YUBA COUNTY Biographies
CHARLES F. HARVEY, SR.
Among the pioneers of Yuba County, the name of Charles F. Harvey, Sr., is a familiar one, for he has been a continuous resident of this county for the past forty-one years, twenty years of which time he has served as justice of the peace of New York Township. He was born in Lyons, Iowa, February 8, 1865, a son of Madison and Lottie (Jenks) Harvey, both now deceased. The mother of our subject accompanied her parents to California in 1850, but after four years’ residence here returned to Iowa. In 1871 the family located in Chicago. Here they had the misfortune to lose all their belongings in the big fire that laid waste to the city.
Charles F. Harvey was sent to Salt Lake City, where he attended college; and in 1882 he came to California and located at Brownsville. Mr. Harvey was proprietor of the Brownsville Hotel for many years, until he purchased his present ranch just east of the place, where he makes his home while he is engaged in general contracting. He is now serving his fifth term as justice of the peace, and his prolonged tenure of the office is evidence of his popularity as a public official. His ranch of fifty acres, situated just east of Brownsville, is an ideal location for a summer resort, having an abundance of clear running water, beautiful mountain scenery, native timber and a splendid climate.
The marriage of Mr. Harvey united him with Miss Julia Martha Gibson, a native daughter, born at St. Louis, Sierra County; and seven children have blessed their union. Grace is the wife of W. C. Powers, of Palermo; Fay is the wife of D. S. Scott, of Ostrom; Harry Melvin is a stock-raiser at Rackerby; Charles F., Jr., is a graduate of Palmer’s School of Chiropractic, at Davenport, Iowa, and is practicing in Marysville; Donald, familiarly called James by all of his friends, is a graduate of Sonora High School and is now engaged in stock-raising on the home ranch; George is with Dunning Brothers in Marysville; and Aubrey is attending the Oroville High School.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1162-1163
JOHN PIERCE SWIFT
A pioneer of California who resided in Marysville for forty-two years was the late John Pierce Swift, who saw active service in the Civil War and was a member of Corinth Post No. 80, G.A.R., at Marysville. He was one of the best-known men in this section, where he was active in civic and social doings. He always took an active interest in politics, and was never happier than when going over the political history of our country in friendly argument. Mr. Swift served as postmaster of Marysville from 1905 to 1909. He was also city councilman in former years, having served under the administration of Mayor C. E. Stone.
Mr. Swift was a native of Haverhill, N. H., born in March, 1841. There he grew to young manhood, receiving his education in the excellent schools of that New England locality. On the breaking out of the Civil War, he volunteered his services, enlisting in the 15th New Hampshire Regiment of Infantry, and served in that great conflict between the North and the South, helping to save the cause of the Union.
In the vicinity of his old home on September 1, 1867, Mr. Swift was married to Miss Abbie E. Camp; and in 1870 they came to Marysville, where he engaged in contracting and building and, as above stated, served as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Swift had four children, all now deceased. He was associated with his sons, Frank and Clarence, in the planing-mill business. After a long and useful life, he passed away on July 29, 1913. His passing was deeply felt by all who knew him, but particularly by his family and the circles of the G.A.R., in which he had been both prominent and popular, having been commander of the local post several times. Mr. Swift was a man who readily made friends. He was a fluent talker, and always took part in the celebration of Memorial Day, this being one of the greatest pleasures of his life. One of the leaders of the Republican party in Yuba County, he was for many years chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, a position he filled with credit to himself and to his party. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Since her husband’s death, Mrs. Swift has continued to reside in Marysville, where she is the center of a large circle of warm friends. She is a member of the Women’s Relief Corps, and is also a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to whose benevolences she is a cheerful contributor.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1165
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