Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 24

A thoroughly responsible and well-known citizen of Fresno County who has worked unceasingly for every interest that would add to the upbuilding power of the community in which he lives, as well as the county at large, and who has been able to contribute some share to the sum-total of forces making for the good, is the Hon. Melvin Pettit, a Canadian by birth, he having been born in the great Dominion on August 13, 1859. He is the son of S. T. and Abigail (DeWitt) Pettit, and one of a family of ten children. All of these grew to maturity, and three are living in Fresno County.

Reared and educated in the environment of his own country, Mr. Pettit came from Canada to Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber business for five years, removing after that to California. In 1899 he located at Fowler, and at once bought twenty acres; and being more than pleased with his investment, he added another twenty and finally purchased until he owned 120 acres. He was proud enough of what he had, but like a wide-awake settler of the developing kind, he was ready to consider something better.

Seeing a good chance to become two-thirds owner, with W. D. Wilson, on a ranch containing 270 acres near Parlier, he sold his Fowler property in 1912, and moved to his new home. In the fall of 1918, he bought Mr. Wilson's interest in the property mentioned. Now his product is raisins, peaches, and Thompson grapes; and such is his splendid success, that he has obtained as high as two and a quarter tons to the acre. This success is doubtless due in part to the fact that Mr. Pettit is a scientific and up-to-date farmer, an extensive reader, and one who endeavors to keep abreast of the times.

But Mr. Pettit does not live to succeed alone as a horticulturist. He has a healthy interest in practical religion, and is a member of the executive board of Fresno County Young Men's Christian Association, on which he has served for a number of years. He also has a keen interest in the popular education, and has served with a definite purpose on the school board. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been its Sunday school superintendent, besides holding other offices of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Pettit has also taken an active part in civic affairs and political life. In 1916 he was nominated by the Progressives, and supported by the Democrats and Prohibitionists as a candidate for the State Assembly, and was elected by a satisfactory majority. In 1918 he was reelected without opposition. He had the honor of casting his vote, at the forty-third session, for national prohibition. During his two terms in the legislature Mr. Pettit served as a member of the Educational Committee; the last session he was chairman of the Normal School Committee. It was during this session that he introduced a bill for the protection of vineyards by stopping the spread of Phylloxera: the bill passed and was signed by the governor and is of especial interest to vineyardists throughout the entire state.

During the Centennial year, Mr. Pettit was married to Miss Anna A., daughter of W. W. and Caroline A. (Cross) Kenny, by whom he has had several children who have grown to eventful careers. A daughter, Caroline W., married Rev. James F. Nelson, a minister of the Presbyterian faith: A. Almeda, is the wife of Fred Aden, a missionary in Argentina: Hermon D., graduated from Occidental College at Los Angeles, studied for the ministry and just as he had finished his course he entered the service of the United States Government during the World War, trained a month at Camp Kearney, then was ordered overseas with the Fortieth Division, reaching the front when the armistice was signed and was one of the fortunate boys to be selected for a college training and is now attending New College in London, still in the service of his country; Ruth O., graduated in June, 1919, from Occidental College, having completed a teacher's course; Clare N., intends to devote himself to scientific farming.

Mrs. Pettit is by no means behind her husband in a life of usefulness and responsibility. For eight years she has been connected with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and has done her share to advance the splendid work of that notable organization. Now she is serving as President of the local Union. She is also President of the County W. C. T. U. and is the First Vice-President of the W. C. T. U. of Northern California. A pleasing and convincing speaker, she is well-known for her fidelity to the cause of temperance, the total abolition of the traffic in alcohol and tobacco.