Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSIAH ARVIN POLHEMUS
JOSIAH ARVIN POLHEMUS.--A broad-minded and public-spirited man, ever ready to cast his influence on the side of any movement for the good of the community as a whole, is Josiah Arvin Polhemus, a worth, honorable official, who has served for twenty-four years as justice of the peace. He was born on April 9, 1859, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Cornelius B. and Emma (Kennedy) Polhemus. In 1850, his father, a carpenter and miner, crossed the plains and came to California; here he remained for five years. He then returned to Iowa and married Emma Kennedy. In 1859, after the birth of their son, Josiah A., they crossed the wide expanse and settled in the Golden State. Mr. Polhemus' father passed away in 1886; his mother is also deceased.
Josiah A. Polhemus was educated in the public schools in the vicinity of Elk Grove. He started working on the farm when a mere boy and has been at this work ever since. He purchased a farm and engaged in grain-raising; he now owns twenty-four acres he improved to vineyard and orchard. Since 1897 he has served as justice of the peace.
Josiah A. Polhemus was united in marriage near Elk Grove, October 19, 1883, to Miss Emily Stickney, a native of Princeton, Ill., the daughter of Edwin W. and Mehitable (Fifield) Stickney, who brought their family across the plains in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Polhemus are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Elbert, Josiah Arvin, Jr., George, Mrs. Emma Burney and Clarence. All of the sons except Elbert served in the World War. Mr. Polhemus is a stanch Republican and belongs to the fraternal order of the Foresters of America. He is also a member of the Elk Grove Grange.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 584. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.