YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
GEORGE BAXTER METTEER
Among the men who have contributed the greater part of their lives toward the upbuilding of the Golden State is George B. Metteer, who was born September 23, 1872, a son of Charles H. and Mary Jane (Donaldson) Metteer, who sketch is given elsewhere in this history. He first saw the light on the Metteer ranch, one mile east of Live Oak, Sutter County. The ranch was formerly called Antelope Ranch, in the early pioneer days, on account of the thousands of antelopes that roamed the country during the fifties. Hunters and ranch owners placed the antlers of these antelopes on the fence which surrounded the ranch, which was then owned by Mr. Boynton, who passed away many years ago; hence the name Antelope Ranch. This ranch is situated on the Feather River, twelve miles north of Yuba City. George Baxter is the third in order of birth of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Metteer. Mrs. Metteer passed away on July 28, 1913, at the age of seventy-one years.
George B. Metteer was reared on his father’s ranch, and since 1890 he has worked with his father in its development. Since 1915 he has conducted the orchard and ranch, assuming full responsibility of the management of the ranch, which is considered one of the most fertile and splendidly developed ranches in this locality. Approximately 300 acres in all, it is devoted to the raising of cereals, grains, beans and live stock. They previously conducted a dairy, but for some time they have devoted their energy and efforts to other lines, and since 1899 have set out part of the land to orchard. In 1915, they set out their prune orchard.
In Yuba City, on January 29, 1891, George B. Metteer married Miss Jessie M. Moore, a native of Stockton, and a daughter of William Moore, a pioneer ranch-owner of San Joaquin County, who had crossed the plains to California in 1849, and in this State married Sarah McAfee, who had come from Kentucky. She has resided in Sutter County since 1887, having remained with her sister at Live Oak previously to her marriage. They were blessed with seven children: Roy G., in Sacramento; Charles I., who served over seas during the World War; Ila G., Mrs. A. L. Siler, Live Oak; Muriel J., Mrs. V. Cobeen, of Live Oak; and William M., Emola L., and Eugene D. Mr. and Mrs. Metteer are also the grandparents of Lea Metteer, Patricia Siler, and Wilda Siler. Mr. Metteer is a Republican in national politics. Mrs. Metteer is a member of the Live Oak Woman’s Club.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 334-337
JOSEPH GIRDNER
It is interesting to chronicle the history of the pioneers, the men who in their prime entered the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage; men who were not afraid to endure hardship and privations, but willingly and ambitiously placed their shoulder to the wheel to aid in developing this new country, thus building it up to its present wonderful development and advanced civilization to the lasting benefit of this and the coming generations. Such a man was the late Joseph Girdner of Sutter City, who as an Argonaut crossed the plains to California in 1849. His father, David Girdner, was of German extraction, and was born and reared in Pennsylvania, from which State he went in succession to Tennessee and to Kentucky, and thence to Missouri, where he followed farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred in his seventieth year. The mother, Elizabeth Parman before her marriage, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Missouri when about sixty-seven years of age, leaving thirteen children.
Joseph Girdner was born in Knox County, Ky., October 31, 1828. He was but a child when his parents took him to Missouri; and there he lived on his father’s farm until 1849, when with three others he started for California. The three other men furnished the outfit; and Mr. Girdner was to give them one-third of what he earned in twenty months from the time he left Missouri; this one-third amounted to $913. After reaching this State he first worked in mines on the American River near Auburn, and then went to Marysville and purchased an interest in a hotel, which he retained for a time, after which he sold out and began buying and selling ranches along the Sacramento River. After purchasing a ranch, he would improve it, and then sell it at a good profit. At different times he owned large tracts of land along the river; and while engaged in this business, he also dealt in cattle and sheep. During all this time he made his home in the vicinity where his interests were centered. In later life he gave up active work, sold his stock, and rented his land.
Joseph Girdner married Catherine H. Brittan, a native of Virginia, who crossed the plains to California during girlhood, and died here on November 29, 1892. This worthy couple had a family of nine children: Mary E., of Colusa County; Thomas Brittan, who died in young manhood; G. Annie, now Mrs. Pratt, of San Francisco; Josephine Wright, of Sutter City; Charles B., deceased; Henry Tutt, of Sutter City; Joseph Madison, who died in infancy; Mark A., of Watsonville; and Leroy E., of Gridley.
Joseph Girdner was a Democrat in national politics. He was a member of the Methodist Church South, and was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a staunch fighter against hydraulic mining, and stuck by his guns until the legislature passed an anti-debris act doing away with that destructive process. He was strong for the temperance cause, and always took a deep and conscientious interest in everything that tended to the betterment of humanity. In his passing, which occurred on August 7, 1908, Sutter County lost one of its most worthy and progressive upbuilders, whose death was widely mourned.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 337
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