Tulare County Biographies

JAMES W. FINE

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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


The death of James W. Fine, which occurred at Plano, Cal., January 12, 1900, 
removed from his community one of the old and well-known pioneers of California 
and ended the activities of a well-spent and splendid life, full of energy and 
unswerving perseverance. He was the son of John Fine, a native of Missouri, who 
died in 1868, at the age of seventy-two; he followed farming during his active 
years and brought his family to California in 1857, his death taking place at 
Woodville. The Fine family are well-founded, James W. Fine being of German 
extraction on his mother's side, while his paternal line is Irish. He was born 
April 13, 1823, in Missouri, and started with his parents from Randolph county, 
Ark., in May, 1857, to make the journey across the plains with ox-teams. There 
was a large party at the start of the journey, ninety wagons being required, but 
at Salt Lake City many remained behind, and the remainder of the party arrived 
in California in October. Mr. Fine first lived at San Andreas, Calaveras county, 
Cal., where he remained until 1860, his wife having been buried there. 
Subsequently he came to Tulare county, and settling on the Kaweah river, at the 
elbow, he farmed and followed stock-raising on rented land, but finally he made 
his way to the Porterville section and buying six hundred and forty acres of 
land, remained there until upon selling out to Daniel Abbott, he retired from 
active life. His last days were spent with his son, Robert R., and he passed 
away at Plano January 12, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years and nine months.
Mr. Fine was married December 7, 1848, to Martha Jane Warner, born September 13, 
1831, in Arkansas. She passed away January 12, 1858, a short time after arriving 
in California. To their union five children were born : Mary Ann, born October 
28, 1849, married S. B. King and has six sons now living, one daughter and two 
sons having passed away. Her sons are, John T. residing in Watsonville, George 
G. in Salinas, S. Frank in Merced, Charles W. in Porterville. William W. in 
Modesto and Daniel B. in Stockton. Mr. King was born in Kentucky and was reared 
in Missouri. Their marriage occurred in 1864, in California, and Mrs. King makes 
her home in Porterville, where in 1900 she purchased her home place. The second 
child born to Mr. and Mrs. Fine was Steven, who was born April 24, 1851, and now 
resides near Salinas. Robert R., born September 12, 1853, also resides at 
Salinas. Frances E., born April 26, 1855, is Mrs. Daniel Abbott, of Porterville. 
William A. was born April 2. 1857, and lives in Hanford.
 
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - 
Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913, Pp 768-769