San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1271-1272
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/4/2009
WILLIAM F. BARNICOL
Stockton owes much of its present industrial prosperity to the efforts of those who control its large manufacturing enterprises, among them William F. Barnicol, founder and president of the Sterling Iron Works, one of the leading productive industries of this part of the state. He was born at Belleville, Ill., and after completing his public school course learned the trade of a machinist, being employed by the Lentz Wire Nail Works at San Francisco, Cal. He continued to fill that position until 1903, when he came to Stockton and was placed at the head of the machine shop of the Shippee Harvester Works, where he remained or a year, and then entered the Stockton Iron Works, with which he was identified until he founded the Sterling Works, being associated with four others in the enterprise. Their first place of business was a small shop 50 by 100 feet in dimensions, at 326 South California Street, and for a year they devoted their attention to repair work. Later they engaged in building gas engines and since 1914 have manufactured the famous Sterling pump, which was invented and perfected by the partners in the firm. It ranges in size from one to ten inches and is used extensively in agricultural districts and in industrial plants. Under the capable management of Mr. Barnicol, the president of the company, the business has expanded from year to year and in 1920 they manufactured and sold 600 pumps, their sales for the year amounting to $270,000. The other officers are R.N. Bachelder, vice-president, and W.W. Wilson, secretary and treasurer. They make twelve different styles of pumps and all are thoroughly tested before they leave the plant, which is equipped with a testing laboratory, in charge of an expert engineer. Complete pumping plants have been installed by the company on many ranches in the valley. The California Packing Company has four of their pumps in use, while the California Vineyards have eleven.
Mr. Barnicol is a member of the San Joaquin Lodge of Masons and he is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Charity Lodge, No. 6. He is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control and has so directed the efforts of those in his employ that maximum results are obtained at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. In his business career he has ever closely adhered to the rules which govern unabating industry and unswerving integrity and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN 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
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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