Charles Warren York
Although Mr. York had lived a quiet, unostentatious life, when death claimed him and removed him from the midst of those who had been associated with him for over thirty-five years, his loss was deeply felt, and they realized as they had never done before what his life and accomplishments had meant to the community in and around Healdsburg. For many generations his ancestors had been associated with the far-off state of Maine, and in that state he too was born, his birth occurring in Franklin county in 1838.
A natural inclination toward the blacksmith’s trade led Mr. York to take up this business as soon as his education was completed and when he was strong enough to wield the hammer. He found the business fully as interesting and remunerative as he had anticipated and had followed it in his native locality for a number of years when the attractions of the west brought him to California in 1861. After a time spent in northern California and Nevada he came to Sonoma county, and in Healdsburg established a blacksmith shop which he maintained until his death in 1896. During the years that intervened the merry ring of his anvil became a familiar sound to those who had business dealings with him, and his removal from accustomed scenes after many years of unabated energy was felt individually and collectively.
In his wife, to whom he was married in 1866, Mr. York had a true companion and help-mate. Before her marriage she was Miss Mary Chapman, a native of Ireland, who was born in 1839, the daughter of Irish parents. Four children were born to Mr. York and his wife, but only one of the number is now living, Anna M. Politically Mr. York was a believer in Republican principles, and upon all occasions supported this party[s candidates and tenets. The only public position which he ever filled was that of town trustee, a position in which he discharged his duties efficiently and well, and had he any desire for other offices of trust he might have had them, for he was well qualified to fill any position to which his fellow-citizens might have elected him. His greatest interest centered around his home and family, and it was only those who were most intimately associated with him who were able to penetrate into his deeper nature and realize to the fullest extent the depth and breadth of his kindly, wholesome nature. Fraternally he was associated with but one order, the United Workmen of America.
History of Sonoma
County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 15, 2012 Pages 934-935
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