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 130

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1362

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 130

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DAVID F. APPLING .- Although a comparatively new man in Fresno, David F. Appling has taken a position as one of the leading merchants of the city. As president of the Valley Hardware Company, he is at the head of a firm doing a large retail and wholesale business in that line of mer- chandise. Managed in an efficient and modern way, the business has in- creased over one hundred percent. in the last five years, and is the largest strictly hardware establishment in the San Joaquin Valley.

A native of West Virginia, Mr. Appling was born in Monroe County, June 11, 1877. He finished school at the age of thirteen, and has since made his own way in the world, his success in later life being due entirely to his own efforts and enterprise. On finishing his studies he went to Greenbrier County, W. Va., and started to learn the hardware business. He has ever since been engaged in that line of trade, and such concentration of effort has naturally resulted in a most thorough knowledge of the business in all its branches. He next located at Huntington, that state, in the employ of the Emmons, Hawkins Hardware Company, wholesale and retail. He went through all the departments of the establishment, as salesman and traveling salesman, and later became a member of the firm and manager of the retail department.

In 1910, Mr. Appling sold out his interest in the eastern firm, and came to Fresno, becoming manager for Donahoo, Emmons Hardware Company, until February 1912, when, with his brother, Fred A., he bought out the Donahoo, Emmons Hardware Company, and incorporated it as the

Iver Iversen

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Valley Hardware Company. The two brothers own a controlling interest in the business, which is constantly growing and ranks as one of the important concerns in Fresno County.

The marriage of Mr. Appling united him with Catherine Huff, also a native of West Virginia, and three sons have blessed their union, Fulton B., Richard H., and Fred N., the two former native of West Virginia, and the latter of Fresno. Mr. Appling owns a small ranch, seven miles west of Fresno, on Olive Avenue. As one of the progressive business men of Fresno, he has been of no little help in furthering the many projects which have been pro- mulgated for the upbuilding and prosperity of this section, and the advance of Fresno County has been of a rapidity no less than phenomenal, due to just such men as himself. Fraternally, he is a member of the Commercial Club of Fresno, the Knights of Pythias of that city, and the Modern Wood- men of West Virginia; and he also belongs to Huntington Lodge, No. 313, B. P. O. Elks, of that state.

IVER IVERSEN .- A pioneer who has done much, since he first came to Fresno County in the stirring late eighties, to improve his locality by the setting out of model vineyards, thereby contributing to the growth and wealth of the state as well as himself, is Iver Iversen, widely esteemed as a public-spirited and liberal Californian. He was born near Haderslev, Slesvig, Denmark, on May 31, 1869, the son of Just Iversen, who fought like a good patriot in the Danish-Prussian War of 1864. He had married Anna Sophia Skov, and they had a family of eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity, four coming to the United States and three settling in California. Just Iversen died about fifteen years ago: Mrs. Iversen passed away in 1916.

The sixth in the order of birth, Iver was brought up on a farm, while he attended the public schools ; but much as he loved his native land, on account of military oppression he concluded to come to the United States. When nearly seventeen, therefore, lie started for America; and on May 15, 1886, he arrived in Geneseo, Henry County, Ill., where he worked on farms, attend- ing school in the winter. He was faithful in both his supplementary studies, as well as in the extension of his apprenticeship as a farmer, and having im- proved the moments, was ready when the time came to enter upon a larger and more important development.

In 1887 Mr. Iversen came west to Fresno, then a small town-so small, in fact, that the horse cars had just begun to be operated; for a brother, Andrew, had come to California four years before, and was a successful grain farmer north of what is now Rolinda. For a while he was employed at grain farming, and then he secured employment in a vineyard in the Scandinavian Colony, thereby learning the business of a viticulturist. Later he went to West Park.

About 1891, Mr. Iversen bought and leased lands, in partnership with J. C. Thompson, and for six years was engaged in the raising of grain, just west of Fresno. Unfortunately, however, the prices for the commodity were then very low, wheat selling at seventy-five cents a hundred, and barley at fifty cents; and only the last year did he make any money. Then he had a fair crop; and receiving $1.40 a cental, he made a "good clean up."

One of the results of this turn in his tide of fortune was the purchase, in 1897, of his present place, then twenty acres of raw land, some four miles west of Fresno. Mr. Iversen was not the man to let such an investment lie in its crude and unprofitable state ; so he set to work at once to make exten- sive improvements, setting out vines and orchards. He built a residence and barns, and improved his ranch ; and soon he was raising the finest of apricots, together with equally superior muscat, Thompson and sultana grapes. Though he had a superior quality of products, prices for a time were so low that he could make no money. He has sold raisins as low as one cent a pound.

After a while, Mr. Iversen bought twenty acres on Belmont Avenue for $800, which he improved as a vineyard, and three years later sold for $6,400.

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Then he bought forty acres on Kearney Avenue near Fresno, improved the same with vines, and sold it at an advance of $4,500 over the purchase price. He next invested in forty acres on Mckinley Avenne, for which he paid $3,900: he improved the same by the planting of vines, and sold it after three vears for $12,000. At one time he owned 440 acres near Henrietta, but after holding this for several years, he sold it at a good advance. In all, he has improved 160 acres of vineyards, and he owns valuable real estate in Fresno. With his brother Andrew he owns eighty acres at Madera, set out to Thomp- son and Emperor grapes-a fine estate, handsomely improved; and he still owns 160 acres at Henrietta, which he bought for $200 and which is now worth over $5,000.

While in the Madison district, Mr. Iversen was married to Elisebeth Beck, a native of Slesvig, by whom he had four children. They are Sophia, Edna, Leland and Evelyn. The two oldest attend the Fresno High School. The children are all promising in their studies and show marked musical talent. being far advanced in the piano, their parents giving them every ad- vantage within their means. Mrs. Iversen is the daughter of S. M. and Anna Beck, who brought their family to Fresno in 1892 and became viticulturists. improving a place on Church Avenue. Mr. Beck died in 1917, his widow surviving him, and she makes her home in Fresno. Of the seven children born to this worthy couple, Mrs. Iversen is the second oldest, coming to Fresno County when in her thirteenth year. She completed her education in the Fresno schools. Thus she has naturally seen the wonderful develop- ment of the county, she and her enterprising husband having done their share in its development, and she is very optimistic and sees a great future for the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Iversen are very patriotic and took an active part in the different war drives. She was an active member of the Danish Ladies' Auxil- iary to the Fresno Chapter of the Red Cross, and both of them did all they could to aid in the successful prosecution of the war. For years Mr. Iversen has been a trustee in the Madison school district; he is an ex-president of the Danish Brotherhood as well as Dania ; and is a member of the California Peach Growers, Inc., and the California Associated Raisin Company, and has been a supporter of all the fruit association movements. As adopted citizens of the American Republic, who have labored long for the growth and im- provement of American institutions, Mr. and Mrs. Iversen are the kind of Californians of which the Golden State is always proud.

WILLIAM H. VAN NESS .- Of good old New England and York State stock, W. H. Van Ness has the further distinction of being the son of a Cal- ifornia pioneer and of having been born in San Francisco, May 23. 1860. Cal- ifornia's seaport metropolis and a city hallowed by memories of early ro- mantic episodes.

Mr. Van Ness's father, Henry, was a native of New York city, and his mother, who in maidenhood was Mary Ann Elliott, was born in the old Bay State, at Pepperell, Mass. The father's love for adventure led him away from home, at the age of sixteen, to drive a boat on the Erie Canal. He afterwards chose a sea-faring life, and arrived in San Francisco in 1848, having sailed around Cape Horn. He tried his luck at mining for a time, then returned to San Francisco, and from 1849 until 1867 was a pilot on the Bay and coast. He was wrecked off Golden Gate on the Dancing Feather, and after swim- ming for a time was picked up. On April 6, 1867, while he was pilot on the Caleb Curtis, which was also wrecked off Golden Gate, he was drowned and his body was never recovered.

AIr. Van Ness's mother made her home in San Francisco and afterwards in Fresno County, later going to Madera, where she died August 21, 1908. Of her four children three are living. W. H. Van Ness, the youngest of the family, was seven years old when he was orphaned by his father's death. The

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family then moved to Oakland where he was educated in the public schools and, later, in Stockton business college, in 1889. He worked on a ranch in Alameda County, later going to Point of Timber in Contra Costa County, where he and other members of the family bought a farm and lived on it six years. In 1885 he came to Fresno County, rented land near Round Mountain and engaged in grain-raising for two years. He then leased land in Madera County and raised grain for two more years, having as much as 730 acres in grain in a season. He afterwards moved to San Luis Obispo County and located a preemption near Creston. His mother and sister also homesteaded land west of Creston and proved up on it, and the family still owns the land. Mr. Van Ness, however, abandoned his place, and after three years spent in San Luis Obispo, returned to the San Joaquin Valley and engaged in grain- raising in Madera County on the Fresno County line. He then located a 160- acre homestead on Pine Ridge, which he improved and in due time proved up on it and sold it. He next bought forty acres in Wolters Colony, Fresno County, at the corner of Fresno Avenue and Clovis road, leveling and setting it to fig, peach, and apricot trees and vineyard. In the meantime he purchased forty acres on Belmont and Monroe Avenues, eight miles west of Fresno, in 1910, and with the aid of his sons leveled and checked it, sowed it to alfalfa, installed a six-inch pump and a sixteen-horsepower engine and engaged in dairying and raising Holstein cattle. This he sold, as well as the fruit ranch, and in October. 1918, bought 160 acres on Coalinga and California Avenues.

He was married in Fresno on April 6, 1890, to Miss Emma Frances Lewis, a native of Merced County, and daughter of David E. Lewis. an old settler and prominent stockman of the county. Of the ten children that were the result of this union H. Elmer is a farmer at Clovis, is married and has three children-\V. Eugene, Wilbur Lewis, and Eleanor Frances; William H. en- tered the U. S. Army and was with the Ninety-first Division until his dis- charge on April 27, 1919: Albert F. served with the Sunset Division and was discharged May 10, 1919; Roy D. and Ray D., twins, entered the service in June and July, 1918, serving in the 159th and 160th Ambulance Corps, Roy returning in June, 1919, and Ray, in May, 1919, both from overseas duty; Vern F., Lila M., Cecil, Laurin M., and Lorena are at home.

A man of fine character, Mr. Van Ness is a great lover of books and has a large and well selected library. He has been a student for many years, and his extensive course of reading has given him an excellent knowledge of many subjects, making him an unusually interesting conversationalist. In politics he is a conservative Socialist in his views. He is a member of the California Peach Growers, Inc. Mr. Van Ness declares that he lives in the best section of California, the best State in the Union and the best country on earth.

H. J. HANSEN .- A successful viticulturist and a citizen of educational ideals, who warmly advocates the best possible educational advantages for children and youth, is H. J. Hansen, a native of Denmark who came to Cen- tral California in the middle eighties. He was born near Bons, Fyen, on July 21, 1870, and is a son of Iver Hansen, who owned his place and was in moderately comfortable circumstances. Preceded by two of his sons, J. P. and Nils C., Iver Hansen crossed the ocean with his wife Marie in 1884 and, making his way west to California, located with them in Fresno County, settling down in the Central Colony, where he engaged in viticulture. He owned several different places in succession, finally living at West Park, where he died. Nine children made up their family ; and eight of these are still living. Nils, now deceased, came to California in 1882: Jens P. came to this state in 1880 and now resides near Melvin on a ranch of forty acres set out to wine grapes; H. J. is the subject of this sketch; Martin lives near Sanger; Carl is at West Park; Morton is deputy county assessor ; Theodore lives at Sacramento; Thea is Mrs. Ostergard and lives on Whites Bridge road; and Marie is Mrs. L. J. Larsen, of Wolters Colony.

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Having passed through the usual Danish public schools, H. J. Hansen came to Fresno when he was fourteen, and at once went to work assisting his father. He was early possessed of the ambition, however, to do for himself, and so in 1895 he bought an outfit and leased some grain land near Academy, where he engaged in grain-raising with his brother, J. P. Hansen. They had 800 acres, which they continued to till, with ups and downs, for five years. Their third year's crop was a total failure, but the average of the five years was reasonably good. Selling their outfit, in the fall of 1900 they dis- solved partnership and Mr. Hansen bought his present place of twenty acres in the Wolters Colony. The land was rough when he took hold of it; but the soil was good and the location advantageous. With his own labor, early and late, he set out the vineyard and developed the property, on which a fine residence and other ranch buildings have been erected. There are four acres of peach orchard; and a fine acreage of wine-grapes, muscats and sultanas.

In Fresno Mr. Hansen was married to Miss Lowena Anderson, who first saw the light in Denmark ; and by her he has had six children: Laura, Elsie, Louis, Walter, Martin and Carl. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hansen is a Democrat in national politics, but by no means a partisan in local affairs. He has been a trustee of the Wolters school district for the past six years, and had much to do with the building of the well-lighted and well-ventilated school house, designed in the Mission style of architecture by Ernest J. Kump, and erected at a cost of nearly $13,000. Mr. Hansen has long been a member of both the California Associated Raisin Company and the California Peach Growers, Inc. He used to be active in both the Dania and the Odd Fellows.

ROBERT McCOURT .- Nothing, perhaps, has done more to place Cal- ifornia in the foreground among progressive American States than the rapid, scientific development of her educational institutions, credit for which belongs to such far-seeing and broad minded educators as Robert McCourt, who has the remarkable record of more than twenty-three years as principal of the Columbia and Lincoln schools of Fresno, without the loss of a single day. As a matter of fact, many of the business and professional men of the Valley look to him with pride and gratitude as having given them the first inspiration to study and work, instilling in them the necessity of early choosing their career, and then encouraging them to strive to higher and greater things. Today he enjoys an enviable popularity, the highest and truest testimonial of the worth of his own life and work.

A native of Canada, Mr. McCourt was born in Ontario, on March 19, 1856, the son of James and Sarah (McGee) McCourt, who emigrated from Glas- gow, Scotland, to Ontario where they passed the remainder of their lives. Robert received his early training in the common schools, and later he at- tended the advanced grammar school at Donegal, at which he prepared for teaching.

In April of the eventful Centennial Year of 1876, he came to California and located in Sacramento County, where he taught school for three years, and then he removed to Humboldt County, to which he was called to teach at Table Bluff and Fairhaven for a year and a half. Returning to Sacramento County, he taught for three years more, and following that he presided over a school for a like period in San Joaquin County.

In 1889, Mr. McCourt began his professional work at Fresno, a work that has proven of the greatest advantage to the thousands of pupils who have come under his care. His first seven years here were spent in teaching in the grammar schools, and then he became principal of the Columbia School and served there for a period of seven years, or until he was elected principal of the Lincoln School, of which he has been head for the past sixteen years. So well, too, has he performed the many and onerous duties of that position, that

Robert Me Court

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he is now supervising principal, as well; and as both teacher and supervising principal, he has accomplished much towards bringing the schools of Fresno to their present high standing. Some of these desirable results have been possible because, having had the ambition to specialize in various branches, Mr. McCourt took courses in agriculture, manual training and drawing, through which he eventually graduated from the Fresno State Normal. Now he is a member of the Schoolmasters' Club of Fresno County, and is treasurer of the local University Extension course. He has also served most capably on the County Board of Education for ten years, two years of which time he was chairman. On the organization of the Fresno Chapter Junior Red Cross, Mr. McCourt was appointed as treasurer, in September, 1917, a position he filled ably, although it required much time and arduous work, until he was finally relieved in September, 1918, three months after he had sent in his resignation.

Near Lodi, San Joaquin County, on January 24, 1884, Mr. McCourt was married to Miss Martha J. Woodson, a native daughter, who was born near Lodi, and whose parents were B. A. and Mary A. (Bounds) Woodson, who migrated from Missouri, crossing the plains to California in 1852 by means of ox teams and wagons. The father followed mining, then teaming and lastly farming near Lodi, during which time three children were born to him and his good wife. Mr. and Mrs. McCourt, also, have three children: Irma May is the wife of C. L. Crow, roadmaster of the Napa division of the Southern Pa- cific Railroad, with headquarters in Vallejo. The second in order of birth is Chester Elwood, who managed a clothing store in Porterville until he en- listed in the United States Army; when he was honorably discharged, on May 30. 1919, he was stationed at Baltimore, Md., where he was a member of Company A, Repair Unit 311, M. T. C., with the rank of sergeant, and since his return he has resumed his former position, and has also become a member of the firm of Lamkin, McCourt & Co., with his brother, Hugh Har- old, as a partner. The latter also enlisted for the War but was not called out ; and now he is managing the clothing store in Tulare owned by this company. The McCourts are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCourt is also a member of Fresno Lodge, No. 186. I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and belongs to the Encampment, and with his wife is a member of the Re- bekahs. Mr. McCourt has also been a prominent member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and has served two terms as Chief Ranger.

Mr. McCourt has shown his confidence in the future of the San Joaquin Valley by investing his savings in a quarter section of land near Lemoore; and in many ways he has loyally supported movements for the upbuilding of both the county and the state.

ARCHIBALD W. CLARK .- A successful rancher and dairyman who is enjoying prosperity as the reward of industry and right principles, is Archi- bald W. Clark, popularly known as "Archie," who comes of a good old Penn- sylvania family, and who moved from South Dakota to California, and now owns and operates 110 acres of well improved land two one-half miles south- west of Riverdale. A self-made man, he came to the Dakotas when young. homesteaded and married in Day County, S. D., and rented Governor Shel- don's ranch for several years. A wealthy brother, Samuel, is living at Web- ster in that state, and there he helped to build the Mill Elevator Store, the creamery and other live establishments. Archibald W. became interested in Day County politics, and stood high in the councils of the Republican party. He brought with him, as the reward of his work, hardships and privations in South Dakota, a neat sum when he came to California, and now he is more than ever on "Easy Street."

A. W. Clark was born at Wilkesbarre, Pa., on January 25, 1870, and grew up in Pennsylvania until he was eighteen. His father, John M. Clark, was a Pennsylvanian farmer and an old Union soldier with stirring memories of

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the Civil War, and he died at Harvey's Lake, Pa., on March 28, 1918, aged eighty years and six days. Mr. and Mrs. Clark went home to visit him and attend the birthday party on March 22, 1918-Archibald Clark not having seen his old home for thirty years-and then the old gentleman seemed hale and hearty, but he died in a few days, sitting in his chair. John Clark's wife had preceded him to the grave the year before. Her maiden name was Sarah Rhone, and her parents visited Fresno County ten years ago. They had thirteen children, nine of whom grew up. Five of these are now living, one of the sons, George Clark, owning a forty-acre dairy ranch lying immediately south of the subject's, in Kings County.

Mr. Clark attended the public schools, and when nearly through with his teens, went to Webster, S. D., then Dakota Territory, arriving at his desti- nation on February 10, 1888. He threw himself into the Dakota game, and lived through all the blizzards, droughts and panics. He helped to build the first flour mill at Webster, a cooperative venture, in which he lost heavily. Next he homesteaded at Lily, in Day County, securing 160 acres and proving up.

After that Mr. Clark went to Pierpont, S. D., and there married Miss Mary Lawrence, who was born in Michigan, came to South Dakota a girl, and farmed at Pierpont when the subject was renting the Sheldon ranch of 640 acres. After marrying, he ran the ranch for four years, then sold out and came to Visalia, Cal., where he lived for a season and then moved up to the Laguna de Tache Grant, in Fresno County. This was in 1903, and he bought 120 acres and improved the same, erecting a house, in which he now lives, and a barn. He sold forty acres and bought another thirty, and now he has seventy acres of alfalfa, raises hogs and runs a dairv. All in all, he may well be numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of California. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have six children : Hazel was born in Day County, S. D., as were Beulah, and Ruth who married Roy Blackwell, a rancher now residing near Riverdale : and Florence, Lawrence, and Ethel were born in California.

Mr. Clark belongs to the Odd Fellows, and in politics is a Republican. He has not been active in politics in Fresno County, but. as has been said, while in South Dakota he took an active part in the politics of Day County and numbered among his personal friends such political leaders as Judge McCoy, who later became the Circuit Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of South Dakota: Judge Lund, who became County Judge of Day County, the late Frank Sears. prominent attorney : and Dave Williams, then the Republican boss of Day County, now the millionaire lumberman and banker of West Superior, Wis.

WILLIAM C. HAGEN .- A well-to-do and highly-respected rancher who, after many years of toil and varying prosperity, enjoys the fruits of a well- spent life, is William C. Hagen, the proud father of two sons who have loyally served in the World War, and two daughters, one a nurse, the other already beginning to attain distinction as a pianist. He owns a ranch of fifteen acres four miles northeast of Fowler, at the corner of Washington Avenue and the Giffen road, and there he lives with his second wife, in a happy household glad to do its own work.

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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 130

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858- Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1362

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1362