Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 3 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 36

Eye witnesses of the many changes that have taken place in Fresno County since the Marshall family came to California, has been the lot of Charles A. and Edwin C. Marshall, pioneer ranchers of the Centerville district. They recall the time when the present fertile and productive fields were but wind-swept desert wastes covered with cacti. They are descendants of an old Kentucky family and sons of Louis and Mary (Foree) Marshall, natives of the Blue Grass State, and where the former died. Three brothers, Charles A., Edwin C, and Albert R. Marshall came to this state and located in Fresno County in 1886. They bought thirty-five acres of land at Centerville and embarked in the nursery business for some time, when they disposed of it and set their ranch to trees and vines. Their good mother joined her sons in 1889, made her home on their ranch and enjoyed the comforts of California life until her death in 1910. Louis and Mary Marshall have the following surviving children: Mrs. Mary Wiley, of Whittier; Mrs. Jennie Clopton, of Los Angeles; Charles A., of Fresno; Albert R., of Santa Ana; Edwin C, of Centerville; and Mrs. Josie Fernald, of San Francisco.

Charles A. Marshall was born in Ballard County, Ky., April 25, 1866, received his education in the public schools of his native state and was reared there until the age of twenty when he came with his brothers to Fresno County and ever since that date his interests have been closely interwoven with the history of the growth of the county. He lived on the ranch and assisted in its development for many years and in 1917 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Caroline (Dickson") Dodd, who was born in Humboldt County, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall reside in Fresno and enter heartily into the social life of their community.

Edwin C. Marshall was born in Kentucky on May 10, 1870, and was educated in the schools with his brother and with him came to make a home in the Golden West. He has lived on the ranch at Centerville ever since the property was acquired by the brothers. He served as horticultural commissioner of Fresno County for a few years. Edwin C. Marshall was united in marriage with Mary Lockhart, a native of Missouri and they dispense a charming hospitality at the Marshall ranch.

The Marshall ranch at Centerville is a very productive property, the deep, rich fertile soil producing banner crops each year. In 1918 the yield of fifteen acres planted to Emperor and Malaga grapes was 127 tons of Emperors and 29 tons of Malagas, and the 1917 crop was of still larger proportions. This land was developed from its raw state. Two irrigating systems have been installed, with an extra pumping plant for the orange grove.

In 1914 in order to stabilize the market prices and build up the fruit business Charles A. Marshall began shipping green fruit to points in the east, on a strictly commission basis. In the above year he became associated with B. W. Shepherd, as buyer of green fruits in the Sanger district, shipping to the well-known commission firm of Sgoble and Day, New York City. In this business Mr. Marshall has been very successful. He is very public-spirited and heartily cooperates in promoting those movements that have for their aim the upbuilding of city, county and state, and is recognized as a man of unquestioned integrity.