Sonoma County Biography
William Logan Tombs
No incident connect3ed with the boyhood years of Mr. Tombs stands out more vividly in his memory than the crossing of the plains when he was fourteen years of age. From the time of the discovery of gold the family had been deeply interested in tales concerning the vast undeveloped regions of the west, but it was not until 1856 that the opportunity came for migration hither. The old home had been in Missouri and he was born at St. Joseph, that state, in 1842, in childhood attended the common schools and shared the recreations and play of his associates in the neighborhood familiar to his early recollections. Like the majority of the southern families of that period, there were slaves owned by this family and upon the removal to California five were brought along, accompanying the father and mother, the two sons and two daughters. The tedious journey with wagons and oxen dragged its course toward completion and ended in safety with the arrival in the Santa Clara valley. Concerning the slaves it is worthy of note that three of them remained with the family until they died, another is now a resident of Healdsburg, while the fifth lives in San Francisco at this time.
Upon the completion of the studies of the San Jose grammar schools Mr. Tombs took up general ranching as his occupation, coming to Sonoma county during the autumn of 1857 and finding a sparsely settled region, containing only grants and government land, and having as residents as many Mexicans and Spaniards as Americans. For fourteen years he was identified with the management of thirty-four hundred acres of land and in that time he learned much concerning the care of stock and the details connected with agricultural activities. Next he embarked in the stock business for himself, purchasing eighteen hundred acres of land on the Wallala river and for twenty-nine years operating the same as a stock ranch. Meanwhile he experienced his share of joy and sorrow, of success and adversity, but prosperity did not elate nor discouragements daunt him. In every condition and environment he remained calm, steadfast and sanguine, with an unwavering optimistic faith in the future of his county and commonwealth.
The marriage of William Logan Tombs and Miss Jennie Sacry, a native of Missouri, was solemnized in 1866 and was a union of mutual helpfulness and happiness until the bond was severed by the death of the wife in 1893 at the family residence in Healdsburg. One child has preceded her in death, passing away in infancy. The surviving daughter, Nellie, married Robert Mason. The father and mother of Mr. Tombs died in Sonoma county and their remains were interred amid scenes familiar to their later years. His list of kindred is now small in the west, but in partial recompense for the lack of nearer ties he enjoys the warm friendship of those who have known him since pioneer days as well as the deep regard of the younger generation now entering upon life’s activities. His declining days, therefore, do not represent a period of isolation, but the fruition of an existence of honorable toil, generous deeds and uncounted kindnesses.
The Democratic party has received the ballot of Mr. Tombs ever since he attained his majority. When he was in his prime he maintained a deep interest in public affairs and even now few men in his town are better posted than he concerning national problems. During 1891-92 he held the office of deputy sheriff. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to his ranch and resumed the raising of stock for the markets. Again in the fall of 1898 he was chosen deputy under the then sheriff, Frank P. Grace, of Santa Rosa, and for eight years he filled the office with credit to himself and with an absolute fearlessness that commanded universal respect. When the eight years had ended he resigned his position and in January of 1907 came to his fine little farm near Healdsburg, where ever since he has given close attention to horticultural pursuits. The homestead comprises seventeen and three-tenths acres, of which eight acres is under cultivation to prunes, a few acres to other fruits and the balance in alfalfa, thus forming a farm whose every foot is made to produce an income for the owner in return for his wise oversight and scrupulous care.
History
of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 17, 2011 Pages 474-475
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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