San Joaquin County
Biographies
EDWIN DARWIN BAINBRIDGE
DR. JAMES A. BAINBRIDGE
Almost a half century has passed since Edwin Darwin Bainbridge became a resident of California, his arrival in the state dating from December 12, 1874. He was born in Grant County, Wis., February 24, 1859. a son of James A. and Mary Ellen (Herold) Bainbridge, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. The father, Dr. James A. Bainbridge. was born in Kentucky, December 22, 1832, and at the age of twenty-five years, in 1857, was married to Miss Mary Ellen Herold, born in Missouri in 1838. In 1860 the family removed to Missouri, where Dr. Bainbridge followed his profession at Paulingsville. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living. One of the sons, Dr. C. E. Bainbridge, a prominent physician and surgeon in Sacramento, died in 1910. The Bainbridges lived on a farm in Randolph County, Mo., until 1874, when they removed to California and settled near Stockton at what is now Manteca. The mother passed away at the family home near Ripon in 1885 at the age of forty-seven years. Dr. Bainbridge in 1875 acquired large land holdings near Ripon, owning 1,280 acres of rich grain land; and he practiced his profession and farmed until his death in April, 1914. He was a Democrat and fraternally was a Master Mason.
Edwin Darwin Bainbridge is the eldest of the large family and received his education in the public schools of Missouri and after coming to California was associated with his father in ranching. In 1882 he began to farm independently and rented the William Campbell ranch near Ripon for two years, then in 1884 purchased 618 acres, known as the Putt Visher ranch, paying $50 per acre and leased the adjoining 938 acres, which he farmed to grain. His agricultural activities were not without losses and discouragements. In 1890 Mr. Bainbridge went to Madera County, where he farmed four sections of land to grain for the next three years and at the same time farmed 2000 acres near Ripon and met with good success. Giving up his lease in Madera County, in 1893, he continued on the Visher ranch, then rented the Gardenheier ranch of 1100 acres, near Valley Home, from the pioneer D. A. Guernsey, and farmed there for thirteen years. In 1899 he gave up his holdings near Ripon, but in October, 1912. Mr. Bainbridge returned to the Ripon district, where he owned 120 acres, which he had purchased in 1904 for $25 per acre. He now resides there. By 1908 Mr. Bainbridge had twelve acres under irrigation which was seeded to alfalfa; later he sold off two forty-acre ranches and retains forty acres of the original home place, which he is planting to orchard and vineyard.
The marriage of Mr. Bainbridge united him with Miss Addie A. Aldrich, a native daughter of Massachusetts, a daughter of A. D. Aldrich, now deceased. The Aldrich family came to California in 1877 and settled near Farmington. Mr. and Mrs. Bainbridge are the parents of four children; James A., is married and has one son and resides in Stockton; Edith Doris, Mrs. Warren Hagman, resides in Ripon, the mother of a son; Helen E., deceased: and Allyn D., is a rancher at home. Mr. Bainbridge was a director in the South San Joaquin irrigation district for two years: for three years served as a trustee of the Ripon school; was a director in the California Alfalfa Growers, Inc., which office he resigned in 1921; is a charter member of the California Milk Producers Association of Central California and also of the Almond Growers Association. He is a Democrat in politics and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Ripon. As a public-spirited citizen, a friend of education and promoter of general progress he has long enjoyed the thorough confidence of his fellow citizens.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1099
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
ELLMORE S. CLANCY.
The horticultural interests of San Joaquin County are indebted to Ellmore S. Clancy for his active co-operation and progressive spirit in irrigation development and general advancement of the locality where he resides. He was born at Acampo, Cal., on December 31, 1891, and is one of the three Clancy brothers who have demonstrated what intelligence and hard work will accomplish along horticultural lines. He is a son of John H. and Fanny (Towne) Clancy. The father was a representative and active farmer for many years in San Joaquin County; and later he conducted a merchandise business in Acampo. Ellmore worked as a clerk for nine years in stores at Acampo and in its environs. His education was received in the grammar and high schools of Lodi, and his knowledge of horticulture began on his father's farm.
The marriage of Mr. Clancy occurred on February 3, 1914, in Lodi. Cal., and united him with Miss Elvena Sanguinetti, a daughter of Stefano and Mary Sanguinetti, both living on a ranch one mile northeast of Acampo. Mrs. Clancy attended the Elliott grammar school and is one of a family of seven children. The sketch of her brother James Sanguinetti appears in this work. Mr. Clancy owns a thirty-acre ranch, which is planted to almonds, and which he has brought to a high state of Cultivation and productiveness. His equipment for irrigating this tract of land consists of a four-inch pump operated by a motor. Diligence and determination have characterized Mr. Clancy's operations, and have enabled him to advance steadily toward the goal of prosperity.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1099
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
EUGENE S. McCOMB.
The son of one of San Joaquin County's pioneer settlers, Eugene S. McComb was born near Woodbridge, September 15, 1865. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Lane) McComb, the former of Scotch descent, while the mother was a native of Tennessee; both are now deceased. John McComb crossed the plains in 1861, arriving in San Joaquin with a steer and a cow yoked together, drawing his prairie schooner. He settled near New Hope and followed farming, being foreman of the DeVrier ranch for many years. Later he engaged in lumbering in the redwoods in Humboldt County, and there he passed away about twenty years ago. These worthy pioneer parents had five children: Eugene S., of this sketch; Jerome B.; William; Mrs. Mattie George; and Alden McComb, deceased, who was formerly chief of police at San Mateo.
Eugene S. McComb attended school at Arcata, Humboldt County, and as early as nine years of age began to work in a sawmill there. At the age of sixteen he returned to San Joaquin County and worked as a rancher for a time, and then went to San Francisco and learned his trade of bricklayer, which he has followed ever since in various Places in central California. In 1906 he came to Stockton and worked for the pioneer brick contractors, Eli Confer, Ed Hanke, and George Summerville. He was foreman on the following buildings in Stockton: Flint & Bigelow Block, Knutzen Block, T & D Theater, Congregational Church, McCoy Block, and the addition to the California-Moline Plow Works. In Lodi he worked on many of the buildings erected in the early days, and in later years on the Corey Block and the Post Office Building. He worked on the Hotel Modesto, in Modesto, and on many buildings in San Francisco before the fire. For four years during the war he was in the employ of the Stockton Fire & Enamel Brick Company, and with the Hoffman Brick Company.
Mr. McComb's marriage united him with Miss Mary E. Troy, a native of Ireland, and they are the parents of five children: Frances P., Mrs. Marie Dundero, Mrs. Elizabeth Ivy, Raymond, (deceased), and Delmar.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1099
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.