Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


FRANK ABERNATHY
The Son
MANAGER-SOROSIS FRUIT COMPANY

BONNY ORCHARD of SARATOGA
 
SURNAMES: HODGELL, FORREST, MELONE

A representative orchardist of Santa Clara County, Frank Abernathy was for 
twenty-one years the capable and efficient manager of the Sorosis Fruit Company, 
becoming well and favorably known as a horticulturist and manager of large 
affairs but is now looking after his own properties. He was born in Iowa in 1876 
and is the son of William Watson Abernathy, a native of Ohio, born in 1851. The 
paternal grand-parents were Samuel and Lydia Abernathy and were farmers. His 
father was also a farmer and when William was twelve years of age, moved to 
Indiana and he lived there until he was twenty-one years old, when he returned 
to Ohio where he worked in a tile factory for two years. In 1873 William W. 
Abernathy was married to Miss Sarah E. Hodgell, a native of Ohio born in 1853, 
and in 1880 they removed to California, finally settled in San Jose in 1901. Mr. 
Abernathy was in the fuel, feed and delivery business for several years and then 
he purchased his present place on the Saratoga Road, where he and his wife now 
reside. They are the parents of two children; Minnie, the wife off Frank R. 
Forrest, and Frank is the subject of this sketch.

Frank attended the public schools of Jewell, Kans., and then entered the State 
Normal at Emporia; later he taught school for two years in Jewell County. In 
1901 he removed to California and entered the employ of the Sorosis Fruit 
Company; owned by F. M. (Borax) Smith, and in 1908 became the manager for the 
company and occupied that responsible position for six months after Mr. Smith 
sold it to the new owners. Wishing to give all of his time to the management of 
his own orchards he resigned this position in January, 1922. Since 1908 Mr. 
Abernathy has owned orchards, adding to his holdings by the purchase of 
full-bearing groves from time to time, until he now owns five different orchards 
in the vicinity of Saratoga, embracing 143 acres, devoted principally to raising 
prunes, although he also grows apricots, peaches and pears. On his ranch at 
Congress Junction he is also engaged in raising White Leghorn poultry, having 
modern and well equipped yards for the purpose. His home ranch , known as the 
Bonney Orchards, is located on the heights above Saratoga, commanding a 
beautiful view of the Valley. His dry yards are located at the Congress Junction 
ranch, where he cures all of his fruit from the various orchards.

Mr. Abernathy's marriage united him with Miss Nettie Melone, a native of 
Illinois, and they have two children, Florence and Frances, Fraternally Mr. 
Abernathy is a Modern Woodman, and with his wife is a member of the Christian 
Church of San Jose, being a member of the official board.

Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara 
County, California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 1080