Ref: Page 947
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 12/29/2009
HENRY A. FRERICHS
A wide-awake believer in irrigation and development, Henry A. Frerichs as president of the board of directors of the West Side Irrigation District uses his influence in creating a new era of prosperity for the enterprising city of Tracy and environs. He was born in San Francisco on August 9, 1868, and a few months later was taken by his parents, John and Magdalena (Schneider) Frerichs, to San Joaquin County, making the trip by boat to Mohr's Landing, near Bethany, then by wagon across the country to a tract of government land just south of what is now the thriving city of Tracy. Mr. and Mrs. Frerichs were venerable and honored citizens of this county, numbered among the worthy pioneers to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished in reclaiming its wild lands. John Frerichs died on November 7, 1907, having been preceded by his wife, who passed away on October 14, 1907.
Henry A. Frerichs attended the Ellis district school and finished his schooling in the Willow district, which has since been incorporated in the Tracy schools. Henry A. Frerichs has always been identified in farming enterprises since he was old enough to help his father, and subsequently he has been active in perpetuating the policies of his father, who was a most successful man. At the time the first survey was made in the West Side Irrigation District, Mr. Frerichs was active in making the system cover 60,000 acres, but due to the great opposition this was cut down, so that now about 12,000 acres are benefited, which means a loss to the county of many thousands of dollars. Mr. Frerichs owns 160 acres of the original homestead settled on by his father in 1868, which has been developed into a model alfalfa ranch.
The marriage of Mr. Frerichs united him with Miss Susie C. Lingenfelser, a native of San Francisco, where she was reared and educated. They are the parents of three children: Myrtle is Mrs. Henry C. Fiske, a rancher near San Joaquin City, and they have one child; Harry J. married Miss Marion Johnson of Los Angeles, Cal., and they reside in Tracy. He served in the Ninety-first Division for ten months; then with the 316th M.P. overseas for twelve months; then he returned to the United States and was honorably discharged at the Presidio, San Francisco, in 1919; Claude J. was corporal during the late war in the 13th Division, 75th Infantry, Company L, and received his honorable discharge in January, 1919, and is now at home with his parents on the ranch. Mr. Frerichs is a charter member of the N.S.G.W. of Tracy, and his sons are also active members; he is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a Republican, a trustee of the West Side Union high school for many years; also serves as county deputy assessor, which position he has filled for the past six years. He gives his support to every worthy project for the betterment of his locality and is highly interested in the affairs of the local Farm Bureau.
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
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