Dorris Family
In The News
Modoc Independent
June 12, 1884
C.G. Dorris has been forced on account of inclement weather to temporarily suspend work on his ditch. He says he is in no hurry about it for so long as the rainy weather continues he has no use for an irrigation ditch.
Modoc Independent
June 12, 1884
A Fine Young Horse
Mr. C.J. Dorris, of the firm of Dorris Bros. informs us that he recently purchased from the Mr. Allenwood, of Cedarville a young stallion, which to his notion is aout the best piece of horseflesh ever brought to this country. This horse sired by a Normand horse that weighed about 1,700 pounds, and his dam was a 1,400 pound mare, Mr. D. says his colt is a perfect model in size and form, has good action, and is a fine traveler, the Dorris Bros. are raising some very fine horses, and are taking great pains to improve there stock.
Modoc Independent
June 19, 1884
The Dorris Bros. intend to commence haying about the 1st of July. They will have an immense crop.
Modoc Independent
Aug. 7, 1884
Uncle Carlos Dorris says he is working on the hay field by proxy. Proxies are fashionable and he proposes to follow the fashion in all things.
Modoc Independent
Aug. 7, 1884
Mr. C.J. Dorris tells us that the hay crop on the Dorris Ranch is turning out moderately well. The Timothy Crop is above average. The Dorris Bros have a large force of hands at work, and the hay is being stacked up rapidly.
Modoc Independent
Aug. 18, 1884
Mrs. Rachel Dorris started last Thursday for Oregon, to visit her mother whom she has not seen for 18 years.
(Comments by submitter) This event is well documented in Rachel's diary
Modoc Independent
Sept. 18, 1884
Proposed Water Works For Alturas A Laudable Enterprise
C.G. Dorris has been for the last 2 days engaged in canvassing the town for subscriptions toward establishing a system of water works for fire protection. His plan to lay a pipe from his ditch, which is about 30 feet about center of town, to the upper end of Main Street and across the river to the court house; also constructing a reservoir at the upper end of Main....
Modoc Independent
April 26, 1888
C.G. Dorris turned a big head of water into his ditch the first week, which tickled the property owners of Alturas.
Modoc Independent
April 26, 1888
P.A. Dorris is in from the Siskiyou County ranch.
Modoc Independent
June 7, 1888
Uncle Presley Dorris of Siskiyou County is in town this week.
Modoc Independent
June 21, 1888
Mr. Carlos Dorris tells us that a few days ago, a man in his employ while plowing in a field about a mile and a half south of town turned up a lot of bones, the remains of at least 2 human beings. They were only about 16 inches under ground and were badly decayed. Mr. Dorris is confident that they are not the bones of indians, for the reason that prior to the coming of whites the indians burned their dead, and never buried them. Mr. D. was among the first white settlers in this valley, and ahving resided continuously on his ranch, is certain that no person, white or black has been buried there since the settlement of the county began. Whose remains they are will probably always remain a mystery.
Modoc Independent
Aug. 9, 1888
The hay stack at the Dorris Ranch are beginning to loom up in every direction. The crew is now working on the meadow immediately North of town.
Modoc Independent
Jan. 10, 1889
The Dorris Meadow south of town is literally covered with cattle, which have been gathered in within the past 2 weeks.
Modoc Independent
Jan. 10, 1889
DIED
Dorris-Edgewood Siskiyou County Dec. 27, 1886 Lucy May, Daughter Of Vernile And Elizabeth Dorris Aged 9 Months And 2 Days.
(Comments by submitter) Lucy May one of three Dorris children named Lucy that all died. After this death the Dorris's no longer used the Lucy name.
Information provided to Roberta P. Lewis by Kathren Ferl
Modoc Independent
Jan 17, 1889
Dorris brothers are feedng abot 1,000 head of cattle. They have some 200 yet outside.
MODOC INDEPENDENT
Jan 17 1889
DIED
Dorris-Near Alturas Jan. 11, 1889 Mrs. Lucy Dorris aged 92 Years 2 Months and 3 DaysDeceased whose maiden name was Lucy Drury, was born on Drury's Bluff, Virginia Nov. 8 1796. She was the daughter of Joseph Drury and Libbie Wiggington, his wife, and was one of a family of eleven children of whom one sister, older than she is still living. Her father who served in the Revolutionary War, died when she was only 8 years old, and 2 of her uncles and two brothers were killed in said war. One of her brothers and a brother-in-law served in the war of 1812.
She moved with her mother from Drury's Bluff Virginia to Kentucky in the year 1804. They were their 3 years when they moved to Smith County Tennessee, where she was married at the age of 19 to Josiah Dorris. She joined the Primitive Baptist Church at the age of 32 years in, which she has lived ever since. She with her husband and family moved to Illinois in 1829 from there they moved to Missouri 1839, where they lived until 1854. When they came to Siskiyou County California. Two of the daughters died while crossing the plains. In 1856 they moved to Sonoma County, thence to Solano County, where in January of 1871 her husband died. The same year she with her son, Columbus and his family came to this place, where she resided until her death.
She was the mother of 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters, of whom 3 sons and 2 daughters are living. She has 33 grandchildren living, 34 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
The above sketch was furnished us by Carlos J Dorris, and we may add that this good old lady, familiarly known as Grand-Ma Dorris was the especial pet, not only to the members of her own family, but of the whole community where she resides up to within the past few years. She was a remarkable active woman for one of her age but for about 3 years past, she has been failing, and scarcely expected to live from beginning of week to the end they're of. She was possessed with a remarkable memory and eyesight and to the very last had no difficulty in recognizing her acquantances, even though she had not seen them for months. She was firm in her religious faith and frequently spoke of the nearness of the end of her earthly life and of the future happiness in store for her. She loved to talk with her favorite minister Rev. Lew Henderson of heavenly things, and exacted from him years ago, a promise that he would preach her funeral sermon and the promise was kept.
On Monday she was buried in the family plot at the Alturas Cemetery. A large crowd of her friends met at the family residence and followed the remains of Grand-Ma Dorris to their resting place.
Modoc Independent
Jan 17 1889
Rev. Henderson of Upper Gooselake Valley was in town last Monday. He was sent for and traveled a distance of 50 miles to preach Grandma Dorris's funeral. Mr. Henderson states that he left a very sick child at home.
The New Era
Dec. 11, 1907
Pioneer Passes
Last Friday Dec. 6, 1907, death calmed "Uncle" Carlos J. Dorris near Alturas and the services were conducted at the cemetery by Rev. Charnock officiating. Mr. Dorris is well known through out the country and was one of the men who took permanent part in changing the wilderness into a prosperous community.He leaves a number of nieces & nephews in the neighborhood besides a large circle of friends who deeply mourn his loss for our mist. We extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Modoc Republican
Dec. 13, 1907
Aged Pioneer Passes Away
Last Sunday, Dec 7, Mr. Carlos J. Dorris, died at his home at the Dorris Ranch. He was 83 years of age and had not been sick long. Uncle Carlos J Dorris was one of the old pioneers of Modoc County who did his share in making the county what it is. The death of this aged gentleman marks the passing of another of the old pioneers and familiar landmark, from among us. The funeral service was held at the cemetery, Rev. G.A. Charnock officiating. Mr. Dorris was never married but leaves a number of realtives to mourn his loss.
(Comments by submitter) Note the different dates and even days of the week for Carlos death. A funeral notice in Rachel Dorris diary states that he died Dec. 8, 1907 and was 83 years of age. Also states that he was buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Believe that his is the correct date of death as it was from the funeral home.
The New Era
Jan. 1, 1908
Mrs. Ed Dorris is on the sickk list this week with an attack of sciatic rheumatism.
The New Era
Jan. 15, 1908
Last week Dorris Bros. lost a $2200 thoroughbred stallion which they had recently purchased.
The New Era
Feb. 12, 1908
W.J. Dorris is just recovering from an attack of the grippe.
The New Era
Feb. 12, 1908
W.J. Dorris was in town Wednesday the first time in several weeks, he has been suffering a prolonged siege of the gripped.
Plaindealer
Nov. 25, 1910
Passing Of A Pioneer Lady
On Saturday morning last, the tired weary spirit of Mrs. Elizabeth Dorris left the tenement and winged its flight to the great beyond. Ill health, combined with the loss of her mental faculties, had rendered life a burden and merciful death relieved her of further suffering. Mrs. Dorris was born in Kentucky sixty nine years ago, and came to Modoc Co. in the early days. Her home since the passing of her partner, several years ago has been with her children near Alturas. She was a good woman, a kind affectionate wife and mother, and leaves a family of grown sons and daughters to mourn her loss. To these the Plaindealer extends sincere sympathy. The funeral was to have been from the Baptist Church Sunday, but was postponed to Monday to enable her sons to reach Alturas. The remains were inturrude in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Peace to her ashes.
Modoc Republican
Dec. 2, 1910
Died - Pioneer Lady Passes to Rest
On last Sunday (not the toher papers say Saturday) Mrs. Elizabeth Dorris passed peacefully away at the home of her son Edward. Mrs. Dorris was one of the pioneers of this county and her early life was associated with the hardship of privations incident to the early history if the county. Mrs. Dorris had been ailing for some time and the end was not unexpected. She was well known and liked thorugh this section of the country. Especially by all of the early settlers. She was about 70 years of age at the time of her death. The aged lady leaves six sons Edward, Rolland, Wylie, Vernile, Ira and Wallace, and three daughters Mrs. E.V. Coffer, Mrs. Joe Walker and Mrs. Wm. Bonner, besides a large number of friends to mourn her loss. The funeral was conducted from the Baptist Church last Monday. The services were held by Rev. R.G. Gardner. The remains were laid to rest in the old Masonic Cemetery.
Modoc Republican
Dec. 16, 1910
Diednear Alturas Dec. 1910 Birdie Minnie Bonner, aged 1 year 2 months and 18 days. Shasta County papers please copy. The only child a baby girl of 14 months, 18 days, of Mr. and Mrs. Will Bonner passed away after a brief illness with pneumonia. We join in many others in extending loving sympathy to the bereaved parents and desire for them grace to hear their sorrow.
(Comments by submitter) Birdie Bonner child of William & Minta Bonner died Dec 3, 1910, born Aug. ?, 1909. Died at the old homestead of Elizabeth Doris that Elliott Coffer was working for her when he died in 1909. Minta and William had moved to the homestead as Elizabeth felt that Letha could not work the homestead by herself.
The New Era
May 24, 1911
Presley Dorris returned home last week from a trip to lower country. While there he purchased some thoroughbred stock for use on the big stock ranch owned by the Dorris Bros.
The New Era
July 24, 1912
E.A. Dorris the enterprising milkman had the misfortune to be kicked in both kness by a horse last Thursday and is now confined to his bed from the injuries. One of his knees is badly broken and it is feared that he will not recover the full use of it. The horse was tied in the barn on the Dorris Ranch and when Mr. Dorris entered its stall the animal kicked him twice. One of the men working on the ranch came to the rescue of Mr. Dorris might have been trampled to death by the vicious animal.
The New Era
Sept. 14, 1912
Mrs. Rachel Dorris returned last week from San Francisco, where she has been visiting for some time past on account of her health. She returns much improved. We are glad to state and intends to remain here permently.
The New Era
Oct. 16, 1912
We are sorry to announce that Mrs. Rachel Dorris has been ill for several days on Pine Creek. We trust to be able to report her much improved by our next issue.
The New Era
March 31, 1913
E.A. Dorris, the milk man had his quarterly runaway last Sunday. His team got away from him and made a good run of it for many blocks. The wagon was damaged and all is milk spilled, but Mr. Dorris finally suceeded in getting them and getting a fresh supply of milk. He was able to supply his many customers for the day.
The New Era
Dec 23, 1914
Strayed E.A. Dorris the milk man would like to know where his milk bottles are. Out of 22 dozen bottles since Sept 15. He leaves the dairy this morning with only 2 dozen accounting for 8 bottles being broken.
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