Arthur Litten Leaves Kentucky Home
for California's Riches
Written by Joanne Burkett
with research taken from Paolo Sioli's History of El Dorado County California,
from El Dorado Co. birth, marriage, death and land records,
and often from interviews.
El Dorado County pioneer, Arthur Litten, was just following his family's tradition when he left Kentucky for California. This family, many of whom lived to be quite old, was an adventurous bunch. When Arthur's English ancestors came to America, they settled in the area of Botetourt Co., Va. John Richard Litten was born there, sometime after 1750.
By the time John William's [Ed. Richard's] son Caleb Wilcoxen Litten was born in 1768, records show the family was living in Virginia. Caleb, who would wed twice, fathered 12 children, one of them being Arthur's father, Solomon, who was born and died in Hopkins Co., Ky. Caleb was a slaveholder, leaving a male and female he valued at $400 and $30, respectively, to his wife, Mary, according to his will, which was dated Dec. 7, 1823.
According to his obituary, written some 79 years after his birth, Arthur, the subject of this sketch, was born Nov. 7, 1831 to Solomon and his wife Ida Babb Litten, near the town that, nine years later, would become Metropolis, Massac Co., Ill. However, other sources, including census forms, claim he was born in Hopkins Co., Ky. Regardless, he did spend his childhood in Massac Co., Ill., so the family did move there at some point.
An interesting bit of trivia: This is the Metropolis that would officially adopt comic and movie hero Superman in 1972.
Arthur took the normal amount of education offered, three months in the winter, spent seated on a backless, slab seat inside a rough log schoolhouse. The balance of the year was spent in helping his father work the family farm.
When Arthur was almost 21, strong and tall at 6 feet-1 inch, he set out on his own to find other work. He was ready to start his adult life and ready to establish a family of his own.
On May 20, 1853, he set out across the plains, leading an ox team, on his way to California, arriving in Placerville in August. For the first few months, Arthur tried his hand at mining, mostly unsuccessfully, in the area of Dry Creek.
When it finally sunk in that he was not going to get lucky with any mining venture, he abandoned that site and relocated along the South Fork of the American River at Rock Bridge. Here he set about, that summer, selling merchandise to the miners who were engaged in fluming the river.
When winter arrived, Arthur set up his business of selling goods to the miners at Jay Hawk. He must have found success at this because he continued in this venture until 1859, when he sold his business and invested the profits in a 269-acre parcel of land along the road between Folsom, Coloma and Placerville, called White Oak Flat. This piece of property would prove to be valuable, in and of itself, when it was discovered to contain some of the county's most extensive quartz ledges.
It was about this time that Arthur married, taking Elizabeth Ebbert as his wife on May 27, 1858. Elizabeth, originally from Maryland, was living in Deer Valley. She was the daughter of Louis Ebbert, a native of the grand duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. Together, Arthur and Elizabeth ran the White Oak Springs Hotel, which dated back to 1852. Just beyond the hotel, the town of Rescue would later be established, but a story about the hotel under its prior ownership overshadowed everything else that happened in the area at the time. It seems that on the evening of April 28, 1852, James Hewlett, an employee of the hotel, was stabbed by a man named Abner Spencer during an altercation.
Hewlett was injured so badly that he died the next day. However, his murderer had been hanged an hour after the stabbing when a citizens' committee took things into their own hands.
Time passed quickly. Elizabeth gave birth to four daughters. Martha Jane was born at Jay Hawk, followed by Estella on June 10, 1862 and Julia on Dec. 7, 1863.
By 1880, in addition to his primary business, Arthur was also operating a ranch near Uniontown, raising herds of Angora goats. The census for that year shows that the girls were still living with their parents. In fact, Martha Jane's new husband, Caleb Silverman, a native or Russia, was also there, along with their tiny daughter, Minnie Silverman, who was just a year old. Arthur no doubt employed Caleb, whose occupation was listed as peddler. Estella and Julia were unmarried teenagers. Arthur is also listed as a member of the Masons, Hiram Lodge, No. 43, in Mud Springs, around that same time. Elizabeth's parents, Louis and Fredrica Ebbert were still alive and living in Placer County, at Canada Hill.
Daughter Julia married John McDonald and in later years, the couple lived on the Litten family ranch. Julia was the last of the family to be buried in the Litten-McDonald family cemetery, which was located on the ranch property. She died on Nov. 29, 1947 in Sacramento and was buried near her husband in the family cemetery.
Arthur, whose ancestry was filled with long-living and sturdy stock - some of which lived well into their 90s - died June 14, 1910, just a month after he was listed on the 1910 census as the head of household (living with him was his wife Elizabeth and daughter, Estella). He was almost 80. Elizabeth died on May 30, 1913, when she was 74.
Estella, who is listed in the California Death Index as Stella Litten, died on Jan. 5, 1943 in El Dorado County. She had been listed as living at White Oak with her sister Julia and Julia's son, Litten, age 23, in the 1920 census.
Today, the old Litten ranch is owned by Mary Cridge Smith and her son. Mary's parents had purchased the ranch from Arthur's daughter Julia shortly before her death.
Arthur Litten & Family in the News
Transcribed and compiled by Daryl Lytton
from The Mountain Democrat
Placerville, California
Nov 15 1879 - Roll of Honor in the Rose Springs school for the term ending Nov. 4th, 1879: Frank Wagner, Ettie Pelton, Frankie Young, Julia Litten, Carrie Gaylord, Milo Wagner, Estella Litten, Nettie Gray, Elizabeth McDongall, Ida Pelton, Sidney Gray, George McDougall, Mary Murray, Annie Murray, Eva Gray, Frank Egger, Mary Egger and Mary Wagner. M. H. Gates, Teacher.
Oct 30 1880 - White Oak Precinct No. 9. - No. 2. Wings Store Polling Place - Arthur Litten, Inspector; Thomas Murray, Milo H. Gates. Judges Polls at Polls at Wings Store.
Apr 24 1886 - Arthur Litten, of White Oak Flat, took advantage of the warm weather to come to town and stock up with provisions.
Apr 9 1887 - Interesting Letters from the "Democrat's" Special Correspondents. Lotus Gleanings. On Friday last our school closed for the term. - The beautiful evergreen decorations of the school house and exercises by the scholars, which consisted of singing rocilations, dialogues and essays, did much credit to our teacher, Miss Stella Litten, as well as to the scholars themselves. Among the visitors present besides the parents and friends from this district, I noticed from Coloma, Mrs. Wm. Stearns, Mrs. James Crocker, Miss Mammie McBride and Harry Crocker, also Mr. A. Litten and daughter Julia from Green Valley.
In the evening a farewell party was tended Miss Litten at the school house, where dancing was indulged in until midnight, when an excellent repast was served by the ladies of the district, after which dancing was resumed until about 2 o'clock. The company then dispersed to their several homes, all claim to have had a pleasant time. Guy.
May 10 1890 - Arthur Litten, one of Green Valley's prominent grain men, paid our town a visit on Monday. Mr. Litten reports the crops looking fine in his neighborhood - as good if not better than anywhere in the county.
May 16 1891 - Miss Julia Litten and niece, Miss Ethel Silverman, who have been on a visit to the parents of the former at Green Valley for the past six months, has returned to Washington, and is again at her desk in the school room, wielding the rod.
Nov 28 1891 - Grand Jury. The following grand jury were impaneled last Monday by Judge Armstrong: Nathan Wentworth, Wm. Yendon, R. P. Patterson, G. W. Simpers, R. N. Zimmerman, W. F. Cotton, M. J. Alhoff, S. B. Springer, W. H. Brewer, Reuben Demuth, Lewis Sites, J. D. Arnett, W. W. Hoyt, Jos. Gilmore, Peter Calyer, J. S. Creighton, G. H. Barklage, M. S. Gilbert, Arthur Litten.
Nov 28 1891 - Arthur Litten of Green Valley was in town for several days a member of the Grand Jury.
Mar 12 1892 - The Executive Committee of the Miners' Association held a meeting in this city last Saturday, and have taken steps to extend the Association throughout the county. Blank certificates of membership have been placed in the hands of C. M. Fitzgerald at Georgetown; E. H Chapman at Garden Valley; D. W. C Morgan at El Dorado; J. C. Baugham at Indian Diggings; Arthur Litten, Green Valley; F. Benfeldy, Smith's Flat.
Apr 16 1892 - A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Miner's Association was held in this city last Saturday, when the Secretary reported that 200 members had been enrolled - 25 by the Secretary of the Association, 60 by J. J. Crawford, 115 by a canvassing committee in Placerville, 7 by John Kohlert at Indian Diggings, 2 by Arthur Litten at Green Valley.
Jul 1 1893 - Board of Education. Placerville, June 16th, 1893. The Board of Education met in the Superintendent's office with all present....On June 20th, the regular examination began. Nineteen applicants appeared, of whom the following were successful: Grammar Grades, Sara Darlington and F. E. Huber; Primary Grades, Misses Maggie Sarsfield, Susie Wiedman, Grace Davis, Nettie Merry, Estella Litten, Eva Schlein, Nalilla A. Turman, Lena Bennett, Mamie Vaugha, Lizzie McKay, and Maud Lovejoy; Messrs. Fred Lapierre, Geo. Schlein and Chas. Upton. Of these, the following received Grammer Grade percentages on their Primaries: Misses Sarsfield, Wiedman, Davis, Merry, Litten, Schlein, Turman, Bennett, and Messrs. Lapierre and Schlein.
Aug 05 1893 - Arthur Litten came up from Green Valley last Saturday with a load of wheat for the El Dorado Mill.
Nov 25 1893 - Arthur Litten was up from Green Valley Tuesday.
Dec 2 1893 - Mrs. Julia McDonald, of Oregon, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Litten, returned to her home last week accompanied by her mother, who will visit Oregon for a couple of months.
Dec 13 1902 - Grand Jury reconvened Tuesday the 9th inst, with the following members present: Arthur Litten, Elbert Smith, F M McPherson, T T Lovejoy, H A Martin, C F Irish, F N Spencer, R P Patterson, J P Keyser, Delmont Blair, J N McNaughton, M O'Keefe, Louis J Dellar, F M Rohlting, John Darrington, Robt Blair, H, McBeth, Geo Cosens, G W Kimble.
Jul 4 1903 - Arthur Litton [sic] was up from Green Valley on business, Friday of last week.
Dec 10 1904 - Arthur Litton has sold his place at White Oak Flat to a mining company. The first payment has been made and the parties take possession in January. - Folsom Telegraph.
Jun 18 1910 - Death of a Pioneer. Arthur Litten, a highly respected pioneer of the western part of this county, died at his home at Rescue on Tuesday last after a long and painful illness.
Mr Litten was a native of Metropolis, Ill., where he was born Nov. 7th, 1831. Coming to California in 1853, he first engaged in mining at Dry Creek, from whence he moved to South Fork and then to Jay Hawk, where he kept a store. In 1857 he was married to Elizabeth Ebbert, and with her occupied the home, where he died, for 53 years. Of four daughters who were born to them, three still survive, with his widow. The daughters are Mrs. Jane Silverman, Mrs. Julia McDonald, and Miss Stella Litten.
Services were held at the home on Thursday, and, in compliance with Mr. Litten's request, Attorney Abe Darlington of this city read the burial service and, to close the simple ceremony, at the grave read "Oh Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud."
Those who sang funeral hymns were: Mrs. D. Blair, the Russell sisters, Mrs. McDonald, Tillie Holden and Marcus Starbuck. The pallbearers were: Delmont Blair, Jas. S. Russell, Wm. Skinner, Geo. Wing, A. S. Bosquit and Steve Pelton.
Those attending the funeral from here were: A. Darlington, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Bosquit, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rust, and Mrs Newt Weymouth.
Jun 25 1910 - Mrs. A. Litten, accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. J. C. McDonald, and Mrs. Thompson of Green Valley, were in Placerville Thursday of business matters.
Oct 15 1910 - Death of a Pioneer. The death of William Ebbert, an old and highly respected resident of the county, occured last Monday at the home of his sister, Mrs. Arthur Litten at Green Valley. He was 77 years of age and though his death was rather sudden he had been in failing health for some time. Besides a brother, he leaves three sons and one daughter to mourn his loss. The funeral, under the direction of the O'Keefe Undertaking Company, occured on Wednesday at the Litten home. Rev. Samuel B. Mills officiating and interment was in the Deer Valley cemetary [sic]. The following served as pall bearers: George Skinner, Albert Engesser, Charles Loraine, Robert and Joseph Meder and Herbert Thompson.
Jan 6 1912 - Mr. J. McDonald, of Vancouver, B. C., is visiting Mrs. A. Litten and family.
May 31 1913 - Death of Mrs. A. Litten. Word is received just as we go to press, of the death of Mrs. Arthur Litten, at Green Valley, this morning, from infermities due to her advanced years. The funeral will take place at 2 o'clock p.m., with services by Rev. S. J. Buck. Deceased is survived by two daughters, Miss Stella Litten and Mrs. Julia MacDonald.
Jun 14 1913 - Card of Thanks. We wish to thank our neighbors and friends for many acts of kindness and sympathy during the illness and after the death of our mother and grandmother, Mrs. Arthur Litten, for the many beautiful floral tributes, and to those who officiated at the funeral.
Stella Litten,
Mr. and Mrs. J. C. MacDonald,
Litten D. MacDonald.
Jun 21 1913 - In Memory of Mrs. Arthur Litten. On Friday May 30th, Mrs. Elizabeth Litten of Green Valley, one of the pioneer mothers of the county, was called from earth to enter the live beyond, following an illness from heart disease which was induced by an attack of la grippe she suffered early in the winter.
Mrs. Litten was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, where she was born March 1st, 1839. She crossed the plains to California in 1842, and settled first in Diamond Springs. In 1858 she was married to Arthur Litten, and together they established the White Oak farm; and as a result of their thrift and industry it is today one of the most beautiful and productive places in El Dorado county. Three years ago Mr. Litten passed away, and on her 55th wedding anniversary, his faithful wife was striken with the illness which caused her death and on Sunday June 1st, she was laid to rest beside him in the little burial plat on the home place. There are left to mourn her loss, three daughters, Mrs. C. L. Silverman of Portland, Miss Stella Litten and Mrs. J. C. MacDonald, all of whom were with her during her last illness. Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive to cherish her memory.
The funeral which was conducted by Rev. S. J. Buck was a fitting tribute to one who had long ministered to her neighbors and friends under like conditions of sickness and sorrow, without thought of personal discomfort or the distance in miles lying between her and those in trouble or affliction.
Those officiating as pall-bearers were: Attorney Abe Darlington, A. J. Engesser, August Friedman, Wm. Rust, George Skinner and John Fleming.
Aug 14 1915 - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Official Records of Regular Meeting, August, 1915 - Deeds for right of way for public highway to County of El Dorado over the lands and premises of Louisa M. Wing, Estella Litten, Julia McDonald and C. T. Uhlenkamp having been placed on record and the property therein described having been accepted by the Board as the right of way for public highway over and across the said lands and this Board hereby declares the property described in said deeds to be the public highwas across said lands and herby abandons that part of the old county road known as the old Litton road, leading from the Uhlenkamp ranch to the Coloma and Folsom road.
Oct 30 1915 - The Passing of a Good Man. In Memoriam. - J. C. McDonald passed to rest at his home at White Oak, October 6th, at the zenith of his manhood. He was born at Sunny Brae, Nova Scotia, fifty-two years ago. His early childhood and after manhood was under the leading of the Presbyterian Church; this teaching and early training, both in church and at home, bore its influence all through his life.
When a mere boy he was sent to Boston to finish his education and perfect himself in both the mechanical and business lines of his chosen work - mechanical engineering. After a short time spent in the East he, like many others, felt that the great field of labor was in the West. He went to Portland, Ore., in 1888, and engaged in iron work, afterwards devoting his attention to the lumber business, in which he was very successful. Wherever he lived he was an active member of society - enterprising and public spirited - and his going away always caused regret among his fellow citizens.
Mr. McDonald was married in Portland in May, 1892, to Julia Litten of this county. Two children were born to them - one dying in infancy.
During the financial depression of 1897 he met with reverses. Seeking a new field in British Columbia, he spent his time in mining and smelting operations. For six years he was connected with the Granby smelter. It was with this great institution, more than any other, that his worth and ability brought him to the front and established his reputation as a leader in that line of endeavor. His motto always was, "What is worth doing at all is worth doing well." His interest in his employes, particulary the younger men, was unfailing, and many today can point to him as the one who helped them to a successful life. His breadth of mind and kindness of heart to those in his employ caused them to recognize in him a true friend. His years of experience in handling large bodies of men never encountered strikes or labor troubles, so common among large companies.
Im 1906 he organized and built the Grand Forks (B. C.) steel and structural iron works, of which he was manager and part owner. After conducting this business successfully for five years he moved to Vancouver (B. C.) and there opened up the McDonald Engineering & Pipe Works, one of the largest plants in the Northwest. After three years of busy work he felt his health failing and sold out all his business interests, planning to spend a quiet and peaceful life at White Oak, El Dorado county, where he had built a comfortable home. After spending a few monthe here he was called to Ottawa in regard to installing a water system in that city. After a time spent in Ottawa, his health still failing, he, in company with his wife, went East to consult physicians - a vain quest, however. After a consultation among the best of the medical profession, he was advised to return to his Western home. Afflicted with internal cancer, there was nothing known to the medical world to stay the ravages of the dread disease. On returning home he steadily failed, but the wonderful fortitude, vitality and will power which characterized the man, led his friends to hope even then. When one inquired of his health the answer was, "Always fine." Though a great sufferer, he bore his affliction uncomplainingly and with heroic patience. Completing a 2500 mile auto trip to Vancouver and return, Mr. McDonald passed away just two weeks after arriving home. Everything that thought and care and loving hands could do to allay his pain was done.
He died as he had lived - reconciled and ready to go. He leaves a devoted wife and a son just verging on manhood. Beside these are a sister, other relatives and legions of friends. His funeral took place Friday afternoon, October 8th, from the family residence, and was largely attended. Many telegrams of condolence were received. Services were read by Rev. E. E. Clark. The funeral was under the auspices of the Masons. Among the lodges represented were Placerville, El Dorado, Coloma and Folsom. His favorite hymn, "Face to Face," was rendered by A. S. Fox.
Nov 13 1915 - Tragic End of a Young Life - This community was shocked last Saturday morning by news of the death of Wesley Fisher from the accidental discharge of a revolver in the hands of his young friend and chum, Litten MacDonald. Later reports from San Francisco, where the accident occured, stated that while the boys were examining a loaded revolver and it was in the hands of MacDonald, it was discharged, the shot entering Fisher's stomach. He was taken to the Mission Emergency Hospital and from there to St. Mary's Hospital, where the surgeons pronounced the wound fatal, and death resulted the following morning.
Loyal to his chum to the last, Fisher refused to give the name of the one who had wounded him, and his identity was not known until his parents divulged it, explaining that the shooting was purely an accident. Both boys were about the same age, 18 years, and both attended the High School here, MacDonald boarding with the Fishers, who removed to San Francisco a few months ago. He was on a visit to them when the accident occured, and became so frantic after it that he was placed under the care of professional nurses for fear that he would attempt his own life. His mother, Mrs. Julia MacDonald, of Rescue, left for San Francisco on the first train after word of the tragedy reached her. They returned as far as Sacramento Tuesday, where young MacDonald became ill and was taken to the Hotel Clayton, with his mother and a trained nurse in constant attendance. His lungs are not strong and pneumonia is feared in his weakened condition. He lost his father by death only a few weeks ago.
John Wesley Fisher was the only child of John P. and Mary J. Fisher, and was born at Mosquito, in this County. He was a bright lad, of unusually fine physique, and was studying for an electrical engineer. He was a member of Placerville Parlor No. 9, N. S. G. W., and California Grove No. 1, U. A. O. D., of this city, under whose auspices the funeral was held at Masonic Temple, Tuesday. High School closed in the afternoon to allow the students to pay the last tribute of respect to their former classmate, and Rev. E. E. Clark conducted the services, assisted by Mrs. S. H. Rantz and A. S. Fox. The pallbearers were: Don Goodrich, Louis Reeg, Eloi Gay, Archie Irish, Eugene Benney, and Chester Craddock. Many beautiful floral offerings testified to the affection for the dead and sympathy for the living, covering the last resting place of the victim of the tragic accident.
Dec 18 1915 - Mrs. Julia MacDonald and sister, Miss Stella Litten, were in Placerville Tuesday from Rescue.
Jul 8 1916 - Mrs. Julia McDonald and Miss Stella Litten were up from Green Valley on Thursday last.
Jul 5 1916 - Mrs. Julia McDonald and sister Miss Estella Litten, were among our visitors from Green Valley Wednesday. Mrs. McDonald is an enthusiast or irrigation and thinks El Dorado county should form at least one good system or district before all her natural resources are taken over by outside interests.
Aug 4 1917 - Frank Parker Drowned - While swimming last Sunday in Weber creek, near the Gaylord bridge, Frank Elias Parker, a resident of Rescue, was accidently drowned. With his sister, Bertha Parker, Robert and Helen Carpenter, and Litten MacDonald, the young man was enjoying an outing for the day. About 10 o'clock the boys decided to take a plunge in the swimming pool near which they had taken lunch. Parker accidently slipped off a large rock and plunged into the water, striking his head on another rock when coming to the surface, and immediately sank.
MacDonald and Carpenter went to his rescue and in less than three minutes had him out of the water, unconscious. They worked over him rapidly, sending word to Placerville for assistance. Dr. S. H. Rantz made the trip to the scene, breaking all speed records, but found life extinct when he arrived.
Parker was a native of California, 31 years of age, and lived in Sacramento until about two years ago, when he came to Rescue to live. He was a carpenter by occupation, steady and reliable, and a prominent member of the Native Sons, being a past president of Sutter Parlor of Sacramento, under whose auspices the funeral was held Tuesday.
He is survived hy his parents, four sisters, Bertha of Rescue, Olive of Fresno, Ruby of Sacramento, and Mrs. Thos. Arundell of Placerville, and three brothers, residents of Sacramento.
May 11 1944 - Mothers' Day Tribute Paid To Well-Loved Rescue Native -- Founder of Annual Picnic Has Served In Many Ways To Promote County Growth -- (By Jane Voiles) -- On this Mother's Day, it is our very special privilege to pay tribute to Julia Litten MacDonald whose varied tastes and vital interests have contributed so richly to our community. While her many enterprises have brought more full and abundant living to our county, her quest has never had material prosperity for its goal but rather the establishment of enduring values.
Rescue Farm Center announces that a meeting of the center combined with a Mothers' Day picnic will be held Sunday, May 14. The announcement does not state the place of the meeting. Luncheon will be potluck and there will be home-made ice cream. All are welcome.
This sketch of her life and interests is especially appropriate at this time since Mrs. MacDonald is the founder of the Mothers' Day picnic, which for several years before the war was a major community event in the county and will be held on a modified plan this coming Sunday.
Today Mrs. MacDonald lives in her childhood home at White Oak Flat, one of those regions in our county that is bathed in an atmosphere of history and timelessness, that still speaks of the deeper life lived here in the past. Here were great activities in the early gold rush days and again in the Comstock era when great processions moved along the highway day and night, when the chimes of the bells worn by the horses were rarely silent along the road of White Oak Flat.
Arthur Litten, Mrs. MacDonald's father, was Kentucky born and Illinois reared. The highlight of his life was his memory of Abraham Lincoln. Arthur Litten's father was a circuit judge in Illinois and Lincoln had been a practicing attorney in his fathers' court. Young Litten arrived in Hangtown in 1853. After several ventures, he went to the lively community of Jayhawk, pitched a canvas store tent and with the sum of $100 went to Sacramento for supplies. He returned with the staples of the time: bacon, beans, flour, picks, shovels and pans but before he could get them in the tent, he sold them at fabulous prices from the wagon, so eager were the settlers to obtain food. He went back to Sacramento for more supplies and in time established a successful business.
Mrs. MacDonald's maternal grandfather Ebbert was reared by the Baron Rothschild in Frankfort. He migrated to America as a young man and finally settled in St. Louis. It was from here that his eldest son Martin joined up with Kit Carson and made three trips west. It was he who guided the train in which his parents came to California in 1852. Many perils beset that train. In addition to the stampeding buffalo herds and the cholera that was raging among the other trains they encountered, the 13 year old Elizabeth Ebbert who became Mrs. MacDonald's mother, barely escaped capture by hostile Indians while riding her horse in a spirit of adventure some distance from the wagon train. In spite of all the hardships that train arrived safe and intact at Pleasant Valley. From there the Ebberts went to Diamond Springs where Mr. Ebbert staked out one of those rich 20 foot claims. Eventually the family turned to Jayhawk for their permanent settlement and it was here that Elizabeth Ebbert met and married Arthur Litten. Julia MacDonald was one of the four daughters born to them.
"When I was about 10 years old," Mrs. MacDonald says, "I made my future ambitions known to my parents. I informed them that I wanted to be a school teacher, to study law and to use my rights to vote. The admonition from my parents was that the first two could be accomplished by hard study but that the third was in the lap of the gods. While a junior at the Placerville Academy where I took the 4 year academic course, I stressed the subject of Woman's Suffrage in an essay for Public Speaking. I was taken to task seriously for advocating such a thing. They told me that I would never see the day when women would vote.
"After heated discussions my final remark was that I could go to the territory of Washington to vote at which my classmates laughed. But I had the last laugh for later I taught in Washington territory where women had the right to vote."
Mrs. MacDonald taught in the north. Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, for eight years. She also read law for two years but did not complete her course. In Portland she married J. C. MacDonald, business man and engineer. She was the mother of two sons. One passed away at the age of five months and Litten MacDonald with a promising future ahead of him, died at the age of 32.
Among her friends, Mrs. MacDonald numbers both the great and the humble of our county. She knew intimately James Marshall, Edwin Markham and the Reverend C. C. Peirce. One of her earliest memories is that of the advent of the Pony Express.
"I remember how the riders came up to the watering trough, halting there long enough to give their thirsty steeds a drink while my mother would run out to give them a piece of pie which they ate on the run. The mail had to go through and they were the boys who could carry a message to Garcia."
While it is a temptation to dwell upon these picturesque memories that Mrs. MacDonald evokes of the past and brings to such vivid life for her listeners, let us turn now to her tangible achievements made possible by her breadth of vision. For this information I am indebted to Mr. James A. Irving whose cooperation has been invaluable in compiling this article.
"In the spring of 1916," says Mr. Irving, "Mrs. MacDonald with two of her neighbors came before the county chamber of commerce informing them that the U. S. Government had made an emergency appropriate for the purpose of placing Farm Advisors in any of the counties that might wish to have one to help in the production of food and fibers to help win the war. So fine was her presentation that the chamber of commerce lost no time in appointing a committee to secure a Farm Advisor for our county. This was done and to Mrs. MacDonald we are indebted for her foresight."
"Later in the year 1917," Mr. Irving continues, "she was appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as Director-at-Large for the El Dorado County Farm Bureau. She filled this directorship for several years and it was my pleasure to have served with her. She was always helpful and initiated many good ideas that were promptly carried out by the County Farm Bureau Directors. She was the only woman who ever held that position with us."
One of Mrs. MacDonald's many interest has been been [sic] the county roads. The first piece of permanent road build in California, Mrs. MadConald claims was through White Oak Flat.
"It was one mile in length, built by a man named Wells and was finished in 1854. It was not a corduroy road but was sub-drained, graveled and surfaced with sawed oak planks over which was a heavy covering of sawdust obtained from a sawmill in the valley. It was a toll road and it stood up without repairs. A part of it is still in evidence and in good condition at the present time. All honor to those early road builders of California."
The roads of the county you can readily see, have been one of her chief interests. One of her achievments in this like, Mr. Irving says, was the organization of the Rescue-Green Valley Road Club which was one of the first road clubs in the county. It had a membership of over 300.
"Mrs. MacDonald was active in promoting a new highway for this county," Mr. Irving further informs me, "and had it not been for the present war, it would have been at least two-thirds completed. On this project, Mrs. MacDonald worked long and ardously with excellent results."
The formation of the County Tax Association was also due to Mrs. MacDonald's diligence. "From this Association," Mr. Irving continues, "has developed a splendid cooperation with our county supervisors in the work of keeping down our tax rate."
The Mother's Day picnic held annually at Litten Grove on her property was another project for which Mrs. MacDonald deserves special credit. This is one of the chief annual events of the county and it has always been Mrs. MacDonald's purpose to have a speaker address the gathering of some current issue of the day.
With the blood of pioneers in her veins, it is natural that Mrs. MacDonald would be interested in mining. Many of her ventures have been financially successful; others have served to deepen her experience, for she can take failure as well as success in her stride. Whatever experience she acquired from these ventures, she has been ready to share with others.
Sympathy and quick response to ideals of service have been the key note of Julia MacDonald's character. Friends remember her smiling welcome and her delaying farewells. Always she has been generous of her time in taking pains for others, in doing things for them with warm good will. You always leave her presence with invigoration and hope.
Today Julia MacDonald is beautiful with an inner radiance and a never fading grace. Her theme has always been the good hope of Humanity. Today she is still holding aloft the torch in a clouded world. Beyond those clouds she sees horizons of promise. On this Mother's Day, we pay homage to you, Julia Litten MacDonald - good neighbor, true friend, loyal citizen.
Jan 29 1948 - Mrs. Ethel Nelson, of Marysville, Washington, passed away in that city on Jan. 14th after a lingering illnes. She will be remembered by many here as Ethel Silverman, and was a neice of the late Mrs. Julia MacDonald, and Stella Litten. Mrs. Nelson and her family resided at the Litten ranch for about a year, some of her children attending the Tennessee school. She is survived by two sons, Dick and Dr. Louis Nelson, and a sister, Miss Esther Silverman and a brother in Honolula, and a brother, Archie Silverman, of Skamokawa, Wash. A son, Bobby, passed away several years ago at Placerville Sanatorium.
Dec 11 1952 - Twenty Years Ago - Mrs. Julia MacDonald has recently acquired mining rights on a portion of the old Five Mile ranch, east of Placerville, formerly owned by the late A. J. Blakely, and mined in part by him. Mrs. MacDonald has a crew now at work, preparing to mine by hydraulic methods the property which produced nuggets ranging in value from $20 to $200 during Blakeley's mining days.
May 7 1953 - 23rd Annual Mothers Day Picnic Panned Sunday at Litten Grove - The 23rd annual Mother's Day picnic at the Litten-McDonald grove is scheduled this Sunday by members of the Rescue community who will have George Sehlmeyer, state grange master, as the day's speaker.
Arthur Litten
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
from Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California
with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers
Oakland, Cal., Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. pp – 251-252
The subject of this personal notice is the third child and oldest son of a family of eleven children, sons and daughters of Solomon and Ida (nee Babb) Litten.
His father was a native of Kentucky, and also his mother. After their marriage they removed to Massac county, Illinois, where Arthur was born, his boyhood was spent as was usual in those days of primitive things, attending the country school three months in the winter and working the balance of the twelve months on his father’s farm. The school buildings in those days were but rude affairs, build [sic] of logs with puncheon floors and slab seats, without backs. When near 21 years of age, he forsook the parental roof and went forth to battle with the sterner realities of this life in pursuit of a home for himself and his posterity. On the 20th day of May, 1853, he started on his trip across the plains to California, with that slow, but no less sure conveyance, an ox team. He arrived at Placerville August 15th, same year. He prospected for a short time on Dry creek, with little or no success as a miner, he abandoned the pursuit in that direction and located at Rock Bridge on the South Fork of American river and began merchandising there in the summer while the work of fluming the river was going on and in the winter season moved up to Jay Hawk to sell goods to the miners there. This he worked until the fall of 1859. He then sold out his store and purchased his present home of 269 acres on the road leading from Folsom to Coloma and Placerville and on what is known as "White Oak flat." A view of the residence and surroundings will be found on another page of this volume. In addition to this he owns a ranch near Uniontown, on which he ranches his bands of angora goats. On his home ranch have been discovered some of the most valuable quartz ledges in the county. Whatever of this worlds goods Mr. Litten possesses, he is indebted to his own talents and industry for never having received one farthing for naught. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Ebbert, a daughter of Louis Ebbert of Deer Valley, on the 27th day of May, 1858. To them have been born four children, viz.: Martha Jane, born at Jayhawk, Mary Ann, Estella and Julia, each born on the present home. Mr. Little [sic] is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 43, F. & A.M., at Mud Springs. He is of more than medium stature, being 6 feet 2 and 1/2 inches in height and springs from a long lived family, some of his ancestors being in the nineties at death. His own father and mother reached the age of 74 and 68 years, respectively.
J. C. MacDonald
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler Sep 2004
from History of the Sacramento Valley California Biographical, Vol. III
by Major J W Wooldridge, Chicago: The Pioneer Historical Society Publ. Co., 1931, pp 28-29
The late J. C. MacDonald, of Rescue, California, who departed this life October 7, 1915, was a man of good education and high attainments as an engineer and performed some notable work in his line. While he was greatly respected for these things, he was also greatly esteemed for his high character and likeable traits, which won for him a warm place in the hearts of all who were associated with him. A native of Nova Scotia, he was there reared to the age of twenty-one years, and in the course of his educational training acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of civil and mechanical engineering. At about the time he attained his majority he went to Portland, Oregon, where he lived for five years, and then became connected with the Grunley Smelting Company at Grand Forks, British Columbia, in which position he continued for nine years. He then continued the private practice of his profession in Grand Forks, organizing an engineering and construction company. Later he went to Vancouver and opened an engineering office and shortly afterward constructed the Vancouver and New Westminster water works system. Later, because of impaired health, Mr. MacDonald disposed of his British Columbia interests and came to his wife’s home place of Rescue, where he spent much time in the improvement and development of the ranch. He was called to Ottawa, Canada, by the provincial government to plan for bringing water from Clear Lake, but because of conditions, the project was abandoned. In the spring of 1915 he returned to the home place, his health failed rapidly and he closed his eyes to earthly scenes in the fall of that year.
Soon after first going to Portland, Oregon, Mr. MacDonald met and was united in marriage to Miss Julia Litten, who at that time was teaching school in Portland. She is a daughter of Arthur Litten, to whom personal reference is made in other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald became the parents of two children, Lloyd, who died in infancy, and Litten D., who died May 20, 1930, at the age of thirty-two years, a bright and gifted young man, whose death was a great loss to his mother. Mr. MacDonald was a republican in his political views and was urged to accept public office, but invariably declined to become a candidate. He was a member of the Masonic order and was extremely popular wherever known, his death being regarded as a personal loss by those who knew him.
A bit of old history is recalled in the fact that General Fremont camped at the spring on the MacDonald farm, and Fremont peak was so named from the fact that the General took observations from its summit. It is located on the MacDonald property and is but a short distance from the home. It is the highest point between Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Shasta. Mrs. MacDonald carries on the work of the ranch, being a woman of ability and judgment in practical matters. Her sister, Miss Litten, who also lives in the old home, is a teacher and has taught three generations of El Dorado children.