Butte County
Biographies
JAMES MADISON DUGGER
JAMES MADISON DUGGER.--There is perhaps no resident of Butte County more familiar with its material growth and progress than James Madison Dugger, an extensive contractor and builder of Chico. Mr. Dugger was born in Sumner County, Tenn., August 2, 1845. His father, A.G. Dugger, and his grandfather, Flood Dugger, were farmers of that state, and both were natural mechanics. The Dugger family came from Germany, and settled in North Carolina before moving to what was then the Territory of Tennessee. Members of the family fought in the early Indian wars, and in the Revolutionary War. The mother of James Madison Dugger was Sarah Ann (Wadkins) Dugger, a native of Tennessee, of an English family who were pioneers of Virginia, and who later settled in Tennessee. The ancestors came from the North of Ireland.
James Dugger was educated in private schools and grew up on the farm. The natural aptitude inherited from a mechanically inclined father and grandfather soon became apparent in his ability to handle tools and, later on, in his choice of a trade as a carpenter and builder. For a time he followed the carpenter’s trade in Tennessee, and then bought land in Lebanon, Laclede County, Mo., where he engaged in farming for three years. On April 4, 1875, he arrived in Sacramento; and from there he went on to Marysville and Oroville. That summer he was employed in general repair and carpenter work, by Dan Hilton, at his saw mill. In the fall of 1875, he came to Chico, and later purchased a house on Sixth and Ivy. For some years he was engaged here at his trade. He was employed by the Sierra Lumber Company as flume builder and became foreman of the flume gang. This position he held for two years, after which he again took up the carpenter’s trade in Chico.
Mr.
Dugger helped to build what is now the Northern
Electric Depot, formerly the Opera House built by Bidwell in 1878. He was the
first carpenter to work on the Chico State Normal and the last to leave the
building when it was completed. As a partner in the firm of Dugger and Kerr, he
continued his contracting work for several years, finally dissolving the
partnership and going to Texas in 1895, where he was engaged in business as a
carpenter and builder for six years. On his return to Chico, in 1901, Mr.
Dugger purchased the property at the corner of Fifth and Esplanade. Since his
return he has built two residences on the property. One residence on the
property is in course of construction. He still continues his contracting and
building enterprises.
Mr. Dugger was first married in Tennessee, to Miss Laura A.
Kirk, a native of that state. Her death occurred in Chico. Later he was again
married, in Waco, Texas, to Mrs. Mary Adams, who was also a native of
Tennessee, who had one daughter, Cordie May Adams Dugger, a graduate of the
Chico State Normal and a teacher in the public schools.
Mr. Dugger was made a Mason in Beach Lodge, No. 149, A. F.
& A. M., in Tennessee. He now belongs to the Chico Lodge, No. 111, F. &
A. M., of which he was Master in 1893; Chico Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M.; and
Chico Commandery, No. 12, K. T.; and, together with his wife and daughter, he
is a member of Josephine Chapter, No. 104, O. E. S., in which his daughter is a
Past Matron. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
in Chico. As a citizen, Mr. Dugger is loyal to his home town of Chico, and is
an active supporter of all worthy measures for its improvement.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 4/29/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 815-816, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies