YUBA COUNTY Biographies
WILLIAM T. PETERSON
Numbered among the well-known citizens who have made their way upward is William T. Peterson. He was born at Alexandria, Douglas County, Minn., April 10, 1887, a son of John E. and Selma (Shogren) Peterson, natives of Sweden. John Peterson, who was a lumber merchant, came to the United States when he was a lad. They were married in Minnesota and were the parents of seven children: William T., the subject of this sketch; Alvin, in Minnesota; Violetta, in New York; Mabel, in Minnesota; Ellen Nora, in California; Myrtle, in Minnesota; and Arthur, in California.
William T. Peterson attended the public schools of Alexandria, Minn. He started to work in a furniture factory, where he was employed for six months. In 1909 he came to Turlock, Cal., and for two years he worked on A. Erickson’s ranch. He stayed in Washington for a short time, and in 1912 came to Arboga, Cal., and was employed on ranches. For three and one-half years he had charge of the Shasta Lumber Company business in Arboga. Since 1917 he has engaged in the grocery business in which he has been very successful. Politically, William T. Peterson is a Republican, and he is characterized by his patriotism and marked devotion to the causes which he believes will promote local and national welfare.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1268
HENRY COUPE
Since his location in California in 1877, Henry Coupe has met with success in his efforts to acquire the competence which is every man’s due, and at the same time has built up for himself a place of esteem among the citizens of Yuba County. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., November 22, 1854, the eldest of six children born to Henry and Margaret (Welch) Coupe, natives of England and Ireland, respectively. The father, Henry Coupe, was three years old when his parents brought him to America. Grandfather Coupe was a wool merchant and made frequent trips across the ocean from England to America; and while on one of these trips, while in quarantine, both he aid [and] his wife died.
Henry Coupe received a public school education in the schools of Oneida County, N. Y., and on leaving school served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith’s trade. In 1876 he came to California, and after a visit with relatives at Santa Cruz came to Marysville, arriving in 1877. Mr. Coupe followed his trade at Brownsville for seven years; and then for three and a half years he resided at Dobbins. In the spring of 1878 he worked at the Bainbridge & Ruff mill and ranch. His winters were usually occupied in mining. He put in fifteen seasons with the Leach Mills, doing logging and timber work; and then, in 1915, he and his sons built their own mill at Challenge, hewing the framework for the foundation by hand. Then they installed the bottom saw and sawed the lumber for the balance of the frame. In 1920 they sold the mill, but in the spring of 1923 bought it back. Mr. Coupe’s partner in the business is now his son Harry. They are manufacturing lumber, including rustic flooring and ceiling.
The marriage of Mr. Coupe united him with Miss Catherine Teresa McTavish, a native of Waukegan, Ill., who came to California via Panama with her parents when four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Coupe have had thirteen children: James, who died in infancy; Margaret, the wife of Harry Feller, residing at Fresno; Mayme, Mrs. Arthur Case of Sacramento; Bessie, deceased; Alice, the widow of W. Mellon and the mother of one daughter, Gail; Edwina, deceased; Katherine, residing in Oakland; Walter; W. J.; Charles E., who saw service with the American Expeditionary Forces during the World War; Harry, a partner with his father in the mill business; Laurence; and Richard N., who died while in the service of his country with the American Expeditionary Forces. Mr. Coupe has served as justice of the peace of New York Township and as clerk of the school board at Challenge. Fraternally, he has been affiliated with the Foresters of America for twenty years; and politically, he is a Democrat.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1268-1269
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