California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 SILAS BYRD HERRICK.� As a member of the firm of The Herrick Company, of Middletown. Silas B. Herrick has become known as one of the hustling business men of that town, where he and his brother have been established since 1900. Born in Lake county, and brought up on a ranch, he had an experience in general farming and orcharding covering several years, during which he made a reputation as an expert in agricultural matters, and when he turned his attention to commercial interests he proved equally able, his intelligent comprehension of the demands of business making him a valu- able factor in the success of the general store and the other lines which he and his brother carry on. Mr. Herrick was born April 17, 1872, at Lower Lake, the son of Hamlin Nelson and Mary Elizabeth (Akins) Herrick, the former the pioneer mer- chant in the southern part of Lake county, the latter member of one of the most prominent families of Lower Lake. The father died at Middletown April 10, 1908, at the age of seventy-two years ; the mother, now sixty-five years of age, is living with her son, Ossian R. Herrick, at Lower Lake. Further mention of this family is made elsewhere in this work under the name of Hamlin Webster Herrick. Silas Byrd Herrick was reared on the home ranch at Lower Lake, and attended grammar school in the town, where he had special advantages, being one of a class of seven who were particularly favored at that time, being given a selected high school course. From boyhood he assisted with the work at home, and his inclination for agricultural work and interest made him a ready pupil in all its branches. Although he never took a regular course at agricul- tural college he acquired a proficiency which few can boast, being particularly interested in orcharding, which he has mastered thoroughly, having an all- around familiarity with grafting, pruning, trimming, winemaking and the many other details of that business. Since eighteen years old he has made his own way in the world. For five years he was employed on the Wrey ranch at Lower Lake, which contained one hundred and ninety acres devoted to orchards and vineyards, besides hundreds of acres of grain, hay and range land. Then he had an opportunity to engage as clerk with the mercantile firm of J. Palstine, at Lower Lake, and in 1898 he was induced to make a trip to the Hawaiian Islands, where he was employed on the estate known as Kappa Hulu, an extensive dairy ranch, becoming general foreman on that property and continuing to hold the position for two and a quarter years. Returning home to Lower Lake in 1900, he soon afterward formed the part- nership with his brother, Hamlin W. Herrick, which existed until the latter's death, doing a general mercantile business at Middletown. In 1912 The Herrick Company, consisting of Hamlin W. Herrick, Mrs. Hamlin W. Herrick and Silas Byrd Herrick, was formed. His business career, from the year 1900, has been the same as his brother's. The record which the Herricks have made as successful merchants, dealers in wood and tanbark, and teaming con- tractors, has been due to their untiring perseverance, competent handling of all the work they have undertaken, and intelligent direction of their -various interests, and their accommodating spirit in dealing with all their patrons has had its just reward. In the year 1907 Silas B. Herrick married Miss Cora Brooks, a native of Middletown. Like his brother he is a Democrat in political opinion. Socially he belongs to Lower Lake Parlor No. 159, Native Sons of the Golden West.