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 DOMENIC IMPERATRICE.� One who has persevered and had con- fidence in the producing qualities of the soil of Fresno County, and who has made "two blades of grass grow where none grew before," is Domenic Im- peratrice, a well-known viticulturist and formerly a leader in musical circles of Fresno. A native of Italy, he was born May 9, 1867, near Naples, a son of Giacomo Imperatrice, who joined his son in New York and later came to California, where he died at the home of his son. Domenic was educated in the public schools till he was twelve. He had a natural talent for music and learned to play the harp. An uncle was coming to the United States and brought his nephew with him, stopping in Detroit, Mich., in 1879. There the lad played the harp at social gatherings until he went to New York, when he continued playing for dances, etc. A brother had come to Fresno, and accordingly Domenic came to join him in 1885 and the two gained a reputation, the former on the violin and Domenic on the harp, and soon w r ere in demand at social gatherings in Arizona, New Mexico, and Denver. Our subject had seen the possibilities of the soil of Fresno County for growing grapes and had bought twenty acres of desert land in the Limbo Estate Tract and set it to vines, being the pioneer there. His venture proved a success, although people said nothing would grow in that district. It was not all easy work, times were hard and his vines were destroyed by rabbits until he put wire netting around his ranch. By working at his music and on his ranch he weathered the "storms" and today is recognized as a successful man. In 1905 he moved onto the place, to which he has added until he owns 160 acres in four ranches, all in muscat, malagas and Thompson seedless grapes. For many years he has been engaged in shipping his fruit. This business has grown to such large proportions that he has found it necessary to build a packing-house on his ranch, located on the Interurban Railway. Here the table grapes are packed and loaded in cars which are consigned directly to Eastern cities and markets. Mr. Imperatrice was married in New York to Isabelle Epifanio, born in Italy, and they have had eight children, six living: Lena, Mrs. Falotico; Net- tie, Mrs. Roselli; Jennie, Mrs. Shively ; Jacob, who served in the 835th Aero Squadron of the Aviation Section of the United States Army Independent Air Force, serving overseas more than one year. and who enlisted in Fresno, December 12, 1917, and was sent to Waco (Texas) aviation training-camp, then to Garden City, N. Y., where he became a sergeant, who afterwards was in camp near London, England, from there going to France where he was in camp at Courban, there receiving a First Sergeant's rank and continuing to serve as a flight sergeant until the signing of the armistice, after which he left for the American camp at La Tracey and two months later sailed from Brest for New York City, and was honorably discharged March 15, 1919, and returned home where he took up viticulture with his father ; Charles and Domenic, Jr., twins ; Rose, who died aged twenty-two years ; and George, who died at the age of thirteen. Mr. Imperatrice is a Republican and has served as a delegate to conven- tions. He is a member of the California Associated Raisin Company and is an enthusiastic booster for Fresno County, where he is well and favorably known as a leading citizen. GEO. W. BARNES. � Extensively engaged in stock-raising and farming in Watts Valley is Geo. W. Barnes, who was born near Rolling Prairie, Laporte County, Ind., January 22, 1843. His father, Ezra, a native of New York, mar- ried Catherine Blaney ; they crossed the plains to California in 1849 ; returning East they spent their last days in Indiana where Geo. W. was reared and fol- lowed farming until twenty-four years of age when he studied medicine under Dr Bowen Bowell and there attended the Cincinnati Electric Medical College. He practiced medicine at Three Oaks, Mich., until 1871, when he came to Califor- nia, practicing medicine at Julian, San Diego County, for five years. In 1876 he came to the San Joaquin Valley, following farming near Reedley. About 1885 he located in Sycamore, engaging in mining. He is now engaged in farming and stock raising in Watts Valley, owning 400 acres there, where he makes a specialty of raising hogs. Always interested in education, Mr. Barnes has been a trustee of Hawkins school district for many years.