YUBA COUNTY Biographies

JOSEPH KRULL

A very progressive and successful pioneer rancher is Joseph Krull, who is now living retired at Live Oak. He was born in Germany, November 2, 1847, the seventh child in order of birth of the eight children born in the home of William and Gertrude (Martin) Krull. The family emigrated to the United States in 1853 and settled in Iowa, where with other pioneers they began to make a livelihood. When Joseph was sixteen years old, he started out for him self, learning the boot- and shoemaker’s trade, and working as a journeyman in Iowa and Nebraska. Seeking adventure, he made his way to the golden State and arrived at Marysville, March 18, 1871, where his brother Ed. had preceded him about 1865 and was conducting a teaming business. The same year, the brothers assumed ownership of 320 acres of land in Butte County, four miles from Live Oak, and here they started clearing the brush and timber from the land. After many hard days of labor, they had finally cleared the land; and they then began ranching, continuing in partnership for nine years.

In 1877, Joseph Krull returned to Illinois and married Miss Elizabeth Pfoh, who was born February 23, 1851, a daughter of Charles C. and Catherine (Rieter) Pfoh. In the spring of the same year, he returned to the Golden State with his bride. This pioneer couple were blessed with three children: William, a successful merchant of Rock Island, Ill.; Ada, the wife of Joseph Bender; and Ed. C. The latter two are mentioned in another sketch in this history. There are also three grandchildren in the family: Walter Krull, Eunice Bender, and Norma Krull. In 1888, Mr. Krull built the Krull residence on his ranch; and here the family resided for many years.

Joseph Krull served as roadmaster at Live Oak for some time, and as school trustee of the Clay district for two terms. He developed and conducted his extensive ranch in Sutter County, where he became the owner of 400 acres of choice land, only recently having given over the charge of the affairs to his son and son-in-law. At the present time he retains but 124 acres and the Krull home, having divided the balance among his heirs who have developed their portion into fine orchards and farms. Mr. Krull established the Live Oak lumber yard, which he successfully conducted for three years and then sold. He and his wife then moved to Oakland, where they resided until 1912. Mrs. Krull passed away in 1922 at the old Krull home, and Mr. Krull is now devoting much of his time to his ranch, although he has his residence at Oakland.

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

p 1228

WILMER W. HIXSON

A man who has won for himself the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens and through industry has become a land owner in Sutter County is Wilmer W. Hixson, who was born in the Franklin school district of Sutter County, on May 10, 1895, a son of Emerson W. and Lorena (Rice) Hixson, natives of Michigan and California, respectively. Emerson W. Hixson was reared to young manhood on a farm in Eaton County, Mich., receiving his education in the public schools. In 1875 he came to California and located in Sutter County, where he rented some land, and tried his luck at ranching as carried on here. In 1881, he purchased seventy acres, which now forms his home ranch, most of which is devoted to fruit culture. He was married here to Miss Lorena Rice, who was born in Yuba County. Grandfather Rice was an early settler in Sutter County, where he engaged in farming. Nine children were born to E. W. and Lorena Hixson: Alma B. is the wife of John V. Richardson and they reside at Long Beach, Cal.; Iva married Perry Elmore and is deceased; Elmer resides at Oxnard, Cal.; Emory is deceased; Mary, Mrs. Zeigler, resides in Sutter County; John is deceased; Ray is a rancher on the home place; Wilmer W. is the subject of this sketch; and Marjorie. Emerson W. Hixson is a stanch Republican and for many years served as trustee of the Franklin school district. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church, Mr. Hixson having served as one of the trustees for several years.

Wilmer W. Hixson attended the Franklin Grammar School and was later graduated from the Sutter Union High School. On July 17, 1917 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, was sent to Camp Kearney, where he was placed in the 159^th Infantry, Headquarters Company, and was in training till July 1, 1918, when he sailed for France. While in France his regiment trained at Revigny and then was sent to the Belgian front, where he remained on active duty for three weeks. After the armistice he was stationed in France until he sailed for the United States. On April 1, 1919, he arrived in Camp Mills, N.Y.; and on April 16 he received his discharge at Camp Kearney, Cal., as Sergeant.

On March 13, 1921, Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Mattie Adams, a daughter of Burwell B. and Catherine Adams, whose life history is written up in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson are the parents of one son, Wilmer W., Jr. In politics, Mr. Hixson is a Republican; fraternally, he is identified with the Woodmen of the World of Yuba City and the American Legion, Yuba-Sutter Post of Marysville. In 1922, Mr. Hixson purchased a thirty-acre ranch near O’Banion Corners, which is devoted to fruit and where the family make their home.

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