Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 6 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 21

A prosperous rancher of the Biola district, John Bien is justly proud of his record and what he has accomplished through his own industry and thrift. Born in Dinkel, Samara, Russia, August 30, 1875, he is a son of George and Annie (Grommer) Bien, both residents of that country, and there the father's death occurred, in 1878; the mother still living in the old country. John is one of two brothers left living out of a family of three boys and one girl born to his parents. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and when six years of age went to live with his uncle, Conrad Bien, remaining with him until the age of fifteen. From that early age he made his own way in life, working out on farms for his board and twenty-five dollars a year, which stipend was increased a little each year, until when twenty-four years of age he was receiving fifty dollars a year, out of which sum he had to buy his clothes and incidentals — an illustration of the scant wages paid to young people in that country.

In the fall of 1898, the young man emigrated to the United States, and first located in Lincoln, Nebr., where he was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad. In the fall of 1900 he came to Fresno, and for seven years was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1907 he left the railroad work and was employed in a clothing establishment for eighteen months; then leased a ranch on Barstow Avenue, raised alfalfa and engaged in the dairy business for five years. During this time he bought his present ranch, in 1910, and for a time worked both places. He now has a forty-acre ranch on Biola and Barstow Avenues, fifteen miles northwest of Fresno, thirty-five acres of which are in Thompson and muscat grapes, and the balance in alfalfa. He has made modern improvements on his property, built a fine residence and barns, put in a modern pumping-plant for irrigation purposes, and is prospering and reaping the fruits of his industry and enterprise.

Mr. Bien's marriage, in Fresno, united him, on January 8, 1901, with Miss Annie Miller, born in Stahl, Samara, Russia, a daughter of Andrew and Marie (Grill) Miller, who came to California in 1900 and are now living in Dinuba. They were the parents of seven children, Mrs. Bien being the oldest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Bien have had eight children born to them, six of whom are living: George, Fred, Amelia, Lizzie, Martha, and John, jr. The family attends the Congregational Lutheran Church of Fresno. Mr. Bien is a member of the California Associated Raisin Company, and keeps in step with the march of progress which is sweeping throughout this section of the state.