YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
GEORGE W. HALL
Among the pioneer mercantile enterprises of Marysville is the stationery store of George W. Hall, who for thirty-six years has conducted the business at this location, and in the public life of the city has also taken a leading part, contributing materially to its upbuilding and improvement. A native of Canada, he was born at Halifax, in the province of Nova Scotia, March 26, 1861, and after severing home ties came to the States, making his way to Kansas City, Mo., where he obtained a position as a grocery clerk. He arrived in Marysville in 1885 and for a year and a half was employed in the Swain & Hudson planing mill. In 1887, in partnership with A. B. Miller, he purchased a stationery store at No. 220 D Street, and four years later took over the latter’s interest in the business, which he has since conducted independently. Through straightforward methods and capable management he has built up a large patronage, gaining and retaining a position of leadership in this field, and has been in one location longer than any other merchant in the city. He is also a member of the firm of George W. Hall & Son, proprietors of a first-class music store at No. 422 D Street. His son, Francis F., is associated with him in the undertaking and the business is in a prosperous condition. Mr. Hall was formerly connected with the theatrical business, acting as manager of the Marysville Theater from 1901 until 1904, when the building was destroyed by fire. During the period of his management he succeeded in bringing to the city many fine attractions, presenting Richard Mansfield and other noted actors of that time before the patrons of his theater.
Mr. Hall’s connection with public affairs forms one of the vital interests of his life, and his broad business experience and public spirit combine to make him a most useful and valuable factor in civic development. He has served his fellow-citizens in various capacities and has always done able and efficient work. He was a member of the city council for six years, and in 1905 and 1906, and again in 1909 and 1910, served as mayor of Marysville. He was filling that office at the time of the San Francisco fire and called a mass-meeting for the purpose of collecting money and supplies for the sufferers. He was strongly commended for his economic oversight of the city’s expenditures as well as for the progressive movements which he inaugurated, and during his term as mayor franchises were issued to three railroads, the California Midland, the Sacramento Northern, and the Western Pacific. D Street was paved to Fourth, and pavement was laid in C Street from Second to Sixth. The sanitary sewer system was rebuilt and the city library was erected during his administration. He was mayor at the time high water almost washed away the north levee, but through the efforts of the citizens the city was saved from a flood. The city assessment at that time was $2,000,000, while it has now reached almost $9,000,000. Mr. Hall was chairman of all amusement committees for the 4th of July celebrations held in Marysville from 1890 until 1916, and also acted in that capacity during the Admission Day celebration of September 9, 1902. A graphic portrayal of the days of ’49 was given and a number of cowboys, Indians and ox-drawn prairie schooners appeared in the parade, which was one of the best ever witnessed in Northern California.
Mr. Hall married Miss Leila Fisher, a native of Yuba County. Her parents were pioneer settlers of this region, and previous to her marriage she was engaged in teaching school. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, seven of whom are living: Hedley, a resident of New York; Francis F., who is associated with his father in business; George W., Jr., of Marysville; Robert and Leila, both students at the University of California; and Jane and Catherine, who are attending the Marysville public schools.
Mr. Hall is a charter member of the Marysville Rotary Club, of which he was a director for two years, and is now serving on the entertainment committee. He belongs to Marysville Lodge, No. 783, B.P.O.E., and has been a member of the house committee and a trustee of the Elks’ Home. He is also a Mason, having membership in Corinthian Lodge, No. 9, F. & A.M., of which he is a Past Master; Marysville Chapter, No. 39, R.A.M.; Marysville Commandery, No. 7, K.T.; and Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Sacramento, and with his wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. A man of high qualities of mind and heart, Mr. Hall uses his talents as readily for the public weal as for his own success, and has made his life county as a valuable asset in community upbuilding.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 710-711
ALLEN EARL GRAY, M.D.
Among the rising professional men of Marysville, Cal., Dr. Allen Earl Gray has attained a well-deserved recognition, having been located in the thriving city of Marysville since 1911. He spares no effort to relieve suffering wherever he finds it, and is building up a large and remunerative practice. A native of California, he was born in Yuba City, on October 15, 1887, a son of James C. and Ellen A. (Plum) Gray, natives of Illinois and Vermont, respectively. About 1829, Grandfather James Gray left his native Scotland and crossed the ocean to America; and here he followed the trade of a millwright in the East. He became one of the early settlers in Iowa, taking up government land about forty miles north of Keokuk, where he improved a farm and remained a number of years. Later he became one of the pioneers of Hancock County, Ill.; and he was living there when Joseph Smith was killed, during the time of trouble with the Mormons at Carthage, and was an active factor in forcing the Mormons to leave that part of the country. In 1852 he came to California, crossing the plains with oxen and wagons. Upon his arrival, he leased some land near Yuba City. Soon after, he bought a squatter’s claim nearer the town; and in time he became the owner of 800 acres of land, which he bought from time to time. He did a general ranching business, and operated a threshing outfit during the seasons. He was active until his death, which occurred in July, 1868, when he was sixty-four years old. He never failed to cast a Republican ballot at elections; and he was a strong adherent of the Presbyterian faith. His wife was Mary Carr before their marriage, and she was also of Scotch parentage. She died the same year as did her husband. Seven children were born of their union, of whom James C., the father of Dr. Gray, was the fourth in order of birth.
James C. Gray was born in Hancock County, Ill., on January 8, 1842. As a boy he accompanied his parents to California, for a half of each day driving a four-yoke team of oxen. As he grew to years of maturity he assisted his parents in the development of their ranch and in making a home in the West. He became the owner of 160 acres of land near Yuba City, taking it in its raw state and developing a good home out of it; and he became a successful fruit-grower. In order to secure a market for his fruit, he assisted in organizing the Sutter Canning & Packing Company of Yuba City, and was chosen its first president, serving in that office for ten years. After the plant had been operated for fourteen years, it was sold to the California Fruit & Canning Association, and has since been operated by them. On May 6, 1868, James C. Gray was united in marriage with Miss Ellen A. Plum, a native of Vermont, but from childhood a resident of California. There were ten children born to this pioneer couple, seven of whom grew to years of maturity: James Clarence, Rosa Belle, Walter Scott, Etta, Blanche, Allen E., and Florence. The husband and father passed away on July 15, 1918. He was one among the few remaining pioneers of this vicinity, and the last survivor of his immediate family. He is survived by his widow, who makes her home at the old ranch they had developed. James C. Gray was an active Republican during his lifetime. Fraternally, he was a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F. & A.M., of Yuba City.
Allen E. Gray attended the Lincoln school in Sutter County and the Marysville High School, from which he graduated. He then entered the Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, and was graduated from that institution in 1911, with the degree of M.D. Returning to his native city, he began the practice of his profession, which he has continued in Yuba and Sutter Counties with increasing success as the years have passed. He has his suite of offices in the Odd Fellows building, in Marysville. Since 1913, Dr. Gray has been county physician for Sutter County. He is a member of Yuba and Sutter Counties Medical Society, in which he served as president several years, and is also a member of the California State Medical Society. During the World War he was a member of the board of medical examiners for the county. Aside from his profession, Dr. Gray has developed a fifteen-acre ranch of cherries near Yuba City, which is bringing in good returns. Fraternally, he is identified with Marysville Parlor No. 6, N.S.G.W.; Oriental Lodge, No. 45, I.O.O.F.; and the Woodmen of the World, of which he was medical examiner for ten years; and he also belongs to the Marysville Lions’ Club. To preserve the memory of his college days, he holds membership in Upsilon Chapter, Nu Sigma Nu Fraternity, in San Francisco.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 711-712
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