It would be hard to find a community more filled with people of culture and educational attainments than Pomona Valley. The wealth, population and influence of the Valley has increased wonderfully with the passing of the years, and this progress is due to the public-spirited and loyal citizens who have elected to make their homes in such ideal surroundings.
Ira J. Cree, the efficient postmaster of Claremont, is a native of Pennsylvania, born January 7, 1866, in Clearfield County, a son of William and Lavina (Johnstone) Cree, of Scotch extraction. The father was a farmer and lumberman of that state, and they were the parents of five children. Both parents are now deceased.
Ira J. was educated in the schools of Bloomfield, Iowa, the family having moved there when he was a small child. He graduated from the high school of that city, and then entered the Southern Iowa Normal School of Bloomfield for a term of two years. After completing his education, he taught school in Dakota, now South Dakota, for eight years, farming in the summer months and teaching during the winter. He was elected county auditor of Hand County and served two terms, making his residence in Miller, the county seat, afterwards engaging in banking and real-estate business, having organized the Hand County State Bank in Miller, S. D., of which he was president.
In 1908 Mr. Cree came to California, and settled at Long Beach for a short time. Liking the climate and other conditions he decided to make California his residence, so returned and settled his affairs and in 1910 he located in Claremont and engaged in the development of an orange and lemon grove of fifty acres. He was appointed postmaster in April, 1915, and was reappointed in 1919, and has since served in that office. Mr. Cree is a director and one of the large stockholders in the First National Bank of Claremont; is a believer in cooperation for fruit growers and a member of the El Camino Fruit exchange. Mr. Cree has a large circle of friends in the community and he and his family enter heartily into the social and civic life of Claremont.
Mr. Cree's marriage, in October, 1893, united him with Ella Miltonberger, and two sons have been born to them: William Harold, who served as ensign in the navy during the World War, and George Earl, who served in the motor-truck service of the United States Army with the rank of corporal. The family attend the Congregational Church. Fraternally, Mr. Cree is a member of the Masons; in politics he is a Democrat. Public-spirited to a large degree, he takes part in all movements for the advancement of this section, both along educational, civic and commercial lines, and is well informed on all such projects.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 11/29/08, Pages 711-712
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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