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 96

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 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A. A. BAKER .- A man who has had much to do with oil development in the Coalinga field is A. A. Baker, who is descended from an old English family, one of the original ancestors of which, Sir Richard Baker, came to America and was attracted at once to the home of William Penn, whose ac- tivities were directed to maintaining peace, and Sir Richard being a member of the Society of Friends allied himself with them. The father of A. A. Baker, Reuben Baker, was a millwright, and enlisted in the Civil War in a Pennsyl- vania Regiment. In 1876 he came to Shasta County, Cal., farming six miles south of Reading, and then to the Sierra Lumber Company in corners of Te- hama and Butte counties. In 1902 he went to the Los Angeles oil fields and engaged in contracting and drilling, remaining there until he retired to his present home ncar Sanger. The mother was Mary E. Strode, born in Penn- sylvania of Scotch descent, a member of the Society of Friends. There were six children, five of whom are living: Margaret, Mrs. Anglin, of Hanford ; Aaron Alphonso; Sarah, died in infancy ; R. C., of Coalinga ; Jas. E., Super- intendent Coalinga Petroleum; Minnie, Mrs. Albaugh, of Shasta County.

A. A. Baker was born near Kenneth Square, Chester County, Pa., De- cember 10, 1867, and his youthful days were spent in the public schools there, but in 1876 he came to California and continued his education in the public schools in Shasta ; he took up bookkeeping, and became bookkeeper for the

2215

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

Hollenbeak store at Pittville, Shasta County, until the death of the proprietor. He then bought the store and conducted it under the name of A. A. Baker from 1898 until 1904, when he sold and located in Coalinga. Here he asso- ciated himself with his father and brothers R. C. and J. E., and leased eighty acres of land in 23-20-14, and sunk the first producing well at less than eight hundred feet. The company was called the Coalinga Western, and later was consolidated with St. Paul-Fresno which company also controlled eighty acres, making 160 acres by the consolidation-the company name was St. Consolidated-and A. A. Baker was superintendent from the founding of the original Coalinga Western. He was one of the organizers of Coalinga Petro- leum Company with his brothers and two others, and developed eighty acres in Section 14-20-14, of which his brother, J. E., is the superintendent.

Mr. Baker was married in Fall River, Shasta County, to Bertha L. Neat, a native of Tehama County, Cal. They have four children: Mary, Aaron, Harland and Ruth. Mr. Baker is a member of Fall River Lodge No. 304, I. O. O. F., and is a Past Grand and has been Representative to the Grand Lodge; with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. For many years he was a school trustee of Claremont District, Fresno County, and a part of this time was clerk. He is,a member of the Society of Friends, and in politics a strong Republican.

JOHN B. SIMERLY .- Judge Simerly, the able Justice of the Peace at Laton, is a native of Eastern Tennessee, born at Hampton, Carter County, April 20, 1859, a son of Elijah and Mary (Hampton) Simerly, the mother being a distant relative of Gen. Wade Hampton, of South Carolina; the father was for several terms the sheriff of Carter County, Tenn. Elijah Sim- erly was opposed to slavery. It is interesting to note that Carter County raised more than one thousand soldiers for the Union Army, during the Civil War, and that the Simerly family was one of the most loyal in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Simerly were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, Judge John B. Simerly being the seventh child. He attended the grammar and high schools at Milligan College, Tenn., and also pursued a college course at Milligan College. He was reared on the farm of his father who was an extensive landowner and stockman in Eastern Tennessee.

When he was twenty-five years of age, John B. Simerly was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Smith, daughter of James G. Smith, who was at one time surveyor of Carter County, and it was in this county that Mrs. Simerly was born, reared and educated. After his marriage, John B. con- tinued to farm on his father's place until 1902, when he migrated to California and settled at Laton, Fresno County, and has resided there ever since, his ranch being located two miles west of Laton.

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Simerly were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: Clarence G., a rancher, married Jessie Prather, of Laton, and they have three children: Howard, a mechanic in the Aviation Section of the United States Army in France; Edward, a rancher who married Mary Holmes of Laton, and they have three children; Henry, with the Hospital Corps of the United States Army in France ; Robert, also serving his country in France, with a trench mortar brigade; Jesse D., who is attending the Laton high school and is listed in the draft. In 1915, Judge Simerly was bereft of his devoted wife, who passed away at Laton, being fifty-five years of age.

In 1913, John B. Simerly was appointed Justice of the Peace, for the thirteenth township, which territory includes Laton, Laguna and Grant precincts. In 1914, he was elected to the office and has efficiently discharged his duties for five years. In the month of March, 1919, Judge Simerly was married to Mrs. Cora May Spike nee Wilkinson, widow of the late T. G. Spike of Laton.

2216

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

CHARLES BACON .- A thoroughly posted buyer of fruit in the San Joaquin Valley, Charles Bacon has had the good fortune to grow up with Fresno. He was born in Sampson, Turkey, August 15, 1877, and when eleven years of age came to the United States, with a sister. They came direct to Fresno, which at that time had a population of about seven thousand. The public schools and the Sparrow Business College furnished young Bacon his education, and after he had finished school he went to work on a ranch and continued for eight months at his first job. He then decided to rent some land and work for himself, and leased the El Capitan Vineyard, 160 acres of which were in vineyard, twenty acres in Malagas, and sixty acres in Mus- cats, while the other eighty acres of the ranch were given over to diversified farming. After several years of successful operation, Mr. Bacon bought the vineyard, and two years later sold off some of it at a good profit. The property has been a large producer, one year yielding 115 tons of raisins, which sold for five and one-fourth cents per pound ; and 150 tons of Malagas, which sold for $3,000.

During the time Mr. Bacon was looking after his own property interests, he was buying fruit for other parties. He organized and conducted the Pala- gan Fruit Company, and the Star Fruit Company. Fruit and raisins were bought and packed at their packing houses in Fresno. For the past eight years Mr. Bacon has been buying fruit for the Fresno Fruit Growers Com- pany, and his years of experience in that line of industry make him an in- valuable man and a successful buyer. During the season, about eight months of the year, he is a very busy man and travels about 135 miles daily, by auto- mobile through the valley.

Mr. Bacon has made a success in life by his own efforts, and believes in progress and development of all industries, and does his best to support such projects. He is the father of three children: Gorkin, Hig, and Zobel.

CECIL FEAVER .- A progressive, industrious rancher near Fowler, who enjoys a desirable popularity and whose wife worthily represents one of the well-known pioneer families of California, is Cecil Feaver, the son of George Feaver, an early settler here who is mentioned elsewhere in this history. Cecil Feaver was born at Wells, in Somersetshire, England, on May 12, 1881, and when only three years of age came out to the country whose resources were to be so favorable to his development, and whose problems were to challenge his noblest and most varied capabilities.

Cecil grew up on his father's farm near Fowler, where his education was limited to the usual public-school courses and to the first year at the Fresno high school. He was thoroughly wide-awake, however, and at the age of nineteen was made foreman for Wylie M. Giffen, president of the California Associated Raisin Company, for whom he planted his large vineyards at Orosi, where in 1905, he set out 106 acres to grapes, and the next year planted another vineyard of 480 acres. After two years of successful experience as foreman, Mr. Feaver, in partnership with his brother, improved 160 acres on shares, and developed the property to a high degree. This was owned by J. R. and J. D. Hickman.

Mr. Feaver was married to Miss Abbie Josephine Enas, daughter of Joseph Enas, who was born at Nantucket, Mass., and who went as a sailor before the mast; he sailed around the Horn three or four times, and as Cap- tain commanded one of the ships of his father, Captain Emanuel Enas, whaler and shipowner. After a while, the father came west and bought a ranch in Napa County ; and near Napa she grew up. Her father had settled for a while at San Francisco; and he was one of the first mail and water carriers, before that city had a water system, and was a real San Francisco pioneer.

The ranch where Cecil Feaver lives and which he operates is owned jointly by him and his brother John, having been bought by them in 1908.

Mis abbr & Facu

Cecil Feaver

2219

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

It includes sixty acres, choice in every respect, and more than ever im- proved. The brothers also own 175 acres, set to vines and trees, near Han- ford. Besides attending to his other interests, Mr. Feaver also rented for three years some 200 acres belonging to the ranch of Ex-Senator W. F. Chandler at Del Rey, and as usual made a success of the venture.

Mr. Feaver is an active member of the California Associated Raisin Company, the California Peach Growers, Inc., and the California Apricot and Prune Growers Association. He endeavors under the banner of the Republican party, to promote good citizenship, such as does not place self- ish private interests above those of society and the state. He joined the Fresno Home Guards, a war measure, during the progress of the World War.

Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Feaver: Cecil James is the eldest; Maurice Egbert comes next; and then there are George Elwyn and Floyd Joseph. The family attend the First Presbyterian Church of Fowler. Mrs. Feaver passed to the Great Beyond on April 28, 1919, aged thirty-nine years.

Fresno County has reason to expect much from this advanced agricultur- ist and public-spirited citizen, and in such thrifty, broad-minded citizenship lies the hope for the future.

CLARENCE G. SIMERLY .- Among the successful ranchers and stock- men of Fresno County located in the vicinity of Laton, especial mention is made of C. G. Simerly, the subject of this review, and owner of a well im- proved ranch of forty-six acres on Bellevue Avenue, northwest of Laton. He is the oldest living son of Judge J. B. Simerly, of Laton, the Justice of the Peace of Township Thirteen, of Fresno County. C. G. Simerly was born in Carter County, Tenn., June 28, 1886, and came with his parents to California in May, 1902. His early days in the Golden State were spent on his father's farm near Laton, where he assisted him in the work. C. G. Simerly has always been very industrious and through well directed efforts and thrift had saved, by 1909, sufficient money to buy his ranch of forty-six acres, which affords him and his family a good home.

Clarence G. Simerly takes pardonable pride in his family history. In the biography of his father, John B. Simerly, which appears on another page in this volume, it appears that his ancestors for several generations past were influential and prominent in eastern Tennessee and were loyal Union sup- porters, whose record for courage and patriotism is well sustained by four of our subject's own brothers, in the recent World War. Strong both men- tally and physically, the Simerlys are always active for the progress of man- kind.

In 1910, C. G. Simerly was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Prather, daughter of James and Laura Prather, who live on one of Jack Gepford's ranches, and they are the proud parents of three children: Clarence Jean, Edith L. Vine, and James Bell. Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Simerly are highly esteemed in their community.

EUGENE WILSON .- An enterprising rancher with a decidedly scien- tific turn of mind and, like his good wife, a loyal and thoroughly democratic American in both word and deed, is Eugene Wilson, who is at present en- gaged in dairying and the raising of hogs and poultry, and is also experiment- ing with cotton and the pickling of cucumbers. He owns and operates a ranch of twenty acres on Mount Whitney Avenue, five miles west of Laton. He was born at Ash Flat, Sharp County, Ark., on December 22, 1875, the son of Reuben Jasper Wilson, a native and a pioneer of Arkansas, who had mar- ried Hannah Johnson, who was born in Tennessee. Their folks moved to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Tennessee; and thence to Arkansas, where the parents married. In 1851, the father crossed the plains with ox teams to California, and mined gold in Amador, Calaveras and Placer counties, from 1851 to 1853; and when he went back to Arkansas in 1854, he married. In 101

2220

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

1884, with his wife he came again to California, and settled in Fresno County ; and here, a couple of years ago, he died at Hanford, in his eighty-third year. Mrs. Wilson, the mother, lives at Fowler, and two of her sons are also living, while two sons and two daughters are dead.

Eugene Wilson was nine years of age when he first came to Fresno County, and he was reared at Oleander where, for years, his father ran a store. He attended the grammar school of his neighborhood, the Easton high school, and for a term studied at the Stockton College. In 1900, he was married to Miss Mollie Johnson, the ceremony occurring at Hanford. The bride was the daughter of the well-known Tennesseean, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, and she was born in her father's state.

This union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been singularly blessed, and nowhere will one find a brighter fireside. Six children have come to them: Vernon, Vaudine, Marguerite, Laura Belle, Woodrow, and William; and all give promise of becoming as great as the first gentleman or the first lady of the land.

Mr. Wilson came to the Laguna de Tache in 1906, and since then, as a loyal Democrat in national politics, but non-partisan in local issues, he has endeavored to promote good citizenship, and to work for the general im- provement of Laton and vicinity, as well as of the County as a whole.

WILLIAM S. FISHER .- From among the many successful oilmen of Coalinga, Cal., particular mention is accorded the name of Wm. S. Fisher, who has been the efficient superintendent of the Mercantile Crude Oil Com- pany for more than sixteen years. He was born in Hume, Bates County, Mo., October 11, 1875, and came to Hanford, Cal., with his parents March 7, 1894. His father, William E., as well as his grandfather, Iliff. Fisher, were both natives of Michigan. The grandfather crossed the plains to California in that memorable year, 1849, where he engaged in the sawmill business until 1851, when he returned to Michigan. In 1852 he again crossed the plains, this time taking with him a herd of cows. After remaining one year in California he returned to Michigan with the intention of bringing his family to California, but within two weeks after reaching home he passed away. William E. Fisher, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a saw-mill man and at one time a railroad engineer. During the Civil War he enlisted with the Twelfth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was twice taken pris- oner, being confined once in Libby Prison, but was released by being ex- changed ; afterwards he was a prisoner in Andersonville from which place he escaped. At the end of his gallant service in behalf of his country, he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark.

William E. Fisher was united in marriage with Sarah J. Pierce, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Samuel Pierce, also a native of Kentucky, who set- tled in Kansas, the ceremony being solemnized in the latter state. After his marriage he settled in Missouri, near Hume, where he purchased 200 acres and engaged in saw milling, later, building a steam flouring mill in Hume which he operated until 1885, when it was destroyed by fire, after which Mr. Fisher returned to farming. On this farm he built a saw and grist mill. In 1892, William E. Fisher took a trip to California and returned east in 1893, but, like thousands of other persons who had once come under the spell of the Golden State's many attractions, her splendid opportunities were too strong for him to resist longer, so in the spring of 1894 he sold out and moved with his family to California, settling at Hanford. The first three years in Cal- ifornia, Mr. Fisher ran a threshing machine, and was the first person to operate an alfalfa huller, in the state. After a life of usefulness he passed to his eternal reward on January 27, 1897, his widow still survives him and is residing now at Hanford. Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Fisher were the parents of nine children, William S., the subject of this review, being the fourth child in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm and from a boy made

2221

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

himself useful learning the rudiments of farming, engineering and milling. He received a good education in the thorough local schools and when eighteen years of age he came to Hanford, Cal., in 1894, where he was employed for four years in the Hanford flouring mill. After the death of his father Mr. Fisher went back East to sell and settle up the estate. Upon returning from the East he came to Hanford where he resumed work in the flouring mill, and by loyal service and untiring efforts he gained the responsible position of head miller, which post he held until December 31, 1901, when he resigned and on January 1, 1902, came to Coalinga where he became associated with the El Capitan Oil Company. One month later he accepted the responsible position of superintendent of the Mercantile Crude Oil Company, and has so satisfactorily filled the position and discharged his duties, that he has retained the office ever since the organization of the company. At the time Mr. Fisher accepted the position of superintendent, the company had only one well, but through his efficient management five more wells have been sunk and all have proved to be producers. With the assistance of his boys Mr. Fisher is engaged in cattle raising and for the purpose leases 2,560 acres adjoining the oil fields where he ranges his cattle, an industry he not only finds very interesting but profitable as well.

On May 23, 1900, William S. Fisher was united in marriage with Cor- nelia Thomas, a native of Illinois, the ceremony being solemnized at Hume, Mo. This union was blessed with five children, four of whom grew to ma- turity : Lyle, John J., Robert Glenn, and Walter E.

Fraternally, Mr. Fisher is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, his membership being with the Hume Camp, No. 2346, Hume, Mo., and he has always manifested great interest in educational matters in the commu- nity where he resides, having served as a trustee of Alpha School District. Mr. Fisher has been successful in the oil business and is highly esteemed in his community.

HARRY W. BEATTY .- A well-posted and successful oil-well driller, is Harry W. Beatty, who was born in Meadville, Pa., on August 25, 1865, the son of Samuel S. Beatty, who was born in the same state, at Cherry Run, Crawford County, of parents who came from Scotland to Pennsylvania, and since Samuel Beatty was an oil man, the lad was early introduced to the problems of that fast-developing industry. Samuel Beatty owned a farm on Oil Creek, which he sold for oil land, receiving $175,000 by the sale; but when he came to develop oil on other leases and to contract for drilling, he was not over-successful, although he did a large business. He spent his last days in Pittsburgh. Samuel's wife was Elizabeth Jane Morrison before her marriage, and she was born in Emlenton, Pa., of Scotch-Irish parentage. She spent her last days with her children in California, and died in Los Angeles. Of these seven children, six grew to maturity. One son, Edward, is a driller for the Standard Oil Company at Montebello, Cal.

Harry was the oldest of the family and was reared in the Pennsylvania oil fields, while he was being educated at the public schools. From a boy, therefore, he learned the oil business, and at thirteen years of age hired him- self out to a John Conley as a pumper. He also fired the engine and boiler with coal, and so continued for a couple of years in Butler County. When he was seventeen, he began to dress tools, for which purpose he moved to the Bradford oil district, where he remained as a tool dresser for seven years.

After that, Mr. Beatty began to drill oil wells, and soon went to Lima, Ohio, where he was employed for about five years drilling new wells. He next moved to Indiana and made his headquarters at Marion.

In 1900, he came West to California and at Los Angeles went to work for the Russian Oil Company, with whom he continued for a year. In time, he took up with the Murphy Oil Company at Whittier, and worked under Mr. Plotts, in the old Murphy field for two years as a driller. When he re-

2222

HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY

signed, he came to Coalinga, in 1904, and worked for William Graham; and when the latter was succeeded by the California Oil Fields, Ltd., he continued with the new proprietors. In 1907 he returned to Southern California and was again busy with the Murphy Oil Company in the Coyote Hills, where he worked on Well No. 1 and later on Well No. 3 for a year; and coming once again to Coalinga, he was in the service of the California Oil Fields, Ltd., for a couple of years ; and later he was made driller-foreman-a position of re- sponsibility he has held ever since. In August, 1913, the Shell Company took over the plant, but Mr. Beatty remained in the same capacity for them.

In Los Angeles, on September 4, 1907, Mr. Beatty was married to Miss Minnie Johansen, a native of Troy, N. Y., and the daughter of William Jo- hansen. He was born in Germany, learned the trade of a cabinet maker, was married to Miss Dorothea Schmidt, and came with her to Troy, where he followed his trade. Later he removed to California and died here. Mrs. Jo- hansen still resides in Los Angeles, the mother of three children, among whom Mrs. Beatty is the eldest. Mr. Beatty belongs to the Oilfields Club, and also to the Progressive Republican party.

KNUD MADSEN HANSEN .- A native of Denmark who came to choose America for his future home, and who here, little by little, advanced success- fully and in his prosperity helped both himself and the community and state in which he lived, is Knud Madsen Hansen, the well-known rancher of Clovis. He was born in Fredericia, Jylland, on February 18, 1874, and spent his early life in the country of his birth. His father, Jens Hansen, was also a native of Denmark, where he served his country patriotically in both the army and the navy. He was also in the government railway service until his death. He married Dorthea Madsen, and five children were born to them, Knud being the eldest.

Until he was fourteen years of age, the wide-awake lad attended the excellent Danish schools of his locality, and then for several years he worked on a farm. He was not satisfied altogether with the economic conditions of his fatherland ; and hearing favorable reports from his uncle, Hans Madsen, who had come to western America and settled at Fresno, he determined to cross the waste of waters and join him.

In 1893, therefore, he arrived in Fresno County ; and finding employment at viticulture, he devoted himself to that line for nine or ten years, finally acquiring land for himself, and still studying viticulture. As the raisin in- dustry was fast developing, he gained his knowledge of the work by seeking employment in various Clovis vineyards, until eventually he was made super- intendent of the Shepherd & Teague vineyard, a position of responsibility that he held for nearly five years.

In 1902 he purchased a tract of land and set out twenty acres as a vine- yard, later buying ten acres adjoining, which he also improved, building a comfortable residence ; and here he has since made his home, having sold the original twenty acres. His ranch is highly improved, being devoted to the raising of Malaga grapes, which it produces in abundance and variety.

He was very active and instrumental as one of the organizers, in 1909, of the Clovis Farmers' Union; the original board of directors including, be- sides Mr. Hansen, J. W. Potter, Sr., J. W. Sharer, H. H. Baker and Charles Westrup. Mr. Hansen was elected General Manager and Treasurer of the corporation and gave the undertaking his best time and efforts, and as a result of which the company became very successful, in time adding to the ware- house they had purchased in Clovis. After four years they sold out to the California Associated Raisin Company, and it became Plant No. 1 of their line of warehouses, and he was chosen superintendent of the Clovis Ware- house-a place he fills most acceptably because he understands every part of the raisin and dried fruit industry. Under his skilled oversight. the bus-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 96

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