HARRY LOUIS CHURCHMAN

A native son of California, Harry Louis Churchman was born in Red Bluff in 1873. His father, Schuyler Churchman, came to California from the East in pioneer days and was an early settler of Sonoma County, and from there he removed to Red Bluff, where he farmed until he went back to Sonoma County, and he now resides in Sebastopol. Mr. Churchman’s mother was Eliza Wilson, a native daughter, born in Sonoma County, where she died after a useful and much appreciated life. Harry Louis was the youngest of their three children that are living. From a boy he learned farming and mining in Butte County. He was married in Oroville, in 1907, being united with Rose A. De Long, who was born near Cherokee in 1880. Her father, Jacob Marion De Long, is one of the oldest pioneers of the Cherokee section; he was born near Spring Bay, Ill., in 1849. Grandfather Jacob De Long brought his family across the plains in 1854 and located on Clear Creek, Butte County, Cal., being engaged in teaming. Later on he moved to St. Clair flat. His wife was Sarah J. Burt, and after her husband’s death she reared the family of children, who were small. The Indians were aware of her straitened circumstances and brought her game for her table. Marion De Long, as he is familiarly called, attended public school; he learned to speak Indian and served in the Indian war, where he was found very useful as he was able to speak the Indian language. He was married in Magalia to Helen Kitchen, born at Lovelock, the daughter of Isaac Kitchen, born in Canada, of French descent, and who was a sailor who came to Butte County, Cal., in early days and was a pioneer miner at Lovelock and other places. His wife was Phoebe Grant, born in Massachusetts. They spent their last years on their ranch in Paradise. After his marriage Marion De Long followed mining for a time, then took up ranching. He owns a ranch at Cherokee.

Of their three children, Rose A. is the second eldest. After completing the public schools in the Pentz district she entered the Chico State Normal, where she was graduated in June, 1903. She began teaching school at Paradise, where she continued for a period of three years; then for a half year she taught in Placer County and afterwards one term in Yankee Hill district during the construction of the Western Pacific Railroad, until her marriage to Mr. Churchman, after which they made their home principally in Magalia, where he has been engaged in mining. In 1918, Mrs. Churchman again took up teaching and now presides over the Cherokee district school. Mr. and Mrs. Churchman have one child, Mildred Harriet. They are both well liked and have many friends. Mrs. Churchman is a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Cherokee.

Transcribed by Roseann Kerby.

Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Page 1087, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.

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