Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

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

 
ALBERT FRANKLIN FOLSOM
 
A well-developed ranch of 155 acres in the Prairie District of Yuba County is 
owned and operated by Albert Franklin Folsom, whose life record illustrates the 
power of honesty and diligence to insure success.  He is of English descent and 
represents one of the oldest families in the United States.  The American 
progenitor of the family in the maternal line was a passenger on the Mayflower 
and became one of the founders of Plymouth Colony.  A native of Iowa, Mr. Folsom 
was born on October 14, 1856, the eldest in a family of six children whose 
parents were Hiram and Ellen (Masterman) Folsom, the latter also a native of the 
Hawkeye State.  The father was born in Boston, Mass., on February 19, 1831, and 
made three round trips across the plains to California, first undertaking the 
journey in 1852.  In the year 1863 he came from Iowa to this State with his 
family; and one child, William, was born while they camped on the Humboldt 
River.  On reaching California they first located at Oregon Hill, in Yuba 
County, and soon afterward moved to Sutter Basin, where they remained until 
1873.  They then established their home upon a farm situated eleven miles 
northeast of Marysville; and the Hiram Folsom ranch is well-known to the old 
settlers of the Prairie District.  In addition to operating the farm, the father 
also conducted a freighting business, transporting merchandise from Marysville 
to the mountains, and was thus occupied until 1895, when he retired.  He died in 
1915.  The mother had passed on, October 4, 1869.
Albert Franklin Folsom was six years of age at the time the family left Iowa; 
and his education was acquired in the public schools of Yuba County.  Following 
his father�s example, he also engaged in freighting, and drove the first big 
team down the hill to Colgate, hauling the huge power pipe to that place during 
the construction of the power plant.  He continued in the freighting business 
until 1911, when he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old 
homestead, which he has since operated.  He installed a pumping plant to 
irrigate his place, where he raises the crops best adapted to soil and climatic 
conditions here, and also grows choice varieties of fruit.
Mr. Folsom has been married twice.  In 1881 he wedded Miss Cynthia Cuddeback, 
who died soon afterward.  On January 27, 1887, he married Miss Carrie Hill, who 
was born in Napa County, a daughter of Andrew Hill, born in Ohio, who came to 
California across the plains in 1849 and here was married to Martha Henderson, 
who had also crossed the plains, coming with her parents in the same train as 
Mr. Hill.  They had eight children, of whom Mrs. Folsom is the fifth in order of 
birth.  Mr. and Mrs. Folsom are the parents of three children: Mrs. Nellie 
Thomas, of Sacramento; Albert H., who saw service in the World War as a member 
of the 91st Division, and is now farming in Sutter County; and Chester Hiram, 
who aids his father in operating the home ranch.
Mr. Folsom is a Republican in his political views and an active worker in the 
ranks of the party.  He has served for many years on election boards, and has 
also acted as school trustee of Yuba County.  Fraternally, he is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Oriental Lodge No. 45, of 
Marysville.  His labors have always been of a constructive nature; and earnest, 
systematic effort is the basis of his advancement.  He has always been a zealous 
supporter of any measure conducive to the welfare of this community, and merits 
and receives the respect of his fellow men.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 659