Sutter County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 5 The Era Of Agriculture 1924
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Book Title: History Of Yuba And Sutter Counties

CHAPTER V 
THE ERA OF AGRICULTURE 

Seemingly destined at the present writing to become one great orchard and
vineyard, Sutter County was at one time, not so long ago, purely an agricultural
section, with horticulture and viticulture only in embryonic stage. Its present
development as a fruit and grape district is almost unbelievable, so rapid is
the stride. The story of the early tilling of the soil, when told, covers all
the earlier activities in that line in Yuba and Sutter Counties. 

    The first crops raised in this locality were a small field of wheat put in
by Cordua in 1845, between Marysville and Yuba City, and one by Sicard on his
ranch on the south bank of Bear River. Gutierrez, Johnson, Kyser and Smith were
simply herding cattle on the plains, as was also Roether. This was the state of
agriculture in 1846. Sicard had a field of wheat of about fifteen acres, which
yielded about sixty bushels to the acre on the average. Grain was raised by
Nicolaus Allgeier near Nicolaus, but none was raised this year at Hock Farm. 

Primitive Methods of Farming 

    The method of cultivation at that time was exceedingly primitive. No
agricultural implements having been brought by the foreign emigrants or by the
American settlers, they were obliged to use the kind of tools and resort to the
same practices that obtained among the native Californians. The enterprising
farmer who desired to raise a field of wheat had first to manufacture a plow. He
went into the forest and examined the trees carefully; and when one was found
that had the proper-shaped limbs, it was cut down, its branches hewn off, and
the remaining limbs trimmed to the proper length and size. A triangular piece of
iron about eight inches broad at the base was then fastened to the lower branch,
with the apex of the triangle downward. The other branch was used as a pole for
the animal, and the main stem served as a handle. To this were hitched two oxen,
attached to the plow by ropes fastened around their horns, no yoke being used.
An Indian boy walked ahead of the oxen, which were trained to follow him; and a
man came behind to guide the plow. The furrow cut was eight inches wide and
quite shallow; the dirt was not turned over, but fell back into its old place
when the plow passed, being merely loosened by the operation. After the field
had been prepared in this manner, the grain was scattered by hand and a brush
was drawn over the field to harrow it and cover the seed. 

    When the grain was ripe, then the services of the Indians were called into
requisition to assist in the harvest. They were provided with sickles and
butcher-knives, with which they cut the yellow stalks. A large force of these
assistants was employed. In 1847 Captain Sutter had over 250 in his large field
near Sacramento, diligently employing the sickle and butcher-knife. 

    The grain was then bound and carried to the place where the threshing was
done. It was there laid in a ring, and horses and cattle were driven over it to
shell the wheat from the head. The straw was next removed; and then the grain
was thrown up into the air, that the wind might carry away the chaff and leave
the grain free. Home-made wooden forks and shovels were used for handling the
straw and grain. 

    The grain, besides the little needed for home consumption, was sold to John
A. Sutter, who had a contract to supply the Russian colony in Alaska. To convey
this supply, the Russians sent a vessel from Sitka to Sacramento, where it
received Sutter's large crop. Launches were sent up the river as far as
Nicolaus, to which point the grain raised in this vicinity was carried for
shipping. Sutter supplied the Russians with wheat for several years. 

Introduction of Modern Methods 

    The primitive methods at first employed were gradually superseded by the
implements brought by the American pioneers, who came here to settle and so came
prepared. The first innovation made was some American plows, brought in 1846 by
Claude Chana and others in his party. The last thing to change was the manner of
threshing, the first machine for that purpose making its appearance in the early
fifties, as related in a subsequent paragraph. 

    In 1847, Rouelle, who settled near Sutter's orchard, opposite Marysville on
the south bank of the Yuba River, raised some vegetables — among other things
some huge watermelons. Most of the settlers raised crops of wheat this year. The
plowing for the crops of 1847 was done chiefly with American plows that the
emigrants of 1846 had brought. These emigrants had also brought grain cradles,
and a large portion of the wheat was cut with these. Sutter had several white
men reaping with cradles in his large field at the same time that the 250
Indians were at work with sickles and butcher-knives. Johnson and Sicard used
sickles. As for several years previously, the Russians came for the wheat this
year also, but it was the last they could get. 

    We have referred to the introduction of the plow and cradle. The first
threshing machine used was one of home manufacture, and was employed to thresh
grain raised by Allgeier and Higgins, in the Nicolaus section, in 1851. The
maker was Major Frothingham, a mechanic, who was living with Higgins.
Frothingham worked for a long time on a perpetual-motion machine that was to be
run by weights, but quite naturally met with no success. Mowers and reapers were
introduced in 1854, and headers in 1856. Threshers, reapers and mowers were soon
used by all the farmers, giving employment in season to many men who made their
headquarters in Marysville and Yuba City. Not a few of these men later became
owners of tracts in either Yuba or Sutter County. The results of their
investments are now apparent, being enjoyed by either themselves or their children.


    Floyd, Ingraham, and McMurtry made an iron harrow in 1852, from about fifty
picks abandoned at French Crossing by a party of Frenchmen. It was probably the
first implement of the kind in this part of the country. 

Other Crops and Further Development 

    During the winter of 1847-1848, Nye put in his first crop. He raised peas,
barley, wheat, watermelons, muskmelons, corn and lentils. The barley was
prepared and used for coffee. The wheat was ground into flour by means of small
handmills. Most of the settlers had put in crops of grain in 1848; but crops,
stock, orchards, etc., were all abandoned, and every one went to the 
mines. Sicard was the only man in this locality near Bear River who harvested
his wheat. 

    In 1849 more attention was given to agriculture, Charles Covillaud
harvesting 160 acres east of Marysville; while Ramirez, on the Quintay, put in
100 acres, and Sampson about the same. In 1850 Claude Chana experimented with a
small crop of Russian barley. 

    After the rush and excitement of 1849 and 1850, caused by the gold
discovery, agriculture took a new start. In the latter year a few people had
settled on the bottom lands, with the intention of making this their future
home. At that time, a fine growth of oak and sycamore timber skirted the river
banks, and in some places extended back upon the plains. The first industry
engaged in was the cutting of wood, great quantities of which were used by the
steamers and by the residents of the city. Another was the cutting of hay, which
grew wild on the bottom land in great luxuriance. Hay was in great demand in the
mines and cities; and the immense number of pack and stage animals required to
transact business, and transport goods and passengers, made the price of hay
reach a high figure. Little had been cut or used in 1849; but the following year
a great many people located hay claims on which they remained long enough to
gather the abundant crop, and then abandoned them until the next season. These,
with a few settlers who made permanent locations, cut thousands of tons, the
demand being even then too great to be fully supplied. The wild grass was a
species of timothy and clover that grew without any cutivation, and made a most
excellent quality of hay. Hundreds of cords of wood were cut and piled on the
river banks for future use, the dry, dead timber being used while the other was
seasoning. Even as late as 1858, the cutting of wood and wild hay was the
leading industry among the ranchers along the river. 

    The first broom corn was raised in Sutter County in 1855 by one Mr. Ryan on
his farm north of Yuba City, now Lomo. The next year several others planted it,
and in a few years it had become one of the leading crops on the bottom lands of
the county. 

    At one time particular attention was paid to sugar cane and castor beans;
but these were soon abandoned for products that made better returns. 

    The earliest orchards in Sutter County, so far as is known, were those
planted by Claude Chana and General Sutter at Hock Farm. In 1880 the orchard of
John Briggs near Yuba City was well advanced and was considered one of the
largest orchards in the State. Briggs' Early May peaches gained a State-wide
reputation for lusciousness. At the same time Yuba County had several orchards
bearing peaches in the bottom lands east of Marysville. These were owned by
Michael McAdams, Grass Brothers, Tremblay Brothers and others, all of whom
engaged in grape-growing and wine-making later. Further mention of the early
orchards of Sutter County is made in the chapter on Horticulture and Viticulture. 

Importation and Exportation of Wheat 

    Until the fact was demonstrated that wheat could be raised in sufficient
quantities and of satisfactory quality, flour was brought from Chile, Australia,
and the celebrated Gallego and Haxhall mills of Virginia. Even after mills were
built, wheat was imported, both because a sufficient quantity was not raised at
home, and because that raised was not believed to be of good quality. By about
1856, however, enough wheat was produced to supply the demand, and the mills
ceased to import wheat, and the merchants, flour. 

    Having accomplished this, the farmers and grain dealers could see nothing
further ahead, and agricultural progress was for a time at a standstill. The
idea of exporting did not enter their minds, for they thought the attempt would
be futile. The wheat, they reasoned, would not stand the journey East or to
Liverpool, twice through the tropics and around Cape/ Horn. The extremes of heat
and cold would cause "sweating" and destruction. Consequently no attempt was
made to export until about 1861, when astute dealers sent a cargo to Liverpool,
taking the chances of losing, but determined to try the experiment. The cargo
arrived safely and in excellent condition; a second was sent, and that also
arrived in the best of order. This established the fact that wheat could be
shipped from California; and as a result an immediate impetus was given to
grain-exportation, and also to its production. 

The Farmers' Cooperative Union of Sutter County 

    As early as 1869, the farmers throughout the State began to complain of the
hardships wrought by the rings and speculators who dealt in agricultural
products. Combinations of speculators had been formed that kept down the price
of grain at home, so that the farmer, notwithstanding a good market abroad,
could obtain but little for his produce. Combinations also kept transportation
rates at a high figure, and rings kept the price of bags far above their
legitimate value. After a few years of complaining, the farmers set themselves
to work to rectify their grievances. In 1872 a great many "Farmers' Clubs" were
formed, where the farmers met together to discuss the situation and ascertain
what was best to be done. One of these clubs was formed in Yuba City. After much
futile discussion, the members began to realize the need of some legal
organization, and a committee was appointed to investigate the matter. The club
decided to incorporate, and did so on March 29, 1873. The name given the
organization was "The Farmers' Cooperative Union of Sutter County." The capital
stock was fixed at $50,000, divided into 1000 shares of $50 each. The life of
the concern was placed at fifty years, and Yuba City was made the principal
place of business. The first board of directors comprised the following: S. E.
Wilson, president; B. F, Walton, secretary; George Ohleyer, treasurer; A. L.
Chandler, Francis Hamlin, George E. Brittan, and Henry Elmer. In 1873 the union
purchased 128,000 grain bags at wholesale rates, on credit, and sold them to
stockholders at cost price; and thus the farmers began at once to derive an
actual benefit from the 
union. In 1874 a large brick warehouse was built in Yuba City. It had a storage
capacity of 5000 tons, the building at the start being 80 by 200 feet, with a
shed its whole length 27 feet wide. The building was not completed until
September, and but 2200 tons were stored that year, only enough to pay expenses.
I,n 1875 there were 5300 tons stored, and in 1876, 5100 tons. In 1877 there was
a bumper crop of grain, and the warehouse was full by the 4th of July. Evidently
more storage room was required. The directors had previously purchased four
acres of land on an Indian mound on the river bank for $6000; and they now
proceeded to erect a frame warehouse, 60 by 108 feet, with a shed 21 by 108
feet; capacity, 2500 tons. Grain was received there on August 1, and the
building was soon full. 

    On March 31, 1879, a cash dividend of $10 per share was declared. The report
of the directors showed a plant worth $30,000 belonging to the union. George
Ohleyer was the business manager in the years when he and his associates reaped
the benefits. In 1874 there was a change in the directorship, George W.
Carpenter taking the place of George E. Brittan, who resigned. George Ohleyer
became secretary in 1876, and George W. Carpenter, treasurer. B. F. Walton was
elected treasurer in 1878. By the quantity of its freight, the union materially
assisted in maintaining the line of steamers owned by the Marysville Steamboat
Company, and thus indirectly was a benefit to all classes of shippers, by
keeping the rates of transportation low. 

    When the river channel became clogged with debris and prevented the river
steamers from reaching the two warehouses built on the bank of the stream, the
organization erected on the line of the railroad near the Yuba City Flour Mill a
large corrugated-iron warehouse, which at once was in demand. This building was
sold about 1912 to the Northern Electric Railroad Company, now the Sacramento
Northern Railroad Company. It is now owned by the Prune and Apricot Growers'
Association. 

Farmers' Union Bank 

    The Farmers' Union Bank, now the First National Bank of Yuba City and
Savings Bank of Sutter County, was the financial branch of the Farmers'
Cooperative Union during all the years it was in existence. Charles R. Boyd, now
president of this bank, was first connected with the association as a weigher in
the warehouses. He has now been with the concern for over forty-two years. In
1908 he succeeded the late George W. Carpenter as its head. The bank now
occupies its own building on Bridge Street. It was formerly located in the
quarters now occupied by the Van Arsdale Mercantile Company, next door. 

Producers' Bank of Yuba City 

    In March, 1924, there was organized by interests in Yuba and Sutter Counties
closely allied with the Bank of Italy the Producers' Bank of Yuba City. The
first meeting of stockholders was held Saturday, March 15, for the purpose of
electing officers and discussing business matters. Alvin Weis, Marysville
attorney, was chosen president. Other officers elected were: Trusten P. Coats,
Jr., secretary and cashier; Dunning Rideout, Marysville manager of the Bank of
Italy, first vice-president; and C. B. Harter, second vice-president. A week
later an offer by Schneider Brothers of Marysville of a free site was accepted
by the directors; and decision was made next day to erect a building, at a cost
of at least $10,000, on the east side of Plumas Street, near the intersection of
Scott Street, in Yuba City. 

    The following were the stockholders of the new bank at its establishment: A.
W. Graves, F. W. Cooper, Alvin Weis, C. B. Harter, Albert Andross, Kenyon T.
Gregg, George F. Otis, Dunning Rideout, George Walton, Gerald F. Raub, N. J.
Weber, Jr., Howard H. Harter, A. W. Gluckman, H. H. Wolfskill, Charles Beaver,
Glen Onstott, E. E. Bryan, C. J. Harter, Orlin C. Harter, L. J. Harter, Harry E.
Meyers, P. A. Reische, Josephine Steiner, J. H. Backus, V. H. Triplett, Frank
Brandstatt, C. H. Stohlman, Samuel H. Hogeboom, Wallace Williams, Rollin
Williams, Cyrus Graffis, R. G. Smith, Fred H. Heiken, Carayl Kenyon, Eva K.
Gregg, Thomas Brady, Howard F. Brady, E. H. Meyer, John Pohle, L. C. Stohlman,
Lillie Stohlman, Clara Stohlman, S. E. Reische, John Joaquin, Hazel Hoke, Thomas
T. Joaquin, Dalton Z. Look, C. E. Sullivan, Frank R. Close, E. W. Hixson, J. R.
Howlett, William H. Street, George N. Schneider, Seymour N. Schneider,
Stockholders' Auxiliary Corporation. 

Nicolaus Farmers' Grain Warehouse 

    In the southern part of the county farmers also united to protect their
interests. The Nicolaus Farmers' Grain Warehouse was formed in 1873, with a
paid-up capital of $4900, in shares of $100. A frame warehouse with a capacity
of 2500 tons was built the same year. It was erected on the river bank at
Nicolaus in the shape of a trapezoid. The shipment of grain the first year was
4000 tons. The officers, from its organization, were: A. L. Chandler, president;
J. D. Barbee, secretary; and John Peters, treasurer. 

Early-Day Growers of Grain 

    Among those who pioneered in the days when grain was the chief product of
Sutter County's vast acreage, and whose descendants are now reaping the benefits
of the splendid commonwealth they created in this wonderful section, are: W. W.
Ashford, A. F. Abbott, Richard Barnett, Thomas Brophy, W. Y. Blevin, I. N.
Brock, Stephen Bokman, W. H. Boulware, Cyrus Briggs, Henry Best, M. C. Barney,
J. S. Boyd, Thomas Boyd, Robert Boyd, Francis Berk, J. H. Brockman, C. P. Berry,
R. C. Berry, John Burns, George E. Brittan, Boyd & Wilcoxon, M. T. Buchanan, Z.
Best, M. Boulware, Henry Berg and brothers, Boyd & Cockerill, P. L. Bunce, C. G.
Bockius, J. W. Carpenter, S. R. Chandler, Thomas Christopherson, Y. S. Clyma,
Otis Clark, Patrick Corcoran, J. M. Cope, Frank Clyma, W. A. Coats, John
Carroll, J. C. Donohoe, Fred Dahling, Eli Davis, J. F. C. DeWitt, William G.
DeWitt, M. C. Ellis, J. H. Erich, S. R. Fortna, D. C. Fortna, John Fortna, E. P.
Farmer, B. F. Frisbie, Charles A. Glidden, Maragaret Giblin, J. Guidery, Timothy
Guidery, George W. Gray, B. C. Gray, Joseph Girdner, Moore Getty, Evan Griffith,
Konrad Gottwals, John Gelzhauser, Jesse O. Goodwin, John Haugh, Daniel Hogan,
Barney Hippert, G. Heidoting, B. F. Henderson, E. J. Howard, C. D. Herrick,
Francis Hamlin, F. Hoke, T. B. Hull, Suel Harris, Henry Johnson, Robert Keck,
Michael Kerns, T. D. Kirk, Barney Krehe, Peter Kerrigan, Henry Krehe, Caspar
Euckehe, A. H. Lamme, Fred Lauber, W. P. Lipp, William McMurtry, Charles Myers,
Adam Michel, T. S. Metteer, C. H. Metteer, William Manaugh, James Murray, Mrs.
E. E. Moore, A. C. and G. A. Morehead, N. D. Monger, J. Monger, William Moore,
Marcuse Brothers, R. McRae, J. T. McMurtry, John McNamara, Peter McAuslan, T. F.
McVey, Phil McCune, R. W. McLaughlin, John McAlpine, W. H. McPherrin, David
McAuslan, Samuel McClure, Martha McPhetridge, J. C. Newkom, A. S. Noyes, Matthew
Nail, Frank Nau, P. M. Neisen, Eric Nelson, Peter Nelson, J. Y. Newman, D. A.
Ostrom, D. O'Banion, William O'Banion. George Ohleyer, Joseph O'Connor, Michael
O'Connor, J. A. Onstott, J. P. Onstott Dennis O'Neil, Patrick O'Connor, Eli
Porter, J. C. Porter, William Peters, Phil Prather, David Powell. Richard
Powell, A. J. Percy, G. A. Putnam, E. Proper, Peter Peters, Claus Peters, Sumner
Paine, Packard & Woodruff, William Powell. J. A, Peters, Parks & Brother, W. H.
Perdue, Parks & Wilcoxon, J. Rackerby, William Rackerby, I. N. Ramsdell, Hanora
Ryan, Elizabeth Ramey, G. F. Starr, H. Stohlman, J. & M. Schwall, C. Stolp, H.
Sankey, Toseph Schwall, F. Sankey, Paul Schillig, James Striplin, B. R.
Spillman, W. T. Spillman, W. E. Striplin, F. M. Striplin, J. W. Snowball, Mrs.
Annie Stewart, Mrs. C. E. Sanborn, William Sanders, S. J. Stabler, G. M. Saye,
Jackson Simpson, H. H. Scheussler, Adam Scheussler, Fred Sulzberger, fohn
Spangler, John Soderlund, G. R. Summy, John Schlag, B. F. Stoker, R. W. Tharp,
William Trevathan, Fred Tarke, E. F. Thornbrough, Eli Teegarden, John Ury, P. V.
Veeder, Fred Vahle. A. Van Arsdale, M. P. L. Vivian, Jacob Vahle, J. L. Wilbur,
John Wilkie, A. H. Wilbur, Jacob Weis, Mary Weber, B. F. Walton, George Walton,
W. J. Walton, R. H. Walton, H. A. Walton, I. A. Winship, Walter Woodworth, L. K.
Wilson, E. Wilder, Conrad Weigers, Valentine Witt, J. A. Wilkinson, J. L.
Whitlock, J. Whyler, William Whyler, Edward Whyler, O. A. Wilbur, David Wilkie,
William Wadsworth, M. C. Woods, J. B. Wadsworth, S. E. Wilson, C. E. Wilcoxon,
J. W. Woods, W. W. Wilbur, Justus A. Wilkinson, Jack Wilcoxon, Steve Weigers,
Bethel Way, Conrad Walthers. W. J. Yates, Solomon Zeigler, John Zimmerman, and
George Zins. 

Rice a New Crop in Sutter County 

    No other single crop and related industry have ever developed so rapidly,
and attained to such tremendous proportions in only a few years, as have the
rice crop and rice industry in California. It was early found that certain
lands, known as "goose lands," and lying in different portions of Sutter County,
were adapted to rice. One of the first crops of rice raised yielded to the
combined owners over $1,000,000. In that year rice brought from six and one-half
to eight cents per pound. 

Beans and the Full Dinner Pail 

    As many as 30,000 acres of Sutter County land have been planted to beans in
a single year. This means row upon row, and land following land, almost as far
as the eye can reach. Small white, large white, pink and bayo are the four
varieties most generally grown, although the black-eye is in some localities
grown to a considerable extent. 


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF YUBA and SUTTER COUNTIES 
CALIFORNIA 
WITH 
Biographical Sketches OF 
The Leading Men and Women of the Counties Who Have Been Identified with Their
Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present 

HISTORY BY 
PETER J. DELAY 

ILLUSTRATED 
COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME 

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1924



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