CHARLES L. CROWDER

Charles L. Crowder is well known in Chico as one of the able and progressive business men. He was born near Chico, June 27, 1876. His father, Drury Crowder, was born in North Carolina, and like many others in the early days crossed the plains in an ox-team train. For a time he farmed, afterward engaging in the lumber business until he settled in Chico, where he died in 1899. His mother, Melissa (Signor) Crowder, died in 1884. She was the mother of two children: Kyle, who is in the butcher business in Hamilton City; and Charles L. Crowder, the youngest, who was educated in public schools.

As a young man, Charles L. worked at lumbering, spending fourteen years in a logging camp, afterwards becoming foreman for the Sierra Lumber Company, which position he resigned and engaged in farming for two years, when he started cattle-raising on leased land. He was also engaged in business with W. D. Polk under the firm name of Polk and Crowder, buying, selling and shipping cattle. Their brand was in the shape of a pear. After a time he sold his interest in this firm, but continued in the cattle business in partnership with John Webber of Oroville, until 1910, when the partnership was dissolved and he engaged in the real-estate business in Chico, handling both city and country property. Meanwhile he continued to raise cattle and grain on his seven-hundred-acre ranch north of Chico, and also on his seven-hundred-twenty-acre ranch in Honey Lake Valley, eighteen miles south of Susanville. He is also engaged in buying and selling mines, and is connected with the Eldorado Dredging Company, and also interested in the Eureka Mine in Butte County.

Mr. Crowder was married in Chico to Miss Ida Belle Clayton, who was born in Butte County, a daughter of Hiram Clayton, a pioneer. They have two children, Jessie and LeRoy. Mr. Crowder is a member of the Chico Business Men’s Association and also a member of the Chico Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He stands in the esteem of his fellow townsmen and justly merits the success which he has attained.

Transcribed by Roseann Kerby.

Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1079-1080, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.

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