Sacramento County Biographies

GEORGE C. MCMULLEN

Transcribed by: Nancy Pratt Melton

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

BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP
Page 249

	Was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 27, 1838. His 
parents moved to Missouri, in 1855, where they remained two years, and then 
crossed the plains, with ox-teams; first settled in Solano County, and resided 
there till 1875, when he purchased the place known as �Lizzie's Vineyard,� in 
Sacramento County, his present home. The farm contains two hundred and forty 
acres, all arable, eighty-five acres of which is set in vines, and annually 
produces a hundred tons of grapes; strawberries are also grown. His place is 
only half a mile from Brighton Station, on the Sacramento Valley Railroad, and 
immediately on the line of the C. P. Road to Stockton. A well-stocked fish pond 
is to be seen on Mr. McMullen's place. He married Miss Rhoda E. White, September 
25, 1859, by whom he has four children, viz.: George Elmer, Irvine Ben., Lida 
A., and Winfield E.   Mr. McMullen has been continuously engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. A view of his residence is presented elsewhere. 
 
Source: History of Sacramento County, California With Illustrations 1880 by 
Thompson & West.


	Who owes more to the capital embraced in a fine 
physical organization and a well-poised brain then to the inherited wealth of a 
line of ancient ancestors, was born in Perry County Ohio, January 27, 1838, his 
father being a prosperous farmer in that section.  In 1855 his parents removed 
to Missouri and thence, two years later, set out for California, making the trip 
by ox teams without serious mishap.  Mr. McMullen resided first in Solano 
County, until the fall of 1874, when he came to Sacramento County and purchased 
a fine ranch of 240 acres known as "Lizzie's Vineyard," situated within a short 
distance of Brighton, which he conducted for a number of years and brought to a 
high state of perfection.  Of late Mr. McMullen has been trading and dealing 
extensively in land, and devoting himself to breeding and raising of the finer 
grades of horses in stock.  He at present farms a snug place of some seventy-six 
acres near Brighton, and situated about five miles east of the city.  For four 
years, beginning in 1884, Mr. McMullen represented the Fourth Supervisors' 
District of this County, and at the election of November, 1888, was chosen to 
most responsible position of Sheriff of the County; an office he is peculiarly 
well-fitted to fill efficiently on account of his wide acquaintance in this 
section, his quick and ready judgment, his unhesitating determination.  The 
Board of Supervisors, of which he was member, has made an honorable record for 
itself in the great amount of public improvements it has accomplished, in the 
way of laying out the improving roads, the building of bridges, etc., 
etc.,--more than was effected in the 20 years previously; and what is still more 
credible, the rate of taxation has been at the same time materially lowered.  
Mr. McMullen is a Republican of decided convictions.  For many years he has been 
an active patron of husbandry.  Mr. McMullen was married Sept. 25, 1859, to Miss 
Rhoda E. White.  They have five children George Ebner, Irvine H., Lida A., 
Winfield E., and Edith, the youngest, all residing at home.

An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California.  By Hon. Win. J Davis. 
Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 257.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.


       This gentleman has for many years been one of the leading representatives 
of the agricultural interests of Sacramento county, and is also a man of 
prominence in political circles.  He is now occupying the position of county 
coroner, and in the discharge of his duties manifests the businesslike 
promptness and keen discernment that have brought him success in the channels of 
legitimate trade.  He owes his prosperity not to the inherited wealth of a line 
of ancient ancestors, but to his industry and resolute purpose, and thus he has 
justly won the proud American title of self-made man.
       Mr. McMullen was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 27, 1838, and is a 
son of John McMullen, who was a prosperous farmer and stock-dealer of that 
locality.  His paternal grandfather, John McMullen, was a probate judge of 
California in a very early day.  John McMullen, the father of our subject, came 
to California in 1857 and spent his last days in Solano county, where he died at 
the age of seventy-seven years.  His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Susan 
Kemper, who was also a native of Perry county Ohio, and died in Solano county at 
the age of sixty-nine years.  In their family were seven children, and with the 
exception of two daughters all are yet living.
       George C. McMullen was a youth of seventeen years when he accompanied his 
parents on their removal to Missouri, and two years later he came with them to 
California, the journey being made across the plains with ox teams.  After some 
years' residence in Solano county he came to Sacramento county, in 1874 and 
purchased a fine ranch of two hundred and forty acres, known as Lizzie's 
Vineyard, and situated within a short distance of Brighton. There he carried on 
business for a number of years, bringing his ranches to a high state of 
perfection.  He cultivated fruit, with excellent success, and also engaged in 
trading and dealing extensively in land and in breeding and raising high grades 
of horses and other stock.  He became the owner of a farm of seventy-six acres, 
near Brighton, and was numbered among the representatives of the agricultural 
and horticultural interests of Sacramento county until December 1896 when he 
established an undertaking business in Sacramento.
       Mr. McMullen is well known in political circles and has earnestly 
advocated the principles of the Republican party since 1864, when he supported 
Abraham Lincoln.  At the previous election he voted for Stephen A. Douglas, but 
through the past thirty-five years he has been unwavering in his allegiance to 
the political organization that stood by the Union in the Civil War, and is now 
upholding American interests in our colonial possessions.  In 1884 he was 
elected supervisor of the county, and in November, 1888, was chosen by popular 
ballot for the responsible position of sheriff, in which he discharged his 
duties with promptness and fidelity.  In 1898 he was elected county coroner and 
is now filling that office.  Frequently called to public office, his election 
demonstrates the confidence reposed in his fidelity to the public trusts.
       On the 25th of September, 1859, Mr. McMullen was united in marriage to 
Miss Rhoda E. White, and to them have been born five children:  George Ebner, 
Irvine H., Lyda A., Winfield E., and Edith.  The family is one of prominence in 
the community, having many warm friends in the city and county of Sacramento.  
Mr. McMullen was formerly a member of the Grange and is highly regarded in 
agricultural circles. 

Source: �A Volume Of Memoirs And Genealogy of Representative Citizens Of 
Northern California� Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. Chicago. 1901. Pages 
304-305.

Submitted by: Betty Tartas