Tehama-Trinity-San Diego County CA Archives Biographies.....Bierce, Roderick Henry 1833 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 17, 2007, 11:03 pm

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

RODERICK HENRY BIERCE is one of the pioneers of Red Bluff and one who has had
much to do with the building of the town, and its history.

  Mr. Bierce was born in Prattsville, Green County, New York, September 2, 1833.
His father, Alexander N. Bierce, was a native of Massachusetts, but was a
resident of New York for a long time. Grandfather Alexander A Bierce was born in
France and came to America early in the history of the country. Our subject's
father was in politics a Whig and in religion a Methodist. He married Deborah
Allcot Morrison, a native of Yonkers, New York. To them were born eight
children, Roderick H. being the sixth and one of the four who are now living. He
received his early education in New York, and in 1848, when he was fourteen
years old, the family removed to Illinois and settled in the village of Dixon.
At that place he finished his education and learned the carpenter and millwright
trade and there worked for seven or eight years.

  In 1859 Mr. Bierce crossed the plains to California and engaged in mining at
Weaverville, Trinity County, meeting with good success. After that he came to
Red Bluff. The next year, however, he returned to the mines and built a flume,
but the claim proved a failure and he met with a serious loss. He then came back
to Red Bluff and commenced work at his trade. His first work was to assist in
building the Antelope flouring-mill, six miles east of Red Bluff. In 1863 he
formed a copartnership, Bierce & Powell, contractors and builders. In connection
with their other business they built a planing-mill and manufactured sash and
doors, and also added a lumber yard. They built the Red Bluff Hotel, and it
burned down before it was completed. A stock company was formed and they rebuilt
on the same site. The hotel finally became the property of the builders. Great
depression came upon the city and they sold it at a heavy loss, only receiving
$2,500 for it. The hotel was afterward sold for $21,500. This firm dissolved and
Mr. Bierce carried on the lumber business alone. On the completion of the Blue
Ridge flume by Frank Campbell and Welton, Mr. Bierce was selected manager of
their lumber yard and planing-mill. This was in 1874. They afterward sold to the
Sierra Flume & Lumber Company, and Mr. Bierce was retained in his position. The
company was reorganized and became the Sierra Lumber Company, and he continued
with them until 1886. In that year he went to San Diego and took charge of the
lumber yard and was manager for the Coronado Beach Lumber Company. After being
there nearly a year he went to San Quentin, Lower California, and assumed charge
of the lumber yard and store of the International Company of Mexico. October 20,
1888, Mr. Bierce returned to Red Bluff and has since been engaged in contracting
and building. He has this year (1890) completed the erection of the Red Bluff
flouring-mill, a large and valuable one.

  Mr. Bierce was married in 1869, to Mrs. Margaretta Mitchell, widow of Mr.
Reuben J. Mitchell. By her first husband she had a son, R. J. Mitchell, and by
Mr. Bierce she has had four children, three sons and a daughter, all born in Red
Bluff, viz.: Roderick N., who is now in the Signal Service office at San
Francisco; Ralph S.; Rollin H. and Edith M. Mr. Bierce is a life-long
Republican; has voted for General J. C. Fremont and every Republican candidate
for the presidency since. When he came to Red Bluff there were only thirteen
Republicans in Tehama County, and during the dark days of the Rebellion there
were many disloyal people in California. A Confederate flag was carried in
triumph through the streets of Red Bluff. The patriotic blood boiled in the
veins of Mr. Bierce and his partner, Mr. Powell, and they attacked the
disunionist. Several shots were fired, and they arrested him and sent him to
Sacramento a prisoner. The flag displayed on that occasion is now in the
possession of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Red Bluff. Mr. Bierce,
after that occurrence, was one of the leading spirits to organize a company of
Home Guards, and stood ready to fight or die for his country. The organization
of the company had a salutary effect in preserving peace and making the lives of
the people secure.

  For six years Mr. Bierce was a School Trustee, and has ever taken an active
interest in educational matters. He was one of the charter members of the
Ancient Order of the United Workman, of Red Bluff, and has been a Master Workman
for several terms. He is a prominent member of the Mason fraternity, was master
of the blue lodge two years, and has filled nearly every other office in the
lodge. He is also a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Bierce was elected a member of the
Board of Supervisors of the city, and was Chairman of the Board for two years.
He was Chief of the Fire Department for six years; and on his retiring from that
department, the members showed their appreciation of his services by presenting
him with a splendid gold watch. It was a pleasant surprise to Mr. Bierce and he
treasures the token highly.

  To the biographer it is a pleasant task to record the history of one who, by
his generous deeds and manly conduct, has endeared himself to his fellow
citizens, and has led that upright and honorable life of which his posterity
justly feels proud.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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