Edwin A. Merriam, one of
the successful and prominent ranchers of Imperial County whose interests
have extended to many fields of endeavor, is a native of Washington D. C. He
was born August 31, 1864, a son of Major G. F. and Nina (Scott) Merriam. His
father was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and
was a member of the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery. He volunteered and
fought in the Civil War and was wounded and lost his hearing owing to heavy
artillery fire. His death occurred in 1914, at the age of seventy-nine
years, the result of a street-car accident. His remains, with those of his
wife lie in Arlington National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia. The family
is of old English and Dutch origin and the first of the family came to
America in 1612. The great-grandfather of Mr. Merriam fought in the War of
1812, and Nathaniel Merriam fought in the Revolutionary War, and took part
in the Boston Tea Party. Mr. Merriam's uncle, James S., served as ambassador
to France for many years. Edwin A. acquired his education in the public
schools of California. He attended the University of California and at the
age of twenty established a packing house at Escondido. This he operated for
six years in conjunction with a large vineyard. In 1899 he went to Mexico,
where he was largely identified with gold and silver mining. Owing to the
Revolution he left that country in 1913. He is now one of the leading
agriculturists in the Valley, operating 8700 acres, which is largely devoted
to cotton. Mr. Merriam also has five different mining properties which are
very valuable. Politically he is a Republican, but has never aspired for
public office. Fraternally he is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Knights of
Pythias of Escondido. He was married June 15, 1916, to Mrs. Janette Hart of
San Diego, California, a pioneer of Imperial County since 1908, and has a
son by a former marriage, Jerome S., born at Escondido, California,
September 12, 1897. Mr. Merriam understands ranching in principle and
detail, and his long experience and practical methods have brought him a
gratifying degree of success. He is now one of the leaders in his chosen
field of endeavor in Imperial County.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, p. 447.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.
Harrison Payton Hopgood,
who has a fine ranch of thirty acres on R.F.D. No. 2, El Centro, is
considered one of the able agriculturists in his locality. Mr. Hopgood came
to Imperial County in October, 1912, and was born in Union County, Kentucky,
January 30, 1867, a son of Daniel and Kate (Victor) Hopgood. The family is
of Irish origin and the first of the Hopgood's came to America previous to
the Revolutionary War. Mr. Hopgood's father has reached the ripe old age of
eighty-eight years, and resides in Union County, Kentucky, and his mother
passed away in 1885, and is buried in Morganfield, Union County, Kentucky.
Harrison P. received his education in the public schools of his native
county. He resided on the home place until he became twenty-two years of
age. He then married and kept on farming until he came to this county. Upon
locating in Imperial County, he went on a forty-acre ranch and followed a
dairying business. Selling out he bought forty acres on Dogwood Canal, where
he engaged in the dairy business until he came to his present ranch, which
was not entirely improved. Mr. Hopgood built fences, erected a substantial
house and improved his place generally, and erected a silo. He now has a
string of fourteen milch cows in addition to young stock. Mr. Hopgood owns a
fine ranch of thirty acres on Dogwood Canal which his son manages.
Politically he is a Democrat. He was married at Henshaw, Kentucky, March 21,
1889, to Miss Sallie Henshaw, a daughter of William B. and Kate (Young)
Henshaw. Her father died in 1897 and is buried at Morganfield, Kentucky. To
Mr. and Mrs. Hopgood have been born five children: Mamie Kate, wife of Glen
Smith, residing in Stockton; Curtis, engaged with Water Company No. 1;
Harry, residing at home; George, in the aviation corps at San Diego, and
William T., at home. In matters of citizenship his influence and support are
given on the side of advancement and progress.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, p. 448.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.