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


BENJAMIN W. KILBY.� An optimistic native son is Benjamin W. 
Kilby is postmaster of Helm and the managing partner in the well-known firm 
of Eaton & Kilby, proprietors of the general merchandise store called "The 
Helm Store:'" and the partners are Mrs. Hattie A. Eaton, widow of the late 
Fred F. Eaton, and Mr. Kilby. 

The latter came here as a clerk for Mr. Eaton, when that pioneer also 
ran a general merchandise store at Burrel; and when Mr. Eaton died on 
November 30, 1916, Mr. Kilby lost the personal association of one of the 
ablest and most popular business men in the county. Helm is located on 
the Hanford and Summit Lake Railway, which runs from Hanford to Ker- 
man. having been built through here in 1912; and it is commonly known as 
the Hardwick-Ingle branch of the Southern Pacific. 

Mr. Kilby was born at Coalinga on March 13. 1887, the son of William 
J. Kilby of the real estate and insurance firm of W. J. Kilby and Son of 
Coalinga. W. J. Kilby went there in 1885; and he is a dealer in real estate 
in that place, and owns several houses there. Five children were born of the 
Kilby union, and all are still living. Mollie is the wife of G. M. Hughes, the 
oil-man at Coalinga; Benjamin W. is the subject of this interesting sketch; 
Trixie is the wife of C. N. Avers, the machinist and garage-man of Coalinga ; 
Colon is a sophomore at the university at Redlands ; and Neta is a Red Cross 
nurse in the hospital at San Diego. Mrs. Kilby was Helen Murtiagh. a native 
of Ireland, and Benjamin's father was born at Freeport, Maine. Both parents 
are still living at Coalinga. 

After working at different lines, Benjamin Kilby clerked for two years, 
and at the age of thirty was made a partner in the firm. He was married at 
Helm to Miss Pearl White, daughter of James White, and a granddaughter 
of Almond M. Bentley, the well-known pioneer. Two children blessed the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kilby � Muriel and Beatrice. 

In December. 1914. Mr. Kilby received an appointment as postmaster of 
Helm, and ever since he has held that office to the satisfaction of all his 
fellow-citizens. He is also serving as public weighmaster. He supports, as 
does his good wife, every desirable movement for the advancement of local 
interests. Besides, he is actively interested in the Pine Flat conservation 
project, which is likely to prove of much importance as the years go by. 

Mr. Kilby was made a Mason at Kerman, and there, as throughout the 
county, he numbers many loyal friends. The postoffice at Helm is now under 
the Civil Service and has been much improved as to its serviceability since 
Mr. Kilby took charge.