Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

GEORGE LAWRENCE MAJOR

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

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


 
In these days of intensive ranching, especially in California, where the large 
grants and early ranches have been subdivided into smaller holdings, to be the 
owner of a twenty-acre ranch, developed to fruit and put under modern methods of 
cultivation, is to become an integral part of the community life and upbuilding. 
 The day is not far distant when there will be no more acreage to divide and the 
transition from the large stock and grain ranches, a thing of the past.  In the 
meantime, it is the men who are carrying on the development work now who are 
bringing wealth and prosperity to the agricultural districts, and through them, 
to the business centers of the State.
George Lawrence Major, one of Sutter County�s up-to-the-minute ranchers, was 
born in Springfield, Ill., January 12, 1897, the son of Hillary and Howie (Webb) 
Major, his father a native of Ohio, and his mother of Illinois.  In 1910 the 
family migrated to California from Arkansas, where the home was made for a few 
years, and settled in Sutter County, in the Gledhill Colony, where the father 
purchased twenty acres of open land and developed it to Thompson Seedless 
grapes.  A farmer in the Eastern States, he later went into brick manufacturing 
for a number of years, and the family made their home in eight different States 
during this interval, finally settling down in California; and here the father�s 
death occurred, in 1919, at sixty-five years of age.  The mother still lives, 
making her home in Gledhill Colony.
The only one of six children born to his parents to make his home in California, 
George Lawrence Major received his education in the public schools of eight 
different States.  On reaching his majority he started on his own way, and 
leased twenty-one acres near Oswald, Sutter County, for three years, and engaged 
in orchard cultivation.  In 1921 he purchased his twenty-acre ranch in Gledhill 
Colony, ten acres devoted to Thompson Seedless grapes, five acres to prunes, and 
five acres to peaches, all under a high state of cultivation and bringing good 
returns.
The marriage of Mr. Major, occurring July 10, 1918, at Marysville, united him 
with Miss Wynema Sharp, born in Petros, Tenn., and daughter of J. L. and Emma 
(Duncan) Sharp, both natives of Tennessee, where the father was a railroad man; 
the family came to California in 1912 and Mr. Sharp is now a rancher of Live 
Oak.  Mrs. Major was educated in the Live Oak schools and is a member of Wilson 
Women�s Club.  Two children blessed their union, Georgia and Raymond.  Mr. Major 
is a member of the Sun Maid Raisin Growers� Association.  He is a Republican in 
national politics, and in local matters he supports the men and measures which 
mean the further advancement of his community.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 1244