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


MRS. LUCINDA HOUSER.� A woman highly esteemed for her noble 
qualities who is one of the oldest settlers of Watts Valley, Fresno County, is 
Mrs. Lucinda Houser whose maiden name was Lucinda Hole, born in Darke 
County, Ohio, April 18, 1843. Her father, Wm. Hole was also a native of 
Darke County of an old Virginian family; he married Elizabeth Blotner who 
was born in Pennsylvania. They engaged in farming in Darke County, Ohio, 
afterwards removing to Mercer County, Ohio, again following husbandry until 
1874, when they came to the Pacific Coast in 1877, and were pioneers of Watts 
Valley where they improved a homestead on which they resided until their 
death, the mother passing away at the age of 68, while the father died in 1902 
aged eighty-six years. Of their thirteen children, eight grew up and came to 
Fresno County but only four girls are now living of whom, Lucinda is the old- 
est. Reared on the farm in the Buckeye State she received a good education 
in the public schools. She was married in Mercer County, June 16, 1864, to 
John N. Houser who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1838. He served 
in Company F, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, in the Civil War and after a year's 
service was honorably discharged. In the fall of 1864 the young couple removed 
to Iowa and farmed in Fremont County until 1875, when they concluded to 
come to the Coast. After a short stay at Chico, Cal., they removed to Oregon 
but in 1877 returned to California and were among the first settlers of Watts 
Valley. Here they located a squatter's claim, built a small log house and began 
improvements and four or five years afterwards when the land was surveyed they 
filed their homestead and soon obtained title to the land and afterwards bought 
land adjoining and now have 520 acres lying just next to the National Forest 
Reserve so with the permit they have a valuable range the year around. Mr. 
Houser died January 23. 1900. He was a member of the Odd Fellows. Since 
his death his widow resides on the old home. The ranch and cattle being now 
cared for by her two sons Louis J., and James A., who have grown up on the 
ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Houser had eight children: Heppy Ann, Mrs. Trively of 
Fresno : Edna Arminda, Mrs. Williams of Garfield district, Fresno County ; Josiah 
died at twenty-six years ; Louis Jackson, on the home ranch ; Clara May. Mrs. Wag- 
goner of Los llanos; James A., married Sarah C. Brasch also residing on the 
home ranch; Emarintha, the wife of Arthur Highman. died in Salinas; Ander- 
son died at twenty-two. The three last named were born in California. Mrs. 
Houser is a devout Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.