Jacinto and Glenn Ranch Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS-349

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These records include checks, business ledgers, pay sheets, correspondence, promissory notes, pertaining to the Jacinto Ranch owned by Dr. Hugh James Glenn. The major of the documents were found under the floorboards of Dr. Glenn’s old store by Thelma White. These records are from the later period of Dr. Glenn’s Ranch from 1876-1908, not earlier records of the Jacinto Ranch. Also includes a brief genealogy research into Dr. Hugh James Glenn. Box 1 contains correspondence, receipts, and checks, all pertaining to the Ranch during 1876-1888. Box 2 contains receipts, invoices, checks, and correspondence during 1881-1903. Box 3 contains correspondence, receipts, checks, and daybooks during 1879-1915. Boxes 4-7 contain daybooks, check stubs, receipts during 1881-1906.

Dates

Existence: 1841 - 1966
Existence: Majority of material found within 1877 - 1911

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research without restriction

Biographical / Historical

Jacinto Mexican Land grant encompassed 35,487 acres. Over time Hugh Glenn acquired the entire land grant and expanded it to 65,000 acres creating the Jacinto Ranch. It was part of the Bonanza Wheat farms of the 1870s-1890s. The ranch diversified to a cattle ranch starting in 1899 due to bad soil and falling wheat prices. Dr. Hugh James Glenn, September 18, 1824- February 17, 1883. Doctor, rancher, farmer, soldier, California Governor Nominee, father, and husband. Glenn born outside of Staunton Virginia, grew up in Monroe County Missouri. He attended McDowell Medical College in St. Louis, Missouri. Before he finished medical school, the Mexican American War broke out and Glenn enlisted in the 1st Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers. When he returned home he finished medical school. He married Nancy Harrison Abernathy on March 15, 1849, then promptly headed west to join the California Gold Rush. They had nine children. From 1853 to 1856, Glenn made thirteen trips, from Missouri to California. In 1867, Glenn bought 8,000 acres which made up his Jacinto Ranch. Glenn was nicknamed the- Wheat King of California. Glenn had a brief encounter with politics, nominated by the Democratic Party for governor in 1879. Glenn was murdered by his bookkeeper Huram Miller, dying February 17, 1883. In 1891, the northern part of Colusa County became Glenn County.

Extent

7 boxes

3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Thelma White and a classmate were doing a folklore project when they stumbled upon these business documents that were hidden under the floorboards of an old store Dr Hugh James Glenn had once owned.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Thelma Buckley White

Maps cataloged seperated

Glenn Ranch: situate[d] in Glenn County California, property of estate of Dr. H[ugh]. J. Glenn Cataloged G4363 G5 G47 1907 H8

Processing Information

Originally processed by Mary Ellen Bailey as the Thelma White Collection MSS 212. Mark Ohlmann and Pameal Nett Kruger divided the collection into the Thelma White Papers MSS 348 and Jacinto and Glenn Ranch Records MSS 212.