YUBA COUNTY Biographies
AUGUSTUS L. & HARRY P. WELDON
Commercial activity in Hammonton receives impetus from the well directed efforts of Augustus L. and Harry P. Weldon, who are deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of the community with which they have allied their interests and in all matters of good import their influence is on the side of progress, reform and improvement. Augustus Lawbach Weldon was born at Belvedere, Warren County, N. J., on December 2, 1880, of the marriage of Thomas Weldon and Emma Archer, the former a native of County Cork, Ireland, and the latter of Yonkers, N. Y. The Archer family is of Scotch origin and was established in this country in 1632. It is one of the oldest families in the United States and representatives of the name fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. The father was a successful dry goods merchant and passed away when seventy-six years of age, while the mother reached the age of sixty-eight. They were the parents of twelve children: John Archer, Anna, Thomas, Nellie, Emma, Richard, Charles, Harry P., Minnie, Augustus Lawbach, William and Lucy.
The grammar and high schools of Yonkers, N. Y., afforded Augustus L. Weldon his educational privileges. When twenty-two years of age he took up the carpenter’s trade and after completing his apprenticeship he came West, arriving in California in 1902. He first located in Los Angeles, where he remained for one and a half years, and after leaving that city he traveled all over the State, following his trade as a means of livelihood. In 1910 he reached Hammonton; and being particularly well pleased with the locality, he decided to remain. For two years after his arrival he worked as a carpenter, but in January, 1912, embarked in mercantile pursuits, in which he has since continued with ever increasing success, being now associated with his brother, Harry P. Weldon. They handle shoes and notions, as well as soft drinks and also operate a billiard hall. By honorable methods, close application and judicious management they have built up a good trade and their business is a prosperous and growing one.
At Chico, Cal., October 17, 1914, Mr. Weldon was married to Miss Judith Kate Power, a native of California and a daughter of Marvin and Augusta (Brown) Power. Her father was born in Michigan and became a pioneer of California. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have a son, Glenn Augustus. Mr. Weldon is a Mason, a member of the Smartsville Lodge, No. 433, F.&A.M., and is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Yonkers, N. Y. Politically he is a Republican.
Harry P. Weldon is a native of New Jersey, born May 9, 1876. For some time he was engaged in the furniture business in the East. In 1920 he came to California, joining his brother Augustus L., at Hammonton. They have since been associated in business and the firm name has become a synonym for integrity and reliability.
At Yonkers, N. Y., on June 21, 1901, Mr. Weldon married Miss Isabelle G. Reid, a native of that city and a daughter of Joseph and Jeannette Reid, who formerly resided in Paisley, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have become the parents of three children: Harry P., Jr., Jessie May, and Isabelle Adelia. Mr. Weldon is a Republican in his political views and an active worker in the ranks of the party. For twelve years he was a member of the Westchester County (N. Y.) Republican Central Committee, and in 1923 he was chosen a member of the central committee of Yuba County. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Yonkers and now belongs to the Marysville, Cal., lodge of that organization. He is always loyal to any cause which he espouses and faithfully to every duty and stands high in the regard of his fellow men.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1182-1183
OLIVER PERRY ADKINS
An enterprising, progressive rancher, who certainly has something to show for his varied investment of time, labor and capital, and something that has both practical and scientific value, is Oliver Perry Adkins, a native son, proud of his association with the Golden State. He was born in the Cabbage Patch district on October 16, 1866, the son of Oliver and Frances Mariah (Willis) Adkins, the father a pioneer who came out to California from Missouri in 1852. The father and mother were both natives of Kentucky, and they had first migrated to the Iron State, marrying there, and then crossing the plains and mountains with ox-teams and prairie schooner. They first settled at Hangtown, where Mr. Adkins tried his luck at mining; but hey soon came on to McCourtney Crossing, on the Bear River, and mined there, and still later they tried for the dust at Albion Flat. In later years, Mr. Adkins busied himself with farm-work.
Ten children were born to this worthy couple. America is the widow of D. T. Hite; Louisa is deceased; John Thomas is in Oregon; William and Owen are deceased; Mary J. is in Placer County; Robert C. is at Chico; Oliver Perry is the subject of our instructive story; Benjamin is with Oliver; and Frances M. is Mrs. Murch of Lincoln.
Oliver went to the Yuba district school, before his father moved to a ranch six miles south of Smartsville, in the Lone Tree school district, one mile south of Lone Tree. The father passed his days on this farm of 214 acres, and died when past sixty years, survived by his devoted widow, who attained her eighty-ninth birthday on September 14, 1918, and died on March 1, 1919. Oliver worked at odd jobs, but mostly at some kind of ranch or mining work, and thus prepared himself for his present responsibility; for he and his brother Benjamin own the old home place, and operate it together, but each according to his particular bent. Oliver runs sheep and a few cattle, and raises bronze turkeys. Benjamin Adkins married Miss Clara Nevels, a native of Placer County, and an accomplished, popular lady. In politics, O. P. Adkins is a Democrat, while Benjamin is a Republican.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1186
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