YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
JAMES EDWARD STRAIN
Conspicuous among the progressive farmers of Yuba County is James Edward Strain, who owns and occupies a valuable farm lying ten miles north of Marysville on the Honcut road, consisting of 1400 acres of land. He is a native son of the State, his birth having occurred in this vicinity, on May 28, 1874. His father, James Strain, was born in Belfast, Ireland. He was a son of Isaac and Hannah (Harper) Strain, who immigrated to America in January, 1848, locating in Arkansas, and in 1853 came to California, crossing the plains in an ox-team train, and spent a short time as a miner; then he located on land, portions of which have since been in the possession of the family.
James Strain, the father of our subject, was about fifteen years old when the family located in California; he drove a vegetable wagon during the summer months, and attended school in the winter. With his father and brother, Gawn Strain, he purchased 400 acres on Feather River, and continued in partnership with them for a few years. He finally took his share of the estate and purchased a ranch of 410 acres south of the home place on Feather River, and farmed independently until the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. He was married twice, by his first marriage having one son, William J. He afterwards married Miss Emma Mullin, a native of Minnesota. She came to California when young, and died in 1880, leaving one son, James Edward, of this review.
But seven years old when his father died, James Edward Strain was taken into the home of his uncle, Gawn Strain, who was appointed administrator of the estate and guardian of the two young sons. He grew to manhood under the care of his uncle, receiving his education in the public schools of Marysville and in Oakland. Upon attaining his majority, he came into possession of 205 acres of land, half of the landed estate of his father, and also some money. He has since purchased his brother’s interests of 205 acres, and now owns the entire original tract by his father. By subsequent purchase he has added to this until he now owns 1400 acres, on which he is making a specialty of raising grain and stock. Mr. Strain built the first privately owned levee on Feather River in 1896; in 1906 he helped to organize a protection district; and in 1912 he was one of the organizers of Reclamation District No. 10 of which for seven years he served as secretary of the board of directors. Since 1915, he has developed sixty acres of his fine home place to a vineyard of Thompson Seedless grapes. Mr. Strain is half-owner of the Oak Valley Lumber Company, whose timber holdings, sawmill, and manufacturing plant are located near Camptonville. He is also a director in the First National Bank of Marysville.
On November 26, 1895, at San Jose, Mr. Strain was married to Miss Clara May Rodgers, a native of Gridley, Butte County; and they have two sons, Edward and Maurice. Mr. Strain is a stanch Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E.; is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, belonging to Oriental Lodge No. 9, F. & A.M., Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., Marysville Commandery, No. 7, K.T., all of Marysville, and Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in Sacramento; and, with his estimable wife, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a popular member of the Marysville Rotary Club, and is also a member of the California Automobile Association.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 399
E. W. McDANIEL
The efforts of E. W. McDaniel have been directed into those channels which have for their object public improvement as well as the attainment of individual prosperity, and his work as a general contractor has made him well known throughout Yuba County. He is one of Marysville’s leading business men and was here born March 2, 1889, a son of Hon. E. P. and Mary Adelia (Peacock) McDaniel, of whom mention is made on another page in this history. E.W. McDaniel was reared and educated in his native county and after completing his high school training served an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked on Hammonton boats. In 1913 he established a business of his own, entering the contracting field, from which he later withdrew; but in 1922 he resumed his operations along that line. He has the skill to combine utility and comfort with beauty of design, and his work is of high character and uniform excellence. Among the structures he has erected are the hall for the Woman’s Improvement Club of Tierra Buena and a number of apartment houses and private residences. He is now executing a contract for the Yuba Consolidated Gold Company. There is a large demand for his services and ten men are employed in the operation of the business, which is one of growing extent and importance.
Mr. McDaniel married Miss Lois Clough, a native of Quincy, Plumas County, and a daughter of Judge George G. Clough. Of this union has been born a son, Lowell E. Mr. McDaniel is a member of the Builders’ Exchange. In politics he is a Democrat. He is fond of fishing and hunting, and he is devoted to the welfare of his family, with whom he finds his greatest happiness. His activities have greatly enhanced the value of property in this district, and his close conformity to the rules which govern strict integrity and unabating industry has won for him the unqualified respect of his fellow men.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 400
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