Butte County
Biographies
During his long connection with the vicinity of Stirling City, William Henry Thatcher has been associated in various ways with the advancement of the community. He was born at Calistoga, Napa County, November 19, 1865. His father, David Thatcher, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and there married Cynthia Ann Owen. In 1859 they crossed the plains in an ox-team train and located at Calistoga, where he engaged in farming. They now make their home in Chico. There were four children in their family: Nora, the widow of J. C. Neald, who lives in Oakland; William Henry; Frank M.; and Daisy, the wife of Will Russell, employed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of Chico.
William H. Thatcher was about fifteen years old when he came to Durham, Butte County. He completed his schooling in the public schools of that place, and in a private preparatory school at Chico. He began farming between Chico and Durham, renting the old Lowery ranch for a number of years. In 1895 he quit farming and entered the employ of the Sierra Lumber Company at West Branch, in Butte County, where he was swamper for a horse team. Mr. Thatcher has been in some branch of the lumber business ever since. He finally came to Stirling City, where he worked his way up, becoming trainmaster in 1909, and later outside foreman, which position he still holds.
Mr. Thatcher was married at Winters, Yolo County, to Miss Catherine Wolf, the daughter of C. H. Wolf, a pioneer now deceased. Her mother, Jennie Mennifee, came across the plains in the early days. She is now living at Winters, in Yolo County. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher have two children: Ada and Ira. Ada is the wife of Leslie Davis, assistant city editor on the Sacramento Bee. They reside in Sacramento and have one daughter, Wanda. Ira is a pupil in the grammar school at Stirling City. Mr. Thatcher is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Stirling City, of which he is a deacon. Fraternally, he has been an Odd Fellow for twenty-seven years, and is a Past Grand of that order. He also belongs to the Rebekahs. Mr. Thatcher is a man of strict integrity, thoroughly capable and efficient. He is a member of the Stirling City board of education. Both he and his wife are prominent in the church circles with which they are associated; and they are actively interested in all progressive movements for the good of the city and county where they live.
Transcribed
by Roseann Kerby.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1096-1097, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Roseann Kerby.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies