I was at my grandparents’ house the other day, and found out some more information on my great-great-grandfather, Sidney Forward Hadsell:
SIDNEY F. HADSELL. A well-known educator and business man of Fresno county, Sidney F. Hadsell is a worthy representative, born in Calhoun county, Mich. July 13, 1843, a son of Martin and Susan (Forward) Hadsell. The former, a native of Connecticut, went to New York, thence to Ohio, and finally, in 1837, located in Michigan near Battle Creek, where he died. His wife was a native of Ohio and also died at their home in Michigan.
The youngest of three sons and four daughters, S.F. Hadsell received his early education in the common schools and later at Hopkinton College in Iowa. He engaged in teaching in Michigan and in 1868 located in Independence, Iowa, where he continued his chosen vocation and also took the college course, teaching at various places until 1875, when he came to California and located at Santa Rosa.
In 1876 Mr. Hadsell came to Fresno county and secured a position as teacher. He taught the first school in Madera in 1877, the school consisting of but one room. When Madera county was organized he remained in that city until going to Mariposa county, from there returning to Fresno county. In 1888 he engaged in the real estate business, at the same time carrying on a ranch. In Fresno he was associated with the well-known firm of Hadsell, Green & Co., real estate dealers, for three years 1888, ’89, ’90. He now owns a ranch of one hundred and twenty acres purchased in 1889, in the Carmelita district, fifty acres of which hare in vineyard, fourteen in orchard and the balance in alfalfa and grain. This farm he rents.
In 1876 Mr. Hadsell was united in marriage in San Francisco with Thesta Dana, who was born in Independence, Iowa. They have three children: Dan, attending the State University, Grovine and Edith. In politics he is a Democrat and has been active in the deliberations of that party, though never an aspirant for office. In local issues he is always in favor of men best fitted for the office, and is a member of the county central committee. the cause of education has always found in Mr. Hadsell a warm adherent and he rendered valuable service as a member of the Fresno board of education. In 1885 he platted Hadsell’s addition of Fresno, a tract of twenty-five acres, which was sold off in city lots. He makes his home at No. 201 Valeria street. Thesta street in this addition is named in honor of Mrs. Hadsell. In 1888 he platted Elm Grove addition, which was also sold off. At the time of locating in the San Joaquin valley Fresno county was little more than a desert and the change that the years have brought forth has been through the perseverance of such men as Mr. Hadsell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hadsell have a wide circle of acquaintances and in all movements that have been advanced for the promotion of the welfare of the citizens of their adopted county have taken an active interest. By their united efforts they have accumulated a competence which they are now living to enjoy.
Pg. 1464
History of the State of California and Biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California
An Historical Story of the State’s Marvelous Growth from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time
by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.M.
Author of A History of Los Angeles and Vicinity, History of Southern California, Secretary and Curator of the Historical Society of Southern California, Member of the American Historical Association, Washington, D.C.
ALSO
Containing Biographies of Well-Known Citizens of the Past and Present
The Chapman Publishing Co.
Chicago
1905
My great uncle Willard compiled a genealogy of the Hadsell-Hodsoll family which he published in 1956. Your description of your grandfather follows closely, but is much more detailed than, the listing in his book. Are you aware of this book? Would you like to know more about it? It traces Sidney Forward back to James of New London, CT. He first appeared in the public records when he married Patience (Hempstead) Ross in July of 1721. He was sometimes referred to as “Hodsoll”. If you would like to correspond, it could be very interesting!