YUBA  COUNTY

 Biographies

JAMES C. BALDWIN

            A decidedly representative man of affairs in the Marysville business world is James C. Baldwin, a wide-awake member of the well-known and popular firm of Harris & Baldwin, at Third and C Streets.  A native Hawkeye, he was born in Lucas County, Iowa, in the town of Chariton, on March 16, 1866, the son of Chester and Lizzie (Matson) Baldwin, both natives of Ohio.  The family came to California in 1874 and located at Colusa; and later they removed to a point about three miles from Camptonville, where the father was a farmer.  He died in Los Angeles, and his widow makes her home with our subject.

            James C. Baldwin went to Camptonville and Marysville schools; and as far back as 1883, he entered the employ of H. M. Harris, the pioneer harness-maker and saddler in Marysville, and there learned the harness-maker’s trade.  In 1898, he was made a member of the firm.  The firm is one of the oldest concerns in California, having been started in 1850, since which time it has always occupied the same location, at the northwest corner of Third and C Streets.  Messrs. Edwards and Vogelsang were the founders, and they were succeeded, some years after they had started, by H. M. Harris.  Mr. Baldwin now has the original deed to the lot upon which their building stands; it is dated May 11, 1850, signed, and written in ink by Judge Stephen J. Field, one of the most distinguished members of the American bar, and eminent in the early history of California, who was then the first alcalde, or justice of the peace, of Marysville.  Mr. Baldwin prizes this document very highly, it being a valuable and most interesting souvenir of pioneer days. 

            After Mr. Baldwin became interested in the business, they named the firm the H. M. Harris Saddlery Co.  In those days, before the automobile and big motor-driven trucks had come into being, the big six-, eight, and ten-horse freight teams came regularly into the city from the mountains and farms with their big loads of grain and produce.  Then there were also the driving horses.  So there was need for heavy and light harness, as well as saddles for the stockmen; and they also had a well-appointed shop for the manufacture and repair of harness and saddles.  When H. M. Harris died, in 1898, his son, A. L. Harris, became the owner of his interest, and the business was continued under the same name.  The partners purchased the lot in 1901, and in 1906 they built the new building, a two-story concrete building, 40 by 60 feet.  Thereafter the partnership continued with success.  However, in 1917 A. L. Harris passed on and his interest was inherited by his son J. C. Harris, now the junior member of the firm.  In the twentieth century evolution of business, during which automobiles and motor trucks have displaced the horse-drawn carriages and wagons, their business naturally changed with the progress of the time, and in their enterprising and modern way the proprietors kept abreast of the times.  They always carry a well-selected and up-to-date stock of sporting goods, tents and awnings, hardware, and automobile supplies and accessories.  Thus, the old name having become obsolete, they changed the firm name to Harris & Baldwin; and in their show-windows are displayed the latest goods in their respective lines, making them leaders in the mercantile life of Marysville, where they are one of the oldest and most reliable business houses, whose watchword has always been honesty and integrity in their dealings, and who see to it that their customers are accorded every courtesy and consideration.

            Mr. Baldwin was city councilman of Marysville for a term, or from 1900 to 1902, and is the only member of the council as then constituted who is still living.  Previously, the city was heavily in debt; but so well were the affairs of the municipality handled during his term, that at its close there was $20,000 in the treasury.  During his term, too, the Packard Library site was accepted by the council.  Mr. Baldwin was chairman of the Light Committee, as well as the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, and was a member of the Committee on Fire, Water and Cemeteries.  He was an ardent supporter of measures for securing up-to-date fire-protection facilities, and the first chemical engine and hose wagon used in Marysville was bought at that time; and that was the first move made in the formation of the modern fire department of the city.  In January, 1924, he was again elected councilman, receiving the highest vote of any candidate, and is serving on the Committee of Fire and Water, and Police.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924

p 532-533

JOHN H. HANSEN

            America has been the land of opportunity to many men of foreign birth, and Denmark has not been behind other nations in sending to the United States those who have been influential in molding the development and promoting the progress of the communities with which they have become allied.  Among this number is John H. Hansen, who has demonstrated the value of industry and perseverance in the attainment of success and has taken his place with the leading agriculturists of District No. 10, Yuba County.  He was born in Ravsted, Denmark, November 24, 1877, the third in a family of ten children whose parents were Christian and Anna (Hendricksen) Hansen.

            John H. Hansen arrived in Ferndale, Cal., in December, 1893, joining his brother, C. P. Hansen, who was located there four years previously.  For four years he worked on the ranch of his uncle, J. Hansen, and then embarked in an independent venture, starting in the dairy business on the Hart place at Pleasant Point, which he conducted for seven years with pronounced success.  In 1913 he sold his lease, returning to Denmark, where he spent four months.  On his return to California he located in Yuba County in 1914, and purchased his present ranch of 101 acres, situated seven mile north of Marysville.  The tract was bare and undeveloped at the time it came into his possession; but through hard work and judicious management he has transformed it into a productive and valuable property, supplied with all modern improvements.  He raises alfalfa, and in 1923 set out a vineyard and prune orchard, while he also operates a dairy.  He is thorough and painstaking in his work and makes it a point to keep well informed regarding all new developments along the lines in which he is specializing.

            Mr. Hansen was married in Ferndale, on February 8, 1906, to Miss Regine Christensen, also a native of Denmark.  She was born in Esbjerg, on September 5, 1885, a daughter of Capt. Hans Peter Christiansen, who followed a seafaring life for many years, later being appointed harbor director at Esbjerg by the Danish government.  Mrs. Hansen was also attracted by the opportunities of a newer country, and arrived in Ferndale in 1898.  By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children:  Harry, Gerda, Eunice, Justin, Mederd, Amy and Elaine.

            Mr. Hansen received his citizenship papers from Judge Wilson at Eureka, Cal., in February, 1902, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party.  He is deeply interested in the educational development of his district and is now serving as a trustee on the school board of Feather River Union School District.  He belongs to the Danish Lutheran Church and is a charter member of District No. 10 Center, of the Yuba County Farm Bureau.  He is affiliated with Friendship Lodge No. 220, I.O.O.F., in Ferndale, and for about twenty-seven years has belonged to Valhalla Lodge No. 11, Dania of Ferndale, in which he is a past officer.  He is loyal to the interests of his adopted country; and his present prosperity is well deserved, for it has been won through honorable methods and untiring effort, intelligently directed.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924

p 533-534

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