Biography of Marcellus A. Nurse of Yolo County
Marcellus A. Nurse, a prominent civil engineer and state surveyor of California, contributed to the state’s public works, especially in reclamation and irrigation. Born in Ohio in 1846, he followed in his father’s footsteps, who was also an engineer and pioneering Californian. Nurse’s work included improving the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers’ navigation and irrigation systems. He had extensive farming and mining interests and was married with seven children. Although a Democrat, he remained largely apolitical, focusing on his engineering duties that have garnered legislative support.
