YUBA COUNTY Biographies
JOHN WILLIAM WALKER
A wide-awake and progressive business man who has made each movement with which he has become associated a synonym for enterprise, is John William Walker, sole owner of the Walker Supply Company, and general manager of the Star Ice Cream & Butter Company, at Marysville. He was born in Spenceville, Nevada County, Cal., on November 26, 1879, the grandson of William Walker, a sturdy pioneer who teamed across the great plains with oxen in 1850, returned East, and later brought out his family; and the son of Willis O. Walker, who came by rail to California in 1876, bringing with him his wife, who was Miss Elizabeth McDole before her marriage, and whom he had married in Iowa. He took up stock-raising for a while, and later became engineer for the San Francisco Copper Company, and eventually chief engineer for that concern for twenty-four years. He came to reside in Marysville in 1907. The wife and mother passed away in 1921.
John W. Walker attended the grammar schools of Nevada County, and later pursued the high-school courses in Nevada City. He received a certificate to teach school, but chose rather to take up railroad work, entering first at the roundhouse or shop of the Northern Pacific at Ellensburg, Wash. Later he became an engineer and ran locomotives for that company, and then for the Southern Pacific Railway Company out of Rocklin, continuing in the work until 1907. He left the Northern Pacific in 1903, and for three years on the Southern Pacific lines, and for one year on the Virginia City and Truckee Railroad, under control of the Southern Pacific. It was then that he came to Marysville, as undersheriff of Yuba County, and served under Captain Voss for fourteen months, until the death of Captain Voss, after which he resigned. He next organized the Marysville Sand & Gravel Company, and for four years furnished the materials for the State highways. Selling out his interests, he engaged in wholesale butchering and live-stock brokerage, and with a partner formed the Walker Supply Company. After eight months he bought out his partner, so that he is now the sole director of that busy corporation. On January 27, 1823, he was appointed general manager of the Star Ice Cream & Butter Company, whose business has been materially increased under his management.
In Nevada County, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Bessie Eckman, of Des Moines, Iowa, and they have one daughter, Lola O. Walker. Mr. Walker is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is fond of fishing and hunting, especially for big game.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 1054
WILLIAM LEONARD HENSON
Among the active and practical vineyardists of the Tierra Buena section of Sutter County is William Leonard Henson, who has met with unquestioned success in this line. His home place embraces ten acres of highly developed orchard and vineyard; a five-acre place near Tierra Buena is also in orchard and vineyard; and he is also the joint owner of twenty-nine acres of Thompson Seedless grapes and walnut trees, now thirteen years old, located a mile west of his home place. His birth occurred in Polk County, Mo., December 17, 1880; and he is the second of twelve children, seven of whom are living, Mr. Henson being the only one living on the Pacific Coast. His parents were John Wesley and Parthena (Russell) Henson, natives of Missouri, who followed farming and reared their family in Polk County. The father passed on; but the mother is still living, the center of a large circle of devoted friends.
William Leonard Henson received his education in the public schools, and from a youth aided his parents on the farm, thus early acquiring those habits of industry and thrift which are the foundation of a successful career.
In the old home neighborhood, on October 22, 1905, Mr. Henson was united in marriage with Miss Etta Gallivan, also a native of Poke County, the fourth of a family of six children born to Daniel and Margaret (Hayden) Gallivan, who were also born there and followed farming for a livelihood. Almost immediately after their marriage, the young couple came to California, locating in Sutter County and purchasing a ranch in the Lincoln school district. Here they built a residence and engaged in farming. During this period he also spent some time as a wood worker in the Ashley Ladder Factory. Selling his ranch, in 1911, Mr. Henson purchased his present ten acres, which he immediately set to orchard, and later on purchased his other orchards enumerated above. Mr. and Mrs. Henson have been blessed with three children: Mildred, Velma, and Lloyd. Mr. Henson is an enterprising and energetic man, and his efforts have won for him a well-deserved success. In this he has been aided by his wife, who has encouraged and assisted him to gain his ambition. Mrs. Henson is active in civic and social circles and is a member of the Tierra Buena Woman’s Improvement Club. Since 1912 Mr. Henson has been a member of the Woodmen of the World at Yuba City. He is a member of the Tierra Buena Center of the Farm Bureau of Sutter County, and for the past three years has been a member of the Associated Raisin Growers’ Association of California.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 1058
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