Kings County
Biographies
CONRAD DAVID BAHLER
Like many other successful self-made men of southern California, Conrad David Bahler is an American by adoption only, being a native of Switzerland, from whence has come so many of the bone and sinew of this great republic. Wherever known the Swiss type is noted for thrift and enterprise, Conrad David Bahler being no exception to this rule. He was born on the 22d day of November, 1883, a son of David and Marie Bahler, both of whom are deceased. The father was well educated and in his native land followed the vocation of school teacher.
Conrad Bahler attended the excellent public schools of Switzerland and on completing his studies was apprenticed to learn the trade of a machinist. After two years so employed, he came to the Untied States, at the age of twenty-two years, landing in New York city, where he remained for a year. He then went to San Francisco, where he worked at his trade for five years. Then having married, he went to Coalinga, where he remained for a year, going from there to Bakersfield, which was his home during the following five years. From there he went to Visalia and five years later, in 1921, he came to Hanford, where he is apparently permanently established. After coming here Mr. Bahler engaged in the automobile repair business, being first located in the Gurney Garage, but he has since built for his own purposes a fine modern brick building at Ninth and Redington streets, where he is enjoying a large and constantly increasing patronage. He is equipped for all kinds of automobile repair work, and also carries a full line of parts, accessories, tires and other supplies, including the Exide battery. He employs two mechanics, and by prompt service, careful and conscientious work and courteous attention to the wants of his customers, he has won an enviable reputation among Hanford’s successful business men.
Mr. Bahler was married to Miss Lena Marie Marty, who was born and reared in this state, the daughter of Frank Marty of San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Bahler have been born three children, namely: Lena Marie, Conrad David, Jr., and Wendel Charles. Genial and pleasant in his contact with others, Mr. Bahler has won a host of friends since coming to Kings county and has proven himself a worthy citizen of the community. Politically Mr. Bahler gives his support to the republican party, through he does not take an active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 587
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama
JOSEPH I. BARBEIRO
Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been the motive of action of Joseph I. Barbeiro, of Hanford, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that this community is honored in his citizenship. In the best sense of the term he is a self-made man and his upright and industrious life has won for him the respect and goodwill of his fellow citizens. He is a native of the Azores Islands, born on the 19th day of November, 1862, the son of Joseph I. and Polcena Barbeiro, farming folk, who never left their native land, the mother dying there in 1891 and the father in 1897.
Joseph I. Barbeiro received his educational training in the public schools of the Azores and, at the age of sixteen years, decided to emigrate to the United States, realizing that his native land offered but little hope for advancement. He arrived in this country practically without funds, ignorant of the language and customs of the country, but well fortified with courage, ambition, a sound body and a willingness to work. He first went to Solano county, California, where for six months he was employed on a farm. During the ensuing fourteen years he worked in mines in California and Oregon, and then, from 1882 to 1884, was employed in railroad tunnel work. In 1890 Mr. Barbeiro went to San Francisco, where he met a friend who induced him to go to New York city, and there he obtained employment as clerk in a hotel. Three months later he started west again, stopping in Leadville, Colorado, where he worked in the mines for two years. In 1893 he went into the mercantile business in San Leandro, in which he met with fair success, and sold the business in 1904 at a nice profit. During the following three years he was employed as a traveling salesman, and in 1907 came to Hanford and went into business in partnership with A. J. Perry. This claimed his attention for a number of years, but eventually he sold his interest and has since lived retired. In 1909 Mr. Barbeiro bought a fine ranch near Hanford and this he now rents on shares. In all these varied experiences Mr. Barbeiro showed himself a man of sound, common sense and good judgment and the success which finally crowned his efforts is richly deserved. He is one of the best known and most influential among the Portuguese population of this section of the state, enjoying to a notable degree the confidence and goodwill of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Barbeiro was married to Miss Rose Madira, a member of a prominent old pioneer family of California, her father living to the advanced age of eighty-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Barbeiro have been born three children, namely: John J., who enlisted in the Untied States navy at the age of sixteen years and saw sixteen months of active service; Polsena; and Clarence. Politically Mr. Barbeiro has always given his support to the republican party and while residing in San Leandro he served four years as a city trustee. Fraternally, he is a Mason, in which order he has taken the Royal Arch degree. He is also a member of the U. P. E. C.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 545
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama