YUBA COUNTY Biographies
WILLIAM LYTKEN
A native son of Sutter County, and a successful horticulturist, William Lytken was born at South Butte, January 1, 1878, a son of Hans and Susie (Anderson) Lytken, both natives of Copenhagen, Denmark. Hans Lytken left Copenhagen and came to the United States while still a young man; and later, in 1862, he came via Panama to California and settled in Sutter County, where he farmed leased land for a number of years. When the mother of our subject came to California, the family settled at South Butte, where Hans Lytken purchased eighty acres of land, southwest of the present site of Sutter City. Five children were born in their family, namely: William, of this review; Hans; Lena, deceased; Anna, now Mrs. Stanley McLean; and Frank. Hans Lytken passed away at Sutter City in 1918, aged seventy-eight years; and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight years.
William Lytken attended school in Pennington and Sutter City until twelve years old, when he started out for himself. He worked at odd jobs on ranches in the neighborhood of his home and later did teaming; and being thrifty, in 1910 he was able to purchase ten acres of land at Tudor. He has developed this to Tuscan cling peaches, and has erected a comfortable residence and installed a four-inch electrically operated pumping plant for irrigation purposes.
On February 12, 1904, at San Francisco, Mr. Lytken was married to Miss Lillie Gottwals, a daughter of the pioneers Conrad and Margaret (Harr) Gottwals, both natives of Germany. Conrad Gottwals was brought up and educated in the schools of Germany and there learned the wagonmaker’s trade. While yet a young man, he immigrated to the United States and worked for a number of years at his trade in St. Louis, Mo. Being desirous of bettering himself financially, he came to California in the early fifties, worked in the mines for two years and then returned to the East. On March 26, 1853, he married Miss Margaret Harr; and together they crossed the plains to California, the journey requiring 130 days. Mr. Gottwals rented land in Yolo County for three years. Then, in 1856, he took up government land in Colusa County, and there the family resided until 1860, when he began freighting from Marysville to the mines. In 1868, Mr. Gottwals bought a squatter’s claim; and with the passing of years he added to the original purchase until he had 320 acres at the time of his death, which occurred on August 8, 1874. Eleven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gottwals, of whom Mrs. Lytken is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Lytken are the parents of two children, Hope Maxine and Raymon William. Mr. Lytken is a Republican in politics; and fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World at Yuba City.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1256
J. F. LUTHER
An orchardist whose life story is a record of persistent, intelligent industry is J. F. Luther, who was born a half mile east of Live Oak, on August 8, 1879, the seventh in order of birth, of the eight children (three of whom are living) born to H. Luther and his wife, Laura (Drew) Luther, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
J. F. Luther was reared and educated at Live Oak. During his father’s declining years, he assumed the responsibility of handling the ranch business. The Luther ranch was subdivided, and at the present time twelve families are residing on their ranches, all of whom are very successful as a result of the irrigation of the land and the introduction of fruit culture. Mr. Luther owns 135 acres of choice land in Eldorado County, which has been devoted to pears. He also owns a ranch of timber bottom land on the Feather River, and is the proprietor and owner of twenty acres of orchard and vineyard a half mile north of Live Oak, where he makes his residence.
On December 24, 1905, at Live Oak, J. F. Luther was united in marriage with Lela Boynton, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Boynton, of Live Oak. She was born, reared and educated at this city, and she passed away on June 5, 1921, a woman mourned by her family and many friends. Mr. Luther is a member of North Butte Lodge, No. 267, I.O.O.F., Live Oak, of which he is a Past Grand. He has always been interested in the growth and prosperity of Sutter County, and especially in Live Oak and its vicinity, and aids in progressive movements looking to the upbuilding of the community, of which he has long been an honored citizen.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1257
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