Sacramento Valley Biographies

JOHN F. ABEL JR.
                          
          Extensive and important agricultural operations command the time
and attention of Mr. Abel, who has passed his entire life in Colusa county
and therefore by experience and observation has gained a thorough knowledge
of the possibilities of this region. The ranch which he now occupies and
super-intends lies three miles southeast of Williams, while his birthplace,
the old Abel homestead, is situated five miles west of the same town, so
that his entire life has been passed in practically the same locality.
Mention of the family appears in the sketch of his father, John F. Abel Sr.,
an honored pioneer of that county. Among the children he was sixth in order
of age and was born October 27, 1874, hence is now on the sunny side of
life's prime, with the future and all its opportunities ready to be grasped
by his keen intelligence and shrewd judgment. 

         Upon completing the studies of the common school in Freshwater
district Mr. Abel took a course of study in Pierce Christian College at
College City. Upon his return home he assisted his father until attaining
his majority, when he started out for himself. The first enterprise in which
he became interested was a livery barn at Williams, where for three years he
was a member of the firm of Rathbun & Abel. On selling out to his partner he
rented about one thousand acres forming the A. J. Tully and L. F. Byington
lands, three miles from Williams, where he has since engaged in raising
grain. In addition he rents two  thousand acres belonging to W. H. Williams,
so that altogether he operates three thousand acres. To a large extent the
tracts are in grain, but there is some pasture for his cattle, hogs, sheep,
horses, and mules, and his interests in stock are increasing each year. For
the cultivation of his land he uses five eight-mule teams of his own and
during the busy season he hires as many more to aid in the work. The
threshing is carried on by means of twenty-foot cut, which cares for the
grain with thoroughness and dispatch.

         The social, religious and fraternal affiliations of Mr. Abel are
principally in his home town of Williams, where he and his wife (who was
Effie Eib, daughter of P. B. Eib, of Willow) have a large circle of warm
friends.The work of the Christian Church receives stanch support from them,
not only through liberal gifts to its current expenses, but also through his
faithful service as a trustee. Fraternally he was made a Mason February 11,
1898, in Tuscan Lodge No. 261, F. & A. M., at Williams, which lodge honored
him with the office of master in 1903 and 1904. Besides being connected with
the Independent Order of Foresters he is active in the work of the Order of
the Eastern Star, to which his wife also belongs.

"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company,
Chicago, 1906, Pages 436-437.

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, April 2009.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm