San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1410
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/1/2010
FRANK GALLEGO
Another strong advocate of irrigation whose success in ranching has given force to his arguments as to one of the most vital of all needs in parts of California, is Frank Gallego, the popular and wide-awake merchant of Banta. A native son, he was born at Pleasanton, in Alameda County, on September 24, 1862, the youngest son of Anselmo Gallego, a native of the City of Mexico, who came to California in the great Argonaut year of 1849. He settled in Pleasanton Valley and became prominent as a stockman, trying his luck in the mines of that period. His paternal ancestors were subjects of the Crown of Spain, and he inherited much that anyone might envy. The father married Juanita Carrasco, a native also of the City of Mexico, and a charming and accomplished lady. These worthy parents made a splendid record. Both are now deceased, having passed away at Banta in 1887.
And there Frank Gallego grew to maturity, and became a rider on the range of his father; and when his parents died, he continued near Banta until 1897, farming to grain and stock. Mr. Gallego was married to Miss Bernal, a daughter of Antonio Bernal, and a descendant of Don Bruno Bernal of San Jose de Guadalupe, and owner of the Rancho Santa Teresa; and two children were born to them: Juanita has become the wife of Paul de Ranga, and they have one daughter, and reside at Stockton; and there also Antonio resides. Mrs. Gallego died at San Jose in 1893, and Mr. Gallego's second marriage united him with Miss Refugia Ortega, a sister of Mrs. John A. Fellom, Sr., of Gilroy. She was born at San Ysidro, received a good education at St. Mary's Convent, Gilroy, and was married in 1895. Now she is the mother of one son, Anselmo R., who is employed by the Southern Pacific Railway at Tracy, and resides at Banta. Mr. Gallego is a Republican. He is a member of the I.D.E.S. at Stockton.
In 1897 Mr. Gallego removed to Banta, and there he now conducts a soft-drink parlor, and also owns and manages much good realty, including his residence. He has 120 acres adjoining Banta on the south, and there he has installed a complete irrigation plant, greatly improving the property, which he operates himself as a grain and alfalfa farm.
Mr. Gallego's first business in Banta in the early '90s was to operate a sheep-shearing and sheep-dipping camp. He was a professional sheep shearer, working in California, Nevada and Oregon. His record was shearing 143 sheep per day, then dancing all night, and shearing as many sheep the next day. He made this record at Firebaugh, Fresno County, when he worked for Miller & Lux. His excellent wife kept a boarding house in Banta for eighteen years and was in every way a true and loyal helpmate to her husband.
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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