Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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



DANIEL B. RUTH
 
            The record of Daniel B. Ruth stands in proof of the fact that the 
old-fashioned virtues of industry, energy and honesty are still the key to 
prosperity.  Concentrating his resources upon the achievement of a definite 
purpose, he has left the ranks of the man and gained a position among the 
foremost stock-raisers and agriculturists of Dobbins.  He has many friends in 
this district, in which he has spent his entire life, having been born on the 
old Ruth homestead, situated three miles above Dobbins, on the Camptonville 
road, August 15, 1867, the youngest in a family of three children whose parents 
were Michael and Margaret (Breslin) Ruth.  A native of Ireland, the father was 
born in Tipperary in 1826 and there spent his early life.  Like many of his 
fellow countrymen, he emigrated to the New World, first locating in the State of 
Vermont.  In the early fifties he came to California via the Isthmus route and 
sought his fortune in the quartz and placer mines, settling near French Corral, 
in Nevada County.  He was married to Miss Breslin at Marysville in 1862, and 
soon afterward came to the Yuba foothills, where he purchased a ranch.  He 
prospered in his farming operations, adding to his holdings from time to time, 
and at the time of his death, in 1888, was the owner of 1600 acres of valuable 
ranch land near Dobbins.  He was a loyal citizen of his adopted country, and 
exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the 
Democratic party.  He took an active part in political and public affairs, 
serving as a member of the Yuba County Democratic Central Committee, and for 
many years able filled the office of road overseer.  He was one of the foremost 
men of his community, and stood high in the regard of all who knew him.  For 
many years after his demise, the mother continued to reside in Yuba County; she 
passed away at the home of her daughter in Sacramento, in 1908.  Their family 
numbered two sons and a daughter.  The elder son, John F., was born in 1864, and 
as a young man removed to Nevada County, settling near Sweetland, where his 
death occurred in 1908.  He married Miss Mary Nugent, who survives him, as do 
their three children.  Mary Ann was born in 1865; she married N. Coupe, who 
resides at East Nicolaus.  She passed away in July, 1907, leaving a family of 
three children.
            Reared on the home farm, Daniel B. Ruth attended the Dobbins school 
from 1873 until 1883.  He was one of forty pupils who were under the able 
instruction of Mrs. Mary Slingsby, one of the pioneer educators of Yuba County.  
After his father�s death he assumed charge of the old homestead, being at that 
time a young man of twenty-one; and he continued to manage the estate until 
1913.  He then purchased the interests of the other heirs, and is now sole owner 
of the place, which is an ideal range; and there is also much valuable timber on 
the ranch.
            Mr. Ruth is the owner of 1100 acres of land, in addition to which he 
leases an adjoining tract of 3000 acres.  His operations are conducted on a very 
extensive scale.  He has many head of live stock, and his principal crop is hay. 
 He raises a fine grade of stock and bases his success upon progressive methods, 
modern equipment and unabating industry.  He is one of the leaders of 
agricultural activity in Yuba County, and has set a standard which others may 
profitably follow.  He is also proprietor of the Dobbins Ranch Hotel; and his 
business interests are of an important character, for he is constantly expanding 
the scope of his activities as opportunity offers, being a man of marked 
enterprise and initiative.  He is a valued member of the Bangor and California 
Cattlemen�s Associations, and has attended many of their conventions; but he has 
never held office in these organizations, although frequently urged to do so.
            Mr. Ruth was married in Columbia, Nevada County, to Miss Alice 
Calanan, a native of that place and a daughter of Michael and Mary Ann (Baker) 
Calanan, California pioneers who crossed the plains in the early days, and who 
are both now deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Ruth have a family of seven children, all 
of whom were born and reared in Dobbins. Clarence M., the eldest, is a veteran 
of the World War, and is associated in business with his father. The others are: 
 David E., who for the past seven years has been stock superintendent and 
foreman on the Friesleben Ranch at Oroville; Lorraine, who was graduated from 
the San Jose Teachers� College and now acts as principal of the Fairmead School, 
in Madera County; Lloyd E., who since January, 1923, has been buyer for the 
Valley Meat Company of Marysville; Lawrence, who is attending the Gridley high 
school, being a member of the class of 1924; and Evelyn and George, also 
public-school students.
            Mr. Ruth is a Native Son of the Golden West, belonging to the 
Campbell Parlor.  He is six feet, six inches in height and possesses the fine 
physique characteristic of the men of the West whose lives are spent in the 
open.  His deep interest in the welfare of his district has prompted him to take 
an active part in public affairs, and for over twenty years he has been deputy 
sheriff of Yuba County, discharging his duties fearlessly and efficiently.  For 
two decades he was constable of Foster Bar Township, retiring from office in 
1923; and for an equal period he was a school director of Dobbins.  He combines 
in his character all of the qualities of a useful and desirable citizen, and his 
influence has been a potent force in community upbuilding.  He is one of the 
outstanding personalities of Yuba County.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 427-428