California Biographies Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919) History By Paul E. Vandor Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919 Notes: Missing+page1185-1186 Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm PROSPER J. BERGON. � A native son of California who is making a success at ranching. Prosper J. Bergon was born in Riverside, April 2. 1888. His father, Frank Bergon, was born in Basses-Pyrenees, France. He served in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and 1871. About 1878 he came to South- ern California and began sheep-raising, making his headquarters in Fullerton. In the dry year of 1895 he lost many of his band of sheep, and then sold the balance and engaged in raising grain at Palms, where he continued until 1903. He then leased the Brea Ranch in Hollywood from Mrs. Hancock and farmed it until December 17, 1917, when he sold his outfit and stock and purchased a residence in Colegrove, on Melrose and Vine. Two months later he died, at the age of seventy years. His wife, the mother of Prosper J., was in maiden- hood Mary Noussitou also born in Basses-Pyrenees. She is living in Cole- grove. To this worthy couple were born seven children, five of whom are still living. Prosper being the eldest. Mr. Bergon's childhood was spent on the farm in Southern California, where he received a good education in the schools in Palms. As early as eight years of age he drove horses on the hay baler. He continued with his father mi the Brea ranch, and in time became his partner, operating with him until 1912 when he sold his interest to him and came to Fresno. Here he leased the Gallagher place of 860 acres in Dakota Colony, where he is engaged in raising grain, putting in about 300 acres a year to wheat. He finds he gets the best results by summer-fallowing each year, which gives him a surer and larger yield. About 100 acres is devoted to alfalfa and he is also engaged in raising hay and in dairying, in which is very successful. Mr. Bergon was married in Los Angeles to Miss Anna Castahaude, a native of Basses-Pyrenees, France, who came to Los Angeles when she was a young lady. Mr. and Mrs. Bergon have had two children, Frank and Albert. The latter passed away in March, 1917, aged nineteen months. Mr. Bergon is clerk of the board of trustees of Sunset school district, having been a mem- ber since the organization of the district. Liberal and kind-hearted, he and his good wife have won an estimable place among the citizens of their com- munity. Mr. Bergon is a member of the Foresters of America in Los Angeles. In politics he is a Republican.