Shasta County
Biographies
ELIAS ANDERSON
1817-1880(?). Rancher, farmer, hotel owner, postmaster. Married Elizabeth Summers in 1839. Built the Prairie House at Cottonwood in 1856 on the south side of Cottonwood Creek (now Tehama County). Purchased the American Ranch from Thomas Freeman in 1856 and built the American Ranch Hotel. The post office was inside the hotel. Purchased 210 acres from Pierson B. Reading in 1865 for $1313. Deeded a right-of-way through his property to Central Pacific Railroad in 1872; in return the railroad gave the depot his name. Had his home built in 1873 at 2865 East Street; it no longer exists. While it stood, the house was designated as California Historical Landmark No. 12. In 1876 he moved the ranch hotel to the corner of Main and Ferry Streets. Sold his hotel to son George in 1880 and retired. Lived in his daughter Annie’s house at the corner of Howard and East Streets until his death.
The Dictionary of Early Shasta County History. - by Dottie Smith - copyright 1999
J. J. BELL
Settled on the north bank of Clear Creek in 1851 where present-day Highway 273 crosses the creek. Established Bell's Ferry that same year across Clear Creek and later built Bell's Bridge to replace the ferry. Established Bell's Race Course (horse racing track) beside Clear Creek; the first known race occurred in 1855. Purchased 1338 acres from Pierson B. Reading in 1859 for $4013. Built alarge house in 1859 which became known as Bell's Mansion House. Was a principal stockholder in the Original Williams and Kellinger Gold, Silver and Copper Mining Company in 1862. Donated a right-of-way and almost 23 acres to Central Pacific Railroad in 1872 for the location of a railroad depot which Central Pacific built and named Girvan. Sold the property in 1879 to William McCoy. Bell was a fine horseman and judge of horses. Bell's Precinct was named for him.
The Dictionary of Early Shasta County History. - by Dottie Smith - copyright 1999
SAMUEL BURNEY
1800-1859.Trapper, guide and caretaker. One of the first Burney Valley settlers. Arrived in November of 1858. Killed by Indians inside his log cabin from a hatchet strike to the back of his head in March of 1859, having lived in the area only four months. At the time of his death was living at Brook Farm, the homestead of James Preadmore. Some say that William Cayton may have suggested or even condoned the Indians plan to kill Burney because of his desire for the land, nevertheless, Cayton acquired the land soon after Burney's death. The town of Burney, Burney Creek, Burney Falls, Burney Mountain, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, and Burney Valley are all named for him.
The Dictionary of Early Shasta County History. - by Dottie Smith - copyright 1999
CHAUNCEY CARROLL BUSH (JUDGE)
1831-1907.Arrived at Shasta in 1851 and worked as a mule packer and an unsuccessful goldminer. Married Ida Schroeder in 1865. Elected as County Judge in 1861. Admitted to the bar in 1867. Retained William Magee to survey Shasta in 1870. Moved to Redding when the railroad arrived in 1872. Called the Father of Redding because of his many accomplishments. Was the first Redding merchant, the first Redding Mayor, first Redding Fire Chief (at that time called a Foreman), first Redding postmaster, and the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Was also a Justice of the Peace (judge). Built his house at the northwest corner of Sacramento and Market Streets (present day location of Redding Hotel). Built first Redding store in 1872 at the southeast corner of Butte and Market Streets; store named C. C. Bush & Co. Redding's first post office was located in a corner of store. Building and contents destroyed in an 1873 fire. Established Bush & Johnson, Forwarding and Commission Merchants (express company forwarding business) with partner Henry F. Johnson in 1876 and shipped goods from the railroad by stage and freight wagons to points farther north. Was an agent for Firemen's Fund Insurance Co. of California in 1881. He and others started the movement to bring the county seat from Shasta to Redding in 1881. Organized the Bank of Shasta County (first Shasta County bank) in 1884 on California Street which later moved to the corner of Market and Butte Streets.
The Dictionary of Early Shasta County History. - by Dottie Smith - copyright 1999
CHARLES CAMDEN
1817-1912. Walked to Shasta County in 1850 with mining partners Levi Tower and John Hindman from Humboldt Bay. Placer mined on Clear Creek and other nearby creeks for 20 years. Built a log cabin in 1852 in the garden of Levi Tower's nearby Tower House at the junction of the Shasta to Weaverville to French Gulch mule trail. Present-day location is the junction of Hwy. 299W and French Gulch Road. Log cabin still exists as part of the living room in the existing Camden House. Built a sawmill in 1852 on Mill Creek just south of Clear Creek. Married Philena Tower (sister of Levi) in 1852 inside the log cabin in a double wedding with Levi. Theirs was the 3rd recorded Shasta County marriage and the 1st known double wedding ceremony in Shasta County. Purchased Tower's wagon road in 1861, made $20,000 worth of improvements, and renamed it the Camden Toll Road. Converted the existing Clear Creek bridge into a covered bridge in 1864 by adding sides and a roof. Discovered Iron Mountain Mine in early 1860s with mining partner William Magee.
The Dictionary of Early Shasta County History. - by Dottie Smith - copyright 1999