Sacramento Valley Biographies

SAMUEL PICKNELL

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, July 2009.

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

        Encircled within the dates 1834 and 1883 (the former the year of Mr.
Picknell's birth in the state of Vermont and the latter the year of his
death in California) lies a record of activity, honorable purpose and
successful application to agricultural pursuits. While still quite young Mr.
Picknell decided that New England offered far less opportunity to an
agriculturist than the newer, richer fields of the further west, and
accordingly he removed to Missouri, where he remained a number of years,
diligently earning a livelihood and saving a little for future needs. It was
during 1861 that he came to California where the remainder of his busy life
was passed in farming and kindred occupations. Six years after his arrival
in this state he formed a partnership with Joseph Bound and the two
continued together for about fourteen years, when Mr. Picknell acquired all
of their landed properties by purchase. 

       The marriage of Mr. Picknell occurred in 1869 and united him with
Miss Catherine M. Gates, a native of Ontario, Canada. Four children came to
bless their union, namely: Cora B., who married Charles Canfield and resides
in Santa Cruz, this state; Stanley G., a resident of San Francisco; Alice
T., deceased, formerly Mrs, George H. Cardiff; and Sara A., who remains on
the old homestead with her mother. Though not active in politics Mr.
Picknell believed firmly in the principles of the Republican party and,
while not caring for official honors himself, was solicitous to assist those
of his friends who were candidates for local positions. Though more than
twenty years have passed since he closed his eyes in death he is remembered
with affection by family and friends and his memory is cherished as that of
a kind husband and father, an accommodating neighbor and a public-spirited
citizen. In the cemetery at Butte City, not far from the large estate which
he built up, his body was interred with many tributes of respect from
kindred and associates. Since his death the farm of fifteen hundred acres
has been principally under the management of Mr. Cardiff, a son-in-law, who
is the present manager and whose capability is evident in the well-kept
ranch and fine-stock.

"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company,
Chicago, 1906, Pages 959-960.