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


AUGUST METZLER.� A successful West Side wheat farmer and grain 
grower, the owner of 100 acres at Helm, which he bought in March, 1918, is 
August Metzler. He also rents the Admiral Clover ranch of 640 acres, which he 
farms to grain. Here he resides with his wife, who was Miss Annie Pretzer, who 
was born in Fresno County. She is a daughter of Wm. and Katie Pretzer, who 
reside in the suburbs of Fresno. 

Mr. and Mrs. Metzler have five children: Mary, Alex, Rosa, August, and 
Edward. Mr. Metzler came to Fresno County, February 10, 1907, directly from 
his native home in the Valley of the Volga. He was born February 24, 1887. 
in Samara, Russia, about seventy-five miles from Saratof. Of a family of four 
children he and his elder brother, Peter, who lives in Fresno, grew to "manhood. 
His parents were Peter and Mary Marie Metzler ; she died when August was only 
seven years old. The father was a farmer and was alive three years ago, but 
Mr. Metzler has not heard from him since then. 

Having some relatives in Fresno County, Mr. Metzler made up his mind 
to see California, so he left his home in Russia, December 29, 1906, and reached 
Fresno, February 20, 1907. He started working as a farm hand, saved his money, 
and in 1909 rented the ranch where he now resides. About 100 acres of his land 
is in alfalfa, and the balance he farms to wheat. Mr. Metzler uses tractor power 
in most of his farming operations, owning a seventy-five horsepower Holt cater- 
pillar tractor, and a combined harvester and thresher.