One of the early carpenters in the area, Charles Stanton Avery, was a mater craftman, who specialized in the fancy cutouts (gingerbread) that adorned many of the old buildings, such as seen on historical homes and the former Tremont Hotel. He helped build some of the old homes in Vina, Chico and Red Bluff. Avery was born in 1836, left Illinois in 1859 and crossed the plains with 20 other young men - no women, according to his son Charles Edward, who told the story to Jackie Speegle, who turn related the events to Vina historian Frances Leininger. They reportedly saw only one group of friendly Pawnee Indians. Charles Stanton Avery enlisted as a private at Benicia Barracks, California, April 5, 1864, and was mustered into Company I, 2nd California Cavalry, October 31, 1864. Private Avery was mustered out with his company at Sacramento June 24, 1866 (Orton, p. 269). After the war Avery returned to Illinois to retrieve a chest of carpenter tools that his father had brought from England. Avery then went back to California. Among the tools was a set of handmade planes, made by his father, from a three-foot one down to one eight-to-10 inches long. He hoined the state militia and served under Gen. Bidwell. He was stationed at Ft. Bidwell for awhile.He also helped in quelling the Indians in the foothills near Mill Creek area. Avery took up a homestead in the Mill Creek Canyon area near Black Rock. In March 1881, he married Ellen Thompson Hunley, a sister to Put and Theodore. Their Son, Charles E. was born Dec 12, 1882. It apparently was a lonely life for her there, because when Charles was two years old, she divorced Avery and married William Moody in 1885. They had a son and daughter. They lived in Dixie Valley, north of Susanville. When Charles was about seven years old, the house caught fire and Ellen and the infant girl were burned to death. Avery took his son and Moody his. Avery lived the remainder of his life in Mill Creek Canyon, where he had an orchard and raised vegetables. There may be some fruit trees still there. He died in Enloe Hospital in Chico, CA on Jan 1, 1915 at the age of 79 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff.
From the Daily News, Red Bluff, CA Saturday May 3, 1980 (Frances Leininger Collection)