Yuba County
Biographies
AUGUSTUS L. & HARRY P. WELDON
Commercial activity in Hammonton receives impetus from the well directed efforts of Augustus L. and Harry P. Weldon, who are deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of the community with which they have allied their interests and in all matters of good import their influence is on the side of progress, reform and improvement. Augustus Lawbach Weldon was born at Belvedere, Warren County, N. J., on December 2, 1880, of the marriage of Thomas Weldon and Emma Archer, the former a native of County Cork, Ireland, and the latter of Yonkers, N. Y. The Archer family is of Scotch origin and was established in this country in 1632. It is one of the oldest families in the United States and representatives of the name fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. The father was a successful dry goods merchant and passed away when seventy-six years of age, while the mother reached the age of sixty-eight. They were the parents of twelve children: John Archer, Anna, Thomas, Nellie, Emma, Richard, Charles, Harry P., Minnie, Augustus Lawbach, William and Lucy.
The grammar and high schools of Yonkers, N. Y., afforded Augustus L. Weldon his educational privileges. When twenty-two years of age he took up the carpenter’s trade and after completing his apprenticeship he came West, arriving in California in 1902. He first located in Los Angeles, where he remained for one and a half years, and after leaving that city he traveled all over the State, following his trade as a means of livelihood. In 1910 he reached Hammonton; and being particularly well pleased with the locality, he decided to remain. For two years after his arrival he worked as a carpenter, but in January, 1912, embarked in mercantile pursuits, in which he has since continued with ever increasing success, being now associated with his brother, Harry P. Weldon. They handle shoes and notions, as well as soft drinks and also operate a billiard hall. By honorable methods, close application and judicious management they have built up a good trade and their business is a prosperous and growing one.
At Chico, Cal., October 17, 1914, Mr. Weldon was married to Miss Judith Kate Power, a native of California and a daughter of Marvin and Augusta (Brown) Power. Her father was born in Michigan and became a pioneer of California. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have a son, Glenn Augustus. Mr. Weldon is a Mason, a member of the Smartsville Lodge, No. 433, F.&A.M., and is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Yonkers, N. Y. Politically he is a Republican.
Harry P. Weldon is a native of New Jersey, born May 9, 1876. For some time he was engaged in the furniture business in the East. In 1920 he came to California, joining his brother Augustus L., at Hammonton. They have since been associated in business and the firm name has become a synonym for integrity and reliability.
At Yonkers, N. Y., on June 21, 1901, Mr. Weldon married Miss Isabelle G. Reid, a native of that city and a daughter of Joseph and Jeannette Reid, who formerly resided in Paisley, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have become the parents of three children: Harry P., Jr., Jessie May, and Isabelle Adelia. Mr. Weldon is a Republican in his political views and an active worker in the ranks of the party. For twelve years he was a member of the Westchester County (N. Y.) Republican Central Committee, and in 1923 he was chosen a member of the central committee of Yuba County. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Yonkers and now belongs to the Marysville, Cal., lodge of that organization. He is always loyal to any cause which he espouses and faithfully to every duty and stands high in the regard of his fellow men.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1182-1183
ISAAC ERICKSON
A thoroughly progressive, up-to-date and successful rancher is Isaac Erickson, who was born at Maple Ridge, Isanti County, Minn., August 27, 1882, a son of August and Augusta Erickson. August Erickson went to Idaho about 1890, where he took up a homestead, living there until 1901, when he came to California. He settled in Turlock and bought 400 acres of land for $20 an acre, being one of the first Swedish settlers there. He helped to develop the Turlock Colony, and in 1912 he sold the property and came to Arboga, where he purchased forty acres for himself and forty acres for each of his three sons: Alvin, Paul, and Isaac, the subject of this sketch. In 1921, at the age of seventy-six, August Erickson was laid to rest; his wife had died one year previously.
Isaac Erickson attended the public schools near Idaho Falls, Idaho. In 1912, with his father and brothers, he came to Arboga. They became colonists in the Arboga Colony, and by their energetic industry started the developments that have made such rapid growth and have resulted in such success for that region. Mr. Erickson improved forty acres to alfalfa and established a dairy of forty milk cows, high-grade Holsteins. However, this was only a secondary interest, for he has been principally engaged in contracting and building, having built all the houses and farm buildings in the colony, including the large Arboga Hotel. In 1921 he sold his dairy farm and moved to his “Bear River Gardens,” three miles west of Wheatland. He still continues in the contracting and building business in Yuba and Sutter Counties, having some of the finest houses in these counties to his credit. His home ranch comprises thirty acres of rich soil in the Bear River bottoms, where he has built a modern home. He had a crop of beans that yielded thirty-three sacks to the acre; and in May, 1922, he planted a patch of alfalfa, which he cut five times without irrigating. He also has ten acres of young peach trees, and a dairy of twenty cows. He is an active member of the Wheatland Center of the Yuba County Farm Bureau.
On March 3, 1906, at Sacramento, Isaac Erickson was united in marriage with Miss Ruphina Snygg, who was born in Nebraska. Her parents are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were blessed with three children: Viola, Gladys, and Everett. Mr. Erickson endorses the platforms of the Republican party. From 1913 to 1916 he served as justice of the peace of West Bear River Township. He is greatly interested in the advancement of his community.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1161