USA > California > Fresno County > History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches 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, Volume I > Part 101
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Mr. and Mrs. Levis were the parents of eleven children, as follows : Emma, the wife of I. C. Houghton, a farmer of Humbird, Wis .; Ella, who died in California, she was the wife of Frank Peters and mother of one child, Maud, now Mrs. Johnson of Taft ; Alvin, the third child and eldest son ; W. F., rancher of Selma, married Adah Cockran ; Florence, now the widow of C. N. Carring- ton of Selma ; Georgiana, wife of J. C. Rorden of Selma; E. A., a rancher of Selma; Annetta May, wife of Chester Dusy, a druggist of San Francisco; John E., a rancher of Selma; his twin, Kate, died single in San Francisco; Minnie, wife of Dr. O. E. Bronson of Fresno.
As can be seen, the descendants of this worthy pioneer couple are carry- ing on the developing work started by their parents, and are counted among the representative citizens of the county.
JAMES DARWIN COLLINS .- A broadminded and progressive edu- cator and legislator, who did much to develop the early, sound educational standards in Fresno County, was James Darwin Collins. Indeed, he was active in all movements tending to build up the county and to promote the welfare of his fellow citizens, and eventually, as the result of his most notable school enterprise, he was associated with the naming of the district in which he lived and toiled.
James Darwin Collins was born in Rhea County, Tenn., on October 30, 1843. His ancestors, of rugged, vigorous Colonial stock, traced their family history back to the beginning of the Eighteenth Century. His father, James P. Collins, was a first lieutenant under General John Ellis Wool, when he was commissioned with the duty of removing the Choctaws and Chickasaws from Alabama and Georgia into the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Great-grand- father Percy, on the maternal side, took part in the famous battle of Cowpens, in January, 1781, when Tarleton, the British commander received his crushing blow; and his son, grandfather to James, fought at the Battle of New Orleans, at the beginning of 1815.
Although only eighteen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War, James D. Collins enlisted in the Confederate Army ; and during the third year of the great struggle, he was captured by the Union forces and spent eighteen months in a military prison, after which he was exchanged. When the War was over, he came West to California, and settled in Fresno County.
The first work that he undertook was teaching, and his first school in California, opened in the summer of 1870, was at Wagy's Mill in the moun- tains of Tulare County. In the fall of that year he established a school on Dry Creek, at what is now known as Academy ; and with the exception of one year. Mr. Collins taught school there and later in the Mississippi school dis- trict until 1880. It is stated that the name was given to the settlement be- cause it was built around Collins' school; for the reputation of the young schoolmaster drew many of the pioneer families to the vicinity, and they pitched their tents and made their homes on Upper Dry Creek, in order to
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give their children the benefit of his tuition. Finally, the settlers built a sub- stantial schoolhouse and named the town Academy.
In 1876, Mr. Collins was elected to the State legislature, where he served one term, and in 1898 was elected sheriff, and served two terms of four years each. It is said that while he was sheriff he astounded the supervisors by appearing before them with a request that they cut down his allowance per meal for the boarding of prisoners. He explained that he had found that the established rate allowed a margin of profit, and that his interpretation of the law was that merely the actual cost should be covered. On relinquishing his duties of sheriff. to the regret of many, Mr. Collins devoted his time to his vineyard and orchard near Lone Star.
On December 15, 1869, Mr. Collins married Miss Ann Caldwell, a native of the same town in Tennessee in which he was born, and together they mi- grated to Fresno County. Here they became the parents of eleven children, three of whom are deceased. James died at Dry Creek in 1875, when two years old: Thomas M. died on December 5, 1903, in Fresno County, at the age of twenty-four ; and Henry C. passed away at Oakland on April 14. 1919, after spending much of his life in Fresno County. Mary E. married Robert Heiskell, a vineyardist in the DeWolf district, Fresno County ; William A., supervisor of the Fifth District of this county, is mentioned in detail on an- other page of this work ; Catherine became the wife of Charles H. Byrd, horti- culturist and farmer, in the same district, and is interested in lands on Kings River : White, a graduate of the Fresno Business College, is a farmer ; Clinton Darwin was the County Physician of Fresno County until he resigned in 1918 to enlist in the War. He served until after the armistice was signed. having attained the rank of lieutenant, and he is also mentioned elsewhere in this work. Robert F. is a vineyardist in the DeWolf district: Annie is the wife of Dr. James W. Nicholson, physician and surgeon at Porterville, Cal., and Joseph P., of Fresno, who served in the naval reserve at San Pedro until the War ended.
Many of the leading men and women of Fresno County today were once pupils under James D. Collins, and look back with fond recollection and deep gratitude to his help and influence; and it is no wonder that, when once he had consented to become a candidate for public office, he was elected as one to whom a public trust could well be committed. The fact is that, whether or no he inherited the sterling qualities from those forebears of virility who wrested commonwealths from a wilderness and made them blossom as the rose, he had in a large measure the cardinal virtues of honesty, candor and fearlessness as part of his make-up, as was clearly shown in his discharge of public duties. Mr. Collins was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Academy, and for many years served as steward.
WILLIAM H. RYAN .- In the passing of William H. Ryan, March 6, 1918, Fresno sustained a great loss, and the hearts of those associated with him for many busy years were saddened as they realized that this genial, lovable man's earth life was ended. He was one of the oldest continuous residents of the city, covering a period of forty-six years, he was born at Galveston, Texas, June 10, 1866, and was the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ryan, who were among the very earliest residents of Fresno. The family moved to Fresno from Texas in 1872, attracted to the place by the superior school facilities promised, the father of the family first visiting Oregon in expectation of locating there. Jerry Ryan was the section fore- man, and marshaled the railroad employes on the day that the vote was taken to remove the county seat from Millerton to the projected railroad town of Fresno. He was a railroad man and veteran of the Civil War, having in early manhood served in a Texas cavalry regiment in the Confederate Army. He and ex-Sheriff J. D. Collins were war captives in the same prison in the North, and in later years in Fresno renewed their war time chance acquaintance.
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William H., a lad six years of age when the family first came to Fresno, continued to be a resident of the city until death ended his earthly career. He was a graduate of St. Mary's College when it was located on the San Francisco peninsula. Mr. Ryan had been city clerk for thirteen years. His first public office was as a deputy in the county recorder's office, followed by the license collectorship under town Marshal John D. Morgan. He was first elected city clerk in 1905, and was the city's second elected clerk under the present charter. The first was J. B. Johnson, the present supervisor, who succeeded William F. Shanklin. Mr. Ryan was elected clerk four successive terms, no one ever offering serious opposition to his candidacy. He was also elected a free holder, that framed the last charter submitted to the people but not ratified, and was secretary of the charter framing board.
He was president of the Jerry Ryan Company, holding the estate of the father for the heirs, and incorporated with Louis F. Ryan as secretary. The company owns the pioneer corner hotel building at Mariposa and I, the old Arlington hotel property at J and Inyo, the Yosemite apartment house on J opposite Gottschalk's, three flats on R Street, twenty acres in farm land at North and Fruit Avenues, and 160 acres of pasturage land on the West Side in the Cantua Creek district.
For many years a sufferer from heart trouble, Mr. Ryan frequently had attacks which compelled his temporary retirement from official duties. A few months before his death he had a serious attack, and was under the treatment of Dr. W. L. Adams and had apparently recovered. On the night of his death he played with his children in the evening, and one hour after retiring at nine o'clock passed away of heart failure. It was the death he had often expressed might be the one to visit him when his time came.
He is survived by five brothers and sisters, a sorrowing wife and four children. His living brothers and sisters are: Maurice, a druggist formerly in business in Fresno, now in San Francisco; Louis F., deputy county clerk of Fresno; Mrs. Josephine Hinkle, a widow, of San Francisco; Mrs. E. W. Gardner of Sacramento, wife of a deputy in the office of the secretary of state, and Charles Ryan, a deputy in the office of the motor vehicle license department at Sacramento. There was another brother whose death preceded that of the father and mother by many years, and also an elder brother named for his father, who died a little more than a year ago.
William H. Ryan's wife was before marriage, Margaret Kennedy, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, who came to Fresno when a small child with her mother, brother and sisters. Her father, John Kennedy, a native of the Emerald Isle, located in Fresno in 1883, and followed the trade of tailor until his death. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ryan's children are by name : Mildred, aged thirteen : William H., Jr., aged ten; Josephine, aged nine; and Jerry, seven years of age.
One of his official associates said of him: "He was one of the squarest men that I ever knew. His integrity was unimpeachable, and with him his word was good as his bond. The community has lost a good man and one of the most accommodating public officials. It will be difficult to replace Bill Ryan, as every one lovingly called him."
WILLIAM GLASS .- Prominent among the men of present note and widely-felt influence in California, who have contributed more and more toward the development of the state since they first came to the Pacific Coast and cast their lot here, may well be mentioned William Glass, a native of the Empire State, who first came to Fresno County in 1890. As the business manager of the Fresno Republican since 1890, he has had much to do with directing the progress of Central California along broad and per- manent lines, and it is safe to say that no one in this city of representative Americans is more highly esteemed both for what he has already accom- plished, and for what he is disposed and able yet to do. i . He was born at New York City on March 22, 1860, the son of John
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Glass, who first saw the light there on the 10th of November in 1832. He came of a family not so widely extended in America, and yet including in its branches men distinguished in classical learning and the fine arts. He married Margaret Hart, a native of the delightful old New York State town of Binghamton, where she was born on May 10, 1840. She was an accom- plished and worthy representative of another American family of high attain- ment, numbering in its ranks some famous in letters and art, at the bar, on the battle-field and in publishing enterprises.
While a lad in New York, in the early seventies, William Glass attended Grammar School No. 2, after which he completed his formal education at Cooper Institute. a part of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art opened in 1859, commencing his studies there in the Centennial Year. when Peter Cooper was a candidate of the National Independent Party and polled about 100,000 votes for the presidency, being then a very familiar figure in the metropolis.
Having completed the course there in 1878, Mr. Glass served as a book- keeper for a stockbroker in New York City, and in 1882 became cashier in a stockbroker's office. An opening as purser on a Pacific Coast steamer, the following year, began to associate him with California, and a compli- mentary engagement with the San Francisco Bulletin from 1883 to 1890 demonstrated his ability to adapt himself fully to the more exacting condi- tions of the newer, bustling western life. Since the beginning of the closing decade of the last century, Mr. Glass has directed the affairs of the Fresno Republican's counting room, and his past experience, together with his admirable foresight, have helped make that paper one of the best in the United States-to California quite as valuable an organ for the public weal as its namesake, the Springfield Republican, so long proved to the great commonwealth of Massachusetts. With the entry of the nation on its second century, in 1876, the Weekly Republican was established as the proper ex- pression of the new life and enterprise developing here; and in 1887 the Morning Republican became a reality, and has ever since continued the ex- ponent of Fresno and its unrivaled county. More than that, it has proven the faithful expositor of conditions in the San Joaquin Valley, and with its Associated News service has enabled the patrons, scattered in towns and on outlying ranches, to keep in close touch with the pulse of the country at large.
As far back as 1896, Mr. Glass was a member of the Executive Council of the One Hundred Thousand Club, and today he is president of the Cham- ber of Commerce and a member of the Commercial and Rotary Clubs. He was a member of the Promotion Committee of the Raisin Exchange, out of which grew the California Associated Raisin Company. He was chairman of the Promotion Committee of the California Peach Growers, Inc., and he represented the State of California on the Board of Directors of the San. Joaquin Valley Milk Producers Association. He is president of the Fresno County Welfare Department, and chairman of the Fresno Chapter, American Red Cross. He is also chairman of the Odd Fellows Hall Company, treasurer of St. Paul's M. E. Church, South, and secretary of the Fresno Republican Publishing Company. Since 1908 he has been a trustee of the Fresno Public Library. Mr. Glass is a Democrat in matters of national politics.
At San Francisco, on January 17, 1884, Mr. Glass was married to Miss Theresa McKittrick, the daughter of Edward McKittrick, a well-known early Californian pioneer. Two children have blessed this fortunate union- a son, Edward Glass, and a daughter, Emma Theresa. The family attend St. Paul's Methodist Church, South. Mr. Glass was made an Odd Fellow at Occidental Lodge, San Francisco, on August 6, 1886; and in 1888 was Noble Grand. He was Chief Patriarch of Fresno Encampment, 1910, Commandant of the Fresno Canton, 1909, and Chairman of the Fresno General Relief Committee, 1899.
Leatt M'Kay
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SCOTT McKAY .- In all of the offices connected with the administra- tion of county affairs there is none more important than that of county surveyor. Upon his work depends the proper location of all boundary lines, and it is necessary that only men be called to that position who are especially qualified. They must bring to their work not only natural aptness, but this must be supplemented by a thorough course of study, coupled with earnestness and a conscientious discharge of their duties. Scott McKay was thus equipped, as the people of Fresno County thought, for after he had served as deputy county surveyor, he was elected for four consecutive terms of four years each, making a term of sixteen years of continuous service in that office.
Mr. McKay came from good old Hoosier stock, being born in Vevay, Ind., July 17, 1868. His father, George W. McKay, was also born there. In early manhood he was employed as civil engineer, and was county surveyor of Switzerland County, Ind. He was a strong Republican and active in public affairs. Two of his brothers served in the Civil War. He married Mary Siebenthal, who was a native of Vevay, and she passed away in 1899. Her father, Benj. Siebenthal, was a lifelong resident of Vevay, his parents having located in Switzerland County, Ind., when they came to this country from Germany. Three of his sons served in the Civil War. The grand- father, Isaac McKay, was a resident of Vevay, also, his parents migrating there from Virginia.
After completing his studies in public schools and in the Vevay High School, Scott McKay entered the scientific department of the Indiana State Normal, at Terre Haute, and later taught school one year. Entering the senior class of the University of Indiana at Valparaiso, in 1890, he graduated in 1891 with the degree of C. E. Coming to Fresno County soon after, he became construction engineer for the San Joaquin Light & Power Company, and had charge of the building of the reservoir pipe line ditches. At the end of sixteen months he was made deputy county surveyor under Surveyor Hoxie. In 1902 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for county surveyor of Fresno County, and elected by a large majority. He was re- elected in 1906, 1910, and 1914, a remarkable attestation of his popularity and a just recognition of his services. He was married to Helen Jewett, a native of Wisconsin, daughter of George D. Jewett. They have two children : a son, Warren Scott ; and daughter, Helen Lois. Mr. McKay was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, Woodmen of the World, and of the Chamber of Commerce.
It is said that "Death loves a shining mark." Neither pomp nor circum- stance, popularity nor efficiency avail anything upon the approach of the pale horse and his rider. Care abundant and love unlimited, evoked with all the skill and intelligence of human hands and hearts, were impotent to stay the course of disease ; and so, at three quarters of an hour after midnight of May 4, 1918, the spirit of Scott McKay was wafted away, and those who knew and valued him so highly will know him no more in this life. The immediate cause of his taking away was pneumonia, contracted while on a professional journey to Tollhouse. Thus do men come and go, working through their brief span until the evening comes, and the morning breaks upon a world bereft of all joy to the hearts of those who have loved and lost ; but surely there must be some mitigation of their sorrow when they con- template the success of the life that has ended. There must have been, too, in the mind of Scott McKay something of pride as he thought of the work he had accomplished for his neighbors and countrymen, work that would endure long years after he had passed away. There would be occasion for this pardonable pride, for he bequeathed to his county a record of activities that stamp him as a man of vision, and intelligence to make that vision a reality. His trail may be traced through the water, lumber and road enter- prises in the upper and foothill regions: the great piece of engineering and
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construction work on the Sand Creek mountain road on a six per cent. grade, and built under his personal supervision; the reduction of the grades on the Squaw Valley foothill road in overcoming by a six per cent. grade the Squaw Valley, Boren and Irwin hills, making it one of the finest foothill scenic roads in the county. Other results of his professional activities will be revealed in the future, and accentuate the value his friends now put upon his work. Mr. McKay was conscious for a greater part of the time until his death. And so, at last, he "wrapped the drapery of his couch about him and lay down to pleasant dreams."
GILES N. FREMAN .- No history of California would be complete without the acknowledgment of the generous and effective service rendered the commonwealth by the members of the teaching profession, a profession for years represented with honor and dignity in the life and work of Giles N. Freman, and also by his wife, who has been his able assistant. Now he lives retired on his Central California ranch, happy in the recollection of years of service well done, and service that again and again left its mould- ing mark on the evolution of the community.
In Abingdon, Ill. where he taught in Abingdon College, Giles N. Freman had married Mary Martin, born in Missouri, and together they came to Yolo County, Cal., in 1863. They had three children : G. Clarence, who was a member of the law firm of Snow and Freman at Fresno, died in 1915: F. H., is advertising manager for the Los Angeles Examiner, and resides in that city : and Frank Forest. Mr. Freman taught for many years in Yolo County as principal of the Woodland schools, and in Hesperian College for five years, also served as county superintendent of schools for two terms.
On account of failing health. caused by too close application to his indoor work, Mr. Freman went to Arizona and for two years was superintendent of the McMillen Silver Mining Company, near Globe. Upon his return to Yolo County, Cal. he engaged in the mercantile business at Capay, with G. C. Grimes for a partner, continuing till 1885. In 1887 he removed to Fresno and engaged in the real estate business and bought his ranch of forty acres, part of the holdings of the Iowa and California Fruit Company, the oldest horticultural project in the Fowler district.
In time Mr. Freman came to own 100 acres, with which he produced some notable results and acquired fame as an enthusiast in the cultivation of the Calimyrna fig, of which there are, on his ranch, over 250 trees of the Adriatic variety, grafted over fifteen years ago, and are now thrifty and pro- ductive. Much as he was absorbed in fruit culture, Mr. Freman could not give up his educational work. and he became principal of the Easton school. In 1901 he was appointed county superintendent of schools to fill the unex- pired term of Mr. Ramsey, and in 1902 he was elected to the office and served until 1908. During this time his wife acted as his deputy.
Mr. Freman lived in Fresno for five years and then settled on his ranch. His first wife died in Woodland in 1883. His present wife was in maidenhood, Miss Sarah DeBell, a native of Kentucky who grew up in Mattoon, Ill., and in that state taught her first school; later she taught in Sedalia, Mo., and after that came to Modesto, Cal., in December, 1884 and taught for two years. She married Mr. Freman in October, 1887, and ever since has been an able helpmate in all his endeavors. She is a member of the Peach Growers' Inc., and of the California Associated Raisin Company.
Central California will not soon forget the services of Professor and Mrs. Freman, whose traditions for useful life and work are at present so admirably carried on by the son, Frank Forest Freman, who is making good as manager of the home ranch and as fruit buyer for the Bonner Packing Company. He was born at Woodland, Yolo County, November 30, 1876, and attended the public schools in Fresno from his eighth to his thirteenth year, after which he made his home on the ranch, completed his schooling and remained at home
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and became a proficient horticulturist and business man. Since 1916 he has been a buyer for the Bonner Packing Company, of Fresno, a field of work that occupies about ten months of the year. He operates the home ranch, which is devoted to Thompson seedless grapes, figs and peaches.
F. F. Freman has been twice married, his first wife was Cornelia Gower, of Fresno County, by whom he had a son, Giles E., born in 1907. The wife and mother passed away in 1913. In 1917 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah McClure, daughter of J. P. and Annie (Young) McClure, of Shamokin, Pa. Mr. Freman is always ready to cooperate, to the full extent of his ability, in the promotion of California industry.
GEORGE H. MALTER .- More than 150 years ago the culture of the grape was introduced on the Pacific slope by the Padres. Could they have looked into the future and beheld the wonderful development of their land of manana in the opening years of the twentieth century and have seen the extent that the grape industry in its various ramifications has attained, they would have opened wide their eyes in astonishment.
George H. Malter, the owner and founder of the St. George Vineyard which was one of the largest sweet wine and brandy producing establish- ments in the world, was born in Silesia, Bohemia, March 25, 1852. Educated in the Polytechnic school, he became a mining engineer and while still in his teens came to the United States, locating in Chicago for a short time, after which he came to California, via Isthmus of Panama, in 1869. One of For- tune's favorites, his success in his business ventures, was from the first assured. He was engineer on many large mining projects and put in one of the first blast furnaces in the United States for the Union Coal, Iron and Transportation Company, at Chicago. He was engineer in the construction of the rolling mills at Joliet, Ill., and built the Marsac mills, in the silver mine at Park City, Utah, in 1872, which after all these years are still in operation. After following mining engineering all over the mining section of the Middle West and West he returned to California and began to make investments. In 1878 he purchased his first piece of land in Fresno County, consisting of 480 unimproved acres, and from time to time added to his holdings until he owned 4,000 acres along Fancher Creek in Fresno County, 2,000 of which were planted to vines.
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