History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 247

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 247

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Mr. Lewis is a member of Charity Lodge of Odd Fellows, Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B. P. O. E., and Woodmen of the World, as well as the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and leaves no stone unturned to help boost the city which he is helping to build up.

MANUEL J. LIMA -Well-known in connection with dairy farming and stockraising in San Joaquin County, Manuel J. Lima makes his home three miles north of Manteca on the J. D. Maxey ranch, which is entirely devoted to his dairy. He was born on the Isle of Pico near the village of Santa Louise, Azores, April 6, 1861, the eldest son of M. J. and Rosa Lima, who were both natives of the same province. He received a good public school education in his native country where he remained until he was twenty years old, working on his father's farm and also on neigh- boring farms in the Azores. He left his native country, family and home and came to a new country, his first location in California being at Rodeo, where he worked as a farm laborer for fifteen dollars per month on the Toomey ranch. After three years of hard work, his employer recognized in him stability and perseverance and he was made foreman of the ranch where he remained for thirty-two years.

The marriage of Manuel Lima in April, 1893, united him with Miss Rosa Silviera, who was born in the Alhambra Valley, Contra Costa County, and they have had the following children: Manuel P., is at home; Mary, is Mrs. Joseph Machado of Wood Col- ony near Modesto and the mother of three children; Rosa, died when five years of age; Minnie; Anna, is Mrs. Frank Lorera of Manteca; Antone, Joseph. Eleanore, Gloria Josephine. Helen and Thomas, all at home. In 1913 Mr. Lima and family moved to a ranch near Modesto and for eight years conducted a dairy on the Doctor. Fuller ranch successfully, and in December 1921 sold out and settled in San Joaquin County, where he purchased ninety-one acres, but has since sold forty-five acres, leaving forty-six acres in the home place, which he has developed into a fine dairy ranch: in 1921 he bought the J. D. Maxey dairy ranch of 100 acres near Manteca, and this he

has developed into a model dairy ranch. In 1896, Mr. Lima made an extended visit to his old home, which occupied three months and on his return to California was accompanied by two brothers and one sister, all of whom are doing well in California. Forty-cne years of his life have been spent in the Golden State, and his business career has been imbued with the spirit of enterprise. Since becoming an American citizen in 1892, Mr. Lima has voted the Republican ticket. He is a strong advocate of irriga- tion and his dairy ranches demonstrate what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance.

EMANUEL LOFFELBEIN .- A successful vine- yardist, whose well-kept vineyard lies about four miles in an easterly direction from Lodi, is Emanuel Loffel- bein, a native of South Russia who was born on July 12, 1868. His father, Augustus Loffelbein, was a native of Leipsig, Germany, and when he was two years old was taken by his parents to South Russia and was reared on a farm. He married Miss Barbara Stadel and they were the parents of ten children, namely: John, Jacob, Christ, Louisa, Mary, Chris- tina, Margaret, Katherine, Emanuel and Gottleib. The father became quite an extensive farmer in his native country and lived to be seventy-five years old, while the mother passed away at the age of fifty-five. 'The schooling of Emanuel Loffelbein consisted of a grammar school education and he selected for his trade that of a shoemaker, but only worked one year, when he determined on coming to the United States, and arriving he went to North Dakota and home- steaded a quarter-section of land near Pheasanton where he resided for seven years and then moved to Harvey and for the next nine years was engaged in a livery and dray business with his brother Gottleib.

In May, 1895, at Pheasanton, N. D., occurred the marriage of Mr. Loffelbein and Miss Margaretta Schmierer, who was born in the same district as her husband in South Russia, and who is the daughter of John and Margaretta (Speidel) Schmierer. Her father was a farmer who had also removed from Ger- many to South Russia and he had six children, John of Lodi; Jacob of Victor; Margaretta, Mrs. Loffel- bein; Christina, deceased; Magdalena and Selma. John Schmierer lives at Lodi, Cal., and is past eighty years of age.

In 1909, Mr. Loffelbein came to California, settling first at Ukiah, and there purchased a forty-three acre farm, but lived there only eight months when he sold out and came to Lodi. At first he rented different ranches, which he farmed. His first purchase was a place of twenty-one acres on Harney Lane, five acres of which was in vineyard and the balance in alfalfa. He then traded this place for his present place of twenty acres, most of which is in bearing vineyard. Three acres of the ranch are set to Zinfandel grapes. six acres to Black Prince, nine acres to Mission and the remaining two acres are in grounds surrounding the house. Mr. and Mrs. Loffelbein are the parents of eight children. Gottleib resides in Victor. He entered the service of his country in July, 1918, and was sent to Fort McArthur and was in the mechanical department of the officers' training camp. He was taken ill while at the training camp, was in the hos- pital a number of months, and was discharged at Fort McArthur and returned to his home in Lodi. Samuel S. enlisted in August, 1918, and went to Camp Lewis in the Thirteenth Division as a private. He trained and remained at Camp Lewis until the armistice was

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signed and on February 1, 1919, was discharged at the Presidio, San Francisco. The other children are Walter, Elsie, Emil and Herbert; Elsa and Lillian are deceased. Mr. Loffelbein is a member of the Evan- gelical Association Church of Lodi.

G. B. LEONARDINI .- For almost a quarter of a century G. B. Leonardini has been a resident of San Joaquin County, Cal., and his industry has enabled him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to the plane of affluence. He is a native of Italy, his birth occur- ring at Varese Ligure in the Province of Genoa, on July 3, 1884, a son of Lazaro and Angela (Delucchi) Leonardini and is next to the youngest in a family of eight children; Domingo, Peter, Mary, Katie, Louise, Antonio, G. B. of this sketch, and Anna deceased. Lazaro Leonardini was a farmer by occupation and lived to be seventy-three years old, passing away three years ago, and the mother lived to be seventy- three years old, passing away in 1921. At the age of fifteen years, in 1899, G. B. Leonardini came to the United States and joined his brother Domingo in Stockton; he worked for wages on various farms in the district for six years; then he leased twenty-six acres of the Salori ranch about eight miles northeast of Stockton on the Upper Sacramento Road where he raised fruit for ten years; he then bought twenty-six acres of bare land on Ashley Road and set it out to peaches, cherries, walnuts, plums and apricots; this ranch is located about six miles from Stockton and is in a productive and fast growing section of the county.

On September 4, 1907, in Stockton occurred the marriage of Mr. Leonardini and Miss Louise Stagnaro, a native daughter of Stockton, Cal., and a daughter of Angelo and Angela (Moresco) Stagnaro, also born in Varese Ligure. Angelo Stagnaro came to Cali- fornia about forty-five years ago from his birthplace in Genoa, Italy, where he was reared on a farm, and was married in Stockton and they engaged in fruit raising and now live retired in Stockton. There are three children in their family, Rachel, Mrs. Louis Foppiano; Louise, Mrs. Leonardini; and Louis, who lives in Stockton. Mrs. Leonardini was educated in the grammar schools of Stockton and grew to young womanhood there. Mr. and Mrs. Leonardini are the parents of three children; Ernest, Edna and Eunice. Mr. Leonardini belongs to the Giardiniere Lodge in Stockton, an Italian-American organization. In 1915 a comfortable residence was built on his ranch, where the family reside.

LODI ACADEMY .- Few institutions of learning in California have done more to help shape the des- tiny of the younger and fast-growing communities than has the Lodi Academy, whose excellent standing is due in part to the scholarly, thorough work of its principal and his associates. The Lodi Academy is a Christian institution operated by the Pacific Union Conference for the training of Christian workers, and Christian principles have first place in determining its policies. It was started in 1908 as a Normal in- stitution, but several changes have been made in its organization in later years; however, there has been but one aim before the school from its founding, that young men and women should pass out of its doors fully equipped to do their part in carrying the Gospel to the world. The Academy is the joint property of the Northern California and the Central California

Conferences of Seventh Day Adventists, and from these conferences and the state of Nevada students are solicited. The Academy offers the full work of the academic grades as well as training in musical, commercial and normal lines, and has a department covering the first eight grades of studies. The aca- demy property is situated south of Lodi, and the school property comprises forty acres, about half of which is planted to Tokay grapes. Several acres are occupied by the buildings, consisting of a girls' dor- mitory, a boys' dormitory and the main school build- ing, which contains the assembly hall and chapel; the remainder of the land is used for general garden pur- poses and the academy is supplied with water for do- mestic purposes and for irrigating from its own wells. From the fifteen-acre full-bearing vineyard is re- ceived a reasonable income each season, thus enabling the school to be partially self-supporting. The aver- age enrollment of the school is about 420 students.

Elmer E. Farnsworth, principal of Lodi Academy, was born in Washington, N. H., June 2, 1865, and received his education in Lancaster Junior College, Lancaster, Mass., and in 1908 was ordained to the gospel ministry and the most of the past fifteen years has been spent as instructor in Union College, Col- legeview, Neb .; Southwestern Junior College, Keene, Texas, and principal of Campion Academy at Love- land, Colo., and of Mt. Ellis Academy, Bozeman, Mont. In the month of September, 1922, he came to Lodi as principal of the academy and was re-elected for the following year.

Frederic T. Oakes, the present business manager of the academy, as well as the head of the commercial department, was born in Oakland Cal., and attended the Oakland grammar schools and later the Healds- burg and Lodi Adventist schools; he also attended the Heald's Business College at San Francisco. After his graduation from the Lodi Academy he became in- structor and assistant business manager and for the last four years he has been the business head of the school. His teaching connection with the school has covered a period of thirteen years.

MANUEL A. LOPES .- Among the enterprising merchants of the Manteca section of San Joaquin County, Manuel A. Lopes was born at the seaport town of Horta, Azores Islands, March 14, 1891, the eldest son of Manuel A. and Mary (Pementel) Lopes, both residents of Horta, where his father is superin- tendent of the Ben Suda Lumber Yards.

Manuel A. Lopes attended the public schools of his native city and acquired a good business training in the lumber yards and also as a clerk in a general store. At eighteen years of age, he came to America and twenty days after his decision he landed in San Francisco. His first work was on a ranch in Contra Costa County, where he remained for eighteen months and then went to Gilroy and worked on the Julius Martin place for six months. He next went to Santa Cruz County, where he worked on ranches and also as a driver for the Wells Fargo office at Santa Cruz. Later he worked in the grain fields in Merced County, and while there decided to try the lumber business, returning to Santa Cruz County with this intention, but his plans were interrupted by the World War. On May 26, 1917, at Stockton, he enlisted for service in Company C, One Hundred Fifteenth Ammunition Train, Fortieth Division. In August, 1917, he arrived in France, where he was in active service for a year; then returned to the United States and on July 2,

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1919 was honorably discharged at the Presidio, San Francisco. He then went to the home of his sister, Mrs. A. B. Regello, at Danville, Cal., where he re- mained until November, 1919, when he came to Man- teca and opened a small store at what is known as Calla Corners. Within a month his store building and complete stock was destroyed by fire. He im- mediately began the erection of a fine store bulding 28x46 feet and on completion put in a stock of gen- eral merchandise and he has done exceptionally well. Since 1920, his brother-in-law, A. B. Regello, has been a partner in the business operating as Lopes & Regello and they are members of the San Joaquin County Merchants Association.

The marriage of Mr. Lopes occurred on December 29, 1920 and united him with Miss Marie Silva, who has lived in California since 1914, and both are mem- bers of the Catholic Church. They have one daughter Norma. Mr. Lopes is a member of the I. D. E. S., of Manteca and also the American Legion.

FLOYD R. LOVE .- When Floyd R. Love came to Stockton in 1911 he became an instructor in the shop work of the city schools; since that time he has so organized the work that it has steadily grown until he is now the head of this work in the high schools, ele- mentary and prevocational schools of the city with a teaching force of nineteen and a student body of 100 who are learning useful trades. He was born at Free- port, Ill., April 17, 1885, a son of Alfred and Hattie (Wilcox) Love, natives of Illinois and New York, respectively. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Love; Arthur Claude resides in Oakland; Floyd R. is the subject of this sketch; Mrs. H. C. Mallory resides in Stockton; and Vernon C. is as- sociated with his father in Stockton. The father, Al- fred Love, is engaged in the building and contracting business in Stockton.

Floyd R. Love began his education in the grammar school of Freeport, Ill., and when fourteen years of age was employed by the Henney Buggy Company, where he remained for four years, learning thoroughly the body building trade; then he worked three years with his father as a carpenter; meantime working his way through high school, paying fifty cents per night for his high school course; then entering the train- ing school at De Kalb, completing the four years' course in three years, graduating with honors with the class of 1909; he then took one year post grad- uate work in the same institution. He next removed to Chicago where he entered the University of Chi- cago, taking a year's course, and then taught school on the South Side of Chicago for one year. In 1911 he removed to Stockton and for four years was in- structor of manual training in the elementary schools of the city, then introduced the same line of work in the high schools; his experience and capabilities soon placed him at the head of this work, which has stead- ily grown until it is an important factor in the city schools.

The marriage of Mr. Love occurred in Stockton on December 21, 1912, which united him with Miss Edith Heard, born at Murphys, Cal., a daughter of John and Fitze Mary (Strike) Heard. John Heard was born in England and came to California in 1879 and engaged in mining at Murphys for thirty years; then he moved to Angels Camp and then to Stockton. He now conducts an apartment house at 529 North Monroe Street. There are three children in the family, Mabel, William and Mrs. Love. Mrs. Love

was educated in the grammar school of Murphys, one year at the high school at Angels Camp and finished her high school work in Stockton; then she attended the Western Normal School. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Love, Bob Ross. In politics Mr. Love is a Republican.

FLOYD A. LYON .- A foremost business man of Lodi, as well as a popular and enterprising citizen may be found in Floyd A. Lyon, a member of the firm of Lyon & Irey, dealers in sporting goods and auto accessories. A young man of much energy and native ability not only in private affairs but in matters of citizenship, and of recognized integrity of character, he enjoys a place of influence in his community and is one of the substantial and worthy citizens. He was born in Trumbull, Neb., February 12, 1895, a son of Alfred S. and Mabel (Wright) Lyon, natives of Mis- souri and Nebraska, respectively. There were six children in the family; Roy died at the age of twenty- five years; Floyd A., is the subject of this sketch; Claude, lives at Kennett, Cal .; Arlon E., lives in Stockton; Thelma; and Richard. In 1911 the family removed from Nebraska to Utah where the father engaged in contracting and building in Greenriver until 1915 when they came to Lodi, where he has since been engaged in contracting and building. Both parents reside in Lodi at the present time.

Floyd A. went to school in Nebraska and also in Greenriver, Emery County, Utah. When he began to make his own way in the world he traveled for one year as a professional musician through the Middle West and South; then came to Lodi and con- ducted the Spencer studio for a year. He then en- tered the employ of Fenton Wright, proprietor of the Wright Company. At the end of one year, in part- nership with W. J. Robinson Jr., he purchased the business and the firm became known as Robinson & Lyon, dealers in sporting goods, automobile acces- sories and Kelly-Springfield tires. On January 1, 1922, the third partner, G. C. Irey, was taken into the business. The firm is now composed of two mem- bers, Messrs. Lyon and Irey.

On March 14, 1920, in Lodi, Cal., Mr. Lyon was united in marriage with Miss Ruby Holloway, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of E. A. and Nevada Holloway, who arrived, on April 16, 1909, in Ceres, Cal., where the father was engaged in viticulture, and while residing there Mrs. Lyon attended the high school; later the family removed to Lodi where they are living today. Mr. Lyon is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife are members of the Bethel Taber- nacle Church in Lodi and he is the present choir di- rector. Industry has been the basis of his advance- ment, and by his honorable business methods he has gained the respect and good will of his fellowmen.

R. E. LEVENTON .- A blacksmith who, after hav- ing conducted his own ranch-shop for twenty years, and thereby widening his experience, has become one of the most expert smiths in San Joaquin County, is R. E. Leventon, senior member of the firm of R. E. Leventon & Son, at 119 North Hogan Road, Manteca. He was born near Oleta, Amador County, on Decem- ber 29, 1864, and as a boy enjoyed the educational facilities offered by the public schools of that locality. In his fourteenth year, he pushed out into the world. and he has since been thrown upon his own resources.

In 1879, therefore, he left Amador County to ride the Modoc County ranges, and on attaining his eight-

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centh year he entered the stock field, where he kept busily engaged for the next thirty-two years. He purchased a choice farm near Lookout, in Modoc County, and there married Miss Kate M. Brown, who was born in Yolo County, the daughter of H. S. Brown, a prominent citizen for many years super- visor, and now deceased. Three children blessed this union. H. L. Leventon has a wife and one child, and for the past fifteen years has served as superintendent of road construction in charge of the California State highway, from Sacramento to Merced. Inez is the wife of V. E. Brownell, and they have three chil- dren, and reside at Escalon, where they are engaged in ranching. E. M. Leventon has a wife and two children, and is a partner of our subject, and a mem- ber of the Lions Club of Manteca.

In 1911 Mr. Leventon leased his ranch to his brother, and removed to Modesto; and after conduct- ing a livery there for three years, he came to Man- teca. On August 29, 1914, he acquired the pioneer blacksmith shop of Walter Harrell, and he has stead- ily built up a large and well-paying business, and since 1918 has been operating in a new and larger building erected by himself and his son. About three years ago, he disposed of his ranch; and his interests are all now in this county. The enterprising firm of R. E. Leventon & Son do a general blacksmithing and horseshoeing business in all branches, make a spe- cialty of acetylene welding, and are headquarters for the Oliver line of farm implements. Their shop is equipped with modern machinery, and their high standard precludes the possibility of any work being delivered in an unfinished state.

Mr. Leventon has always been distinguished for his progressive and public-spirited policies, and his fellow-citizens have never failed to appreciate these desirable qualities and attainments. He was fore- most in the construction of the first rural telephone line in Modoc County, and this company today serves its patrons by means of over 150 miles of lines. He was elected city councilman of Manteca in April, 1920, and served as chairman of the health and safety com- mittee having in charge the construction of the sewer farm, and in November, 1922, he was elected chair- man or mayor. He has also done much in public and private charity work. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Masons of Manteca and the Sciots of Modesto. He was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce of Manteca and is a member of the executive board. He is deeply interested in the purchase of the Melones Reservoir Site and has given of his time and means to promote the proposition.

HARRIS BRENNER MUNGER .- The owner and proprietor of the meat market at Lockeford, Harris B. Munger is well known as one of the capable men in the business in this part of the county. He thor- oughly understands all branches of the business, judg- ing cattle for market purposes, butchering, and manu- facturing by-products. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, on March 9, 1881, the son of Timothy and Charlotte (Brenner) Munger. Timothy Munger was a nurseryman, fruit grower and farmer in Ohio until 1890, when he brought his family to California, arriving on New Year's day and locating at Malaga, Fresno County, where he purchased a twenty-acre vineyard which he operated for twelve years; he then leased a ranch for two years at Fowler, Cal .; later he

went to San Luis Obispo County and farmed near Arroyo Grande. The father lived to be seventy years of age and the mother sixty years.

Harris B. Munger was educated in the schools of Miami County, Ohio, and California. At the age of eighteen he began to make his own way in the world, first working in a warehouse in Santa Barbara; then worked for a time as baggageman for the P. C. R. R. at San Luis Obispo; next we find him in Watsonville, Cal., learning the blacksmith trade, but after two years he went to Fortuna, Humboldt County, and during the next two years learned the butcher busi- ness. Returning to San Luis Obispo County, he opened a butcher shop in a prospective oil field, but after three years he discontinued operations. He then went to Salida, Stanislaus County, and engaged in the butcher business for three years; then to Hanford for one year. His next venture was at Manteca, where he engaged in farming for two years, but his success was only nominal and in 1917, hearing of an opening at Lockeford, he immediately went there and purchased a partnership with Mr. Jett, where he has since remained. Mr. Munger and his partner pur- chased a twenty-acre tract about two miles south of Lockeford on which they built a slaughter-house and where they also keep their stock.

Mr. Munger's marriage occurred in Modesto on August 17, 1913, and united him with Miss Frances McLaughlin, a native of Kansas City, Mo., a daugh- ter of William D. and May Mclaughlin. Mr. Mc- Laughlin was a contractor and builder in Kansas City and after coming to California engaged in house- moving and general contracting in Modesto, Cal. Mrs. Munger received her education in the grammar and high schools of Kansas City. They are the par- ents of one son, Harris B., Jr. In politics, Mr. Mun- ger is a Republican, and fraternally is a member and past grand of the Odd Fellows of Lockeford; and at the present time he is junior warden of the Lodi En- campment.

HOWARD A. MYERS .- Born in Warren County, Ind., on December 27, 1872, Howard A. Myers is a son of Montgomery Myers, an Indiana farmer who lived to be eighty-five years of age. The mother, whose maiden name was Ellen McDade, passed away at the age of forty-six. Howard Myers was one of a large family, as follows: Alice, now in Idaho; George; Belle, now in Montana; Adeline, deceased; William, who is also in California; Martha; Perry, in Washington; Howard A. of this review; Emma; and Walter, also in Washington.

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 247

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660