California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


JAMES GREEN SHORT.� One of the first settlers of Round Valley 
and later one of the largest wool growers and horsemen of the day, James 
Green Short was a native of Illinois, as was also his wife Elizabeth (Arm- 
strong) Short. 

On the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Short, leaving his family in 
Illinois, made the trip across the plains in the early '50s, and followed the 
fortunes of the California mines for several years. Later he returned to 
Illinois and brought his family across the plains in an old time "prairie 
schooner." He remained a short time in Amador county, and then located 
in Round Valley, taking up land east of what is now the location of Covelo. 
He was among the first settlers in the valley, and for many years he engaged in 
stock-raising and farming there. His father also came to California and 
located in Round Valley, being for a time the government Indian agent on 
the Round Valley Indian Reservation. His son, in addition to his farm and 
stock interests, also assisted with the business of the reservation. 

Later Mr. Short sold his ranch and purchased a sheep ranch near Wil- 
liams, and engaged in wool growing, becoming the owner of the largest sheep 
ranch of that time. He continued in this enterprise with the greatest success, 
until he retired from active business and took up his residence in Covelo. 
He died in Ukiah, whither he had gone for medical attention. His wife 
survived him but two years, passing away at the family home in Covelo. 
There were nine children in their family, of whom seven are now living. 
They are: Carrie, now Mrs. O'Farrel, of Covelo; Amador, residing on Bald 
mountain; Jacob Green, residing on Buck mountain; Callie, now Mrs. Kelley, 
of Covelo; Katie, now Mrs. Montague, also of Covelo ; Philo Rutherford, of 
Cummings; and George, residing near Summit valley.