Kings County
Biographies
JOSEPH BEZERA
In the Azores, in February, 1866, was born Joseph Bezera, who is familiarly known to people around Hanford, Kings county, Cal., as Joe Bezera. He was brought up on a farm on his native island and remained there until he was sixteen years old, when he emigrated to the Sandwich islands, whence he came when he was eighteen years old to California, locating at Hanford before the end of .1884. Until 1893 he worked on farms and sheep ranches, and then he became a sheep raiser on his own account, and so successful was he in accumulating stock that he came in time to have a flock of seven thousand; he disposed of this interest in 1911. Meanwhile, in 1900, he had bought one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land, a mile northwest of the city limits of Hanford. It was unimproved and he built fences and barns and a fine residence and otherwise fitted it for profitable use. About one-half of the place is in alfalfa and he raises much stock. With others he is the owner of an extensive dairy business which is conducted on a rented ranch of six hundred and forty acres, near Visalia, and there, too, stock is raised.
In 1911 Mr. Bezera revisited his native isle to renew acquaintance with scenes and friends of his earlier years, and after an absence from Hanford of one year and eight months, returned in 1912 and was gladly welcomed by the many friends he had made in his adopted country. He has become known as a man of progress and enterprise, who takes an interest deep and generous in the general prosperity of the community. Fraternally he affiliates with the I. D. E. S. and the U. P. E. C. He married, in 1902, Miss Mary Amelia Rogers, who has borne him three daughters and three sons: Lena, Mary, Manuel, James, Joseph, Jr., and Amelia.
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913
pp. 597-598
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOEL W. WILLIAMS
An honored pioneer who has passed away within a comparatively recent time was Joel W. Williams, a native of Missouri, born in 1841, who came overland to California in 1857, when he was about sixteen years old, making the journey with ox-teams and having in his possession at his arrival a cash capital of fifteen cents and no more. Locating in Sacramento, he soon found employment stringing telegraph wires on a line then under construction between that town and Reno, Nev. Later he was long in the employment of railroad companies as a foreman, and afterward for fifteen years he worked in the wiring department of telegraph installation and repairs, saving money with which he started in the sheep business in Fresno and Tulare counties, with which he busied himself profitably until 1883. In 1881 he bought the Joel W. Williams ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, a mile and a half northeast of Lemoore, where in 1886 and 1887 he planted forty acres to vineyard. He devoted himself principally, however, to the breeding of fine horses, making a specialty of standard bred animals. Bay Rose, a stallion of his raising, was sold when six years old to the Queen of Guatemala. For many years he was successful in his chosen line and was widely recognized as a leading stock-raiser of Central California.
In his religious preference Mr. Williams was a Presbyterian. He was a charter member of Lemoore lodge No. 225, F. & A. M. In 1882 he married Miss Christie E. Edmonds, of Kirksville, Mo., who bore him a daughter, Iva W., who is the wife of William J. Bryans, of Lemoore. He passed his declining years on his ranch and died December 14, 1907. He is survived by his widow and the daughter mentioned, and the inevitable termination of his long and useful career was sincerely regretted by many admiring friends, who during their many years companionship with him had had the daily encouragement and consolation of his loyal and warm hearted friendship.
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913
pp. 585
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler