William Netherton 1863- 1932

More information to come from newspaper clippings family, and other sources.

Arrived in California with his brothers in early 1850s. Parents settled in northern SF bay area. One brother settled in Newman, California, where there is still a Netherton road.

He appears in SC Surf newspaper stories as a well-respected "young" lawyer. He later became City Attorney. He was defeated in an election for District Attorney after nasty campaign. The Sentinel hated him and wrote daily stories excoriating his work as City Attorney.

He was a bank director when the Peoples' Bank was built on Pacific Avenue. It was later sold and became Farmers and Merchants Bank in 1914. In 1932, it was sold to Wells, Fargo. After that bank built its new offices in the redevelopment area after the 1955 flood, the building became offices and the groundfloor retail space. For many years the I.D. Company occupied the bank until it closed in 2002. In 2003 it's a toystore.

This was the view outside Mr. Netherton's office. Click to read more.

SC Bench and Bar of Santa Cruz County
William P. Netherton
A born leader of men, a shrewd organizer, a true man, a trusty friend, and s stern foe, weld to a character like this, judgment, prudence, and a knowledge of the law, agumented daily by study and there you have W. P. Netherton. This is no machine-made puff, it is the truth, spoken from an intimate knowledge of the man and a great admiration born of the knowledge. Mr. Netherton in the prime of life as years go, but in all that goes to make the sober sensible citizen he his old and ripe. He's the grant secretary of the IOGT, edits the monthly official paper of that organization, is City attorney of Santa Cruz, and besides all these duties, attends to a private practice as large as that of anyone in the county. A good man, a good lawyer, the soul of truth and honor, may his shadow grow broader as long as he lives.
(Beautiful Santa Cruz County, Phil Francis, 1896)

Various local newspaper stories about the Nethertons and the bank.

The family of W. P. Netherton will arrive from Merced in a short time and will join Mr. Netherton in East Santa Cruz where they are to make their home. (Daily Surf 7/10/1889)

W.P. Netherton and his wife were very agreeably surprised Saturday evening by the arrival at their home of a goodly sized party of their friends and neighbors who although unannounced were not unwelcomed for they brought good wishes, good cheer, and congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Netherton upon the completion of ten years of harmonious wedded life. There was quite a display of tin ware as well as liberal preparation for an evening of enjoyment which was participated in by all. (Surf 3/4/1895)

A card in today's Surf announces that Messers. Wm. A. Mcguire and W.P. Netherton, Attorneys have associated themselves for the practice of the law, and have taken offices in the Hihn building on Cooper St. Both of these young men are well known in the city and county. Mr. Netherton is prominant in all temperance work, is Grand Secretary of the I.O. G. T., has had some experience in the editorial chair, and since being admitted to the bar has proved sucessfull. Mr. McGuire, a son of Dr. McGuire, has practiced his profession in Santa Cruz some time, and though a young man has won a favorable position for himself. The combination should prove a strong one. (Surf 10/10/1895 2:2)

We, the undersigned, hereby give notice that we have formed a co-partnership under the firm name and style of, Lindsay & Netherton, for the purpose of the practice of law, with offices in the Hihn Staffler building, opposite the courthouse, Santa Cruz, California. Carl E. Lindsay, W.P. Netherton. (Surf 4/6/1900)

The Difference of a Day
A gentlemen acquainted with the members of the new legal firm of Lindsay and Netherton informs the Surf that there are many coincidences in their careers. To begin with, there is only one days difference in their ages, Mr. Lindsay being one day the senior of his partner. Both studied law at the same time, and both were admitted to practice on the same day. Mr. Lindsey served as district attorney, and Mr. Netherton was a candidate for the same office, and as mentioned yesterday, both have been interested in the city litigation. (Surf 4/7/1900 )

Mrs. J. S. Netherton, who has with her daugther Miss Belle Netherton, been visiting her son, W. P. Netherton, has returned to her home, at Byron.( Surf 9/27/1900)

Plans Of the People's Bank
The Watsonville Register says Mr. Weeks has also drawn plans for the new People's Bank at Santa Cruz. This is to be a $60,000 fireproof stone building. It is to be one of the finest banks in the interior of California. Mr. Weeks makes a specialty of bank buildings having made a study of this style of architecture. Among the other buildings recently planned by Mr. Weeks it may be mentioned, the $25,000 Carnegie Library at Fruitvale, and a beautiful home for C. M. Bond at North Oakland. Mrs. Bond is occupying the Dr. Melvin home this summer. The People's Bank will not be permitted to build by Duncan until all its vacant spaces are rented in advance of erection, or until Duncan's own vacancies are all occupied. (Surf Sept 9/28/09)

Pioneer Woman Goes to Rest
News was received in this city today of the death at Byron, Contra Coasta County, of Mrs. J. S. Netherton, mother of W. P. Netherton, the well-known Santa Cruz attorney and school director. For some time Mrs. Netherton and her husband had been living on Ocean St in this city. Recently she went to Byron to visit one of her sons and she was there when her illness came on and Mr. Netherton Sr. and her son, W. N. Netherson were called to her bedside. They were present as were four of Mr. Netherton' brothers when she breathed her last breath. Mr. and Mrs. Netherton were pioneer residence of Contra Coasta County and were among the earliest of the state's white settlers. The desire to go back to her old home filled her and she was happy with her husband and five grown sons around her when death came. Mrs. Netherton had reached the age of 73. The funeral will be Friday. In Santa Cruz as in Contra Coasta County, Mrs. Netherton was highly esteemed and the sympathy of the community goes out to her aged life mate and to her children. (10/12/12 Surf )

Netherton and Johnson
The City Attorney becomes a law partner of W. P. Netherton. A new law partnership has been formed in this city with the firm name of Netherton and Johnson. J. Leslie Johnson, the city attorney, at very able young attorney, now becomes associated with W. P. Netherton, one of the best known lawyers of this part of the state. The firm of Netherton and Torchiana, resolved partnership about a year ago. Mr. Torchiana associating himself with the firm of Kaufman, Stratton, and Tortianna of San Francisco over a year ago. Mr. Netherton, who has one of the best law practices here by overwork has found it necessary to take a vacation and for two months will be at Brookdale. He served the city several terms as City Attorney, and was chosen to go to New York, with Samuel Leask, some weeks ago, in behalf of the city's water bond litigation. Mr. Johnson has been associated with E. C. Rittenhouse, and the firm of Rittenhouse and Johnson, well established with a lucrative practice. They were associated with one another through college and through their profession shortly after graduation. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the law department of the Stanford University. As City Attorney he has gone through one of the most trying times in the history of the city, but his keen insight into the legal questions involved and his well-balanced mind, have won for him nothing but praise. (Surf 5/5/1913)

People's Bank
The results of the election of officers of this bank indicate a rejuvenation of the institution. New names appear on the directorate, and a new man takes the Presidency, new to the bank and new to the banking business. Henry Willey, who has been its president of the date of its organization down to the present time has given to the bank a large amount of unsalaried time and labor. The kind of interest that mere money is never able to secure. He took a just pride in the institution and in the new biulding which would be an ornament to a city of five times the size of Santa Cruz. Banking, like all other kinds of business, is undergoing a change, and the demand was for a president who could devote time and talents to the work of bank development more than Mr. Willey could spare from his private business. He remains upon the board of directors and will not slacken his solicitude for the success and prosperity of the People's Bank. We were about to refer to Mr. Netherton, the new president, as a "climber" but that word does not describe his progress. He has been a "comer" in Santa Cruz, steadily growing in esteem and respect of the people and steadily reaping more and more of the rewards of success. He will not retire from the practice of law, but will give to the bank a liberal share of his time and attention to the advantage of stock holders and the general public for we can not escape the fact that a bank is to a degree a public utility in the conduct of which the whole community is concerned. The new directors include W. T. Forsythe, Principal of the Branciforte school, T. W. Kelly, proprietor of the Racket Store, and Warren Garrett, a gentleman of leisure and public spirit, and an active director of the Chamber of Commerce for each of whom commendatory words can be used. Reelected members of the board of directors include Dr. P. T. Phillips, Vice President Cashier Campbell, Charles A. Towne, and Leeland Hinds. (Surf 1914 )

Farmers and Merchants By reference to the advertising columns, it will be observed the formerly People's Bank is to be hence forth known as the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank. This is the last of the local banks to pass from state to national organization. (Surf 7/1/1914 1:4 )

Geo E Netherton Called by Death
Passed away at local sanitorium after three weeks illness
George E. Natherton, of Martinez, a brother of W. P. Netherton of this city, died of Brights disease yesterday at a local sanitorium where he was brought three weeks ago for treatment. The deceased was a native of Byron, Contra Costa County, and at the time of his death was only 43 years of age. For the greater part of his life, he has followed farming and dairying. He was known as a man of exemplary habits and was a very good citizen and was highly respected in the community where he was known. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodsman of the World, and the Maccabees. He leaves a wife and two children, a son of sixteen years of age and a daughter of eighteen and besides these there survives him his father, J. S. Netherton, his brother, Atty W. P. Netheron, both of Santa Cruz, and his brother's F. W. Netherton of Martinez, W. E. Netherton of Newman, and D. W. Netherton of Byron. The body will be shipped by the CC Chase Undertaking company to Martinez where the funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. (Jan 31 1916 Surf )

Mr and Mrs. Stanley Glassford and children Florence Margaret and James, have returned to Dinuba, after a visit with Mr. Glassford's grandmother, Mrs. J. M. Thorton, and aunts, Miss. Ruth Thornton, and Mrs. W. P. Netherton of Riverside Avenue. (Surf 7/20/1920 )

John S. Netherton Called by Death
After attaining the ripe old age of 86 years, John S. Netherton, father of W. P. Netherton the well-known attorney and banker of this city, passed away at his home 82 Ocean St. this morning. While Mr. Netherton has not been in the best of health, he seemingly enjoyed life and his death occurred unexpectedly. He was born in Arkansas but has been living in California since he was 15 years of age. He was intensely patriotic and thoroughly Californian in all his ways. Mr. Netherton, who has been living in Santa Cruz for a considerable number of years was the father of the well-known Netherton family, three of whom still survive him and these include W. P. Netherton of this city, and Walter and Edward Netherton. The latter, for many years, followed journalism and job printing and at one time was a reporter on the San Francisco Chronicle. (SC News 6/15/21 ) (82 Ocean St was on the west side of Ocean, near the corner of Barson, just down Barson from where the W.P. Nethertons lived.)

Contract Let for Remodeling Lobby of F & M Bank

An $8500 contract has been let to Brandlein Brothers, San Francisco office equipment specialists, for remodeling to be done in the Farmers and Merchants National Bank, work to begin October 1, and to be finished between 20 and 30 days. The counters will be moved back, enlaring the lobby space, and new style low counter-screen equipment will be installed. Additional teller windows will be put in, and more safe deposit booths will enlarge that service. The directors' room, has already been remodeled, and storage facilities have also been increased. "We hope to make our service more convenient for out patrons through these changes." Leland Hinds, Manager of the bank said today. ( Evening News, 8 Sept 1930 1:7 )

Avers Fraud Was Done By Head of Bank
S. C. Woman answers for closure suit with charges
$15,000 note involved
Netherton alleged to have made false representations
Sensational charges against W. P. Netherton, former Santa Cruz banker and attorney were contained in a cross-complaint, filed today by attorneys Bias and Beggs, in behalf of Mrs. Amanda M. Beecher, of Beach Hill, in the suit brought against her by the People's Savings Bank to foreclose a $15,000 mortgage. Mrs. Beecher alleged, in her cross-complaint, that Netherton taking advantage of his position as President of the bank, and as its agent and as attorney for her, induced her to borrow the money from the bank in November of 1924, on the promise that the re-investment of the money in the California Rio Grande Land and Stock company, of his he was president, would earn her large returns. Mrs. Beecher further alleged, the Mr. Netherton stated that the investment was safe and that the ranch was well stocked with cattle and sheep. She asserted that all of these statements were false, and known to be false when made. She purchased fifteen hundred units of the stock of the Texas concern and turned the money over to Mr. Netherton according to the pleadings filed this morning. Paid her Sums Mrs. Beecher further alleged that later, Mr. Netherton gave her certain sums of money, representing them to be dividends from the ranch investment, which were in fact, paid out of his own personal funds, in order to keep up the sham that the Texas investment was a sure fire winner. She alleged that there never was a dividend on the units of the company. She further asserted that she demanded the return of her money from the bank and offered to turn back the units and was refused. Asks Note Cancelled She now asks for a court order, cancelling the note at the bank, and $50,000 evemplary damages. The present suit involving the operation in Santa Cruz, over a considerable period, for a sale of units in the Texas company headed by Netherton, recalls other flareups along the same line, and involving other Santa Cruz investors. It has been estimated that close to $100,000 was invested by Santa Cruzans in the Texas proposition. (Sentinel 6/ 2, 1931 )

William P. Netherton died a few months later, in August of 1931.