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 53
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Born near Olney, in Richland County, Ill., on August 22, 1883, the subject of our sketch began his education at the public schools and continued his preparation for life in the rough school of experience. At the age of nine- teen, he had so far progressed that he was teaching with a second grade certificate; and two years later, he used a first-grade certificate. Abandon- ing the class-room for the counter, he went into a general merchandise store at Passport, Ill., and for two years he patiently acquired the numerous de- tails of the exacting business. Then he bought the proprietor out, and for two years conducted the store himself. Disposing of his entire interest there, he acquired a farm in exchange, and next experimented in the field of agriculture.
1801
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
In March, 1910, attracted to Selma by its wonderful development, Mr. Dewhirst sold his farm and left the state in which he had spent some of the best years of his life. He at once engaged as a clerk with the Selma Rochdale Company, a mercantile house with a history of unusual interest. The old company was organized in 1900 as one of the first cooperative stores in the San Joaquin Valley. There were one hundred eighty-eight members when the company was most prosperous, and the shares were taken principally by ranchers and horticulturists of the vicinity. However, the death of the principal supporters led to its dissolution, the company paying its debts, one hundred cents on the dollar, and also paying the shareholders in full. In 1912, Mr. Dewhirst was made manager, and he continued with the old com- pany until it sold out, on December 22, 1917, to J. M. Byrne.
On January 1, 1918, the present firm, also known as the Rochdale Com- pany, was organized and its store opened on High Street, Selma, since which time the public have come more and more to appreciate its service. Being a very careful business man, Mr. Dewhirst not only selects with a special view as to what his patrons want, but when he has been successful in secur- ing what usually cannot be found with his competitors, he exercises adequate care to see that it is well displayed. From first to last he applies those busi- ness ideals, to which reference has already been made, with the result that it must be an odd customer who is not eventually and generally satisfied.
In his twenty-first year, Mr. Dewhirst was married to Miss Grace Dewhirst, by whom he has had four children, Victor, Roy, Fred, and William ; and more than ever today his good helomate shares his popularity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dewhirst are members of the Methodist Church, and with their children they attend the First Methodist Episcopal congregation. Lately, Mr. Dewhirst purchased his former home on Second Street from W. R. Dale, where hospitality marked the family life, and once again drew together a wide circle of friends.
W. R. GORDON .- It is not often that a man is able to test his popular- ity with safety and success by absenting himself awhile from the scene of his former activities, but this has been done by W. R. Gordon who, to the great satisfaction of his numerous friends and his even more numerous ac- quaintances, returned to Selma with his family on April 1, 1919, and two weeks later took possession of the Economy Grocery, which occupies the south side of the store-room at 1940 East Front Street, Selma. His many years of experience both as clerk and proprietor have made him thoroughly conver- sant with the best brands and qualities of staple and fancy groceries, and he not only gives his personal attention to the wants of his patrons, but directs the neat and sanitary disposition of his stock. He is indeed a live wire, and it is not surprising that he is building up a good trade at Selma.
W. R. Gordon was born at Warrensburg, Johnson County, Mo., on September 2, 1883, the son of \V. B. Gordon who married Miss Ada Reed, a native of Little Rock, Ark., who still lives in Fresno, with her four daughters. When the lad was sixteen years of age, his parents came with him to Selma, and here his father served the city for four years as Councilman, dying in January, 1918, when he was fifty-nine years old. During his tenure of office especially. he was one of the strongest temperance advocates at a time when Prohibition was decidedly unpopular, and when the anti-saloon fight was up-hill work, and he stood firmly for a dry Selma. When he first went into the bitter fight, he ran a busy blacksmith shop and employed six men in a smithy that was among the best patronized in or near Selma; but as a re- stilt of his uncompromising attitude toward the liquor traffic, he saw his business dwindle to a point where, with only one helper, he could take care of all the work that came to his shop. Nevertheless, he persisted in his work of reform, and Selma became the first dry town in the San Joaquin Valley.
1802
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
WV. R. Gordon is largely self-taught and self-made, having been rather a precocious boy when he was in the grammar schools in Missouri and at Selma. At thirteen he entered a newspaper office in Missouri, first as "devil," and later as typesetter on the Johnson County Star, and soon after arriving in Selma he resumed his work as a compositor, working after school and on Saturdays for John W. Aikin, editor and proprietor of the Enterprise at Selma. Later on he was made clerk in Unger's Stationery Store, and later still became a clerk for the Walter Scott Company, in Selma, remaining with the latter firm steadily for eight years. He next went to Coalinga and clerked for A. P. May for a year, and then he bought a store at San Joaquin, in Fresno County, where he also became postmaster, while conducting a suc- cessful general merchandise store.
In the spring of 1919 he returned to Selma and bought out WV. O. Staley, the former owner of the Economy Market, and took possession of the grocery department. Mr. Staley had owned and operated both the meat market and the grocery, but the former he sold to Jess L. Williams, who took pos- session the same day that Mr. Gordon did.
On the second day of July, 1905, at Selma, Cal., Mr. Gordon was mar- ried to Miss Bertha Neer, a native daughter, whose parents, William and Mary (Bozeman) Neer, ranchers a quarter of a mile east of Selma, reared her in that favoring town. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have two children, Louise and Marada. The family attends the Christian Church at Selma, and Mr. Gordon is a popular member of the Woodmen of the World.
MRS. CHRISTINE A. PETERSEN .- The home of Mrs. Christine A. Petersen, widow of the late John Petersen, superintendent and president of the Parlier Winery during his lifetime, radiates the hospitality and good cheer that its owner is ever pleased to extend to those who are so fortunate as to be guests within its walls.
Mrs. Petersen is a native of Denmark, having been born in Sondre, Jylland, November 22, 1868. She is the daughter of Hans Iversen Vind and Anna Maria (Schmidt) Vind. Her father was a well-to-do farmer in Denmark, and both her parents were born and married under the Danish flag. As a result of the war of 1864, however, Schleswig became a province of Germany. Although her father died under the German flag his sympathies always re- mained with Denmark. In a family of six children who grew to maturity, Mrs. Petersen is the second child. Two children died in infancy in Denmark. The six children came to California, viz., Marie, who is the wife of Charles Sorensen, a chef residing at Fruitvale; Christine Adophine; Hans J., who died single in California; Petrine, the wife of Christ Andersen, a baker in San Francisco, where they reside; Jorgine A., the wife of Peter Hansen, a rancher near Parlier; and Peter Adolph, who is a rancher north of Parlier. After the death of the father of the family, his widow came to Selma, Cal. She was accompanied by her invalid son, Hans J., and divided her time between the homes of her children in various places in California and the home of her son, Peter Adolph Vind, in the Selma district. The mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-three, dying in California.
Mrs. Petersen was reared in Schleswig and sailed alone from Hamburg on the steamship Harmonia. She embarked at Hamburg in the early part of September, 1885, and landing at Castle Garden, New York, lost no time in going to Salinas, Cal., where she arrived October 3, 1885. She met Mr. Petersen-a native of Denmark, born February 26, 1859-in the Central Colony, four miles south of Fresno, where they were married May 31, 1889.
As a young man, Mr. Petersen served his regular military course in Denmark, afterwards working on farms in that country. After coming to the United States he worked at various occupations and trades, finally coming to California. He owned 160 acres in San Bernardino County. Cal., then became interested in Fresno County viticulture. He lived six months in the
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Sam Hamilton May a. Hamilton
1805
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
Central Colony, then came to the Parlier district. (There was no Parlier station at that time). Later, he helped build the winery at Parlier and for five years served as its secretary and manager. For four years he was its manager and President. He then purchased twenty acres of unimproved land. Starting with nothing, the place is now well improved. In 1906, Mr. Petersen built a fine residence. The ranch is on the Consolidated Ditch and is planted to alfalfa, muscats, Thompson seedless, seedless sultanas, Malagas and peaches.
Mr. Petersen died September 10, 1911, at the age of fifty-two and was buried in the Mendocino Cemetery. He was the first president of the Danish Brotherhood. His widow now owns the ranch.
Mrs. Petersen bore her husband seven children. The oldest is deceased. Hannah is the wife of Mr. Henry Eckenrode, ex-soldier in the Philippines and in the United States Marines, who is now renting a ranch one and a half miles northwest of Parlier; they are the parents of one child, Bernice Christine. Henry George, twenty-four years of age, has just returned from France. He was transferred to the One Hundred Seventh Ammunition Train of the Thirty- second Division, and saw five months' active service in the Alsace, the Aisne- Marne or Chateau Thierry, and Soissons and Argonne sectors. He had several close calls. He was honorably discharged, May 31, 1919, at the Presidio, and reached home the next day. William Bryan joined the colors, and served five months at Camp Kearney, and became chief mechanic ; he was honorably discharged at Camp Kearney and came home February 6, 1919. Walter Christian, a lad of seventeen, graduated in June, 1918, from the Selma High School; John and Antone M., twins, died in infancy.
Mrs. Petersen is a charming and accomplished woman, and her well- ordered houschold bespeaks her qualifications as a fine housekeeper. She is a consistent Christian and an active church worker, and she and her family are members of the Lutheran Church, three miles west of Parlier on the Reedley road. Mrs. Petersen is also a member of the Red Cross.
SAMUEL HAMILTON .- A native son proud of his association with the great commonwealth on the Pacific Coast, Samuel Hamilton was born in the Red Bank district of Fresno County, on May 2, 1877, the son of Stephen Hamilton, who came from Illinois to California in the early settlement of the state, having crossed the great plains, and for a time followed mining. Then he moved into Fresno County and became one of the early grain- ranchers near Red Bank, although he died at Oakland in 1897. Mrs. Hamil- ton was Albina Howison before her marriage; she also was a native of the East, and died in the Red Bank district in 1900. Two children were born of their union; Samuel, of this review, and Nellie, now a teacher in the Fresno State Normal.
Samuel Hamilton received the best education possible in the local public schools and at the Woodbridge Business College, and from a youth assisted his father at grain-farming. He was united in marriage at Tarpey, Fresno County, on December 10, 1899, with Miss May Alice Fleming, who was born at Lewiston, N. Y., and came to California and Fresno County in 1893 with her parents, J. M. and Emma E. (Odell) Fleming, and she was educated in the Jefferson school district.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton continued at grain-farming, in Red Bank, where he operated his mother's place, until her death in 1900; and then, having inherited the farm with his sister, he kept on raising grain and stock there for thirteen years. In 1903 or 1904, he and his sister pur- chased 160 acres in Enterprise Colony, and began improving it by setting out twenty-six acres in vineyard; and in 1912 they sold the old Hamilton place. Then he leased a vineyard at Clovis, which he ran in connection with the ranch of 160 acres; but he did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for he passed away, February 23, 1914, at the early age of thirty-seven. After 84
1806
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
his death, Mrs. Hamilton built a residence on the tract of 160 acres and con- tinued viticulture and farming, in partnership with Miss Nellie Hamilton. She made numerous improvements, and among them sunk a fine well. She resided on the property until 1917; then, on account of needed high school advantages for her children, she built a residence in Clovis, to which place she moved; and there she now resides, having rented the ranch.
Six children were born to this worthy couple, and five are at present living : Nellie Margaret, a graduate of the Clovis High School, Class of '19; John Leslie, attending the same; Ellison Stephen; Doris May, and Samuel Lawrence. Mr. Hamilton was always interested in the cause of popular education, and served as a member of the board of trustees of the Red Bank school district. Mrs. Hamilton is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Clovis, and a stockholder of the California Associated Raisin Company, one of the greatest agencies for the advancement of Central California.
WILLIAM DUNCAN .- A business man of stability and influence, most interesting to converse with, perhaps because of the many hardships through which he has gone-is William Duncan, who has built up a sub- stantial block in the commercial district of Clovis and now enjoys, with his gifted wife and daughter, the fruits of his years of toil. His grandfather, Thomas, was born in Scotland; he was a college graduate and an educator ; he crossed the ocean and settled in New York, afterwards teaching in Montreal, where he was principal of schools. His father, William, was born at Utica, and growing up to be a farmer, he crossed the border and settled in Ontario. In 1866, he came to Lanark, Ill., and later removed to Albany, Whiteside County, the same state, where he resided until he died. Mrs. Duncan had been Elizabeth Burton Williscraft before her marriage; she was born in England, and died in Clinton, Iowa. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom are still living.
Born at Smith's Falls, Ontario, on June 13, 1857, the second youngest, William was educated at the public schools, completing the grammar grades in Albany, Ill. When sixteen, he began running on a Mississippi river boat owned by his brother-in-law, Captain O. P. McMahon, where he became engineer ; but quitting the river, he chose the blacksmith trade. At Clinton, Iowa, he had a chance to learn the trade with George Bryant, and he re- mained with him for three years, or until 1877. He was also awhile in busi- ness for himself. When he sold out, he joined a company of young men going to the Black Hills, who made their way through the Indian country to Fort Pierre by means of ox teams. There he prospected and mined, with varying luck. He and a partner, John F. Straub, located two mines. On leaving, they let a fellow in as partner with a one-third interest. He de- veloped the veins but the next year all the records of the location of mineral claims were burned in the big fire at Deadwood; and taking advantage of this fact, the rascal jumped both claims and sold them for one hundred thousand dollars, and neither Duncan nor Straub ever received anything for their share.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duncan had made his way from Deadwood to Morrison, Colo., where he worked at his trade, and later to Leadville, where he pros- pected and mined. Then he came on to Prescott, Ariz., where he was a blacksmith with Fred Britt. He next engaged in cattle-raising with J. H. Hicks, in the Magolone mountains, using the brand of H-D, the two letters representing the two partners, Hicks and Duncan. After some years, they divided up, and he continued the cattle business alone in Strawberry Valley. He had been in the cattle business for sixteen years, and had prospered, owning many cattle, when a three years' drought came on, and he lost all that he had.
While in Strawberry Valley, Ariz., Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Laura Bell McFarlane, who was born in Merced County, Cal. She was well-
1807
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
educated and a member of the teaching profession; and was engaged in teaching when she met Mr. Duncan. Her folks lived in the San Joaquin Valley; and after they lost all their cattle, they moved to California in 1895. Here Mr. Duncan engaged in mining in the Yosemite Valley, on the Mari- posa-Tuolumne county line; and with his brother-in-law he opened and ran the Laurel-LeGrand mine. There they built a five-stamp mill and put in a hoist and other machinery, using steam power for all the work. Bent on greater adventure, Mr. Duncan, in 1898, made the journey into the Klondyke, going to Atlan Lake, then to Dawson, then to Eagle City, traveling 1,500 miles over ice with dog teams, to Nome, prospecting from point to point. He was two years and four months in the frozen North, and during that stay, all too long, went through many hardships, so that he was never before so glad to return to California.
Taking up his residence here again, he located in Clovis, and ran a butcher shop. Then he worked in San Francisco and Portland, and finally at Coalinga, where he was on the construction of the water-line. In Novem- ber, 1908, he bought out Broes Giffin's blacksmith shop, and continued the business. All he had was a little wooden shop on two lots; since then he bought three lots adjoining, giving him 125x150 feet located on the corner, and built a new blacksmith shop, 50x75 feet. He also built a new brick garage, 50x120 feet, and furnished it with modern machinery. This garage and equipment he rents. He also owns a comfortable residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have had five children : Maud L., a graduate of the Fresno State Normal, and now Mrs. Brown; Grace B., also a graduate of the Fresno State Normal, teaching in Oakland ; William J., a graduate of Clovis High School, who died at the age of eighteen; George, who died at one year of age; and Oliver J., attending the Clovis High School. Public- spirited, and favoring all that makes for better conditions, Mr. Duncan is a Republican in national politics, but supports the best man when it comes to local issues. Both Mr. and Mrs. Duncan enjoy the respect and good-will of the community.
J. R. HOOP, D. V. S .- A young man who has dedicated his life to the important science of veterinary medicine and who has those progressive and prepossessing qualities which make him welcome among the most enter- prising residents of Fresno County, is J. R. Hoop, the son of James A. Hoop, a native of Ohio, and Martha A. Casey, who was born in Indiana. His parents were married in Iowa and moved to Western Kansas, where Mr. Hoop engaged in the stock business. Choosing to move still further west, he brought his family to Santa Ana, Orange County, Cal., in 1906; but although he could see the many advantages of the Southland, he was not satisfied until, two years later, he brought his household north to Selma, where the family is now residing. Here the father is the fortunate possessor of forty acres set to peaches and vines, while he has a residence with two acres at the city limits, just north of Selma. He is now at work for the county, hauling oil for road purposes. Two daughters are: Mrs. A. B. Scholes and Mrs. J. F. Berry, both of whom are living in Selma.
Born on June 20, 1888, at Santa Fe, Kans., and reared in Cowley County, that state, young Hoop attended the grammar schools of Kansas, while grow- ing up on farm and stock ranches. Thus, early in life he became familiar with live stock; and that boyhood experience has been of great value to him. He rode the range as soon as he could keep his balance in the saddle. When a youth he became a jockey, and weighing only 114 pounds, he rode many famous horses, frequently winning for the owners.
Mr. Hoop had come to California with his parents in 1906, but in 1907 he returned to Kansas, and entered the Kansas City Veterinary College. After completing the three-year course, which has made that institution notable in the West, he graduated with the Class of 1910. He has not only
1808
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
acquired scientific knowledge, but the latest ideas in practical devices, and as a result he has the most up-to-date electrical float and full equipment for veterinary dentistry and surgery. He very successfully treats anthrax, lumpy jaw, black leg, and tuberculosis, by means of vaccines and serums, and administers tubercular tests; and he also treats hog cholera by means of serums. He also castrates ridglings, stallions, etc., very successfully, having castrated forty-seven ridglings and never lost a case. His office is at 1612 East Front Street, Selma, and so successful has he been that he owns the building in which the office is located. He also owns the lots at the corner of his business street, that is, at the corner of East Front and Orange Streets. Dr. Hoop is a member of the State Veterinary Medical Association.
On February 11, 1913, Dr. Hoop was married to Miss Mary A. Wagner, a native of Oklahoma, who came to California about seven years ago. They have one child, J. D., four years of age. Dr. Hoop owns a handsome five- room bungalow residence at 2465 B Street, in Selma, where he resided with his family before he entered the service. He is a Mason and a member of Selma Lodge, No. 277, F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Foresters. He is a loyal booster for Selma and Fresno County, and actively supports the Raisin Growers' Association.
Dr. Hoop enlisted in the Veterinary Corps in the late war and was com- missioned lieutenant, serving three months at Camp Lee, Virginia. When he enlisted he gave up his practice at Selma. He was honorably discharged on January 1, 1919. Since his return he has devoted nearly all his time to his two splendid ranches of twenty and forty acres, respectively, which lie about four one-half miles west of Selma, and which are in vines. Dr. Hoop and family moved to the city of Fresno upon his return from the service, and are now domiciled there.
D. A. WILLIAMS .- The career of D. A. Williams, one of Fresno County's successful vineyardists and horticulturists, furnishes a splendid example of what is commonly termed, a self-made man. He is a man of sterling integrity and worth and is highly esteemed in the community near Fowler, where he owns a ranch of 120 acres, on Adams Avenue, one mile west of Fowler. A native of the Lone Star State, Mr. Williams was born on December 3,. 1866, near Georgetown, Texas. a son of William C. and Eliza ( Ellison) Williams. His grandfather, Aaron Williams, was born in Virginia, but migrated to Tennessee and it was in this state that W. C. the father of D. A. Williams, the subject of this review, was born. The Williams family are descendants of Scotch ancestry, although D. A. Williams claims a trace of Welsh blood from his paternal grandmother. His mother's progenitors, the Ellisons, were natives of the Emerald Isle who immigrated to the United States. settling in Alabama during the early days of American history and later moving to North Carolina, then to Tennessee, afterwards to Texas and finally the present representatives of the Ellison family migrated to the Golden State. Both the Williams and Ellison families have experienced the trials, hardships and excitements of pioneer settlers. William C. Williams, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a scout and cavalryman during the Civil War, serving in the Confederate Army. At one time he farmed and raised cattle in Williamson County, Texas.
D. A. Williams was united in marriage with Estella Glossbrenner, daughter of A. F. Glossbrenner, of Fowler, Cal., the ceremony being solem- nized in Mason County, Texas.
He was identified with the farming and cattle business in Texas, but owing to failing health, he moved from there to the Salt River Valley, Ariz., where he was interested in cattle-raising for six or seven years.
He arrived in Arizona with his wife and five children, and only five dollars in cash. Being undaunted by adversity and fully determined to suc- ceed, he struggled along and by hard work, intelligent efforts and economical habits, he eventually succeeded.
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