Kings County Biographies


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



 
JONATHAN ESREY
 
was born in Clark County, Illinois, April 30, 1831.  His grandfather Esrey was 
of English parents.  He emigrated to this country and settled in Philadelphia, 
where he became a large property owner and was prominent as an importer of 
blooded cattle; was also extensively engaged in farming.  His son, Jesse Esrey, 
father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, and was raised as 
a farmer.  When he became a man he was united in marriage to Hannah Foster, a 
native of Kentucky.  Her ancestors were participants in the Revolutionary war.  
They reared nine children, and of that number, five are still living, the 
youngest being fifty-four years of age.  Jonathan was the seventh born, and was 
nine years old when the family moved to Missouri.  There he remained until he 
was nineteen, when with two of his brothers, he crossed the plains to 
California, being 108 days in making the journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, to 
the Sacramento valley.  The brothers who accompanied him were Justin and James.  
The latter returned East the following year, and the former is still living in 
California.  They engaged in mining in El Dorado County, but never made more 
than good wages.  At times they were a few thousand dollars ahead, and for at 
time kept a miners� supply store.  In 1856 they sold out and went to Santa Clara 
County, where they engaged in the stock business.
            In 1857 Mr. Esrey came to his present locality near King�s river, 
three miles and a half northwest of Lemoore, and was among the first settlers 
there.  David Burris, a prominent early settler, lived sixteen miles away, and 
Visalia at that time was a town of only two or three years growth.  He and his 
brother purchased a section of land, and since then have bought and sold land 
quite extensively.  Mr. Esrey�s home ranch consists of 400 acres.  For many 
years he was chiefly engaged in stock raising, but more recently has given his 
attention to grain farming.  He owns three quarter sections of land in different 
places.
            In April, 1871, Mr. Esrey wedded Mrs. Sarah Winset, a native of 
Missouri.  Their union has been blessed with four children, namely:  George, 
Kate L., Robert J., and Justin Earnest, all born at their home near Lemoore.  By 
her former husband, Mrs. Esrey also has five children.
            In politics Mr. Esrey is a Democrat, but gives little attention to 
political matters, and has declined to hold office.  He is an official member of 
the M. E. Church South, having been steward for the past twenty years.
 
Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, 
California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892  p. 670
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler