Butte County
Biographies
CAPT. JOHN S. WATERLAND
CAPT. JOHN S. WATERLAND.--One of Butte County’s most substantial citizens, and the father of many movements for the upbuilding and improvement of Chico, it can be said of Capt. John S. Waterland that he has more than “done his bit” toward the public welfare of his community. Born in Chico, in 1866, he is of English parentage, his father, William Waterland, having been born in Hull, England, in which city he was a merchant tailor. He came over the seas to America and located in Missouri, where he was in business at the time of the Civil War. He enlisted in a Missouri regiment and served until mustered out, in 1864, when he crossed the plains to California. He first located in Susanville, Lassen County, and engaged in his business of merchant tailor. In 1865 he came to Chico and opened a tailoring establishment on Main Street, remaining in business here for many years. In 1890 he removed to San Francisco, and was appointed wharfinger there by Governor Budd, and served in that office for sixteen months. He continued to make his home in San Francisco until his death, in 1914. His marriage united him with Elizabeth Nelson, born in Missouri; her death occurred in 1913. Six children were born to them, three girls and three boys, four of whom are now living.
Captain Waterland, the youngest child in his parents’ family, was educated in the public schools of Chico. On finishing his schooling, he entered the office of the Butte Record, and learned the printer’s trade, continuing in it for ten years. He then engaged in the confectionery business in Chico, with his brother, on Broadway, between First and Second Streets, the firm name being Waterland Brothers. In 1896, Captain Waterland sold his interest to his brother and removed to Redding, where he established a confectionery business of his own, which business he continued for seven years.
Returning to Chico, in 1902, Captain Waterland started the Chico Bookstore, which he conducted for thirteen years. During this time he purchased the lot at 436 Broadway, and erected a building, in which he had his place of business. In 1915 he sold the bookstore to Mr. Behlow, and rents the building. He also owns, and has improved residence property in Chico, besides his home, on Wall Street, near Fourth, which is of fine architecture and design.
In all his years of residence here, Captain Waterland has been the prime mover in projects for the development of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Butte Investment Company, of which he has been president since its organization. This company bought the old Presbyterian Church property, corner of Fourth and Broadway, and later sold the corner, eighty by one hundred feet, for the Waterland-Breslauer Building, and built up the balance with the fifty-foot front Broadway Theater Building, facing Broadway, and the Park Garage, facing Fourth Street, with a frontage of forty-four feet. In 1911, Captain Waterland was elected City Trustee of Chico, and served from 1911 to 1915. During this interval the City Hall was built; street paving put in, and the storm-sewer built, Captain Waterland being chairman of the street commission and also of the storm-sewer commission, and gave much of his time to both improvements, which were accomplished results and which have proved of inestimable value to the city. The fire department equipment was put in during his term in office. He was not a candidate for reelection.
Captain Waterland, with Dr. W. W. Head and C. A. Andrews, was instrumental in getting the post office located on its present site, at Fifth and Broadway. They purchased the Episcopal Church property for twenty-five thousand dollars, and offered it to the government for a post-office site, at fifteen thousand dollars, and it was finally selected and the present beautiful Federal building erected. Among his many business interests, Captain Waterland is a director in the First National Bank of Chico.
The marriage of Captain Waterland, which occurred in Chico, united him with Miss Lena Wallace. He was made a Mason in Redding Lodge, and is now a member of Chico Lodge, No. 111, F. & A. M., and a member of Josephine Chapter, No. 104, O. E. S. He was a member of the local parlor of Native Sons until his removal to Redding; also of Company A, Eighth Regiment, California National Guard, his membership dating from 1886, and he served in every official capacity in the regiment, rising to the rank of Captain, succeeding Captain H. D. Burroughs; on his removal to Redding he resigned his commission. A native son of the county, and a resident here most of his life, Captain Waterland has made the advancement of its best interests his main object, and has been indefatigable in his efforts toward that end. He is well informed as to the possibilities of this section of the state, and his advice is valued and frequently sought. He has always had the welfare of his home town at heart and much credit is due him for the remarkable progress made here within a comparatively short time. There are many followers, but it is the leaders who are the mainstay of any community.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 3/5/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 762-764, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies