Yolo-El Dorado-Modoc County CA Archives Biographies.....Waller, Uriah J. 1836 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 14, 2006, 5:03 pm

Author: Tom Gregory (1913)

URIAH J. WALLER

    Frontier scenes and pioneer experiences left an indelible impress upon the
mind of Mr. Waller, who now, in the eventide of a useful existence, finds
pleasure in reviewing events of the past and in contrasting the isolation of
that era with the conveniences of the present. Born in Illinois in 1836, he
recalls that great commonwealth as it appeared in the infancy of its industrial
and agricultural development. Memory likewise brings to him thoughts of the
excitement caused by news of the discovery of gold in California and, as he
played, a barefoot boy of thirteen years, around the home farm or assisted in
work suited to his strength, he constantly dwelt upon the opportunities afforded
by the then unknown west. However, it was not until 1858 that it became possible
for him to come across the plains. Having previously married Miss Amelia Gum in
Illinois, he and his young-wife were induced to come to the coast through
favorable reports received from her father, Jehu Gum, who had traveled over
mountains and deserts in 1852 and had reached the golden west after a tedious
journey with wagons and oxen. The sturdy pioneer had settled in Willow slough
near Woodland, Yolo county, and there for years he lived and labored, meeting
with a success amply merited by his frugality and industry. Upon disposing of
his ranch in 1882 he removed to Oregon and remained in that state for eight
years. Returning to Woodland, he purchased a little home in this city and here
in 1901 his well-spent life reached the end of its quiet calendar.

    When the young couple started across, the plains with a view to joining her
father in Yolo county, they put themselves under the care of a large expedition
and traveled with ox-teams as far as Salt Lake City. For the purpose of
hastening the remainder of the journey, they traded the oxen for horses at the
great Mormon stronghold and on their arrival in California they sold the horses
for $500 a pair. During a temporary pause at Placerville Mr. Waller assisted in
building a hotel with timber cut from the great native forests. From there they
came on to Yolo county and soon after their arrival they settled upon a
quarter-section near Davisville, well adapted to the raising of grain. Selling
the property in 1864, they removed to a ranch at Buckeye and remained on that
place until it was sold in 1872. Not long afterward Mr. Waller drove a large
herd of cattle into Modoc county and remained there until 1875, when he disposed
of the stock to good advantage. Upon his return to Yolo county he rented a ranch
and resumed agricultural activities. His last experience as a rancher was on a
tract of thirty acres near Woodland, where he conducted a dairy business and
with the aid of his capable wife built up an established reputation for fine
dairy products. During 1909 he retired from the laborious duties of dairying and
removed to a comfortable cottage on Fifth street, Woodland, where he and his
wife are passing their declining days in peace and content. Of their five
children all survive with the exception of George. The living sons are Jehu and
Lewis, while the daughters are Mrs. Mary Dutcher, who has four children and
resides in Woodland, and Mrs. Theresa Hensley, also a resident of this place.


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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