OLE O. GOODRICH

 

Ole O. Goodrich, nursery man and orchardist, Sutter Township, was born February 22, 1840, in Norway, son of Ole and Ida Goodrich. His father, a farmer, came with the family to America in 1852, purchasing land, and locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, and died there in 1854; his widow survived until 1859. They had eight children, named Christian, Ida, John, Julia, Butler, Isabel, Ole and Eliza. All except John are living. Ole was twelve years of age when he came to America, landing in New York City. Proceeding at once to Wisconsin, he there learned the photographer’s art, and worked at it until 1863, when he sailed from New York on the steamer Ariel, and came by the Isthmus to California, landing at San Francisco in December, on the steamer St. Louis. For a while he was employed in a restaurant at Benicia, then he was cook on a ranch, which has since been included within the city of Oakland; next he herded sheep for a short time; next traveled among the mountains taking photographic views; then was employed by Flint & Olsen, here in Sacramento, as foreman in their hop yards, remaining with them five years; then worked awhile for Mr. Williams in the nursery business; next was in partnership with J.S. Harberson for eleven years, and then during the two floods he lost heavily each time. In 1883 he went out and purchased thirty-four acres of J. Burke, and commenced to set out a nursery and orchard. In 1888 he purchased seventeen acres more of D. Rocca, and he now has altogether fifty-one acres, all of which is devoted to nursery and fruit. The place is three miles south of Sacramento, and a half mile east of Sutterville. He has been experimenting with fruit for thirteen years, and has introduced several new kinds into the market, among them two very excellent varieties of peach named by Mr. Hoyt the “Goodrich” and “Sacramento,” which come in after all the other good varieties are gone; also a very early apricot; they are gaining in popularity, and Mr. Goodrich has no trouble in disposing of all his young trees, as well as the fruit. He propagates and sells all varieties of fruit trees. He is a very energetic man, a hard worker, honest in all his dealings, and therefore reliable as a nurseryman and horticulturalist. Mr. Goodrich was married January 1, 1876, to Miss Mary Grundon, of English ancestry. They have three children: William, Elizabeth and Minerva.