Butte County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

FRANK A. PRIOR

 

 

     FRANK A. PRIOR.—A worthy descendant of an early pioneer of California, and himself a resident of the Golden State almost since his birth, Frank A. Prior, from his childhood on, became thoroughly imbued with the adventuresome and vigorous spirit of the West.  Born in Rockford, Ill., November 12, 1855, he was the son of Abel S. Prior, who crossed the plains to California with a band of fine horses, and became so impressed with the prospects for the stock-raising business in the coast country that he returned East for his family, and subsequently brought them to Susanville, Lassen County.  Later he settled in Modoc County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising.

     Frank A. Prior from a lad learned to ride the range and throw the lasso and help during the roundup season, roping the mustangs and steers on the cattle ranges of his father.  He became an expert horseman and a splendid judge of horses and cattle, and from a young man he engaged in stock-raising, owning both cattle and horses.  His band gradually increased into a good-sized herd and as he accumulated means he purchased a ranch near Eagleville, which he improved.  He also owned a range in the mountains, where he raised large herds of horses, owning at one time as many as six to eight hundred head.  He found a market for his horses in Nebraska, and sometimes drove as many as five hundred across the plains.  At one time he owned three ranches in Modoc County.  His cattle brand was F. P., and his brand for horses was a circle bar.

     The marriage of Mr. Prior, which occurred on December 25, 1876, united him with Tabitha Parman, a native of California, born in Yolo County, seven miles north of Knights Landing.  She was the daughter of Henry and Eleanor (Reddy) Parman.  Mrs. Parman had previously been married to Crawford Allen, and she and her husband were members of the same party as Mr. Parman, crossing the plains.  Mr. Allen died en route.  Of this marriage one child was born, J. Allen, who is now a large landowner in Modoc County.  Henry Parman was a native of Tennessee, where he was born in 1825.  He served as a soldier in the Mexican War, and in the memorable year, 1849, he came to California, crossing the plains with an ox-team and settling in Shasta County.  Later he removed to Yolo County, and there engaged in the stock business.  He lived for a time in Sutter County, but finding the tule region unhealthful he moved to the mountain regions of Modoc County, in 1872.  Here he purchased a ranch which he improved, and engaged in the cattle business, in Surprise Valley, eventually becoming one of the large landowners and stockmen of that section.  By Mr. Parman’s first marriage there are three children living: Mrs. Rebecca Gessner, of Chico; Jessie, and Joseph, of Modoc County.  By his last marriage there are also three children living: Mrs. Miriam Tabitha Prior; George, a stockman of Modoc County; and Mrs. Nellie de Forest, of Modoc County.  The death of Mr. Parman occurred in 1892, and that of his wife in 1906, at the age of sixty-seven years.  Mr. Parman was a member of the Christian Church in religious belief.  Fraternally he was a member of the Masons.

     After a full and useful life, Frank A. Prior passed to his reward on August 23, 1916, at the age of sixty years, nine months and fourteen days.  He was known as a man who did things.  What he set out to do he did with his might.  Obstacles never discouraged him, nor did disappointments and defeats.  He knew how to push on, and he gave his courage and his strong will and vigorous activities to the accomplishment of whatever interested him or whatever he planned to do.  He was a fine example in that phase of his sturdy character.  He was exacting in business, but generous in his friendships, and his heart was as big as it was stout.  He was always brave, always loyal, always ready, and he kept right on following where duty led.  He was wise in counsel and efficient in execution.  His life was an admirable example to every citizen because of his patriotic pioneer labors for the welfare of the community, and his disinterested devotion to worthy causes. 

     Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Prior were the parents of seven children: Ella May, now Mrs. McCloud of Modoc County; Cora Isabelle, now Mrs. Smith of Modoc County; Birdie, Mrs. Wightman of Chico; Mabel, Mrs. Henry of Chico; Joseph Abel, a rancher and stockman in Modoc County; Ora, Mrs. Boatright of Chico; Golden Frank, attending the Chico High School.

     After the death of her husband, Mrs. Prior rented her ranch of two hundred forty acres in Surprise Valley and moved to Chico Vecino, where she has a pleasant home on Sacramento Avenue.  She is a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to Josephine Chapter, No. 104, O.E.S. at Chico, and was one of the original embers of the Eagle Chapter at Eagleville, where she was associate matron when she removed to her new home in Chico Vecino.

 

 

Transcribed 5-2-08 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 924-927, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.

© 2008 Marilyn R. Pankey.

 

 

 

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