Contra Costa County Biography

RANDOLPH C. MARSH

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

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

 
A distinguishing feature in the career of Randolph C. Marsh, an esteemed and 
honored resident of Oakley, where he has made his home since 1897, has been an 
unswerving integrity and uprightness, which have won for him the confidence of 
all who have had business dealings with him. He is the "Father of Oakley," and 
has made a success financially, being possessed of much business ability. He is 
a man of sound judgment and conservative methods, and he has done much to 
promote the general welfare and develop the resources of eastern Contra Costa 
County. A native of Union County, Ohio, Mr. Marsh was born May 24, 1838, the son 
of Samuel and Mary (Ryan) Marsh. His father died at the age of eighty-eight, and 
his mother passed away in her sixty-fifth year. Randolph C. Marsh received his 
education in the district school of Marysville, Ohio. Laying aside his books, he 
found employment at farming until the Civil War broke out, when he was one of 
the first to answer the call to arms, which was in April, 1861. He served three 
months and re-enlisted twice for three years' service, and was mustered out in 
July, 1865. Returning home, he again took up farming and continued to reside in 
Ohio until 1866, when he removed to Kansas and followed agricultural pursuits 
for six years. In 1875 he came to California and remained three years in 
Petaluma. He took up land in Lake County and remained there thirteen years, 
being identified with general farming and stock-raising. In 1897 he removed to 
Contra Costa County and purchased twelve acres, establishing and and naming the 
town of Oakley. He gave the first business lot in the town gratis to Joe Jesse 
for a grocery-store, and upon completion of the building presented him with a 
deed. Mr. Marsh and A. N. Norcross purchased twenty acres and put on a 
town-site. After two years Mr. Norcross disposed of his interest to Mr. Marsh 
and he continued in the real-estate business. Mr.  Marsh is the leading spirit 
of Oakley, regarding the establishment of schools, churches, etc. He has one 
daughter by his first marriage, Anna, wife of J. J. Every (deceased), of 
Lakeport, Lake County, California. Mr. Marsh's second marriage was to Eunice 
Coffin, a native of North Carolina, and to this union have been born two 
children - Kattie C., wife of E. E. Noyes, of Lake County, and Byron R., a 
resident of Los Angeles, at present business manager for Anita Baldwin. Mr. 
Marsh's second wife died in January, 1913. Fraternally, he is affiliated with 
the Masonic lodge of Middletown, Lake County. He has served as postmaster of 
Oakley for fourteen years, receiving his appointment from President McKinley. 
Mr. Marsh serves on the Oakley school board, and is a member of the town board. 
He has aided in many ways in the upbuilding of Oakley and the surrounding 
country. His judgment is often sought on account of his fairness and absence of 
personal interest. Mr. Marsh has been an advanced thinker and something of a 
politician for a good many years - not seeking political office for himself, but 
striving to mold more independence of thought on political lines, and of 
bringing our Government back nearer to the people. He is very fond of music and 
local home entertainments, and often writes little poems by request for such 
benefits. 
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 550-551.