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 II > Part 104
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Settling for a while there, he became an interne in the French hospital, and after twenty-six months, he received, on November 30, 1917, a diploma from that institution. It was while he was thus serving and developing as interne that he met the young lady who later became his wife. She was then a student at the Nurses' Training School of the hospital, and she is now pro- prietress of the Selma Sanitarium, and is widely recognized as well qualified
SOM Shipp
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for that important position. In December, 1917, he went to work as an in- terne in St. Joseph's hospital in San Francisco, and there worked for eight months. At the conclusion, on August 15, 1918, he was regularly licensed as a practicing physician and surgeon, under the requirements of California laws.
The same date, Dr. Stammers was enlisted in the United States War Service, and was sent to Angel Island, in San Francisco Bay, and fifteen days later he was ordered to Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., where he served in the medical department. He took his examination for first lieutenant in the medical service, and passed all his examinations successfully, the papers were forwarded to Washington; but before his commission could be issued, the armistice was signed. He was therefore honorably discharged as a first- class private at Camp Greenleaf, Ga., on December 23, 1918, and on April 1 he opened his present offices at Selma. On May 1, Mrs. Stammers took over the Selma Sanitarium and this much-needed institution is directed in accord- ance with such modern ethics and on such a broad basis that every other doctor is entitled to take patients there, and is guaranteed the same impartial and excellent treatment. Dr. Stammers is also one of the three resident examining physicians for Selma Camp No. 268, Woodmen of the World. He is besides, court physician to Court Selma, No. 4215, of the Independent Order of Foresters.
April 24, 1917, Dr. Stammers was married to Miss Juliette Loraine Stege- man of San Francisco, and since then Dr. Stammers and his wife have ad- vanced professionally together.
JOHN M. SHIPP .- In the career and accomplishment of John M. Shipp, the well-known rancher, is shown the true spirit of the successful citizen and upbuilder. His father was William Walter Shipp, a native of Holmes County, Miss., who responded to the call for the defense of his hearth and the section which he had come to look upon as his fatherland, entered the Civil War, and served through its sequence of almost unendurable agonies, for four years. For a long time, he had a cotton plantation, and was rated among the successful cotton producers of the South ; then he took a fancy to come to Cal- ifornia, and that was an end to everything in the past ; like everybody else who caught the California fever, he came. John's mother was Mary Strother before her marriage, and she, too, was a native of Holmes County. Mr. and Mrs. Shipp were married in their native State.
In 1868 Mr. Shipp came to California with his family and located on Big Dry Creek in what was known as the Mississippi district. He took up Gov- ernment land, and went into the business of sheep raising, buying his stock in Solano County, and driving them into Fresno County. In time, he operated on a large scale, and came to have 2,300 acres on the home place. He also followed grain-farming. In 1887 he sold his ranch, but he continued to have an interest in the sheep business until his death, which occurred in 1890, the same year in which his wife passed away. The father of ten children, he had taken a lively interest in the question of popular education for his district, and built the Mississippi School, with other of his neighbors, which has since then been discontinued.
The fifth child in the family, John M. was born in Holmes County, Miss., on November 29, 1867, coming with his parents to California in the first year of his existence. Fresno County is the scene of his first recollections. He had the usual grammar school educational advantages, and having decided to continue his studies until he had a collegiate training, he entered the Pacific Methodist College at Santa Rosa and graduated when he was nine- teen years of age. He lost no time in getting into business; with his father and his brother George R., and they continued sheep growing on his father's ranch, meeting with good success, so that about four years later the brothers as partners, purchased their father's interest, leased his large ranch and con- 104
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tinued the business with mutual satisfaction and profit. They developed the enterprise until they had 7.500 sheep.
In 1890 John M. Shipp purchased his brother's interest in their stock business and has continued his operations alone, gradually drifting into cattle growing. In 1901 he purchased his present ranch of 3,000 acres, eight and a half miles north of Clovis, which he improved with a comfortable residence and the necessary farm buildings and which is the headquarters for his large stock business. In 1907 he sold the balance of his sheep to devote all of his time and efforts to cattle-raising. Besides his home ranch he also owns a ranch at Blaney Meadows, on the South Fork of the San Joaquin River, in the Sierra Nevadas, and being located in the Government National Forest Reserve makes most excellent range for his cattle during the summers, and enabling him to carry over 500 head of Red Durham cattle. For years he has had thoroughbred animals at the head of his herd and it is the concensus of opinion that there is no finer herd of cattle in Fresno County than that of John M. Shipp's. Intensely interested in having a well-bred herd he always secures the finest of thoroughbred males from the choicest herds of Eastern breeders of Red Durhams. With others he has brought cattle from Mexico by trainload to feed on the ranges of Fresno County. His brand-J. S. with a bar underneath-is well-known and marks most excellent cattle. Mr. Shipp was an original member of the Fresno County Cattle-Raisers Association and also of the California State Cattle Growers Association. Interested in the success of these organizations he attends the meetings of both the County and State conventions. In 1918 he moved his residence to Fresno where he built a beautiful home on Cambridge Avenue, which was planned by Mrs. Shipp, who is a woman of culture and refinement and here he resides with his family.
At Academy. Cal., on June 28, 1894, Mr. Shipp and Miss Mary Maud Sample were married and began their years of domestic felicity; their union being blessed with two children, Margaret and Sally Keves. Mrs. Shipp is a native of Fresno County, a daughter of D. C. Sample, a pioneer of the county. She completed her education at Pacific Methodist College in Santa Rosa where she was graduated. Having sought to be a good neighbor as well as a loyal, helpful citizen. Mr. Shipp, with his family, today enjoys the high esteem and hearty good will of his fellow-Californians for miles around.
THOMAS HEADLEY BROWN .- A thorough machinist and mill- wright, now foreman of the machine shop for the Standard Oil Company Producing Department in Coalinga, is Thomas Headley Brown, born in Leicester, England, in 1885, the son of George and Sarah (White) Brown, his father being a well-known contractor and builder of Leicester. After graduating from the Wyggeston Boys' School in 1906, he signed articles of apprenticeship with F. J. Hill & Co., general engineers and millwrights in Leicester. After he completed his apprenticeship he went with the Hunslet Locomotive Works in Leeds, England, continuing with them as a machinist ; next he was with the Coventry Ordnance Works as a millwright for four years. Having become interested in the Pacific Coast region he resigned his position and came to Coalinga, Cal., in 1911, entering the employ of the Standard Oil Company, section 28, as a machinist, and two years later was promoted to foreman of their machine shop, Coalinga division, a place his years of careful apprenticeship and experience qualifies him to fill. The marriage of Thos. H. Brown occurred in Leeds, England, when he was united with Miss Kittie Allen who was also a native of Leicester, England, and their union has been blessed with three children. Freda was born in England, while Audrey and Adrian were born in Coalinga. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Baptists while in political preferment he is a protectionist and Republican.
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CHARLES R. PUCKHABER .- A native son of the Golden West keenly alive to the wonderful possibilities of our great commonwealth, Charles R. Puckhaber may well be mentioned among those eminent Californians whose progress in an upward career has been due to the combination of rare fore- sight, perseverance and industry. His father was John Puckhaber, a sturdy pioneer who, braving the inconveniences and dangers of travel in the early fifties. pushed westward to California by way of Panama and soon after established himself in San Francisco in the general merchandise business --- a line of activity that he followed until his death. As a business man, indeed, he was very successful and he was widely and highly respected.
Charles Puckhaber was born in San Francisco in December, 1871, and there received his education at the public schools, topping off his studies with a business college course. At sixteen he entered the employ of L. Feldmann & Co., where he worked his way up until he bcame head bookkeeper.
In the fall of 1897, however, he resigned and moved to Fresno, where he became actively interested in business. His faith in the growing city led him into several fortunate investments, and in time he became identified with the founding of the Union National Bank of Fresno, which was organized in 1906. Guided in part by him as Vice-President and Director the bank has become one of the strongest financial institutions not only of the city of Fresno but the entire San Joaquin Valley. He was also an organizer and Vice-President and a Director of the Fresno Savings Bank, another institution which has done much to help solve the problems of conservation and thrift.
In June, 1895, at San Francisco, Mr. Puckhaber was united in marriage with Emily Worsdale. He is a member of the Commercial and the Sunnyside Country clubs, and belongs to the Masons and the Elks. His political convic- tions ally him with the Republican party.
SCOTT A. SHANNON .- Fresno County, long famous as the paradise for viticulturists and horticulturists, has been noted for the large number of well-trained, experienced and progressive ranchers who have done much to place California in the front rank of fruit-producing States; and prominent among these aggressive men of affairs must be mentioned Scott A. Shan- non, popularly known as "Fred" Shannon, the oldest son of the late Jefferson M. and Rebecca M. (Baley) Shannon, and a grandson of the late Judge Gil- lum Baley, the well-known pioneer whose interesting life is elsewhere pre- sented in detail in this volume. He was born at Millerton on December 10, 1863, and for a while attended the Millerton grammar school. His father, later townsite agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad, was deputy sheriff under the late Scott Ashman (after whom he was named), before the county seat was moved from Millerton to Fresno. J. M. Shannon became the first station agent at Fresno and stood high with Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Messrs. Crocker and Huntington, so that it was largely through his efforts that Governor Stanford donated four blocks, or twelve acres, in the heart of Fresno for the Court House and Court House Park. J. M. Shannon owned two blocks on J Street, near Mariposa and Fresno Streets, and from 1874 to 1878 this was his place of residence. He planted it to oranges, and had a fine bearing orange orchard right in the heart of the City of Fresno.
Later, Scott Shannon attended the school at Tollhouse conducted by Prof. R. H. Bramlet, in time a school superintendent of Fresno County, and he also attended one of the first public schools at Fresno, and later took a commercial course in the De Pew and Aydelotte Business College at Oak- land. Before going to the business college, however, he was employed by Messrs. Miller & Lux, on their ranches in Fresno and Merced Counties, to take care of and handle all kinds of livestock; after which he kept books for the firm of Furnish & Pratt, wholesale and retail meat dealers at Fresno, for fifteen years, when he thoroughly learned the meat business. And then he engaged with T. W. Pratt in the cattle business at Fresno for several years.
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As time went by, Mr. Shannon personally became the owner of various pieces of land, and joint owner with his father in other properties. His father died at Alameda on June 8, 1902, and Scott A. Shannon was named executor, while his mother was named executrix of J. M. Shannon's will, and together they administered the estate until the mother died in 1907, when the estate had not yet been distributed. After his mother's death, therefore, Mr. Shannon proceeded to wind up the estate, which was divided among the four children, all of whom grew to maturity and are still living. Mary Idria is now the wife of W. E. Toms, and resides in Fresno; Scott Ashman, the subject of this review; Sidney J. Shannon, Deputy United States Marshal of the northern half of Southern California district; and Leland Stanford Shannon. Scott Shannon joined the Elks at Fresno in 1902, and he is today one of the oldest members of that lodge.
The three Shannon brothers now jointly own two large ranches; one of 320 acres, known as the Wheatville Ranch, is devoted to the raising of live- stock and is superintended by the subject, and another of 240 acres three and a half miles southeast of Del Rey, which is planted mostly to Malagas and Emperors, so that the Shannon Estate is able to ship its own table grapes, mostly Malagas, under the Shannon Estate Brand, which has become well and favorably known in all the Eastern markets. This famous ranch, grew out of the original eighty acres set out by J. M. Shannon to Malagas, Mus- cats and Sultanas. In 1914, the three sons bought out their sister's interest, and in 1917 and 1918 they planted largely to table grapes, Malagas and peaches.
Scott A. has been unusually fortunate in his extensive experience in raising, buying and selling all kinds of live stock, and he has also had a valuable experience in slaughtering and conducting both retail and whole- sale meat markets. When not over-busy at the Wheatville stock ranch, he lends a hand in operating the vineyard, especially in the busiest seasons. As a result of this direct participation in the vineyard interests, he is a stock- holder in the California Raisin Association, the California Peach Associa- tion, Inc.
THOS. E. BROWN .- The present chairman of the Board of Trustees of the city of Firebaugh is Thos. E. Brown, a native of Iowa, born in 1867. His father, James Monroe Brown, died when Thomas was a lad of thirteen and he was thrown on his own resources. Being very fond of horses he entered the employ of horse dealers who were engaged in buying horses on the frontier, breaking them and selling them to the settlers in Nebraska and Iowa. He continued with them until 1886, when he came to California, coming through Fresno, then a comparatively small town. Making his way to Sonoma and found employment on a farm for two years. After making a trip to his old home he returned to Sonoma County, following farming at Windsor until he accepted employment with the California Wine Association, and a year later became a foreman, continuing with them in all for five years. He resigned in 1907 and came to Firebaugh beginning as warehouse man for Miller & Lux, soon entering the store and became general store man. During this time he served as deputy sheriff and was also appointed constable of First Judicial Township and afterwards elected to the same office. After eight years with Miller & Lux he resigned his position to give his attention to his office. He was a deputy under Sheriffs Chittenden, McSwain and Thorwaldsen and was con- stable up till January, 1919. Not wishing the office for a longer period he was not a candidate for reelection.
In 1916 he was appointed a city trustee of Firebaugh, filling the unexpired term and then was elected to the office and in time elected by the trustees as Chairman of the Board. He is also a member of the Board of School Trustees of Firebaugh and active in the building of the new school house. Mr. Brown is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias, at Healdsburg.
Alubias.
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BEN DRENTH .- The sterling personal characteristics and executive ability of Ben Drenth have placed him in the front rank of public officials of Fresno County. Born in Holland, May 25, 1879, he was brought to Omaha, Nebr., when three years of age, in 1882. There Mr. Drenth continued his farming operations. In 1900 he brought his family to California, settling in Fresno.
Ben Drenth received a public school education in Texas and California and worked at various occupations until 1903, when he was appointed a mem- ber of the police department of Fresno. He served as patrolman three years, and then was promoted to the detective bureau of the department, where he remained until 1910, when he resigned from the force. Having been prevailed upon to run for constable, he made the race in 1910, and was elected by a good majority. So impartial was he in the discharge of the duties imposed upon him, that he was induced to enter the race for reelection, four years later, and was returned to the office. He is to be found "on the job" at all times, and in the performance of his public duties he displays much tact and native ability.
In Fresno, on August 15, 1907, Ben Drenth and Mable Anderson, a native daughter, were united in marriage. They have two children: Anabel and Eleanor. Mr. Drenth is popular in fraternal circles, is a member and Past Grand of Fresno Lodge No. 186, I. O. O. F., and at the present time is serving as a trustee of the lodge. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and to the Woodmen of the World. He supports the policies of the Democratic party, and believes in progression at all times.
PETER L. ARBIOS .- A native son of California who is making a suc- cess of the stock business is Peter L. Arbios, who was born at Pleasanton, Cal., December 3, 1893. His father, Peter Arbios, was born at Eysus, Basses- Pyrenees, France, and migrated to California when eighteen years of age, but soon returned and entered the French army, serving the required time until honorably discharged. His longing for the Pacific Coast continued, however; so he came back to California, locating in Alameda County. He married Marie Daunet, born in Lurbei, Basses-Pyrenees, who came to Los Angeles, Cal. Peter Arbios was one of the early settlers at Mendota, being first in the em- ploy of A. J. Arnaudon, and then with Miller & Lux as general superintendent of the sheep department for fourteen years, traveling from one to another of their many ranches. During this time he was interested in sheep-growing on his own account, having herders who ran his sheep on the plains, with head- quarters at Mendota. After resigning his position with Miller & Lux, he con- tinued in sheep-raising and resided with his family at Mendota, where he built a large, commodious residence. He ran about 5,000 head of sheep, pur- chased land for range, and also improved one ranch. He was actively engaged in business until his death in 1915, aged fifty-two years. His widow now re- sides in Stockton. Their family consisted of nine children. Amy was killed in an automobile accident in 1913. Albert is serving in the United States Army in France. Peter L. is the subject of this review. Sodie is also serving in the United States Army in France. Edna, Lucy, Josephine, Zeta, and Joseph re- side with their mother in Stockton.
Peter L. Arbios was reared at Mendota and received his education in the public schools and at Santa Clara College. When a boy he had learned the care of sheep. So he accepted a place with Miller & Lux as shipper in their sheep department. When nineteen he was advanced to buyer in the department and at that early age he traveled all over California buying sheep for the firm, being intrusted with great responsibility. He proved equal to his trust, and continued with them until his father's death, when he resigned to look after the vast interests left the family. Soon he and his two brothers, Albert and Sodie, both now serving their country in France, formed a partnership, and since then have continued sheep-growing and farming as Arbios Brothers.
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They have three bands that approximate 5,000 head, which they range in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties. The family still own the ranches left by the father, and Mr. Arbios makes his home in the old Arbios residence in Mendota.
Mr. Arbios was married in San Francisco, March 11, 1916, to Miss Augus- tine Marcelle Vallon, a native of St. Laurent de Cros, St. Bonnet, France, and the daughter of Alfred Vallon, a farmer there. In April, 1914, she came to Stockton, Cal., where she met Mr. Arbios, the acquaintance resulting in their marriage. They have one child, Jane. In politics Mr. Arbios is a Republican and a protectionist.
CHARLES PRATHER WELLS .- A native son of California, Charles Prather Wells was born at Lemoore, February 2, 1883, the son of James M. and Susan (Block) Wells, born in Missouri and Wisconsin, respectively, who were married in Missouri and followed farming there. In about 1876 James M. Wells came to California being joined two years later by his wife and two children. For a time he was employed in Tulare County at the stock business and also in the warehouse at Lemoore. He purchased railroad land on Polvadero Creek on the West Side in Fresno County, built a residence and made other improvements. He turned the first furrow in the virgin soil and engaged in grain raising ; for a few years after he continued in the ware- house at Lemoore, between seasons, to earn the money to make the early payments on his land until he could get started. As he prospered he pur- chased other lands until he now has over 3,000 acres of valley and range land, being actively engaged in farming until he retired and now with his wife makes his home at Long Beach. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living, Charles P. being the fourth in order of birth. He was reared on the farm on Polvadero Creek, his education being obtained in the local public schools and at the Tulare High. After his school days were over he continued farming with his father until after reaching his majority when he leased a part of his father's land and engaged in grain raising on his own account in which he has been successful. He is also engaged in raising cattle, ranging them at the head of Jacolitos Creek, where he has homesteaded land which he is improving and where he makes his home. However, he still raises grain in the Valley, usually sowing about 400 acres each season.
Charles P. Wells was married at Fresno, November 19, 1910 to Louise Carstens a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who came with her parents, John and Louise Carstens to California in 1903. The parents followed horticulture on a ranch near Fresno until they retired. Mrs. Wells, the fourth oldest of their six children received her education in the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio. In national politics, Mr. Well is a Democrat.
HARRY HENRY GREVE .- A native son of California, Harry Henry Greve was born in Priest Valley, Monterey County, July 26, 1888, the son of Paul and Sophia (Abell) Greve, pioneers of Priest Valley. Harry H. was the youngest of their family of ten children that grew up and was reared on the home farm, attending the local school. When twenty-one years of age he home- steaded in Sunk Valley, Fresno County, where he now owns 320 acres, being engaged in raising cattle. He also owns 160 acres on Salt Creek, where he is building his residence for his permanent home, from which headquarters he looks after his cattle.
Mr. Greve was married in Fresno March 30, 1917, to Stella Penland, who was born in Webster County, Mo. Coming to Fresno in 1905 she completed her education in the public schools of the county seat.
Mr. and Mrs. Greve have one child, Dorothy. While now a resident and stockman of Fresno County, he lives only a few miles from his old home in Priest Valley. He is a protectionist and espouses the principles of the Republican Party.
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LE ROY AKERS .- A native son who is a successful cattleman on the West Side in Fresno County is I.e Roy Akers, born near Centerville, Fresno County, April 3, 1864. His father, Anderson Akers, was born in Kentucky and migrated to Texas with his parents when a child where he was reared to the life of a farmer and stockman. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California, arriv- ing at Millerton, Fresno County. He was engaged in farming and stockraising near Centerville, until about the year 1870 he located on the West Side, pur- chasing a ranch in San Benito County, two miles west of the Fresno County line. Here he raised cattle until 1882 and then moved to Los Gatos Creek, where he resided until his death in October, 1916, aged eighty-four years. His wife, Amanda Akers died January 1, 1879. Of their eight children, three boys of whom are living, Le Roy is the second oldest of all. He was reared to the stock business and enjoyed the privilege of a public school education. From a youth he rode the range. After he was of age he homesteaded his present place on Los Gatos Creek to which he has added by purchase until he has 400 acres, besides leasing a large area of 2,000 acres on which he ranges his cattle, usually having about 400 head.
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