Butte County
Biographies
WILLIAM HENRY MARSHALL
WILLIAM HENRY MARSHALL.—The educational as well as the social advantages offered
by the city of Chico have proven a magnet that has drawn within its boundaries
many of its enterprising citizens. Among these we note the name of William
Henry Marshall, a native of Illinois, born near Mount Vernon, Jefferson County,
August 26, 1862. His father,
John W. Marshall, was a Kentuckian. His grandfather, William, was a
historic character, born in Virginia, from which state he went to Kentucky with
Daniel Boone, with whom he had many exciting adventures. In early life,
John W. Marshall lived in Kentucky, but in later years he located in
Jefferson County, Ill., where he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Farlow, a native of that state. He served in the Civil War
under Col. John A. Logan (called by some “Black Jack” Logan).
After the war he resumed farming in Illinois, at which he continued until his
death in 1910. His widow still resides in Illinois. Six children were born of
their marriage, of whom five grew to maturity, William Henry being the eldest.
In early life, William Henry Marshall
worked on his father’s farm and attended the public school. At sixteen he went
to Ewing College, with the intention of becoming a teacher, and remained there
two years, making his own way. He obtained a teacher’s certificate and came to
California, arriving at Chico on March 31, 1880. He did not remain in
Chico, however, but went to Vina, where he became
acquainted with Senator Stanford, who had just purchased a large ranch. The
Senator sent the young man to Modoc County to look after his sheep during the
summer and bring them back to Vina in the fall. The
sheep were safely returned, and Senator Stanford, believing the Scriptural
statement that “he that is faithful in that which is least will be faithful
also in much,” offered to procure for him the situation of postmaster at Vina. The friendship thus begun between young Marshall and
Senator Stanford lasted until the Senator’s death. In December, 1880, he
received his commission as postmaster at Vina, and
erected a building for the office. He also acted as agent for the Wells Fargo
Express Company, and somewhat later put in a small stock of general
merchandise. He served as postmaster for eighteen years, resigning in 1898. In
January, 1884, when but twenty-two years of age, he was elected justice of the
peace. In that capacity he served until 1896, when he resigned and was
appointed supervisor of the Fifth District, Tehama County, to fill a vacancy,
after which he was elected to the same office for the short term, and then for
the full term, serving altogether over five years. For many years he was school
trustee at Vina, and later was trustee for the
Antelope school district in Butte County. He lived in Vina
until 1900, when he bought the old Phillips Ranch of three hundred sixty acres
on Shasta Road, above the Keefer place on Pine Creek, Butte County. In early
days this ranch was called Oak Grove post office. Mr. Marshall continued
general farming and stock-raising until 1912, when he sold and located in
Chico, that his children might have better educational advantages. In April,
1915, he was appointed city health officer for a four-year term; and he was
also deputy county health officer under Dr. Thompson.
Mr. Marshall was married at Red Bluff, in
1887, to Miss Cynthia E. Berkeley, a native daughter, born in Tehama
County. They have eight children: Mabel, a graduate from Chico State Normal,
and now a teacher; William, corporal of Battery C, Thirteenth United
States Artillery; Edna May, now attending Chico State Normal; and Margaret,
Leola, Lyle, Dorothy and Raymond. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in Red Bluff, and the Moose and the Red Men, both of
Chico.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
09 July 2009.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1209-1210, Historic Record Co, Los
Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies