YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
JOHN PAXTON ONSTOTT
A man of remarkable foresight and optimism, who left a deep imprint on the history of the growth and development of Sutter County, was the late John Paxton Onstott, one of the county’s most enterprising and faithful upbuilders. Closely associated with the agricultural, horticultural, and viticultural interests of this section, he contributed materially to all of these interests by his influence and the example of his striking and remarkable success. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 29, 1841, and was there reared in the usual environment of the Buckeye farmer boy, receiving a good education in the public schools of that region. He crossed the plains to California in 1866 and followed mining in the Sierras for a time, until he decided on farming as his life’s vocation and came to Sutter County. After investigating lands in various places, he decided on the rich sandy loam northwest of Yuba City. His decision was due to the large native oak trees that grew in such abundance and with such gigantic and healthy growth – for he well knew that where oak trees grew to such proportions the soil must necessarily be very rich. With his limited savings he purchased a squatter’s title or right to 160 acres of land to the northwest of Yuba City. Later on he entered the land, and in time paid the government price and obtained title to the property.
Meantime he was married at East Butte, Sutter County, March 27, 1870, being united with Miss Lizzie Flynn Brown, who was born near Yuba City, a daughter of George and Louisa (Smith) Brown, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. They crossed the plains with ox teams and wagons, making the journey safely through the Indian-infested country and alkali plains. On his arrival in California, Mr. Brown settled about seven miles north of Yuba City. In the fall of 1865 he purchased 280 acres at East Butte, Sutter County. This property is still owned by his heirs. He was an energetic man and was successful in his farming; but an injury from an accident caused by the falling of a porch led to his early demise on December 25, 1870, at the age of forty-nine years. His widow afterwards became Mrs. Miller, and spent her last days at Seabright, Santa Cruz County, where she died, having almost reached the age of eighty-eight years. She was a woman endeared to many friends, and beloved by all who knew her. Of the six children born of this union, five grew up: A. M. Brown, a rancher in Sutter County; Mrs. Emily Spillman, also residing in this county; Lizzie (Mrs. Onstott) and Thomas, twins, the latter of whom passed away at the age of forty-nine years; and Mrs. Annie L. Anthony, of Santa Cruz. Lizzie Brown was reared in her home county on her parents’ farm, enjoying the advantages of the excellent schools of the district and at the same time aiding her mother and becoming efficient in the science of domestic economy, which in those days was more familiarly known as the culinary art.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Onstott took up their home on the Onstott farm and systematically began the improvements that eventually made it the show place in the county and often brought forth the remark that it was the best-cultivated farm in all the region. The land had to be cleared of the numerous stumps left by the parties who had cut all of the majestic, thickly growing oak trees, and who had seen no other value in the land. Mr. Onstott, however, in his optimism, saw the real value of the deep sandy loam and persevered until he cleared it of stumps and made it fit for cultivation. This was no easy task; for he and his faithful and ambitious wife labored early and late to reach their goal. As they prospered, they bought additional lands until they possessed over 1000 acres in Sutter County. He very early began raising table and raisin grapes, of which he had many varieties. Hearing of a seedless grape growing on Mr. Thompson’s place, he investigated and found that Mr. Thompson had three vines that had come with other rootings from a friend in the East. He asked Mr. Thompson if he could have some cuttings, and obtained some, which he carefully planted and raised; and then he began an intensive cultivation of the variety, which was called the Thompson Seedless grape. He raised a large nursery of the vines and gradually set out 800 acres to the variety. Meantime he established nurseries in Fresno and in Los Angeles, where he propagated the Thompson Seedless, supplying the growers all over the San Joaquin Valley and in Southern California with Thompson Seedless roots. His vineyard thrived, and he was the first to ship Thompson Seedless raisins to the East in commercial lots. He built a packing house and installed a stemmer o the place; and his raisins were sent to various points in the East in carload lots, bringing very substantial returns; for his check was received at his home as soon as the car was ready for transit. So it came about that in 1882 Mr. Onstott began propagating the Thompson Seedless grape, which is now widely grown and has now become so popular, and was thus instrumental in founding the enterprise that has become of such great commercial importance, not only in California but in almost every State in the Union. In the early days he set out an orchard of thirty acres to White Astrakhan apples, a very early apple and a good producer, which proved to be a big source of revenue; for they ripened in June. Some of these trees were standing until 1923, when they were taken out.
With artistic taste, Mrs. Onstott laid out the grounds, at the home place, beautifying them with ornamental trees and shrubs; and since the large new country home was completed, the place has always been known as the most beautiful in Sutter County. Mr. and Mrs. Onstott worked hard and pioneered in true style; but in return they were rewarded with a competency, as they so richly deserved. Their union was blessed with five children: Jacob Thomas, John Paxton, Jr., George W., Harry A., and Dora Louisa, the wife of E. E. Sowell, of Sacramento. The sons are all substantial horticulturists and viticulturists of their home section. Mr. Onstott was not permitted to enjoy to the full the fruits of his labors, for he passed away on February 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a prominent Mason, being a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F.&A.M., of Yuba City, of which he was a Past Master. He was also a member of Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M.; Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T.; and Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in San Francisco; and with his wife he was a member of Fidelia Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, in Yuba City. Mr. Onstott was a most enterprising and progressive man, a true optimist for the future greatness of Sutter County lands, in which he had an abiding faith, and the value of which he so well demonstrated. He gave no small degree of credit for his success to his energetic wife, who stood by him so nobly and in every way helped and encouraged him to gain his ambition. Thus their labors and public spirit have helped to make easier the paths of the coming generations.
Since her husband’s death, Mrs. Onstott has continued to reside at the old family home so dear to her, looking after the interests he left in her keeping. She is a woman of culture and refinement, and her home is beautifully and artistically furnished. Here she loves to entertain her friends, who enjoy her hospitality. Affable of manner and gifted with a charming personality, she is revered and loved by all who know her, for her many virtues and womanly attributes of mind and heart.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 388-393
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