M. W. Herron is one of the prominent contractors and builders of  Redding, California.  Since his residence in this place he has identified himself with the best interests of the town, and has done much toward its improvement in his line of work.  A sketch of his life is herewith given.

Mr. Herron was born in Kentucky, November 9, 1842, is the son of William and Catherine (Hood) Herron, both natives of Kentucky.  Grandfather William Herron was born in Scotland.  The subject of this sketch was one of a family of six children.  He received his education in his native State, and in 1861, at the age of nineteen, enlisted in the Union  army, Company K, Seventh Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.  He was in many skirmishes and several of the great battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Mill Spring, Shiloh, Stone River, siege of Vicksburg, and others. He was in the Banks expedition, on Red River, in the midst of hard fighting.  In 1864 his term of enlistment expired, and he reenlisted and fought until the close of the war.  During the numerous engagements in which he took part he was slightly wounded four times.

The war over, Mr. Herron received an honorable discharge in 1866.  He returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in carpenter work, at which he was employed in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.  In 1869 he married Miss Mary C. Sly.  They have two daughters, Emma J. and Bertha A.

From Illinois in 1876, he came to Colusa County, California,  where he carried on his business for about ten years.  At the end of that time he located in Redding, and has since been a leading architect and contractor of the city.  He is now (1890), superintending the building of several of the best residences and business blocks of Redding.  He belongs to the G.A.R., A.O.U.W.,I.O.O.F., and is a Master Mason .  Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.  He is a worthy citizen and is respected and esteemed by all who know him.
 

Source : Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891 pages 777-778
Transcribed by:  Melody Landon Gregory August 2004