Merced County
Biographies
GEORGE A. SCHWINN
ADAM SCHWINN
The descendant of one of the early settlers of the San Joaquin Valley and Merced County, George A. Schwinn is ably carrying on family traditions, and doing his share toward developing the resources of this section of California. Born on the old Johnson ranch, twenty-four miles southeast of Merced, in Merced County, July 19, 1884, he is the eldest of three sons born to Adam and Mary (Carey) Schwinn. Adam, a native of Reihnbon, Germany, born February 29, 1844, was a soldier in the German troops, but took leave in 1872, and with his brother, Fritz, came to New York. They drifted about for a time, and then came west, first locating in Stockton, where they worked for wages on ranches. Adam finally entered the employ of Robert Baxter, at Old Ellis, and with them came to Merced County, in 1874, where three years later he invested in the present home place, known as the old Johnson ranch. Here he engaged in sheep and wool growing, but sold out his stock, and in 1880 entered the cereal grain growing as joint owner with his brother, George, who two years later sold out his interest to Adam and the latter continued in business until the time of his death, adding to his holdings by subsequent purchase until he owned 960 acres.
In addition to his agricultural pursuits, Adam Schwinn was one of the founders of the Rochdale Store, at Le Grand, and was one of the stockholders in the concern. After a full life, the death of this able man occurred September 14, 1904, at the present home of his son, George A. Schwinn, survived by his widow and two sons. Mary (Carey) Schwinn was born in Ireland, and came to New York as a girl of fifteen, in a party of five cousins. She arrived alone in Merced, September 30, 1880, having spent some ten years in the East, and on July 24, 1883, Mary Carey and Adam Schwinn were married.
George A. Schwinn received his education in the Appling school, and from a mere lad was closely associated with his father in the running of the home ranch, and took up full responsibilities twelve months before the latter's death, due to the confining illness of the father. With his brother, W. R. Schwinn, who was born on the ranch, May 13, 1888, and also reared and educated in the Appling District, he has been active in further developing the home property, and they have done very well indeed in the handling of the property, and perpetuating of their father's name for industry and strict integrity. They had added to the extent of the family property, and it now embraces 1430 acres, of which 880 acres is choice grain land, and the balance devoted to pasture. The ranch is well drained, and has four good wells, while out on reserve are three springs. Livestock and cereal grain are the chief sources of income, and both brothers are members of the California Cattlemen's Association, active in its affairs and regular attendants at meetings. They are also members of the Le Grand Farm Bureau. George A. is vice-president and director of the Le Grand Mercantile Co., successors to the Rochdale Store which their father founded and which on being reorganized took its present firm name and is owned by a group of local business men.
Fraternally, George A. Schwinn is a member of the Fraternal Aid Union; and W. R. is a charter member and Past Chief of Mariposita Lodge of Redmen, of Le Grand. Both are men of progressive ideas, with a full knowledge of the resources of Merced County, its climatic and soil conditions, and the possibilities the future holds forth for even greater development in this section of a wonderful State.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 544-545
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
WARREN A. BRADLEY
Occupying a position of prominence among the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Merced County is Warren A. Bradley, who recalls the days of privation and hardships and the progress of the years which have led to the prosperity of the present time. He is one of California's native sons, born at Martinez, November 13, 1868, a son of John D. and Sarah A. (Harmon) Bradley, natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. In 1850, John D. Bradley came across the plains to Oregon, then on to California where he settled at Martinez; here he remained until 1867 when he located in Merced County, near where now stands the town of Gustine; in 1868 his family joined him and the home was established on a half section of land. He became a prosperous farmer and continued in this occupation for the balance of his active life. Five children were born in this family; William T. now makes his home at Riverdale; Adelia, deceased; Ada J. became Mrs. B. J. Bither, and passed away in 1920; Hattie, deceased; and Warren A., our subject. The father passed away at Gustine on August 30, 1923, lacking but a few weeks of being ninety years old; the mother passed away on December 24, 1924, aged eighty-seven.
Warren A. Bradley attended school in the Occidental district of Merced County; then attended the Chestnutwood Business College in Santa Cruz. Early in life he began his practical training in agriculture, and when sixteen he worked in the harvest field, now the site of Gustine, and hauled grain to Hills Ferry, the nearest shipping point. In 1892 he became associated with his father in ranching and this occupied him until 1900, when he started out for himself on a ranch leased from Whitworth and Howard Company, raising grain on 1000 acres until 1906 when he established a dairy on 32½ acres, which he purchased and developed, and ran that for seven years, when he leased his ranch and dairy and moved to Gustine. He entered the employ of Miller & Lux and remained with them for one year. On March 10, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Gustine, in which capacity he has since acted. Mr. Bradley sold his ranch of thirty-two and a half acres and with the proceeds purchased fifteen acres near the city limits of Gustine, two acres of which lie within the city limits near the high school property.
On September 20, 1893, at Chico, Cal., Mr. Bradley was married to Miss Ada E. Swearingen, born, reared and educated in the schools of Chico, completing her education at the Chico State Normal School. Mrs. Bradley is the daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Thomalson) Swearingen. Her father came across the plains in 1850, and the mother about 1852, and they were married in Chico. John B. Swearingen was a successful farmer in Butte County and became a close associate and friend of General Bidwell. There are four children in this family; Frank; Ada E., wife of Mr. Bradley; Emma J.; and Georgia B., Mrs. J. J. Rhea of Newman. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have three children: Orelia W., now Mrs. William R. Woods, of Gustine, and the mother of four children, William R. Jr., Winnifred R., Warren A., and Howard Wilbur; Howard S., employed by the Standard Oil Company at Patterson; and Wilbur K., employed by Manlove & Peters in Gustine. Politically, Mr. Bradley is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Merced Lodge of Elks.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 545-546
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler