| Notes |
- Will Trubody was already a prosperous farmer at Trubody Station at the time of his marriage to Lura Jane Grigsby in 1868. He was elected as Napa County Supervisor in 1867. He came across the plain in May of 1847, arriving in Oct., living at Sutter's Fort for two months, then in San Francisco. In 1850, he went East toMount Pleasant Academy in New York, then returned to complete his education at the University of the Pacific in San Jose, California. He then settled in Napa raising and shipping blackberries, and later went into general farming and viticulture. He served as Chairman to the County Board of Supervisors. He served as County Treasurer for 12 years until he retired. He was well liked, honest, and intelligent.
"History of Solano and Napa Counties, California with Biographical Sketches of The leading men and women of the Counties, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time., History by Tom Gregory and other well known writers., Illustrated ~ Complete in one volume, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1912, pg 743,:
WILLIAM A. TRUBODY
In the enumeration of the names of the most popular men residing in Napa county that of W. A. Trubody would always be included in the list and in that same connection would be mentioned his high standinc, as a rancher, county official and private citizen. During the long period of his residence in the county he had ever been foremost in the promotion of enterprises for agricultural advancement. material growth and educational progress. With him patriotism has been of greater importance than partisanship, and while recognizing the importance of party traditions, he has ever given his influence in advocacy of those reforms in party management and procedure that promised the greatest good to the greatest number. As a rancher and an officer he has always stood for the very best in public and private affairs.
Mr. Trubody possesses a knowledge of California prior to the discovery of gold, for when he was a small child he accompanied his parents across the plains, leaving Lafayette county, Mo., where lie was born December 5, 1839, early in May. 1847, when the family joined a party bound for the west. His father, John Trubodv, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1808 and died in San Francisco in 1897, at an advanced age. He married Jane Palmer and for many years they had made their home in Missouri. In those days there was but little travel across the country and for great distances no roads had been marked, so that the best route was unknown. Notwithstanding hardships and delays the expedition arrived in safety, in October, 1847, at Sutter’s Fort, which gained world-wide fame as a mecca for immigrants who came to this state. After a stay of two months at the fort they proceeded to San Francisco, which city was practically the home of Mr. Trubody the rest of his long and useful life. In November, 1849, he bought land in Napa county but did not get his deed to it until in February the following year. and this same deed is in the possession of his son William A. of this review. This land was a part of the grant to Salvador Vallejo and
Trubody was the third purchaser from the grant. Trubody station, north of Napa on the line of the railway, was named in honor of this pioneer. who was one of the men that made the building of the road possible.one time he was the owner of a considerable acreage in the county and bought and sold several ranches.
After the family had located in San Francisco it was decided in 1850 that the two sons, T. P. and W. A., should he sent to school in the east. as the chances for an education in California were meager at that time. Returning to New York by way of the Isthmus, W. A. was a student in Mount Pleasant Academy for four years. On his return to California he completed his studies in the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara. After leaving school, in December, 1856, Mr. Trubody came to Napa county, where his father had purchased land and in partnership with his brother, Josiah P.. settled on a tract of one hundred and eighty-four acres about six miles north of Napa and later began the berry business. They made a specialty of the best blackberries, having thirty-five acres in this fruit. The business was inaugurated in 1867 and grew to such proportions that they became known all over the state as the largest raisers in this section. The partnership continued for a time and then William A. bought his brother’s interest. In 1883 he shipped over one hundred tons of fruit which brought high prices. It was impossible to gather the entire crop on account of the scarcity of laborers. This was the banner yield. Eventually the vines became old and the business dropped and was soon abandoned. The old home place consists of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, eighty acres devoted to the dairy business and twenty-two in vineyard. The property is under the direct supervision of George A., the eldest son, who makes this his home and gives his personal attention to its management.
For a considerable period Mr. Trubody has made his home in Napa and since 1902 has filled the office of county treasurer, having succeeded himself in 1906 and 1910. In 1867 he first served on the board of supervisors and again in 1889 and 1897 was selected to represent his district in that body. In every position that he has been called upon to serve the people he has given eminent satisfaction and served his constituents with fidelity and honesty and has won encomiums of praise from both parties. In national affairs he has voted the Republican ticket, but in local matters is guided in casting his ballot by the fitness of the candidate for the office in question.
Mr. Trubody was married in California to Lura J., the daughter of T. L. Grigsby. She was born in Laclede county, Mo., November 30, 1850, and was brought to California at an early age and located in Napa county, where November 17, 1868, she became the wife of Mr. Trubody. They have had the following children: Elma, born September 29, 1869, and died June 8, 1873: George A., born September 22, 1871; Lulu Etta, deceased, was born October 4. 1873, and became the wife of Herbert Lawson, by whom she had one son. Lowell Trubody, who was born December 7, 1893, and makes his home with his grandparents ; Clara C.. born October 30, 1877, and Frank E., born November 8, 1879, teller in the Napa Bank. The children were given good educational advantages and fitted for whatever responsibilities awaited them. Mr. Trubody is a member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M.; and Napa Lodge No. 832, B. P. 0. E.
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1839 - 1933 (93 years)
