Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

JOHN PATRICK COLFORD

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

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

 
Few of the residents of Sutter City have more familiarity with the early days of 
California than has John Patrick Colford.  He was born in Marysville, January 
18, 1870, a son of John and Anna (Daugherty) Colford, natives of Boston, Mass., 
and New Brunswick, Canada, respectively.  John Colford, the father, came to 
California in 1868, settled in Marysville, and for many years worked in the 
Marysville Foundry, manufacturing mining machinery.  He had served during the 
Civil War as a gunner in the United States Navy.  For thirty-seven years he 
served in the Marysville police Department, and at one time was chief of the 
fire department of that city.  He passed away at the age of sixty-seven years; 
and at the time of his death the city of Marysville was presented with a cannon 
(which had come into the possession of Mr. Colford through his military record 
and services during the war), in honor of his capable service to Marysville 
through so many years.  This cannon now graces the park in Marysville.  The 
mother of our subject died at the age of sixty-five years.  Eight children were 
born to this worthy couple: Anna A. (deceased), John P., William Edward, Mamie 
F. (Mrs. L. Brown, now deceased), George A., Charles R., Lewis O., and Augusta 
(deceased).
John Patrick Colford was educated in the Marysville schools, and at an early age 
began to learn the machinists� trade in the Marysville Foundry.  He became 
assistant engineer in the Marysville water-works, and during the fire of 1887 
was awarded a gold watch for his heroic work in remaining at his post and 
keeping the water mains filled with water.  When the Spanish-American War broke 
out, he joined Company L, 8th California Volunteers, with the rank of first 
sergeant, and for one year was in active service along the coast of Washington, 
Oregon and California.  Returning to civil life, he clerked in a grocery store 
for one year, and then became a member of the police force, where he remained 
for five years.  After his father�s death he became a special officer in 
Chinatown.  Since 1910 Mr. Colford has been custodian of the Sutter Union High 
School.
The marriage of Mr. Colford occurred at Sacramento, December 18, 1907, uniting 
him with Miss Eleanor Mae McVay, a native of California, and one of eight 
children born in the family of Thomas F. and Nancy (Vorst) McVay, the former a 
native of Missouri and the latter of Indiana.  Thomas F. McVay first came to 
California in 1849, and engaged in farming.  Mrs. McVay passed on in 1913.  Mr. 
McVay is still living, aged eighty-eight.  Fraternally, Mr. Colford is a member 
of the Moose Lodge of Marysville and the Woodmen of the World of Yuba City.  
Mrs. Colford is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood of Marysville.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 810