Butte County
Biographies
WASHINGTON
BROYLES
WASHINGTON BROYLES.--The early history of California during the “days of ’49” is full of romance and a particular interest is attached to the lives of those hardy pioneers who came here in the period immediately following the discovery of gold in this state. One of this courageous band was Washington Broyles, who crossed the plains in early manhood to try his fortunes in the far west. Born March 28, 1830, he was of French ancestry, his grandfather, Wilhoit, having been a native of that country. His father, James F. Broyles, was born in Tennessee, and removed to Missouri in 1834, locating in Cooper County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He died in Macon County, that state, aged sixty-three years; his wife, formerly Lucinda Wilhoit, a native of Tennessee, also died in Missouri. Seven children were born to James F. and Lucinda Broyles, Washington Broyles being fourth in order of birth.
Washington Broyles was born in Tennessee and reared in Missouri. In 1849 he joined Randolph’s train of fifty teams of oxen and made the trip across the plains to the new Mecca, California. They started April 25, and arrived at Hangtown on October 9. For two years after his arrival Mr. Broyles engaged in mining at Nevada City, with good results, his work netting him five thousand dollars. With this sum he returned to Missouri, in 1853, and bought a large band of cattle, two hundred seventy-five head, driving them across the plains to California, locating upon his return on Pine Creek, near Cana, Butte County, where he purchased one hundred sixty acres of land, the beginning of his large acreage. To this original purchase he added until he had twelve hundred acres in one body, which he devoted to the raising of wheat, barley and hay, and he became one of the large grain-raisers for which the Sacramento Valley is famous. He also owned a ranch of eight hundred seventy acres, two and one-half miles south of Nelson, and leased two other ranches, one of three hundred twenty acres and the other of three hundred thirty-three acres, all included in his farming operations.
Mr. Broyles’ first marriage united him with Susan Ely, a native of Missouri, who died, without issue, in that state. His second marriage united him with Mrs. Mary (Bowles) Bradford, born November 27, 1843, a native of Greenfield, Dade County, Mo., but a resident of this state at the time of their marriage, which occurred in Chico. She was a daughter of Dr. Samuel and Elizabeth (Vaughan) Bowles. Dr. Bowles was a native of Boston, Mass., and a successful physician and surgeon in Tennessee and Missouri. Mrs. Broyles crossed the plains to California in early days; her death occurred here May 1, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Broyles became the parents of six children, five of whom grew to maturity: Martha Fain, who died at two years; Nathaniel; Lina, Mrs. C.P. Anderson, of Butte County; J. Washington; Chester; Mathias, who died at twenty-four years. The three sons, Nathaniel, J. Washington and Chester, and the daughter, Mrs. Anderson, are engaged in ranching on different parts of the Broyles homestead, which they own.
Washington
Broyles was known throughout the Valley as a generous, and kind-hearted man, a
diamond in the rough, as were so many of our prominent pioneers. Honest and
upright in all his dealings, he gained the respect and friendship of all who
knew him. Feeling his own lack of an early education, he was greatly interested
in the schools of his community, and served for many years on the school board.
A real upbuilder, he more than did his share toward bringing
his county to its present rank as one of the banner counties of the state.
His death occurred on February 7, 1911.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 1/2/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 595-596, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2007 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies