Will S. Green
Encyclopedia
William Semple Green was a California
pioneer
, a steamboat
captain, mail carrier, surveyor, newspaper
publisher, writer
, legislator
, United States Surveyor General for California, California State Treasurer
, and irrigation
ist.
, arriving in San Francisco via the Panama Canal
at the age of 17 on October 10, 1849, although he never tried his hand at gold mining. His uncle, C.D. Semple, purchased 8875 acres (35.9 km²) of land from John Bidwell
in then-Colusi County (now Colusa County
). On July 1, 1850, Green piloted a steamboat up the Sacramento River
, taking his uncle and cousin to their land, where they founded the town of Colusa
.
Over the next several years, Green held a number of different jobs, such as hotel keeper, joint founder of a bakery, selling fresh vegetables and writing magazine articles. He married his first wife Josephine Davis in 1862 and she bore him a daughter (Lucy) in 1864. Josephine died in 1881, and Green was remarried ten years later to Sally Morgan whom he had met at an irrigation meeting there a few years before in Salt Lake City.
As editor-publisher of the Sun, he concentrated on representing his local area. Largely self-taught (as a youth, he received no formal education beyond the old backwoods field school), he was interested in practical education. His view of editorship was that a newspaperman should teach his community social responsibilities and educate men to live happily together.
He also became known as an advocate of states' rights
, although he was clear to distinguish that from slavery
. On June 1, 1865 he wrote, "There could be such a thing as a Republic in this country without slavery, but there can never be such a thing as a Republic in America without the acknowledgement of States Rights."
In 1899, Green was the elected first president of The Central and Northern California Press Association. He saw it as an opportunity to discuss problems common to newspaper editors, and to broaden their horizons beyond just their localities. He also saw it as means to resist advertisers who sought articles putting them in favorable light in return for vague promises of future business, in addition to local bodies that demanded free newspaper space for material they were required to publish by law.
For his efforts, Green is enshrined in the California Press Association's California Newspaper Hall of Fame.
. In June 1863, the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company incorporated with Green as its president. In 1864 he became County Surveyor, and he was President and Superintendent of the Stony Creek Canal Company formed in October 1881.
On December 18, 1883, on an oak
tree on the west bank of the Sacramento River, he posted the first water notice, stating that 500,000 miner's inch
es (350 m³/s) of river water was being diverted for irrigation of lands on the west side of the Sacramento Valley (this location is now registered as California Historical Landmark
#831).
In 1888, Green broke ground on the 61 miles (98.2 km) Central Irrigation District canal and he organized the Sacramento Valley Development Corporation to attract settlers for the soon to be irrigated land.
It is therefore not surprising that Green became known as the "father of irrigation" in California.
. Green lived there for the remainder of his entire life. The cottage still stands, restored to its 1880 state, although there was a battle to do so. The county had wanted to demolish the home for a parking lot, but the owner refused, instead selling it to Richard E. Patton, a retired judge, who initiated the restoration.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
pioneer
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
, a steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
captain, mail carrier, surveyor, newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
publisher, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, legislator
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
, United States Surveyor General for California, California State Treasurer
California State Treasurer
The California State Treasurer is responsible for the state's investment and finance. The post has more narrow responsibilities and authority than the California State Controller...
, and irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
ist.
Private life
He came to California during the California gold rushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, arriving in San Francisco via the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
at the age of 17 on October 10, 1849, although he never tried his hand at gold mining. His uncle, C.D. Semple, purchased 8875 acres (35.9 km²) of land from John Bidwell
John Bidwell
John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist and philanthropist...
in then-Colusi County (now Colusa County
Colusa County, California
Colusa County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, northwest of state capital Sacramento. As of the 2010 census, its population was 21,419. The county seat is Colusa.-History:...
). On July 1, 1850, Green piloted a steamboat up the Sacramento River
Sacramento River
The Sacramento River is an important watercourse of Northern and Central California in the United States. The largest river in California, it rises on the eastern slopes of the Klamath Mountains, and after a journey south of over , empties into Suisun Bay, an arm of the San Francisco Bay, and...
, taking his uncle and cousin to their land, where they founded the town of Colusa
Colusa, California
Colusa is the county seat of Colusa County, California. The population was 5,971 at the 2010 census, up from 5,402 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
.
Over the next several years, Green held a number of different jobs, such as hotel keeper, joint founder of a bakery, selling fresh vegetables and writing magazine articles. He married his first wife Josephine Davis in 1862 and she bore him a daughter (Lucy) in 1864. Josephine died in 1881, and Green was remarried ten years later to Sally Morgan whom he had met at an irrigation meeting there a few years before in Salt Lake City.
Newspaperman
On September 26, 1863, he and a partner purchased the Colusa Sun newspaper.As editor-publisher of the Sun, he concentrated on representing his local area. Largely self-taught (as a youth, he received no formal education beyond the old backwoods field school), he was interested in practical education. His view of editorship was that a newspaperman should teach his community social responsibilities and educate men to live happily together.
He also became known as an advocate of states' rights
States' rights
States' rights in U.S. politics refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government. It is often considered a loaded term because of its use in opposition to federally mandated racial desegregation...
, although he was clear to distinguish that from slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
. On June 1, 1865 he wrote, "There could be such a thing as a Republic in this country without slavery, but there can never be such a thing as a Republic in America without the acknowledgement of States Rights."
In 1899, Green was the elected first president of The Central and Northern California Press Association. He saw it as an opportunity to discuss problems common to newspaper editors, and to broaden their horizons beyond just their localities. He also saw it as means to resist advertisers who sought articles putting them in favorable light in return for vague promises of future business, in addition to local bodies that demanded free newspaper space for material they were required to publish by law.
For his efforts, Green is enshrined in the California Press Association's California Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Irrigationist
Because of droughts that affected the region in the 1850s, he was a tireless promoter of irrigating the Sacramento ValleySacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
. In June 1863, the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company incorporated with Green as its president. In 1864 he became County Surveyor, and he was President and Superintendent of the Stony Creek Canal Company formed in October 1881.
On December 18, 1883, on an oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
tree on the west bank of the Sacramento River, he posted the first water notice, stating that 500,000 miner's inch
Miner's inch
The miner's inch is a unit of flow in terms of volume per unit time. It is sometimes used in relation to flow of water.-Definition:*1/60 ft³/s New Zealand...
es (350 m³/s) of river water was being diverted for irrigation of lands on the west side of the Sacramento Valley (this location is now registered as California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
#831).
In 1888, Green broke ground on the 61 miles (98.2 km) Central Irrigation District canal and he organized the Sacramento Valley Development Corporation to attract settlers for the soon to be irrigated land.
It is therefore not surprising that Green became known as the "father of irrigation" in California.
Public servant
In addition to the above, Green also served in a number of public posts:- County Superintendent of Schools (1867)
- President (Mayor) of the Board of Trustees of the City of Colusa (1873–1876)
- Public School Trustee
- California State AssemblyCalifornia State AssemblyThe California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
man (1868) - U.S. Surveyor General for California (1892)
- California State Treasurer (1898)
- Trustee of the California State LibraryCalifornia State LibraryThe California State Library collects, preserves, generates and disseminates a wide array of information. It was founded in 1850 by the California State Legislature. Today, it is the central reference and research library for state government and the Legislature. The California State Library...
- Director of the State Board of Trade
W.S. Green cottage
The Green family moved into this cottage on July 10, 1868, across from the Colusa County CourthouseColusa County Courthouse
The Colusa County Courthouse, in Colusa, California was erected in 1861. This Federal/Classic Revival style building is the oldest remaining courthouse in the Sacramento Valley. The "Southern" style reflects the county's heritage and states' rights sympathies during the American Civil War, largely...
. Green lived there for the remainder of his entire life. The cottage still stands, restored to its 1880 state, although there was a battle to do so. The county had wanted to demolish the home for a parking lot, but the owner refused, instead selling it to Richard E. Patton, a retired judge, who initiated the restoration.