Yuba County
Biographies
SAMUEL
J. STABLER
SAMUEL J. STABLER. Formerly occupying a position of
prominence among the leading lawyers of Sutter and Yuba counties, Samuel J. Stabler, of Yuba City, is now actively associated with its
horticultural interests, and has done more than any other one man to place it
among the leading fruit-growing sections of this part of the state. In the development of the resources of the
city and county in which he resides he has ever been a leader, and in their
material interests has compiled an interesting sketch of Sutter county. Giving a true
and pleasing account of its healthful climate, its advantageous location, its
rich soil and varied productions, he has induced many capitalists to invest
their money here, thus helping to develop the resources of the lands hereabout,
and establishing his claim to be called a public benefactor.
A native of Maryland, he was born in
1831, in Montgomery county, where he was reared and
educated. Studying law when young, he
was admitted to the bar, and there began the practice of his profession. The news of the discovery of gold in
California drew his attention to this state, and thus early foreseeing its
great possibilities if properly developed, he at once started for the Pacific
coast. Arriving in San Francisco in
1850, Mr. Stabler was in business in that city as a
merchant and an auctioneer for three years.
Going to the mines in 1853, he spent four years in Eldorado county and two years in Sierra county. Locating in Yuba City in 1860, he was very soon
elected district attorney on the Democratic ticket, and served for two
terms. He also became senior member of
the law firm of Stabler & Bayne, which was in
existence for eighteen years, having offices in Colusa and Yuba City. After building up an extensive practice in
this vicinity Mr. Stabler’s health gave out and he
went to San Francisco, from there going on an extensive
eastern trip in 1896. Regaining his
normal vigor, he returned to Sutter county, resuming his law practice in Yuba
City, but settling on his ranch of two hundred and eight acres, which he had
bought in 1886, and which is now one of the most noted in the county. When he bought the land he set out a variety
of fruits, but ascertaining by years of experience and trial that more money could
be made by raising the Thompson seedless grapes than in any other way, he took
up one hundred and twenty acres of fine peach and other fruit trees and
replanted the land with the Thompson seedless grapes, which is a very prolific
vine, producing a superior quality of raisins.
He has also further improved the place by the erection (at a cost of
thousands of dollars) of a fine set of buildings, including warehouses and a
large dryer. He cures all of the raisins
which his own vineyards produce, and also for many of the neighboring vineyardists, carrying on an extensive business. Much of the time he has lived on the ranch
himself, but the orchards and vineyards are managed by his son, Henry P. Stabler.
Mr. Stabler
married Miss Alice Frank, a native of Washington, Ind., and they have three
children, namely: Henry P., and ex-member of the state
legislature, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket; Kate; and
Marguerite, who is a writer of note. Mr.
Stabler is very active and influential in financial,
social and political circles, and is a member of the Sutter county Board of
Trade.
Transcribed by
Doralisa Palomares.
Source:
“History of the State of California and
Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J.
M. Guinn. Page
412. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.
© 2017 Doralisa Palomares.
Golden Nugget
Library's Yuba County Biographies