San Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM G. MICKE.
One of the most successful grape growers in Central California, William G. Micke is a native of Missouri, where he was born on April 25, 1874, and reared on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1895 he removed to Nebraska where he engaged in farming for two years; then he came to California, settling at Florin, Sacramento County, with a capital of three dollars, but plenty of grit and determination. He worked as a ranch hand for a year, then rented the place and ran it for four years, and here he received his first knowledge of grape culture. In 1902 he removed to Lodi and one year was occupied by ranch work and in 1903, in partnership with John Merrill, he purchased the old race track ranch on Cherokee Lane and Lodi Avenue consisting of fifty-six acres, planting his half to Tokay grapes, while Mr. Merrill planted his to peaches. While his vines were growing he bought small crops of fruit and grapes and shipped them through the local packing house. In 1908 he purchased the interest of Mr. Merrill and erected a packing and shipping shed; in 1918 he bought twenty-five acres more adjoining on the south and in 1919 twenty-four acres adjoining on the north, making a total of 105 acres. He ships his products under the "Race Track Brand," which has become a very popular brand in the eastern markets; he also buys Tokays in the open market, and in 1920 shipped 100 carloads from his packing house, receiving $1,000 per acre for his grapes. Recently Mr. Micke purchased the Simpson grain ranch two and a half miles south of Lodi, consisting of 465 acres, 400 acres of which is now planted to grapes; the purchase price of the property was $140,000.
The marriage of Mr. Micke united him with Miss Julia Harrison, a daughter of Bruce Harrison, one of the early mayors of Stockton. It is not an usual thing for a man arriving in a new county with such limited capital to make such a pronounced financial success as has Mr. Micke, but his financial independence is not his only success, for he has been able, by his thorough and expert knowledge of viticulture, to lead many growers to a fuller understanding of grape culture, thereby becoming a most potent factor in the development of the Lodi section.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 760
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
MRS. SUSAN A. BAWDEN.
All over the United States we find women coming more and more to the front in the different professions and various lines of business endeavor, showing their ability to make a success and to embrace every opportunity afforded them. Such a woman is Mrs. Susan A. Bawden, proprietor of Hale & Bawden, funeral directors of Lodi, one of San Joaquin County's most capable women, and she has a wide acquaintance throughout the northern part of the county, where her business ability is recognized and appreciated. A native daughter of San Joaquin County, she was born on the old home ranch at Acampo, her parents being Peter F. and Susan (O'Mally) Jahant, the latter a native of Ireland. The father, who was born in France, came to San Joaquin County in the early '50s and took up 160 acres of Government land near Acampo, later acquiring another 160 acres near by. This was in its primitive state at that time, covered with brush and trees, but Mr. Jahant persevered in clearing it, building the family home there and raising grain on the virgin soil. He became a large landowner and a wealthy man, and was one of the pioneer fruit growers of the county, setting out one of the earliest vineyards for commercial purposes, and as an experienced agriculturists he exerted a splendid influence for good in the community. Well known throughout this part of the country from his years of association with its development, he was an honored member of the San Joaquin County Pioneer Society. He passed away in 1913, Mrs. Jahant's death having occurred several years before.
Two of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jahant are deceased and the following are living: Mrs. Frances Murphy, of Lodi; George, a rancher of Acampo; Mrs. Martha Eddleman, of Lodi; Mrs. Eliza Gehan, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Carrie Pattee, of Acampo; and Mrs. Susan A. Bawden, of this review. Reared on her father's ranch at Acampo, she has spent all her life in this community, receiving a good education in the public schools. In 1907, at her parents' home at Acampo she was married to Thomas Leslie Bawden, who was born in Amador County, where he was reared and educated. As a young man he came to Sacramento and learned undertaking with the firm of Miller & Skelton.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bawden resided in San Francisco, where Mr. Bawden was manager for the Truman Undertaking Company for six years. While living there Mrs. Bawden became interested in the study of embalming and having received a legacy from her father she concluded to engage in the business of funeral director, in which she had become deeply interested. In 1912 she came to Lodi and purchased an interest in the business of Mr. Hale, the firm becoming Hale & Bawden, and in 1914 she acquired Mr. Hale's interest. Mr. Bawden from the outset entered heartily into the management of the business, his experience making him one of the most capable men in his line in the county. He is prominent in the Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias and Native Sons of the Golden West.
In 1914 Mrs. Bawden purchased the large residence of A. J. Larson on West Elm Street, and this they have converted into modern funeral parlors, with reception room, offices, chapel, etc., with garages for their automobile equipment, and they have their residence quarters on the second floor. In 1917 Mrs. Bawden acquired the Lodi Cemetery from Leon Villinger and has greatly improved it, beautifying the lawns with plants and flowers, and seeing that it is well kept. Seeing the need for larger grounds she purchased ten acres adjoining on the east, devoted to a vineyard, which she superintends, but this will eventually become a part of the cemetery. Although very busy in her profession, she finds time to participate in the progressive life of the community, and she is a popular member of the Woman's Club, the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, the Native Daughters of the Golden West, having been president of the Lodi Parlor, and is a member of the California Funeral Directors' Association. Mr. and Mrs. Bawden have one daughter, Marjorie Alice, a student in the public schools.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 760
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.