Butte County
Biographies
GEORGE THRESHER
GEORGE THRESHER.—A native son, and a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of California, George Thresher was born on March 3, 1856, at his father’s ranch near Gridley, Butte County. He was the third son in order of birth of his parents, Stephen B. and Columbia (Caldwell) Thresher, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively. Stephen B. Thresher crossed the plains from Wisconsin to California in 1852. A more extensive mention of his life and pioneer adventures in the early days of the Golden State will be found in the sketch of his son Columbus W. Thresher. Shortly after his arrival in California, Stephen Thresher settled on land three miles southeast of Gridley. He bought out a squatter’s claim, a part of the Larkin Grant; and as he prospered he purchased more land from time to time, until he was possessor of seven hundred acres of desirable land. Here he raised grain and stock, and after the usual pioneer’s experiences in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, he became a successful rancher. He passed away in 1872, nine years before the death of his faithful wife.
George Thresher, the subject of this sketch, passed his entire lifetime of sixty-one years on the ranch where he was born. His education was received in the Butte County schools. He became intensely interested in horticulture, and had the distinction of being one of the first men in this section to engage extensively in the fruit-raising industry. He took a very prominent part in all movements for the development of scientific horticulture. Mr. Thresher was a very enterprising and successful rancher. He possessed excellent business judgment, and enthusiastically supported every movement that had for its aim the upbuilding and development of Butte County. This loyal spirit was especially manifested in his work for the successful completion of the Butte County Canal, for which important project he secured signatures representing over ten thousand acres in the district. He was a man of true worth; and his intelligence and business acumen were duly recognized by his fellow men, as was evidenced by his election to the important post of President of the Farm Bureau, in which organization he was very active. He also was a member of the California Prune Grower’s Association. The new settlers in his section sought his able advice in regard to the most successful way of preparing the soil for fruit-raising. He was an earnest advocate of the most modern methods in farming. For many years he operated a ranch jointly with his brother, Prescott; and, on the latter’s death, he assumed the management of the entire property. Generous and kind-hearted to a fault, a man of high ideals and unquestioned integrity, he delighted in assisting those less fortunate than himself, his motto being “Live and let live.” Mr. Thresher was a great reader and student of history. He was particularly interested in advancement of public education, and had the honor of serving as a director of the Gridley Union High School. George Thresher was twice married. His first wife was Katie Hefner, a native daughter of Butte County, and his second marriage occurred on September 11, 1912, when he was united with Nora Virginia Hafferty, a native of Ireland, who survives him, and who continues to operate the ranch on the same plan and method followed by her husband with so much success. She is showing the same spirit of enterprise and progress in caring for and enhancing the property and keeping it in the highest state of cultivation, thus producing the most abundant and valuable crops. In this way she has demonstrated much business acumen, and, like her late husband, she is highly esteemed by all who know her.
After a residence of sixty-one years in one locality, Mr. Thresher passed away on June 5, 1917. In his demise Butte County lost one of her most valued citizens. His life and character will leave a lasting influence for good upon the community in which he lived for over a half a century.
Transcribed
by Sharon Walford Yost.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1184-1185, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Sharon
Walford Yost.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies