USA > California > Merced County > A history of Merced County, California : with a biographical review of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 64
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which he had purchased through the representations of N. O. Hult- berg and A. Hallner, promotors of the colony. They began making improvements and in order to have water for their use they had to carry it from the well of C. A. Lundell three quarters of a mile away. This continued until he had sunk his own well, securing water for all needs at a depth of forty-one and one half feet. He also built his home and outbuildings. This worthy couple have had eight children, viz. : Emma, who died at the age of sixteen and one half years ; Albert, a graduate of the Hilmar High School, class of 1923; Hilda, a pupil in the Hilmar High School, class of 1925; Leonard, also in the high school; and Esther, Wallace, Edith and Martin, pupils of the gram- mar school. Mr. Sward received his citizenship papers at Omaha, Nebr., in 1903, and exercises his right of franchise by supporting men and measures he considers best for the greatest number. Mr. and Mrs. Sward helped organize the South Elim school district and are in favor of the best obtainable for the children to get their start in life.
JESSE DALLAS WOOD
Occupying a position of prominence and influence among the citi- zens of Merced is Jesse Dallas Wood who, since 1920, has occupied the important position of mayor of the city. In 1906 he was elected city clerk of Merced and at the end of his term of two years was reelected and served until 1920, when he was elected a city trustee and appointed by the board as chairman, which carries with it the office of mayor ; he was reappointed again in 1922. He is esteemed for his worth as an earnest, practical business man and a citizen who has always manifested the greatest interest in the general welfare of the community in which he has resided for so many years. He is a native Californian, born in Sonoma County, October 9, 1877, a son of M. D. Wood, whose sketch may also be found in this history. While still a lad, Jesse Dallas Wood accompanied his parents to Merced and in this thriving city he received his education in the grammar and high school; then for one year he was connected with a wholesale house in San Francisco. He returned to Merced, where since 1899 he has been associated with the Balfour, Guthrie Company, first as a bookkeeper ; and rising steadily he became their local agent in 1907, which re- sponsible position he still holds.
In 1900, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Daisy Ansley, born in San Francisco, and educated in the schools of San Francisco and Merced. Two children have been born of this union. Jesse Shirley is a student at the Stanford University, Palo Alto, Cal .; and Marjorie is in the high school in Merced. Since 1912 Mr. Wood
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has been the junior member of the draying firm of French & Wood, conducting a successful hauling business in Merced and vicinity. In politics Mr. Wood is a stanch Democrat; fraternally he is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and Native Sons, and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Merced. He is vitally interested in the welfare of his community and spares no effort to aid in its growth and advancement along all lines. Personally he is pleasant and genial, with a fine regard for the feelings of others, and he has many friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.
LESTER EUGENE WHITE
Although a young man, Lester Eugene White has attained to a position in the mercantile and horticultural industries of which he may feel proud. While he has been practically reared in the mercan- tile business, yet his success has been the reward of perseverance and industry. His birth occurred at Los Banos, Cal., August 24, 1892, a son of William T. White, whose interesting sketch will be found in this history.
Lester Eugene White received his education in the Los Banos Grammar School and the schools of San Luis Obispo, graduating in 1911 from the California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo after com- pleting the mechanical course which included civil engineering, me- chanical and electrical engineering. In the same year of his graduation he entered the county surveyor's office in Merced, where he held the position of draftsman and assisted in field work, remaining in that office until 1913 when he went to work in the county clerk's office, occupying a position until December, 1916. He then entered the employ of White & Crowell at Livingston and was in the dry goods department until his enlistment August 24, 1917, at San Francisco, entering the 117th Regiment of Engineers of the 42nd Division, known as the Rainbow Division. He was one of the three first men from Merced County to go across to France and served on the follow- ing fronts : Luneville Sector from February 28 to March 21, 1918; Baccarat Sector from April 1 to June 16, 1918; defense of Cham- pagne, from July 1 to July 18; the Chateau. Thierry front from July 26 to August 10, 1918. Then he served in the St. Mihiel Salient from September 12 to September 30; then to the front west of the Meuse River, October 13-31; and in the Argonne, November 1-8. On the 11th of November, 1918, he was on the Meuse River near Sedan when the armistice was signed. On November 16, being re- equipped, his company hiked through Luxemburg, up the Rhine, and was with the Army of Occupation until February 19, 1919, when
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they moved up to Kritz, on the Rhine, and were there until April 10 of the same year, when they were ordered home. They embarked at Brest on April 17, and landed at Hoboken on the 28th; they were at Camp Merritt, N. J., until May 12, when they left for the Presidio, S. F., arriving there on May 17, and on the 20th he was honorably discharged and the same day returned to his home at Livingston. Mr. White serves as secretary-treasurer of the White- Crowell Company, Inc., and also conducts a fire insurance agency, representing the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company of San Fran- cisco; the Hartford Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn .; Fidelity-Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of New York; and the Liberty Underwriters of Sacramento, Cal.
On April 20, 1920, Mr. White was married to Miss Louise M. Stayton, born at Fresno, Cal., a daughter of J. W. and Laura (Brazee) Stayton. Her father, J. W. Stayton spent his active years in the painting and decorating business and is now living retired in Fresno, Cal. Mr. White owns a twenty-acre vineyard within the city limits of Livingston on which he expects to build a fine country home in the near future. Fraternally, he belongs to Merced Lodge No. 1240, B. P. O. Elks; and is an active member of the Boosters' Club of Livingston.
HANS J. RAVEN
The qualities which made Hans Raven the efficient and capable superintendent of the cattle department of Miller and Lux's large cattle ranches were inherited from a Danish ancestry. His parents, Iver and Mary (Lauritzen) Raven, both came from Denmark and were living in Des Moines County, Iowa, when their son Hans was born. The father was a farmer and moved with his family to Watsonville, Cal., in 1885, and from there to Los Banos in 1890, and here the father died; the mother is still living in Oakland at the age of seventy-one. Hans is the eldest of five children. The others are : Louis P. and Gertrude, Mrs. Conrad of Oakland; Anna, Mrs. Crowley, of San Francisco; and Carl, deceased.
Hans J. Raven, after two or three years schooling in Watson- ville, started to work for himself, at the age of fifteen, on ranches and for the last thirty-three years has been with Miller and Lux. He is at present the superintendent of the cattle department of Miller and Lux. He owns a ten-acre orchard of prunes on Saratoga Avenue, near Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, also a fifty-two acre dairy farm four miles out of Los Banos, which he leases.
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On July 2, 1902, Mr. Raven was married to Miss Lillian Irene Lenhouts, a native of Iowa, the daughter of Pete Lenhouts, a farmer of Iowa. There are two daughters of this union, Edna and Irene Bernice. Politically, Mr. Raven supports the nominees of the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Los Banos, and of the B. P. O. Elks of San Jose.
AXEL YOUNGBORG
The well-known firm of Youngborg Bros., who operate and own two dairy farms in the Hilmar Colony, is composed of August and Axel Youngborg, hard-working, intelligent and successful men. They came together to the Hilmar Colony, from Stanton, Iowa, in 1903 and have worked together in harmony and have been leaders in the Hilmar Colony since their arrival. August is single and a maiden sister keeps house for him. Axel has a wife and family and holds several honorable positions. He is secretary of the Farmer's Union Telephone Lines, organized May 11, 1909, with the following offi- cers : A. Hallner, president; J. P. Snugg, vice-president; Axel Young- borg, secretary; and O. A. Lundell, treasurer. It was started with sixty members, each paying in $36.25, was incorporated with a capi- tal stock of $25,000, the paid-up stock being $8181, par value one dollar a share. The present officers are D. E. Johnson, president ; Harry Simms, vice-president; Axel Youngborg, secretary and treas- urer. In addition to the above there is a board of directors consisting of F. A. Heil, Andrew Schendel and Albert Peterson.
Axel Youngborg was born in Sweden, on April 24, 1878, was brought to America in 1882, by his parents, who settled in Stanton, Iowa, where they farmed. The father is living in the Hilmar Colony at the age of eighty-three. The mother died here in August, 1922, seventy-nine years old. There were seven children in the family, as follows: Charles and Frank, twins; August, who owns eighty acres in the colony; Hannah, Mrs. Axel Tedborg, of Stanton, Iowa; Axel, our subject; Huldah, who keeps house for August; Emma, now Mrs. Sederquist in the Hilmar Colony.
Axel Youngborg grew up on his father's farm in Stanton, Iowa, attended the common schools, and later took a commercial course in Boyles Commercial College, in Omaha, Nebr. After graduating he and his brother August came to the Hilmar Colony in California, bought land and set at work at once to improve it. He was made sec- retary of the Mission Church in Hilmar and has held the office for many years. He helped organize the Hilmar Mutual Fire Insurance Company and is its vice-president and has served in some official capacity ever since its organization; he helped also to organize the
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Farmer's Union Telephone Lines and has been its secretary continu- ously since its organization.
Axel Youngborg was married on June 16, 1909 to Miss Ruth Lindholm, a native of Marinette, Wis., a daughter of Rev. J. E. Lindholm, a retired preacher living in Santa Cruz. There are five children of this union, Marian, Pauline, Franklin, Esther and Donald. Politically, Mr. Youngborg supports the men and measures of the Republican party.
J. EMMETT MCNAMARA
The real estate interests of Merced, Merced County, and vicinity are well represented by J. Emmett McNamara, one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of this place, who carries with him in his work the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a native son of California, born at Selma, Fresno County, August 8, 1892, a son of John H. and Sarah J. (McGinn) McNamara, natives of Ireland and California respectively. Grand- father John McGinn was a pioneer in the Mother Lode country in the gold days. John H. McNamara came to California in 1882, when he was about eighteen years old; he died in February, 1924, aged sixty years, and was among the oldest residents of Merced and did his share in the development of the county.
J. Emmett McNamara attended grammar and high school in Merced; then went to Oakland, Cal., and in 1912 was graduated from the high school there and four years later he was graduated from St. Mary's College in Oakland. He then entered the Hastings Law School, where he spent one year. Returning to Merced, where his parents were residing, he became deputy county clerk; after four months of service he enlisted in the Navy and for eighteen months was on board the U. S. S. Invincible; he was discharged in New York in December, 1918. Returning to California he entered the employ of Hind-Rolph & Co. and soon thereafter was sent to Merced to take charge of their property interests in this place, which he is still handling. In May, 1922 he organized the firm of McNamara & Company, Inc .; this company specializes in opening up additions and putting land under cultivation preparatory to selling. Among the subdivisions are Hind Irrigated Lands, Boulevard Acres, and the Ragsdale Subdivision.
The marriage of Mr. McNamara united him with Miss Hazel Clark of Oakland and they had one child, Carmel. Mrs. McNamara passed away in December, 1921. Fraternally, Mr. McNamara be- longs to the Elks and Knights of Columbus, Third Degree ; he is a past
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commander of American Legion Post No. 83; he also belongs to Yosemite Parlor No. 24, N. S. G. W. He prefers to vote indepen- dently of any party restrictions. While in college he was the manager of athletics at St. Mary's College in Oakland and still takes a de- cided interest in all healthful sports.
FRANK D. ROBINSON
Commercial activity in Merced finds a worthy representative in Frank D. Robinson, who has been engaged as a commercial photo- grapher for the past thirteen years at this place, where he has built up a far-reaching and satisfactory business, his work extending over the entire county. He is a native of the county, born near Merced Falls, on March 17, 1875, a son of Dr. William and Malissa (Yon- ker) Robinson, whose sketch may also be found in this work.
Frank D. Robinson received a public school education and while the greater part of his life has been spent on a farm he has been employed in various lines of work, broom making, smithing and mill- ing; he learned mineralogy in the old Mariposa Mine. Since taking up commercial photography he has been content to make Merced his permanent home.
Mr. Robinson's marriage united him with Miss Edith Gann, a daughter of Eli Gann, a California pioneer of Mariposa County. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were the parents of one son, Ernest Alton, who was accidentally killed when only eighteen years of age. Mr. Robinson is independent in his political views, voting for the man best fitted for office, rather than be confined to strict party lines. Fraternally he is a member of Willow Lodge No. 121, I. O. O. F., of Snelling, in which he is a Past Grand; he also belongs to Yosemite Lodge No. 30, K. of P., of Merced.
FLORSILIN D. MEDLIN, JR.
As the son of one of the pioneer grain ranchers of the San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Medlin has passed most of his life in Merced County, and he is now one of the prominent business men of the Los Banos and Dos Palos districts. Born in Los Banos, on March 10, 1893, he is a son of F. D. and Jennie (Koepf) Medlin, both natives of Tennessee, and the latter still living to enjoy the fruits of their early labors. The father came to California some fifty years ago, and for many years was a grain farmer on the west side of the valley; he lived to reach
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almost eighty years, dying in Dos Palos in August, 1924. Eleven children were born to F. D. and Jennie Medlin; the nine now living are : E. G., of Fresno; R. B., of Los Banos; C. Y., of Dos Palos; W. G., of Sacramento; M. M., of Dos Palos; P. E., of Sacramento; Mrs. B. F. Smith, of Tracy ; F. D., of Los Banos; and Mrs. Carroll Jones, of Fresno.
Florsilin D. Medlin got his early schooling at the McGill School, near Los Banos, and also attended schools in Los Banos, Newman, and Gustine, finishing at the Dos Palos High School. He then took a course at the Barnes School of Embalming, in San Francisco, and gained practical experience with Halstead and Company, in that city. Returning to Dos Palos, he opened a furniture store and undertaking business, which he later sold out, and bought the undertaking business of W. J. Stockton, of Los Banos, which he has since operated as a first-class establishment, also maintaining a branch at Dos Palos. He has always carried on his work in the most conscientious manner pos- sible, using modern methods, and the aids which science has brought to bear on this most necessary work for humanity. In the years he has been in business he has gained the respect and confidence of his community as a man of fine character and high ideals.
The marriage of Mr. Medlin, occurring in Dos Palos on August 17, 1915, united him with Margaret C. Mason, a native of Santa Cruz, and two children have been born to them, Thaylia and Garna. Prominent fraternally, Mr. Medlin is a member of Los Banos Lodge No. 312, F. & A. M .; Merced Chapter No. 12, R. A. M .; Centinella Chapter No. 136, O. E. S .; Mountain Brow Lodge No. 82, I. O. O. F. of Los Banos ; Merced Parlor No. 24., N. S. G. W .; and U. P. E. C., Los Banos Council.
J. R. CORNETT
Noteworthy among leading citizens and business men of Merced is J. R. Cornett, a man of more than average intelligence and ability, who is engaged in the insurance business and is also actively interested in the agricultural development of this section. He is one of Cali- fornia's native sons, born on his father's ranch in Mariposa County, May 10, 1877. His parents, H. W. and Mary F. (Wills) Cornett, are of eastern birth but were brought across the plains to California while still small children; the father owned and operated a large ranch in Mariposa County.
J. R. Cornett first attended the rural school adjacent to the home ranch; then he entered the Pacific Methodist College in Santa Rosa, and after finishing school he taught for a couple of terms. Then he
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concluded he would try his luck at mining, which engaged him for a few years; he then returned to the home ranch and for several years was associated with his parents in farming.
The marriage of Mr. Cornett united him with Miss Sadie Louise Owen, a daughter of R. T. Owen, a pioneer of Fresno County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cornett have been born one son, Owen Walter. Since locating in Merced, Mr. Cornett has become an active factor in its development and prosperity and is now serving his second term as a member of the city council. He is a Democrat in politics and gives his hearty support to the local Chamber of Commerce in all move- ments inaugurated for the advancement of the city and county. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Masons, the Native Sons and the Elks, all of Merced.
DR. GEORGE INGRAM DEANE
Although born in San Francisco, Dr. Deane can really call Mer- ced County his home ; for he is the descendant of a well-known family of this section, who for three generations have been a part of the upbuilding of Merced County. Born in San Francisco, on March 19, 1890, G. I. Deane is the son of George C. and Clara (Ruby) Deane. The father, a native of Merced County, born in the Cotton- wood district, was one of the first men to run a threshing machine in this section of the State. Grandfather B. H. Deane settled in Merced County in 1850, and was one of the early miners at Copper- opolis, in the mountains, later devoting his time to agriculture. In 1892, B. H. Deane, in company with his sons George C. and Charles H., colonized Deane Colony. Dr. Deane's mother, Clara Ruby Deane, was also of an early pioneer family. Her parents crossed the plains in 1855 to reach the far west frontier, and her birth occurred in Shasta County. She now resides in San Francisco. G. C. Deane passed away February 16, 1924.
George Ingram Deane was educated in the grammar and high schools of Merced, and he then entered and was later graduated from the College of Optometry of San Francisco, and also took a postgraduate course in the Los Angeles College of his profession. He first practiced in Richmond, Cal., for one year, and then opened his office in Merced, where he has gained the confidence of a large clientele as a man who thoroughly understands his work and gives it his entire attention. He has served one term as president of the California State Association of Optometrists, and he was sent to Chicago and New York as a special delegate to the Educational Congress.
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The marriage of Dr. Deane, which occurred June 28, 1911, united him with Miss Louise Wright, of Newman, Cal., a native daughter. Fraternally, the doctor belongs to the Masons, the Eastern Star, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Odd Fellows, and has been through all the chairs of the last two orders. He is a mem- ber of the Rotary Club. In professional organizations he belongs to the Central California Association of Optometrists, the California State Association of Optometrists and the American Optometric Association.
CLAUD HENRY McCRAY
In the ranks of good citizenship, Merced has enrolled a large num- ber of capable and conscientious citizens, among whom is Claud Henry McCray, district attorney of Merced County. Energetic, progressive, and possessing the sound judgment and executive ability necessary for conducting the legal affairs of the county, he has won for himself the esteem of its citizens. He was born and reared in the State of New York, a son of L. P. and Emma ( Blakeslee) McCray. The father was a practicing physician for years, and he served two years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Chautauqua County, New York. He died in 1924, aged seventy-four; the mother is also deceased. After completing the grammar and high school courses in his native State, Claud Henry McCray entered Hobart College, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1907; then he entered the George Washington University at Washington, D. C., from which he received the degree of LL. D. In 1911, and immedi- ately following the completion of his course, he began the practice of his profession in New York State, where he continued for one year. In the early part of 1913 Mr. McCray located in Merced and established a law office; in 1914 he was elected district attorney of the county and served for four years. In 1918 he entered the army and after his discharge returned to Merced, and in 1922 he was again elected district attorney. Mr. McCray is endowed with marked natural ability which has been augmented by a thorough training and years of practical experience, all of which serves to make of him an efficient public official.
The marriage of Claud H. McCray united him with Miss Mayme Barney, a daughter of a prominent rancher residing in Merced County. Fraternally, Mr. McCray is affiliated with the Masons, the Elks, the Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, and he belongs to the Merced Chamber of Commerce. During the World War, Mr. McCray enlisted in the U. S. Army but his service was on this side of the water.
J. P Colich
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TOM P. POLICH
Among the busy business men of California, one who has made his own way in the world is Tom P. Polich, a member of the cor- poration known as the United Concrete Pipe & Construction Com- pany, with its main office in Ventura and branch factories in Merced, Woodland, and Santa Maria, besides the plant at Ventura. The begin- ning of this industry was made by Tom P. Polich in 1919, at Mer- ced, when he started the Polich Construction Company. The business was carried on by him for a short time, and then, in 1920, he sold a half interest to B. J. Ukropina and Steve Kral, of Ventura, who are still his partners; and at this time the name became the Merced Concrete Pipe Company. This concern continued the business, grad- ually expanding year by year, until in 1924 they consolidated with the United Concrete Pipe Company of Ventura, which concern was owned by Steve Kral and B. J. Ukropina. Soon after the consolida- tion, the name became the United Concrete Pipe & Construction Com- pany, Inc., with its principal business office in Ventura, as mentioned above. This corporation employ from sixty to 300 men in their work; and they are equipped to do all kinds of concrete work, manufactur- ing and laying concrete pipe, building concrete bridges, concrete roads, and foundations for buildings, and installing complete irrigation sys- tems anywhere in California or elsewhere. In fact, no concrete job is too big for them to handle and successfully complete.
Tom Polich was born in Serbia on March 22, 1888, and attended the common schools of his native land up to the time he decided he would come to the United States, which he did in 1905. He could not speak English, and he had only about forty dollars in his pocket after arriving in Los Angeles. He did not wait for a job to come to him, however; he sought the job, and worked at any employment that would yield an honest living, at first. He gradually worked into the concrete business, first in the employ of Bent Brothers, where he began by sprinkling newly made pipe; and from that he went through the various departments until he knew concrete pipe manufacture from start to finish and became a competent and experienced workman. He worked for G. T. McIntyre as general foreman, and later as superintendent of his business in Ventura. Then he was superintendent for Turner and Seppe, of Whittier, and afterwards went to Van Nuys as superintendent for the Valley Concrete Pipe Company, and remained with them for two and one-half years. Each year he had improved his opportunities and saved his money; and during the time he was in Van Nuys, he was deciding whether he would give up a salaried position to embark in business for himself. He decided upon the latter course.
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