YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
CHARLES J. McCOY
The name McCoy has long been a prominent one in Marysville in connection with public affairs; and to this honored family name Charles J. McCoy, the popular and efficient sheriff of Yuba County, is adding new laurels. He is one of California’s native sons, having been born in Marysville, October 16, 1874. His parents were Henry L. and Minnie (Wheeler) McCoy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont. The father came to California in 1856, when but sixteen years of age, taking the Isthmus route, and it was in Marysville that his marriage occurred. In the public life of his community he took an active part, acting as a peace officer in Marysville for seventeen years, and then as sheriff of Yuba County. In the early days, when freight was carried by overland stages, he did much special work for the Wells Fargo Company; and he was known as a man of high character and unquestioned integrity. He died in 1885 at the age of forty-five, while serving his fourth term as sheriff; and the mother passed away in 1915; aged fifty-eight. There were two children born to this worthy couple: Charles J., of whom we write, and George Wheeler, who died at thirty-six years of age.
In the public schools of Marysville, Charles J. McCoy obtained his education, later taking a commercial course; and through private study as well as in the school of experience he has since augmented his knowledge, being actuated at all times by the desire to progress. When eleven years of age he began selling papers after school hours; and when a youth of sixteen he secured clerical work in a dry-goods store, remaining with that firm until 1899. He was then appointed deputy sheriff under R. E. Bevan, and acted in that capacity for a year. From April 2, 1900, until January 1, 1915, he was connected with the police department of Marysville, and afterward he served an unexpired term as city marshal. At the end of that time he was elected to the same position, to which he was reelected without opposition; and while still the incumbent of that office, he was elected sheriff of Yuba County, in 1914, assuming his new duties in January, 1915. To this office he was reelected in 1918 and 1922, the last time without opposition. He is now serving the third term, and the thoroughness with which he performs the tasks that devolve upon him has made his name a menace to evil-doers, while it carries with it a sense of security to all law-abiding citizens.
Mr. McCoy married Miss Bertha Peffer, a native daughter of California, born in Marysville, and a member of one of the old pioneer families. Mr. McCoy is a member of the State Sheriff’s Association and the State and International Associations of Criminal Identification. He also belongs to the Lions Club. In politics he is a Republican. He is fond of baseball and all athletic sports, and is also a devotee of the rod and gun. He believes in doing, not seeming – in actions, not words – and lends the weight of his influence to every project which he believes will promote the welfare and prosperity of his community, county and State. He has never place personal benefit before the general good, and has many stanch friends, whose esteem he has gained by a life of industry and well-directed endeavor.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 386-387
WILLIAM J. SCHULTZ
As one of the upbuilders of Yuba County, William J. Schultz’s industry and judgment have reached out and touched many of the most substantial enterprises of this section. For the past twenty-seven years he has served as postmaster at Clipper Mills, and has also conducted a general merchandise store during that time. He is the agent for the Ford automobile, and carries Ford parts. He represents the Liverpool-London Globe Insurance Company, and is a notary public. Mr. Schultz was born at Gibsonville, Sierra County, Cal., the eldest of seven children born to John Frederick and Louisa (Whitebred) Schultz, the former born in Germany in 1830, and the latter born in Pennsylvania of German-Swiss ancestors. John Frederick Schultz left Germany when a lad of twelve years to escape the rigid military training exacted in that country. He first entered the Golden Gate in 1848, having rounded theHorn; and on his second voyage he left the sailing vessel in the harbor and proceeded direct to Sucker Flat, near Smartsville. Here he mined for about ten years; and then he became a joint owner in the North American Mining Company, owners of the mine of that name at Gibsonville, and was thus occupied until 1874, when he purchased the hotel and ranch at Clipper Mills, Butte County, thereafter conducting a roadhouse for many years. Here he passed away on January 24, 1910. He was survived by his wife until 1912, when she too passed away at the same place.
William J. Schultz received his education in the public schools of Yuba and Butte Counties, and his early youth was spent in helping his parents around the hotel. In 1896 he established his general store at Clipper Mills, which he has successfully conducted every since. About seven years ago, Mr. Schultz opened a branch library of the Butte County system in his store at Clipper Mills.
The marriage of Mr. Schultz united him with Miss Agnes Bisset, a native of Jacksonville, Ill., but who came to California when a small child. She was a daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Finn) Bisset, natives of Scotland, who migrated to Illinois, and in 1870 came to Marysville, Cal. Mrs. Schultz holds a life certificate as a teacher in the public schools. One daughter has been born of this union, Freda, a graduate of Oroville Union High School and Heald’s Business College, Stockton, and then a stenographer with the Holt Manufacturing Company, and now with the American Gear Company in San Francisco. Mr. Schultz has served as a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Butte County for four years. He is a member of the Butte County Board of Appraisers under the new charter, and is now serving his second term as secretary of the board; he has been a school trustee of Clipper Mills district for the past twenty years. Since 1893 he has been a member of the Forbestown Lodge,No. 50, F. & A.M. The day he was made a Master Mason he was elected Junior Warden; the next year, Senior Warden; and the next, Worshipful Master; and each year since then he has been reelected to that office. Twenty-seven years in that office, he holds the State record as Worshipful Master in length of steady service. In thirty years he has missed only three meetings; and often in the winter time he walked to Forbestown through the snow in the afternoon to attend lodge, returning the next forenoon. He is a member of Franklin Chapter No. 20, R.A.M., of Oroville; Oroville Commandery No. 5, K.T.; and Marysville Council No. 3, R. & S.M.; and with his wife he is a member of Amapola Chapter No. 119, O.E.S., Oroville.
A brief history of Pine Grove Hotel, at Clipper Mills, will be of interest. The original hotel was built in 1855 by a Mr. Plant, and later the ownership passed to Mr. Cornell. In 1870 the original building burned down, but the hotel was immediately rebuilt. In 1875 the elder Mr. Schultz became the owner and later the ownership passed to William J. Schultz, and it was run as a hotel until it was burned to the ground on April 14, 1917, after which it was found impractical to rebuild on account of the advent of the automobile and trucks.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 386-387
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