Central California Bios

Page 588

Isaac N. Parlier

Isaac N. Parlier was born in Illinois, in October 1842. He was reared and educated in that State and spent his young manhood in farming occupations. During the war he enlisted in the regular troops, not, however, until the last year of the conflict; and he was mustered out after a service of nine months.

In the year 1874 Mr. Parlier came to California and settled in Stanislaus County, where he was engaged in ranching for three years. He then, in 1877, removed to Fresno County, where we now find him engaged in farming, raisin culture and stock-raising. His ranch consists of 400 acres, and is located seven miles northeast of the town of Selma. Eighty acres of this fine property are in a raisin vineyard, which promises much to its owner. Mr. Parlier also owns 320 acres of unimproved land in Kern County.

He was married in October 1863, to Miss Laird, a native of Illinois. They have had nine children, all of whom are now living.

Mr. Parlier belongs to that small band of pioneers in this section who located their homes originally in an absolutely barren and desolate region. At that time one could ride twenty miles without being able to find a switch to use on his horse. This seems well nigh incredible as one views the splendid farming lands and rich foliage of this locality at the present day.

J. E. Ryan, one of the successful real-estate men of Fresno, is a native of Macoupin County, Illinois. He is one of a family of seven children, and dates his birth in the year 1841. Receiving excellent educational advantages, he graduated at the Presbyterian College, Greenfield, Illinois, in 1858, after which he entered upon a business career. He established a dry-goods and clothing business at Girard, in his native county, which he carried on with fair success for a period of eighteen years. During this period Mr. Ryan was active in all matters looking toward the development of the town, and was one of its prominent citizens. At one time he was a candidate before the people for Assemblyman, but was defeated at the polls after a close election.

In 1876, he moved to Nebraska, and was engaged in business there a year and a half. From that State he removed to California, settling in Stockton, where he resided two years. We next find him located at Modesto, Stanislaus County, engaged in the real-estate business. Three years later he became a citizen of Fresno; this was in December 1883, and he has since continued to reside here.

Mr. Ryan was engaged in various enterprises since his settlement in Fresno, and has been a witness to the remarkable development of this vicinity. He first engaged in contracting work, and later opened a piano, organ and stationery business. In connection with S. N. Straube he is now conducting a real-estate business, the firm name being Straube, Ryan & Co. He has never ... [next page missing! I'll have to copy it at the library.]

Thomas H. Smith

The beautiful South Fork valley, Kern County, California, owes its marvelous development and prosperity to such pioneers as Thomas H. Smith -- men of sterling traits of character, honesty of purpose and great energy.

Mr. Smith was born in Bristol, England, June 6, 1824. His father, William Smith, a professional accountant, emigrated to New York city in 1837; bought property and located on Long Island. He brought a family of ten children with him to this country, and of these the subject of our sketch was the fifth born. He enjoyed excellent school facilities and availed himself of a good English education. In 1853 he came to California and went into the store of his brother, who came to California in 1849 and erected the first house of merchandise in Oakland, opened and conducted a store at Temescal, three miles from the now city of Oakland, which he continued about four years. In 1858 he removed to Visalia, where he lived three years, and from there came to his present home in the South Fork valley, few settlers having preceded him to this place.

Mr. Smith was married December 25, 1853, in Washington County, Ohio, to Miss Sophia Whitlock, daughter of Samuel Whitlock, a prosperous farmer of that State. They have three children living: Sophia, wife of J. B. Batys, Henrietta, wife of James H. Powers, and Thomas S., a single son, residing at home.

F. T. Hilton, proprietor of the California Carriage Shop, N. Street, Fresno, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1852. His father, F. H. Hilton, a tanner and shoe manufacturer, removed with his family to California in 1868, arriving at San Francisco, May 1. He located at Centerville, Alameda County, where he still resides, working at his trade and running a shoe store.

F. T. Hilton was educated at Yarmouth, and after coming to this State he learned the trade of blacksmith at Centerville. He conducted a shop there for eighteen months and then went to San Francisco, where, in the carriage factory of Mr. Cunningham, he learned the finer branches of his trade. While in business at Bakersfield he contracted malaria and was compelled to seek a higher altitude. Then, at the mining camp of Kernville, he did a satisfactory business for four years; but the mines failed; the town was abandoned, and Mr. Hilton moved to Bodie, Mono County, another mining camp. Ten years later the mines of that place failed, and again he was obliged to seek another location.

In 1889 our subject came to Fresno, purchased 50 x 125 feet on N. between Fresno and Mariposa streets, built a shop and here launched out in a thriving business. He deals in coal, iron, hardware, blacksmith materials and hardwood carriage materials, and builds light and heavy carriage work. His business here has increased beyond his capacity, and it is his intention soon to enlarge his works.

Mr. Hilton was married at Cornwall station, Contra Costa County, California, August 11, 1877, to Miss Alice R. Whitney, daughter of William E. Whitney, a pioneer of '49, who, as a contractor, was engaged in building the Central Pacific railroad. To Mr. and Mrs. Hilton three children have been born, two of whom are living, namely: May S. and Leslie Allan Hilton.

Mr. Hilton is a member and Master Workman of Yo Semite Semite Lodge, No. 171, A. O. U. W.

Dr. G. L. Long, the most prominent homeopathic physician of Fresno, was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, in 1858. His father, a farmer by occupation, moved to Iowa in 1878, continuing there his agricultural pursuits.

Dr. Long received his education in Pennsylvania, and after moving to Iowa he engaged in teaching in the public schools. On account of ill health he sought the balmy climate of California, coming to this coast in 1882. At first he settled on a wheat ranch in Merced County, where, after ten months' exercise in the bright sunshine and pure air, his health improved. In 1883 be entered the Hahnemann Medical College, San Francisco, and graduated at that institution in 1886. He began the practice of his profession in Lone Pine, Inyo County, and that same year was married there to Miss Ruth McElroy. They have one child, F. Ruth Long, born April 1, 1888. In the spring of 1887, Dr. Long moved to Fresno, where be has continued in practice, with very satisfactory results, being the leading practitioner here in his particular branch of medicine. He is very studious and devotes himself to a thorough understanding of his profession.

He is a member of Merced Lodge, No. 208, I. 0. 0. F.

Seth Brooks Hunt

Seth Brooks Hunt has been a resident of California since 1861, and of Visalia since 1871.

Mr. Hunt is a native of Maine, born on Kennebeck river, six miles below Augusta, June 10, 1839. His ancestors were descended from the Pilgrim fathers who landed on Plymouth Rock, and his parents, Ephraim and Phebe (Hunt) Hunt were cousins. Of their six children he was the fourth born. His father died in Maine.

Coming to California in 1861, Mr. Hunt located at Sacramento, where, for five years, he was engaged in the carriage manufacturing business. From there he removed to San Jose, [ed note: San Jose ?] conducting his business in that city five years.

In 1868 he married Miss Mattie Jones, a native of Santa Clara County and a daughter of Zachariah Jones. Her parents came to this State in 1846, and her mother is still living, she being one of the oldest pioneer women in the State. The Donner party were entertained at their home when they finally reached California. In 1871 Mr. Hunt came with his family to Visalia, and established his carriage and blacksmith business here. In 1879 he moved into his present shop, corner of Main and Locust streets. The comfortable home on Court street, in which they reside, he built in April, 1874. Five of the six children born to them are still living, namely: Louise A., Lavaliere, Claud A., Lillie B. and Clarence.

Mr. Hunt is a worthy member of the A. O. U. W., and has been connected with the Presbyterian Church ever since its organization in Visalia. He rendered efficient aid in building their house of worship and their parsonage, and has been a trustee of the church for the past fifteen years. When the Republican party was organized he joined its ranks, cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since remained loyal to that party. He is thoroughly identified with the best interests of Visalia, and is regarded as one of her most worthy citizens.

Samuel H. Ross has been identified with the interests of California since 1857. Briefly given, a review of his life is as follows:

Mr. Ross was born in Missouri, February 29, 1836, son of Guy and Rhoda (Meadows) Ross, the former of Scotch descent and a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of Indiana. He was reared in Louisiana and obtained his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one he drove an ox team across the plains to California, and after a safe journey of four months' duration he landed in this State and began mining in Plumas County. His mining operations, however, were not successful and he soon turned his attention to other pursuits. He worked for wages near Marysville, Yuba County, for G. G. Briggs, there receiving his first lesson in horticulture. After this be engaged in farming and buying and selling land. He took a homestead claim, which was afterward claimed as a Mexican grant, and lie lost it with all the improvements thereon. He then went to Yuba City and again worked for wages, being engaged in the fruit business there eleven years. We next find him in Yolo County, where he had charge of a vineyard three years. In 1883 he went to Fresno County and purchased fifty acres of land, for which be paid $60 per acre. He improved it to orchard and vineyard and sold it in 1887 for $160 per acre. Then he conducted an eighty-acre vineyard two years; removed to Tulare lake and located on State land, but the water overflowed his land and it is now covered to a depth of two feet. In 1890 he came to Orosi, Tulare County, being attracted here by the fine fruit land. He purchased twenty acres, fifteen acres of which he has set to grapes and five to alfalfa.

Mr. Ross was married, in 1861, to Miss Phebe Murphy, a native of Indiana, by whom he had two children. One died in infancy, and the other, Charles H., is a printer in Brooklyn. Mrs. Ross died in 1866, and in 1868 he married her sister, widow of Van Buren Rushing. Mr. Rushing was one of the first volunteers in the Confederate army, was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Missionary Ridge, and died in prison at Rock Island, Illinois.

Politically Mr. Ross is a Democrat. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the I. 0. 0. F., and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is also a member of the American Legion of Honor, and of the Chosen Friends. He organized the first council of Chosen Friends in California, at Yuba City, was a Deputy Supreme Councilor and has a beautiful badge presented to him, by the Grand Council of the State, in honor of his having been the first Chosen Friend in California.

Joseph W. Sumner

This venerable pioneer may appropriately be styled the patriarch of Kern river valley. He is one of its first settlers and has from the time of' his coming been one of its most enterprising and influential men.

He was born at Lubec, Maine, the extreme eastern point of the United States, January 3, 1819. His father, Joseph Sumner, was a baker by trade and later became a merchant. He was a native of Massachusetts, born at Newburyport. The subject of our sketch lived at the home of his birth until he was thirty years of age; was engaged in ship-building, built several vessels and was part owner in the same; also engaged in merchandising. In 1849 he came to California, via Panama, and, upon his arrival in the land of newly discovered gold, went to Yuba County and engaged in placer-mining, remaining there eleven years. He then came to Kern County. The first three years of his residence here he mined at Coso (now in Inyo County), where he opened the Josephine mine. After that he came into the Kern river valley, purchased a claim of Lovley Rogers, and developed the Sumner mine. He incorporated a stock company and erected at Sumner a twelve-stamp quartz-mill, which, three years later, he sold to Senator John P. Jones. Judge Sumner has been constantly in the mining business on some basis or other, and is now operating the Mammoth mine at Kernville. He has likewise been engaged in ranching and stock-raising; was one of the first men to introduce alfalfa into Kern County, which he did in 1870. Since that year he has served his district as Justice of the Peace. He has always been a man of frugal habits and remarkable enterprise and energy.

In 1843 he was married, at Lubec, Maine, to Miss Mary E. Dakin, a native of Nova Scotia. They have two daughters living, namely: Alice, wife of A. Brown, of Kernville; and Josephine, wife of Rev. C. G. Belknap, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Arthur Crowley, senior member of the firm of Crowley Bros., Visalia, proprietors of the Visalia water works, was born in Windsor, Sonoma County, California, June 22, 1858. His father, John W. Crowley, a native of Missouri, came to California in 1851, settled in Sonoma County, and was there engaged as a merchant and stock-dealer. He married America J. Clements, also a native of Missouri, and by her had three children, two sons and a daughter. The mother died and Mr.Crowley was subsequently married to Matilda Keifer, who bore him two children. He died in 1881.

Arthur was ten years old when his mother died: the family removed to Tulare County in 1862, where he was reared and educated. After completing his studies here he took a business course at Heald's Business College, San Francisco. He was first engaged in the flouring-mill business five years. His health breaking down, he sold out and removed to Los Angeles. After recovering he returned to Tulare Comity, and, in February, 1889, in partnership with his brother, purchased the Visalia water works. The power for pumping the water from wells to the tanks is furnished by steam, and the water is piped over the city, the supply being pure and abundant, and furnished to the citizens at from one dollar per month up, according to the amount used.

Mr. Crowley was married May 27, 1885, to Miss Emma Gilliam, a native of California, daughter of Rev. S. T. Gilliam, who was born in Missouri, and who came to this State in 1849. They have two children, Elsie, born in Los Angeles; and Emma, in Visalia. Mr. Crowley is a Master Mason and a charter member of the Parlor of N. S. G. W. of Visalia, and of the latter organization he has been Secretary for several years. His political affiliations have been with the Democratic party. He has served as a member of the common council of Visalia.

John M. Hensley

John M. Hensley, Sheriff of Fresno County, was born in Cass County, Missouri in 1850. His father, J. J. Hensley, was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Missouri. He came to California in 1853 and followed the varied fortunes of the miner in Calaveras County until 1858, when he moved to Tulare County, and the following year entered the stock business, in which he is still engaged.

John M. was educated in the public schools of Fresno County. In 1870 he engaged in the sheep business for an interest in the flock. In this he was prosperous and became the owner of 7,000 sheep, but during the dry year of 1877 he lost them nearly all. He disposed of those he had left, came to Fresno and was variously employed for several years. He secured a road contract between Buchanan and Coarse Gold Gulch, and was at work on the road for two years. In the fall of 1884 he was elected Constable of First township at Madera, and was reelected in 1886. In 1888 he was elected county Sheriff, and moved to Fresno, being reelected to this office in the fall of 1890. He has faithfully performed the duties of his office and given entire satisfaction to all concerned.

Mr. Hensley was married at Woodville, Tulare County, in 1877, to Miss Harriet R. Monroe, and has a family of five children. He is a member of Madera Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and of Madera Lodge, K. of P., being a charter member of both lodges.

Walter Drane Grady

It is seldom that the biographer has such material afforded him for his work as is clearly shown in the brief sketch, which follows:

There are many men in California, who, in boyhood days, have been thrown upon their own resources without means or family prestige, but who, through persistence, energy, nerve and pluck, have later in life risen to positions of eminence among their fellow citizens. We repeat, there are many such men: compared however, with tile number who fail absolutely or who reach only a mediocre position in their respective communities, the list is an infinitesimally small one. It is our pleasure to record in a conspicuous place on this list tile name of Walter Drane Grady. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of ten years, an orphan without means, we find him to-day, but little more than a score of years later, one of the prominent citizens of Fresno -- a man of wealth and influence and a prominent figure in city life.

Walter Drane Grady, Esq., was born in Tennessee in 1852. When quite young, his parents, both Kentuckians, moved to Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, where his childhood was spent. He subsequently attended the high school at Litchfield, Illinois, pursuing his studies there with marked success. His parents both dying about this time, he was left penniless and entirely dependent upon his own resources. After finishing his college course in Illinois, the law attracted him, and he studied for some time in the office of Bennett & See, Gallatin, Tennessee, and was admitted to practice in that State. From there he removed to St. Louis, where for a time he engaged in the practice of his profession, and in January, 1874, he came to California.

Proceeding to Fresno in 1875, he at once entered into the practice of law, in which he is now engaged, criminal law being a specialty in his work. Mr. Grady came to Fresno a poor man; but, through wise manipulation of real estate (and more especially the purchase of the Magnolia vineyard, in 1884) and by the careful and conscientious work done in his professional career thus far, he has amassed considerable wealth, and is to-day one of the well-to-do men of the San Joaquin valley.

The celebrated Magnolia vineyard is situated eight miles west of Fresno, and contains 400 acres of raisins and 4,000 acres of wheat. The vineyard alone is valued at $150,000, the income from both raisins and grain being about $40,000 per annum at the present time. Besides other property adjacent to the city, he owns valuable real estate in the heart of Fresno, from which he derives a handsome profit.

During his early career, our subject was a conspicuous figure in politics. There have been few Democratic conventions held in this State, in which he has not been a delegate or an active participant. In 1880 he was elected District Attorney of Fresno County, and held the office three years. He has always given his party most vigorous support, and until the last few years, when he has dropped out of politics, he has been looked upon as one of the strong pillars of the party.

In 1883 he built the Grady Opera House, the first theater ever erected in Fresno. Public spirited and generous to a fault, Mr. Grady has won hosts of friends throughout the county in which he lives.

He has been twice married. His first wife, nee Clara Williams, a native of California, to whom he was married in 1877, died in 1884, leaving one child. Mr. Grady's second marriage was to Miss Annie Wristen, in 1885.

The family home is a substantial one, with attractive surroundings, located in the heart of Fresno, on the corner of K and Kern streets.

Fulton G. Berry

At the age of fifty, when most men begin to wear a discouraged look, especially if the battle of life, is against them, the subject of this sketch arrived in Fresno. That was five years ago, in 1885. A glance backward at his career will show something of his training and also serve to illustrate what a poor man with plenty of pluck, nerve and persistence can accomplish in the rich country described in this volume.

Mr. Berry was born in Maine in the year 1834. In 1851 he came to California -- a six-foot stripling of seventeen. A good job of steady work, that of driving a sand-cart, being offered him in San Francisco, he became a drayman, and worked for six months at days' wages. At the end of that time he bought a horse and dray, and set up in business for himself, continuing thus employed for six years. The next four years he spent in the grocery trade, and then for two years he was engaged with Mr. Alexander Badlam in the real-estate business, after which be became a charter member of the Pacific Stock Exchange. From that he went into the old board, paying $30,000 for his seat, and, of course, failing, as the majority of good brokers did in those days.

After serving for three years as commissary of State's prison, he bought a seat in the Produce Exchange for $1,000, but, not having the means to carry on the business, he sold it and came to Fresno to take charge of the Grand Central Hotel. The wonderful success that Mr. Berry has achieved in this city is worthy of record. Soon after settling in Fresno he took a pair of burros, and with his wife drove about the town and vicinity, saying on his return, "This country is good enough for me, and I think we can trust our fortune here."

Although in debt and with less than $50 of borrowed money, with opportunities lying all about him for quick turns in real estate, be decided on a bold venture: bonded a ranch for a large amount, went to San Francisco, told his story, and found a partner to put up the money. For his half of the amount ten per cent. interest was charged. He returned to Fresno, and in ninety days sold the property at a profit of $20,000, clearing his first $10,000. In the meantime, in thirty days after his advent in Fresno, he had bought a half-interest in the furniture of the Grand Central Hotel, -- on time, of course, -- and six months later he purchased his partner's interest. After selling the ranch he paid $7.500 for city lots, selling part of them in less than a year at a profit of $84,000. He then bought the hotel for $55,000. Mr. Berry has acquired much property in the city, which has rapidly advanced in price, and it may be truthfully said that to-day he is one of the principal property holders of Fresno. He also owns valuable vineyard lands which is fast improving. In the electric light and gas companies he has large interests. In fact, Mr. Berry is associated in some way or another with every important business enterprise in the city.

He was married in 1857 to Mary E. Torrey, a native of Maine, and has two daughters. Such, in brief, is an account of the life of one of Fresno's prosperous citizens, -- a man of tireless energy, and unconquerable grit and determination, who conquers apparently insurmountable obstacles by the sheer force of his strong personality.

William Helm was born at Durham, Canada, a small town on the Chadigee 10, river, which flows into the St. Lawrence, about forty miles from Montreal, March 9. 1836. His parents were George and Mary (Oliver) Helm, both natives of Scotland, where they were married, and shortly afterward removed to the continent of North America. He enjoyed the advantages of a pleasant home during his early childhood. When he was ten years old the family moved to the vicinity of Hamilton, Canada, now a large and thriving city, where the father bought a farm.

Attaining his majority in 1859, the subject of this sketch started out for himself, "Westward, Ho " being his motto. He engaged passage by water for San Francisco, via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving safely at his destination after a voyage of twenty-five days. His cash capital at that time was $5, and he paid that amount as steamer fare to Sacramento. he settled in Placer County at first, working at various occupations for a period of two years, after which he engaged in the sheep business on Bear river. In 1864, closing out his interests there, he drove his sheep to Oregon, where he sold out for about $15,000, which represented his profits to that date. He then went back to Sacramento, where be bought more sheep. In July, 1865, he brought his sheep down to the San Joaquin valley, and has since continued his residence here. By dint of hard labor, great diligence, and careful attention, he has made a success of the sheep business and has amassed large profits. Mr. Helm still has large interests in the Dry Creek district, at which point he settled when first coming to this county. His ranch is located six miles east of Fresno and comprises 12,000 acres. Besides his large sheep interests on this place he has a vineyard of 200 acres, which is just now coming into bearing.

To illustrate the rapid growth which has taken place in Fresno and vicinity since Mr. Helm moved here, he states that for eight years after his settlement he had no neighbor nearer than twelve miles. His was the only settlement between the present city of Fresno and the foothills. A visitor to the Fresno of today will appreciate the vast change which has taken place since then. Since 1877 Mr. Helm has made his home in Fresno. His residence, situated on a five-acre tract of land at the corner of Fresno and R streets, is one of the finest in the city, and the taste displayed in the arrangement of the beautiful and attractive grounds which surround this home, indicates the culture and refinement of the family. Mr. Helm also owns other valuable property in Fresno, on which substantial business buildings are located. He is the vice-president of the Bank of Central California, and the president of the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company, of which he was one of the organizers.

Personally Mr. Helm is a man of extreme modesty and simple habits. His genial disposition combined with his sound judgment commands for him the respect of the entire community, and he is a citizen that Fresno could ill afford to lose.

Mr. Helm chose for his life companion Miss Fannie S. Newman, a lady of English ancestry. Their union has been blessed with seven children, all living, viz.: George, who has charge of his father's sheep ranch; Frank, engaged in banking business; Jesse, now Mrs. Cox of Bakersfield; and Fannie, Mary, Agnes and Maud.

Francis S. Fugitt

Francis S. Fugitt is a member of one of the pioneer families of Lynn's valley, Kern County, California, He is a son of William Fugitt, of Glennville, a worthy farmer, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. He was born in Clay County, Missouri, April 2, 1849, and came to this State in. 1852. Here he grew up under the influence of rural associations. He gained a common school education and learned the art of making a living in a mountainous country, teaming in and out of Lynn's valley for several years. He then settled on the south fork of Kern river, oil 160 acres of land, which he subsequently sold to William Scodie. His present ranch, 240 acres of fine land, is located near the forks of Kern river, and of this 200 acres are under fence. Mr. Fugitt ranges about forty head of cattle and keeps ten horses. tie has twenty-five acres devoted to alfalfa.

December 30, 1874, Mr. Fugitt married Miss Amanda J., oldest daughter of E. A. Johnson, Esq. Their children by name are as follows: Edith, born February 19, 1876; Thomas E., December 8, 1877; Sarah G., January 19, 1880; Harry F., January 16, 1883; W. A., October 10, 1885; and Nellie, May 20, 1890.

W. F. Hanke, a member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno, was born in Dixon, Solano County, California, 1861, son of H. H. Hanke, an extensive grain and stock farmer, who died in 1878. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of seventeen years attended the Sacramento Business College, where he graduated in 1879.

In early life Mr. Hanke was a close observer of cattle, and evinced good judgment in their purchase. At the age of ten years he was the owner of thirty-five cattle that he acquired through his own speculation. When he was eighteen he traveled trough Washington, Nevada and Oregon, buying cattle for the San Francisco markets. After the death of his father, he managed the ranch of 800 acres at Dixon and 3,600 acres in Fresno County, and also began a market business in Dixon, which he continued until 1883. In that year he moved to the Fresno County ranch, near Sanger, and has since resided here. Formerly his stock interests in this county consisted chiefly of sheep, but for the past five years he has given his attention to the raising of cattle, keeping about 1,200 head. He also has about eighty head of horses. He pastures all his stock on his own ranch, which is enclosed and subdivided. King's river passes through the land, and the soil being moist, furnishes green food the year round. Mr. Hanke cultivates about 700 acres each year to grain. He is an advocate of deep cultivation, which is contrary to the adopted custom of the valley.

In Lake County, in 1882, Mr. Hanke wedded Miss Clara B. Sweikert, a native of California. They have one child, Pearl Edna, born February 22, 1884.

Mr. Hanke is a stockholder in the Sanger Bank. In June, 1890, he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors from the fifth district. He is much interested in the growth and development of the County, and is a most worthy citizen, highly respected by all who know him.

Rev. Obed D. Dooley

Rev. Obed D. Dooley may justly lay claim to the title of the pioneer preacher of Central California. He came to the State as early as 1850, from Ralls County, Missouri, where he was born in 1830, near New London, the county capital. His father, Thomas Dooley, was a native of Kentucky, a farmer by occupation, and raised a family of three sons and four daughters. His mother, by maiden name Matilda Webster, also of Kentucky birth, was of New English ancestry. Obed D. Dooley was the third of this family. The reports of wonderful gold discoveries in California enticed him from his native home. He mined during the years 1850-'51, when, owing to poor health, he abandoned that work and went to Sacramento and engaged in ranching near that city until 1854, and later he spent two years in Green valley, where he studied for the ministry under the Rev. J. M. Small. He then entered upon a course of study at Sonoma College, Sonoma County, where he spent two and a half years, assuming his first charge near Stockton, California. He continued his labors in the San Joaquin valley up to the year 1869, and then took up his residence in northern Kern County, where he has a comfortable home ranch of about 240 acres, and where he has unceasingly ministered to churches in that locality. Although advanced in years and his health somewhat impaired, he still fills his appointments at Delano and Glennville. His life has been a busy and useful one. He has organized churches at Salida, Merced, Mariposa, Tule River, Lynn's Valley, Bakersfield and Delano. He has also done a great deal of missionary work aside from his labors as a church organizer.

February 18, 1872, he married Mrs. Caroline, the widow of George W. Bronk, and a daughter of the late Christian Bohna, a sketch of whom appears on another page in this work. By this union four children have been born: Walter L., Thomas F., Sarah Ida B. and Jonathan. The children of Mrs. Dooley by her former marriage are Charles Henry, Virginia E., Frank, Martha and George W., Jr. Mr. Dooley is a man of sterling traits of character, and positive in his nature. Aggressive in his work, his administration of the affairs of his various parishes has been most successful and popular.

Thomas Yost, a prominent business man of Fresno, was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, December 25, 1840. His father, a well-to-do farmer moved to Pike County, Illinois, in 1853, and there continued his agricultural pursuits. Thomas worked on the farm in summer and attended school in winter, acquiring a fair knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic, about all that was taught in country schools in those days.

At the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, Mr. Yost was living with his father at Bement, Illinois, and at once enlisted in the service. From memoirs written by C. S. Colvig, Orderly Sergeant of Company A, Twenty-first Illinois, and a comrade of Yost throughout the war, we glean the following facts in regard to the efficient services the subject of our sketch rendered to his country. At Decatur, Illinois, he enlisted in a company then forming under Captain S. S. Goode, for the thirty days' (State) service, and on May 9 went to Mattoon, Illinois, where, with other companies from the different counties in the Seventh Congressional district, the regiment was organized and mustered into the service by U. S. Grant, who was at that time a captain. Grant rather objected to Mr. Yost, on account of his stature not being quite up to the standard required by army regulations, but the bright appearance of the boy finally overcame his objections and Thomas was mustered in. The biographer says Grant was an infallible judge of a good soldier. The truth of this statement was verified in the case of Thomas Yost. When the thirty days expired the regiment was mustered out at Springfield. Mr. Yost, with many others, then enlisted for three years or during the war, and U. S. Grant was appointed colonel of the regiment.

From June 27, 1861 until wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, Thomas Yost took part in all the battles, skirmishes and marches in which his regiment was engaged, and during that time was appointed Corporal in Company A. At the battle of Knob Gap Mr. Yost distinguished himself, he being the first to reach a piece of artillery that the enemy was compelled to abandon, and with the assistance of two of his comrades, who came up a moment later, turned the piece on the retreating enemy. December 30 the army brought up in front of Murfreesborough and found the enemy in force. The brigade to which the subject belonged was order to charge an almost impregnable position held by the artillery and infantry of the enemy. The brigade was repulsed with fearful slaughter, and compelled to fall back about 200 yards. Mr. Yost, however, did not retire with the command, he with a few other comrades taking a position within 1009 yards of the enemy, Yost himself taking the advantage of the protection of a tree. He soon fired all his ammunition away, and then supplied himself from the cartridge boxes of the dead and dying around him, holding this position until darkness enabled him to join his comrades. That the enemy had located and tried to dislodge him was evident from the number of bullets on their side of the trees, found after the battle.

At the memorable battle of Chickamauga -- when the enemy were trying to obtain a position by which they could hold the Chattanooga and La Fayette road, the only one in possession of the Union forces by which McCook's supply train could pass to the rear, the Twenty first Illinois was ordered into action, advancing in the face of a murderous infantry fire and soon gaining position in fair range of the enemy. At this time Yost saw that further advance by the regiment was impossible, and in a hand-to-hand conflict, in which it was hard to distinguish friend from foe, he received a wound which broke both arms, and from the loss of blood he became unconscious of the awful conflict raging around him. When he revived, it was to find himself in the hands of the enemy, who moved him to a temporary hospital close by. One of the Rebel surgeons told him his chances for life were very small. "Well," said Yost, "If I die, I have done my duty." After lying for twenty one days in an open field near a farm house, he was moved to Libby prison, and was subsequently taken to City Point, where he was exchanged and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, arriving there in the clothes in which he was wounded months before. By request of Governor Yates, he was transferred to Chicago to recover from his wounds. Although incapacitated from further duty, his comrades insisted on his returning and taking a commission in his company, which he was compelled to decline.

In 1865, with one arm still in a sling, Mr. Yost secured a position as clerk at Bement, Illinois, and remained there until 1866, when he came to California. He started with a large freight train for Salt Lake City, from that place went over the Oregon emigrant route to Walla Walla, down the Columbia river to Portland, Oregon, and arrived in San Francisco on December 25, 1866. Unable to obtain other employment, he spent one year doing such work as he could on a farm near San Jose, returning to Illinois in the fall of 1867, and remaining as clerk in his old place at Bement two years.

In 1869 Mr. Yost was married to Miss Emma Thomas of Homer, Illinois, and accompanied by his wife, he returned to California and settled at Hollister, San Benito County. After farming one year, will ill success, he became a salesman in a store at Hollister, being thus employed until 1873. He was then appointed Postmaster, under President Grant, and held the position until 1887. He also opened a stationery store and build up an extensive business.

In 1887 Mr. Yost came to Fresno and established a jewelry and stationery store at the corner of K and Mariposa streets. The following year he was burned out, but refitted and restocked his store, and now keeps the most complete stationery and jewelry store in the valley. He owns a comfortable residence, 2230 Kern Street, where he lives with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Yost have one son, Howard L., and the energies of all are concentrated in the maintenance of their handsome store.

Mr. Yost is still a sufferer from his wounds. He is an enthusiastic G. A. R. man, attending all the meetings and doing his share of the work of keeping up the local organization.

His son, Howard L., on the twenty first anniversary of his birthday, May 26, 1891, received a surprise present in the form of a partnership in his father's business, and both father and son were highly congratulated by the press of the city and friends generally, as young Howard is universally regarded as worthy of such a promotion. The occasion was appropriated celebrated at their residence.

George McCollough

Among the early pioneers of California whose experience has been largely in the mines and upon the frontier, we find the name of George McCollough.

He was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in May 1823. His father, William McCollough, a farmer, emigrated to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1830, and settled among the friendly race of Wyandotte Indians, there continuing his farming operations. George received a limited education, learned the trade of carpenter and lived at home until he reached his twenty first year. Then he went to Iowa and worked at his trade until 1850, when, following the tide of emigration, he came to California. He joined Dr. Mansfield and John Brown at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and with five horses and a light wagon started for the Pacific coast, across the plains, by the Platte river and Sublette's cut-off, entering the Golden State by the Carson route. Without serious adventure they arrived at Sacramento, August 4, 1850. They passed the winter in their mining camp on Shaw's flats, meeting with the usual ups and downs of all miners. In the spring of 1851 they separated, but Mr. McCollough continued mining until 1852. At that time he went to Oregon, mined and ran a pack freight train until 1854, when he returned to the mines of California, having less money but more experience than when he went north.

He settled on the Merced river, mined through the winter and in the spring of 1855 came to Fresno County. After mining here for three years, he, in 1858, in partnership with William H. Crook, engaged in the stock business, having ten head of milk cows and supplying milk to the miners.

In 1859 he sold his interest in the stock and purchased a sawmill on the San Joaquin river. In 1861 he bought a lumber business, conducting it and also operating the mill with good results until 1872, when he sold out and went to Nevada. In January of the following year he returned to Fresno station, and engaged in the lumber business until 1877. At that time he started the first water works, the supply coming from deep wells. This business he followed until 1886, without great success, when he sold his plant, and since then has not been engaged in active business.

Mr. McCollough was married in 1870 to Miss Caroline Green. Owing to incompatibility, however, they separated, and since retiring from business he has passed his winters at the Grand Central Hotel at Fresno. During the summer months he visits the coasts and travels through different States and territories. Mr. McCollough says he has quit fighting for the future, and the present is provided for. He is a great linguist in the Indian tongue, speaking the language of six tribes. He has lived in every mining camp between Seattle and San Diego, but has never carried a revolver or been held up, though he has frequently seen the trees decorated with the bodies of robbers and highwaymen.

Hiram Kelsey was born in Logan County, Ohio, December 10, 1829. His ancestors were pioneers of Kentucky and were also among the first settlers of Ohio. Grandfather John Kelsey moved from Kentucky to Ohio in 1799, when his son, Abner Kelsey, Hiram's father, was six months old. They settled in Warren County, forty miles north of Cincinnati. Abner Kelsey was reared to manhood in that State and married Miss Nancy Purdy, a native of Genesee County, New York. The Purdys were for many years residents of New York. On the maternal side, however, Mrs. Kelsey's ancestors were Scotch people. Her mother, whose maiden name was Brown, was born and reared in Scotland. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey, nine grew to adult age and seven of them still survive, Mr. Kelsey lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years, save one month, and his wife was eighty years, two months and sixteen days old when she died.

In 1852 the subject of our sketch visited the El Dorado of the West in search of gold, not expecting to make a permanent home in the great State, then principally a vast desert. He engaged in mining in Placer County, after which he went to San Jose valley and farmed till 1854. The success he had had in the mines caused him to return to Placer County, where, shortly afterward, he engaged in the butcher business. It was then a very remunerative occupation. The stock was raised in Napa valley by the Todd Bros., who came up to the mines, took orders for the cattle and then delivered them.

Mr. Kelsey made money both in the mines and at his business, and after three years spent in California returned East. He first went to Michigan and afterward to Iowa, purchasing a farm in the latter State. About that time he was married to Miss Jemima Hill, a native of Ohio. He improved his farm and resided on it until 1864. While there three children were born to them, namely: Isadore May, now the wife of George A. Batz, Harlan Wade, and Minnie Rebecca, wife of F. R. Kellenburg -- all of whom reside in Visalia. Mr. Kelsey sold his farm, returned to Michigan, spent two years there, and in 1866 went to Missouri, where he purchased property and remained till 1873. Their youngest son, John William, was born in Missouri.

In 1873 Mr. Kelsey returned to California and settled in Visalia. He again turned his attention to butchering, opened a shop and conducted it successfully until 1887, when he retired from active business. He resides with his family in a comfortable home which he built in Visalia, in which to spend the evening of his life. While he was a farmer in Iowa he was three times elected Supervisor of his district. Mr. Kelsey is an intelligent and entertaining gentleman, who has won his own way in life by honest industry, and for his many estimable qualities is highly respected by all who know him.

E. R. Higgins, the well-known photographer of Fresno, was born in Canada, in 1845. In 1864 he came to California, his family having located here two years previous to that time. He made the voyage via the Isthmus of Panama, the trip consuming twenty-one days, nine days less than the steamer now requires to make the journey. On his arrival in San Francisco, in March, 1864, he entered the high school and took a business course. He subsequently attended the business college, where he acquired a thorough practical education, his schooling advantages having been limited in Canada. While pursuing his studies, Mr. Higgins also devoted some time to work in photography with his brother, who was established in that business in the city, and developing no little ability in that direction, he adopted the business himself.

Locating in Sacramento, he did a successful photographic business there for three years. Then he divided his time between working for several of the leading galleries in San Francisco and making periodical trips to the interior, until September, 1882, when he came to Fresno. He did not remain here long, however, and a few months later went back to San Francisco. In the spring of 1884 he again came to Fresno, and this time established himself permanently in the photograph business, which he still conducts. He is the pioneer photographer in Fresno and his work in justly celebrated throughout the valley.

Mr. Higgins is actively identified with the fire department of Fresno, and was the prime mover in the organization of the present department, which was effected in October, 1887. In March, 1889, he was elected chief of the department, and to him is generally conceded the greatest measure of credit for its present high state of efficiency, good management and excellent discipline.

He was married in 1876, to Miss Williams, a native of California. They have one child.

Orient C. Higgins, M. D.

O. C. Higgins, M. D., is one of the oldest practicing physicians of Porterville. He was born in Ellsworth, Hancock County, Maine, in 1855. His father, Josiah H. Higgins, was a school teacher by profession, and a boat builder by trade. For twenty-five years he taught winter schools about Hancock County, and his summers were devoted to his trade on Union river, where Ellsworth was situated. In 1875 he came to California, accompanied by his son Charles R., and together they worked at ship carpentering at San Francisco. O. C. Higgins was educated in common schools, and at the age of sixteen years he began the trade of boat-building and ship-joining, which he followed at Ellsworth until the fall of 1876, when he, too, started for California to join his father at San Francisco. They then took a house and followed boat-building by day, while the subject devoted his evenings to study, and in the winter of 1879 he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Alexander McRea, paying all fees of tuition and expenses from his personal savings. He graduated from the California Medical College--Eclective--at Oakland, April 26, 1882. He was married in San Francisco, November 1, 1881, to Miss Hattie G. Perry, a native of Maine. The doctor commenced practice on Mission street, San Francisco, and came to Porterville in June, 1882, upon the suggestion and recommendation of Dr. G. G. Gere, a professor of the medical college, and a former practitioner at Porterville. Dr. Higgins rented Dr. Gere's house on the corner of Oak and Gum streets, and after five years of practice the location seemed so desirable, that he purchased the property. The doctor built up an extensive practice, traveling in every direction within a radius of forty miles. While he has made much money, he has also performed much gratuitous service; the circumstances of the applicant were never considered, as the appeal from the poor when suffering or in distress, received the same prompt attention. He is a devoted attendant to business, and either at his office or in professional attendances, is constantly engaged. He was elected coroner and public administrator in 1888, but after six months of service, was obliged to resign, owing to professional duties. Dr. and Mrs. Higgins have three children: Robert M., Eloise L. and Hattie M.

Jacob V. Huffaker

Jacob V. Huffaker, a liveryman of Visalia, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, February 23, 1845, and was the eleventh child in a family of thirteen children. His mother died when he was an infant, and he was thrown on his own resources at a very early period in life. He went to Texas with his father when a small boy, and raised and herded cattle until the spring of 1861, living most of the time in the saddle. In 1861 he started for California in Captain White's company, consisting of 336 wagons at the outset. They went by way of the Platte and Snake rivers, through Washington and Oregon, and were seven months on the road, and experienced many hardships incident to travel by wagons in those days. They were three days and nights in crossing Snake river near its confluence with the Boise river; and the way they "did it" was to cork their wagon-beds and make skiffs of them, and thus ferry their stuff across. They had some trouble with the Indians, and Mr. Huffaker, being a sure shot, saved the life of an old man by the name of Wales, who was unable to defend himself against some Indians.

After arriving in Visalia in 1862, Mr. Huffaker started in business by breaking wild horses and herding and branding cattle. In 1871 he went into the livery business, at first renting an old stable for $25 a month. This rent was soon raised to $50, and in 1882 he bought the property on Court street of S. C. Brown for $1,600. The business has increased in his hands ever since, and he now owns as fine a stock of horses and as complete an outfit of carriages and buggies as is to be found in Tulare County. He owns valuable town property Visalia, and a fine residence at No. 163 Court street. Mr. Huffaker has taken an interest in many of the public enterprises of this city, and is one of her representative citizens, an honest, energetic, enterprising, business man.

In 1871 he married Palestine Downing, a native of Missouri, and the daughter of Joseph Downing, now of Fresno County. Their children are: William H., Elsie, Frederick, Eddie and Arthur. Socially Mr. Huffaker is prominently connected with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Wheaton Andrew Gray

Wheaton Andrew Gray, Superior Judge of Tulare County, California, was born in Newburg, Fillmore County, Minnesota, October 10, 1853. His paternal ancestors came from England to America before the Revolution, and his grandfather, Elias Gray, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Judge Gray's father, Andrew Wheaton Gray, was a native of New York. He married Miss Moranda Purdy, who was born in Pennsylvania. Her ancestors came from France early in the eighteenth century and settled in Connecticut. They removed to Pennsylvania in 1790, and were the founders of the town of Purdyville, where for three generations the family resided. Grandfather Purdy was an eloquent Baptist preacher, ponderous in size, weighing 400 pounds. He lived to be eighty﷓five years of age. Judge Gray's parents are now living at Lemoore, Tulare County, where they celebrated their golden wedding in 1884. Six of their children are living, five having died in infancy, the subject of our sketch being the youngest of the family.

Judge Gray was educated at Iowa College, and in 1878 completed his studies in the law department of Harvard University, after which he began the practice of law in his brother's office. He came to Tulare County in 1879, and has since conducted a successful practice. For several years he has been on either one side or the other of nearly all the criminal cases and many of the civil ones in the county. In politics he has been an active Republican, and has frequently stumped the county in favor of Republicanism and the candidates of the party. He was chairman of the Republican Central Committee in the last campaign, and was efficient in helping to secure the election of Governor H. H. Markham. In 1891 he was appointed Superior Judge of Tulare County by Governor Markham. His record as a judge is not yet made, but as he is a man of education and legal ability, the appointment was a fitting one and met with hearty approval.

The Judge was married in 1882, to Miss Marietta Rice, a native of Tulare County, by whom he has one daughter, Eva. They reside in their pleasant home near the courthouse, in the center of Visalia. Judge Gray is associated with the A. O. U. W., and also with the Foresters.

Andrew Wheaton Gray

Andrew Wheaton Gray, a California pioneer of 1850, was born in New Berlin, Chenango County, New York, March 31, 1816. At the age of sixteen years he began thinking of self-support, and to that end was apprenticed to a hatter at New Berlin, but after one year he was taken sick and was obliged to give up that line of business. He then went to Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and in the out-of-door exercise connected with lumbering he was restored to health. His first speculation was in buying a raft of logs, running it down the Delaware river to Philadelphia, and there finding a purchaser; but the market proved dull at the time, and he lost $100, which then seemed a large amount of money. He then bought timber land, selling the logs at Trenton, and continued in the business, together with farming, until 1846. His family had increased by eight children, and with then) and his faithful wife, he emigrated to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he settled upon Government land four miles west front town and began farming. Here a terrible affliction came upon him: his children were all afflicted with whooping cough, and through poor medical attendance complications set in, and in two short months five of his little ones passed away!

Mr. Gray then sold his claim and settled near the town. With the gold excitement of 1850 he left his family at Janesville, and crossed the plains for California. He came with a large train of 100 wagons, crossing by Sublette's cutoff, and landing at Hangtown. Instead of mining, Mr. Gray began butchering at the mouth of Hangtown canyon, and was succeeding well when from poison oak he was taken sick and had to give up the business. Upon recovery of health, he began mining on Bear river and through the several mining localities. He met with the usual success of miners, always making good wages by steady application, but in the larger enterprises of damming rivers and turning streams he lost heavily. He found one piece of gold worth $96, and his richest cropping amounted to $360 per day. He followed that occupation until 1853, when he was again taken sick, after which he started for the East by steamer and the Nicaragua route. Returning to Janesville in the spring of 1854, he moved his family to Fillmore County, Minnesota, purchased land, and began farming.

During the Pike's Peak gold excitement of 1860, Mr. Gray with three Solis joined a large train and started for the Peak. They met many returning prospectors who reported the find a failure, which brought uncertainty to the minds of the emigrants, and many turned back. Mr. Gray, with his sons and a few friends, changed their course and started for California, by the North Platte river, but he was again taken sick and barely able to reach Placerville. He found a physician, and as soon as able to travel, although very weak, he started for home by steamer and the Isthmus of Panama. His sons wished to return with him, which he would not allow, preferring they should improve the possibilities offered in California. He had great faith in the American people in that they would aid him in his weakness should he need attendance. He was kindly cared for, and in due time arrived at his home in Minnesota. About the year 1864 he sold out and moved to Johnson County, Nebraska, where he bought 240 acres and engaged in farming, and also planted an orchard, which proved to be the second best in the county. There he remained twelve years, but as many of his children had settled in California he decided to join them. Selling his farm he came to Tulare County, purchased town lots in Lemoore, and built for himself a cottage home within easy reach of his children, who are settled about him. He has not engaged in active business, excepting an occasional deal in town lots and real estate.

Mr. Gray was married in Wayne County, Pa., December 20, 1834, to Miss Marenda Purdy, a native of the same county. They have six children living: Enos F., a prominent lawyer at Fremont, Nebraska; Reuben Purdy, a rancher near Lemoore; Harvey P., a horticulturist near Armona; Mary M., wife of George W. Cody, a rancher near Grangeville; Josephine, wife of J. H. Ham, a business man of Lemoore and Tulare; and Wheaton A., Judge of the Superior Court at Visalia. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have passed through a married life of fifty-seven years, an unusually blessed experience, and in their old age are made happy by the prosperity of their children, who are gathered about them. Mr. Gray began life a Democrat but disapproving of slavery, upon the nomination of Martin Van Buren as President, he endorsed the “Free-Soil" platform, which was later merged into the Republican party. He was a member of the last Territorial Legislature in Nebraska, and also of the first State Legislature, but he has now retired from politics and an active life. This year, 1891, he was elected Superior Judge. Though seventy-five years of age, he is hale, hearty and active, with mind unimpaired and energies all alert. He is a fine type of American manhood, which, having passed through the trials and hardships of pioneer life, with forces unabated, is now passing a peaceful old age in the enjoyment of all the comforts of life, and within easy access of his dear ones.

Thomas Waller, a prosperous farmer of Kern County, was born in Germany in 1831, emigrated to America in 1847, and lived seven years in Buchanan County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming. He emigrated to California in the spring of 1854, and followed mining in Trinity County until 1855. He then removed to Los Angeles County and followed farming until 1857, when he moved to Tulare County, where he was engaged a short time in mining. Aside from a brief time spent in Arizona in 1864, he has to the present time been a continuous resident of Kern County He Owns 160 acres of farming land here, eighty acres of which is under improvements. He is an active and trusted citizen, and is a member of the local Board of Trustees of his school district.

R. P. Gray, rancher, east of Lemoore, is a native of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, born in 1840. His father, A. W. Gray, (whose biography elsewhere appears,) was by occupation a farmer. In 1847 they moved to Rock County, Wisconsin, and settled near Janesville, and in 1853 they moved to Minnesota, where subject secured a common-school education and attended to the duties of the ranch, remaining at home until 1859, when, in company with his father and two brothers, they started overland for California. The father was taken sick in the mountains, and it was only by great difficulty that they reached Placerville, and then securing medical attention, he partially recovered, and then returned to the States. R. P., with his brother, Harvey, then went to the mines at Oak Flat and mined in that locality about one year. In the spring of 1860 subject left the mines, and near Stockton he found occupation with a threshing machine, which he followed during the season. In 1861 he enlisted at Stockton in Company A, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, under colonel Connor and Thomas E. Ketchum as Captain of Company A. Companies A and B were then sent to Humboldt County, California to relieve the regulars, who were then forwarded to the front. This disturbed the California boys, who were also anxious to go East, but their service was by no means a sinecure, as the Indians being very troublesome, Company A soon engaged in active measures for suppression. They were the picked men of California quick, resolute, daring, and with such qualifications were sent to Fort Seward in the Eel river country where the Indians were the most troublesome. Passing the winter at the fort in the spring of 1862, the warfare commenced, the company dividing into squads, which through ambush and ambuscade, eluded the Indians and captured many prisoners. Mr. Gray was detailed for scout duty, and with slight support was frequently placed in trying and dangerous positions, but by presence of mind and fearless actions, he escaped his pursuers and at one time and another captured several prisoners. The company were so active, vigilant and successful, that after quelling the outburst, the people of the Eel river district presented the company with a handsome silk flag, as a token of appreciation.

Upon return to Stockton the companies were then forwarded to Salt Lake to join the regiment, and they performed guard duty until 1864, when they were discharged and returned to California. Mr. Gray then followed threshing about Stockton or lumbering and freighting in the mountains until 1869 when he came to Tulare County, and in partnership with his brother, Harvey P. (whose biography elsewhere appears,) they began farming and the sheep business, which they continued jointly until 1880, when they dissolved and divided their lands, subject retaining 1,000 acres near Lemoore. He then continued farming and the stock business until the fruit interest succeeded the farming interest; then Mr. Gray began selling his lands, and now has but eighty acres, thirty-five of which are in vines and trees, ten acres in alfalfa and balance in wheat and farm land.

Mr. Gray was married at Salt Lake City, in 1864, after his discharge to Miss Roxana J. Slocum, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union have been added five children: Josie, now Mrs. R. Giddings, Clarence A., Julian O., Jennie and Florence. Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics, but believes in universal rights and perfect freedom to all allowing each man to direct his own life, so long as he does not oppose the laws of his country.

Harvey P. [Harry] Gray is one of the pioneer farmers of the mussel Slough district, and a native of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, born in 1841. His father, A. W. Gray [Andrew W. Gray], followed an agricultural life, and did much pioneer work. In 1847, he emigrated to Rock County, Wisconsin, and farmed until 1850, when the gold excitement started him for California. Leaving his family he then crossed the plains for the undeveloped State. Arriving safely, he then followed mining for three years with fair success, and in 1853 he returned to his family in Wisconsin, but soon after arrival moved to Fillmore County, Minnesota, and continued farming until 1859, when, accompanied by his four sons, he again started for California. Traveling with ox team, they followed up the Platte river by Forts Laramie and Kearny, passing Salt Lake, and crossing the Humboldt Desert they landed safely at Placerville and began mining. After one year A. W. Gray returned to the States, and the brothers separated. Harvey P. followed mining one year at Oak Flat, and then went to the valley and followed ranch life. In 1861 he started an apiary with bees at $50 per stand; after two years his bees increased to 100 stands, when a dry year caused a shortage of flower food, and his bees starved out, and he lost everything. He then tried farming in Stanislaus County, but he was again a victim of a dry year. In the fall of 1864, he enlisted at Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, in Company H, Eighth Regiment, California Volunteers, under colonel Woods. They were then sent to San Francisco and stationed on Albatros Island, and there remained until the close of the war. Receiving his discharge, he returned to ranch life, and subsequently bought 320 acres near Stockton, and farmed until 1869, when he sold out and came to the Mussel Slough district, in Tulare County, with his brother, R. P. Gray. In partnership they took up and bought about 1,000 acres of land and engaged in farming, but the plains then being so barren and dry, in 1873 they entered the sheep business which was continued successfully until 1877, when the dry year struck them, and about cleaned them out.

In 1875 they put in 320 acres of alfalfa which was the first large field in Tulare County. They farmed every year, and though losing heavily on sheep in 1877, they made a raise on wheat and alfalfa seed, and thus saved their land. Mr. Gray was among the organizers of the Peoples and Last Chance Ditch, the completion of which began the prosperity of the locality. In January, 1879, Mr. Gray was married at Lemoore, to Miss Emma C. Hurd, a native of Illinois. During the same year Mr. Gray and brother dissolved their partnership interest, and subject continued farming, working about 1,200 acres each year. In 1882 he entered the fruit business, among the first to set a considerable acreage, he planted twenty acres to vines and thirty acres to stoned fruits, gradually increasing each year, until now his entire ranch of 335 acres is set to fruit and vines, a large part being in full bearing. Mr. Gray makes a practice of packing and handling his own product, in which he has been very successful. About 1887 he engaged in the nursery business with marked success. In 1890 he devised the method of setting grape cuttings in adobe moulds for summer planting, thus enabling the removal and setting of the vines through hot weather, without disturbing the roots. To prove his experiment he planted sixty acres in mid summer, with great success, which will revolutionize the system of vineyard planting. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have two children, Donly C., and Dallas H.

Mr. Gray has always been a Republican in politics and in the early days of partisan strife and feeling, was decided, outspoken and very active, but in later life he has retired from politics in the attention to his manifold duties. He has farmed with his head as well as his hands, and always being in the advance line in improvement and development, has foreseen the times and been generously rewarded thereby.

Henry Hackett was born in Ireland, April 15, 1808. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1812, and settled in New York, where the father, Thomas Hackett, was engaged in the manufacture of harness. Henry was apprenticed in New Jersey to learn the trade of iron roller, working bar iron into merchantable sizes.

In 1832 Mr. Hackett was married, in New York, to Miss Elizabeth Cornell, of the prominent Quaker family of Cornells, so distinguished in the early history of New York. In 1833 they settled in Wayne County, Michigan, twenty-two miles from Detroit, and located 320 acres of Government land, at $1.25 per acre. The country was then wild and unsettled, and in the midst of the forest Mr. Hackett built a sawmill and supplied lumber for the country trade, and was also engaged in general farming. He assisted in building the Michigan Central railroad, the first railway in that State. In 1860 he emigrated with his family to California. They shipped horses, wagons and supplies from Detroit to the terminus of the railway system in Iowa, and at that point, which was near Burlington, they embarked in the "prairie schooner" for their long trip across the plains. Mr. Hackett drove eight horses and started alone with his family, but ere long they were joined by other emigrants and soon a large company was formed. The only particular hardship they encountered on the journey was the absence of sufficient feed for their stock. At Lake Tahoe, finding plenty of feed, good water, fish and game in abundance, they encamped four weeks, giving their stock time to recuperate. They then pushed forward toward their destination, and arrived in Sacramento in September, being there in time to witness the laying of the corner stone of the State capitol.

Mr. Hackett settled at Mud Spring, near Placerville, El Dorado County, rented a hotel and did an extensive business. Being on the Washoe route, between Sacramento and Placerville, teaming was extensively carried on, and his hotel was the popular hostelry. In 1864 the incoming railroad spoiled his business, and from there he moved to Gold Run, an extensive hydraulic mining camp in Placer County, built a fine hotel and conducted it until 1870, when he came to the vicinity of Grangeville, Tulare County. Here he homesteaded 160 acres of land, which was subsequently claimed by the railroad company [Ed note: see other Mussel Slough references and resources.], and under protest he had to pay their price. The country being dry and overrun by wild horses and cattle, craps were uncertain, and the rough side of life was uppermost. Mr. Hackett was among the first to agitate irrigation and to start the ditches. After water was acquired and the "no-fence" law passed the farmer began to prosper. In 1878 Mr. Hackett set out a small family orchard, and gradually established a comfortable home. He now owns 234 acres of land, eighty acres of which are in alfalfa and twenty-four in vines. In connection with is farming he has also been interested in stock-raising.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hackett eleven children were born, seven of whom are living, scattered in different parts of the country. George Henry lives with his father and takes charge of the ranch. Mr. Hackett joined the Masonic order in Wayne County, Michigan, in 1860. He is a prominent Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast.

Such is an epitome of the life of one of Tulare County's worthy citizens.

William B. Cullom

W. B. Cullom, the present Justice of the Peace of the town of Selma, was born February 3rd, 1836, in Overton County, Tennessee. He was educated at Irving College, Warren County, and after his graduation at that institution, studied law at the Lebanon Law School, finishing his studies there in 1857.

He entered at once into the practice of law at Lebannon, and remained there three years, afterwards moving to Benton County, Arkansas; this proved to be the home of our subject for a period of twenty years, except during the war of the Rebellion, when he was in the ranks.

His career in Arkansas was an eminently successful one. He did well at his profession, and as a citizen he was greatly respected.

Mr. Cullom came to California in the year 1876, and settled in the town of Visalia. Here he lived until 1884, when he moved to Selma, somewhat broken down in health, where he has ever since remained.

The superior climate here has proved beneficial to him, and his general condition is greatly improved. Since his residence in Selma, Mr. Cullom has been actively engaged in the practice of law. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1890.

The Judge was married October 13, 1857, directly after his graduation from the Lebanon Law School in Tennessee, to Miss Pyron, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has had seven children, six of whom are now living: Ella, now Mrs. Paine, residing near Selma, William, Maud, now Mrs. Biddle, residing near Selma, Blanche, now Mrs. Dr. Brown of Selma, Myrtie, Mattie and Buela.

J. A. Davidson, M. D., is the oldest resident physician of Hanford, Tulare County, California.

He was born in the District of Columbia, and graduated in medicine and surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, in 1850. After an experience of three years at Chatham, England, which was then the army medical headquarters and hospital depot for all troops, returning from foreign service, he entered the English army as staff assistant surgeon, serving in different regiments wherever he was assigned. In 1852 he was medical purveyor at Corfu, the seat of government of the lower Ionia islands, a republic under the protection of Great Britain. In 1854 he was stationed at Malta, when war was declared with Russia. He then went with the army to Sentari, Varna ans Shumia, and, September 14, 1854, arrived at old Fort Eupatoria, on the shores of Crimea and Tartary. He then followed the fortunes of war through Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava, and was at the siege of Sebastopol until the armistice was declared. After that he took charge of the wounded and invalids on board the troop steamship Simoon and returned to Malta, thence to England where he resigned his position.

In 1858 Dr. Davidson went to Vera Cruz, Mexico, and a few months later to New Orleans, where he settled and followed his profession until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861. He was appointed surgeon in the cavalry under Colonel Turner Ashby; and in 1862 was assigned to the navy department, serving in different departments under a roving commission until the close of the war.

Dr. Davidson came to California in 1865 and settled at Kingston, Fresno County, then a small town, the country being used chiefly by stockmen. In July, 1877, he went to Fresno and made that his home until December 1879, when he located in Hanford and established himself in the practice of his profession. He purchased property on Eighth street and built his present comfortable home, office and other buildings, and is now the oldest resident physician of this locality. Having had an extended experience in surgery, the Doctor is widely known through the valley in that department and in medicine also has an extended practice.

Dr. Davidson was married, at Centreville, Fresno County, December 25, 1873, to Miss Nanny Ellis, a native of Texas. Their union has been blessed with eight children: John E., Winnie E., Louis C., Reginald A., Harriet M., James A., Lillias R. and Georgia G.

for more than nine years the Doctor has been Health Office of Hanford. Although this is a position of little honor or remuneration it is one of great responsibility, as on its proper management is dependent the health of the entire community.

Thomas J. McQuiddy

Thomas J. McQuiddy is a pioneer settler of the Mussel Slough District, Tulare County, California. His biography, briefly given, is as follows:

He was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1828. His grandfather, a native of Virginia, was a pioneer of Woodford County, and for many years did all of the gun-smithing and blacksmithing of that locality. His parents, John and Achsah (Dale) McQuiddy, were natives of Kentucky, and in 1840 emigrated to Bedford County, Tennessee, where they followed an agricultural life. Thomas J. received a common English education, attending private schools and living at home until he was twenty-one years of age.

In 1847 he was married to Miss Jane M. Ruth, a native of Tennessee, and in 1849 they emigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, becoming pioneers of that locality. Their nearest neighbor lived three miles away, and it was twelve miles from their home to Maryville, the county seat. Here he followed farming for many years. In 1859 he was elected sheriff of the County. When the war broke out he enlisted, in 1861, in Company B, Missouri State Guard, and was elected Captain of his company. Six months later the company re-enlisted as Company G, third Battalion, Confederate Cavalry, under Colonel A. W. Slayback, remaining in the department of the Missouri, under General Sterling Prince. In April, 1862, the battalion was transferred to the eastern department of the Mississippi, and Captain McQuiddy was promoted to Major and placed in command of the battalion. In 1863 he was assigned to the Secret Service, where he remained until the close of the war.

In 1863 Mrs. McQuiddy and her children returned to Bedford County, Tennessee, and the following year she was called to the other world, leaving a husband and seven little ones to mourn her departure. At the close of the war Major McQuiddy joined his children in Tennessee, and in 1866 wedded Miss Mary J. Huffman. He continued in agricultural pursuits in the East until 1873, when he emigrated to California and settled in Tulare County. He preempted 160 acres of government land in the Mussel Slough District, and the following year brought his family to this place. He then purchased 320 acres of land from the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. Title to that company being incomplete, they made promises in pamphlet form that upon securing title the land should be graded at from $2.50 to $10 per acre, improvements made by settlers not to be included. Acting in good faith, about 250 families settled on the railroad lands, then an arid sand plain, and through their stupendous efforts, having little with which to work and midst many deprivations, they organized the Settlers' Ditch Co. and diverted water from the Kaweah river, a distance of twenty miles, thus converting the sand plain into a garden spot. In 1877 the railroad was built through, and in 1878 the company graded the values of lands, ranging from $5 to $45 per acre, unmindful of all former promises. A land league was formed by the settlers to centralize their interests in the defense of their homes. The railroad company secured indictments and began evictions, selling under the indictment to other settlers, which culminated, May 11, 1880, by the shooting of seven men, and the litigation continued through the courts until 1887, when the settlers were obliged to pay for their lands according to the company's assessed value.

The Major began setting out fruit trees in 1875, and is the pioneer orange grower of this section. Realizing the value of alfalfa for feed, he early began to raise it and to engage in the stock business, with which he has been prominently identified. His ranch now comprises 380 acres, 240 of which he has in alfalfa. Forty-five acres are in vines, and he also has a small family orchard. He keeps about 100 head of horses, mules, and cattle.

Until October, 1889, Major McQuiddy lived on his ranch. At that time he bought property on Eighth street, Hanford, and moved his family to it, although he still carries on his farming operations. After passing through a life of varied experiences and many hardships, the Major is in the enjoyment of good health, happy in his well-earned possessions, and occupies a prominent position in the advance line of agriculturists.

James Sutherland

James Sutherland is a native of England, born near New Castle in 1838. His father, John Sutherland was engaged in coal mining near New Castle. He emigrated with his family to the United States about 1838, and settled near St. Louis, Missouri, and connected himself with the coal mining interests of that vicinity, remaining until 1850; he then crossed the plains for California by wagon and ox team. The trip was a long and dangerous one, as the Indians were very hostile; but after six months of travel, Mr. Sutherland and family arrived safely at Big Canyon, south of Hangtown, when he at once commenced mining operations. After three years of successful work, he went to the Sacramento valley, took up 1,000 acres of land and engaged in the stock business, and also kept a public house. As to the price of provisions in those early days, flour cost $1 per pound, and hogs brought $1 per pound on foot, meals were served from one to two dollars each.

In 1855 Mr. Sutherland returned to the States and picked up sixty fine horses and about 350 head of American cattle. These he drove across the plains, and with slight loss landed them at his ranch. In the fall of 1855 he gathered his stock and drove south through the San Joaquin valley and settled on the lower King's river, in what was then called the swamp land--very few settlers at that time in the locality -- and the valley filled with wild horses, cattle, antelope and elk. Grazing was then free through the valley, but Mr. Sutherland wisely took up land and later, until he secured 14,000 acres, he then dealt extensively in cattle and horses, with about 20,000 of the former and 5,000 of the latter. During the settlement of the country in the early '70's, and the digging of the irrigating ditches, it was Mr. Sutherland's cattle, which supplied the half-starved settlers in a country too barren to sustain life, until water was secured for irrigation. After the passage of the "No Fence" law, Mr. Sutherland went into the sheep business very extensively, increasing his band to 30,000 head. His interests were all in stock, which were gradually reduced, and at his death in 1881 his interests were small in comparison. He had been twice married, and left ten children, among whom his large land interests were divided.

James Sutherland lived at home through his father's life. He was married in Sacramento in 1890 to Miss August Young, a native of Missouri. After the division of the estate our subject lived upon his allotment until 1886, when he sold out and moved to Grangeville, purchasing four and one-half acres for a home, and subsequently 100 acres one mile south of Armona, sixty acres of which are in alfalfa and forty acres in vines. He also farms outside, and sows annually about 300 acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have six children, Thomas, Amelia, Dora, John, Fred, and Eva. Mr. Sutherland has been a hard working man through life, attending strictly to his ranch interests, and now congratulates himself that what he owns, he owns without incumbrance.

C. U. Henderson

C. U. Henderson, a rancher two miles north of Grangeville, was born in the Fond du Lac country, Wisconsin, in 1856. His father, George M. Henderson, a native of Scotland, was the eldest son and direct heir to the Lord Udney estate in Aberdeenshire. He left home at an early age and through legal sources the property was divested. The mother of our subject, Jane (Merrill) Henderson, was a native of Canton, Connecticut. Through religious influences she was led to believe that her mission in life lay in converting the Indians upon the frontier, and to that end she left her luxurious home (then in New York City) and as a missionary settled in Minnesota. While there she met Mr. Henderson, whom she subsequently married, after which they settled in Wisconsin, where he followed a mercantile life. Selah Merrill, a brother of Mrs. Henderson, fills the position of United States Minister at Jerusalem. He was first appointed under President Garfield, and later under President Harrison. He is an eminent archaeologist, and was assigned to that locality the better to pursue his scientific investigations.

In the youth of C. U. Henderson his parents moved to Peru, Nebraska, where his father followed a mercantile life, and where he improved the educational advantages offered by the State Normal School. In 1871 the father was called to his eternal home. After settling the estate Mrs. Henderson, with her three children, C. U., Minne and Grace, came to California and settled at Oakland. The daughters were educated at Mills College in Alameda County, and our subject found employment in the office of the Central Pacific Railroad, now the Southern Pacific system. He remained with them for a period of fourteen years, occupying position of trust along their routes, in the clerical department, where were required men of ability and practical knowledge of railroad work. He continued in that work until 1886, when he resigned his position, and with his wife settled her ranch of 640 acres, two miles north of Grangeville, which was a landed interest inherited from her father's estate. Here they built their pleasant cottage home, and engaged in wheat farming. The land was then in a wild condition, and subject to cultivation only through great expense in breaking up, and additional expense of canals and ditches for irrigation. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Henderson set forty acres to vines, and has since increased his vineyard to 100 acres, and is also preparing to plant 100 acres to stone fruits, for which purpose his land is especially adapted. In the fall of 1890 he sold 180 acres of the ranch to J. C. Kimble, of Oakland, who, having traveled through all the coast valleys looking for prime land, selected this locality as the most desirable.

Mr. Henderson was married in Stockton, in 1881, to Miss Rose Sutherland, a daughter of John Sutherland, a California pioneer of 1850. He was also a prominent stockman and pioneer of the Mussel Slough District, bordering the King's River, where he secured 14,000 acres of land, and owned 20,000 head of cattle, and 5,000 horses, in addition to other large interests in this State and Texas. Mr. Henderson is a member of the K. of P. of Turlock, Stanislaus County, and of Hanford Lodge, F. & A. M. He is now devoting his life and energies to the development of his ranch and the improvement of his extensive fruit interests.

Mussel Slough Troubles

The controversy between the "Mussel slough settlers" and the Southern Pacific Railroad Company attracted attention and created great excitement for some time throughout the valley, and finally came to a tragic ending.

On the 27th of July, 1866, Congress granted to the said railroad company the odd-numbered sections of land for thirty miles on each side of their proposed line for a railroad through California from north to south. In the process of time this road was built as far north as Goshen, there connecting with the southern division of the Central Pacific, and the road was built as far south as Hollister, in San Benito County; but the road was not built into the Mussel slough country for more than ten years after the grant was made in Congress. In 1867 the railroad company filed its map, claiming a preferred right to the odd-numbered sections of this land, Settlers came the following year in considerable numbers and these lands were wanted, but the railroad company had not yet acquired title to them and could not sell them. In a published pamphlet the company invited settlers to go upon land to which they had not as yet perfected their title, assuring them that when in after time such title should become perfected the occupants of each tract of land should be notified to purchase, and should have a preferred right to do so; and that when the lands were graded, had a price set upon them, the value of such improvements as settlers had made should not be considered, but the land would be graded as though it were in a raw and uncultivated state. Relying upon this assurance, settlers went upon this land, improved it, brought in irrigation canals and ditches at an immense outlay of time, money and labor, and under all but insurmountable difficulties putting in jeopardy every dollar they had in the world; and with their own unaided labor out of a dreary waste created one of the most fertile and productive farming regions in California. But when at last this land was graded, it was not graded as other wild, un-irrigated lands upon the dry plains were graded, but very much higher. While it is true that the houses, barns, etc., put upon the lands by the settlers were not taken into account in grading, the results accomplished through the instrumentality of canals and ditches were included, and these improvements were three times more valuable than were houses, barns, fences, orchards, etc. This the settlers justly considered a gross breach of faith on the part of the railroad company, and resolved to contest their action. The settlers united, in common defense, formed a league, and resolved that come what might they would not purchase the lands they had made valuable at the price demanded, and, furthermore, would not permit others peaceably to possess them if there should be buyers.

This contest began in earnest in 1874, and increased to bitterness as time passed. Congress was appealed to for relief, and Senator Booth introduced a bill so amending the original act of grant which contained a provision that such might be "added to, amended, changed, or repealed at any time," so the settlers might purchase their land at the Government price, $2.50 per acre, the money to go to the company; but this bill, as well as others, failed to pass, and Congress granted no relief. The railroad company then, as now, could get all they called for, while the poor settler was being robbed of his just rights, and all his appeals were in vain. Ejectment suits were commenced against the settlers in 1878, in the United States courts, and final judgment was rendered against them December 15, 1879. There were knotty legal problems connected with these suits, which it is not our purpose here to discuss, but it is evident that while equity was on the side of the settlers, the law was on the other side.

By 1877 the railroad company had received its patent to all the lands not in dispute, some 230,500 acres along the portion of the road then completed, and the court held that their right had attached thereto in 1870. All who had settled on land prior to that date were protected in their rights, but the others were adjudged to have no rights the railroad company were bound to respect, their published pamphlet to settlers to the contrary notwithstanding. Meantime all the costs incurred by the railroad company in these suits were charged up against the lands, as also rents were annually charged, and the lands re-graded from time to time to cover all such items.

On the 10th day of May, 1880, [ed note: Yes, the book gave the date as the 10th] this controversy terminated in one of the most lamentable and shocking tragedies that ever occurred in California or elsewhere. A basket picnic was being held in a grove near Hanford, where hundreds had gathered to take a day off from their daily toil and spend it in social enjoyment. About noon word was brought that United States Marshal Poole, in company with Landgrader Clark, and in another conveyance Walter J. Crow and M. D. Hartt, were ejecting settlers from their homes, five or six miles north of Hanford, near Grangeville. A number of men at once repaired to the scene. The effects of W. B. Braden were set out in the road, after which the ejecting party proceeded to Brewer's ranch, and there, in a little green depression containing an acre or more, and in which stood two or three oak trees, the settlers and the officers met. The former were most them unarmed, and if Officer Poole and Grader Clark had arms they did not attempt to use them. But Crow and Hartt were heavily armed. These men were believed to be intent upon purchasing lands in dispute; hence their activity in assisting the Marshal to eject settlers. Crow was a man of iron nerve, a quick shot, and when aroused, regardless of consequences. It is impossible to say who began the firing, or the immediate cause which precipitated the direful results. All were excited, and but a spark was needed to start the destroying flame which speedily followed. That spark was struck, and almost in a moment all was over.

Three of the settlers lay dead upon the field, two others were mortally wounded, and a third, E. Haymaker, was severely wounded in the head and afterward died. Hartt was mortally wounded, and Crow, who it was believed had shot all the settlers, was yet untouched and had made his escape. But he also tasted death that day. His team ran away during the fight, carrying with it his Winchester rifle. Had he retained possession of that, it is certain that many more would have perished at his hand. Being now unarmed, having exhausted his revolver ammunition, he threaded his way homeward through canals and ditches, and, seeing that numbers of armed men were pursuing him, he secreted himself in an alfalfa field but a short distance from his home, and might have reached there had he not, just as the shadows of evening were gathering, raised himself up to look around, when he was shot through the body by some one on the watch for him in a tree-top, and was instantly killed. The names of the settlers who were killed that day were: James Harris, Iver Knutson, J. W. Henderson [Ed note: it *says* W for his middle initial, although other accounts use E.], Archibald McGregor and Daniel Kelley. As previously stated, Haymaker died from his wound.

After this sad conflict the railroad company reduced the prices on these lands 12 1/2 per cent., and permitted that season's rental to be applied on the purchase price. Many accepted this proposition, and from time to time others compromised with the company, and soon all lands in dispute were settled, and the unfortunate Mussel slough troubles were ended, and now it is one of the most prosperous regions in the State.

The "Sandlapper"

It is uncertain where this term as applied to a class of people came from. Perhaps it originated in Tulare, owing to conditions then and there existing. Be that as it may, it is said that the term was applied to a class who has the unspeakable "gall" to load his worldly effects into a wagon with his family, go out into the stockman's "range" and there locate a quarter section of Government land. Up to this time it was an unsettled question as to whether the valley lands away from the moisture afforded by streams, could be farmed successfully without irrigation or not. The sandlapper was not sure of it, but resolved to risk his little all in solving the problem. The demand for cereal products in the county was greater than the amount produced up to this time. The wheat production in 1870 amounted to but 62,5000 bushels; those who had given attention to farming did well, in consequence of which others were induced to engage in agriculture. Another incentive was, the railroad was coming, and that would insure transportation of the surplus wheat to market at seaboard, should a surplus be produced.

The advent of the sandlapper was nearly contemporaneous with that of the railroad. The prospect of the former was not a bright one; prospective dry seasons were bad, but the necessity for fencing was much worse. That necessity did not present itself to the sandlapper in the light that his crops would get away with the stockmen's cattle, but there was a great danger that the latter's herds would destroy the farmer's products. The sandlapper was willingly disposed to enter into an agreement with the stockmen, that if they would guarantee that their stock should not destroy the crops, he, the sandlapper, would guarantee that none of his wheat, etc., should enter into or damage the cattle! The sandlapper could not fence if he would, as it would cost all of $2,240 to fence a quarter section in those days, and once he got his "back up" he would not fence if he could, and he at once resolved through his mind a "no-fence" or "herd" law, that should make the stockmen take care of their stock. The contest was opened in 1870 and continued with much bitterness until 1874, when a "no-fence" law for the county was procured. It was one thing, however, to have a law; another to enforce it. Frequently the owner of a fine filed of wheat beheld in the morning a vast herd of cattle feeding thereon and all his prospective income destroyed. His appeal to the stock owners for damages were met with the reply that "if he wanted beef, help himself;" that the cattle could not be herded off his crops unless he did it himself.

These difficulties continued and grew in proportion until 1878, when a heroic remedy was tried. One bright moonlight night in that year a large drove of cattle that were out on a marauding expedition were ranged up by the side of a fence, south of Tule river, and a large number of them shot. It was never known to the authorities who the guilty parties were, but it put an end to the violation of the no-fence law, and cleared the way for the new order of things in that neighborhood. The same remedy was applied in other localities, and with like results. Stockmen decided it was to their interests to take care of their herds, and they did so.

Traver is a thriving little town of about 600 inhabitants, situated on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad and about four miles south of King's river, a large stream from which an abundance of water is taken for irrigating purposes.

It has been comparatively a short period of time since the site where the town of Traver now stands was considered almost a barren waste, inhabited only by the coyote, jack-rabbit, horned toad, lizard and tarantula, with an occasional sheep or cattle ranch, there still being many of the early settlers here who have chased the deer, the elk and the antelope over the same country where now can be seen thrifty orchards and vineyards.

A view from the tower of the schoolhouse reveals one of the most beautiful scenes the eye can behold,-a vast area of land as level as the trackless ocean, dotted here and there by beautiful dwellings, the homes of prosperous farmers, orchardists and vineyardists, surrounded by handsome groves of shade and ornamental trees, in the midst of a thrifty orchard or vineyard, with numerous large and smaller ditches which carry the life-giving water to the thrifty trees and vines, and roads leading to Traver from all directions.

Such a transformation in such a comparatively short time could not have been accomplished but for the superior quality of the soil, the abundance of water for irrigation, and the energy of the people.

In 1882 an organization was perfected which had for its object the development of those portions of Tulare and Fresno counties known as the "76 country," the company adopting as its name, "The 76 Land and Water Company," the "76" being taken from the country once owned by Thomas Fowler, whose branding iron was "76," and his ranch was also known by the stockmen as the "76 ranch." The members of the organizations were P. Y. Baker, who was the originator of the project; C. F. J. Kitchener, Thomas Fowler, D. K. Zumwalt, all of Tulare County; and H. P. Merritt, Francis Bullard, Charles Traver and I. H. Jacobs, who reside in various portions of the State. The excavating work for an irrigating canal was begun in August of the same year.

In March, 1884, the present town site of Traver was surveyed and named after Charles Traver. A sale of lots was advertised to take place on the 8th of April, 1884, and the railroad company ran excursion trains from San Francisco, Los Angeles and intermediate points, and there were sold that day and the day following lots to the amount of $65,000. At that time the only building in Traver was one which Kitchener & Co. had moved from Cross Creek, a small station about two and a half miles distant, being occupied by Manasse & Brumenthal as a store. At about the same time the railroad company commenced building a depot and side-track. Thus the work of improvement went on, until by the 1st of May Traver boasted of two mercantile stores, one drug store, one agricultural implement depot, two lumber-yards, three saloons, two hotels, two barber shops, two livery barns, post office, telegraph office and railroad depot, together with the usual addition of a growing China-town. Thus the thriving little town of Traver continued to grow until by its first anniversary it had doubled in business and had erected a handsome $8,000 school house and a church building, having a population of nearly 500.

During the early history of Traver wheat was the principal industry of the farmers, as this crop could be raised without irrigation; but as the country became settled land became too valuable for this crop to pay, and the attention of the majority was turned to fruit-raising, which has within the past two years nearly supplanted wheat-growing. Fruits of all kinds grow to perfection in this vicinity, and the same lands which a few years ago brought to their cultivators the small sum of from $7 to $15 per acre in wheat, are now beginning to return to their owners from $50 to $250 per acre, and in some cases even more.

During the past four years the town of Traver has suffered greatly from the ravages of fire, the first occurring on the 30th day of October, 1887, in which at least one-third of the business portion of the town was swept away in smoke. Again, on June 18, 1890, another fire occurred which wiped out about $36,000 worth of property; and on the 29th of July of the same year still another, which succeeded in cleaning up over $51,000 more. These set-backs to the town, which came just at the time the change from wheat-raising to fruit-culture was taking place, were a very severe blow which would have proved fatal to many places, as the change of industry in the country land had cut off nearly all of the income from the producing class for a period of from two to three years, when they will begin to get returns from their young orchards and vineyards.

On August 14, 1888, the citizens of the "76 country" voted on the organization of an irrigation district, which was carried by a large majority, and on September 25, 1888, the board of directors, consisting of P. Y. Baker, T. L. Reed, J. D. Vannoy, E. E. Giddings and J. E. Toler, met in Traver, the metropolis of the district, and organized, electing P. Y. Baker as president; and on July 1, 1890, purchased the great water system, which is the largest in the State of California, of the "76 Land and Water Company," and now the water system is owned by the people and an abundance of water is supplied to all who need it at a nominal cost, and Traver is now starting out, as it were, on a new era, with three large general merchandise stores, one exclusive grocery store, one drug store, one fruit store, a bakery, three saloons, one barber shop, three blacksmith and wagon shops, one shoe shop, one large flouring-mill, three large warehouses, two livery barns, a handsome two-story brick hotel, one of the largest and best in the county, a meat market, a large brick society hall, a large frame public hall, three churches, a handsome $8,000 schoolhouse, a weekly newspaper, the "Advocate," and a good prospect for a packing-house in the near future; and is now taking a step forward that will place it in the front ranks of prosperity, with a substantial future before it.

William Thomson

William Thomson, a merchant and Postmaster of Plano, Tulare County, California, is one of the representative citizens of his town.

Mr. Thomson was born in Green County, Ohio, September 27, 1825. His father, Alexander Thomson, was among the pioneers of Hardin County, Ohio, where he moved in 1832; and William distinctly remembers their first home, a log house, twelve feet square, containing only one room. His father was appointed by the governor as the first clerk of the court in Hardin County, and at the time of his death, in 1849, he was Judge of the same court. William lived at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father on the farm and attending the winter schools of that period. In 1848 he started a grocery store in Logan County, but, upon the death of his father the following year, he sold his business to return home and look after the interests of the estate. In 1854 he was married at Sandusky, Ohio, to Miss Jane P. Tilton. They continued to reside on their ranch of sixty-seven acres, adjoining the corporation of Kenton, until 1867, when Mr. Thomson subdivided his land and sold it in tracts of five acres each.

After disposing of his property in Ohio, Mr. Thomson emigrated with his family to California, making his voyage via the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, where they landed June 12, 1867. From there they proceeded to Visalia, where a brother of our subject resided. In October of the same year he took up eighty acres of Government land near Plano, and then followed teaming, farming and also stock-raising in a small way. For eighteen months he was engaged on the Indian reservation in teaching and training the Indians in manual labor. He then clerked for Nathan Baker & Son, Porterville, and in 1872 started the pioneer store of Plano, keeping a stock of general merchandise. He also did a general trading business in acre property and town lots. In 1884 Plano was swept by a disastrous fire, in which Mr. Thomson lost heavily, also sustaining other than financial losses. He was badly wounded by a chimney falling on his right shoulder, which crippled for life his right arm. He learned to write with his left hand, built another store and continued business. He took some mail contracts in 1886, and his two sons, James E. and David E., drove stage for four years. In 1887, after an absence of twenty years, accompanied by his wife, he made a visit to their old home in Ohio. The closing days of this delightful sojourn among old associations were somewhat marred by news that fire had again devastated Plano. They immediately returned home and found their residence destroyed. They accepted the situation with the best grace possible, again rebuilt and are now in the enjoyment of a bright and happy home.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have seven children, all settled in life and within easy distance of their parents. Their frequent visits, accompanied by their little ones, brighten and beautify the old home.

Mr. Thomson and his sons own a section of land on Deer creek, where the sons attend to the horses and cattle, while Mr. Thomson has charge of the store and post office at Plano. He is a man of great enterprise and public spirit; was instrumental in building the old-school Presbyterian church of Plano, for which purpose he supplied most of the money. He is a genial and courteous gentleman and is highly respected by all who know him.

J. M. Dunlap, who was prominently connected with the staging interests of California in early days, was born in Fulton, Missouri, in 1836. His boyhood days were passed upon the farm of his father, and his education was received at the Westminster College. In 1859 he struck out in life, and in going westward he took a load of supplies to the soldiers then stationed at Salt Lake. Being of a bold and fearless disposition, he secured a position upon the pony express, and rode between Carson City and Carson Lake, a distance of seventy-five miles, for several months, or until the line was abandoned through the depredations of the Piute Indians. He then drove on the overland stage line between Salt Lake and Camp Floyd, later called Fort Crittenden. In 1860 Mr. Dunlap came to California and settled with his brother, T. J. Dunlap, on the upper San Joaquin river, where he followed mining about two years. He then returned to the more exciting life of stage-driving, and drove on the old telegraph line between Firebaugh and Gilroy until those towns were connected by railroad. He then drove on the Yo Semite stage line from Merced, and later from Madera to the valley, continuing in the business until 1881. Mr. Dunlap has always been fortunate in his dangerous calling, and through all his meanderings through the canyons, besides the precipices and steep declivities, he has never met with a serious accident.

In 1881 he opened a wine room in Madera, which he has since continued, following a more quiet life. He is a Past Master of Madera Lodge, No. 280 F. & A. M.; Past Chancellor of Madera Lodge, No. 134, K. of P., and is a member of Trigo Chapter, No. 69, Royal Arch Masons.

Calvin Dunlap, of Bakersfield, is a member of one of the American pioneer families of California. From a recently published history of Los Angeles County, this State, we take the following carefully recorded facts concerning John Dunlap (deceased), the father of the subject of this sketch: "John Dunlap was among the emigrants to California, from Texas, in 1854. He brought some means with him to this new country, but his capital consisted of almost an inexhaustible fund of energy and ambition. Two years following their coming were spent on a ranch near El Monte. They then removed to Tulare County, (which point of their location has since become a portion of Kern County, and lies in what is now Lynn's valley,) and there soon became known far and wide as a successful stock-grower and dealer." Mr. Dunlap sold his interests in Lynn's valley to Hiram Hughes, (who still owns the property), removed to San Bernadino County, where he continued actively engaged in business until his death, which occurred July 6, 1875, aged sixty-four years. John Dunlap was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Early, bore him two children, James E. and Mary, who became Mrs. Glen. About five years after this sad occurrence, he married Miss Mary Ann Heurton, and to her were born, Jennie, Calvin, the subject of this sketch, A. H., Franklin P., Laura, Louis N., Andrew J., Ida and Ella. Mrs. Dunlap still survives and makes her home with her children in Los Angeles County.

Mr. Dunlap was a broad-gauge business man and operated in stock on an extensive plan. He brought with him to California 1,500 head of large Texas steers, which he drove into Lynn's valley, losing from various causes about 150 head on the route. His operations in sheep-raising were on an equally extensive scale.

Calvin Dunlap is the second oldest of the children, was born November 29, 1847, in Bell County, Texas, and was about seven years of age when his parents reached California. He was married September 7, 1871, to Miss Eliza, daughter of William Fugitt, of Lynn's valley. They have six children, Cora, Estella, Sara C., Josie G., Blanch and Clara.

He is engaged in business in Bakersfield and owns the hotel and other property at Glennville.

Walker Rankin is regarded as one of the most prosperous and influential citizens of Kern County, California. Like many other pioneers of this State, he came with naught save a level head, a strong constitution and a determined purpose to carve from the resources of California a future success.

Mr. Rankin was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1832. His father, William Rankin, was of Irish descent and a native of Maryland. In Pittsburgh he was superintendent of one of the large iron works. Leaving that city about the year 1840, he located with his family in West Moreland County, Pennsylvania, near the town of Mount Pleasant, where he engaged in farming. Mr. Rankin's mother, whose maiden name was Versula Keen, was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch and Dutch ancestry. He was the seventh son in their family of nine children, three of whom died in childhood. His boyhood and youth were spend on his father's farm, and at twenty-two years of age he left home and came to California.

The years 1854-'55 he spent in the placer mines of Butte County, meeting with fair success. In 1856 he joined an older brother, Aquilla Rankin, in the dairy business in Contra Costa County, remaining there three years. He then located in Tulare County and engaged in the stock business near Visalia, where he continued until 1878. He next drove his business stake in Walker's Basin, Kern County, by purchasing land of Dan Walser, and also some of T. J. Williams. The location of his present spacious home he purchased of C. W. Wicks. Then from time to time he added to his landed estate until he now owns 4,380 acres of farming land and stock range in one body, 120 acres of fine alfalfa and grazing lands near Kernville, and 520 acres at the head of the South Fork valley.

September 18, 1878, Mr. Rankin married Miss Lavinia Lightner, an accomplished daughter of the late Abiah T. Lightner, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have a family of six children.

Charles Conklin Hart

Charles Conklin Hart, one of the respected early settlers of Tulare County California, was born in Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the year 1826. His grandfather, David Hart, and his father, Miles Hart, were both natives of Connecticut, the ancestors of the family having come to this country from England. His father married Laura Clark, also a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Captain Nehemiah Clark. To them five children were born, of whim a brother and a sister and the subject of this sketch are living. The latter was educated in his native State, and came to California in 1857. Before starting for the Golden State he was married to Miss Helen Payne, a native of Madison County, New York and a daughter of Mr. Weston Payne. Their union has been blessed with five children, all born in Tulare County and all now living. Their names are Frederick, Charles, John Carrie and Kittie.

In 1862 Mr. Hart took up 160 acres of land, on which he has made a nice home and reared his family. For twenty-nine years he has lived on this ranch, leading the life of an industrious and successful farmer, and during this time he has also acquired other real-estate interests. His death occurred July 18, 1891. His children are settled near the old homestead, and are equally industrious and fortunate. Mr. Hart had been a Republican since the organization of the party. He was regarded as a most worthy citizen by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

Isaac Hart is one of the first settlers of Bear valley, Kern County, California. He was born on the line dividing Arkansas and the Cherokee Nation, January 6, 1836. The following February his father, Josiah Hart, moved his family into the interior of Texas. Josiah Hart was a hunter and trapper and followed that occupation for many years. He hunted the buffalo and antelope in the Red River valley as early as 1826, shipping his game down the Red river to market points. He lived in Texas until 1852, when he came to Los Angeles County, California, leased a portion of the Azusa ranch and remained there until 1854, when he located at Newhall. At the latter place he resided till 1858, keeping a public "stopping-place." In 1858 he became the first settler of Cummings valley, locating the present place of George Cummings. He spent the rest of his life in Cummings valley, dying May 28, 1872. He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, November 18, 1794; was a man of strong individuality and industrious habits and a born pioneer of the old times.

Isaac Hart left home at about the age of nineteen years, entered the Government land survey and aided in establishing the line between the San Bernadino meridian and the Colorado river. He also assisted in correcting the Government surveys of Kern and later (1855) San Bernadino and San Diego counties. He devoted his time to mining in the Kern river country up to about 1869, when he located in Bear valley where he has since resided. He owns 320 acres of agricultural land in Bear valley and ranges a limited number of cattle.

Mr. Hart was married, in old town Tehachapi, October 28, 1870, to Miss Annie Eliza Butts. They are the parents of nine children. Such, in brief, is a sketch of one of Kern County's pioneers.

William J. Dunlap

William J. Dunlap, of Glennville, is one of the later generations of Dunlaps, a son of James E. and Lucy (Ellis) Dunlap, now resident at White River, Tulare County, this State. James E. Dunlap came to California in 1854 from Bell County, Texas, where he was born. He lived about twenty-five years at Glenville, where he pursued the stock-raising business. He had four children, two of whom are deceased. W. J., the subject of this brief sketch, is the youngest of the family; he is a native of Glennville and was born August 16, 1868. He is an ambitious, industrious and frugal young man. He owns 160 acres of land at White river, upon which he grazes sixty head of cattle and about twenty-five head or horses.

P. B. Donahoo, an early pioneer and prominent miner in Fresno County, was born in Wisconsin, in 1849, but was reared in Iowa, where his father moved in 1850 and carried on farming.

Our subject received a limited education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to Lisbon, Iowa, and entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to the trade of machinist and general blacksmith, and after serving his time worked at that trade two years. Then he served under another apprenticeship of three years to the brick mason and plasterer's trade, thinking the two trades could be advantageously combined and would afford greater facilities for work in the new developments of the country. Being a natural mechanic, he became master of his trades and always commanded the highest wages.

In 1868 Mr. Donahoo came to California to join his brother, M. J. Donahoo, who came to this coast in 1864 and was then established at Toll House, having a blacksmith shop, store and saw-mill. Soon afterward Mr. P. B. Donahoo became manager of the blacksmith and repair shops, and built up an extensive business.

In 1874 the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Virginia Caroline Perry, a native of Arkansas, who came to California in infancy with her parents, in the company started by Captain Fancher, and but for a division of the company, would have been in that horrible Mountain Meadow massacre of historic note, which was perpetrated by the Mormons under the leadership of John D. Lee. Many years afterward this Lee was captured and taken to the scene of the tragedy, and there, seated on his own coffin, was riddled with bullets.

In 1876 Mr. Donahoo separated from his brother and went to Centerville. There he purchased an interest in the blacksmith and wagon shop of W. J. Hutchinson, the present assessor of Fresno County. Two years later he sold his interest in the shop and bought a ranch of 481 acres, located near Centerville, which he still owns, it being now rented for wheat farming. In 1878 Mr. Donahoo went to the old Adobe placer mine on the San Joaquin River, and there, in partnership with his brothers, W. H. and M. J. Donahoo, and M. Bennett, he constructed a dam, forty feet high, across the river to divert the water to a gravel bed which was very rich in mineral deposits. The dam, however, was carried away by a freshet, a heavy loss was incurred and the project was abandoned. In 1879 he returned to Toll House and worked for his brother about eight months, after which he returned to his ranch and remained two years. He then purchased a ranch of 100 acres where they county hospital now stands, which he improved and sold at a considerable profit. At that time he moved to Fresno and has since made his home in this city. He is engaged in real estate and mining speculations, mining interests having occupied much of his attention since 1883. He is a member of the firm of Donahoo, Nelson, Dunlap & Co., who deal extensively in vineyard, timber, mineral and city property.

Mr. and Mrs. Donahoo have one child, William Avery Donahoo, who was born on the ranch in 1878.

In concluding this biography we make mention of a device invented by Mr. Donahoo in 1888, which he thinks will become prominent in road-sprinkling. Instead of the ordinary wagon and tank, he has two circular iron tanks which operate as wheels, and with axle connection run as a cart. It is to be propelled by either steam or horse power, or gasoline engine. Mr. Donahoo has also just completed a new invention in the shape of a street-sweeper that is considered the most complete ever introduced to the world, as it can do double the amount of work that others can do and without creating dust, requiring no sprinkling.

Joseph Weringer

Josephe Weringer, of Bakersfield, is a native of Vienna, born February 3, 1855, and emigrated to this country in 1878.

May 14, 1885, he married Mrs. Lucy P. Miller, the widow of E. Miller, who was for several years an active citizen of Bakersfield. Mr. Weringer is the proprietor of the City Brewery in Bakersfield, in connection with which he conducts a pleasure resort, wine rooms, and bowling alley; doing in his line an extensive business. December 30, 1890, Mr. Weringer suffered the loss of his wife, her death occurring suddenly, almost without warning. She left a family of eleven children, nine of whom were by her former husband.

Cuthbert Burrel

Cuthbert Burrel, a prominent rancher of Tulare County, came to California in 1846, arriving on the first of October. A brief sketch of his career is as follows:

Mr. Burrel was born in Wayne County, New York, November 28, 1824, son of George and Mary (Robinson) Burrel, natives of Northumberland County, England. His grandfather, Cuthbert Burrel, was an English squire, and his great-grandfather's name was Thomas Burrel. The subject of our sketch was the fourth in a family of nine children, five of whom are still living. In 1834, when he was ten years old, the family moved to Plainfield, Will County, Illinois. There he was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-two he came across the plains to California, driving an ox team, and being six months, lacking twelve days, en route. Their captain was Stephen A. Cooper, an experienced frontiersman.

Mr. Burrel was in service under General Fremont six months, during which time was promoted to sergeant, and after his discharge went to Sutter's Fort. There he found the wagon in which he crossed the plains, and in it traveled to Yount's in Napa County, taking with him one of the children of the Donner party. He then went to Sonoma, where he was employed by Salvador Vallejo to cover a house; remained there during the summer of 1847, and for his work received $100 in cash, 100 firkins of wheat and 200 heifers. In 1848 he was making hay in Suisun valley. One day Johnny Patton brought down five or six hundred dollars' worth of gold in a little bed-ticking sack, remained with the hay-makers for dinner and told them about the find. They decided not to return to the field, sold their interest in the hay and started for the mine. It was not until five years afterward that Mr. Burrel received his pay for the hay, then getting it in gold dust at $8 per ounce. He mined off and on for three years. The most he ever mined in one day was $112; the largest piece of gold he found weighed five ounces, and his usual day's work amounted to $16.

Upon leaving the mines, Mr. Burrel purchased land in Green valley, Solano County, where he farmed and raised stock until 1860. He then sold out, received his pay in cattle, and took them--1,311 head--to Elkhorn ranch, Fresno County, where he remained engaged in the stock business until the fall of 1869. His cattle, which were then estimated at 4,000 head, he sold for $103,000, the parties paying $23,000 down and agreeing to pay $20,000 every six months, they having the use of his ranch of 20,000 acres. It was six years, however, before he received all the payments, and with the interest it amounted to a large sum of money.

In 1871 Mr. Burrel returned to the States. From 1871 until 1874 he was not actively engaged in any business. In the meantime he suffered a stroke of paralysis and came near losing his life. In 1874 he purchased 1,000 acres of his ranch in Tulare County, located five miles northwest of Visalia. Since then he bought another thousand, and now has 2,000 acres of fine farming land all in one body. For five years his nephew, Frank Burrel, ran the ranch. He then sold out his interests and died soon afterward of consumption. During these years the subject of our sketch resided with his family in San Jose. He was married, in 1873, to Mrs. Adalza (Haycock) Adams, widow of Frank Adams. Their union has been blessed with five children, the first two being twins. Three of the children are living, namely; Vernia Jennet, Mary and Lewella. They have an elegant home in San Jose, corner of William and Third streets, where they make their headquarters.

Mr. Burrel belongs to the Pioneer Society of California. Previous to the war he was a Democrat; since then his political views have been in harmony with Republican principles. He is a director of the San Jose First National Bank, and also of three other banks. He still has Fresno County interests, owning 1,800 acres of land there. In Mr. Burrel we find a true type of the California pioneer. He is the same pleasant, kind-hearted, hospitable man that he was in the early history of this State.

H. S. Bachman was born in Harrison, Maine, in 1854. His father, a native of Germany, settled at Harrison in early life and there conducted a mercantile business. In 1861 they moved to Chicago, where young Bachman attended school for a short time. At the age of eleven - years he entered the mercantile house of Price, Rosenblatt & Co., as office boy and clerk, remaining with them three years and becoming well grounded in business principles. He then entered his father's store and continued with him until 1870, when he started out in life for himself, going South and obtaining employment on steamboats, wharfs, etc. He returned to Crown Point in 1871, and was married at that place to Miss Ada Myrick. He then followed farming one year.

In 1872 Mr. Bachman came to California, engaged in mining at the quicksilver mines in Lake County, and subsequently in San Bernardino County and Arizona. About 1876 he began grain and fruit farming at Riverside, which he continued until 1885, when he came to Tulare. He was married a second time, at Riverside, in 1883, to Miss Cynthia Smith. Arriving in Tulare, he farmed for two years, after which, in 1887, he bought out the White & Hayes livery stable, and has since continued its management keeping about twenty head of horses, and wagons suitable for a general business.

Mr. Bachman owns a ranch of 160 acres on Deer creek, and is also interested in town property. He is a leading stockholder in the Tulare Oil & Mining Company, with asphalt mines in Kern County, where they own 1,600 acres of land in the Sierra foothills. The asphalt is of fine quality and will be refined and shipped to the eastern markets.

Mr. Bachman is a member of Tulare Lodge, No. 306, I.O.O.F. He is thoroughly identified with the best interests of Tulare, and is one of her enterprising citizens.

A. B. Butler, M. D.

A. B. Butler, M. D., the leading physician of the town of Lemoore, was born in Owen County, Indiana, in 1847. His father, George W. Butler, a prominent stock- driver, was a native of Virginia, where his ancestors settled in an early day, who became prominent in political and civil life, A. B. Butler, the seventh son in a family of ten, was educated at the State University at Blooming-ton. When but five years of age his father died, and when sixteen his mother passed away, after which he went to Nebraska to join his brother, David Butler, a pioneer of that State. He was also its first Governor, and was honored with two re-elections. He died on March 10, 1891.

Our subject began the study of medicine at Pawnee City under the preceptorship of Drs. A. S. Stewart and G. G. Gere, with whom he remained about five years. He began practice at the age of twenty-four years, in Jefferson County, Nebraska, a very poor county but a fine opportunity to gain practical experience. While there the county passed through two grasshopper scourges and three droughts. The Doctor secured his medical education at intervals, as circumstances would permit, and graduated at the Missouri Northwestern Medical College, at St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1880.

In 1881 Dr. Butler came to California, landing at Port Harford, San Louis Obispo County. He then started for Grangeville, where he arrived with twenty-five cents in cash; his wardrobe was on his back, and a small grip contained his instruments. Thus equipped and among strangers, he started his California life, and by persevering effort and successful practice has built up an extensive business. In 1886, as proof of the appreciation of his townsmen, he was nominated to the State Legislature by the Republican party, and through his popularity he overcame a Democratic majority of 400 votes. The nomination was again tendered him, but be declined. He remained at Grangeville until March, 1890, when he moved to Lemoore with a view of settling up his business affairs, but his patients followed him and he was obliged to resume his practice. He has just taken in as a partner Dr. C. Patton, of St. Louis, who will attend to much of the driving, while Dr. Butler will give more time to his extensive office practice.

He was married in Pawnee City in 1869, to Miss Mary E. Crow, a native of Illinois. They have six children, viz.: David, Mabel, Benjamin R., Blanche, George W. and Alice. The Doctor is a member of the F. & A. M. of Lemoore. He has a ten-acre vineyard near this city, and is also interested in mining in the White river country with Dr. Duncan, of Hanford, but his profession is the one aim and object of his life.

J. T. Chism was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, in 1848. He lived at home until twenty years of age, assisting in farm work and attending the common schools.

In 1869 he came to California, making the journey by rail soon after the railroad was completed. Arriving at Woodland, lie engaged in farming for two seasons, after which he turned his attention to the sheep business in Stanislaus County. He had only limited means and at first took 1,000 sheep on shares. Then he purchased 500, and by the natural increase he soon secured a flock of about 6,000.In 1881 Mr. Chism settled near Stockton, engaged in farming and sheep business and remained there until 1884. In that year he came to Tulare and settled upon his ranch of 185 acres west of town, which he had purchased in 1883. In addition to cultivating his own ranch and raising horses and cattle, he also rents a sheep range for his band of 2,000 sheep, and 700 acres for grain farming.

Mr. Chism. was married in Stockton, in 1883, to Miss Annie Cahill, a native of California. They have three children, James T., Veda, and Pearl. He is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 269, F. & A. M.

John Cuddeback was born in Tehachapi, Kern County, California, in September, 1864. His father, G. P. Cuddeback, first settled in Tehachapi in 1858, and for many years was one of its prominent and influential citizens, extensively engaged in stock-raising. He is now a resident of Los Angeles, and owns valuable property in Orange, California. In early life John Cuddeback assisted his father, a practical stock man, and thus acquired the habits of a successful stock-raiser, which business, in connection with farming, is now claiming his attention. He owns about 3,000 acres of agricultural land and stock range. He has 600 fruit trees on his ranch, all in a flourishing condition, and on his grazing lands are found 200 head of cattle and fifty horses. Among the latter is some of the best horse flesh in Southern or Central California. For energy, perseverance and thrift, Mr. Cuddeback is recognized through-out the valley as having no peer, and his fine stock is the pride of the entire stock-raising community.

Mr. Cuddeback was married February 15, 1886, to Miss Emma, daughter of John M. Cunningham, of Orange, California, and a native of San Jose.

A. B. Chase, since 1875 a resident of California, is a native of Franklin County, Vermont. His father, Aaron Chase, was a soldier of the war of 1812; his grandfather, of the same name, was in the Revolutionary war, and fought at Bunker Hill. He descends directly from Pilgrim stock. Two of his uncles, by name Joel and Simon Chase, were likewise American patriots. The late Chief Justice Chase was a second cousin of our subject.

Mr. Chase was reared in his native town of Franklin, and entered the United States army from Plattsburg, New York, in August, 1862, and fought at the battle of Fair Oaks, and later at Mobile, under Burnside, as a gunner in light artillery, in the discharge of which duties he was rendered deaf by the constant roar of cannon. After nine months' valiant service he received an honorable discharge, on account of disabilities. He is an architect and contracting builder, having acquired his trade at Boston, where for thirteen years following his retirement from the army he lived and pursued his chosen calling. From Boston he came to San Francisco, then located in Colusa County, and built the first dwelling at the Willows, now in Glenn County. He later located in the Sierra Nevada mountains built the Bunker Hill sawmills in Shasta County, which he owned and operated for five years. He disposed of this property and took up his residence in Los Angeles, where he did an extensive business as a contractor up to 1879, when he located at Bakersfield. Evidences of his enterprise, skill and architectural abilities are numerous in both Los Angeles and Bakersfield, in the form of many fine business blocks and dwellings which he has designed and erected.

Mr. Chase married Miss Marcina Weston, daughter of C. b. Weston, a war veteran and several times a member of the Vermont Legislature, and forty years a clerk of his town, Belvidere, Vermont. Mrs. Chase died in 1882, leaving two children, Miss Maud, now eighteen years of age; and Waldo, a boy of ten years. For his second wife Mr. Chase married Miss August Foth, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

No one is better known in the Tehachapi valley as a stock man than the subject of this brief sketch. He came to California in 1872, and to Tehachapi the following year. He is a native of Conway County, Arkansas, born May 2, 1850, and thus far his life has been devoted to raising cattle, in which business he has been most successful. He and his partner, 1-1. Spencer, Esq., of Tehachapi, own a mountain range of about 12,000 acres, upon which they graze an average of 1,200 bead of cattle.

In 1876 Mr. Durnal was married to Miss Lucinda, daughter of the venerable W. C. Wiggins, of Old Tehachapi, and their union has been blessed with six children.

Louis Einstein, a native of Germany, was born August 10, 1847. At the age of eighteen he came to America and engaged in the dry-goods business at Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1866 a relative of his, who resided in San Francisco, sent for him to come West, and he accordingly directed his course toward that city. Arrived there he engaged as bookkeeper for the firm of Wormser Bros., remaining with them some time. He subsequently went to Portland, Oregon, and established a wholesale liquor house. Three years later he returned to California, arriving in the San Joaquin valley in January, 1871. He at once associated himself in business with E. Jacob, of Visalia, under the firm name of Jacob & Einstein. This successful firm operated two branch houses and did a large business throughout the valley. In June, 1874, the pioneer business of Otto Froelich, Fresno, was purchased by them, and Mr. Einstein removed to this city, then only a village. With his partners he has operated the pioneer store, increasing, its business from year to year, until now it has assumed enormous proportions. H. D. Silverman, who was originally interested in one of the firm's branch stores at Centerville, was associated with Mr. Einstein during the first years of the business in Fresno, the firm name being Silverman & Einstein. Mr. Silverman dying in August, 1877, Mr. Louis Gundelfinger purchased his interest in the business, and the firm name was changed to Louis Einstein & Co. The partners have an equal interest, and the business management has continued the same up to the present day, although Mr. Einstein devotes most of his time to banking affairs, and is not actively engaged in the store.

In December, 1888, this firm formed a stock corporation, using the same name as before, the capital stock being $200,000. This pioneer store is located in the heart of the town, and at one time it contained the post office, express office and telegraph office. The postmaster, C. W. De Long, so Mr. Einstein states, received a salary of only $12 per annum. He eventually accumulated a fortune. In 1875 the brick building which the store now occupies was erected, and was the third brick building in the city.

Besides being closely identified with the business above described, Mr. Einstein also has large interests in other enterprises. He is the founder and president of the Bank of Central California, which was organized February 26, 1887; is a stockholder of the Fresno Railroad Company; Treasurer of the King's River and Fresno Canal Company; a stockholder of the San Joaquin Coal Mine Company, and a member of the Board of Trade, of which organization he was at one time the president.

Mr. Einstein was married in 1882, and has a family of four children.

Peter Gardett, a venerable pioneer of California, is a native of the German Empire, born in Prussia, December 27, 1824: his early years were spent as a navigator. Arriving in California in 1850, he engaged in mining until 1860, when he located in Kern County. He has taken an active part in the agricultural development of the county, and was one of its organizers. He has always confined himself quietly to his adopted calling, that of farmer and stock-raiser, engaging in politics only when duty seemed to prompt him to do so upon the earnest solicitation from his friends in public interest. He owns 520 acres of land on Poso Flats. He is universally esteemed and his judgment in matters of public concern are regarded as a criterion.

Mr. Gardett married his wife in San Francisco in 1871. Her maiden name was Amelia Agnes Augusta Weber, and she is a native of Saxony, Germany. The have four children, two sons and two daughters. At the time of writing a post office is established at Poso Flats, and Mrs. Gardett is commissioned Postmistress.

Robert Glenn, of Old Tehachapi, has been a resident of California since 1859, and of Kern County since 1868.

He was born in Lamar County, Texas, October 9, 1848, son of Silas and Mary (Burnham) Glenn, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. They came to this State in 1859 and located at El Monte, Los Angeles County, where the father engaged in farming. About six years later they removed to San Bernardino County, and settled at Lytle Creek. There the widowed mother still resides. Robert is the fourth of their seven children. He was reared as a stock ranger, and has made this the business of his life, now owning about fifty head of cattle.

He chose for his life companion and wedded, in 1876, Miss Letha Dosier, daughter of John Dosier, of Old Tehachapi. They have four children.

C. Guard, the Fresno County Tax Collector was born in "Butterfly Village," Mariposa County, California, in 1862. His father, William A. Guard, now deceased, emigrated to California from Illinois in 1850. He was a lawyer and an early County Clerk and District Attorney of Mariposa County. His death occurred when the subject of this sketch was quite small.

Mr. Guard received a limited education in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen -began to support himself. His mother moved to Fresno in 1867, and here they have since resided. In 1882 our subject was employed as secretary of the Fresno Water Company, remaining with them one year and then entering the abstract office of William Faymonville. In 1884 he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, under A. C. Williams, and occupied that position until the fall of 1889, when he was elected County Tax Collector. His duties in the clerk's office was connected with the Board of Supervisors, and were performed with entire satisfaction to all concerned.

Mr. Guard is a charter member of Fresno Parlor, No. 25, Native Sons of the Golden West, which was established December 16, 1883.

Moses Hart, of Bear valley, Kern County, has been a resident of California since 1852. He first located in San Jose, where he remained until November 1853; mined in Mariposa County until 1856, after which he took up his residence in Los Angeles County. Since 1857 he has lived in Kern County, having located on his present farm of 160 acres in 1876. He was one of the petitioners for the organization of the county in 1865. Besides his home ranch Mr. Hart owns a quarter section of railroad land, and keeps a band of cattle and horses.

He was born in Conway County, Arkansas, December 1, 1833. A line of facts concerning Josiah Hart, his father, may be seen in connection with a sketch of Isaac Hart, a brother of the subject of our sketch and a resident of the same valley. Mr. Hart was married in Los Angeles County, July 15, 1859, to Miss Julia Ann Findley. To them twelve children have been born, of whom the following are living; Thomas J., Sarah E., Moses H., Charles M., Riley, William M., Edward, Mattie and Benjamin H.

Thomas E. Hughes

In Burke County, North Carolina, June 6, 1830, the subject of this biography, "the father of Fresno," was born.

The force of a character like that of Thomas E. Hughes, in shaping the destinies of communities is one of the striking events of' our times. To be born to greatness, wealth, or leadership, exacts no merit and elicits no praise; but to be born to the common lot, to toil as others toil, to acquire wealth and gain leadership, evinces force and commands our respect and admiration.

Five years after the birth of Mr. Hughes his father brought the family from North Carolina to the wilds of Arkansas, and established their home in the frontier town of Batesville. With no opportunities for schooling the son grew up and at the age of fifteen years entered the store of A. W. Lyon, an especial friend of the family, where he remained nearly six years. At the age of twenty he married Miss Mary Rogers, daughter of Rev. J. M. Rogers. Then for three years he was engaged in merchandising.

In 1853, with his young wife, Mr. Hughes crossed the plains to California. He at once engaged in the stock business near Stockton, where he spent three prosperous years. At the expiration of that time the earliest solicitation of his wife's parents caused them to take their two sons, born in California, and return to Arkansas. After the birth of his son William, in February, 1858, his wife's health being delicate, for her sake they again undertook the trip across the plains. She improved in health until exposure, by the overturning of the carriage in a creek, brought on consumption, and her death occurred at Fort Laramie. Unwilling to leave the dead body of his wife there, Mr. Hughes brought it to Stockton for interment, arriving in California in the fall of 1859.

He was accompanied on his trip by his father-in-law, and together they brought a number of horses and cattle. Our subject then turned his attention to farming in Stanislaus Comity, where he met with success. In December, 1866, he was married to Miss Annie E. Yoakum, and by her has one daughter. In 1867 he was elected County Clerk, serving his term with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He then embarked in wheat farming on a large scale, putting in 7,000 acres, mostly in Merced County. The dry season followed, and he lost all his property. The next five years he spent in San Francisco, engaged in the real-estate business.

In June, 1878, he moved to Fresno County, his sons taking charge of some sheep which he had on shares, and he himself continuing in the real-estate business. It was at this time that the remarkable traits in the character of Mr. Hughes began to be revealed. He saw what could be done with vines and trees on the rich land in Fresno County by irrigation, and he conceived the plan of getting control of' large tracts then devoted to sheep pasture, and subdividing them into small lots and selling to actual settlers on the easiest possible terms, usually on three or four years' time, and frequently without even the payment of interest, the improvement of' the land being all he asked, its enhanced value affording all the security he required. He carried out this scheme, making a success of almost every venture. To record all his operations in this line would be to fill a book. It will be interesting, however, to make note of one of his first important transactions.

In 1881 he purchased the Jansen estate of 6,080 acres, now the flourishing Fresno colony, one mile south of the city of Fresno, This property Mr. Hughes bought for $6.50 per acre, or about that, without water. After deeding away, at the outset, over one-half of the land for water privileges on the other half, he advertised an excursion and sale of colony lots in the town of Fresno. In less than six months he had sold over $30,000 worth of land at $40 and $50 an acre. He bad previously sold a block of land for $12,000, the whole operation yielding a magnificent profit.

With Mr. J. R. White, Mr. Hughes made an important purchase of 230 acres of land from the railroad company, included in the town site of Fresno, paying $25 an acre. They soon sold a small portion of it in town lots for money enough to pay for the whole tract, and realized about $1,000 an acre for the remainder, netting them over $100,000 on the transaction.

Mr. Hughes is the owner of the Hughes Hotel, one of the finest in the State of California. He also owns much valuable property in the heart of the city. He is a director in the Bank of Fresno, and is actively connected with every enterprise of magnitude in the city. None are more public-spirited or more vitally interested in the welfare of Fresno and its surroundings than he. Always approachable and unassuming, Mr. Hughes is ever ready to help a good cause or enterprise. He is distinctively one of the leading spirits and useful men of Fresno County.

John Holmes Huntley

John Holmes Huntley, a well-to-do and much respected citizen of Visalia, has been a resident of California since 1852.

Mr. Huntley was born in New York, September 7, 1829, son of Oliver D. Huntley, a native of Rhode Island and a descendant of Scotch ancestors, who settled in America at an early day. His mother, nee Mary Stark, was a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Joshua Stark, also of that State, and of Scotch ancestry. To Oliver D. and Mary Huntley six children were born. After her death Mr. Huntley married her sister, by whom he had six children, two dying in infancy. One son, Charles II, was an Adjutant in the Thirty second Iowa, served in the late war, and was killed. John Holmes Huntley was the third child of the first family. He was reared and educated in Montgomery County, and after he grew up was employed as a clerk in a law-book store in Albany, New York.

At the age of twenty-three he started for the Golden State, and upon his arrival here engaged in mining in Tuolumne County. After this be turned his attention to farming, and later be came a dealer in cattle, buying and selling. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Second California Cavalry, and acted for a time as Sergeant-major, their active service being against the Indians. After his discharge be returned to the mines, and remained there a while. In 1866 he came to Tulare County, and engaged in a money-loaning and speculating business, buying county warrants at Visalia and also at Bakersfield. At that time the county paid its bills largely with county warrants, and Mr. Huntley advanced the cash and held the warrants till due. Later in his history he has invested in lands in Kern and Tulare counties, and has been engaged in raising cattle. He now owns, including his home place, 720 acres of land.

Mr. Huntley was married, August 23, 1879, to Miss Ninnetta R. Willfard, a native of Southampton, England. They have two sons, -- Willfard H. and Chester S. Politically Mr. Huntley is a Republican. For five years he held the important office of United States Assessor of Internal Revenue for the counties of' Tulare, Fresno, Kern and Inyo. He is a member of the G. A. R.

G. Lacy, manager of the Hanford Mill and Electric Light Plant, was born in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in 1835. His father, David Lacy, was a native of Canton, Massachusetts, where he became prominent as a wholesale manufacturer of edge tools and hardware. Our subject left home at the early age of sixteen years and went to Geneva, Illinois, where he learned the machinist's trade in the house of E. Danforth, manufacturer of mowers and reapers. In 1857 he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he engaged in the milling business, erecting both flour and saw mills, which he operated about eighteen years. In 1875 he came to California, settling at Visalia, where for fourteen years he was engaged in mechanical engineering, in milling and running threshing and farm machinery. In 1889 Mr. Lacy came to Hanford, in the employ of J. H. Johnson, of Visalia, to superintend the construction of a steam flour mill, he having, unlimited authority to build according to his own ideas. The mill, four stories high, is equipped with the improved roller machinery, with the capacity of 100 barrels per day. In the spring of 1891 Mr. Johnson put in an electric-light plant, after the Edison incandescent system, with a capacity of 1,000 lights, sixteen-candle power each. After two months the business so increased that larger engines were required, and he added new machines and boilers with a capacity of 130-horse power, and will double the capacity of lighting machinery. The mill is kept steadily running, with a home market sufficient to consume all the flour.

Mr. Lacy was married at Geneva in 1854, to Miss Emma Winship, a native of New York, and they have four children, Clara, now Mrs. James Dempsey, of Kansas; Richard, Lora and Mell. The latter superintends the working of the electric-light plant. Mr. Lacy has a twenty-acre fruit ranch near Visalia, with town property at Hanford, where he resides, and is a faithful and competent manager of the interests which he has in charge.

D. A. Leonard, one of the active and enterprising business men of Bakers-field, was born at Utica, New York, July 18, 1860; left home at twenty-one years if age, came West, and took up his residence in Bakers-field in 1882, where he was employed for a time on a ranch. In October, 1886, be established the livery business, in which he is now engaged.

D. J. McConnell

D. J. McConnell, one of the prominent business men of Fresno, was born in Gaylesville, Cherokee County, Alabama, in 1838. His father, Joseph McConnell, a native of Georgia, was an early emigrant to Alabama, and helped to move the Indians to their reservation. He subsequently carried oil farming and cotton- raising owning 1,200 acres of land.

The subject of our sketch attended the high schools of Alabama, and afterward the Hiawassee College in Tennessee. Still later he studied engineering and surveying but devoted most of his time to mercantile pursuits up to 1859. In that year he was married, at Gaylesville, to Miss Margaret Miller, and they went to White County, Arkansas, where Mr. McConnell took up 160 acres of Government land, farmed and raised hogs until the opening of the war. They returned to Alabama and lie enlisted in the Nineteenth Alabama Regiment, under Colonel McSpadden. The regiment was assigned to Heineman's Division, under General Bragg, and was engaged at the battle of Chickamauga, where Mr. McConnell was shot through the body. He was disabled for a year, and after his recovery again joined the army as Forage Master for Day's Brigade, remaining in that capacity until the close of the war.

From the time peace was declared until 1870 he was engaged in agricultural pursuits at Gaylesville. In the spring of that year he came to California, and in the fall settled near Centerville, purchasing 490 acres of land and engaging in farming and stock-raising. Of this property, bottomland on King's river, he had 160 acres in alfalfa, from which he cut about 300 tons of hay, besides pasturing 400 head of horses and cattle. He raised the Norman and Hambletonian strains of horses, and kept about 100 head; also 100 head of Durham stock. Growing tired of rural life, Mr. McConnell sold his ranch in 1887, and came to Fresno. For a year he was engaged extensively in real-estate transactions, owning much city and country property. July 1, 1888, he formed a partnership with B. M. Hague, and bought out the grocery store of Austin & Coffman, in the Fiske block, and twelve days later were burned out. They then. bought the store of George Smith, No. 1913 Mariposa street, where they now carry on a successful business in a general grocery line, with an assortment of stone, wood and willow ware.

Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have no children, but have reared three children of a deceased sister--two sons and one daughter. The young men are interested in the store, and largely con-duct the business.

W. P. Miller, M.D.

W. P. Miller, M. D., proprietor of the Popular Drug Store, Fresno, was born in Camden, Knox County, Maine, in 1859. He received his literary education in the Waterville Classical Institute, Waterville, Maine, graduating in 1879, after which he took a medical course at the University of Vermont, and graduated in medicine and surgery in 1883.

Dr. Miller began the practice of his profession in Bristol, Maine, and was located there until 1888, when he came to California. September 1, of that year, he opened an office in Fresno, and conducted a general practice until April 1889. At that time he was induced to establish the Popular Drug Store, No. 1115 J street, which he has since successfully conducted. The Doctor is a member of and medical examiner for Fresno Lodge, No. 186 I. 0. 0. F. He is also associated with Mono Tribe, No. 68, I. 0. R. M., being Sachem of the tribe.

Dr. Miller was married at Bristol, Maine, in 1888, to Miss Emma Smith.

Nathan W. Moodey

This gentleman has been a resident of Fresno since 1873 and has been prominently identified with its best interests. For the position he fills and for the valuable services he has rendered to the public, Mr. Moodey is justly entitled to a representation in the history of this section of California; indeed a history of Fresno would be incomplete without some reference to him.

He was born near Dayton, Ohio, March 9, 1852, and while quite young removed with his parents to Illinois, where they established their home. There young Moodey was sent to the best schools in the locality, and his education was finished at the town college, having completed his studies, he entered a paper mill to learn the trade, and remained there three years. At the end of that time a serious fire destroyed the mill and he was left without employment, so he turned his attention to the hardware trade. In 1874 be came to California and located in Fresno. For two years he was employed by the railroad company as night agent. Then he entered the post office. At that time the office was a primitive looking affair, there being no lock-boxes, for the good reason that there was no use for any. Today an observer will notice the remarkable change that has taken place in the workings of this institution. It is a fact that in Fresno County, 60 x 150 miles in area, there ire more rented post office boxes than in any other county in the State of California, not excepting Los Angeles or San Francisco. Mr. Moodey first entered the post office as a subordinate. Under the administration of President Arthur be was appointed Postmaster, which office he resigned after the change of party in power in 1885 during President Harrison's administration he was reappointed to his old office, which he now occupies. Mr. Moodey's management of' this important branch of the Government at Fresno is eminently satisfactory and reflects great credit on his ability as an official. In 1886 he was the Republican nominee for sheriff, and, although defeated, ran far ahead of his ticket, the county then being strongly Democratic.

Mr. Moodey was married in 1883, and he and his wife are the parents of' two bright children, a son and a daughter.

James B. Morris

James B. Morris was born in Missouri, September 27, 1838. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Golden) Morris, both natives of Tennessee, the former a descendant of French ancestry. James B. is the seventh of their nine children, three of whom are living. He was reared and educated in Missouri and there learned the carpenter's trade, which, as a contractor and builder, he has followed the most of his life.

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Morris enlisted in Company B, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and, after serving in it six months, joined the First Missouri Battery and served in it until the close of the war, without being taken prisoner or receiving a wound. He participated in the battles of oak Hill, Mansfield, Louisiana, Jenkins' Ferry and in many smaller fights. After the close of the war, he returned home and again gave his attention to his trade.

In 1876 Mr. Morris came to California and direct to Visalia. For twelve years he was engaged in contracting and building here and during that time erected many of the best houses in the city, In November, 1889, in partnership with Mr. McDermot. he bought the grocery and provision store, which they have since successfully conducted. They do a thriving business and number among their customers the best citizens of Visalia. Mr. Morris purchased property in this city at the corner of North and Willis streets, remodeled the house, and now has a comfortable home, in which he resides with his family.

He was married, in 1862, to Miss Mary Z. Smyth, a native of Missouri, who has borne him a daughter, Sadie E. Mr. Morris is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is a Democrat. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace in the city of Visalia. Like all good Californians, he is interested in the growth and prosperity of this State, and is justly proud of the advancement she is making.

Dr. W. Musgrave

W. Musgrave, Ph. B., M. D., was born in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, in 1857. His father, Richard M. Musgrave, was a native of the north of Ireland, and of Scotch, descent. He was a sea-faring man, a captain of an English merchantman, that brought a cargo of merchandise to San Francisco in the early days of the gold excitement, and he with his mates left the vessel and went to the mines in Nevada County, where he was prominently connected with mining interests during the remainder of his life. He was married in Grass Valley in 1856, to Miss Margaret Wilson, a native of Scotland, and they resided there until the death of Mr. Musgrave, in 1878.

R. W. Musgrave was educated in the public schools of Grass Valley, graduating in the high school in 1873. He then entered the University of California, taking a scientific course and graduating in 1879. He obtained his medical education in the California Medical College of San Francisco, and graduated in 1884. Dr. Musgrave began the practice of his profession in Hanford, Tulare County, and is now the second oldest physician in the town. He does a general practice, and has a large and extended patronage.

The doctor was married in San Francisco in January, 1890, to Miss Sue A. Barrett, a native of Michigan. This union has been blessed with one child, --Marjorie.

In fraternal circles Dr. Musgrave occupies a prominent position. He has been Master of Hanford Lodge, No. 279, F. & A. M., for three years, and is a charter member of Hanford Parlor, No. 37, N. S. G. W., having filled the chair of President for several years. He was one of the incorporators of the Hanford Improvement Association, and is still secretary and a member of the board of directors. This company purchased 400 acres near Hanford, subdivided it into tracts of ten acres and organized the Lucerne Colony, which is now one of the prosperous colonies of the valley.

Joseph Peacock, whose name stands synonymous with the water development and ditch interests of the Lucerne district, was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1830. His father, Joseph Peacock, a native of England, came to the United States in 1808, and settled in Oneida County, being one among that brotherhood of Quakers. He died when our subject was but ten years of age, and he was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He was employed by one of the Quaker sisters, with whom he lived until 1852, when he started for California via the Nicaragua route. After arriving at San Francisco he went to Skiskiyou County, and there joined his two brothers, Ezra and Allen, and with them mined and farmed until 1860. Then, going to Solano County, he pre-empted land and farmed until 1867. In that year he moved to Napa County, and engaged in stock farming until 1874, when he journeyed southward, visiting friends in Merced County, who were about making a change. They came south together, agreeing to settle upon the first sandy-loam land in the valley where they could get free water for irrigation.

The Mussel Slough country was decided upon, and there they set their stakes upon railroad land, as the Government land was all taken. After locating his family Mr. Peacock connected himself with the Lake Side Ditch Company, in the fall of 1874. The main ditch being completed, he commenced work on the tributaries, and thus worked out his stock and secured water for his ranch, but the flow was insufficient until 1876, and little could be grown. In 1876 he was appointed superintendent of the Lake Side ditch, and proved himself so efficient a manager that in January, 1878, he was also appointed superintendent of the People's ditch. Finding the management of both impossible he gave his entire attention to the latter, and resigned his position on the former. Mr. Peacock was a firm but quiet manager, and was enabled to settle many grievous difficulties which had existed among the stockholders. After five years of faithful service he was called as superintendent of the "76" Land and Water Company. who owned 30,000 acres of land and the largest irrigating ditch in the State. He remained with them seven years, which is substantial proof of his faithfulness. He has now retired from active life and joined his family upon the ranch, which his sons have been managing. He has 120 acres of his original purchase, four miles southeast of Hanford, eighty acres of which is pasture, fourteen acres in vines, and the remainder under cultivation. Eighty acres further south is in alfalfa, and there are twenty acres two miles north of Traver, in the "76" district, ten of which is in vines and the remainder in trees and alfalfa.

Mr. Peacock was married in Solano County, in 1864, to Miss Hannah Bonham, a native of Iowa. They have ten children, viz.: Harrison R., Clara, now Mrs. George M. Dopkins; Molly, Elisha, Frank, Walter, Belle, George, Myrtle and Edna.

In this rapidly developing country of ours where opportunities for all are equal some make swifter strides toward prosperity than others, and their wonderful success may be attributed to natural ability and tact combined with resolute will and persistent determination to succeed. The subject of this sketch is one whose business career is worthy of note. Mr. Phillips is to-day one of the youngest bank officers in the State of California; and the phenomenal success he has achieved during the years of his residence here justly entitle him to honorable mention in this volume.

He was born in Mississippi in 1851. Early in life he was sent to school, and until he reached his fifteenth year his studies received his close attention. At that time he became a clerk in a store at Canton. In the winter of 1867 he was chosen a page in the State Senate, which position, he occupied four months. Then he was employed by a large cotton firm at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and remained with them until 1870. December of that year found him enroute to California, seeking new fields of labor. He arrived in Fresno County, January 1, 1871, and immediately entered upon a business career, a career which the score of years succeeding has shown to be of marked success.

Young Phillips, then twenty years of age, engaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store at Centerville, and was variously employed there until 1874, when he came to Fresno. Here he secured a position with the firm of Kutner, Goldstein & Co., now one of the most prominent business houses in the valley. In 1877 be was admitted as a partner of the firm, and for four years and a half conducted the Centerville branch store, The firm continued to prosper, and as an investment of their profits they established the Farmer's Bank of Fresno. Mr. Phillips then gave most of his time and attention to work at the bank, assumed the position of cashier, which he held until 1887. He was in that year elected vice-president and manager, a position he fills at the present time. To mention the enterprise with which Mr. Phillips is actively engaged or in some way connected would be to mention. many of the most important ones in Fresno. He helped to establish the Fresno Ice Works in 1874; was instrumental in organizing, and is now director of', the Fresno Gas Light Company; was the first secretary of tile Fair Ground Association; is at present a director of the Fresno Water Company, and has an interest in the Fresno Bonded Warehouse.

Mr. Phillips possesses many pleasing traits of character, and his amiable qualities have won for him a large circle of friends.

He was married October 10, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth B. Pressley, of Sonoma County, daughter of Judge John B. Pressley. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have one child, a son, eight years of age.

Judge Dante R. Prince

Judge Dante R. Prince was born in Altaville, Calaveras County, California, on April 13, 1864.

The subject of our sketch attended the public schools, and at the age of fourteen years entered Santa Clara College. He took the commercial, scientific and literary courses in that institution, and graduated in 1885, receiving the degree of B. A. He then returned to take the post-graduate course, but was appointed professor of English arid bookkeeping, and remained as a teacher in the college for two years.

In July, 1887, Mr. Prince met Judge David S. Terry in San Francisco, and through his advice came to Fresno, entered the Judge's office and began the study of law. He pursued his studies assiduously for about two years, after which, in April, 1889, he was admitted to practice. In the spring election of 1889, Mr. Prince was elected City Recorder of Fresno, and through his administration of justice did much toward making the recorder's court one of the most prominent criminal courts of the city. In this court, March 29, 1890, was seen the first negro jury in the State. The case arose from trouble in the colored church, and the Judge impaneled a jury from among their own peers. The verdict rendered was thoroughly satisfactory and peace ever after prevailed in the church. Another case which gained widespread notoriety, was that of two brothers who were arrested for disturbing the peace. One, as a defense, charged his wife with being an improper person to care for their children, and that she was not rearing them as a mother should. This was a serious charge, and Judge Prince, being Young and inexperienced, was for a moment somewhat puzzled until there occurred to him the brilliant thought of asking the little three-year-old 11 tot 11 if she had learned to pray; and when she knelt down in the midst of a crowded court and lisped her simple prayer as sweetly as an angel could have done, asking God's blessing on father, mother, and everybody, there was scarcely a dry eye in the room. This childish action was sufficient evidence to the Judge that the children were wisely governed. The brothers were found guilty, and a fine imposed, which was, however, quickly paid, and the father, whose heart bad been softened, caught up and kissed the little child, and immediately thereafter took wife and child home, where peace and quiet have since reigned.

In the fall election of 1890 Recorder Prince was elected Justice of Third Township, and on January 1, 1891, lie resigned the office of recorder to accept that of Justice of the Peace.

He is President of Parlor No. 35, N. S. G. W.; District Deputy Grand President of the Young Men's Institute of California, and Chief Ranger of the Fresno Court of the Independent Order of Foresters.

Hon. D. M. Pyle

Hon. D. M. Pyle, of Mountain View, Kern County, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, where he was born April 20, 1851. His father, William Pyle, a farmer by occupation, came to California in 1852 and located at Sutterville, three miles below Sacramento, and in 1855, when our subject was four years old, his mother brought him and sister to California, where they joined the head of the family. The latter died in March, 1890, sixty-six years of age. He had eleven children, eight of whom reached maturity, and seven are still living.

The subject of this sketch was educated at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara, California. After leaving college he learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked three years. He then taught school between four and five years in Santa Clara County. In 1871 he married Miss Mary, the daughter of Hon. Thomas Rea, of Gilroy. Mr. Pyle engaged in the stock and dairy business some six years at Gilroy, during which time he was elected to the State Assembly, where he served in the regular session of 1885 and in the extra session of 1886. In 1886 he was elected Supreme Representative of the American Legion of Honor of the State of California, and was present at the session of the Council which convened in Boston. After making a general tour of the United States he returned, and in February, 1887, he moved to Kern County, locating at Mountain View, eight miles and a half southwest of Bakersfield, where he is engaged in the nursery business.

He is a man of practical business affairs, a first-class agriculturist and a recognized authority on horticulture. He has recently been selected to represent Kern County on the State Board of Horticulture. As a legislator for Santa Clara County Mr. Pyle displayed much administrative ability Being well educated, intelligent and of the strictest integrity, he is held in the highest estimation by all who know him.

Francis Rea is an early settler of that portion of Tulare County lying three miles northwest of the village of Traver. He came to California in 1872, and to his present ranch in 1874, ten years previous to the birth of Traver. Other settlers came at the same time, but the country was so dry and the prospects for the future so poor that they soon became discouraged and left, and he was laughed at for remaining. To his original 160 acres of land he has since added other tracts, until he is now the owner of 720 acres, that, with the growth of the county and the introduction of water for irrigation, has become quite valuable, worth at least $50 per acre. Thus have his staying qualities and his persistent efforts been rewarded.

Mr. Rea was born in Macon County, Illinois, June 9, 1845. His grandparents, James and Hannah (Hutsinpetter) Rea, were early settlers of Virginia, and his great-grandfather and great-grandmother were born in the Old Dominion, the former named Edward Rea, and the latter was a Miss Elizabeth Patton before her marriage. Francis Rea's father, William Rea, a native of Ohio, married Mary Howell, and Francis is the oldest of their six children, only three of whom are now living. He was reared in Illinois and educated in the public schools of that State, finishing his education in the Lombard University, Galesburg. David Rea, the second son, served three years in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, volunteering at the age of fifteen years; was honorably discharged. After returning home in 1867, married Mary Loudenback, of Ohio.

In 1862, when a boy of sixteen, Mr. Francis Rea enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and during his service in the war saw much of hard fighting; participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and in the series of battles in Sherman's campaign to Atlanta, besides many other lesser fights. At the battle of Eztra Church he was in a shower of bullets, and after coming out of the engagement his clothing was found to have been perforated with twenty-seven ball holes. What is wonderful to relate, he was uninjured. A more remarkable escape from death is not on record. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, returned to Illinois and took a course in the university at Galesburg. He was then engaged in agricultural pursuits in that State until 1872, the year in which he came to California.

Arrived here, he located in Santa Clara County, and two years later came to his present ranch. When he settled here he had just money enough to build a shanty and buy provisions for six months. For a time he had difficulty to get along, but he held out bravely, and his persistent efforts have been crowned with success. While he has been chiefly engaged in wheat raising, he is now turning his attention to fruit culture, having planted an orchard and vineyard.

Mr. Rea was married, in Illinois, in 1856, to Miss Mattie Ehrhart, a native of that State, of Virginia ancestry. They have had eight children. One of the sons, Clarence Wilbur, died when fifteen years of age. Roy was drowned and Ethel died at the age of four months. The surviving children are Clara, wife of Benjamin Blincoe; Edgar, Francis Leo, D. Bunn and Neva.

Mr. Rea is a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has served as Chaplain and is at present Quartermaster of the post; has also served as senior Vice-Commander, and has the honor of having been a member of the first post organized in Illinois.

W. W. Rea was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1854. His father, D. L. Rea, a merchant tailor by trade, came to California in 1868, and engaged in the stock business in San Joaquin and Tulare counties. W. W. Rea was educated in the public schools of Stockton, and in 1873 came to Tulare as clerk in the store of Sisson, Wallace & Co., pioneer merchants of the town. He remained in their employ until 1881, when, on account of too close confinement and failing health, he resigned. In order to get plenty of fresh air and out-door life, he accepted a position as brakeman with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, running between Tulare and Lathrop; seven months later was promoted to freight conductor, and served in that capacity until 1883, when he resigned to accept the appointment of under sheriff for M. J. Wells, of Visalia. Office work again impaired his health, and after one year's work he was appointed field deputy in the county assessor's office, filling the position until 1885; returned to railroad work as freight conductor, and in 1888 was promoted to passenger conductor, which he followed until November 1, 1890. At that time he bought out the livery business of N. W. Hammond, Tulare street, Tulare. Mr. Rea keeps twenty horses for livery purposes, and with light and heavy wagons is prepared for every line of his business. In the city election of April, 1891, Mr. Rea was elected a member of the city council from the third ward.

He was married in Tulare in 1878 to Miss Inez C. Carey, and has one child, Gardell, born in 1880.

Mr. Rea is a member of Tulare Lodge, No. 78, K. of P.; is secretary of Division No. 46, Brotherhood of Railway Conductors; and second officer in Valley Oak Camp, No. 75, Woodsmen of the World.

James Scobie, deceased, was one of the respected pioneers of the Agua Caliente valley, Kern County, California.

He was born in Ireland, March 17, 1828; spent six years as a sailor before the mast; came to America in 1851, and direct to California. After his arrival in this State, Mr. Scobie worked for General Banning of Los Angeles, driving stage between that town and Wilmington and San Pedro in 1853, remaining in his employ some years. In 1865 he located the place in Caliente which his widow now owns and occupies. In 1870 be went to Inyo County and entered a merchandising business at Lagunita, Little Lake post office. He, however, returned to the homestead, and died in Walker's Basin, February 11, 1888.

He was married, January 4, 1876, to Miss Lizzie McGurck, daughter of Andrew McGurck deceased, a pioneer of Walker's Basin. This union was blessed with one son, James, who is now a bright lad of ten years. Mrs. Scobie has successfully conducted the ranch and stock business since her husband's death, besides selling merchandise. She has thus shown herself to be a woman of affairs, having keen business judgment and foresight.

William A. Sims

William A. Sims, a prosperous and much respected rancher of Famersville, Tulare County, California, was born in Greene County, Illinois, January 20, 1846. His father, Augustine Sims, was born in Kentucky, June 29, 1805, and on June 29, 1826, was united in marriage with Mary Ann Redman, also a native of Kentucky. They removed to Illinois, and in 1869 to California. At this writing, (1891) they reside in Sacramento. Of the eleven children born to them, seven are still living, one died in infancy, and their son John Fletcher was killed by the Apache Indians. William A., the tenth born, was reared on his father's farm, attended the public schools, and at the age of twenty was married to Miss Josephine Woodman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Nelson Woodman. They sold their farm in Illinois and came to California in 1869.

After his arrival in this State, Mr. Sims settled on the Sacramento river and farmed there five years; he sold out, removed to Sonoma County, and resided there one year; in 1875 he came to his present ranch, half a mile south of Farmersville and seven miles from Visalia. Here he owns a choice farm of 320 acres, where he is successfully engaged in general farming, and on which, in 1888, he built a nice residence. Their children are all natives of the Golden West, and are named as follows: Eulo Lee, Winfield A., Volney A., Josephine, Lenora, Ava, Commodore W. and Lela.

Mr. Sims is a Prohibitionist, a prominent member of the Farmers' Alliance and the Industrial Union, and is one of the representative farmers of Tulare County.

L. P. St. Clair was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1831. His parents both died when he was young and he moved with his grandfather, Philip Covert, to southern Ohio, where he received his early schooling, living on a farm until sixteen years of age. In the spring of 1849 he went to Iowa, worked on a farm near Burlington awhile and then learned the blacksmith's trade. In March, 1852, he left Burlington and started across the plains on foot, driving an ox team part of the way. There were three wagons in the train and eleven people, three of whom were women, who, of course, rode in the wagons. None of the party except the subject of this sketch are now in the State. They arrived at the head waters of the Feather river August 1, 1852.

Mr. St.Clair went to work mining on Feather river where he had fair success for a few weeks, when he resolved to set out for the mines of Australia, but got no further than Sacramento, and finally gave up the trip.

He spent the winter of 1852-53 in Auburn and vicinity. The following spring he went to the Middle fork of the American river. He tried mining a short time, and then engaged in the butchering business at Volcanoville, El Dorado County. He continued in this business till 1856, when he sold out and bought a tannery on Otter creek in company with Judge Aaron Bell, now of Shasta County. This proving a failure he returned next year to butchering. In 1859 he went to the town of Red Dog, in Nevada County, following the butchering business for a year or more, and then went to Dutch Flat in Placer County; but he soon returned to Red Dog. In 1856 he went East on a two years' visit. On his return to California he located in Dutch Flat and followed the butcher's trade till in the fall of 1887, when he came to Bakersfield and engaged in the same occupation a year where he has developed one of the most important and successful public enterprises of Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Electric Light & Gas Company, of which he is the manager and controlling spirit, and of which more extended mention appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. St. Clair was married, in 1869, to Miss Mary F. Dunn and they have four children.

William T. Suttenfield

William T. Suttenfield is a native of California, born in Mariposa County, March 12, 1861. His father, now a resident of San Bernardino County, was a pioneer, coming to the State in 1849 and engaging in the stock business. William T. was educated in the city of Stockton, which was the family home for a number of years. After completing his studies he went to Nevada, where, like his father, he gave his time and attention to stock-raising. Four years later he returned to Stockton and engaged in the lumber business, in which he has been interested ever since with the exception of one year he spent in San Bernardino County. At Stockton he was in the employ of Messrs. Moore & Smith for three years; became a skilled lumberman and was popular with his employers. It was in 1889 that he came to Selma and purchased the interest of D. B. Stephens, the pioneer lumberman of the town, and since then has successfully carried on his business here, greatly enlarging, the business so that at present it is a very profitable one.

Mr. Suttenfield has a twenty-acre raisin vineyard near Selma, one year old, which will yield its owner a good profit the coming season. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Mr. Suttenfield is unmarried.

J. B. Swearingen

J. B. Swearingen, a prominent citizen of Bakersfield, first came to California from Missouri in 1854. He was born near Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri, November 1, 1834. His father was a native of Maryland, but moved to Kentucky when five years of age, thence to Missouri in 1818. He had ten children who grew to maturity--seven sons and three daughters.

The subject of this notice, the sixth child, was educated at Pleasant Green College. When twenty years of age he crossed the plains by what was known as the Central route. He followed mining about fifteen years, with varied success, in Nevada County, California, at Grass Valley, Nevada City, etc. In 1875 he was Under Sheriff of Inyo County, and since then he has been engaged mostly in the hotel business, having been manager of the Bishop's Creek Hotel eight years, of the Lowry House of San Luis Obispo, and later of the Occidental Hotel at Ventura several years. In February, 1890, he came to Bakersfield; but he first came to Kern County in 1865 and prospected in gold for about two years in the Havilah district, afterward going to San Luis.

He was married to Mrs. Sarah Hughes, in 1875. They have no children.

Mr. Swearingen is the present popular and genial landlord of the Cosmopolitan Hotel at Bakersfield. His reputation as a good hotel man having followed him to Bakersfield, his house is the popular stopping place and home for a large number of California pioneers and business men.

R. R. Taylor, one of the enterprising farmers of the Tehachapi valley, Kern County, California, is a native of Texas. He was born March 24, 1846, and at the age of twenty-two years left his native State and came to California. His father, W. w. Taylor, a native of Georgia and a farmer by occupation, located in Texas and finally came with his family to El Monte, California, late in 1871, where he died soon after his arrival. Seven of his nine children lived to maturity, and of the seven R. R. is the fourth born.

From 1878 to 1886 Mr. Taylor resided in Los Angeles County; returned to Kern County and located at Tehachapi. He first purchased land and lived in Cummings valley. Selling his farm there, he bought 640 acres of school land three miles east of Tehachapi Station. He has also leased other lands, and now has 1,750 acres of wheat and about 500 acres of barley, keeping sixty head of cattle and forty work horses.

Mr. Taylor married Miss Julia Wiggins, daughter of Marion Wiggins, Esq., of Tehachapi, April 4, 1872. They have four children: William, Bessie, Mary and Albert.

There is not a pioneer of Kern County whose name is more familiar throughout Central California than that of D. W. Walser. His life in California has been a most active, and in part a successful, one. He came to Kern County a young man when the country was new and undeveloped, and has taken a prominent part in its advancement.

He was born in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, February 9, 1834. His father was reared on the Yadkin river in North Carolina, where our subject's grandparents lived during the Revolutionary war, his ancestors taking a prominent part in that war, and also in the war of 1812.

Mr. Walser crossed the plains from Missouri to California in 1852 with an ox team, spending four months and seventeen days in making the trip. He located. in El Dorado County, and for four years was engaged in the placer mines with varied successes and reverses, "nearly always reverses." He has said that he reflects upon those four years as being nearest a failure of any four years of' his life, as he came out of the mines without having obtained either "fun, money or glory." In 1856 he went to Tulare County and worked for wages at "Cow Town," now Visalia. That county then cast only about 300 votes. He soon purchased beef steers, drove them to the mines and sold them, which business he continued until 1864. That year he was married to Miss Mary Lightner, daughter of Abia T. Lightner of Walker's Basin, Kern County, and that same year came to his present location. His place for many years prior to that time was known as Harmon's hay grounds. Here he embarked in stock-raising, and has made the business, with that of farming, a signal success. In 1866 he was appointed one of four commissioners to organize Kern County, to be taken front Tulare and Los Angeles counties, and in July of that year the board met at Havilah and appointed the first officers to hold an election and divide the county into voting precincts. With some of the most important business enterprises in the county he has been prominently connected; is one of the organizers of and a stockholder in the Batik of Bakersfield, an institution of $250,000 capital; and, in company with S. W. Wible and J. J. Mack, is helping to develop one of the largest fruit farms in Central California, a detailed mention of which will be found in a biography of' Mr. Wible in this work.

Hr. Walser is a man of strong traits of character. He is a utilitarian in the most practical sense of the word. He believes in and encourages industry and frugality, and has little respect for the half-hearted worker and producer, and no use at all for a lazy man. He holds very decided and sometimes radical opinions on the topics of the day, and, as a rule, is outspoken and "square-toed" in expressing them.

The Walser home is most picturesque in its location, the residence being one of the finest and most complete in its interior arrangements in Kern County. Mrs. Walser, like other members of her father's family, grew up in Kern County, she being only ten years of age when they located at old Keysville. At the Lightner home good books suited to both the young and the old were ever in reach of all, and the children almost unconsciously became self-taught. The influence of good literature is consequently seen and enjoyed in her home. The "latch string" of the Walser abode is always out, the stranger receives kind treatment there, and friends and acquaintances are sure of a royal welcome.

Wade J. Williams

Wade J. Williams, proprietor of the Union Market, Fresno, was born in Vacaville, Solano County, California, in 1863. His father, M. L. Williams, a farmer and extensive stock dealer, now resides in Fresno County. Wade J. received a public- school education, and at the age of sixteen entered upon a business career. He purchased a little band of sheep, and, as his own shepherd, attended their wanderings from King's to San Joaquin river, and from. the Sierras to the Coast Range. He followed this industry about nine years, with a flock numbering from 3,000 to 15,000 head. In 1888 he sold his sheep and engaged in butchering. He purchased the market and business of M. Madison, No. 1938 Mariposa street, and about twelve days later his market was totally destroyed by fire. Nothing daunted, he resumed business and has since carried it on successfully. Mr. Williams has some real-estate interests here, owning eighty acres in vineyard, adjoining the Barton vineyard, and also having town property.

He is a Native Son of the Golden West, and is associated with Fresno Parlor, No. 25. Mr. Williams was married in Fresno in 1888, to Miss Alice McSweegan.

Daniel Wood, a highly respected and widely known early settler of California, came to the State in 1850.

Mr. Wood was born in Le Roy, Genesee County, New York, August 6, 1820, son of Daniel and Sally (Robinson) Wood, natives of Vermont. On the maternal side he is a descendant of the Pilgrim fathers. Mr. and Mrs. Wood had a family of six children, and they removed from -New York to Rochester, Racine County, Wisconsin, when the subject of this sketch was nineteen years of age. He continued to reside there until 1850, when he came to California, arriving at Hangtown August 26. He saw Chicago as early as 1839.

Like nearly all the others who came to California during the years that immediately followed the gold discovery, Mr. Wood had his experience in the mines, without any remarkable success, however. He also worked at saw milling. In 1860 be came to Tulare County, and in 1863 purchased his present ranch of 160 acres. Since then he has purchased and sold land several times. He also sold a portion of his first purchase, retaining 104 acres of well watered, black sandy loam, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Thirty acres are devoted to vines and stone fruits, and the rest to hay and grain. Mr. Wood is having remarkable success as a horticulturist, and relates something of his first experience in fruit culture. Other crops had failed on account of dry years; he was $2,000 in debt, was greatly discouraged, and turned his attention to his present occupation as a last resort. He planted two acres of strawberries, and in one year they brought him an income of $1,600. From that small beginning he has increased his operations, and his land is now worth a fortune to him.

Mr. Wood was married January 1, 1865, to Miss Carrie Goldthait, who was born in Indiana and reared in California, her father, John Goldthait, having brought his family to this State in 1853. He is a veteran of the late war, and is now a resident of Salt Lake City. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood ten children were born, all native sons and daughters of the golden West. Two are deceased, and the others reside with their parents. Their names are as follows: Daniel G., George W., Rose M., Lillie A., May, Stella, Edna and Edward. Mr. Wood was converted at the age of fifteen, and became a member of the Baptist Church. The church of that denomination in Visalia having gone down, he united with the Methodist Episcopal, and has long been an active and useful member, holding the offices of trustee and steward. He is also a licensed exhorter; is a Prohibitionist, and gives his earnest support to the temperance work.

Mr. Wood has vivid recollections of his trip across the plains, and relates in a most interesting manner many reminiscences of the journey. Their party consisted of six men, seven horses and two wagons. Rochester, Wisconsin, was their starting place, and on the way they encountered many hardships. They were attacked by the cholera, and his brother in-law died and was buried oil the plains. Long before they reached their destination their provisions gave out, and they were much reduced for want of food. At one time, on the desert, they paid a bit a glass for stale water, and were glad to get it at that. For a sack of flour he gave $50 in gold. The flour was made into pancakes, and each one was given an allowance. Before reaching Hangtown they sold their last horse for $3, and when they arrived there Mr. Wood had only money enough left to buy a watermelon, which was a most salutary repast.

During the forty-one years of his residence here Mr. Wood has witnessed the phenomenal changes California has undergone, and, like all good citizens, is justly proud of the great State in which he lives. He taught school several years in Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties, and for several years was a Justice of the Peace at Visalia.

Leroy N. Wood, a prominent business man of Visalia,, Tulare County, California, is a native of the State of New York, born November 17, 1852. His ancestors were English people who settled in this country many years ago and became residents of New York and Massachusetts. His father, Norman Wood, a native of New York, married Miss Louisa Roper, who was born in Pennsylvania. Her ancestors also came from England and settled in America during colonial times. To Norman and Louisa Wood five children were born, Leroy being the second.

Mr. Wood was reared and educated in Sank County, Wisconsin. he learned the mercantile business in Beatrice, Nebraska, and clerked there from 1872 till 1874. He then came to California, spent two years as a clerk in Bakersfield, Kern County, after which he opened a store on his own account at Glennville and was successfully engaged in business there from 1877 till 1883. At the end of that time he sold out and moved to Gilroy, Santa Clara County, where he conducted business seven years, at the same time being interested in a business at San Francisco.

In 1890 Mr. Wood came to Visalia and purchased the business of Stevens & Co., one of the leading general merchandise firms of Visalia. This store is a double one and is 113 feet deep, and in the rear of it is a store house, 60 x 100 feet. He does a large business, employs eleven men, and has a trade that extends out fifty miles to the east.

Mr. Wood was married in 1877, to Miss Mary Campbell, a native of California. They have five children, all born in this State, viz.: Mark, Ford, Norm, Julia and Louisa.

In his political views Mr. Wood is a Republican and a protectionist. He is associated with the I. O.O. F. Although he has been a resident of Visalia only a short time, he has made many friends here, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

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