 411 Third Street. He was also in the employ of the Hampton Hardware Company; and after thirty-six years as an employee, he entered business on his own account, on March 1, 1909, under the firm name of the Gates Hardware Company, the building occupied by the firm having formerly been the old Spring Hotel, and old landmark, considered in early days one of the leading hotels. The building was entirely remodeled and refitted, and the hardware store became one of the leading business establishments of Marysville. A very popular man, with a pleasing personality, James O. Gates was considered one of the best-informed men in the county on land valuation and soil conditions, and an authority on all implements used in ranching pursuits; and this knowledge was greatly appreciated by agriculturists in the district, who came to him for advice as well as for the purchase of implements. He had the best interests of his home city at heart always, and at times of fairs or local celebrations was always appointed to prepare and install the decorations when Marysville was to appear in gala attire. During his long residence there he entered heartily into the social and fraternal life of the community. He was a member, and twice passed through all the chairs, of Marysville Parlor No. 6, N.S.G.W.; was a charter member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E.; and belonged to the Woodmen of the World. His death occurred on May 9, 1918, at the age of fifty-nine years.
Chester O. Gates was reared in Marysville and received his education in the city schools, graduating from the high school with the class of 1902. He went to San Francisco and learned the hardware business with the Dunham, Carrigan & Hayden Company, remaining with that well-known firm four years, during which time he was also on the road, learning that end of the business. Resigning his position, he entered the employ of the Sacramento branch of the Baker-Hamilton Company, continuing with them for one year. In 1909 he became associated with his father in business, and is now carrying on the establishment, maintaining the family traditions for strict integrity in all dealings.
The marriage of Mr. Gates, which occurred in Marysville in 1907, united him with Miss Anna Bahrenburg, also a native of Marysville; and one son has been born to them, Howard O. Mr. Gates is a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 9, F & A.M., Marysville; Marysville Chapter No. 13, R.A.M.; and Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T. He is also a member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E., and of the Woodmen of the World, and belongs to the Lions Club.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 534-537
WILLIAM CURT BURROUGHS
Widely and popularly known among the Odd Fellows of Yuba County, as well as of the whole Sacramento Valley, William Curt Burroughs, in charge of the Odd Fellows’ headquarters at Marysville, finds his official duties agreeable, especially since he thereby is afforded many opportunities of serving his fellow-men. He was born at Morris Flat, in Nevada County, on April 9, 1856, the son of Whitford R. Burroughs, who came to California from Detroit, Mich., in 1849, one of a party traveling by oxen and 120 wagons – only one-half of which party ever reached Sacramento, the remainder having been massacred, robbed and burned by the Indians. The train was attacked by large bands of Indians at three different times; and many will remember how for years Whitford Burroughs was wont to recount the story of their hair-breadth escapes. He married Miss Sarah Ann Pool, who came out to the Coast as a girl, crossing the Isthmus of Panama; later the couple met in the mines, and there fell in love. They were joined in wedlock in 1852; and after that Mr. Burroughs continued to mine, and was a large producer. Still later, he contracted to transport freight from Sacramento to the mountains, and from Colfax when the railroad reached that point; but he later sold his outfit. He died in Marysville in 1906. Mrs. Burroughs passed away five years before that time, the mother of three boys and a girl.
Will Burroughs got what preparation he could from the public school. He also took the best course he could get in private instruction, in a night school, and then trusted to luck to acquire the training he needed in the larger world of actual, practical experience. He learned the butcher trade, and followed it in Eureka and Bloomfield. In the spring of 1884 he came to Marysville, where he has since been in the butcher, poultry and fish trade, and in the restaurant business, his last enterprise. He was a member of the Marysville police force for twenty years; and then he became the janitor of the Odd Fellows’ Building, a position he has since held to the satisfaction of every one. His fidelity, experience, tactfulness, and desire to serve and please have demonstrated that he is the right man for that responsible place. He has been a director in the Odd Fellows Hall Association since 1907. He is deeply interested in the locality, too, and that makes him valuable friends beyond the circles of the fraternal order. Mr. Burroughs owns valuable residence property in Marysville, and also a ten-acre vineyard four miles west of Yuba City, in Sutter County, devoted to raising Today and Zinfandel grapes.
Mr. Burroughs has been twice married. His first wife was Kittie Harrigan of Nevada City, who died in Nevada City of typhoid pneumonia a month after the birth of her only child, now Mrs. Eathland Ann La Bluff. By his second wife, who was Mary J. Dunning, born in Salmon Falls, Cal., and who died in March, 1916, he had four children: Edith Ann, now Mrs. Robinson; W. R. Burroughs, the contractor; Marian, who is now Mrs. Jackson; and C. W. Burroughs, a barber. There are also nine grandchildren. Mr. Burroughs belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge, in which he is a Past Grand, and to the Encampment, and the Rebekahs. He is also a Mason and a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood and the Foresters of America; and he was the organizer and first presiding officer of the local Foresters of America. He represented the Odd Fellows at many meetings of the Grand Lodge, and also at the Sovereign Grand Lodge at Detroit, in March, 1922. In politics, he is a Republican.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 537-538