San Joaquin County
Biographies
MRS. WAKELEY J. BATES.
A prominent and representative citizen of the Thornton district of San Joaquin County is Mrs. Wakeley J. Bates, who was born and reared at Thornton. In maidenhood she was Miss Mary Alvernia Thornton, a daughter of Arthur and Emma (Greives) Thornton, pioneers of San Joaquin County, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Mary Alvernia Thornton began her education in the Thornton grammar school; then after a course at Mills Seminary, Oakland, she attended the San Joaquin College at Woodbridge. On February 7, 1893, at the old Thornton home, occurred her first marriage, which united her with Harry W. Awre, a native of England and a son of Henry and Elizabeth Awre. On June 30, 1906, in Sacramento, occurred her second marriage, which united Mrs. Awre with Wakeley J. Bates, a native of Stockton, Cal. Mr. Bates was reared and educated in Stockton until he was eighteen years old, when he began working in the planing mills. For many years he was with Thomas & Buell in their planing mill, until 1912, when he and his wife removed to Thornton, where they have since continuously resided. Mrs. Bates received twenty acres of land as a gift from her father previous to his death, which is now her home place. Ten acres of this place is a bearing vineyard, and the other ten acres is devoted to wheat-raising: Mr. and Mrs. Bates are the parents of two sons, Richard Thornton and Arthur Thornton, the latter deceased at eleven years of age. In 1919 a fine residence of hollow tile, covered with concrete, was erected on the ranch, which is modern and complete in every detail. Mrs. Bates also owns her interest in the Thornton estate. For many years she was the postmaster of the New Hope postoffice, and she is still a trustee of the New Hope school district She is also a member of the Thornton Farm Bureau. During the World War, Mrs. Bates was the treasurer of the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1307
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
CARL OSCAR JOHNSON.
A native of Sweden, born at Stockholm, December 25, 1865, Carl Oscar Johnson attended the public school in his native city until he was twelve years old. Being obliged to make his own living, he then obtained work in an office, but soon after went into the Swedish navy, where he served three years as an apprentice. Then he entered the Merchant Marine and when twenty-one obtained a mate's certificate. In 1887 he came to New York and thereafter sailed on the Eastern Coast, obtaining a steamship master's certificate in 1893, when he came to the Pacific Coast and followed the coasting trade. In 1898 he went to the Klondyke and spent two years mining and prospecting in Alaska. Returning to San Francisco, he followed coasting until 1905, when he removed to Lodi and located on his present ranch, purchasing ten acres, which he set out to Tokay grapes. Here he has since been carrying on a successful vineyard on a small scale. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican. He manifests much interest in the affairs of his county and state, and in all respects has been a good citizen.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1307
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
STEPHEN E. BRENNAN.
For his entire life, with the exception of five years spent in San Francisco, Stephen E. Brennan has lived in San Joaquin County and has been identified with the best interests of his locality, being an able and successful business man and a citizen of eminent public spirit. Successful in material affairs, he has not neglected the other aspects of life, and with his wife is an especial friend of public education, Mrs. Brennan being particularly active in educational affairs of her district. He was born on his father's farm near Atlanta, Cal., in the Van Allen district of San Joaquin County, November 25, 1876, the youngest son of Patrick and Bridget (Kelly) Brennan, both natives of Ireland. Patrick Brennan was born in 1829, and when twenty-three years old came to America and located at New London, Conn. His California residence dates from 1857, when he located in Stockton, where he remained until 1862, when he bought 320 acres eighteen miles southeast of Stockton, where he farmed until his death on October 10, 1879. He was survived by his widow and nine children, five of whom are living. The mother passed away on May 29, 1912, a woman of capability, and her demise caused much regret among the residents of her locality. Stephen E. Brennan was reared on the homestead near Atlanta and received a good education in the Van Allen district school, and with the exception of five years spent in San Francisco, from 1905 to 1910, he has continuously resided in San Joaquin County, where his citizenship has counted much in the way of progress and advancement. After the death of his mother, the estate was divided, Mr. Brennan receiving his portion of the home place, and the following ten years were spent in the development of this ranch into a model alfalfa and fruit ranch, one of the best in the county.
In 1905, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage with Miss Goldie M. Bacon, the adopted daughter of Benjamin Bacon. Mrs. Brennan was left an orphan when only four years of age and soon after was taken into the Bacon home. Benjamin Bacon was a man of fine character and carried on an extensive grain and stock business near Collegeville. He was a native of New York and crossed the plains in 1854 to California, where he engaged in the stock business in San Joaquin County; he owned large tracts of land and continued active until 1887, when he retired and moved to French Camp, where he built a fine residence and resided there until his death, about twenty years ago. Mrs. Brennan was born in Modesto, but was reared and educated in San Joaquin County, and at the age of eighteen began teaching school, having graduated from the Stockton Normal School at that age. After her marriage, she continued to teach school, and for eleven years was principal of the Van Allen school and was instrumental in building up that efficient institution. Mrs. Brennan holds a life certificate granted to her in recognition of her capable work along educational lines. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan are the parents of two children: Harold and Marjorie. Mrs. Brennan is an active member of the executive committee of the San Joaquin County Teachers' Association. About two years ago the Community Welfare League of Escalon conceived the idea of community moving pictures and Mr. and Mrs. Brennan were most active in the organization and work, and Mrs. Brennan was selected as a member of a board of twelve directors.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1308
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.