Merced County Biographies

HENRY A. DU BOIS

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Another native son of the State who has made good and has won a place 
for himself through his own efforts is Henry Du Bois, owner of 106 acres of land 
in the Fairview Precinct in Merced County, but now residing at the corner of 
Almond and Gear Road, Turlock, Cal. He was born in San Rafael, Cal., December 
22, 1882, the son of the late Dr. Henry A. and Emily (Blois) Du Bois, natives of 
New Haven, Ct., and New York City, respectively. Dr. Du Bois was a Yale graduate 
and was a surgeon during the Civil War, being a staff officer of General 
Sheridan. After the war he came to California and practiced in San Rafael until 
his death. There were three girls and two boys born in their family, Henry being 
the second child.
        Henry attended the Mt. Tamalpais Military Academy and the San Rafael 
High School, and was graduated from the University of Nebraska Agricultural 
College with the class of 1905. Thus equipped for whatever might be in store for 
him, he returned to California, then went to Harney County, Ore., and took a 
position on the "P" cattle ranch, which controlled a million acres of land, and 
he remained there for two years. Then he purchased 320 acres in Lower Lake, Lake 
County, Cal., and engaged in the stock business, continuing for six years, when 
he bought his present place in the Hilmar Colony in 1913. Here he has leveled 
and planted the acreage and made valuable improvements, but he now leases it to 
tenants.
        While residing in Lake County, Henry Du Bois married Miss Beatrice Van 
Fleet, daughter of M. B. Van Fleet, and a niece of the late Judge Van Fleet, 
well-known Federal jurist. Five children have come to gladden the Du Bois home 
circle: Thelma, Alan, Jack, Philip and David. Mr. Du Bois is a member of the 
Hilmar branch of the Merced Farm Bureau. In politics he is a Republican, but a 
very liberal one. He is a shareholder in the Farmers Exchange at Modesto, which 
business is receiving his attention.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 737-738