Yolo County
Biographies
WILLIAM H. TROOP
As an agriculturist William H. Troop
has given a service of over forty years to the development of the natural
resources of the state, with an energy and enterprise characteristic of the
early settlers of California, sparing no effort to attain a position of
prominence in his chosen work. Since 1884 a retired resident of Woodland, he is
well known in this city and throughout Yolo county,
now serving as city trustee, giving to the discharge of his duties the
punctilious attention which has won him the esteem and confidence of his fellow
townsmen.
Born in Allegany county,
N. Y., September 5, 1834, Mr. Troop is the son of William and Sybil (Cooper)
Troop. The parents removed to Michigan prior to 1838 and there the death of the
mother occurred in 1862. In Michigan the father engaged in farming until 1849,
when the gold discovery in California impressed him with the desire to cross
the plains in search of the fortune many were then finding. He began
preparations at once, and in the following year crossed the plains with
horse-teams in company with a train, and on his arrival here followed mining
for about two years. The demand for lumber to be used in the extensive building
operations of the state which early demonstrated its growth, and the scarcity
of the same, induced him to establish and conduct a sawmill
in Squaw Hollow, Eldorado (sic) county, and also in Diamond Springs. He
eventually disposed of these interests and returning east, with the proceeds,
purchased a fine farm. A few years later he again came to California by way of
the Isthmus and engaged in mining for a short time, when he once more located
in Michigan, at that time trading his farm for a lumber plant in Genesee county, that state. However, having become impressed with
the delightful climate of California he was not content to remain in the middle west, and once more, and for the last time, he came
to California, having first disposed of his property in Michigan. For several
years he engaged in mining in this state and Nevada, after which he located in
Woodland and led a retired life until his death at the advanced age of ninety
years. Until 1863 William H. Troop remained in Michigan, but that year he came
to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. His first year in the Golden
state was spent in Amador county whence he came to Yolo county,
his interests since 1864 being identified with this section. In Capay valley he
purchased six hundred and sixty-seven acres and until 1877 was engaged in
general farming and stock-raising, improving the land by wise cultivation, and
enhancing the value of the property by the erection of substantial buildings.
His disposal of the property in 1877 brought him a handsome profit. Following
this he rented various ranches for a few years, and then purchased a quarter
section seven miles from Woodland. This property he farmed until 1884, when he
sold out and located in Woodland, since then making this city his home, in the
meantime dealing extensively in real estate. At the present time he owns
considerable property in Woodland.
The marriage of Mr. Troop united him
with Phoebe E. Hoag, who was born in New York December 25, 1839, and of this
union were born three children, namely: Mary, who married C. L. Hatch; Alice C.
and Annabell. Fraternally Mr. Troop is a member and
past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Rebekahs and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: "History of the State of
California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento
Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, Pages
613-614.
The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906.
© 2017 Cecelia M. Setty.
Golden
Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies