Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 12

A self-made man, an especially good judge of livestock, and one of Selma's most successful business men, is J. H. Brewer, senior member of the Selma Meat Company. He was born in Linn County, Mo., on July 15, 1877, the son of William Jefferson Brewer, who was a large farmer and stockman there, and a native of Illinois. He fought in the Union Army and was discharged with an honorable record, which means more than ever today; and when he died, in 1913, he had rounded out sixty-eight years. Mrs. Brewer was Amanda Baber before her marriage, and she came from Missouri, her native state, where she is still living, honored by many, and in particular beloved by her four sons and three daughters, among whom the subject of this interesting sketch is the fifth in the order of birth.

J. H. Brewer's early life was spent in working on his father's stock-farm, and in attending the public schools of the neighborhood. Growing up on a Missouri farm, he continued to till the land for years, and in that state was married to Miss Alice Streets, the daughter of William and Mantia Streets, esteemed residents of the same county. He began butchering at twenty-one, and for a year and a half was in partnership, in the little town of Bucklin. In 1902, however, having heard of the greater opportunities here, he disposed of his Missouri interests and came west to California. For a couple of years he worked around in the stock business, buying, selling and feeding; and then, in partnership with his brother, A. T. Brewer of the Kingsburg Market, in 1905 they started a meat business at Sanger. For four years they managed this enterprise and then, being attracted to the Eschol district, they moved there and bought 220 acres. For another four years they ran a genuine country market. Then the two brothers came to Selma and bought the Selma Meat Company, after that owned by J. H. and A. T. Brewer; and when A. T. sold out, in 1917, Mr. A. C. Casner became the owner of a half interest. They have three delivery autos and make a specialty of their own farm and meat products.

Mr. Brewer, who certainly is a hustler and one who attends strictly to business, attends personally to the buying and the outside work, superintends the slaughtering and makes of it the cornerstone of the market's success. He owns 160 acres four and a half miles south of Selma, and 80 acres two miles farther south. Mr. Brewer is a popular member of the Woodmen of the World at Selma, and he never fails to rally to the support of his country or community.