California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

 

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


WALTER HARGRAVE, D. D. S.� In the county of Mendocino not far 
from the city of the same name the birth of Walter Hargrave occurred April 
8, 1870, in a pioneer home where frugality and industry were the creed of 
faith as well as the essentials of a livelihood. Reared in an environment to 
which still clung the atmosphere of the frontier, his early years had no ad- 
vantages except such as his own force of character and energy of purpose 
made available. The public schools of Mendocino and Ukiah enabled him to 
acquire the rudiments of an education and in 1890 he successfully passed 
the teacher's examination, after which he secured a position as teacher in the 
Laurel school district, where he continued for three and one-half years. Dur- 
ing this time his education was broadened by attendance at the Stockton 
Business College, where he was graduated in 1893. From there he went to 
Anderson valley and engaged in teaching for two years. During the fall of 
1898 he entered upon the duties of teacher in Round valley, where he remained 
for four months. 

With the savings of the period of his work as teacher Mr. Hargrave took 
a course of three years in the dental department of the College of Physicians 
& Surgeons at San Francisco, from which he was graduated in 1901 with a 
high standing for meritorious work. The years of professional study in the 
city had entirely exhausted his capital and had left him unable to establish 
himself in practice with its necessary delay in remunerative returns. In 
1902, having been invited to return to Covelo as principal of schools, he 
accepted the position, took up its duties and has since discharged the respon- 
sibilities of the task with customary sagacity. There being no other dentist 
in the valley, he is often called upon to do dental work and gives to such 
tasks all of his hours of leisure from school duties. June 3. 1908, he married 
Miss Ethel Riffe. who was born at Hanford, and by whom he has one child, 
Vivian. 

Fraternally Mr. Hargrave was made a Mason in Covelo Lodge No. 231, 
F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of Augusta Chapter No. 80, O. E. S. 
He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the 
Rebekahs. Always deeply interested in the cause of education, for about 
fifteen years he has been a member of the county board of education, being 
now the longest in service on the board, and taking an active part in keeping 
the public schools at a high standard. Progressive in all that pertains to the 
welfare of the community, well informed in educational matters, efficient as 
an instructor and wise in the handling of school work, he is entitled to 
credit for having aided in bringing the Mendocino county schools up to their 
present standard and for having laid the foundation for a continued progress 
in future years.