YUBA COUNTY Biographies

MORRIS SCHEIBER

The progressive spirit and thorough understanding which Morris Scheiber displays in connection with the dairy business are bringing him gratifying success in the operation of the Alps Dairy, located on the Garden Highway, about two miles south of Nicolaus. Besides owning 300 acres in two separate ranches in Sutter County, he leases 1500 acres of grazing land; and he is well known throughout the county as a successful dairyman and live-stock dealer. He was born in Schattdorf, Canton Uri, Switzerland, July 7, 1867, a son of Carl and Mariana (Furrer) Scheiber, both natives of the same canton. Carl Scheiber, a well-educated man, was engaged in buying and selling farms and also served as government appraiser. He passed away in 1909 at the age of eighty-one years; and the mother of our subject was fifty-eight years old when she died in 1892.

Morris Scheiber attended public school in Canton Uri until he was twelve years old, and then he went to France and worked for four years as a dairyman. He then returned home for a visit with his family, and from there went to Italy, where he worked on ranches and learned the Italian language. In 1889 Mr. Scheiber came to California and located at Sacramento, where he found work on the Wittenbruck ranch. After ten months he and his brothers, Joseph, Anton, Albin and John, bought the dairy business on that ranch, which they leased. Meantime, as early as 1891, Scheiber Brothers leased land at Nicolaus and started dairying, while still continuing in Sacramento County; and afterwards Scheiber Brothers, including Morris, Joseph, John and Albin, purchased the Nicolaus Allgeier ranch of 600 acres, which was one of the oldest ranches in the valley, having been located by Nicolaus Allgeier, the first settler in these parts. Here they engaged in dairying on a large scale. Still later they brought their dairy herd from Sacramento to the Nicolaus holdings, where they purchased additional ranches until they owned 2620 acres, besides leasing several thousand acres. At one time they ran five big dairies. They manufactured full-cream California cheese, having three different factories; and the product was shipped to and sold in Marysville, Sacramento, and San Francisco. In 1895 they also ran a large dairy on Battle Creek, northeast of Red Bluff, known as the Battle Creek Dairy, where they also manufactured cheese. In 1906 they sold off 2400 acres, divided up, and dissolved partnership.

Morris Scheiber then purchased his present place, the old Claus Peters ranch of 300 acres, all fine farming land, and established his dairy. Since then he has purchased three other places, approximating 210 acres, making in all over 500 acres of choice river bottom land. He has leveled it and is raising principally alfalfa, the balance of the land being devoted to raising grain. A large pumping plant has been installed, yielding ample water for irrigating. Besides, he also leases 1500 acres, which he also farms. He has built a fine residence and two large sanitary barns, as well as a milk-house, and has an ice plant where the milk is precooled before it is shipped and delivered to the Capital Dairy. He has about 500 head of cows and heifers of pure-bred and high-grade Holsteins, milking about 220 head. His barns are provided with electric vacuum pumps, for operating the Empire milking machines he uses. The ranch and dairy are well kept, and his place is one of the show-places of the county.

At Sacramento, on May 28, 1899, Mr. Scheiber was married to Miss Emma Margaret Peters, daughter of Claus Peters, pioneer and well-to-do rancher of Sutter County. Emma Peters was born near Nicolaus, where she was educated in the public schools. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scheiber, Aileen and Holden. Mr. Scheiber received his United States citizenship papers at Yuba City in 1910, and has since supported the Republican party candidates. He is a booster for good roads and for good levee construction.

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