Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Fitz, Reuben 1835 - 1907
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 10, 2005, 11:03 am

Author: Tom Gregory

REUBEN FITZ

    The agricultural and horticultural possibilities of Yolo county were
demonstrated through the successful activities of the late Reuben Fitz,
protracted during a long period of years and indeed up to the time of his
demise. A close student of the soil, he learned by actual experience the crops
best suited to the climate and the land, and his work therefore contained much
of value for later generations. Particularly were his efforts far-reaching in
the domain of viticulture, for which he possessed a natural aptitude. When he
became identified with the landed interests of the county he acquired the title
of a ranch near Woodland and found on the property an old orchard not destitute
of possibilities for profits. The cherry trees alone seemed useless cumberers of
the earth and these he removed. A vineyard of fifteen acres was. started and
eventually his table and raisin grapes gained a wide reputation, while the
superior quality of the wine elicited praise from even the most critical judges.

    In tracing the history of the Fitz family we find that George and Lydia
(Richardson) Fitz removed about 1845 from York state to Michigan, took up land
in the newer regions of that state and remained there engaged in agricultural
pursuits until their death. Their son, Reuben, was born in Niagara county, N.
Y., July 30, 1835, and attended the schools of that locality as well as those
near the Michigan home of the family. At the age of about twenty-five years he
gave up farming interests at the old homestead and came via the Isthmus of
Panama to California, landing in San Francisco on the 1st of February, 1860.
Proceeding direct to Yolo county, he found work as a ranch hand by the day or
month. After two years as a farm laborer he was given a position in a large
livery and feed stable at Washington, Yolo county, and had the management of the
business for about two years. With the savings of that period of industry he
bought the equity in two hundred and sixty acres owned by David Cole and
situated about one and one-half miles from Woodland. Later he sold a quarter
section, leaving one hundred acres as the present boundaries of the estate.

    The raising of Jersey and Holstein cattle formed one of the specialties in
which Reuben Fitz gained a local reputation. Alfalfa was then and is now one of
the principal income-producers on the property. During 1873 the owner bought a
residence in Woodland and established his home there, but the farm lying close
to the city he was still able to devote close attention to its cultivation.
During 1865 he married Sarah, daughter of James and Barbara (Bridger) Hilton.
She was born near London, Canada, April 2, 1844, and in 1856 with other members
of the family came to California, joining her father, who had settled in this
state in 1853. For a long period Mr. Hilton held conspicuous position among the
successful farmers of Yolo county, but eventually he removed to Sacramento and
in that city he died at the age of seventy-three years, his wife surviving him
and passing away at the age of seventy-seven. The death of Reuben Fitz occurred
August 8, 1907, and his wife passed from earth October 10, 1906. Of their four
children Frank has been engaged in mining in Mexico, and Nina and George have
remained at the old homestead, while the youngest, Lurita, died at the age of
nineteen years. The father always supported Republican principles and his son,
George, favors the same party. The latter is associated fraternally as a member
of Woodland Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
Woodmen of the World. After having maintained active agricultural operations for
some time he retired in 1903 and the ranch was leased until recently, when he
again resumed its management, and now is actively engaged in general farming.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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