Butte County
Biographies
MAJOR WINFIELD WHITAKER
MAJOR WINFIELD WHITAKER.--An enterprising citizen who is well and favorably
known in Chico, where, with his son, he is operating the Union Hotel, Major
Winfield Whitaker was born in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, May 18, 1861. His father, A. J. Whitaker, was born in
Allegheny County, Pa., and, with his wife, settled in Ohio in 1844. Mrs. A. J.
Whitaker, in maidenhood, was Miss Anna M. Stine, born in Baltimore, Md. A. J.
Whitaker owned a farm in Ohio, but was a wheelwright by trade, and followed
building and millwrighting aside from farming. At the
time of Morgan’s raid in Ohio, he was one of the volunteers who went out and
assisted in checking the invading hosts near Gallipolis, driving them back
across the Ohio River. Mrs. Whitaker learned the silversmith’s trade under her
uncle, John Stine, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and worked at it till her marriage. She
died in Ohio, but Mr. Whitaker came to California and spent his last days with
his son in Chico. There were ten boys in the Whitaker family, three of whom
served in Ohio regiments during the Civil War, two of these being killed at
Chickamauga.
Major Winfield Whitaker was the youngest
member of the family and his early days were spent on the home farm, learning
the carpenter and millwright’s trade under his father, during which time he
attended the public school. He was studious and made such rapid progress that
he obtained a certificate to teach when he was nineteen, and at once secured a
school and taught until 1882, the year he came to California. He found work
with the Sierra Lumber Company at Chico, as flume carpenter for four years,
then went to Shasta County and helped build a flume for the Enright
Lumber Company. Having had considerable experience of this kind, Mr. Whitaker
went to Kings River and worked on a flume for Moore and Smith, now the Sanger
Lumber Company. When the job was finished he returned to Chico and from there
went to Tehama County and for one year was engaged in stock-raising. Chico held
attractions for Mr. Whitaker and he returned to this city and engaged in
the grocery business at Fourth and Broadway, under the firm name of Whitaker
and Hume for two and one-half years, when he sold out and entered the employ of
the Diamond Match Company, superintending the erection of some buildings. After
that he took up contracting, the firm name being Whitaker and Son, in Chico,
and the surrounding country. This firm successfully carried on contracting and
building until May, 1911, when they purchased the Union Hotel from Thomas
Dooley. Under their direction the place was renovated and many needed
improvements made and they ran the hotel and cafe until 1917, when they
disposed of the cafe in February. Their entire time and attention are now given
to the conduct of the hotel, which is run in a first class condition. In
connection with their hotel business they have two taxicabs in service. Mr.
Whitaker owns a fine home on the corner of Sixth and Olive Streets, in Chico.
On August 27, 1884, in Chico, Mr. Whitaker
and Miss Ella Hume were united in marriage. Mrs. Whitaker was born in
Missouri, a daughter of Henry F. and Susan (Anderson) Hume, both born in that
same state, where they were married. Mr. Hume served in the Union army during
the Civil War. After coming back from the front he entered the employ of the
Missouri Pacific Railway, remaining with it until 1875, when he came to
California. With his family he located in Chico, then a small village, and for
a time he farmed, after which he entered the employ of General Bidwell and was foreman of his orchards until the property
was subdivided. He and his wife now reside in Chico. Of their five children,
three are living: Ella, Mrs. Whitaker; Effie, Mrs. Langille;
and James, all of whom live in Chico.
Mrs. Whitaker was reared and educated in
Chico. She is the mother of one son, Walter Ralph, who is a partner with his
father, and who married Ethel Freeman, and they have a little daughter, Helen.
It is interesting to observe that the parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker
lived to celebrate their golden weddings in their respective homes. Mr.
Whitaker is a member of Chico Lodge, No. 423, B. P. O. Elks, and of the Knights
of the Maccabees. Politically he is a Republican. Mr.
and Mrs. Whitaker, with their son Ralph, have made many friends in Chico and
vicinity who appreciate their sterling integrity and enterprising spirit, as
well as their many kindly acts.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
12 May 2008.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages
913-914, Historic Record
Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies