Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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



 
JOHN E. WALSH
 
            For a period of seventy years members of the Walsh family have 
contributed to the development of California�s agricultural and mineral 
resources, and in the work of upbuilding John E. Walsh has borne his full share. 
 He is engaged in stock-raising near Smartsville and his ranch is supplied with 
all modern improvements.  He is a native son of California and was born in the 
Junction House, on the Sacramento-Marysville road, in Smartsville, July 22, 
1861, his parents being John and Mary (Daugherty) Walsh, both natives of 
Ireland.  The father came to California in 1852, settling in Eldorado County, 
where he engaged in mining, and afterward followed that occupation at Timbuctoo, 
Rose Bar, Long Bar and various places along the Yuba River and also at Sucker 
Flat.  About 1858 he turned his attention to stock-raising, operating the Bowman 
place, at that time called Antelope Springs, owing to the fact that it was the 
only spot in that vicinity where wild game could obtain water during the dry 
seasons; and the place was also used for rodeos during the early days.  Mr. 
Walsh had secured a squatter�s claim to the place, which he later sold, moving 
to the Bushby ranch on the Marysville road.  There he built a home but afterward 
sold the property to Mr. Bushby, whose family have since lived upon it.  Mr. 
Walsh next became owner of a farm on the Sacramento road, which at that time 
traversed Bear River at Johnson�s Crossing and continued on through the Oak 
Grove country to Smartsville; he also bought the toll house, on the Sacramento 
road, and built a portion of the toll road.  He was one of the honored pioneers 
of Northern California and his life was a long, active and useful one.  The 
mother had come to California in 1858, and in this State her marriage occurred.  
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were the parents of seven children:  John E., Phillip, 
Edward, Mary, Nellie, William and Charles.
            Mr. Walsh obtained the greater part of his education in the 
Smartsville public school and remained at home assisting his father until he 
reached the age of twenty-four years.  He then started out on his own account 
and engaged in threshing, sheep-shearing and various kinds of farm work.  For 
several years he has devoted his attention to stock-raising and is now the owner 
of a 240-acre ranch in the hills, four and a half miles southeast of 
Smartsville.  He has a thorough knowledge of his occupation, gained through 
broad experience and careful study.
            Mr. Walsh was married in Grass Valley in August, 1884, to Miss Anna 
Quick, who was born on December 8, 1860, in Hansonville, Yuba County, a daughter 
of Granderson and Libby (Morgan) Quick, natives of Virginia.  In 1859 they 
crossed the plains to California, locating at Timbuctoo, which at that time was 
the largest settlement in Rose Bar Township.  The father engaged in mining and 
also participated in public affairs, serving at one time as constable of 
Timbuctoo.  Mr. and Mrs. Walsh had three children:  Charles Eugene, Walter 
Lucien and Marie.  Mrs. Walsh died on April 9, 1923, beloved by all who knew 
her, and is deeply mourned by her husband and children and a large circle of 
relatives and friends.   She was, for several years prior to her marriage, a 
successful public school teacher in Yuba and Placer Counties. She attended the 
common schools at Timbuctoo and the high school at Oakland, Cal, and completed 
her education for teaching at the San Jose State Normal, from which she 
graduated.
            Mr. Walsh votes according to the dictates of his judgment, placing 
the qualifications of a candidate above party ties, and where matters of 
progressive citizenship are concerned his support is never found wanting.  He 
was a member of the Smartsville Parlor, N.S.G.W., until the organization lost 
its charter through lack of membership.  Laudable ambition has prompted him to 
strive earnestly and untiringly for the attainment of his purpose and he 
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for it has been won through 
hard work and straightforward methods.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 833-834