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 18

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1424

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 18

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John Suglian

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HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

In 1880 he arrived in Fresno, and soon after embarked in the sheep busi- ness, in which he was destined to continue for twenty years, running his sheep herds through the valley, and sometimes having as high as 6,000 sheep. So early did he pitch his tent here that he has seen Fresno grow from a very small town. Now he is active among a large population, and has many warm friends all over the county.

After selling his sheep, he engaged in the transfer business in Fresno; but in the spring of 1917 he opened a wholesale liquor store at 1836 Fresno Street. Mr. Freitas is a widower and has one daughter-Mrs. Margaret Mello, of Fresno. He belongs to the I. D. E. S., the U. P. E. C. and the Eagles, and there are few more popular men in either organization.

JOHN SUGLIAN .- Again and again America has thrown out the chal- lenge of success to the foreigner, and often the foreigner has accepted and made good. Woven into the warp and woof of our civilization, the foreign- born citizen adds strength to the whole fabric. Among those who have thus entered upon the privileges and responsibilities of loyal American citizenship is John Suglian, of Fresno, who was born in Austria, October 28, 1873, of Slavonian parents. His father, Marin Suglian, was a sailor, whose home was in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic Sea, when the son was born, but who died when John was only three months old. John was the youngest of five children, four boys and one girl. The mother remained a widow, and although poor she reared her family nobly. She died in Dalmatia in 1912.

John Suglian grew up in Dalmatia until he was eighteen years of age, attended the native schools and learned the Slavonian language. At the age of eighteen he sailed from his native land for America, landing at New York and coming direct to Fresno, Cal., where he had some relatives. For nine months he worked in a restaurant in Fresno, and then he went to San Fran- cisco and learned the barber trade, remaining there one year. Returning then to Fresno, he soon became the proprietor of what is now the Oak Bar- ber Shop, 1055 I Street, which he operated for twenty-four years, and in which he is still interested.

Being desirous of owning some real estate, Mr. Suglian purchased an eighty-acre ranch, which he has in alfalfa and vineyard, and this he rents out. Some five years ago he added to his holdings by the purchase of 125 acres, and upon this ranch he lives and runs a dairy, and raises hogs, chickens and horses. This ranch is situated two and a half miles south of the city limits of Fresno. He loves his stock, and fully enjoys rural life.

Mr. Suglian came to America to avoid German militarism. His mother was very sorry to see him go, but provided him with $250 with which to make his journey comfortable. He was naturalized twenty-two years ago, became a Democrat, and entered politics in Fresno. He served on the board of trustees three and a half years, under the W. Parker Lyon administration, during which time the new city hall was built and the subway, sewers, and antiseptic tanks constructed. He has traveled extensively in the. United States, but has never found any place that suits him quite as well as Fresno and Fresno County ; and he is proud of the progress the city and county have made, and of the industries he has seen established and their growth. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. A genial man and justly popular, he has many friends, and is a member of the Eagles, Foresters and Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Catholic Church.

October 28, 1897, Mr. Suglian married Miss Bertha Bernhauer, of Rock Island, Ill., who came to Fresno in 1891. To them have been born six chil- dren: Eva D., Jack M., Fred V., Francis J., George W. and Florian Virginia.

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PETER A. BORG .- In the life of Peter A. Borg, the skilled machinist and successful proprietor of the well-known general repair and machine shop at 1928 Mono Street, Fresno, is illustrated the results of perseverance, energy and intelligently directed efforts in his chosen line of endeavor. He is a native of Sweden, born September 30, 1866, a son of Olof and Martha (Olson) Borg, who were both natives of that country. In 1868, when Peter was two years old, the parents emigrated to the United States. The family lived in Iowa about twenty years, where four daughters were born, of whom only one is now living, Mrs. Amanda Peterson, of Fresno County. Mrs. Olof Borg died in Kingsburg, Cal., and Mr. Borg, now aged about eighty, makes his home with his daughter.

For twenty years the father farmed in Hamilton County, Iowa, and in 1889 migrated to the Golden State, locating near Kingsburg, Fresno County, Cal., on January 21. At first he purchased twenty acres, which he planted to grapes, and later bought twenty acres more, where he made his home for ten years, after which he moved into Kingsburg where he lived two years. The mother passed away two years after reaching California.

Peter A. Borg did not remain long in Kingsburg, but soon went to Fresno, and in 1890 opened a small blacksmith shop in partnership with N. Peterson, which he operated for three years, when he sold his interest and entered the employ of Kieldsen and Hall, and after four years with this firm, he purchased their blacksmith department and, with John Hjort as partner, opened a blacksmith shop on Fresno Street, between H and I Streets, where they conducted the business for three years. Afterwards he entered into partnership again with N. Peterson, for three years. After selling his interest he was employed in the Central Blacksmith Shop for about two years. For the next six years Mr. Borg was engaged as foreman of the machine shop of the Woodward Company. In 1916 Peter A. Borg opened his present well equipped shop at No. 1928 Mono Street, where he is busily engaged in conducting a general repair and machine shop. He is a thor- oughly experienced machinist, an enterprising and progressive business man, who has by untiring efforts and conscientious workmanship built up a splen- did business. His successful business management is evidenced by his realty holdings in the city of Fresno, where he has, besides his home at No. 317 Effie Street, twenty residence lots.

In 1892 Peter A. Borg was united in marriage with Christena Peterson, a native of Sweden, and this happy union has been blessed with two children : Edith, who is deceased; and Hilma, who is associated with the Neil-White Company of Fresno. Religiously, Mr. Borg is a conscientious member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and he and his family are highly esteemed in their social circle and community.

ANDREW J. FROWSING .- Among the popular business men of Fresno is Andrew J. Frowsing, who, as a member of the firm known as the White . Meat Packing Company, wholesale and retail dealers in meat and meat products in Fresno County, is achieving much in a business which re- quires tact and judgment. Mr. Frowsing was born in Fresno County on August 27, 1886, a son of Martin M. Frowsing, who was a merchant in Fresno. Andrew J. obtained a good education in the public schools of the Fresno Colony and the Artesia districts, which was supplemented by attend- ing the schools of the city of Fresno, until 1895, when he entered the Palo Alto Meat Market, which was owned by his father and remained with him for a year perfecting himself in the trade, with which he had become so familiar from a mere lad. He then spent eighteen months attending the Fresno high school, after which he was employed in the Anderson and Moore butcher shop for a year, and two years were spent in the Veitor Market. Equipped with a thorough knowledge of the butcher business, Mr. Frowsing formed a partnership with W. A. White, under the name of White and

David Williamson .

Catherine E. Williamson

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HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

Frowsing, their business grew in volume and in 1910 they incorporated under the name of the White Meat Packing Company, Mr. Frowsing being elected vice-president and appointed manager of the wholesale department. They own a fine market at 1027 I Street, and a large slaughter-house on Fig and North Avenue. In both shop and slaughter-house their equipment is of the most modern and they do a large business as wholesalers and retailers of meats. A force of about fifty employes is necessary for the conduct of their growing business.

Mr. Frowsing was married at Visalia, February 4, 1911, to Miss Hazel Pinkley, an estimable and popular young lady. She died in Fresno on Novem- ber 1, 1918, and was mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Frowsing is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Eagles. He is also a very welcome member in Fresno Parlor No. 9 Native Sons of the Golden West. In politics he is a supporter of Republican principles. He is a liberal and helpful citizen of whom any community might well feel proud.

DAVID WILLIAMSON .- An honored pioneer of, and one of the most successful raisin growers in the Lone Star District of Fresno County is David Williamson, the owner of two valuable vineyards. He is what is commonly termed a self-made man, and one who has by perseverance and intelligent and industrious efforts become a prosperous vineyardist. David Williamson was born May 21, 1865, in the Shetland Islands. His parents were Henry and Janet (Isbister) Williamson, both natives of the Isle of Unst, one of the group forming the Shetland Islands. The father followed fishing, and the family consisted of three boys and one girl.

In 1872 the Williamson family emigrated to St. John, New Brunswick, and it was here that David was reared and received his education, being brought up on a woodland farm where he learned farming and lumbering. In the fall of 1887 the parents moved to California, locating for two years in the Temperance Colony, Fresno County. In 1889 the family settled in the Lone Star District, where the father purchased twenty acres, which with the aid of his son David he improved. At this time there were very few vineyards in the Lone Star District, wheat being the principal crop raised. At first, David worked on grain ranches, but later on he went into the moun- tains, where he was engaged in lumbering. He was a very industrious and persevering young man and soon became interested in planting vineyards, and he has planted over three hundred acres for himself and others. He has planted, improved and sold several ranches in the vicinity of Lone Star and now owns an excellent raisin ranch of forty acres east of Lone Star, and other valuable vineyards, including a half interest in the "old place," the original twenty acres purchased by his father. Mr. Williamson's mother passed away on September 23, 1918, at Ashland, Ore., on her eighty-third birthday. His father is still living at Ashland and is in his eighty-second year.

In 1898, David Williamson was united in marriage with Miss Catherine E. McFarlane, a native of Kansas, daughter of John and Susie E. McFarlane, both natives of Canada and pioneers of 1880 in Fresno County, who now reside on U Street, Fresno. Mr. and Mrs. David Williamson are the parents of five children: Frank, now twenty years of age, who registered for the United States Army, but was not called for duty; Harry, who is at home helping his father; Max, now nine years old; Doris; and the youngest, David B., Jr., now two and a half years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson and their excellent family are very highly respected in the Lone Star District, and are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Fowler. Mr. William- son is very progressive in business affairs. He was one of the organizers, and helped to build, the packing house at Lone Star which is now owned and operated by the California Associated Raisin Company, of which he is a member and enthusiastic supporter.

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HAROLD E. DWELLE .- None other of the leading professions, it is safe to say, was so early recognized as of necessity and almost unlimited possibility of good, or has been so often honored by the State of California as that of the law. Prominent among the members of the California bar is the Hon. Harold E. Dwelle, assistant district attorney of Fresno County, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., while it was still the City of Churches, on December 17, 1882. His father was James C. Dwelle, and he married Miss Mary A. White, a lady widely esteemed in her youth as both a beauti- ful and an accomplished woman. In 1887 the family came west to the city of Fresno, and finding Fresno an attractive place, Mr. Dwelle located there, and for a few months worked as a wood engraver. Then he bought a place laid out as an orchard and vineyard on Cherry Avenue, which he operated for the period of one year ; then moved to a twenty-acre ranch on Elm Ave- nue, near Easton. In 1914, however, he was injured and after three years of painful suffering as an invalid, he passed to his eternal reward on January 23, 1917. A hard worker according to the most progressive methods, straight- forward in all his dealings so that he scorned to take advantage of anyone, kindly and helpful in his relations to others, he was mourned by the entire community. His good wife is still living.

Educated at the public school at Easton, Harold pushed on through the Washington union high school at Easton, and still determined to reach a greater and more difficult goal, he entered the University of California and, in 1907, was graduated with honors and the coveted B. L. degree. Pushing out into the world, he became a clerk in Department No. 2, of the Superior Court, and while holding that important position he also became law librarian and so systematized it as to greatly increase its value to the bench and bar of Fresno County. In 1911 he matriculated at the University of California Law School and graduated, with the class of 1912, with the degree of LL.B. Throughout his courses in the lecture-rooms, he was favored by a close per- sonal acquaintance with a number of his instructors, who were men of large calibre, with a profound knowledge of law, so that his superior training is at all times apparent in his own life and work. An active Democrat, but something much more-a loyal, public-spirited citizen-Attorney Dwelle was appointed, in February, 1913, deputy district attorney of Fresno County, he having already opened an office and begun to evidence the kind of stuff that is in him. He entered at once on the discharge of his complex and responsible duties, and ever since he has been making good. Neither pains nor expense is spared by him to come up to the full measure of his calling; and when there is work that should be done, the clock plays but a small rôle in his routine. On January 1, 1918, he resigned as deputy district attorney in order to give his entire time to his private practice, and since January 1, 1918, his offices have been 409 Cory Building, and his clientage is constantly on the increase.

On June 27, 1912, in the town of Fowler, Mr. Dwelle was married to Miss Edith M. Blayney ; and then and there he took to himself a mate who has indeed proven the greatest of possible helps. Five children have blessed this marriage-Harold E., Jr., Dorsey K. and Vernon R., Mary A. and Allan K., all of whom contribute life and warmth to the hospitable Dwelle home. The family worship as Protestants, and Mr. Dwelle is a Woodman of the World. He is also a charter member of the University Club.

RUSSELL UHLER .- Of particular historic interest as a public official, because of the fact that he is the first to occupy his position as county purchasing agent since his department was created, is Russell Uhler, a native of the Golden State and the son of J. Clement and Emma (Conkling) Uhler. His father was a banker and stockbroker, who settled in San Francisco in

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HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

1865. Both parents left behind them enviable reputations as citizens, neigh- bors and friends.

Born in San Francisco on June 1, 1875, Russell was educated at the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, and at the University of Penn- sylvania, and while yet a young man engaged in stock-raising in Wyoming, continuing in that strenuous field of activity for eight years. There, too, he got his first touch with public life, serving in the Seventh and Eighth Wyom- ing legislatures which opened their sessions in 1902 and 1904. Alert and watchful for the best interests of both his district and the state, Mr. Uhler soon made a wide and desirable reputation for unselfish service to his con- stituency. Disposing of his cattle interests in 1907, he took up his residence at Fresno, and for one and a half years engaged in the wholesale grain and seed business.

On January 8, 1903, Mr. Uhler married Miss Emily Robinson ; and the result of this marriage has been the birth of two attractive children-Harry and Maurice. Active as a Woodman of the World, Mr. Uhler is equally popular in Commercial Club circles. A Democrat, and chairman of the Demo- cratic Central Committee since 1912, Mr. Uhler served for a couple of years as clerk of the court, and he is now completing, to everybody's satisfaction, his sixth year as county purchasing agent.

GEORGE EDWARD HOSPOOL .- A thoroughly trained and ex- perienced farmer and stockman who has thereby become one of the most representative of Oregonians in the Golden State and a scientifically equipped ranchman whom the supervisors did well to make the superintendent of the county farms, is George Edward Hospool, who came to Fresno at the be- ginning of the last decade, and who has worked hard to advance the interests of Fresno County ever since. He was born near La Grande, Union County, Ore., December 11, 1872, the son of George Hospool, a native of London, England, who had been apprenticed to a butcher and, after completing his trade, came to America and to the state of Iowa. In the fifties he crossed the plains with the usual ox-teams over the Oregon trail and settled in Grand Ronde Valley, where he and a couple of others were the first three settlers. The valley was named by a comrade, La Grande, and so the first town was named after him. George Hospool there took up a ranch, and when the population of the district increased, he built the first store there, and pro- vided the first stock of goods for the convenience of the neighborhood. He engaged in butchering and made trips east across the plains; and on his first return trip to the Pacific Coast brought out his wife and her parents. Having sold his ranch, he continued in the butcher business; and when he retired in 1892, he had three shops. He died, widely known and genuinely respected, in 1898.

Mrs. Hospool was Eliza Lewis before her marriage in Iowa, and she early shared the pioneer life of her husband by crossing the plains with him at a time when such a journey was as full of inconvenience as it was fraught with bodily danger. She died when the subject of this sketch was only fifteen months old, passing away in 1874, the mother of two children. One of these, Ida, now Mrs. Richardson, resides in Pendleton, Ore .; and the other is George Edward, who was the younger.

Brought up at La Grande, he attended the public school there, and next went to the excellent high school at Colfax, Whitman County, Wash. He assisted his father in the butcher trade until he was nineteen or over, and then he began for himself. Having been associated with his father, he had received one of the most thorough trainings; and coupling his own natural enterprise to what he had thus acquired, he was soon ready to make himself properly heard from. He went to Willow County, Ore., and entered the em- ploy of a ranchman, for whom he rode the range. Next he moved to Harney County, and there, continuing to roam the range, worked for Pete French

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for a couple of years. After that he pushed on to Boise City, Idaho, where he opened a meat market, which he ran for a year, and then sold out. In 1900 Mr. Hospool showed his practical discernment and acute appreciation of valnes in respect to the future when he came to Fresno and located. He en- tered the employ of Kennedy and Owen, and for six years was foreman of their cattle ranch. He also established the Union Market at the corner of O and Stanislaus Streets; and when he sold the same, he bought a ranch of forty acres on Jensen Avenue. Mr. Hospool entered the dairy business, but after a year sold out. He then gave his services to the Consumers Ice Company, and for three years continued with their wholesale department.

About October, 1916, Mr. Hospool became superintendent, through ap- pointment from the board of supervisors, of the County Farms, and soon had full charge of the two hundred acres on Ventura Avenue. As may be imag- ined, it was a responsible position, with a herd of thirty-four fine dairy Hol- stein cows; but he was just the man for the place, and soon demonstrated his peculiar fitness. A Democrat in politics, his personality together with his natural and developed ability have always attracted his fellow-citizens and those having business dealings with him, regardless of political lines or creed.

At Elko, in Nevada, Mr. Hospool was married to Miss Gertrude David- son, a native of Oakland, Cal., by whom he has had one child, Edna; and Mrs. Hospool has more and more shared her husband's popularity, while contributing immeasurably, as every such good housewife does, to his success.

WILLIAM F. JONES .- A native son, William F. Jones, the popular sheriff of Fresno County, was born in Tehama County, July 31, 1874, a son of William Z. and Helen (Supan) Jones, natives of New York and Missouri respectively. The parents were pioneers of California, the father having been engaged in the stock business in Tehama County for many years. He died in 1879, respected and admired as an exemplary citizen of the state.

On reaching his thirteenth year, and after he had received a common country school education, William F. began to work in the woods of his native county making shakes. His boyhood had not been devoid of those experiences that demonstrate the pitfalls for lads of his years, and he thus early learned the necessity of "holding his own" on all occasions. He worked faithfully at the tasks given him to do, winning the respect of his employers, and was advanced from one position to another through merit. He worked for the Sierra Lumber Company in Tehama County for seven years, and for a time was employed in Terry's Mill in Shasta County. He became a leader of men and had the faculty of getting the average of accomplishment out of their labors with but a small amount of friction. Thus the years he spent as manager of the logging camps in Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties enabled him to gain a firm grasp on the business he was following and make a place for himself in the world.

In 1907 Mr. Jones came down to Fresno County. The first two years of his stay here he helped build the mills at Hume; in fact, he put the first axe in the timber when the mill was started, and from that time until he relinquished his position he had charge of all the work except that of the sawyers. He built over a hundred miles of railroad, miles of wagon roads in the mountains, stores, schoolhouse, hospital, and such other buildings as were required in a lumber and mill town and camp. His greatest success in his labors was in working for the interests of his employers and the men in conjunction, thus bringing harmony between labor and capital. Many times he had over 500 men under his supervision, and the confidence they had in him was such that he acted as arbitrator, settling their many personal diffi- culties, and thereby was able to get a larger amount of work out of them than is usual, and at the same time the work was done cheerfully by them.

After living at the camp two years, Mr. Jones went to Sanger and there bought a home and soon was interested in various movements for the develop-

albert & Johnson

mary & Johnson,

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HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

ment of the little town. He was a partner in the Sanger Plumbing House, and in 1912 was one of the organizers of the Kings River and Hume Auto Service Company. However, he did not let these interests interfere with his superintendency of the work at Hume for the lumber company.

An epoch in his life opened to him in 1918, when he was prevailed upon to become a candidate for sheriff of Fresno County. From a small lad he had entertained aspirations of such an honor, and he decided he would enter the campaign. This was the first time he had ever entered into politics in any way. For seven months he conducted a personal canvas throughout the county, and by his straighforward manner easily convinced the people he met that he would administer justice as it was called for in such a position. He organized a "Jones-for-Sheriff Club" and at the primaries had received the votes necessary to place his name on the ticket at the election to be held in November. It must not be inferred that Mr. Jones did not meet with op- position, for he was unknown to the great majority of the voters of the county and his contest was bitterly opposed by other candidates. He was elected by a safe majority and assumed the duties of the office on January 6, 1919. It is safe to say that no other officer has ever gone into that office with less friction on all sides than has Mr. Jones. He is discharging the duties of the office without fear or favor, upholding the majesty of the law as his conscience dictates, and has won commendation from all parties. The suc- cess that he has attained only goes to show what a man can do when he once sets a goal for his ambition.

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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 II, Part 18

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858- Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1424