YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
CLAUDE V. WALKUP
Since the days of 1852, members of the Walkup family have contributed their share toward California’s development and upbuilding; and Claude V. Walkup is animated by the same spirit of enterprise which guided the activities of his forebears. Mr. Walkup resides in Yuba City, and occupies a position of authority in the labor circles of Yuba and Sutter Counties. He was born in Stonyford, Colusa County, Cal., March 17, 1881, a son of Joseph M. and Edith (Morris) Walkup, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Oregon. The father crossed the plains with ox teams and wagons in 1852, settling in Colusa County; and the mother was elected justice of the peace of Stonyford Township. She was the last to hold that office, which was abolished in that township at the expiration of her term. Her father, Louis Morris, was one of California’s early pioneers, making the long and hazardous journey to the Coast with the Argonauts of 1849. He engaged in mining at Hangtown, now known as Placerville, and met with success in his search for the precious metal. In 1850 he took some of the dust to a Sacramento goldsmith, who fashioned it into a ring, which is one of the most cherished possessions of the subject of this sketch. Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Walkup: Roy, deceased, who for nine years was chief forest ranger of the Ukiah and Humboldt districts; Claude V.; Arthur J., who is operating a ranch near Stonyford; and Orin.
After laying aside his text-books, Claude V. Walkup started to learn the painter’s trade, completing his apprenticeship at Corning in 1899, and then located at Oroville. He associated himself with his father, who was a painting contractor, and for fifteen years remained in Oroville, building up a large business during that period. In 1919 he came to Marysville and assumed the duties of foreman for the Robinson-Brooks Company, painters. He has an expert knowledge of his chosen line of activity; and the place which he holds in the regard to his fellow workers is indicated in the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Yuba-Sutter Building Trades Council and the Central Labor Council, remaining in office for three years. He is now acting as secretary and business manager of these organizations, and is working earnestly and effectively to advance the interests and promote the welfare of their members, to whom his services are highly satisfactory. He has invested his capital in real estate in Yuba City, thus demonstrating his faith in its future, and heartily indorses every worthy public project.
Mr. Walkup married Mayme E. Fairlee, who was born in Sutter County, and two children have blessed their union, Wayne and Stillman. Mr. Walkup has taken a prominent part in fraternal affairs, and is Past Dictator of Oroville Lodge, No. 519, L.O.O.M., of which he was one of the organizers. He was also a Sachem of the Red Men, while formerly a member of that order. He is loyal to the trust reposed in him, discharging to the best of his ability the duties which devolve upon him; and his standing as a man and citizen is an enviable one.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 791-792
BERTIE MILES ULLREY
Another experienced and enterprising rancher whose practical, progressive methods have frequently been helpfully suggestive and stimulating to fellow agriculturists, is Bertie Miles Ullrey, of West Butte. A native of California, Mr. Ullrey was born near Colusa, on Christmas Day, 1880. His father, Robert Miles Ullrey, was born in Pennsylvania and married Miss Lillie Allen, a native of Shasta County, Cal. Grandfather Allen came across the great plains with ox-teams in early days, and well earned the honors of a pioneer. But he paid a terribly severe price for his hardihood; for on the way his devoted wife was killed by the Indians. Grandfather Allen first settled in Shasta County, and later came into Lake County.
Robert Miles Ullrey early came to California, and his marriage to Miss Allen took place in Lake County. He was a farmer, and died only a year ago at West Butte, leaving an enviable record. Mrs. Ullrey lives with a son, Charles Franklin, near West Butte. The father had early brought his family into Sutter County, where most of his children were born and reared. Seven children made up the family, and Bertie Miles was the third in the order of birth. Charles Franklin and Clyde were older; and Anna, Theresa, May and Willis LeVerne were younger. Willis LeVerne resides at Colusa and is an employee of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
B. M. Ullrey remained at home with his parents until his marriage on November 5, 1905, when, at Pennington, Miss Anna Belle Adams became his wife. She was born in Missouri, the daughter of B. B. and Katherine (Coats) Adams, and she was one year old was brought to California by her parents. They settled at Tudor and became farmers; and there on the Coats ranch her father died on December 7, 1923, when sixty-four years old. Mrs. Ullrey attended school first at Noyesburg, and was afterwards a student at the Sutter Union High School. For a number of years Mr. Ullrey worked for Mr. Straub; and at the time he was married he was managing the general merchandise business at Sutter lately taken over by Mr. Mudgette, but then owned by Mr. Straub, of West Butte. Afterwards he embarked in the sheep business for himself, at Pennington, and continued in that field for three years, after which he returned to the general merchandise establishment at West Butte and ran it again for four years for Mr. Straub, while the latter was attending to other business at Coalinga. He next moved to Mr. Tarke’s place; and now he leases 150 acres of bottom land and grain land, having seventy acres of wheat and thirty acres in beans. In politics a Republican, Mr. Ullrey maintains a non-partisan attitude toward local issues. He is clerk of the board of trustees of the West Butte school district. Mr. and Mrs. Ullrey are the parents of four children: Lola, Leigh, Burwell and Walter.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 792-795
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