Say, William Henry

William Henry Say, born in Mendocino County on August 2, 1864, was a scientific horticulturist and one of the largest freeholders at Selma, California. He was the eldest son of James H. Say, a prominent pioneer and real estate holder, and Laura Jane Coates. Trained practically in agriculture by his father, William married Mary E. DeWitt in 1884 near Selma, a native of Missouri whose father later established a fruit and alfalfa ranch in the area. The couple had two children, including a son named DeWitt H. who died at age four, and a son named Harry Lyle who later served in the United States Navy. During the war, Mrs. Say served as the active head of the local Red Cross, helping the organization raise funds for the cause.

The couple built extensive real estate holdings, beginning with the Corona Vineyard deeded by Mary’s mother in 1888, which they expanded into four highly cultivated ranches totaling 460 acres. In 1898, William joined the gold rush to Dawson City, Alaska, where he successfully operated mining claims before selling them in 1902 for nearly seventy-five thousand dollars. His resourceful wife accompanied him on these northern journeys, making three trips to Alaska alongside her husband and young son. Back in Fresno County, William became a leading promoter of the California Raisin Growers Association and the California Peach Growers, Inc. They were active members of the Presbyterian Church building committee, and William was a dedicated fraternal member who served as Grand Marshal for the Odd Fellows centennial parade at Fresno on April 26, 1919.