Yolo
County
Biographies
MARCELLUS A. NURSE
Much has been said of the infidelity
of public officials, but such men as Hon. M. A. Nurse restore public confidence
and in the discharge of their official duties largely promote the welfare and
advancement of the localities which they represent in office. The long public service of Mr. Nurse is an
unmistakable evidence of his fidelity.
He was born in Scioto County, Ohio,
June 9, 1846. His father, Uriah Nurse,
was a native of New York and a miller by occupation. About 1825 he removed to Ohio and in 1863
crossed the plains to California, where he spent his remaining days, passing
away in Colusa in 1876 at the age of seventy years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Narcissa Turner, was born in Virginia, and died at her home
in Yolo County, California, at the age of eighty-six years. She was the mother of eleven children, five
of whom, two sons and three daughters, are yet living.
Mr. Nurse, whose name introduces
this review, pursued his education in the schools of Ohio and in 1865 became a
resident of California, locating first in Yuba County. Subsequently he removed to Amador County,
where he was engaged in making a survey for a railroad. After his marriage he resided in Yolo County,
and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to
public office in 1876 at which time he was elected county surveyor. A year later he resigned. He has for nine years been connected with the
office of engineer of the public works.
He served as assistant chief engineer under Governor Markham, and under
Governor Budd, and under Governor Gage has been the chief engineer to the
commissioners of public works. He is now
holding that office and his course is worthy of high commendation.
At the age of twenty-five Mr. Nurse
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wood, of Yolo County, and unto them have
been born eight children. One child died
at the age of eight years. One son is
married, but the others are all with their parents. Mrs. Nurse is a native of Esparto, Yolo
County. In his fraternal relations Mr.
Nurse is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters. For thirty-five years he has been a resident
of California, interested in its growth and doing all in his power to promote
its substantial upbuilding. He is
numbered among the valued citizens of Yolo County and well deserves mention in
this volume.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 333-334. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies