Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 3 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 18

A ranchman who started life with the inestimable heritage of superior parentage, and who has, as might have been expected, attained to a success that has enabled him not only to do well by himself and his immediate circle, but to serve the state, in which he is a loyal citizen, and to advance California husbandry on a large scale, is Adolph Kreyenhagen, who was born near Gilroy, in Santa Clara County, on August 9, 1864, the son of Gustaf and Julia (Hering) Kreyenhagen, both of them natives of Germany. The father enjoyed all the benefits of a higher education in his native land, and when he sought greater freedom and opportunity in the United States in 1846, he became a professor of Latin, Greek and mathematics in St. Louis, Mo. Four children were born to the worthy couple there, but three died in the city of their birth: the other, Emil, is now living near Coalinga.

In 1854, aroused by the wonderful stories of mining adventure coming from the Pacific Coast, the father hurried across the Isthmus with thousands of others to California, and for a time conducted a mercantile establishment in San Francisco. Then he located on a ranch near Gilroy and at the same time he also operated the Peach Tree Ranch in Monterey County and engaged in sheep-raising, but he had hardly begun to prosper when he lost nearly all the sheep he had in the floods. This was in 1865. Then he removed to Los Banos, in Merced County, and there ran not only a store, but a hotel and a stage station. The place was then a large center for freighters who were hauling supplies from San Francisco to Visalia and Bakersfield through the valley before the time of the railroads; and it was almost impossible that one who rendered the proper service should not do well. Mr. Kreyenhagen was just the man for such a place, although he was also capable, as we shall see, of better things; and in thus maintaining his several establishments, he contributed his share toward the rapid development of that part of the state.

In 1875, Mr. Kreyenhagen located in Fresno County, at Posa Chene, now called Kirk Station, east of what is now Coalinga. Once more he opened a general store and hotel, and went into the sheep and cattle business as well; he built a sheep-shearing station and some seasons handled as many as 150,000 sheep in the public corral. In 1887 he retired, and three years later, the favorite of a large circle of friends, he breathed his last. Among other notable holdings, the Fresno Hot Springs was owned and managed by Mr. Kreyenhagen, and this famous resort is still the property of the estate's heirs. His widow survived him until August 2, 1906, passing away at Fresno Hot Springs.

Adolph Kreyenhagen was reared in this valley from 1865, coming to Fresno County in 1874, and receiving his education in the public schools, St. Mary's College in San Francisco and at Heald's Business College in the same city. From the time he was a boy, he rode the range and learned the stock business and after his schooldays were over devoted his entire time to it. Associated with his three brothers, Emil, Hugo and Charles, they have engaged in cattle-raising and for the purpose purchased and leased large tracts of land. They incorporated as Kreyenhagens, Incorporated. They own 10,000 acres of land and lease about 37,000 acres more. The three ranches they own are known by their Spanish names, Las Canoas, Zapato Cheno and Las Polvaderas, and they are located southeast of Coalinga. Kreyenhagens, Inc., is one of the largest cattle-growers and landowners in the county. Their brand being the bar C, is a C with a bar through the center. The brothers are also interested in the Hays Cattle Company of Kirkland, Ariz. For two years they also owned and managed the Crescent Meat Market of Coalinga. In early days, in fact, they did teaming and hauled freight between Posa Chene and Gilroy, and between the former and Banta Station, using an eight or ten horse and mule team for the purpose, usually taking ten days to make a round trip. While their main business is cattle-raising, they generally sow about 2.000 acres to grain each year.

Adolph Kreyenhagen is a stockholder in the A. P. May Company in Coalinga. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Coalinga, and a director until the consolidation with the First National Bank, continuing as a stockholder in that substantial institution.

Mr. Kreyenhagen was married in Fresno, June 26, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Crump, born on Fancher Creek, Fresno County, the daughter of John G. and Nancy Ann (Cox) Crump, natives of Virginia and Missouri, respectively. Her father crossed the plains in 1850 and was a miner in Calaveras County. In 1861 he came to Fresno County and married Nancy Ann Cox, who crossed the plains with her parents in 1849. In 1872 he located on the West Side, becoming a cattle-grower and landowner in Warthan Canyon and was a man of influence and prominence. Her parents passed away at their home. Mrs. Kreyenhagen was reared and educated in this county, residing with her parents until .her marriage to Mr. Kreyenhagen. They have three children: Edna is a graduate of the University of California and was formerly a teacher in the Coalinga Union High School. She is now the wife of Elmer M. Leinzen of San Francisco. Theodore was educated in Hanford High and Oakland Polytechnic College and resides on the home ranch where he is of invaluable help to his father. He is also a director and secretary of Kreyenhagens, Inc., as well as a stockholder in the Hays Cattle Company. Viola is still attending the Coalinga High School.

When Mr. Kreyenhagen came to Posa Chene there were only a half dozen white families living here. The rest were Mexicans living mostly in the mountains. The country was given over to stockmen's camps at the few watering places. Mr. Kreyenhagen's father was the first to begin raising grain on the West Side. Adolph Kreyenhagen now sees the many opportunities that they had of obtaining valuable lands and water rights, yet the early settlers did not grasp them as it was impossible to foresee the future possibilities. In early days the Kreyenhagens sold 1,080 acres for $12 an acre — Sections 25-36-30-24 — that are now producing oil and are among the most valuable in the Coalinga oil fields, being worth millions. Mr. Kreyenhagen in 1895 planted the first fig orchard on the Zapato Cheno Ranch, the first figs set out on the West Side. They have grown to gigantic size and produce abundantly. He also set out a family orchard and finds that apricots, Bartlett pears and plums do excellently, but the figs take the lead. Thus his experimenting in fruits will undoubtedly someday also bring horticulture to the front on the West Side. Mr. Kreyenhagen is enterprising, a believer in building up the community, ever ready to assist others who have been less fortunate, but always in an unostentatious manner. In fraternal matters he is a Modern Woodman. Mrs. Kreyenhagen comes of a splendid family and is a very refined woman, always encouraging her husband in his ambitions, and both hold an estimable place in the hearts of the people of Coalinga, where they are among the leading citizens.