Biography of John Sanderson Swan

1925 History of Merced County - title page

As a city trustee of Merced and former sheriff of Merced County, John Sanderson Swan has been intimately associated with the public life of this locality for many years. He was born in Waterford, Maine, September 30, 1849, a son of Thomas and Eliza (Sanderson) Swan, of Welsh and Scotch ancestors, respectively. Both parents are deceased. John Sanderson Swan was educated in the public schools of his native state and in the Bridgeton Academy; at nineteen years of age he began to earn his own way in the world and for fifteen years was foreman for one company in New … Read more

Biography of James Cunningham

1925 History of Merced County - title page

One of the most highly esteemed citizens of Merced County was the late James Cunningham, who had the distinction of being one of the organizers of the county. He was born in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland, May 12, 1824, the son of James and Margaret (Dunlap) Cunningham. The father was born at Castle Colley, eight miles from Londonderry, served in the South Fifteenth Infantry for seventeen years, twelve of which he was color sergeant, stationed in the West Indies. He took part in some of the most famous battles of his time and was the last man to leave the … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Ruddle

Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Ruddle

One of the best-known and beloved women in Merced is Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Ruddle. She was born in Jackson County, Ala., on August 25, 1841, the daughter of the late Thomas Jefferson and Ann (McFarlane) Hardwick, the former born in Georgia and the latter in Tennessee, where they were married. Soon after their marriage they moved to Alabama, where Mr. Hardwick was elected judge. Judge Hardwick and his family, which consisted of his wife and six children, crossed the plains in 1859, from Jasper County, Mo., where Mr. Hardwick had been farming for some years. Upon their arrival in this … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Louisa M. Wilson

1925 History of Merced County - title page

The oldest of the pioneer residents of Merced Falls, Mrs. Louisa M. Wilson is a native of the town, being the fourth and youngest child of the late Charles Murray. He was born in Ireland and was brought to America when a child and was reared in Missouri. In 1849 he came West, driving his own cattle and stock across the plains and arrived in Merced Falls after a long and tiresome journey of seven months. From the proceeds of the sale of his stock, Mr. Murray built a hotel and opened a general store, which he conducted under the … Read more

Biography of Elbridge Gerry Rector

1925 History of Merced County - title page

A Mexican War veteran and a pioneer of 1849 in California, Elbridge G. Rector first saw the light in Sevier County, Tenn., on February 19, 1816. His father was Kenner Avery Rector, a Virginian, who participated in the War of 1812, and gained the reputation of being the best shot in General Jackson’s army. He married Elizabeth Randall, prominently connected with families of the Old Dominion. The Rector family was transplanted on American soil from German forebears who first went to Scotland, thence to Virginia, where, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Charles Rector, a prosperous planter, accompanied by … Read more

Biography of Hon. John M. Montgomery

1925 History of Merced County - title page

A man of upright character, a firm friend and a patriotic citizen, John M. Montgomery held a warm place in the hearts of all who knew him. He was born in Hardin County, Ky., September 18, 1816, and died in Merced County, May 4, 1891. Between these dates his life and work were an open book to the communities he so well served. He went to school in the locality where he was born, and upon reaching young manhood he went to Missouri, where he remained until the spring of 1847. He then followed the westward trend of civilization, crossing … Read more

Biography of John Ruddle

John Ruddle

It is enlightening and inspiring to read the lives and see the faces of the men and women who have built up Merced County to the position it now holds, and who have been the very foundation of all development work which has taken place since their early settlement here, in building up the population of the County and State, and in demonstrating the fertility of the soil for future productiveness. Among these pioneers, none more thoroughly deserves mention in the history of the county than the late John Ruddle, “pioneer of pioneers,” who crossed the plains in 1849, and … Read more

History of Plainsburg California and Plainsburg School

Plainsburg School around 1930

Merced county was part of Mariposa county until a bill was passed in 1855. The southern part of Merced county was used for grazing, and the government held the title to the land, which let the people who were involved in cattle-raising to graze without any hindrance over a vast territory covered with the best grasses. Until the middle of the 1860’s people thought that this part of the country was unfit for agriculture. As you found out they were wrong. People started testing the capacity of the soil and climate and soon demonstrated beyond all doubt that cereals of … Read more

Biography of Hon. Frank L. Coombs

Title Page vol 1 The New California

While the disposition to do honor to those who have served well their race or their nation is prevalent among all enlightened people and is of great value everywhere and under all forms of government, it is particularly appropriate to and to be fostered in this country, where no man is born to public office or to public honor or comes to either by inheritance, but where all men are equal before the law, where the race for distinction is over the road for public usefulness and is open to everyone who chooses to enter, however humble and obscure he … Read more

Biography of Richard E. Collins

Title Page vol 1 The New California

Richard E. Collins, present assessor of Shasta county, has given one of the most efficient and business-like administrations of his office that the county has ever enjoyed, and his own ability is reflected in the work of the office. His entry into the position was most auspicious and indicative of his great popularity as a citizen of the county, for his election was by a great majority in a county of the opposite political complexion to his own. Mr. Collins is a true son of the west, possessed of the grit and progressive characteristics of a Californian, and his career … Read more