YUBA COUNTY
Biographies
RICHARD EDWIN BEVAN
Endowed with energy and perseverance, Richard Edwin Bevan has won for himself the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens, and through close application and unremitting industry has become a successful business man of Marysville. The well-managed undertaking establishment that bears his name was founded by Mr. Bevan, and was successfully conducted by him for many years. He is now practically retired, the business being conducted by his son, T. Frank Bevan, who is operating the business along the same conservative and successful lines. Richard Edwin Bevan is of Eastern birth and parentage. He was born on September 16, 1855, in Clayville, Oneida County, N. Y. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Bevan, was born in Wales in 1792, and his wife, a Miss Thomas, was also born there. Both died in the land of their birth. The father of Mr. Bevan, also named Thomas, was born in Wales, at Bunker Hill, which is located on the picturesque Severn River. His birth occurred on January 3, 1825, and he died at Clayville, N. Y., June 12, 1872. He followed the blacksmith’s trade during his active years. His marriage united him with Miss Ellen Jones, born February 23, 1853, in Remsen, N. Y., a daughter of Richard Jones, who was also a native of Wales. Besides Richard Edwin Bevan, there were three children in the parental family. The eldest, Elizabeth, died in 1903; Thomas C., now resides in Utica, N. Y.; and Margaret Jane, Mrs. Eastwood, died in Clayville, N. Y., in 1921.
The boyhood years of Richard E. Bevan were passed in Clayville, N. Y., where he attended the public schools and later the academy. When seventeen years of age he began preparations for business life as an apprentice to the carriage-maker’s trade, the years from 1873 to 1878 being thus spent. On June 1, 1878, he came to Wheatland, Cal.; and fifteen days later he was successful in securing a position at carpenter work and railroad-bridge construction. After three and a half years he gave up his position and returned East. Upon coming to the West again, in the spring of 1882, he did not resume work in that line, but opened a carriage-maker’s shop in Wheatland. Later, having in the meantime graduated from the Champion School of Embalming, he took up undertaking and embalming. Business was originally carried on under the firm name of Hopkins & Bevan, and later as Bevan & Glidden. After the death of Mr. Barnes, who was a pioneer in the business in Marysville, Mr. Bevan purchased the business formerly owned by him, and from that time the business has constantly grown. In 1888, Mr. Bevan was nominated for the office of coroner, and in January, 1889, he took the oath of office; he succeeded himself in the position of county coroner until 1899, and in the meantime, in 1898, was elected by the Republican party to the office of sheriff, serving from 1899 to 1903.
Mr. Bevan was made a Mason in Yuba Lodge, No. 39, F. & A.M.; but since the consolation of several lodges, he is a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 9. He belongs to Washington Chapter, No. 13, R.A.M.; Marysville Commandery, No. 7, K.T.; Oakland Consistory; and Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; and also to the Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Foresters, Foresters of America (of which he was treasurer for fourteen years), Improved Order of Red Men, Eagles, and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. While in Utica, N. Y., he was made an Odd Fellow. In 1884 his membership was transferred to Sutter Lodge, No. 100, at Wheatland, and he has been treasurer of the encampment at Marysville for the past ten years. While a resident of his native State, he was a member of the Hutchinson Light Guards, Company B, 26th New York Battalion.
The marriage of Mr. Bevan occurred in Marysville, and united him with Miss Josephine Phelan, a native of Yuba County, Cal., and a daughter of Robert Phelan, a pioneer farmer of California. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bevan: T. Frank, who was elected coroner of Yuba County in 1922; and who is a member of Marysville Lions Club, and has taken an active part in the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as director; and Angela Ellen and Josephine. Mr. Bevan was bereaved of his wife on March 17, 1912.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 538-539
HENRY FREDERICK BERG
Thanks to the aggressive enterprise of Henry Frederick Berg, his native town, Marysville, has in the Berg Electrical Shop one of the best-equipped, best-managed emporiums for the most practical devices, and the latest scientific appliances in the field of electricity, to be found in any town of its size. Born on Independence day , in the year 1878, he is a son of Henry J. Berg and his wife, Annie (Becker) Berg. His parents crossed the great plains by means of oxen in 1852 to reach the Golden State. Here the father worked for a while for wages, renting land until he could get on his feet. Then he bought some government land in Sutter County at what is now called Berg Station, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, in time thousands of acres, at ten dollars an acre, and this ranch became known as the Berg ranch. Henry was but a small boy of five years when his mother died, leaving two children: Charles, who is deceased, and Henry F., our subject. Some years later his father married a second time, being united with Lucy Eddinger, who was born in this State; and they now live retired in Marysville. Of the second union there are two children living, Mrs. Carrie Geis of Willows, and Kenneth, a rancher in Yuba County. The father was a very worthy man, and was widely known and highly esteemed in his community for his real worth as an industrious, honest and prosperous citizen.
Of highly intelligent parentage, while many a farmer’s lad had to be content with the minimum of schooling, Henry attended not only the public school, but also Santa Clara College, where he took the commercial courses. After that, he learned the plumber’s trade, and then set up as a plumber, and followed that line of industry until, on account of his health, he had to seek another occupation. This led him to join Mr. Metz in the electrical business. After the death of his partner he bought the widow’s interest; and for the past twelve years he has been the sole proprietor and director of this prosperous establishment. He carries a full line of all kinds of electrical equipment, and contracts to install what is needed; and among other fine pieces of work he has finished, he has done the electrical work in the Elks Building, the Foresters Hall, J. R. Garrett Company warehouses (including their large bean warehouse), the California Garage, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s rectory, Notre Dame Academy, Sutter Union Gymnasium, and many of the fine residences, flats and apartment houses in Marysville and Yuba City, as well as other towns and cities in the twin counties. Practically all of the extensive work needed hereabouts comes to him and his assistants, and this speaks for itself. Most of the time he employs five men, and keeps them busy.
In 1909, at Oakland, Mr. Berg was married to Miss Hattie Westover, a popular belle from San Francisco, who has become a favorite here. They have one child, Claire. Mr. Berg is a Knight of Columbus, of the third degree, and an Elk and a Woodman of the World. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Merchants’ Association and Marysville Electrical Association, and belongs to the Rotary Club.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 543-544
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