San Joaquin County
Biographies
MANUEL R. DIAS.
Among the successful farmers and dairymen of San Joaquin County, Manuel R. Dias may well be counted as one of the most progressive and substantial of citizens. From an humble beginning he has become one of San Joaquin County's foremost dairymen, being a partner in two big dairy farms. He is also one of the four partners in the large store at 34 South Center Street, Stockton, known as the Portuguese-American Grocery Company, which is composed of M. Silva, Manuel R. Dias, Frank Vas and John Mendosa. Mr. Dias lives with his wife and family upon Woods Dairy No. 3, about nine miles west of Stockton, of which he is the manager. He is also a part owner in the Silva, Vas & Company dairy ranch, another extensive dairy farm on Lower Roberts Island. M. Silva & Company is a partnership composed of Manuel Silva, Manuel R. Dias and John Ignacio. M. Silva & Company lease and operate the large dairy farm composed of 720 acres, known as Woods Dairy No. 3. Thereon are kept 330 milch cows and 100 heifers and 12 registered Holstein bulls. The Silva, Vas & Company dairy farm is also located on Lower Roberts Island and occupies the premises known as Woods Dairy No. 1, and comprises 380 acres. The Silva, Vas & Company is composed of Manual Silva, Manuel R. Dias, Frank Vas, Joe Nunes, and Joe Costa.
Mr. Dias was born on the Isle of Pico, Azores, October 11, 1878, a son of M. R. and Anna de San Jose Dias, both of whom were born in Pico. The father of our subject was a well-to-do merchant and farmer in his native land. Manuel R. Dias left his home for America and arrived in San Francisco California, March 20, 1906; he went direct to the Delta and began to work as a farm laborer on the Black tract, where he remained for five years; early in 1911 he went into partnership with M. Silva in a small dairy on Lower Roberts Isle and from the beginning their business prospered and they do an extensive dairy business.
Before leaving his native land, Mr. Dias was married to Miss Mary Candeios Freitas, and they are the parents of three children: Mary, Angeline and Manuel. Mr. Dias is past secretary of the I. D. E. S. and has been instrumental in helping many of his countrymen upon their arrival in America. His life has been one of strictest integrity and his own efforts and untiring labor have been amply rewarded and he is esteemed by his business associates.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1368
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
PETER ARBIOS.
Among the representative and leading stockmen of the San Joaquin Valley the name of Peter Arbios is a familiar one, for he was an early settler at Mendota, Fresno County, where he had extensive land interests as well as owning several thousand head of sheep. He was born at Aysus, Basses-Pyrenees, France, July 18, 1863, and migrated to California when seventeen years of age, joining his parents, John and Genevieve Arbios, who were located near Pleasanton, Cal., where they had a vineyard and fruit orchard; when he was ready to go into business for himself, Peter Arbios located in Fresno County and engaged in sheep raising with his headquarters at Mendota. For many years he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, A. J. Arnaudon, in the sheep business, and after they dissolved partnership he was in partnership with Peter Sahargun for a number of years, and then conducted business on his own account, becoming the owner of large landed interests, besides leasing range land. For fourteen years he was general superintendent of the sheep department of Miller & Lux, traveling from one to another of their many ranches in California, Utah and Nevada. After resigning his position with Miller & Lux he devoted all of his time to the growing and care of his extensive flocks, residing with his family at Mendota, where he built a comfortable and commodious residence, in the full enjoyment and companionship of his wife and children. He ran about 10,000 head of sheep, purchased land for range and also improved one ranch adjoining Mendota to intensive farming, installing a pumping plant for irrigation and growing alfalfa. He was actively engaged in the stock business until his death, September 21, 1915, aged fifty-two years.
After he had been in California for about four years he made a trip back to his old home in France and soon after his arrival in that country he was called on for military duty and although he was an American citizen since his father had taken out citizenship papers before Peter was twenty-one years of age he responded to the call and joined the French colors, doing his duty for three years when he was honorably discharged, and soon after this he returned to California. While in France he met an attractive young lady named Marie Daunet, who when seventeen years of age made her way to Los Angeles and soon after her arrival the acquaintance was renewed and resulted in their marriage, a union that proved a very happy one. She was born in Lurbe, Basses-Pyrenees, France, the daughter of Peter and Baldine (Bordenave) Daunet, who were well-to-do farmers and stockraisers in the Pyrenees, and there the father passed away, an honored man, while his widow survives him, making her home on the old farm, aged seventy-eight years, the mother of four children: Joseph Daunet is farming the old home in France; Mrs. Marie Arbios; Annie is Mrs. Maunet of Alhambra; and Mrs. Josephine Sahargun, who died in California in March, 1922.
The daughter Marie received a good education in the local schools of France. Having a desire to see the great Pacific Coast region she set out for Los Angeles when she was seventeen years of age, and as stated , after renewing her acquaintance with Mr. Arbios they were married. She gave of her best efforts to aid her husband in the improving of the great San Joaquin Valley and win for them a fortune and competency. Thus it was a hard blow to her and the children when he was taken away from them, a man still in the prime of life, loved and esteemed by all who knew him and deeply mourned by his family. Their union was blessed with nine children, eight of whom are living. Amy died at the age of twenty-two; Albert is a stockman and resides at Stockton; Peter L. is manager of the Arbios ranches and their flocks, and makes his home at Mendota; he married Augustine Vallon and they have two children, Jane and Yvonne; Edna is the wife of J. L. Reid of Stockton; Sodie is assisting his brother in the care of the ranches and stock; he married Helen Burubeltz of Bakersfield and resides in Stockton; Lucy is the wife of L. F. Hickinbotham of Stockton; Josephine and Zeta assist their mother to preside over the home; Joseph is also a sheep grower. Albert and Sodie served in the World War, were sent overseas where they spent twenty months and on their return to the United States they were duly discharged.
During the years following Mr. Arbios' death his widow removed with the children to Stockton where she built a comfortable residence at 1130 North Edison Street and here surrounded by her children she makes her home, looking after the large interests left by her husband, and in this her children aid her. They accord her every consideration and honor and with their ability and energy aid her in every way. The family still own the ranches left by the father and have three bands of sheep approximating 10,000 head which they range in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties. In 1921 Mrs. Arbios, accompanied by her son Joseph, made a trip back to her old home spending six months visiting her old friends and kindred. Her mother, seventy-seven years of age, was still living and it was a very enjoyable reunion to them, but she was delighted to get back to her California home and friends. Mr. Arbios was greatly interested in the cause of education and gave material aid in keeping the public school in his district to a high standard.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1368
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.