Yolo-El Dorado-San Joaquin County CA Archives Biographies.....Reynolds, William James 1839 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 13, 2005, 9:52 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

WILLIAM JAMES REYNOLDS

   Among the leading citizens of Winters, no one enjoys wider esteem than does
Mr. Reynolds, who, for the past eleven years has resided in that community, to
the general progress of which he has contributed most generously. He was born
November 17, 1839, near Platteville, Grant county, Wis., the son of Eldridge and
Adaline (Perkins) Reynolds, natives of Kentucky. At the age of seven years he
moved with his parents to Dubuque county, Iowa, crossing the Mississippi on a
ferry boat propelled by tread horse power. During the succeeding seven years the
father conducted a farm, his son assisting him out of school hours. In 1853 the
family started for California with a wagon and four yoke of oxen, crossing the
Missouri at Council Bluffs. All went well with them until they reached the
Humboldt, where they lost most of their cattle by alkali water. Only one yoke
was spared to them and they were compelled to leave their wagons on the summit
of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Mr. Reynolds was able to proceed by doubling
yokes with his brother-in-law, and they arrived at their destination after a
journey of six months. Upon reaching Hangtown they established a modest home,
remaining there for two and a half years, during which time Mr. Reynolds mined
with considerable success. However, his gains of about $20,000 were rapidly
expended in mining enterprises. The last shaft sunk showed better results than
former ones, the dirt removed from the structure containing large quantitites of
gold, $10 being secured in a few hours' work. Just before the arrival of the
family in Hangtown the large oak tree some four feet in girth, known as "hang
oak" was felled, and it was for this tree that the town was named. In 1856 the
father and son removed to the San Joaquin valley, where they farmed three
hundred and twenty acres near French Camp, raising both wheat and barley.

   At French Camp, in 1860, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Miss Julia
Burt, of Illinois, their union being blessed with two children, George Henry, of
Stockton, and Maria A., the later deceased. Mr. Reynolds' second marriage united
him with Miss Mary L. Brent, a native of Dubuque county, Iowa. She died near
Winters in 1907, since which time Mr. Reynolds has resided in Winters with his
adopted daughter, Priscilla Hall, now Mrs. Clarence Wyatt. Mr. Reynolds
superintends his ranch, which he reaches by means of a run-about which he owns.

    Upon settling in Yolo county in 1891, W. J. Reynolds bought a one-third
interest in a valuable tract containing ninety-three and one-third acres, one
mile from Winters, and later by purchase became sole owner. This property, which
he leases on halves, comprises seven hundred and forty-eight apricot trees and
seven thousand peach trees, his share from the 1912 crop having amounted to
nearly $8000. The trees average twenty years in age and are in excellent condition.

    For two terms Mr. Reynolds served efficiently as school trustee in Merced
county, and as a Republican of broad and generous principles has always been
deeply interested in political developments. For three years during the war he
assisted in maintaining the state home guard ready for instant call, he at this
time being a resident of San Joaquin county. Since coming to Yolo county he has
devoted his time to horticulture, which he has found very congenial, interesting
and profitable. As a citizen of the highest worth he has ever enjoyed the
commendation of his fellows.


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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