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 ALLEN T. BORST. � A prominent citizen who has faithfully striven to aid in developing the commonwealth of California, is Allen T. Borst, the general manager of the Bunting Iron Works, who was born in Centralia, Lewis County, Wash., on January 21, 1873. His father. Joseph Borst, was a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born October 17. 1821, and when a young man he crossed the plains in an ox team train in 1845, following the old Ore- gon Trail to Oregon City, where he wintered. In the spring of 1846 he con- tinued his journey to the Puget Sound country in Washington, where he was among the very first settlers of what is now Centralia, Lewis County. Here he located a donation land claim and settled down to improve the place for his home. He served in two Indian wars in Washington. He was married in Lewis County to Mary Adeline Roundtree, born in Illinois, June 1, 1838, the daughter of Dr. James N. Roundtree. a pioneer of Illinois. He served in the Black Hawk Indian War as a captain, and was commissioned a sur- geon in the Mexican War, but soon after joining the colors he was taken ill and obliged to return home. In 1852 he brought his family across the plains to Lewis County, Wash., where he was a pioneer physician and sur- geon, also serving in the Indian war. He spent his last days at Centralia. Joseph Borst was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, he also owned a ranch at Ellensburg, Eastern Washington, which he devoted to cattle growing, and where he passed away in 1885. His widow survives him, and resides at Centralia. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, four of whom are living. The youngest of the living children, Allen T. Borst. attended the public schools in Washington and later entered Washington College, at Irvington, Cal., where he pursued the general business courses and graduated with honors. After that he took up farming in Washington, and remained there until June. 1897, in which year he located in Centerville, Alameda County. Cal., where he continued general farming and the raising of fruit. He liked the country and lived there until 1906. Two years before that he became private secretary to John A. Bunting, the well-known oil man and iron manu- facturer of San Francisco and Coalinga. This engagement led him. on July 1, 1905, to make his first visit to Coalinga, and thereafter, while private sec- retary for Mr. Bunting, he divided his time between San Francisco and Coal- inga until June, 1907. when he made Coalinga his home. For a year Mr. Borst was assistant manager of the Bunting Iron Works, in Coalinga and then he took charge of the Shawmut Oil Company, owned by Mr. Bunting. He remained in that position until November 30, 1916.. Upon the death of Mr. Bunting, on May 1, 1916, he became one of the execu- tors of the estate, and manager of the Bunting Iron Works. Mr. Borst has always been deeply interested in educational matters and has served on the school board in every district in which he has lived. He is one of the trustees of the Coalinga Union High School and the Coalinga Public Library � the same officers serve for the two institutions � and he is president of both boards. He is also a member of the board of town trustees of Coalinga, having been elected to that office in April, 1918. During the time he has been president of the school board the new high school building, costing about $90,000, was planned and completed, and it is one of the finest and most modern school buildings in the count}'. The new public library was also built during this time. Mr. Borst married Elizabeth Overacker, a native daughter, born in Alameda County and a member of a well-known family of the early fifties, being a daughter of Howard Overacker, who was a prominent farmer in Alameda County. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Borst: Deborah, now the wife of Tilghman K. Junken of Coalinga; and Joseph, a student in the high school. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, although they are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Borst is a member of the Growlers Club, the Woodmen of the World, the Chamber of Commerce and the United Artisans ; and he was a stockholder and director in the Bank of Coalinga, and also an organizer and director in the National Bank of Coalinga. When the three banks were consolidated as the First National Bank of Coalinga he was made a member of the directorate and still serves in that capacity. He is very solicitous for the future growth of Coalinga and the welfare of its citizens and always shows his willingness to do all he can to build up the city and enhance the comfort and pleasure of its people.