Yolo
County
Biographies
HARRY R. SAUNDERS
Fidelity
to trust has been an outstanding trait in the life of Harry R. Saunders, who
makes his home in Woodland and is widely and favorably known through his long
and capable service as county clerk of Yolo County. He was born in Solano County, California,
September 8, 1867, a son of I. J. and Mary (Baker) Saunders, the former a
native of New York and the latter of Michigan.
The father made three trips to California, first crossing the plains
with an ox team and wagon in 1848, when such a journey was fraught with
hardship and danger.
In
the acquirement of an education Harry R. Saunders attended the public schools
of Davis, California, and during his youth went to the east, spending four
years at Jackson, Michigan. At the age
of fifteen he assumed the burden of self-support, working on ranches in his
native state for some time, and then acquired a vineyard near Woodland, where
he concentrated his attention upon the growing of raisin grapes. Later he abandoned agricultural pursuits for
mercantile affairs and for five years was engaged in the grocery business in
Woodland, winning a liberal share of the local trade in his line. In 1909 he entered the field of public
service as deputy county clerk and in 1910 was elected county clerk, in which
capacity he has acted continuously for twenty years. He has to his credit an enviable record of
long, conscientious and efficient service, possessing exceptional
qualifications for the office.
Mr.
Saunders was married to Miss Grace M. Stone, a native of Kansas, and they have
two daughters and a son, Mildred, the wife of F. L. Hollingsworth, of Richmond,
California; H. B., a resident of Woodland; and Yolo, who is pursuing her
studies in the local high school. Mr.
Saunders votes with the Republican Party, whose platform and principles appeal
to him as the best form of government for the majority. His fraternal affiliations are with the
Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Woodland Lodge, No.
1299, B. P. O. E. Genial, kindhearted
and sincere, he has unusual capacity for winning and retaining friends and all
who know Mr. Saunders testify to his strength of character and real worth.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 3, Pages 108-109. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies