YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
CHARLES J. BECKER
Thirty-one years ago, when a young man of twenty-four, Charles J. Becker allied his interests with those of Marysville, and in the intervening period many lines of activity have claimed his attention, his efforts now being concentrated upon the hotel business. One of California’s native sons, he was born in Forbestown, on the Feather River, in Butte County, November 13, 1868, his parents being Francis Xavier and Caroline (Lichtenauer) Becker. They were married in Philadelphia, Pa., and came to the Pacific Coast in the sixties. On coming to California, F. X. Becker, being a brewer by trade, was brewmaster for Louis Hoops in Oroville, for a while, and then moved to Forbestown, where he was engineer at a quartz mill. In 1870 he located at Howland Flat, Table Rock post-office, Sierra County. Purchasing the brewery from Mike Bowers, he operated it for several years; then closing it, he engaged in the general merchandise and hotel business, and also ran a livery and feed stable, continuing in business until his death in March, 1906. His wife had preceded him, having died in September, 1904. They had two children: Charles J., of his review; and Lillie, the wife of P. L. Carmichael, of Howland Flat.
In the acquirement of an education Charles J. Becker attended the public schools of Sierra County and also spent one year as a student in the Pacific Business College at San Francisco, where he was graduated in 1891. For a time he followed mining, and afterward he engaged in teaming and freighting to the mines. In February, 1892, he located in Marysville and secured a clerical position in the brewery, with which he was connected for two and a half years. In 1895 he was employed by the proprietor of the United States Hotel, where he continued for four years. In 1899 he joined the police force, of which he was a member for nine years, after which he established a business enterprise and successfully conducted it for thirteen years. Thereafter he entered the service of the Marysville Water Company, and a year later associated himself with the Ellamoore Candy & Ice Cream Company. On February 1, 1922, he became proprietor of the United States Hotel, which he is now conducting. He holds to high standards of service and puts forth every effort to secure the comfort and well-being of his guests.
Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Marie Agnes Reusch, a native of Germany, and they have two children, Elsie L. and Frances R. In his political views Mr. Becker is a Republican. His fellow-townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the city council on January 1, 1922, for a term of four years; and he is serving as chairman of the finance committee. For many years he was a member of all branches of Odd-Fellowship, and was a Past Grand. He is a member of Marysville Parlor, N.S.G.W., and also of the Foresters of America in Marysville. He is an enthusiastic supporter of his community, and his cooperation can always be relied upon to further any movement for the general good. Like all virile men of the West, he is fond of outdoor life, and in communion with nature finds that even balance which enables him to take up the reins of business with renewed energy. He is a business man of ability, enterprise and determination; and through his capable conduct of a modern hostelry he is contributing his quota of effective endeavor toward the advancement and prosperity of his city.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 527-528
M. M. TODD
One of Yuba County’s hale and hearty octogenarians, who has been active in its upbuilding for the past twenty-eight years, M. M. Todd is a native of Baltimore County, Md., born July 8, 1838, the eldest son of Joshua and Katherine (Talbert) Todd, both natives of Baltimore. The father was of Scotch ancestry, while Katherine Talbert was of English forebears. The Todd family were successful agriculturists of Maryland.
M. M. Todd received his education in the public schools of Maryland. During the Civil War he espoused the cause of his environment and enlisted in the 2nd Maryland Cavalry, serving as first sergeant with Colonel Gilmore. On his return from the war, the young soldier received his reinstatement as a United States citizen, a paper which he prizes very highly now. He learned the carpenter’s trade and worked as a journeyman in the East, also doing bridge contract work in association with his brother Thomas. After the war he settled in Marion County, Mo., and for three years lived there, conducting the Palmyra Livery and Feed Stables.
In 1869 Mr. Todd came West to California, crossing the plains with a mule team, and found employment with Tom Hall on his ranch at Orangevale, Sacramento County, and built the first three houses in that colony. Three years later he went to Shasta Springs, and there completed buildings for the same employer, this work lasting until 1896, when Mr. Todd located in Browns Valley, Yuba County, where he has since resided, and where for many years he engaged in contracting and building. The Burris general merchandise store was one of his contracts; and besides he has erected many other buildings in the district where he has made his home for so many years. During his long residence here, he has won the esteem of his fellow citizens, as is evidenced by the fact that he is now serving his fourth term as justice of the Long Bar Township, with headquarters in Browns Valley. He received the office by appointment in 1909, and was unanimously elected for his fourth term in 1922. Mr. Todd was formerly an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias; but in recent years has given up his fraternal duties, though he has not neglected his humanitarian duties.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 528
ERNEST E. HUTCHINSON
A creditable representative of a pioneer family of high standing is Ernest E. Hutchinson, who was born north of Wheatland, in Yuba County, on the ranch of his father, Perkins Lafayette Hutchinson, on February 5, 1879. The father, who is now deceased, was a prominent pioneer of 1853. He acquired land in this favored portion of the Golden State and married Miss Susan Kuster, an estimable woman now deceased. She was the mother of seven children, among whom Ernest E. was the fourth in order of birth.
The education of Ernest E. Hutchinson was provided by the district school, and as soon as he had completed his scholastic training, he began to learn the ways of a successful rancher and sheep-raiser. The home ranch supplied the background for his field of labor, and here he has followed his chosen occupation of ranching and sheep-raising ever since. He is now the owner of an interest in a part of his father’s old holding, which represents the toil and sacrifice of the previous generation.
The marriage of Ernest E. Hutchinson and Louise Kuster took place at Stockton on October 31, 1904. She was born near Marysville, Yuba County, the daughter of John and Susie (Hacker) Kuster, pioneer farmers, the father born in Switzerland and the mother in Yuba County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Hutchinson has been blessed with the birth of three children, Ernestene, Jack and Wilma. Mr. Hutchinson seeks at all times to be an exemplary citizen, supporting those things which make for progress and universal benefit.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 531
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