Contra Costa County Biography

JOHN BALRA

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

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


John Balra, one of the representative ranchers and respected citizens of Contra 
Costa County, resides near Rust. His birth occurred on March 23, 1869, and he is 
a native of Portugal. Mr. Balra acquired his education in the old country. At 
the age of seventeen he left his native land and came to America. He came to 
Contra Costa County, where he found employment at ranching, which he followed 
seven years. He then rented a place and started a dairy in Alameda County. Later 
he took on more land and continued to operate the dairy and two ranches for 
eight years. Mr. Balra came to this country thoroughly qualified by training and 
understood his work. His father, Joseph Balra, was a farmer and stockman in the 
old country. After continuing successfully for eight years in his business, Mr. 
Balra bought twenty-five acres in the Stege district. Later he acquired more 
land, until he now has fifty-two acres of the choicest dairy land in Contra 
Costa County, adjoining the city of Berkeley. In connection with the operation 
of his own ranches, he rents two ranches on San Pablo Creek and one in the 
Moraga Valley. Besides the dairy business he carries on general farming. In 
politics Mr. Balra is Republican, but he has never aspired to office. He is 
recognized as one of the foremost men in the community. As a stockman, he has 
reached a creditable place in the business world. He is a stockholder in the 
Jersey Milk & Butter Company of Oakland, in the West Berkeley Bank, in the 
Portuguese & American Bank, and holds stock in various other concerns. 
Fraternally, he is a member of the Druids, U. P. E. C., and I. D. E. S. He has 
made a success in business circles that places him in the front rank of 
progressive and able business men.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
p. 464.