Butte County
Biographies
JOHN S.
HUTCHINS
Prominent among the pioneer settlers of the Sacramento valley is John S. Hutchins, who in addition to the management of his extensive property has been the genial postmaster of Central House for the last forty-two years, this being established as a fourth-class money order office in 1893. Mr. Hutchins has made his home in Butte county for almost half a century, and since his location in this community has become a prosperous land owner and highly esteemed citizen. Born in Quebec, Canada, March 11, 1842, he is the son of Phineas R. Hutchins, whose father, John S., located in Canada at an early day and engaged in farming until his death. When his son John S. was fifteen years of age, P. R. Hutchins came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and immediately purchased five hundred acres of land on Feather river at Central House, engaging in farming until his death, which occurred in 1874, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, formerly Jessie Walker, a native of Scotland, died in California in 1865. Politically he was a Republican and always voted the party ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom John S. is the second in order of birth.
Upon the completion of his common-school education John S. Hutchins aided his father in the management of the farm until 1866, when he assumed full control of the property, which had become a model ranch of Butte county, having been made to yield rich crops in return for well directed effort. The home place consists of seven hundred acres, the low land being devoted to the production of corn and alfalfa, in addition to the bearing peach orchard, while the higher land yields abundant harvests of wheat and barley. He also owns five hundred and sixty acres of grain land in Colusa county. He is extensively interested in the raising of stock, making a specialty of cattle and hogs.
Politically, Mr. Hutchins is a stanch supporter of the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party, and besides serving as a member of the county central committee, has also been a delegate many times to state conventions. Fraternally he is a Mason, being identified with the lodge at Gridley and of the chapter and commandery of Oroville. During young manhood Mr. Hutchins married Lucy M. Ayer, a native of Boston, Mass., but who at that time was making her home in Marysville. They are the parents of two children: Louise, the wife of C. W. Short, who resides in this vicinity; and Hattie A., at home with her parents. As a public-spirited citizen John S. Hutchins has been prominently identified with all movements that have been advanced to build up the Sacramento valley, and in his home county is recognized as one of the prominent citizens, taking the lead in local affairs that he deems worthy, and extending a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself.
Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: "History of the State of
California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento
Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, Pages
367-368.
The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906.
© 2017 Joyce Rugeroni.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies