Butte County
Biographies
SAMUEL CHRISTOPHER
SAMUEL CHRISTOPHER.--Scattered throughout the state of California and the Pacific Coast generally, are many of our English cousins. Samuel Christopher, a successful business man of Chico, is of English parentage, born in Helston, Cornwall, England, February 23, 1854. His father Samuel, also born there, was a butcher and died in Helston in 1864. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Moyle, was born in Helston. She died in 1856. Two children were born to them. Samuel Christopher, the eldest, received his education in Helston and there learned the butcher business. After his mother’s death he lived with his grandfather, Peter Moyle, and his aunt, Hannah Moyle. It was when he was twelve years of age that he quit school and apprenticed himself to the butcher’s trade for four years. On completing his term of service he continued as a journeyman in his native town until his aunt’s death in 1873. He was then nineteen and concluded he would migrate to the United States, so he came to New York City that same year and from there proceeded to Wilkesbarre, Pa., a stranger in a strange land, and here he worked at his trade for two years, then went to the Lake Superior, Calumet and Hecla copper mines at Houghton, Mich.
In 1876 Mr. Christopher came to visit some friends at Virginia City, Nev., on his way to Australia, via San Francisco, but his friends prevailed upon him to stay and he remained there one year, working in the mines. He then came to Grass Valley, Nevada County, Cal., and in 1878 entered into partnership with Mr. Miller under the firm name of Christopher and Miller. They did a general butchering business and dealt in stock. He remained there about ten years, then sold his business and in 1887 located in Chico, working at his trade for J. T. Chamberlain on Broadway between Third and Fourth Streets. After a time Mr. Chamberlain sold his business to Peterson and Kramer on Second Street and he worked for Peterson fourteen years, afterward working for Louis Schwein in the California market on Broadway three years. In May, 1906, he entered into partnership with his son George, opening the Fulton Market on Broadway between Fourth and Fifth Streets. In 1907 they moved to 544 Broadway, the present place of business, increased their capital and opened a large, modern, up-to-date shop, having a separate department for rendering purposes and smoking meat. He has his own slaughter-house four miles west of Chico, where he has ten acres in prunes.
Mr. Christopher was married December 24, 1882, in Grass Valley, to Miss Grace Cox, who was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England. Her father Nicholas, was born in Helston, England, where he was a farmer. Mr. Cox was married in England to Kate Polglase, an English girl. He came to Grass Valley in 1867, where he was a miner, leaving his family in England. They came to Grass Valley in 1874. In 1878 Mrs. Cox and daughter returned to England, coming back to Grass Valley, in 1881, where Mr. Cox engaged in farming. He and his wife are now dead. They had four children, two of whom are now living. Mrs. Grace Cox Christopher is the youngest and was eight years old when she came with her mother to California. She remained in California four years, then went back to England for three years and again returned to California, where she married Mr. Christopher. They have seven children, five living, namely: Clifton Cox, with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, at Chico; George, in business with his father; Esther, the wife of Thomas B. McIntosh of San Francisco; Pearl, the wife of W. L. Lewis of Sacramento; Rodney, in business with his father and brother George.
Fraternally
Mr. Christopher is a member of Chico Lodge, No. 113, I. O. O. F., in which he
is a past grand and he has been representative to the Grand Lodge; is a member
of the Encampment, where he is past chief patriarch, and he has been a
representative to the Grand Encampment; he is also a member of Chico Canton
Patriarch Militant and a member of the Odd Fellows Veteran Association in San
Francisco. Formerly he was a prominent member of the Foresters of America,
being a charter member of Court Butte, No. 7773, of which he was past chief
ranger and was a representative to the Grand Court. Mr. Christopher is also a
member of Great Oak Camp, No. 136, W. O. W., as are also his sons George and
Clifton. His three sons are all members of the Chico Fire Department, George
and Clifton being members of Engine Company No. 2, and Rodney belongs to
Western Hose Company. Mrs. Christopher has been equally prominent in lodge
matters and is a past noble grand of Beulah Lodge, No. 60, D. of R., and
represented her lodge at the Grand Lodge seven different times; she is a member
and vice-president of the Veteran Rebekah Association of Chico; she is a member
of Silver Oak Circle, Neighbors of Woodcraft, and past guardian neighbor for
four terms. Mrs. Christopher was formerly companion of the Circle of Foresters
of America and past chief companion of the Grand Circle. Active in all matters
pertaining to the development and upbuilding of Chico, Mr. Christopher is a
member of the Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is an ardent Republican.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 3/12/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 801-802, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies