Butte County

Biographies


 

 

 

 

 

GEORGE A. KESSELRING

 

 

      GEORGE A. KESSELRING.—The subject of this sketch was born on June 7, 1850, in Hillsdale County, Mich., the second son of Jacob and Emily Jane (Smith) Kesselring. The father was a native of Germany, while the mother was born in Ohio. Jacob Kesselring made three trips to California before he permanently settled in the Golden State. In 1851, with a brother, he made his first trip across the plains, and after arriving in California engaged in mining at Bidwell’s Bar, on the Feather River. Three years later, he returned to the East; but like thousands of others who had once enjoyed the interesting life of the far West, the desire to return was so strong and insistent that in 1856, accompanied by his wife, he returned to California via the Isthmus of Panama, this time locating in Granite Basin, a mining camp in Butte County. Here he built a hotel, which he conducted for a time, and he also engaged in teaming in the mountain district. Later on he removed to the Newville district, in Colusa (now Glenn) County, where he farmed; and afterwards he lived at Stony Creek, where he leased land from the St. John family and raised wheat. The productiveness of the virgin soil here was pleasingly demonstrated by the bountiful yield of sixty bushels to the acre. He was assisted in harvesting his crop by the friendly Indians of that section; but the methods were so primitive that much of the grain was lost in the process. In 1863 Mr. Kesselring decided to make a third trip East. This trip was for the especial purpose of bringing back with him his two sons, Emanuel B. and George A. With their father, they crossed the plains in a wagon, unmolested by Indians who infested the country at that time.

      In 1871 Jacob Kesselring took up government and railroad land, on the Colusa plains, eight miles southwest of St. John. After clearing forty acres he seeded it to wheat, although strongly advised by others not to do so. He was successful in raising a crop, and has the distinction of being the first man to grow grain in that section of the state. His venture proved to be the successful opening up of this district, for soon afterwards settlers began to build their cabins and the land was taken up and improved. With his characteristic progressive spirit, Mr. Kesselring hauled lumber from the mountains, built a house, and fenced forty acres. Later he purchased three hundred twenty acres in Modoc County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising; and here he passed away, survived by three sons: Emanuel B., living at Oakland; George A.; and Francis Marian, of Stonyford; and one daughter, Orry, Mrs. Craigie Sharp, of Oakland.

      George A. Kesselring assisted his father on the Stony Creek Ranch until he reached his majority. Then he preempted one hundred sixty acres and purchased another ranch of the same acreage; and on these three hundred twenty acres, on Stony Creek, he engaged in farming for six years. Afterwards, in partnership with his brother, Emanuel B., he was for twelve years in the stock-raising business in Modoc County. Then for a time he conducted a ranch at Buzzards’s Roost, Shasta County. In 1891 he located in Chico, where he is engaged in the storage and dray business.

      Mr. Kesselring was united in marriage October 2, 1878, with Mattie Ash, a native of Sacramento County, and a daughter of Alexander and Jane E. (Bemus) Ash, highly respected California pioneers, who crossed the plains (the former about 1852). The father engaged in mining, but afterwards operated a saw-mill at Carson City, Nev. Later he farmed and raised stock on Stony Creek, Colusa County. His last days were spent in Chico, where he passed away June 9, 1914, aged eighty-five. Mr. and Mrs. Kesselring’s three children are all married, and reside at Oakland: Allie, who is the father of two children; Lester G., who has one son; and Ethel Harriet, who is the wife of George A. Posey, and they are the parents of one child. 

      Fraternally, Mr. Kesselring is affiliated with the Independent Order of Foresters, while his wife is an active member of Annie K. Bidwell Parlor, Native Daughters of the Golden West, in which she has passed all the chairs. She served one year (1917-18) as Grand District Deputy and Installing Officer for Marysville, Oroville and Chico Parlors. She has also passed through the higher offices of the Ladies of the Maccabees, at Chico.

 

 

Transcribed 2-6-08 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 697-698, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.


© 2008  Marilyn R. Pankey.

 

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