A descendant of sturdy Holland forefathers, William S. Ercanbrack was born in Johnstown, Montgomery County, N. Y., July 11, 1827. He followed the sea as a young man for two years; then, on March 15, 1859, went to McHenry County, Ill., and for many years was prominent in civic affairs there; served as road commissioner for twelve years, and as a school director the same length of time; he was also sheriff of McHenry County for several years and during his entire residence there was active in politics.
In 1887 Mr. Ercanbrack removed to Sheldon, Iowa, and farmed there for five years. In the spring of 1893 he came to Pomona; here he bought his orange grove and engaged in the citrus development work so prevalent in the Valley at that time, his grove having just been planted, and he brought it to a state of productiveness and devoted his time to its development, and since his death, August 19, 1904, this work of improvement has been continued and the ranch kept in splendid condition by his widow. Mr. Ercanbrack had been a Mason of long standing, having joined the order in Hebron, Ill.
He was twice married, and by the first union was the father of five children: Charles, of Santa Barbara; Mrs. J. V. Aldrich, of Richmond, Ill.; William, of Elburn, Ill.; Mrs. William Cole, of Jennings, La., and George, of Los Angeles. Mr. Ercanbrack's second marriage united him with Matilda Tresmer, a native of Wisconsin, and she has carried on the horticultural work started by her husband in a most efficient and capable manner, the grove, on East Kingsley Avenue, a finely improved property, showing the care which has brought it to its present thriving condition.
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 10/26/08, Page 622
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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