Merced County
Biographies
JOHN LESTER QUAIL
The possession of superior business qualifications has enabled John Lester Qail to rise to prominence in his chosen line of work. He located in Merced, Cal., in 1920, where he became assistant county agricultural agent of the extension service, holding this position until July, 1923, when he was appointed county agricultural agent, and his determination to win in this position has brought him the confidence and good-will of the entire community in which he resides. He is one of California's native sons, born at Stockton, on August 6, 1894, a son of F. E. and Salina Jane (McCleary) Quail, both natives of Ohio. The family came to California in 1890 and settled at Stockton, where the father has been county engineer of San Joaquin County for five terms. Both parents are living, making their home in Stockton.
John Lester Quail spent twenty years of his life in his home city, and completed the grammar and high school courses there; then in 1914 he entered the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1920, with the degree of B. S. During the World War he was a commissioned officer in the air service, being second lieutenant aerial observer. He completed his service in fourteen months and received his honorable discharge, then returned to his home and assisted his father until December, 1920, when he located in Merced, which has since been his home.
The marriage of Mr. Quail united him with Miss Violet M. Hamilton of Amador County, and they are the parents of two sons; John Lester, Jr. and Donald Eugene. Mr. Quail is liberal in politics, preferring to support the candidate best fitted for office rather than hew to party lines. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the American Legion and the S. A. E. Fraternity. He is an enthusiast on wholesome outdoor sports and is particularly interested in the growth and prosperity of Merced County.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 874
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
ROBERT CLARK CUNNINGHAM
A deservedly popular citizen, Robert Clark Cunningham is numbered among the representative men of Merced who have labored zealously for its upbuilding and the development of its resources. During the twelve years of his residence in Merced he has witnessed many changes. He was born in Sidney, Ohio, on September 6, 1892, a son of J. F. and Molly (Clark) Cunningham, both parents of pre-Revolutionary ancestors. The mother is now deceased, while the father makes his home in Merced. Robert Clark Cunningham finished the grammar and high school courses in Ohio; then in 1912 he came to California and settled in Merced. For six years he served as deputy county tax collector. During the World War he was chief clerk on the Merced County exemption board; after this he became bookkeeper and cashier for the Crocker-Huffman Land & Water Company, serving in this capacity for two years. His next position was as bookkeeper and salesman for the Cullen Motor Car Company, his services covering a period of one year; then for two years he was chief clerk for the San Joaquin Light & Power Company. On February 1, 1923, he and an associate engaged in the public accounting business and the following November Mr. Cunningham became sole owner of the business.
The marriage of Mr. Cunningham united him with Miss Lucille Clough, born in Merced, and they have one daughter, Barbara. Mr. Cunningham is a Republican in politics, and fraternally belongs to Merced Lodge No. 1240, B. P. O. E.; and Yosemite Lodge No. 30, K. of P., of which he is a Past Chancellor. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and is a past president of the Lions' Club of Merced.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 874-875
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
ULYSSES GRANT FOUGHT
A retired citizen of Merced County now making his home in Los Banos is Ulysses G. Fought, who was born in Paulding County, Ohio, on December 2, 1867. His parents were Elias and Eliza Fought, both natives of the Buckeye State, the former a blacksmith by trade and a farmer who had settled in Kansas in its frontier days. In their family were eight children, viz.: Fred (deceased), Mollie, Henry, Lucinda, Edward (deceased), Ulysses Grant and W. S., twins, and Ella.
Mr. Fought was taken to Kansas when six months old, where he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty, in 1888, he came to California and was employed in San Diego and in San Bernardino, for a short time. In 1889 he came to Merced County and located in Los Banos when that was but a struggling village. When he was able he purchased a quarter section of land, leased other tracts and raised grain with moderate success. He also was road overseer of the fifth supervisoral district in Merced County for twelve years. He is now living retired from active participation in business affairs, only looking after his personal investments, which include a five-acre tract on the edge of Los Banos which he has subdivided into building lots.
On April 30, 1889, Mr. Fought was united in marriage with Miss Susie Watkins, daughter of John and Harriet Watkins, who came to California about 1888. Of this union there were five children: Clyde, Charles, Walter, Cecil and Hazel. Mr. Fought is a Democrat in his political convictions, and fraternally, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Los Banos. Of late, he has spent considerable of his time in Santa Cruz on account of the health of Mrs. Fought, but he retains his interest in the city where he is so well known.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 875-876
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
GLENN H. KINNEY
The changing vicissitudes of life brought Glenn H. Kinney into an intimate acquaintance with various localities before he established a permanent home in Merced County. The son of W. P. and Alvira (Lewis) Kinney, he was born in the State of Michigan, on January 15, 1889. The parents were both born in Michigan. The father was a farmer but is now living retired with his wife, both enjoying the best of health. Glenn H. is the .third in order of birth of four children, viz.: Grace, Mrs. Bruce Hutchings, and Hazel, Mrs. Fred Wilson, still reside in Michigan; Glenn H.; and Clyde, of Montana. Glenn was educated in the grammar school and had one year in high school, then 1912 he went to Portland, Ore., and from there went to Trout Creek, Wash., where he was employed for six months. Then he came down into California and worked one winter in a box factory at Sonora, Tuolumne County; from there he came to Dos Palos and for three years was employed out on the plains. Mr. Kinney then leased a ranch and engaged in farming on his own account. He finally bought thirty acres north of town, which he sold and invested the proceeds in three acres on the edge of Dos Palos. Since 1923 he has been the distributor at Dos Palos for the Union Ice Company.
On January 17, 1915, Mr. Kinney was united in marriage with Miss Margaret John, born in Oklahoma, the daughter of A. D. and Rilda (Sears) John. When Margaret was a babe the family came to California and settled at Dos Palos, where her father farmed, also worked at the carpenter trade; and he was later engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Dos Palos and is now living retired. There were four children in the John family: Albert (deceased); Ira; Margaret, Mrs. Kinney; and Alva. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have three boys: Hugh Erwin, Holon Oliver, and William Daily. In politics Mr. Kinney is a Republican and he is a member of Santa Rita Lodge of Odd Fellows in Dos Palos.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 876
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler