Yuba County
Biographies
JOHN W. WATSON
One of the most popular rendezvous in Marysville is the American Café and Cigar Store at 311 Third Street, under the able management of the genial, accommodating proprietor, John W. Watson, a Canadian who has made good since he came out to the Golden State. He was born in the province of Quebec, on December 8, 1866, and when quite young came into the United States; and at the age of fourteen, in 1880, he came out to California in an emigrant train. Fourteen days were consumed in making the trip, and he arrived at Marysville on November 8, 1880. He mined for a while at Eagle Creek, in Shasta County, and then he worked in a brickyard at Anderson, not far away. He helped to make the brick and to erect the first brick store-building in Anderson. In 1883 he went to Gridley, in Butte County, and worked for the Central Milling Company and also for C. R. Lloyd & Company, where he continued until 1885; but on the 19th of January, in that year, he entered the employ of the Buckeye Milling Company, later bought by the Sperry Flour Company at Marysville.
Mr. Watson continued in their employ as milling engineer, traveling to their different mills, up to 1897, when he opened the Wisconsin Liquor House, as a wholesale establishment, at Marysville, and thereafter managed the same for six and a half years. He now conducts his present business at the same location, 311 Third Street, having been in business continuously at the same old spot. For fourteen years, also, he owned and ran a dairy ranch of fifty-five acres at Stafford Station, in Sutter County, and he still owns the ranch, of which fifty acres are devoted to peaches and five acres to vineyard. He has also acquired and owns valuable business and residential property in Marysville, including the business block where he carries on his trade and two houses on B Street, with lots 80 by 160 feet in size. He and his son purchased the old Car Barn Building, one of the oldest structures in Northern California, and made it over into rooming-houses and stores. They front 60 feet on C Street and 40 feet on Oak Street, and are very desirable.
In Marysville, Mr. Watson was married to Miss Lena Efkin; and their union has been blessed with the gift of two children, Stanley Efkin and Ruby Edna. Mr. Watson was elected a member of the City Council of Marysville on January 21, 1924, taking his seat in that body on February 4, 1924, for a term of four years. He is serving as a member of the Committee on Buildings, Grounds and Cemeteries.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 929
WALTER J. BRYANT
Beginning life in a humble capacity, Walter J. Bryant has steadily progressed through the medium of his own efforts and is now numbered among the prosperous merchants and valued citizens of Marysville, which has always been his home. He was born on June 26, 1885, a son of Charles and Mary (Reardon) Bryant, who were married in Marysville. The father was a blacksmith, and his shop at No. 319 C. Street was replaced by the modern business block now occupied by the Bryant Brothers Grocery Store. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were well-known to the older residents of the town. Both have now passed away.
Walter J. Bryant was reared and educated in Marysville and his first knowledge of the grocery trade was gained in the capacity of delivery boy. He devoted himself to the task of learning the business, in which he became deeply interested, and his advancement has been continuous. When he had accumulated sufficient capital, he embarked in the business on his own account, forming a partnership with his brother, Daniel E. Bryant; and for a quarter of a century they have remained in the same location. Their stock is carefully selected, being always of the highest grade, and their honesty and thorough reliability commend them to the confidence and support of the public; hence their trade has reached large and profitable proportions.
Mr. Bryant views life from a broad standpoint, and is liberal in his political views, casting his ballot in favor of the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office, without considering party ties. He has never shirked the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, and is now serving for the third term as levee commissioner. He belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is also an Elk. He is a capable business man, alert, energetic and far-sighted; and his record reflects credit upon his community, to whose development and upbuilding he has made substantial contribution.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 929-930