WILLIAM C. SHELDON

Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLIAM C. SHELDON

WILLIAM C. SHELDON.--If not the oldest native son in California, William C. Sheldon is nearly so, for he was born at the old Sheldon mill on the Mocosumnes River, February 26, 1848, on the Omo Chumney ranch, a grant, so named by the Indians (the name meaning “my winter home”), because of the abundance of wild grapes along this part of the Mocosumnes River. Mr. Sheldon’s father, Jared D. Sheldon, was a New Englander, born at Underhill Center, Vt., of an old Eastern family. Grandfather Sheldon served in the Revolutionary War and was at the Battle of Lake Champlain.

Jared Sheldon was a millwright and a very fine mechanic. When a young man, having a longing to see the great West, he made his way to what is now Kansas City, and on over the plains to Santa Fe, N. M., with a party of government men. Here he was taken ill and had to remain behind, intending when he was well to overtake his party. Having obtained from them the direction in which they were going, he started after them; but he never heard of them again. Even after coming to California he could find no trace of any of the party; so they must have been massacred and the whole party annihilated. Jared Sheldon made his way gradually westward on mule-back through the Indian country, enduring many hardships and having narrow escapes. One night when he was closely pursued by the redskins he escaped by going from island to island in a river. He had started with two mules, but later on had only one, a splendid animal, which carried him safely through, although at one time Mr. Sheldon was so nearly famished that he got down to kill the mule to satisfy his hunger. On consideration he decided not to do so, however, concluding that if he did, his own bones as well would be left to bleach on the plains; so he thought better of the matter and kept his dumb companion. The same day he came across a coyote, which he shot; but after a trial, he was unable to eat any of the meat, for it was too rank. Fortunately, before he was overcome by starvation, he ran across game which saved his life. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1837. The little Mexican hamlet of those days was vastly different from the present great metropolis. Jared Sheldon was a true frontiersman, inured to hardships, and made his way through the wild country with the instinct of the veteran pathfinder. He was dauntless and resourceful, and had no fear of being unable to reach the Pacific Coast. On this trip, when wanting a campfire, he made it by rubbing two pieces of wood together. From Los Angeles he made his way to Monterey; and there he built for the Mexican government the custom house that is still standing, and for his services was given the Omo Chumney grant on the Mocosumnes River. He found that in order to obtain title to the grant he had to become a Mexican citizen, and this he could not do without becoming a member of the Catholic Church; so he was baptized, and was named Joaquin Sheldon. The grant was three miles wide and extended seventeen miles along the Mocosumnes River, from the present McConnell ranch up to over three miles above Slough House.

Jared Sheldon’s services as a millwright were called upon at various times. He built a mill on the Russian River for the Russians, and also constructed a sawmill at Los Angeles. Having obtained the promise of the grant, he came to his possession and started in the stock business. As his services as millwright were valuable elsewhere, he had a partner, William Daylor, an Englishman who had been a sailor before he came to California and left the ship to remain for adventure here. While Mr. Sheldon was looking after the building of the custom house and mills, Mr. Daylor remained on the ranch looking after the stock and rancho. Mr. Sheldon built a flour mill on the Mocosumnes River, where he made flour. William C. Sheldon has in his possession a letter from General Sutter to his father, dated 1847, calling Mr. Sheldon’s attention to his wheat and asking if the grist of flour was done. The burrs for the mill were brought from Monterey, having been brought to that point from Mexico, where they had been cut from native stone. In those early days it took a year to get a reply to a letter sent to Vermont. When a letter was given to an Indian messenger, it was carried by him in a forked stick; and while on his way he was a privileged person and no other Indian would stop him, for in their superstition they though he carried spoken words. Mr. Sheldon built a dam in the river above his lands, taking out a ditch to obtain power for his mill and to irrigate his lands. In his operations he found the Indians good help and of great assistance to him. He also had a trading post in the hills and bought gold from the Indians and sold them goods in return. He obtained the services of William T. Sherman to survey his grant into half-mile tracts; and these he sold to settlers as low as ten cents an acre in order to have neighbors, and made the tracts large enough to make it worth while for the purchaser to buy. He built the first house at Slough House, and in every way was an enterprising man.

Jared Sheldon was married near what is now Galt (then Live Oak) to Miss Catherine F. Rhoads, born in Indiana, who came here in 1846 with her parents. The grandfather, Thomas Rhoads, brought his family across the plains with ox teams and wagons the same year the Donner party were crossing the plains. The Rhoads train was captained by Captain Greenwood, who advised the members of the train and other parties as well, on account of the lateness of the season, to push on over the mountains. They left the Donner party at Donner Lake and came on through as rapidly as possible, and in October, 1846, arrived in California. Afterwards some of the Rhoads boys went back and helped pack the Donners in. The Rhoads family were living near Galt the first winter. Here Catherine Rhoads met Jared Sheldon, which resulted in their marriage. Her sister, Sarah P., met and married William Daylor; and both couples were united by Justice Sinclair on the American River. Mr. Sheldon saw to it that a schoolhouse was built, and hired the first teacher. This is said to have been the first school in the county. As stated, Jared Sheldon had taken out a ditch in the river for irrigation. After mining began, trouble arose over the water. Mr. Sheldon offered the miners the water six days a week if he could have it one day, but the result was unsatisfactory, and Mr. Sheldon was shot down by the miners on July 11, 1851. They in turn left, and were never heard of again. William Daylor died of the cholera epidemic in 1851. Mrs. Sheldon carried on the ranch the best she could after her husband’s death; but she was plundered right and left. She continued to live here many years, until she retired to Sacramento, where she resided until her death, about 1906, at which time she was Mrs. Dennis Dalton.

William C. Sheldon was the oldest child in his parents’ family. He spent his childhood on the farm, attending the local school, after which he studied at Benicia College for three years. In 1871 he made a trip to the East, to New York City, and also visited his father’s people in New England and Canada. After an enjoyable trip of four months, he returned home and began his farming and stock-raising operations at Slough House, in which he has been very successful.

In 1872, in Salt Lake City, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sheldon and Miss Ann Virginia Cook. She was born in New Jersey and had come to Salt Lake with her parents. Mr. Sheldon brought his wife to his ranch on the Mocosumnes River, having become the owner of 610 acres of land on said river, which he has improved and still owns, also having added ninety acres to it by purchase, so that he now owns 700 acres, devoted to raising hops, fruit, and alfalfa. Mr. Sheldon is interested in preserving the essential facts and interesting incidents of pioneer history, as well as the historic landmarks. He has saved the two burrs from the old Sheldon grist mill, and has them placed for steps in his yard.

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Sheldon have six children. William J. is assisting his father on the ranch; Catherine P. is Mrs. Jack Grandlees, of Bridge House; George T. died in 1918; Jessie C. is Mrs. Fred Grimshaw; Loren M. is also assisting his father; and Kittie A. is Mrs. Cothrin, living near Latrobe, in Eldorado County. Mr. Sheldon has always manifested a deep interest in the cause of education, and for many years served as a member of the board of trustees in Rhoads school district. He also served as justice of the peace of Lee Township for many years. A firm believer in the principle of protection for Americans, he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally, he was made a Mason in Union Lodge, No. 58, Sacramento, and is a member of Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M.; Sacramento Commandery No. 2, K. T.; and Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in San Francisco. Mr. Sheldon is well-posted on the early history of Sacramento County. Of pleasing personality and affable manner, he is an intensely interesting talker, and it is indeed a treat to converse with him and enjoy his genuine Western hospitality. His honesty of purpose and integrity of character have never been questioned, and his word is as good as his bond. He lives by the Golden Rule, and is no less liberal than enterprising; but all of his benefactions are accomplished in an unostentatious manner. He is now undoubtedly the oldest settler in Sacramento County, and is probably the oldest native son in the state; and he takes a very active interest in pioneer affairs.

Transcribed by Barbara Gaffney.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 336-340. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.