San Joaquin County
Biographies
HENRY MOORE.
The name of Henry Moore is an honored one on the list of pioneer citizens of San Joaquin County, where he took up his home in 1858, and throughout his life his interests were associated vitally with those of his adopted state. He lent his support to the educational, moral and social progress of his locality, and, being a man of great force and integrity of character, his actions in regard to any enterprise could be predicted in advance and his influence would always be found on the side of the general welfare. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on December 22, 1833, and at the age of nineteen years went to Texas, where he remained for two years, then returned to his home in Ohio.
On April 26, 1855, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Sarah Meyer and for the next three years farming engaged his attention. In 1858 he and his wife started for California via Panama and settled in Castoria township, San Joaquin County, near French Camp, and there bought and improved a 160-acre ranch and for forty-nine years made that his home. He took an active and unselfish part in all public matters and for several years was justice of the peace of Castoria township. As an agriculturist he was successful and took much interest in the various agricultural fairs, and in many ways helped to raise the standards of his occupation. Mr. Moore passed away in July, 1907, mourned by the entire community wherein he had spent so many active years of his life. His widow resided on the home ranch until she passed away in June, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the first to leave an endowment fund of $400 to the East Union Cemetery. He was public-spirited in citizenship, was trustworthy in business, faithful in friendship, and in his home was most devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife. Many were his good qualities and few his faults. He loved truth and justice and represented a high type of our American manhood.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 543
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JOHN ANDERSON.
Distinguished among the representative educators of his time in California, the late John Anderson, formerly superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County, made such an enviable record for efficient, conscientious service that the story of his own progress has been accepted as typical of the progress of education in the Golden State during his period. He was born near Suisun in Solano County, and was a mere child when the family located in San Joaquin County. He attended the Linden school and a preparatory college in Stockton, and then went for a year to the University of California. Afterward, he pursued courses for three summer sessions of the law school at the University of California, intending to equip himself for the practice of law; but he became interested in educational work, and gave up law as his goal. He first taught in the Linden school, part of the time as principal. In Stockton, he was principal of the old North school, on the site of the El Dorado school of a later period; and subsequently still, he was head of the Lodi grammar school. Later, he became assistant postmaster under Postmaster F. E. Ellis at Stockton.
In the fall of 1910, Mr. Anderson was elected county superintendent of schools, entering upon his duties with the confidence, esteem and good-will of thousands; and after having amply demonstrated not only what he was able to do, but what his high principles and exceptional sense of honor demanded of himself
in the performance of his duties in his high trust, he was serving his third term in office at the time of his death, which occurred on August 24, 1921. He not only stood high as a practical educator, but he had rare executive ability, the most desirable tact, and thus was an efficient officer.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson married Miss Effie Stillson, a native of Sacramento, a graduate of both the Sacramento High School and the San Jose Normal School, and a teacher at Lodi; and on the death of her lamented husband, she was appointed county superintendent of schools, a choice giving great satisfaction to many. She is fully qualified for the position, for she was her husband's deputy during his term of office. Superintendent Anderson was also prominent in the Masonic order. He was a member of Stockton Lodge of Perfection No. 12, S. R.; the Albert Pike Chapter No. 6, Knights of the Rose Croix; Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M.; and Lodi Chapter, Eastern Star. He was a past master of Linden Lodge of Masons, and past patron of Lodi Chapter, O. E. S.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 543
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JAMES CONNER.
One of the old-time families in the Golden State is that represented by James Conner who for the past forty-eight years has been identified with San Joaquin County along agricultural and stock raising lines and he is today an authority on livestock. The Conner family has ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. James Conner was born at Wilmington, Ohio, May 24, 1843, and grew up on his father's farm. When President Lincoln issued his first call for men to bear arms in the Civil War conflict, James Conner and two brothers, W. H. and his twin brother Peter, enlisted in Company A, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the first battle they engaged in was the Battle of Shiloh. The three brothers passed through many engagements until Peter was taken ill and was sent home, where he passed away in 1863; the two remaining brothers fought to the finish and were honorably discharged July 3, 1865. The Conner brothers were in Sherman's March-to-the-Sea and James Conner cast his first vote for Lincoln while in camp in Tennessee in 1864. Returning home from war, Mr. Conner removed to Illinois and located near Knoxville, where he farmed for two years, then moved to Iowa. where he remained until 1874 when he came to California and located at Lathrop, where he has since continuously resided.
The marriage of Mr. Conner occurred while residing in Iowa in 1873 and united him with Miss Josephine Pollick, a native of Henry County, Iowa, and one year later the young couple removed to California. Seven children have been born to this union: Porter L , deceased; Clifford, deceased; Delbert, deceased; Susie Mae, Mrs. Voyce of Los Angeles, Calif.; Adelaide, Mrs. Upton of Crows Landing, Calif.; Charles and Fred are deceased. Mr. Conner has always been a staunch Republican and his reminiscences of his Civil War experiences are calculated to increase the patriotism of his hearers. He is among the oldest settlers of San Joaquin County, nearing the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, and few there are who have so long been identified with the development of this portion of the state. He is now enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and honorable toil and he has a very large circle of friends in this portion of California.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 544
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.