Stockton Archives - Page 2 of 2 - California Genealogy

Biography of Eugene D. Graham of Stockton

Eugene D. Graham, born January 22, 1866, near Stockton, California, serves as county clerk of San Joaquin County. His parents, Robert L. and Caroline (Stokes) Graham, were Kentucky natives with Revolutionary War ancestors. In 1852, they journeyed to California with ox teams and settled in San Joaquin County, where Robert engaged in farming and stock-raising. Eugene, raised on the family farm, received his education locally and worked in Lodi before returning to agriculture. In 1895, he became deputy county clerk, and in 1902, he was elected county clerk. Married to Frances E. Mann in 1888, they have three sons: Robert E., Lloyd L., and Myrl E. Eugene is a member of the I.O.O.F. and W.O.W., and a Republican.

Biography of Howard M. Fanning of Stockton

Howard M. Fanning, born June 3, 1826, in Troy, New York, was a significant figure among pioneer Californians. He moved to Stockton in 1850 and lived at 345 East Channel Street. Fanning, a self-made man, excelled in merchandising, farming, stock-raising, and civic affairs. He initially worked in the drug and car-building industries before migrating to California. In Stockton, he engaged in contracting, farming, and real estate. He served as a supervisor and city council member, was active in the Republican Party, and participated in Masonic and pioneer societies. He married Louise Butts in 1848, and they had six children.

Biography of John T. Davis

John T. Davis (b. November 1830), a successful capitalist based in San Francisco, is known for his extensive investments in farming across California. Originally from Illinois, Davis relocated to Texas in 1852 before settling in California in 1854. He initially farmed in Tulare and Stockton, later acquiring significant tracts of land in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Glenn Counties. By 1872, he leased his properties and focused on overseeing his investments. Married to Mary Marion in 1857, they have one daughter, Josephine Eltinge. A dedicated Democrat, Davis has been a notable figure in California’s development from its early days.

Biography of George Harper of Monterey California

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

George Harper, the superintendent and secretary of the Monterey Canning- Company, of Monterey is an experienced, progressive and thoroughly wide-awake executive. He was born in the Shetland islands, off the coast of Scotland, June 7, 1870, the son of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Ellison) Harper, worthy folks now long deceased. Having to make his own way in the world rather earlier than most boys, George Harper was trained for the most part in the school of experience. He was reared on a farm and after the manner of the Shetland Islanders, devoted not a little of his time as a boy … Read more

Biography of Clarence M. Smith of Watsonville California

Clarence M. Smith, a veteran of the World war, is acting as manager of the Hammond Lumber Company at Watsonville, and that he is a thoroughly dependable young man of more than average ability is indicated by his selection for this responsible position. He was born in Leadville, Colorado, January 30, 1893, and there received his early instruction. He also attended schools in England and in Stockton, California, completing his education in the Polytechnic College of Engineering at Oakland. In 1917 he responded to the call of his country and spent twenty-two months overseas, winning the commission of first lieutenant. … Read more

Biography of Charles O. Goold of Carmel California

Among the most progressive leaders in the city council of Carmel-by-the-Sea and always interesting as a pioneer of the sort who contributed something definite in assisting California to emerge from her pioneer state, is Charles O. Goold, well-known banker, who was born on a farm in Henry county, Illinois, November 28, 1871, the son of Horace and Hannah (Gard) Goold, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. Six children of their family are still living: Charles O.; J. R. of Morgan Hill, California; Ed O. of San Luis Obispo; Frank H. of Stockton and Mrs. Leo … Read more

Biography of George W. Baxter

1925 History of Merced County - title page

A particularly well-known grain and cattle raiser of the San Joaquin Valley, George W. Baxter has lived in this section of the State since 1874, and during that long stretch of time has been a part of the growth and development of his district, where he is prominent as an agriculturist and a man of fine business integrity. Born in Colchester County, Nova Scotia, June 5, 1865, he is the eldest of eight children born to his parents, J. C. and Agnes (Miller) Baxter, mentioned elsewhere in this history. George W. received his education in the Appling school, and later, … Read more

Biography of W. H. Osborn of Atwater

As a dealer in real estate and an active member of the Merced County Republican Central Committee and as justice of the peace of Township No. 8, W. H. Osborn of Atwater has been closely identified with all forward movements for the upbuilding of Merced County and of this section of the San Joaquin Valley. A native son, he was born in San Francisco, on February 12, 1856, the eldest of six children (four living) of Henry Augustus Osborn, a pioneer of 1850 in California. He was born in Oxford, Connecticut, on February 13, 1829, grew up there until he … Read more

Biography of Henry Nelson of Merced

Among the best-known of the old-timers now living in Merced is Henry Nelson, whose memory carries him back to the earliest days in the forming of the county, and who is able to recount the happenings of those early days when a “man was a man” and stood upon his own feet. Mr. Nelson was born in Frederickton, New Brunswick, on August 17, 1844, the son of William and Anna C. (Campbell) Nelson. The former died in May, 1896, at Sonora, and the latter in September, 1895, at Merced Falls; both are buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Snelling. … Read more

Biography of John C. James of Merced County

A retired pioneer of Merced and Stanislaus Counties, John C. James has been identified with the development of the San Joaquin Valley for the past sixty-five years, and in that time he has lived a life full of responsible work for the community at large and developed his own personal resources. He has been a factor for real progress and advancement in all of Central California. Born in Dodgeville, Iowa County, Wisconsin, on November 16, 1840, he was the eleventh child born to his parents, William and Eva James, natives of Cornwall, England, who came to the United States with … Read more