Yolo-Amador County CA Archives Biographies.....Hershey, David N. 1818 - 1903
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com December 8, 2005, 12:27 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

HON. DAVID N. HERSHEY

    During the half century with which he was identified with the history of
Yolo county Mr. Hershey held an influential position as a farmer, cattle-raiser,
land-owner, banker and public official, his versatile talents enabling him to
successfully carry forward interests of a widely different nature. By virtue of
his recognized ability he was called from the quiet life of the agriculturist
into the busy career of a man of public affairs; and, as he had been progressive
and prosperous in the one calling, so he proved himself equal to every
responsibility awaiting him in the field of finance, in the management of large
properties and in the service of the people.

    The genealogy of the Hershey family is traced to the ancestral home on the
banks of the Rhine in Germany. The first of the name in America was a preacher
in the United Brethren Church and after crossing the ocean assisted in
establishing that denomination in Pennsylvania. David Hershey, Sr., who was the
son of this pioneer minister, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., one mile from
Harrisburg, and in early manhood married Chistiana Rohrer, who was born, of
German ancestry, on a farm through which ran the state line of Pennsylvania and
Maryland. After their marriage they settled in Maryland and their son, David N.,
was born April 13, 1818, during their residence in Washington county, four miles
from Hagerstown. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Montgomery
county, eighteen miles west of Rockville, near the line of the District of
Columbia, and there he attended school and grew to manhood. In company with a
brother-in-law he removed to Missouri in 1841, settling in Howard county. A year
later he rented land and began to raise tobacco, which was a new industry in
that region. After curing his first crop he sold seven hogsheads of the dried
leaves to Dr. Oder, who found a ready market for the product in Europe.
Encouraged by this success, in 1844 the doctor bought an interest in the
business and they raised tobacco on an extensive scale, making large shipments
to Europe. After a series of successful shipments, reverses came to them, and
the doctor discontinued his interests, leaving Mr. Hershey alone. Forced to find
a new market, the latter embarked in the manufacture of cigars, some of which he
sold to traders, and the balance in the then small town of St. Louis.

    Having decided to seek a new location, Mr. Hershey made a long prospecting
tour through Texas with a view to locating, but not finding a satisfactory
opening, in 1850 he returned to Maryland and the next year went back to
Missouri. For some time he worked with Colonel Flournoy in Linn county. In May
of 1853, in company with William S. Flournoy, he left Missouri with a drove of
one hundred head of cattle and proceeded across the plains and via the Carson
route to California. More than once during the trip they were threatened by
hostile Indians, but fortunately escaped a direct attack. In October they
arrived in Amador county and from there came to Yolo county. Soon afterward they
bought land that is still owned by the family. As his interests enlarged Mr.
Hershey became president and a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of
Woodland, the Bank of Yolo County and the Grangers Bank of San Francisco; also
owned an interest in the original Seventy-six canal in Fresno and Tulare
counties, together with a similar interest in nineteen thousand acres of land
adjoining the canal, all of which was subsequently sold to the Alta Irrigation
Company.

    Had Mr. Hershey been willing to hold public office, doubtless he would have
been a constant incumbent of some responsible post, but his tastes did not
incline him toward such a career. However, in 1879, he consented to serve as
representative of his district in the legislature and again in 1883 he was
elected to the assembly. During both of his terms he gave his support to
measures for the benefit of his constituents and proved himself a man of
progressive spirit. Before leaving Missouri, in 1852 he became a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and later his membership was transferred to the
lodge at Woodland.

    January 2, 1873, Mr. Hershey married Ella L. Flournoy, the daughter of W. S.
Flournoy. To them were born the following children: Cornelia, Davidella, May,
Grace H., David N. and Florence, all of whom are enjoying advantages of the
schools of the present time. From the time of his settlement in Yolo county in
1853 until his death, which occurred February 5, 1903, Mr. Hershey was a witness
of the remarkable growth and development made in this section of the state. Nor
was any citizen more interested than he in the promotion of measures tending to
render this county in every respect a desirable place for settlement. Education,
religion, commercial enterprises and agricultural industries, all those factors
connected with the true and permanent development of a place found in him a
stanch supporter and generous contributor, and no history of Yolo county could
be written without giving due praise to the citizenship of David N. Hershey.


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]

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/hershey113bs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/

File size: 6.1 Kb