Butte County
Biographies
HARMON BAY
HARMON BAY.--One of the oldest and most
honored residents of Butte County
was Harmon Bay,
who closed his useful life on June 4, 1897, passing away during the night at an
hour never known. He was born in Hudson, Columbia
County, N. Y., December 9, 1822, the son of
Thomas and Harriett Bay,
who were also natives of that state. He received his early education in Massachusetts,
and while yet a boy began clerking in a store.
In
1844, he went to Green River, Mo.;
and in the memorable year of 1849 he led a company of five across the vast and
unknown plains, and by the Lassen route they came into California.
Gold was the object of their search, and Mr. Bay began mining at once
on Feather River.
Late in 1849 he was appointed judge of elections by General Bidwell; and from
that year on he was a resident of this county, and held many positions of honor
and trust.
Some
time in the eventful year of 1863, Mr. Bay located in Chico,
where he established a merchandise business. For a number of years he was
president of the Bank of Butte County, and he was one of its substantial
incorporators. He finally drifted from
business life in the city to life
on a farm, and as a farmer he eventually made the same success he had made in
business until he retired. In 1889, he was elected justice of the peace of Chico
Township, and the following year he
was chosen by ballot as police
judge. At the expiration of his
term, he was again elected justice of the peace; and in that office he served
until his death. From 1860 to 1864, he was under-sheriff of Butte
County.
The
year 1862 witnessed the marriage of Harmon Bay
to Ella Buckius, a native of Ohio;
and as a result five children were born to bear his name. One daughter,
Harriett, became Mrs. Park Henshaw; another daughter
is Kate; while the three sons are Harmon, William, and Alva. Mrs. Bay now makes
her home with Mrs. Henshaw, and is enjoying good
health. She has been a resident of California
since 1858.
A
most kind-hearted man, as well as a man of merit and strict integrity, Mr. Bay
had many friends and was welcomed wherever he went. In 1860 he became a member
of the Odd Fellows at Oroville, and he was a charter member of the Red Men of
Chico.
Transcribed by Sande Beach.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Page 481, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2007 Sande Beach.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library