Many years have passed since the family to which this well-known citizen belongs became identified with the interests of San Joaquin County. Its members have taken an active and prominent part in the development of this section of the state, in many ways promoting its progress and advancement, and their reputation is in no way diminished in this generation, for our subject, who is numbered among the leading horticulturists of San Joaquin County, displays in a marked degree the admirable characteristics which his name implies. The birth of Everts F. Mills occurred on the Mills ranch one and one-half miles west of Lodi on March 29, 1889, his parents being Freeman B. and Carrie C. (Ellis) Mills, both natives of San Joaquin County. The father was born on the same ranch. Freeman B. Mills is represented on another page of this work.

Everts F. Mills began his education at the Woodbridge grammar school; then entered the Lodi high school, later was a student at the Stockton high school, and after his graduation entered the University of California, where he spent two years studying mining engineering and chemistry. Since leaving the University, his attention has been taken up with land development, being associated with his father in the development of 400 acres north of the Mokelumne River near Lockeford. He is the owner of 100 acres on the Lower Sacramento Road one and one-half miles west of Acampo, sixty acres of which is in vineyard and the balance of forty acres is devoted to orchard. This ranch is piped with concrete pipe for irrigation, and the water is obtained by means of four-inch and six-inch pumps driven by ten and twenty-horsepower motors.

The marriage of Mr. Mills occurred at Stockton on September 6, 1914, and united him with Miss Regina Smallfield, a native of Stockton, and daughter of A.A. and Sadie Smallfield. She obtained her education in the Stockton schools. Her father came to Stockton in the early days and is now manager for Austin Brothers of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of three children: Albert F., Frank E., and Margaret C. Mr. Mills is interested in and a director of the Rio Oso Fruit Company of Wheatland, of which his father is president, and which is developing 900 acres of the Bear River land; and is also a director in the Woodbridge Fruit Company. In politics he is a Republican; and fraternally he is a member and past master of the Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A.M.; Stockton Chapter No. 28, R.A.M.; Stockton Council, R. & S.M.; Stockton Commandery No. 8, K.T.; and Ben Ali Shrine, A.A.O.N.M.S., Sacramento; and with his wife is a member of Woodbridge Chapter 118, O.E.S., of which he is Past Patron; and California Chapter, Acacia Fraternity, Berkeley. He is also a member of the Mokelumne Club and Lions Club of Lodi, and the Woodbridge Gun Club.

A representative viticulturist of the Lodi section of San Joaquin County, Freeman B. Mills was born on the ranch where he now resides, near Woodbridge, on March 28, 1860. He is a son of Freeman and Minerva (Grace) Mills, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Massachusetts. The mother's people date back to the Revolutionary War period. His father came to California in 1853, across the plains from Illinois, and was engaged for a time in mining gold in Sierra County and then in business in Colusa County. In 1857 he came to San Joaquin County and located at Woodbridge and bought a squatter's title to eighty acres; later he added another eighty acres adjoining. In time he became an extensive grain farmer and was thus engaged until his death on September 20, 1875, at the age of 63 years. He was a prominent man in San Joaquin County, and for one term he served in the office of sheriff of the county. He was a charter member of Jefferson Lodge, I.O.O.F., at Woodbridge, and was generally public-spirited and enterprising in all that concerned the welfare of his county. The mother survived her husband about twenty years and passed away at the age of eighty-two years. There were six children in the family, as follows: William G., deceased; Mary L., Mrs. Barron of Lodi; Mrs. Charity S. Kincaid, deceased; George A., deceased; Alice G., Mrs. Taylor of Los Angeles; and Freeman B., of this sketch.

Freeman B. Mills was reared in his native county, and was fifteen years old when his father died, after which for several years he remained at home and assisted his mother in the conduct of the home place. He began his education in the public schools of Woodbridge; then attended the Los Angeles Academy, which the next year became the University of Southern California; then in 1881 he was graduated from the University of the Pacific at San Jose with the degree of B.S. He then returned to Stockton where he received his diploma for teaching, and first taught at the Salem school, the only school in Lodi, two terms; then in the Woodbridge grammar school for three years, and two years at the Houston district school. Since then he has been exclusively engaged in his present absorbing pursuit of grape culture, in which he has gained fine success.

Mr. Mills was married August 11, 1885, to Miss Carrie C. Ellis, of Lodi, a daughter of the late Ralph Ellis of that place. Her father was a former sheriff and member of the board of supervisors of Napa County, and was prominent in state politics and also one of the pioneers of California, coming to the state about the same time as the father of our subject. Mrs. Mills received her education in Napa Seminary, a private school for girls. She is one of a family of five children: Wilson R.; Frank, at Stockton with the Morris Plan Bank; Henry; Carrie C., Mrs. Mills; Mrs. Margaret E. Porter of Woodland. Ralph Ellis lived to be sixty-five years old and his widow survived him until 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of two children: Everts F., a rancher at Lodi, and Ralphine. When Mr. Mills started his agricultural pursuits he owned thirty-five acres of unimproved wheat land. About thirty years ago he set this to table grapes and was among the first men to plant a vineyard in the Lodi section for commercial purposes. From time to time he added to his holdings until he now owns and operates 250 acres in bearing vineyard in the Lodi and Woodbridge sections. Mr. Mills has installed a thorough irrigation system, the entire 250 acres being piped with concrete water main. About three years ago Mr. Mills built a modern two-story stucco house on his ranch in the suburbs of Lodi. In 1921, Mr. Mills was interested in organizing the Woodbridge Fruit Company, of which he is president; this company purchased 400 acres of land lying due north of Lockeford on the north side of the Mokelumne River, one-half of which is rich bottom land. They have improved the tract until it is nearly all in vineyard and peach orchard. Mr. Mills was the organizer and now serves as president of the Rio Oso Fruit Company that recently purchased 900 acres of grain land on the Bear River near Wheatland. This land is under development; over one-half of it has already been set out by 1924. Mr. Mills is a member of the board of directors and is secretary of the California Fruit Exchange at Sacramento since its reorganization about twenty years ago, and a director in the Citizens National Bank of Lodi. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally is a member of Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, F. & A.M., and is a past master of the lodge.

Prominent among the professional men of San Joaquin County is L.A. Mills, popular attorney at 710 Commercial Bank Building, Stockton, and widely known on account of his activity on behalf of the principles and aims of the Progressive Business Club, now recognized as one of the most effective organizations making for higher commercial and civic standards in the United States. He was born at Mt. Palatine, Putnam County, Ill., on March 8, 1878, and attended the public schools of his native city. He pursued courses for a couple of years at the State Normal School, and after that took a course for three years in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston. He followed electrical engineering for a couple of years in Boston, and from 1904 to 1913 was in the wholesale electrical supply trade at Peoria, Ill. In 1913, he came West to San Francisco, and the following year removed to Stockton, where he had charge of the electrical department of the Sperry Flour Company. In 1915 he started the Mills Mercantile Agency, commencing in a small way by sending out cards from his home, and building up a large business, which now requires a suite of offices in the Commercial and Savings Bank Building. During this time he also studied law, and on April 1, 1919, he was admitted to the California Bar. He enjoys a lucrative law practice—the result of ability and dependability.

Mr. Mills is a director and past president of the Progressive Business Club of Stockton. This is one of the leading luncheon clubs, and is active in furthering the best interests of Stockton and vicinity. It is affiliated with the national organization. Two members from each line of business or profession are eligible to membership, and every Thursday there is a luncheon, when public speakers of repute are entertained and live topics of the day are discussed. The club aims to spread the doctrine of true Americanism, to disseminate the high principles and patriotic ideals of the United States Government, to promote interest among different local clubs in proposed legislation, to foster the spirit of fraternalism among members and between local clubs, to encourage each local Progressive Business Club to pledge its active support to all meritorious civic movements and co-operate in every way for the benefit of local conditions, and to promote and encourage the living of the Golden Rule in private, civic, social and business life.

Mr. Mills' faith in Stockton is such that he invests every dollar he can spare in Stockton real estate. He rendered valuable service on the committee appointed to secure a suitable camp-site for recreational purposes for the people of Stockton; which resulted in the selection of a beautiful site of thirty-one acres at Silver Lake, in Amador County. He also rendered valuable services to his municipality, as chairman of the City Council's Committee of thirty, in drafting the new building law pertaining to building restrictions and zoning. He is a member of the mayor's unemployment committee under Secretary Hoover, and is giving much time and attention to securing employment for those in need of it. He is very active in encouraging “Stockton First” investments. Through smart salesmanship, thousands of dollars have each year been taken out of Stockton and San Joaquin County. In order to keep the money at home for building up the home city, Mr. Mills interested himself in the organization of the Mort Investment Company, which has for its purpose the erection of business buildings in Stockton. The company was recently incorporated with a capital stock of $350,000. Mr. Mills is serving on its directorate and also as its general counsel. Its first building will be known as The Mort, which will be a two-story-and-basement reinforced concrete building, 101 by 303 feet, extending clear through the block from Stanislaus to Weber Street, between Webster and Main. Mr. Mills is the chairman of the new charter general committee composed of thirty-six members chosen from twelve local organizations; it has for its object the adoption of a new charter for the city of Stockton, embodying the managerial plan of city government. He is vice-chairman of the forum committee of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Merchants' Association and Advertising Club, and also a member of the executive board of the South Stockton Improvement Club. He is an able promoter of Stockton's material interests.

Well-known in connection with agricultural interests, Ralph Emmett Mills makes his home at Lafayette Hall, four and a half miles west of Lodi on the Sargent road, where he owns twenty acres, one-half of which is in vineyard and the other half in alfalfa. During his residence on this property he has wrought a great transformation in its appearance, making it one of the highly cultivated tracts in this portion of the county. He was born on the old Mills ranch south of Woodbridge, April 23, 1880, a son of George A. and Mary (Bucher) Mills. The father was a native of Illinois. The grandparents, Freeman and Minerva (Grace) Mills, natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, respectively, crossed the plains to California in the early pioneer days. He engaged in mining in Sierra County and was then in business in Colusa County. In 1857 he located at Woodbridge, on eighty acres of land, and later added another eighty acres, which was thickly covered with timber. He became an extensive grain farmer in that section and was also very prominent in local politics and fraternal circles. When Ralph Emmett Mills was two years old, his parents removed to San Luis Obispo County and located on a 320-acre grain ranch near Paso Robles, which the father farmed to grain for twelve years; then he moved back to the old home place at Woodbridge, where he spent his remaining years. There were six children in the family: Ralph Emmett, of this sketch; Estella, Mrs. Knight, of Los Angeles; Claude, of Acampo; Ethel, Mrs. McCann, of Stockton; Glennie, Mrs. Nelson, of Stockton; and Roy, of Lodi. The father lived to be sixty-five years old; the mother passing away at the age of fifty-two.

Ralph Emmett Mills received his education in the public schools of San Luis Obispo County and was trained to the work of the farm from early childhood. Returning to Woodbridge when sixteen years old, he remained home until nineteen years of age, and then began making his own way in the world, at first working on ranches in different parts of San Joaquin County. He then rented the Don Ray ranch of 320 acres at Acampo; this was a grain farm, and during the five years that Mr. Mills leased it he set out eighty acres to vineyard, receiving forty-five acres of the vineyard for developing it. At the end of his lease he sold his portion and moved to Woodbridge, where he resided for a few years. Then he purchased sixty acres five miles west from Woodbridge. Twenty acres of this place was in vineyard, and Mr. Mills planted thirty acres more. Within two years' time he sold it, and then purchased his present place of twenty acres, one-half of which is in vineyard and the other half in alfalfa.

The marriage of Mr. Mills occurred on December 27, 1903, uniting him with Miss Inez Mayberry, born in San Joaquin County, a daughter of Wiley W. and Joanna (Hunting) Mayberry, natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa, respectively. Her parents came across the plains to California with their respective parents while they were yet young people. Subsequent to their marriage, they settled in north San Joaquin County in the Telegraph school district. Her parents are living retired in Lodi. Mrs. Mills is one of five children: Rena, Mrs. Henley, of Lodi; Maude, Mrs. Elda Brown, of Lockeford; Edith, Mrs. George Harrison; Inez, Mrs. Mills; and Donald. Mrs. Mills received her education in the Telegraph district school. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of two children: Mervin and Emmett. While Mr. Mills' ranch is under the Stockton-Mokelumne irrigation district, he also has his own pumping plant, which consists of a six-inch pump driven by a fifteen-horsepower motor, which furnishes ample water for irrigation. In politics he is a Republican; and fraternally he is a member of Lodi Camp of Modern Woodmen of America.

The name borne by Roy S. Mills is indelibly traced on the history of San Joaquin County, for his grandfather Freeman B. Mills, was a pioneer of the county, coming in 1853 across the plains from Illinois and he became a very prominent citizen. He served as sheriff of the county for one term and was active in local Republican politics and was a charter member of Jefferson Lodge of Odd Fellows. Roy S. Mills was born in Paso Robles, Cal., April 29, 1895; his father, George Mills, was born on the Freeman B. Mills ranch one mile west of Lodi and received his education in the schools of his native district. After finishing his education he moved to San Luis Obispo County and purchased a ranch in the vicinity of Paso Robles. He married Miss Mary Bucher, a native daughter of California, and their six children were born on their ranch at Paso Robles, namely: Ralph; Stella, Mrs. Guy Knight; Ethel, Mrs. Fred McCann; Claude; Glendora, Mrs. Marcus Nelson, and Roy S. the subject of our sketch. The father passed away at the age of sixty-four years in Woodbridge.

Roy S. Mills attended the Woodbridge grammar school and the Lodi high school and at the age of eighteen years struck out for himself, working first in Stockton. About four years ago he returned to Lodi where he bought a twenty-one acre ranch on Walnut Avenue set to vineyard and amply watered by a good irrigation system; then he purchased another on Terminus Road, consisting of twenty acres, one-half of which was set to vineyard and the balance bare land; later he sold this ranch and then bought his present forty-acre ranch on the Cherokee Road south of Lodi, which is a producing vineyard.

The marriage of Mr. Mills occurred in Stockton and united him with Miss Corinne Bentley, a native of Lodi, Cal., a daughter of Rodney and Elizabeth Bentley. The former was born in Dixon, Cal., and later moved to Lodi where he engaged in the merchandise business. Both parents reside in Lodi, as does their daughter, Cecil Bentley McMillan. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of two children: James and El Roy, and in politics Mr. Mills is a Republican.

A popular restaurateur of Stockton, Charles Miloslavich is the owner and proprietor of a restaurant located at 328 East Weber Street. He is a native of Dalmatia, born December 18, 1885, a son of Charles and Catherine Miloslavich. The father of our subject passed away two months before the birth of his son Charles; and the mother still makes her home in Dalmatia, now aged eighty years. Nicholas Miloslavich, a brother of our subject, was a soldier in the army of Austria and was severely wounded and has been disabled, so remained in the old home with his mother; a brother, Antone, left home for America and arrived in California in 1900; he secured employment and sent money home for the passage of Charles, and in 1901 he arrived in New York and came direct to Stockton, where he joined his brother. He soon found employment in a restaurant at fifteen dollars per month, a part of which he laid by and in 1912 he had saved enough money to buy an interest in a Weber Street cafe, and within three years time he had purchased the interests of the other partner in the business, and today is the owner of what is known as Charlie's Popular Restaurant, and has built up a prosperous business.

At Stockton in 1910 Mr. Miloslavich was married to Miss Mary L. Capitanich, a daughter of N. Capitanich, a pioneer fruit and vineyard rancher of San Joaquin County; she was born in Lead City, S.D., and was five years old when her parents removed to Stockton, Cal. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miloslavich: Charles, Jr., Kathryn and Robert. Mr. Miloslavich owns a residence in North Crest at 647 North Baker Street; also another residence at 847 West Park Street, and desirable real estate on East Street; in 1921 he sold his Yosemite Lake property to the city of Stockton. Mr. Miloslavich belongs to the Stockton Merchants' Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is a member of the B.P.O. Elks, No. 218, the Stockton Eagles and the Red Men.

The city of Stockton is indeed fortunate in the number of parks within her borders and much of the beauty of these lovely spots scattered throughout the city is due to the superintendent of city parks, Felix C. Mindach, for there is no one in this locality better versed in horticulture and floriculture than he. Since coming to California he has made a special study of all flowers, ornamental trees, shrubs and plants grown here and he is considered an authority in this field.

Mr. Mindach was born at Forst, Brandenburg, Germany, March 29, 1862. He was educated in the schools of his home town and at the age of ten years started to learn the science of horticulture and floriculture, meantime continuing his attendance at the local schools until he completed the course at the age of fourteen years. He then apprenticed at the floricultural establishment in which he had already become greatly interested. So rapidly did he advance that after two years' service with the large nursery company which specialized in plants, flowers, ornamental trees and fruit stock, he was advanced to instructor, and in this position he instructed others in learning the rudiments of the business, most of them very much older than himself. After four years with this company, he traveled throughout Germany and became landscape gardener on a number of large private estates.

In 1886 Mr. Mindach crossed the ocean to New York; securing employment on a farm, he attended school during the first winter in order to master the English language. Later he located in Rochester, N.Y., and for a season was a landscape gardener on a large private estate there. In 1888 he arrived in California, and here he established himself in the nursery business, conducting one at Red Bluff and one near Corning, purchasing a small tract of land at the latter place. Selling out his nursery business he entered the employ of the Maywood Colony at Corning and became superintendent for W.N. Woodson, the manager of this colony. Later Mr. Mindach came to San Joaquin County in 1902 and bought a twenty-acre ranch at Summer Home, near Manteca; there he established a nursery and soon after, in 1905, he moved to Stockton and bought two lots at 721 North East Street, where he erected the residence where he has since lived.

Soon after locating in Stockton, Mr. Mindach became engaged in laying out and improving the city parks. He first laid out Constitution Square and completed the laying out and improvement of Weber Park, and also laid out Washington Park and Lafayette Park, this work being done by the day. In 1910 he accepted the appointment as superintendent of Stockton city parks, a position he has held ever since, and since then he has laid out the following new parks—Liberty, Union and Columbus. The city of Stockton is unusually rich in parks, the acquisition of which has covered a number of years, and under Mr. Mindach's expert care they are beauty spots, indeed, giving enjoyment to thousands of residents and visitors alike and they are an index to Stockton's progressive and aggressive growth. In the sequence of their establishment they are as follows: Fremont, Independence, Eden, Weber, Lafayette, Constitution, Washington, Liberty, Union and Columbus. Some years ago the city acquired Victory Park, an area of twenty-seven acres, that is now being improved as fast as can be done with the means at the city's disposal. Lately the city acquired Oak Park, of thirty acres, also being improved. At Union Park Mr. Mindach devotes about one-fourth of the area to a nursery for raising ornamental trees and shrubbery for planting the new parks and needed replacement in the old parks, which makes a considerable saving to the city.

Mr. Mindach's marriage in San Francisco united him with Miss Kate Rable, like himself a native of Germany, and they have been blessed by the birth of two children, Richard and Elsie. Mr. Mindach's special talents as a landscape gardener have made him a valued acquisition to Stockton, and the family have made many friends here.

Although he is of German birth and parentage, Paul R. Mindach is to all intents and purposes an American-born citizen taking a keen interest in everything pertaining to the locality he has selected for his permanent home. He was born about twenty miles from Berlin, Germany, on September 20, 1864, a son of Wilhelmina Mindach. His father was a shoemaker by trade in his native country. There are two sons in the family, Paul R., our subject, and Felix.

Paul R. Mindach received a very thorough grammar school education in his native land and worked for wages until he was twenty-three years old, when he left for America. The first year after his arrival in the United States he worked in Rochester, N.Y.; then came to California, settling at Red Bluff, Tehama County, and for the following three years worked for wages; he then purchased 200 acres of grain land and farmed it for some twenty years when he sold out and came to San Joaquin County, January 1, 1913, locating on his present ranch about one and a half miles from Lockeford, containing twenty acres, thirteen acres in full-bearing vineyard and orchard. Mr. Mindach has installed a good irrigation plant on his ranch.

The marriage of Mr. Mindach in San Francisco on September 19, 1899, united him with Miss Mary Raible, a native of Wittenberg, Germany. Mrs. Mindach came to California about the same year that her husband did and settled in San Francisco. They are the parents of four children: Gertrude, Martha, Oscar, and Walter, all residing at home. In politics Mr. Mindach is a Democrat, and fraternally is a member of the Woodmen of the World, joining at Corning, but demitted to the Lodi lodge. While busy in the cultivation and care of his vineyard, Mr. Mindach looks to the welfare of his community and is a supporter of all movements that have for their goal the prosperity and development of the locality.

In the history of agricultural development of San Joaquin County mention should be made of George E. Minges, whose business career has been crowned with a gratifying measure of success that has been honorably won. He is a native son of both California and San Joaquin Counay, where he was born April 22, 1864. His parents, John and Philipena (Leicht) Minges were natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in 1849. When John Minges landed on the Atlantic Coast, he made his way westward, crossing the plains to the Pacific Coast, and first located in Southern California, but in 1850 located in Stockton, where he conducted a gunsmith shop. He also conducted one of the first bakeries in Stockton and was likewise proprietor of a hotel, and his name became closely identified with the development and substantial upbuilding of the town. In 1859 he removed from Stockton to Atlanta, where he remained for many years. He also resided for several years on the west side of the San Joaquin River in Stanislaus County, but subsequently returned to Stockton, where his last years were passed, an esteemed and honored pioneer of the county. His death occurred November 23, 1893. He was a Republican in politics and his religious faith was that of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. Nine children were born to this worthy pioneer couple of whom George E. Minges is the youngest.

George E. Minges was reared to man's estate in San Joaquin County, and acquired his early education in the public schools near his home. Later he attended the San Joaquin Valley College, at Woodbridge, Cal., and there, on the completion of a course in the business department, he was graduated. Early in life he became familiar with all the duties and labors attendant on the life of an agriculturalist, for he assisted in the farm work of the old family homestead. Throughout the greater part of his life he has followed farming and stockraising, and in buying and selling stock he has realized a handsome competence. For several years he has taken a very active interest in the matter of irrigation throughout the county, and is recognized as among the most prominent advocates in its behalf. He labors untiringly to secure the adoption of irrigation methods in the district, realizing the value thereof in promoting agricultural interests. His former extensive holdings of 1,120 acres are nearly all under irrigation and his fields are now extremely productive. In all of his farming methods he has been progressive, and so gained a very desirable measure of prosperity.

On November 24, 1887, Mr. Minges was married to Miss Birdie Williams, of Woodbridge, California, a daughter of Richard W. and Amanda (Irelan) Williams, early settlers of San Joaquin County. They are the parents of eight children: Georgia Avis, deceased; Eva May, Mrs. Cary Nicewonger, has four children and resides at Palo Alto; Beulah, Mrs. Bernard Grogan, has three children and resides at Atlanta, Cal.; George W., resides at Orange Cove, Cal. He served in the World War as a machine gunner in Company B, Thirty-ninth Infantry, Fourth Division A.E.F., and was honorably discharged, August 18, 1919; Leslie A. is a rancher at home; Walter is also a rancher on the home place; Leland and John Richard. The family is prominent in social circles and the Minges household is noted for its generous hospitality. For a number of years Mr. Minges served as a trustee of the Castle school district and for a portion of the time was clerk of the school board. Mr. Minges and his wife are members of the Atlanta Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward, and his wife as president of the Aid Society; she is also a member of the W.C.T.U. and the Y.W.C.A. and both are interested in the local farm bureau. In October, 1922, Mr. Minges traded his ranch for improved property in Stockton, where they now reside.

The name of Miramontes has been a prominent one in the early history of California since the grandfather of our subject received a grant of California land as a reward for his valiant service to the King of Spain. Our subject was born at Halfmoon Bay in 1875, a son of Jose Miramontes, who was born at Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, March 28, 1835. The California grant of land was known as the Miramontes grant and embraced all land from the Pacific Ocean to Half Moon Bay and the Coast Range of mountains; this rancho included the famous Palo Alto rancho and Leland Stanford's lands in the Coast Range. Jose Miramontes was married twice and four children were born of the first union; of the second union six children were born, all now deceased but Pablo, the subject of this sketch. When Pablo was eleven years old he was taken by his parents to San Joaquin County and Jose Miramontes was employed on the ranch of Undine & Williams in the Delta; later on he was in charge of the livestock on the Williams & Bixler farms which he held until his death in 1912.

Fifteen years ago Pablo Miramontes succeeded his father, having full charge of all the livestock on the Williams & Bixler ranch. For many years he did competitive riding at fairs and rodeos in Sacramento and Stockton, winning the highest honors on every occasion. His record is entering a track and in an hour and a half, breaking and riding five of the wildest horses that could be obtained. Six years ago he was obliged to give up exhibition riding on account of an accident received while working on the ranch. He has broken 135 head of work horses on the Bixler ranch and takes special pride in his work. He lives a quiet, retired life and is well and favorably known by all who know him as an authority on livestock.

Among the early settlers of Stockton who has contributed much towards the comfort and convenience of the residents of San Joaquin Valley is Henry Mitscher, a pioneer cabinetmaker and woodworker. He was born in New York City, on May 22, 1855, but was reared and educated in Hillsboro, Wis., whither his parents had moved. His father was a cabinetmaker and under him Henry learned his trade. In the year of 1876 he removed to California and located in Stockton, but not finding just the location he desired he went to San Francisco where he remained for a year and a half; then back to Stockton where he has since resided. He found employment with the Fickett Furniture Company and later with Martin Schneider; and about thirty years ago went into business for himself with R.P. Morrell as a partner, their shop being on San Joaquin Street opposite the old pavilion, where they did job work and furniture making. In 1900 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Mitscher opened a shop at his present place of business, 446 North Aurora Street; there he built a two-story business block, which was destroyed by fire in 1919; he then erected his present shop where he does repair and cabinet work.

His uncle, Christian Mitscher, a native of Germany, was a pioneer of California who settled in Stockton in 1852. A cooper by trade, he was employed for many years in the City Brewery in Stockton. He was one of the founders of the Turnverein and acquired considerable real estate in the city of Stockton and throughout the county. He passed away in 1903 at the home of our subject.

The marriage of Mr. Mitscher united him with Miss Annie Banz, a native of Baltimore, Md., and they are the parents of six children: Oscar resides in San Francisco; Eda is at home; Mrs. Rose Frankie resides in Stockton; Herman in San Francisco; Ralph in Stockton; and May is at home. Mr. Mitscher lives in the house that he built over forty years ago and all his children were born in this house. He is a supporter of all measures that have for their goal the advancement of the locality in which he has resided so many years.

The efficient superintendent and part owner of the Engineering & Foundry Company of Stockton, Samuel G. Mix is one of the city's most progressive and capable business men. His advancement in the industrial world has been through his own efforts, and today he is enjoying a richly merited success, while his future is assured. He was born at Laporte, Ind., on March 20, 1873, and was reared and educated in his native city. His vacation periods were spent in a local foundry making cores and when he was sixteen years old he learned the trade of moulder in the foundry of M. Rumley Company of Laporte. His ability was soon recognized and as he became proficient he was made general foreman of the plant. For many years he followed his trade in Indiana. In 1911 he came to Stockton to take charge of the foundry department of the Holt Manufacturing Company where he remained until 1915 when the Engineering & Foundry Company was organized with Morris Davidson president, and our subject as superintendent, and he is also a stockholder in the company. Mr. Mix brought to that company expert knowledge of all kinds of foundry work and they deal in semi-steel and gray iron castings and their plant is equipped with the most modern and approved machinery; they also manufacture gas engine equipment. Mr. Mix was one of the first on the Pacific Coast to introduce scientific metal mixing, by which process it can be determined in advance what metals are to be used to make both hard and soft iron. Before this method was known it was entirely guess work whether the iron produced would be hard or soft. Like so many others who have won prominence in their particular line of work, Mr. Mix started with all his capital in brains and energy, not in money, and has progressed by self-achievement and is now one of the best informed men in his line in Central California.

The marriage of Mr. Mix united him with Miss Bertha Kelling, a native of Laporte, Ind. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Elks of Stockton.

A representative and successful wheat grower of San Joaquin County is W.D. Mobley, who is one of the best authorities on wheat and its production in the state of California. His home ranch is situated three miles southwest of Farmington, and consists of 330 acres of rich grain land. His business career has been crowned with a gratifying measure of success that has been honorably won, and because of his prominent position in the agricultural community he certainly deserves mention in this volume. He was born in Vernon County, Mo., February 19, 1873, a son of Thomas R. and Mary (Reese) Mobley, both natives of Kentucky. Thomas R. Mobley, with his wife and six children, left Missouri for California in 1875, arriving in the Golden State the same year. They settled near Milton, where the mother still resides, the father having passed away in 1900. W.D. Mobley received a good education in the schools of Calaveras County, supplementing with a year's course in the Linden high school.

Mr. Mobley has been closely associated with his brother, William P. Mobley, a prominent mining man of Calaveras County, where he has operated for the past fifteen years, and the two brothers are still active in locating and proving up on mines in California. For ten years Mr. Mobley managed the large Mobley home ranch, consisting of 1,400 acres, on which he raised large quantities of grain and stock. Mr. Mobley has always used the most modern equipment for plowing, planting and harvesting his great crops of wheat; and since he transferred his activities to his present ranch, he has employed the same up-to-date methods of farming.

In 1911 at Farmington, Cal., Mr. Mobley was united in marriage with Miss Minnie P. Drais, a daughter of Edward M. and Rosa (Grann) Drais, prominent pioneers of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Edward M. Drais was a man of influence in his locality and for a number of years served as trustee of the Home Union school district, Stanislaus County, in his neighborhood, and gave his aid in a most generous manner to all public institutions and causes for the manifest good and advancement of the community. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mobley are the parents of one son, Willie A.

Five years ago, Mr. Mobley acquired his present ranch of 330 acres, which is a portion of the original homestead of James Dunham. Mr. Mobley is an active member of the local Farm Bureau; he is president of the Farmington Mutual Telephone & Telegraph Association, and in 1922 served as chairman of the grain committee of the San Joaquin County Fair Association. Mr. Mobley has exhibited and received blue ribbons at the county fairs for his fine quality of wheat and oats. As a public-spirited citizen, a friend of progress and promoter of general advancement he has long enjoyed the thorough confidence of his fellow citizens.

A thoroughly up-to-date concern, whose enterprise has also stimulated other firms, is the millinery shop located at 15 West Elm Street, Lodi, known as the Model Hat Shop, owned and operated by the Misses Elsie A. Solomon and Helen E. Todd, thoroughly experienced in designing and trimming hats. This shop was founded by Mrs. Vassar, who conducted it for eight years as a parlor millinery shop, one of the first in Lodi. It was then sold to Miss E.M. McLachlan and successfully conducted by her until it was sold to the present owners in 1919, and they have built up a fine, well-paying business. Miss Elsie A. Solomon is a San Joaquin County girl, born seven miles from Stockton on the Linden Road, a daughter of Gustave and Agnes Solomon. Gustave Solomon came to California in an early day, and for many years conducted a winery. He passed away in 1910, and her mother is now residing in Berkeley. Miss Solomon received her education in the Delphi district school, then attended the Washington school and the Stockton Commercial College in Stockton. She took up millinery work in Stockton and spent nine years in shops in San Francisco and Stockton previous to locating in Lodi.

Miss Helen E. Todd was born in Diagonal, Iowa, a daughter of Edgar P. and Laura Todd. In 1901 Miss Todd accompanied her parents to California and settled at Selma, where her father is engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Miss Todd attended the Selma grammar and high schools and learned the millinery trade in Fresno and San Francisco, and she, too, had nine years' experience before locating in Lodi.

In 1919 Misses Solomon and Todd purchased the business conducted by Miss McLachlan, and their enterprise and industry have been rewarded by increasing patronage and the Model Hat Shop is a credit to the city.

The good old days of the pioneer are recalled by the life story of Henry Mohr, the early settler long honored throughout San Joaquin County, and especially so as the founder of Mohr's Landing, known now as Bethany, on the San Joaquin River. For over a half century he had resided in California and San Joaquin County. He was born in Holstein, Germany, on March 12, 1829 and was bereft of his parents when only nine years of age. A neighboring family cared for him for the next six years, when he went to sea on a German merchant ship and several years were occupied on voyages to the Dutch East Indies, West Indies and other islands and countries of the world, sailing a number of times around the Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing through the Golden Gate in 1851, he determined to give up a seaman's life and locating at Hayward, Alameda County, he made that his home for several years, when he removed to San Joaquin County and secured lands near the river and established the only means of transportation to and from San Francisco there. He established his first home on Union Isle and engaged in raising grain and stock until the winter of 1861-62, the year of the disastrous flood that inundated the island and caused great financial loss to the farmers. With the brave spirit and strong will which characterized his whole life, Mr. Mohr set about to retrieve his lost possessions; engaging in the lumber and ferry-boat business on the river, he soon had made up all he lost. In 1868 he acquired the farm near Bethany which has been the home place ever since, and which responded to his excellent farming methods with bounteous crops each season.

In 1873 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mohr to Miss Dorothea Lindemann, a native also of Holstein, Germany, born September 29, 1848, who came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, in company with three girl friends, arriving in San Francisco in 1869, and going to Livermore, Alameda County, where a sister, Mrs. Emma Rose, resided. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mohr only one survives, Mary, the wife of William C. Brown, a native of San Joaquin County, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Brown, prominently and favorably known ranchers of the upper division of Roberts Island; the other children, Henry, Dora, William and George, are deceased. Mohr's Landing was, until the coming of the railroad in 1869, a most flourishing business center, as the river was the chief means of transportation and the farmers availed themselves of it, and the straight-forward business methods used by Mr. Mohr made him a business man with few equals. He was a stanch Republican and few men in this portion of California were more familiarly or favorably known, and when he passed away on December 16, 1909, the community lost one of its most progressive citizens and a loyal friend to all who were privileged to know him. Mrs. Mohr still lives on the old home place, now conducted by her son-in-law, W.C. Brown.

A successful business man of Stockton, whose business was begun in a small way and by diligent and intelligent effort has become a profitable venture, is William R. Moll, the proprietor of the squab farm at 1540 South Aurora Street, where he has about 4,000 birds. He is a native son of San Joaquin County, his birth occurring at Atlanta on February 6, 1879, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Bedford) Moll, natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. Joseph Moll settled in California in 1875 and began farming in Atlanta, San Joaquin County; later he removed to Eugene, Stanislaus County, where he farmed until he retired. His wife passed away in 1917 and he is still living in Stockton at the age of eighty years. William R. Moll received his education at the Lone Tree district school, and at seventeen years of age started out for himself; he became a steam engineer on dredges in the Bay region; then he worked two years at Blue Lakes, Alpine County, running a hoist for the Standard Electric Company. Returning then to Stockton, he opened a cigar store on California Street, which he operated for ten years; during this time he had become interested in pigeon raising, and his business grew to such proportions, that his quarters became too small, so he moved his pigeon farm to 1559 South Hunter Street. In three years' time it also became inadequate for his needs on account of his rapidly growing business. Wishing to devote all of his time to pigeon raising he sold his cigar business and about 1914 purchased his present property, consisting of three lots on South Aurora Street, where he built suitable buildings for pigeon raising and also rebuilt the house on the place into a modern residence. He is equipped to handle 5,000 birds at one time, which is a source of good income; his birds have taken first prize not only at local fairs but also at different county fairs where he has made an exhibit. He is breeding the birds for excellency and size so as to command the highest price in the market. He ships squabs principally to Chicago and New York City. Mr. Moll was the first individual in California to ship dressed squabs to Eastern points, his object being to obtain higher prices. In this he was successful as his returns were doubled. Others in his line heard of it and came to him for advice in shipping. He is today the largest squab breeder in Central California.

In August, 1905, in San Francisco, Mr. Moll was united in marriage with Miss Ora E. Stoughtenburgh, a native of Stockton, the daughter of John and Mary (Davis) Stoughtenburgh, born in Woodland, Cal., and Concord, Iowa, respectively. The mother died in Stockton and the father now resides in Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Moll are the parents of one son, Irving. Mr. Moll has been a member of the Stockton Red Men for about twenty years.

A man whose industry and exemplary management in his chosen line of work have placed him well to the front as a leader among the millers of the Pacific Coast, is John J. Molloy, the superintendent of the Cereal Mill of the Sperry Flour Company at Stockton, who was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 7, 1871. His father, John Molloy, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, where he learned the miller's trade and there he married Mary Johnson, also born there. He came to the United States and located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, having been employed by George Douglas, of Douglas & Stewart, to take charge of their mill; this mill was afterwards absorbed by the American Cereal Company, and later still taken over by the Quaker Oats Company, and is now the biggest cereal mill in the world. Mr. Molloy, who was a veteran of the Civil War, was with this company until he was eighty years old and was retired on a pension. Both parents are now deceased. They were the parents of two boys and one girl. Our subject and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Shields of Cedar Rapids, are the only surviving children.

John J. Molloy was the youngest child and he received his education in the public schools of Cedar Rapids; his vacations were spent helping in the mill and when thirteen years old he began to learn the miller's trade and with it the dressing of stone burrs and in time became second miller of the Douglas & Stewart Mill under his father. In 1898 he accepted an offer from the Sperry Flour Company to come to California as superintendent of their San Francisco mill, continuing there until the big fire in 1906 when the mill was burned down; he was then transferred to the Stockton mill, where he installed new machinery, converting the old Sperry Flour Mill into an up-to-date cereal mill, and on August 7, 1906, he started the first mill, which has since been enlarged until it is now the largest cereal mill on the Pacific Coast, making the greatest number of varieties of cereals of any in the world, sixty different varieties, with a capacity of 2,000 barrels a day. This company ships, not only all over the United States, but to Europe, Central and South America, China, Japan, and all over the Orient. Mechanically inclined, and of an inventive turn of mind, Mr. Molloy makes his drawings for the devices and improvements used in the mill. To better fit himself for his work, he took a course in the International Correspondence School in mechanical drawing, completing the course by night study. Mr. Molloy devised the overhead carrier system, which crosses Weber Avenue and transports grain to the mill and cereal to the river boats. The demand for the Sperry products is so great that the mill is never idle, employing three shifts of workmen of eight hours each; automatic equipment has recently been installed so that the output will be trebled. One hundred girls are employed in the packing and labeling department; a large room has been fitted up in the upper story with a dining room and kitchen in connection, the company furnishing luncheon for the girls. Mr. Molloy designed and built a replica of the old pioneer Sperry mill built at Sacramento in the early '50s, for the '49 celebration there in 1922, and it attracted much attention.

Mr. Molloy has an international as well as a national reputation as a miller; he was one of the organizers of the Professional Millers' Association of California and served as its president; he is now deputy supreme secretary of the California Professional Millers' Association, a branch of the national order; he is a member of the supreme council of the above and the only member in California who has a vote in the supreme council of the national and votes on every matter of importance that comes before that body.

Mr. Molloy's marriage in San Francisco united him with Miss Ida E. Loichot, a native of Canton, Ohio, and they are the parents of three daughters: Mrs. Mary Cornwall, residing in Stockton, and Adelle and Thelma, both attending Stockton high school. Fraternally he is a Knight of Columbus and a Modern Woodman. His intelligent leadership and management have been an influence for progress in city, county and state.

A vigorous, enterprising and very successful rancher who has demonstrated his preference for the most progressive methods in twentieth century agriculture, is Caesar Montanelli, an Italian-American who was born near Chiavari, Italy, in the Province of Genoa, on August 24, 1873, the son of Ferdinando and Anna (Compiano) Montanelli, the former an orchardist of repute in his native country. These worthy parents did the best they could for our subject, who commenced his training in the schools of Comanche and continued his studies in San Joaquin County. In 1875, his father moved with his family to Comanche, Cal., and there started in truck gardening; and in time they had four children: Caesar, our subject; Louis; Amadeo, who served in the United States forces during the World War; Dosuline. The two youngest were born in California. The parents are now living in Stockton, both enjoying the best of health.

After a stay of five years at Comanche, the Montanellis moved to a ranch nine miles out on the Copperopolis Road, where they lived until they retired, and when Caesar was twenty-one years old, he commenced to operate for himself. He first bought five acres, nine miles out on the Copperopolis Road, adjoining his father, which he turned into a truck garden; and after twelve years here he disposed of the place. He then purchased eighty acres on the Eight-mile Road, at the corner of Jack Tone Road, all at that time open land; and later he sold off forty acres to Mr. Martin, after he had farmed the whole for two years. Still later, he split up the forty acres, retaining just half of it for himself; and on this choice tract he built a home, setting out around it an orchard of eleven acres of almonds and five acres to cherries and four acres to peaches and apricots, all well irrigated. The original eighty acres were a part of the old McDonald place.

On February 25, 1908, Mr. Montanelli was married to Miss Genevieve Costa, a native of San Francisco and the daughter of Peter and Juana (Silva) Costa, one of five children. Her mother died at the age of twenty-eight years, and her father lived to be sixty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. Montanelli have a family of five children; and they bear the names of Joseph, Louise, Lena, Emma, and Lawrence. Mr. Montanelli is a Republican, and a loyal American, and he takes a keen interest in national as well as local questions of the day.

A modest, sincere and very public-spirited citizen, is John S. Montgomery, the ex-mayor and ex-chairman of the board of trustees of Lodi, Cal. A man of retiring disposition, he is nevertheless a forceful personality, and in his quiet and unassuming manner is a leader in the affairs of his city. He was born in Greenfield, Dade County, Mo., on January 6, 1881. His education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of his native city, and following his graduation he taught in the public schools of Greenfield. He arrived in Lodi on January 15, 1903, and found employment with Beckman, Welch & Thompson, and through his capabilities and strict attention to business he was made a member of the board of directors of that company. He was in their employ for fifteen years, and when he resigned occupied the important position of credit man. In July of 1918 he opened an insurance and brokerage office at 11 West Pine Street, which has proved to be a wise move. He owns and operates a ninety-two-acre vineyard south of Lodi. Mr. Montgomery is secretary and treasurer of the City Improvement Company and a member of the board of directors of the Citizens National Bank of Lodi. During April of 1918 he was elected as a member of the board of city trustees, and two years later he was elected chairman of the board. Many improvements have been made since he has been a member of the board. Ten miles of streets have been paved; a $200,000 bond issue has been carried for city improvements such as water, sewer, electric lights and fire protection; many modern buildings have been erected; and the city has shown a remarkable advancement within the last four years. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club and past president of the Business Men's Association. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Lodi Odd Fellows, No. 259, and of the Masons Lodge, No. 256, the Stockton Commandery of Knights Templar, and the San Francisco Consistory and Shrine.

The marriage of Mr. Montgomery united him with Miss Elizabeth Bowling, a native of Missouri, and they are the parents of two children, Ruth and Clifton. Mr. Montgomery is liberal and enterprising, and is ever ready to assist worthy measures and movements for the betterment of his locality. He well deserves the esteem in which he is held in the community.

A progressive rancher of the type that always profits from experience, is John W. Montgomery, the owner and proprietor of a grain warehouse in Lockeford. A native Californian, he was born near Lockeford on October 26, 1856, a son of Chandler R. and Olive (Whitmore) Montgomery, the father a native of Rocklin and the mother of Camden, Maine. Chandler R. Montgomery came to California in 1850 and for a while he mined at Placerville; later he engaged in teaming between Sacramento and Placerville. For a short time he was at Mokelumne Hill and in 1852 came to a point on the river where he preempted a quarter section of land east of what is now Lockeford, where he engaged in grain and stockraising. From time to time he bought preemptions from several men until he had aquired some 1,400 acres and engaged in raising grain on a large scale. Of their family of thirteen children the following are now living: John W.; Mrs. Alice E. Barber of Deer Isle, Maine; Winifred S.; Olive; Chandler R., of Lockeford; Florence, Mrs. W.E. Taggert; Elizabeth, a teacher; and Mrs. Carrie Earle of Los Angeles.

John W. Montgomery, the eldest of the family, attended the grammar school in Lockeford, then took a business course at Stockton, after which he engaged in ranching, having acquired 330 acres of land to which he added from time to time until he came to own 400 acres on which he was engaged in raising grain for many years. He still owns 275 acres of this ranch.

The marriage of Mr. Montgomery on May 15, 1884, occurred at Atlanta and united him with Miss Rosa M. Minges, born near Atlanta, a daughter of John and Phillipina (Leicht) Minges, the former a '49er and a well-known man in the early days in San Joaquin County. Three children were born of this union: John M. graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in electrical engineering and won high rank as lieutenant-colonel of the Cadets and was captain of the rifle team, winning the gold medal in 1907, and the silver medal in 1908, for individual shooting. His team frequently was pitted against opponents and easily won their share of medals for marksmanship. He died December 31, 1908, at the age of twenty-four. Olive P., graduated from the University of California and taught school in Contra Costa, Yolo and Modoc Counties until her marriage to Robert L. Cooke, now a teacher of the science of radio in the Merced high school. Lester M. is the youngest and after finishing his schooling selected ranching as his field of opportunity and is now meeting with success in his operations near Lockewood. For many years John W. Montgomery has conducted a large grain warehouse at Lockeford, which is equipped with modern machinery for handling grain and he also has a small rolling mill with which he crushes feed for the local ranchers. In his political affiliations he is a Republican and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Stockton.

A pioneer resident and a prominent grain farmer of San Joaquin County, Fred B. Moore has been profitably engaged in the ranching industry in the Collegeville district of San Joaquin County for a continuous period of thirty-five years. Many other interests have likewise taken his time and attention, and he is spoken of throughout the county as a public-spirited, genial and upright man. He was born at Woodbridge, one-half mile east of the Sargent place, March 27, 1863, a son of T.S. Moore, a native of New York who migrated to Grinnell, Iowa, in 1847, and two years later, in 1849 crossed the plains with ox teams to California. T.S. Moore was a butcher and carpenter by trade and for several years after arriving in California he worked at his trade at Coloma. In 1863 he removed to San Joaquin County and farmed near Lodi; the following year, 1864, he purchased a ranch west of Lodi where he farmed for thirteen years, then sold to J.L. Hudson. In 1877 he removed to Washington, then a territory, where he engaged in farming for four years; then returned to San Joaquin County and located at the old Five-Mile House on the Lower Sacramento Road. His last days were spent in Stockton, where he passed away about twenty years ago. Fred B. Moore received a fairly good education at the Lafayette district school and was a young lad when he started at farm work. For the past thirty-five years he has been farming in the Mt. Carmel and Collegeville district of the county and his perseverance and industry have been well rewarded.

The marriage of Mr. Moore occurred in 1885, and united him with Miss Eliza E. Carey, born on the Carey Road six miles southeast of Stockton, a daughter of the late Wilson Carey, a prominent pioneer and grain and stock farmer of the Mt. Carmel district. Mr. Moore owns 280 acres of fine wheat land located five miles southeast of Stockton, on which was formerly located the old Six-Mile House on the Mariposa Road. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one son, Arthur W., born on the old Wilson Carey ranch near Stockton, January 7, 1888. He received his education in the Mt. Carmel school and since he was old enough has helped his father with ranch work. For the past three years he has managed the extensive grain farm. On February 28, 1919, at Stockton, he was married to Miss Laura Cox, born July 28, 1888, in Linden, Cal., a daughter of W.E. Cox, pioneer farmer of Linden. Both father and son believe in the most up-to-date methods of grain farming and their equipment consists of the latest improved machinery known, which greatly facilitates their extensive grain growing operations.

The name of Henry Moore is an honored one on the list of pioneer citizens of San Joaquin County, where he took up his home in 1858, and throughout his life his interests were associated vitally with those of his adopted state. He lent his support to the educational, moral and social progress of his locality, and, being a man of great force and integrity of character, his actions in regard to any enterprise could be predicted in advance and his influence would always be found on the side of the general welfare. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on December 22, 1833, and at the age of nineteen years went to Texas, where he remained for two years, then returned to his home in Ohio.

On April 26, 1855, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Sarah Meyer and for the next three years farming engaged his attention. In 1858 he and his wife started for California via Panama and settled in Castoria township, San Joaquin County, near French Camp, and there bought and improved a 160-acre ranch and for forty-nine years made that his home. He took an active and unselfish part in all public matters and for several years was justice of the peace of Castoria township. As an agriculturist he was successful and took much interest in the various agricultural fairs, and in many ways helped to raise the standards of his occupation. Mr. Moore passed away in July, 1907, mourned by the entire community wherein he had spent so many active years of his life. His widow resided on the home ranch until she passed away in June, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the first to leave an endowment fund of $400 to the East Union Cemetery. He was public-spirited in citizenship, was trustworthy in business, faithful in friendship, and in his home was most devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife. Many were his good qualities and few his faults. He loved truth and justice and represented a high type of our American manhood.

A native son of California. Thompson Marion Moore has been identified in a practical manner with agricultural pursuits during all his active career, and resides four miles west of Lodi on a portion of his father's ranch. He was born near Escalon, San Joaquin County, on his father's ranch, October 15, 1893, a son of James L. and Ora (Carmichael) Moore, both natives of Georgia, whose forbears were plantation owners in early days. James L. Moore came to California thirty-two years ago and first settled near Oakdale, where he remained for a year, then came to San Joaquin County and farmed near Escalon for two years. He then removed to the Lafayette district of San Joaquin County, where he bought a ranch three miles west of Lodi on the Sargent Road, where he still resides. This ranch was unimproved at the time of purchase and Mr. Moore has developed the entire forty acres to orchard and vineyard, which is now producing abundant crops each season.

Thompson Marion Moore received his education at the Lafayette grammar school, meanwhile receiving practical lessons in viticulture and horticulture, which have proved of lasting benefit. He worked on his father's ranch until he was twenty years old, then started out for himself and worked on different ranches until 1921, when he purchased twenty acres four miles southwest of Lodi on Kettleman Lane, which he has set to Tokay grapes. He has also installed a pumping plant which furnishes ample water for irrigation.

On March 18, 1916, Mr. Moore was married in Stockton to Miss Martha Peightal, born in Johnstown, Pa., a daughter of Samuel A. and Minnie (Hunter) Peightal. In 1910 her family removed to Lodi, and since 1914 her father has been identified with the Henderson Hardware Company of Lodi. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of three children: Marion, Ralph, who died July 5, 1922, aged three years, and Ruth. Mr. Moore built his residence south of his father's house on a portion of the latter's ranch, and there the family resides. Mr. Moore is a Democrat in politics.

A native of Ireland, Dennis Moran has nevertheless been an American to all intents and purposes during his entire life, for he was only about one year old when brought by his parents to the United States. He was born on January 7, 1860, a son of John and Mary (Sullivan) Moran, also natives of Ireland, who on arriving in the United States settled at Fitchburg, Mass.

Dennis Moran attended school in Fitchburg until he was eighteen years old, when he left home to make his own way in the world. First going to the Pan Handle country in Texas, near Amarillo, he rode the range for two years. Next he went on horseback to Nebraska to a point south of Fort Robinson on Running Water Creek, and remained there for one season; then continuing on horseback to Julesburg, Colo., he engaged in the cattle business there for three years. Returning to Nebraska, he was not satisfied to remain there, and soon hit the trail for the country around Cheyenne, Wyo., where he engaged in the cattle business for the next four years. Again he returned to Nebraska, and for ten years followed the stock business on the White River.

The marriage of Mr. Moran occurred at Crawford, Neb., on November 19, 1889, and united him with Miss Sadie Losee, a native of Indiana. She was of old American stock dating back to the Revolutionary War, and also had two uncles that were in the Civil War. When she was a young girl her parents removed to Iowa and settled near Des Moines, and there she was reared and educated. Her father was a farmer in Iowa and died in Des Moines at the age of thirty-one; and when the family removed to Nebraska they continued in agricultural pursuits. After his marriage, Mr. Moran went to South Dakota and located near Bellefourche, where he became a well-known stockman, his herd averaging about 500 head; and he continued in this business for ten years. Then the family removed to British Columbia, but remained there only a few weeks, and then to Lodi, during the year of 1911. He first purchased ten acres in vineyard east of Lodi on the East Pine Street extension, and this has been his home place ever since; he has installed a pumping plant with a four-inch pump driven by a ten-horsepower motor. From time to time he has added to his real estate holdings, until he now has fifty-seven acres, mostly in vineyards, Mr. and Mrs. Moran are the parents of one son, Walter, whose sketch will be found also in this volume.

A prominent and enterprising young man who is meeting with deserved success in his large farming operations is Emmet A. Moran, a native son, born on the old Moran place near Tracy, March 30, 1884, the youngest of eleven children born to William and Hannah (Linskey) Moran, early settlers of California. He spent his boyhood on his father's ranch, making himself generally useful, at the same time attending the local school. After his school days were over he continued on the home place, being of great assistance to his father in the growing of great grain crops on their 800-acre ranch.

Mr. Moran remained at home until his parents retired and moved to Oakland, then took up his headquarters at Livermore and began stockraising. In partnership with John J. Callaghan he followed sheepraising at Corral Hollow and for four years ran about 5,000 head, but on account of his health he sold out and the partnership was dissolved. After a period of recuperation he began farming operations on Union Island. In 1914 he put in his first crop there and two years later he formed a partnership with his brother, J.E. Moran, as Moran Bros., and engaged in growing grain on a large scale. Beginning with 2,230 acres of leased land they enlarged their operations to 6,000 acres, which they handle with the most modern equipment, using three Best tractors and four combined harvesters. In 1921 Moran Bros. were leaders among the barley growers of the state, raising the largest crop of this grain. Their yield of barley was 180,000 sacks, averaging about 30 sacks to the acre. All of it was taken to Pt. Costa where it was loaded on big ocean-going vessels and exported direct to England. That same year they raised over 10,000 bags of beans and the year before they threshed 14,000 bags of beans. Thus from a small beginning they increased their outfit rapidly so they were among the largest ranchers in San Joaquin County. J.E. Moran passed away on April 18, 1922, and since then Emmet A. has had the entire management of the large holdings and continues their large farming operations. He owns a modern residence beautifully finished and furnished at 1429 North Baker Street, Stockton, where he resides with his family.

On January 3, 1911, in Oakland, Mr. Moran was married to Miss Susie Eleanor Callaghan, born at Livermore, Cal., the daughter of John and Margaret (Moy) Callaghan, both natives of Ireland and early settlers in Livermore Valley, where Mr. Callaghan was engaged in farming and stockraising. They were the parents of seven children, five now living: John J. is an attorney at Livermore; Henry J. is radio chief for the Government at Mare Island; Margaret is Mrs. Owens of Livermore; Edward F. is a stockman and resides at Stockton; Susie Eleanor, who is a graduate of the Livermore high school, married Emmet A. Moran of this sketch and they have two children, Lloyd and Phyllis. Mr. Moran is a member of Stockton Parlor, N.S.G.W., Independent Foresters of America, Stockton Lodge No. 218, B.P.O.E., and the Pines Club of Livermore. While residing at Livermore he was a member of Company I, N.G.C., and served as school trustee of the Midway district. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

A native son of California who was identified in a practical and successful manner with agricultural pursuits all his active career, was the late John Edmund Moran. He was born on his father's ranch near Bethany, Cal., November 13, 1873, a son of William and Hannah Moran, both of them natives of Ireland, the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living; they are now residents of Oakland, the father being ninety years old. He came to San Joaquin County in the early '60s, where he followed farming and sheep raising on the West Side for many years.

John Edmund Moran received his education in the Tracy schools and meantime helped his father on the home place; when he grew older he engaged in farming on his own account and for twenty years was a prominent and successful grain farmer in the Delta district of San Joaquin County. His holdings on Union Island, a part of the old Williams properties, consisted of over 1,000 acres; he also leased land in the Bixler tract for many years. In partnership with Harry Martin, he operated about 500 acres in the Clifton Court tract in Contra Costa County. He was also in partnership with his brother, E.A. Moran for five years and the latter, with Mr. Moran's son Sherid, will continue the farming operations. Mr. Moran was always loyal to the county of his birth and was active in all affairs of the development of the West Side, and took an active part in the establishment of the irrigation district for the development of the Delta lands of the county.

The marriage of Mr. Moran occurred at the home of the bride in San Joaquin County and united him with Miss Caroline A. Pagel, also born in San Joaquin County, a boyhood friend. She is the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Kraus) Pagel, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Alsace Lorraine. There were five children in the family, three of whom are living: Mrs. Moran, Fred and A.J. Pagel, who are ranching in the county. The father was an early settler on the West Side of the county where he took up Government land and farmed until his death. The mother, too, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Moran were the parents of four children: Sherid, Helen T. and George E.; Edward, the eldest child, died aged ten months. Mr. Moran passed away April 20, 1922, mourned by his devoted family and a host of friends. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows, Tracy Parlor, N.S.G.W., and Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B.P.O.E. For many years he served as a school trustee in his district. He was a thorough and practical agriculturist, and his sterling characteristics and honorable business methods won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he had business or social relations.

A resident of California since 1862, William Moran is one of the state's most worthy pioneers, for he has contributed much to the improvement and building up of this great commonwealth. He was born at Carrick, on the River Suir, in County Waterford, Ireland, March 1, 1833, the son of Edmond and Hanora (Barton) Moran. The father, who was a farmer, passed away in his native land and after his death Mrs. Moran came to Massachusetts where she resided for the remainder of her life. They were the parents of eight children, only two of whom are now living. William Moran of this sketch, and Edmond Moran, who resides in Charlestown, Mass.

William Moran grew up on the farm in Ireland and remained there until nineteen years of age, leaving there in 1852 to come to America where he felt that greater opportunities awaited him. He located at Chelsea, Mass., and went to work on a farm where oxen were still being used to carry on the farming operations. On July 8, 1860, at Chelsea, he was married to Miss Hannah Linskey, who was born October 14, 1840, in County Galway, Ireland, the daughter of John and Mary (Mitchell) Linskey, farmers in Galway. The mother died there and the father came to Pennsylvania but passed away soon afterward, leaving four children, of whom Hannah was the eldest. She came to Massachusetts in May, 1849, with an aunt and attended school at Chelsea, and it was here that she met and married Mr. Moran.

In April, 1862, William Moran started to California by way of Panama, landing at San Francisco on May 5th, and in December of that year he was joined by his wife and their son, William B. Mrs. Moran's journey was indeed an eventful one; she was a passenger on the Aerial from New York to Aspinwall which was captured by the Confederate cruiser Alabama, as this was during the stirring days of the Civil War. The passengers were kept for two days on the Island of Jamaica before they were allowed to proceed on their journey. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama they took the steamer Constitution of San Francisco, arriving December 27, 1862. For the first year Mr. Moran was employed in San Francisco and in the spring of 1863 he went to Bodega Bay, Sonoma County, and began grain farming, raising a good crop of oats. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Santa Clara County and purchased a fifty acre farm six miles east of San Jose and there he followed farming until the lands on the west side in San Joaquin County were opened for settlement, taking up his residence there in 1867 on a homestead of 160 acres at Mohr's Landing, near Bethany. Here he built a house and made improvements, breaking the virgin soil and raising grain. He sold this ranch in 1875 and engaged in sheep raising and had just gotten nicely started when the memorable drought of 1877 left him with many others with nothing to feed their sheep and he sustained a heavy loss. He then located at Ellis, now Tracy, a few miles from his old homestead and in 1878 began farming near Corral Hollow, continuing there for sixteen years, then bought 320 acres on the boundary line between San Joaquin and Alameda counties, near Midway, all but a few acres being in San Joaquin County. He improved this place, building a residence, made a success of raising grain and hay and with the aid of his family, who were all capable and industrious, he was able to gain a competency.

Mr. and Mrs. Moran were the parents of eleven children: William B., passed away in Siskiyou County in 1900; Mary, Mrs. Martin J. Lund, of Stockton; Anna and Katherine reside with their parents; Nancy died in infancy; Louise, Mrs. Dana Troth, of Tracy; John Edmond passed away in Stockton on April 20, 1922; Nellie, Mrs. David Lake, of Oakland; Harriett, Mrs. Thomas Mournian, resides near Antioch; Elizabeth, Mrs. George Hicks, of Oakland; Emmet is a rancher of Stockton. In 1910, wishing to retire from active business, Mr. and Mrs. Moran rented their farm and took up their residence at 2116 Twenty-sixth Avenue, Oakland, where they reside in comfort with their two daughters, Misses Annie and Katherine Moran, who give their parents the most devoted care, looking after their well-being in every way. While living at Tracy Mr. Moran was a prominent member of the Grange, passing through all the chairs. In 1872 he joined Sumner Lodge, No. 177, I.O.O.F., at Ellis, now Tracy, is a past grand and now the oldest member of the lodge. He is also a member of the Rebekahs in Tracy. In politics he has long been a strong Republican.

July 8th, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Moran celebrated their golden wedding at their home on the ranch. The affair was made a great demonstration by the members of the family, their friends and neighbors. There were beautiful decorations and an abundance of flowers, and the wedding repast was delightful and much praised by those present, and many toasts were given for the health and longevity of the couple. It was a most enjoyable occasion and Mr. and Mrs. Moran were the recipients of many beautiful gifts. Sumner Lodge of Odd Fellows at the first session after the golden wedding passed an appropriate resolution for the honored couple, and presented Mr. Moran with a lodge emblem as a token of the high regard in which he was held by the members of the lodge. Each year since then the Morans have celebrated their anniversary at their home and at their sixtieth anniversary the members of the family presented them with a fine phonograph. On July 8, 1922, they celebrated their sixty-second anniversary. They have been wonderfully blessed and take much pride in their devoted children.

Among the recent accessions to the viticultural section of San Joaquin County is Walter R. Moran, the owner of a fifteen-acre vineyard on the Alpine school road. He is a native of Crawford, Nebraska, and the son of Dennis and Sadie (Losee) Moran, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Indiana. Dennis Moran was only about one year old when his parents came to America and settled at Fitchburg, Mass., where he was reared and received his education. He was only eighteen years old when he started on his varied career as cowboy and stockman, and finally as a successful vineyardist of the San Joaquin Valley, where he resides today.

When Walter R. Moran was nine years old, his parents removed to Bellefourche, S.D., where they engaged in the stock business; later the family moved to British Columbia, and he followed ranching there. From early boyhood Walter Moran could ride a horse, and when he was twenty years old, he naturally took to the range, first going to Montana, where he stayed one year, and then to British Columbia, where for three years he rode the range for the Western Canadian Ranch Company, 150 miles north of the Canadian line. Next we find him back in Montana, at Billings, where he worked for four years for the Western Sugar Company. In September of 1917, he enlisted at Billings, Mont., and was sent to Fort George Wright, Wash., in the Quartermaster's Corps. After remaining there for a short time, he was sent to Camp Lewis in the 344th Baking Company, and on June 25, 1918, was sent to France as a baker at Ish-Sur-Til. He was later returned to the United States, and on July 1, 1919, was discharged at Fort Russell, Wyo., and immediately returned to his parents' home in Lodi, Cal. After his return he purchased fifteen acres south of Kettleman Lane on the Alpine school road, which is devoted to the raising of grapes; he also has twenty-five acres rented, that belongs to his father. Both of these places are well irrigated.

The marriage of Mr. Moran occurred at Oakland, Cal., on January 22, 1921, and united him with Miss Winifred Whitman, a native of Florin, Cal., and a daughter of Albert and Effie Whitman. Years ago Albert Whitman came from Massachusetts to North Dakota, and from there to California. He is now residing in Oakland. Winifred Whitman received her education in the grammar and high schools of San Jose. She has one brother, Neil. In politics Mr. Moran is a Democrat. Fraternally, he was made a Mason in Lodi Lodge No. 256, F. & A.M., and with his wife is a member of Lodi Chapter No. 150, Lodi. He is also a member of American Legion Post No. 22, Lodi. Mr. Moran is intensely interested in good roads, thinking them essential to the building up of the county. He is an advocate of all measures for the advancement of his community and labors for its improvement and progress.

A native son of San Joaquin County who has been actively interested in horticulture from early youth, Louis Moresco was born on the ranch where he now makes his home on March 28, 1900, a son of Antonio and Mary Moresco, both natives of Genoa, Italy. Antonio Moresco came to California from his native country while still a young man and worked for wages until he was able, by the strictest economy, to purchase a place of his own. He bought forty-five acres on the Calaveras River north of Stockton and set it out to fruit; this was about twenty-seven years ago. There are five children in the family: Louis, the eldest, and Angeline, Ralph, Claude, and Ray. The father passed away some eleven years ago, while the mother still lives on the home place. Louis Moresco attended the August district school on the Waterloo Road and is now the manager of the Moresco estate, which consists of thirty-five acres, all of which is devoted to different kinds of fruits; the ranch having a splendid irrigation system.

The marriage of Mr. Moresco occurred in Stockton on December 9, 1921, and united him with Miss Edith Sanguinetti, born in the Waterloo district of San Joaquin County, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Sanguinetti, both natives of Italy. Mrs. Moresco was educated in the Waterloo grammar school. Mr. Moresco has erected a comfortable and commodious bungalow residence on the ranch, where they reside. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally is affiliated with the Eagles Lodge in Stockton.

Many of Stockton's finest and most substantial structures are the handiwork of Ralph P. Morrell, the pioneer architect of the city, which he has seen develop from a town of 12,000 inhabitants until its population now exceeds 50,000. He is a native son of California, his birth having occurred at San Francisco, February 5, 1867, and his parents were Oliver L. and Margaret (Holmes) Morrell, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Bedford, Mass. In 1850 the father came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, locating in San Francisco, where he built and operated the first furniture factory in the city. He established his plant at the corner of Fremont and Market streets and was numbered among the pioneer business men and upbuilders of the city.

Mr. Morrell attended the Lincoln grammar school at Fifth and Market streets in San Francisco, and after their lessons for the day were ended the boys would frequently devote their energies to digging up Indian beads and other trinkets on the present site of the San Francisco Civic Auditorium. He also remembers when there were plank sidewalks on Market Street and the first railroad station was located at the intersection of that thoroughfare with Seventh Street, his reminiscences of San Francisco's early days being most interesting. In 1879 he came to Stockton, where he attended the public schools, and afterward completed an apprenticeship in furniture designing and decorating, becoming very proficient in that line. Later he embarked in business on his own account, erecting a large planing mill on Lafayette Street in March, 1890, and at the same time he began his work in architectural drawing. The mill was afterward destroyed by fire and Mr. Morrell has since devoted his attention to architectural work, in which he has been very successful. The greater part of the business blocks in Stockton were designed by him and also a large number of fine homes, for which he has likewise selected the furnishings. His reputation has spread beyond the boundaries of Stockton and he has drawn the plans for public buildings and private residences in cities from Bakersfield to the northern part of the state and he has also done architectural work in Nevada, being widely known in this connection. In fraternal circles he is well known, belonging to Stockton Lodge No. 218, B.P.O.E., and to Charity Lodge No. 6, I.O.O.F. He occupies a position of leadership in his profession and his work, which is of high character and standard excellence, is a credit to the city and a feature in its substantial improvement.

The owner and proprietor of the meat market at Lockeford, Harris B. Munger is well known as one of the capable men in the business in this part of the county. He thoroughly understands all branches of the business, judging cattle for market purposes, butchering, and manufacturing by-products. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, on March 9, 1881, the son of Timothy and Charlotte (Brenner) Munger. Timothy Munger was a nurseryman, fruit grower and farmer in Ohio until 1890, when he brought his family to California, arriving on New Year's day and locating at Malaga, Fresno County, where he purchased a twenty-acre vineyard which he operated for twelve years; he then leased a ranch for two years at Fowler, Cal.; later he went to San Luis Obispo County and farmed near Arroyo Grande. The father lived to be seventy years of age and the mother sixty years.

Harris B. Munger was educated in the schools of Miami County, Ohio, and California. At the age of eighteen he began to make his own way in the world, first working in a warehouse in Santa Barbara; then worked for a time as baggageman for the P.C.R.R. at San Luis Obispo; next we find him in Watsonville, Cal., learning the blacksmith trade, but after two years he went to Fortuna, Humboldt County, and during the next two years learned the butcher business. Returning to San Luis Obispo County, he opened a butcher shop in a prospective oil field, but after three years he discontinued operations. He then went to Salida, Stanislaus County, and engaged in the butcher business for three years; then to Hanford for one year. His next venture was at Manteca, where he engaged in farming for two years, but his success was only nominal and in 1917, hearing of an opening at Lockeford, he immediately went there and purchased a partnership with Mr. Jett, where he has since remained. Mr. Munger and his partner purchased a twenty-acre tract about two miles south of Lockeford on which they built a slaughter-house and where they also keep their stock.

Mr. Munger's marriage occurred in Modesto on August 17, 1913, and united him with Miss Frances McLaughlin, a native of Kansas City, Mo., a daughter of William D. and May McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin was a contractor and builder in Kansas City and after coming to California engaged in house-moving and general contracting in Modesto, Cal. Mrs. Munger received her education in the grammar and high schools of Kansas City. They are the parents of one son, Harris B., Jr. In politics, Mr. Munger is a Republican, and fraternally is a member and past grand of the Odd Fellows at Lockeford; and at the present time he is junior warden of the Lodi Encampment.

A prosperous farmer and stockman who resides in the vicinity of French Camp is Henry B. Munson and he has been eminently successful as regards material affairs, likewise is he prominent and of broad spirit concerning the larger community affairs and the questions and interests of the world about him. He is classed as one of the representative men of San Joaquin County, and has been tested and proved a man of capability and worth in various relations of a busy life. He was born on the old Laudenbach ranch near Ripon, October 6, 1876, a son of A.B. Munson, a native of Maine, who came to California via Cape Horn on a small sailing vessel in 1850. He is now living retired at his home, 628 North Sierra Nevada Street, Stockton.

Henry B. Munson was reared on his father's farm and began his education in the Castle and Barefield schools. In 1884 his parents removed to Turlock, where they conducted the Fountain Hotel for one year. After two years at Turlock, Mr. Munson returned to the ranch on the French Camp Road near French Camp, where he remained until 1894, when he moved to Stockton and became associated with his father in contract construction of roads and pavements in Stockton. While the father was the head of the business, yet our subject took actual charge as construction foreman when but nineteen years of age. In 1905, A.B. Munson obtained the Government contract to build the retaining wall on the north side of the Yuba River, from Deguerra Point to Marysville, which work was successfully completed in 1907. He also had charge of the construction of the Orland Irrigation project from 1907 to 1909. The contract for the construction of the retaining wall on the Yuba River required three years to complete and is a permanent example of the kind of work done by this firm for the U.S. Government; also many of the subdivisions of Stockton have been improved with pavements and street work done by this company. The firm discontinued business in 1915.

The marriage of Mr. Munson, which occurred in December, 1910, united him with Miss Mabel B. Du Bois, who was born near Hurley, N.Y., and came to California in the early part of 1910. She is the daughter of Peter and Lillian (North) Du Bois, both natives of New York, and they are now residing at Kingston, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Munson have two children, Marian D. and Harold David. For the past twenty years Mr. Munson has been a member of the Odd Fellows and also of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. In politics he is a Republican and is known as a citizen of high principles. Mr. Munson is now located at French Camp, where he is engaged in buying and selling livestock throughout San Joaquin County.