YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
JAMES EDWIN LEWIS
Among California’s loyal sons is numbered James Edwin Lewis, a well-known resident of Marysville, familiarly known to his many friends as “Postmaster Ed Lewis.” He was born in Marysville, February 9, 1873; and his parents were A. W. and Emma (Garrett) Lewis, both born in New York State. They migrated to Morrison, Ill. Mrs. Lewis was a sister of the late J. R. Garrett, of Marysville. In 1862 the father made the journey across the plains from Morrison, Ill., to California by means of ox team and wagon, being accompanied by this family, the Garretts and other families. He settled in Yuba County and was first engaged in the work of delivering water from the mountain springs to the residents of Marysville. The following year, in 1863, he volunteered his services in the Civil War, in aid of the Union, joining Company C of the 6th California Infantry, with which he was sent to Arizona. He completed his term of military service in 1865, and after receiving his discharge returned to California, taking up the barber’s trade, which he continued to follow throughout his remaining years. He is survived by the mother, who is now living in Pasadena, Cal. Of their eight children six grew up and are living, our subject being the second in order of birth.
After completing the grammar-school courses, Mr. Lewis entered the Chico State Normal School, which he attended from 1889 until 1892, being obliged just before graduation to abandon his studies, owing to a severe siege of pleuropneumonia. He spent the next two years at Kendrick, Idaho, where he followed the profession of teaching. After his return to Marysville he became shipping clerk, in 1894, for J. R. Garrett. In November, 1918, he was elected a member of the eighth Assembly district of California. The excellent record which he made in that connection led to his reelection for another term of two years. During the session of 1919 he was a member of the following committees: Agriculture; Corporations; Drainage, Swamp and Overflowed Lands; Fish and Game; Military Affairs; and State Grounds and Parks. During the session he succeeded in putting through a compromise bill settling the dispute between the Sutter County farmers and the Armour interests in Sutter Basin, and had to do also with other important matters, taking an active part in passing the Crowley Bill preventing the sale of narcotics. In 1921 he was chairman of the committee on Drainage, Swamp and Overflowed Lands, and a member of the committees on Contested Elections, Efficiency and Economy, Insurance, Irrigation, Live Stock and Dairies, and Ways and Means. While serving as Assemblyman, Mr. Lewis was appointed postmaster at Marysville, March 14, 1922, by President Harding. Resigning his seat as Assemblyman, he took over the direction of the post-office on April 17, 1922. Under his efficient administration the work of the office is being ably carried forward. He is a stockholder of the J. R. Garrett Company.
Devotion to his country is one of Mr. Lewis’ outstanding characteristics. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company L, 8th California Regiment, U. S. Volunteers, being assigned to garrison duty. During the World War he acted as a “four-minute man” and took an active part in promoting the various drives promulgated by the government at that time. He is an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a past president of Marysville Parlor, No. 6, N.S.G.W., and for eight years served as District Deputy Grand President. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, being a Past Exalted Ruler of the Marysville Lodge, No. 783, B.P.O.E., Past Council Commander of the Woodmen of the World and a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 9, F. & A.M. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and finds diversion in fishing and outdoor life.
On September 15, 1900, Mr. Lewis married Miss Hattie Wren, a native of Missouri, who came West with her mother when she was a child. She died on March 14, 1903, leaving a son, Garrett Wren, an electrical engineer by profession. Mr. Lewis’ second union united him with Miss Effie L. Sailor, a native daughter of Yuba County, whom he wedded on April 16, 1905. He has always stood for progress and improvement in affairs relating to the upbuilding of town, county and commonwealth; and his individual qualities are such as have gained him high and enduring regard.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 338-341
LAVERN L. FREEMAN
A successful orchardist, whose accurate and extensive practical knowledge of local conditions has enabled him to operate in the real estate and insurance field to the decided advantage of his patrons, as well as of himself, is Lavern L. Freeman, of Marysville, whose busy office is at 327 D Street. He was born on a farm in McHenry County, Ill., on March 6, 1870, the son of Henry and Sarah L. (Howard) Freeman, farmers and dairy folk; and under their favoring supervision, he began an excellent educational training, which included the best of courses in the grammar and high schools, and the University of Illinois. Then he remained at home until he began a thirty-year experience in teaching.
In 1897 Mr. Freeman located in Sutter County, where he later taught school and was elected superintendent of county schools, serving for four years, after which he took charge of the educational department at the Ione Industrial School, and kept that for four years. After that, he engaged in the real-estate, insurance, and brokerage business, always having the farm and its possible exploitation in mind; and he has been able, since 1917, to put several subdivisions on the market here, and to handle them very successfully, thus extending the fame of Sutter County lands. He is himself very fond of farming, takes a deep interest in progressive agriculture, and has a seventy-acre show place of his own. In politics he is a Republican.
Mrs. Freeman, before her marriage, was Miss Mattie I. Morrison of Redlands, Cal., but a native of Wisconsin. By a former marriage, Mr. Freeman has three children: Myrta A., a teacher in the Stockton schools; Juanita N., the wife of Kenneth Gordon; and Lavern A., who has charge of his father’s agricultural and horticultural interests. Mr. Freeman is a Master Mason, and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Freeman takes a deep interest in the Marysville Art Club, and is active in the work of the organization, promoting thereby the local interest of art and art-study.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 342-347
JOSEPH EASTON HOLLINGSHEAD
An energetic rancher who worthily represents both the spirit and the attainment of Yuba County, an ideal section for the progressive farmer, is Joseph Easton Hollingshead. He was born at Provo, Utah, June 6, 1859, a son of Aner M. and Abigail (Jones) Bennett Hollingshead, natives of Toronto, Canada, and Ohio, respectively. Mrs. Hollingshead was the granddaughter of a soldier of the Revolutionary War; he was one of George Washington’s life-guards. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingshead were married in Utah, where they resided for eight years. In 1861 they came to California in an emigrant train. Mr. Hollingshead settled four miles west of Wheatland on the Bear River, and purchased 375 acres of the Johnson grant, where he lived and farmed until 1912. He sold the place and retired, moving to Wheatland, and four years later he was laid to rest. J. E. Hollingshead’s mother was first married to Moses Bennett, who died in Illinois, leaving three sons, George, John, and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingshead were the parents of eight children: Lillian and Luella, twins, deceased; Aner, deceased; a child who died in infancy; Joseph Easton, of this sketch; M. F., died January 2, 1924; Lizzie Jane, Mrs. McDonald, of Wheatland; and Phillip Henry S., deceased.
Joseph Easton Hollingshead was educated at the Plumas district school situated four and one-half miles from his home. He was always associated with his father in ranching until his marriage, on January 1, 1890, at Wheatland, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Gardner. She was born on the ranch on which they now reside. This ranch is located four miles northwest of Wheatland and was previously owned by her father, Edwin Gardner, born in West Virginia, who came to California in 1858. He died when Elizabeth Jane was a small girl. Her mother, Margaret (Killroy) Gardner, was born in Montreal, Canada, and came to California in the early sixties. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were united in marriage at Cherokee, Nevada County, Cal. Mr. Gardner came to Yuba County and purchased a quarter-section of land, the land on which Mrs. Hollingshead, their only daughter, now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingshead have developed this place into a fine, productive farm. They are the parents of three children: Joseph Edwin, a school teacher, at Haywards; Hazel Irene; and Phillip Leslie, at Wheatland. Joseph Edwin married Miss Kinkler, of Roseville; and their union was blessed with two children, Edwin Leslie and Virginia. Hazel Irene married R. H. Lewis; and they are the parents of three children: Clay A., Clyda Rose, and Virginia Ellen. Phillip Leslie married Irene Hill; and they have one child, Leslie Lavern. The ranch is devoted to raising grain and poultry. They raise about 400 turkeys a year. For sixteen years Mr. Hollingshead was constable for West Bear Township. He tendered his resignation from this responsible position in 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingshead endorse the platforms of the Republican party. Deeply interested in Yuba County, they are numbered among the public-spirited citizens of their community.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 352-353
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