Merced County Biographies
Ref: Pages 844-845
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 7/20/2009
JOSEPH V. ALVES
One of the enterprising business men of Atwater, and manager of the Martha Washington Stores Inc., on Broadway, is Joseph V. Alves. He is one of the many men who have come from foreign countries and, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, have taken advantage of the abundant opportunities which this country offers and have climbed to wealth and affluence. The only son and the youngest of two children he was born in Flores of the Azores Islands on December 25, 1882, a son of Antone R. and Mary (Alves) Vieira, farmers in the Azores. Mrs. Keaton of Fergus station is his sister. He received his education in the common schools of his native land and was reared on the small farm of his father. At the early age of fifteen he left the parental roof, in 1897, on a two-masted schooner to seek his fortune beyond the sea, and after a voyage of forty-one days landed in New London, and soon after came direct to California. He got work on ranches near Fresno at fifteen dollars a month. Later on the Bloss ranch near Atwater he earned thirty dollars a month. After being in California about a year he found it difficult to get mail addressed to him because there weere so many here by the name of Vieira. So he had his name changed, taking the maiden name of his mother. In 1916 he left the ranch to go into business as part owner of the Broadway Cash Store, which was succeeded in January, 1921, by the Martha Washington Store, and which carries a fine stock and is doing a good business. He owns the store building and also residence and rental property in Atwater. He was naturalized in Merced in 1905, and as a Republican has fulfilled the duty of a loyal American citizen. He has been secretary of the U.P.E.C. for four years and he belongs to the Buhach Council No. 32, I.D.E.S. He was married in Merced to Mary C. Vincent, a native of Oakland and daughter of Fred Vincent of Atwater. They have two sons, Charles V., who is married and has a daughter; and Arthur. Mr. Alves is highly respected for his integrity and strict attendance to his own affairs. He has been an eye-witness of the growth of Atwater from a population of less than 100 to over 1000 at the present time.
History of
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
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
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925
Merced County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2011; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.