Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 10

Among the pioneer residents of Fresno County who have resided here for a quarter of a century, particular mention is made of John B. Marshall, now retired and living at 164 Echo Avenue, Fresno. He has devoted many years of his life to the development of this county, and is an enthusiastic booster and supporter of those movements, that have as their aim, the upbuilding of the county's best interests.

John B. Marshall was born March 6, 1845, in Hunterdon County. New Jersey. He attended the public schools of his native state, was reared on a farm, and when old enough, learned the trade of a blacksmith. Afterwards he was employed by Captain Shields, a railroad contractor in New Jersey, helping in the construction of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and at one time followed farming in his native state. In 1878 Mr. Marshall migrated to the Great West, where he worked on railroad construction, as a blacksmith, for a contractor named Wolf, operating in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois. He also worked for the Santa Fe Railway Company in Canyon City, Colo. In 1882 he returned to New Jersey and engaged in farming; afterwards he was employed by his first employer, Mr. Shields, in railroad work. After his return to the east, he felt the insistent call of the Golden West, with its great attractions and unbounded possibilities. His second journey westward terminated on July 25, 1892, when he arrived in the Golden State and soon thereafter located in Fresno County, where he has resided ever since. During his long residence in the county Mr. Marshall has bought, sold, developed and traded many different pieces of property, and acquired quite an extensive holding of real estate; at present owning one-half section of land on the West Side of the county, two houses and five lots in the City of Fresno, six lots and one house in Sanger, two lots in Fresno Heights, two lots in East Richmond; he has also owned the following real estate, which he has sold or traded: twenty acres six miles northeast of Sanger; forty acres on McKinley Avenue; fifty-five acres in the California Poultry farm tract; and forty acres near Clovis. For three years he has farmed his West Side ranch to grain. Mr. Marshall has done his share in the developing of the county, and now in the afternoon of his life is living retired and enjoying the fruits of a life of industry and frugality.