Tulare County Biographies

JOHN F. MICHELS

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        In 1905 John R. Michels came to Tulare county from Dodge county, 
Nebraska, and engaged in fruit culture. At that time his son, the subject of 
this sketch, was about twelve years of age, for he was born in Hooper, Dodge 
county, March 10, 1893. His mother's maiden name was Hermine Schaber. Both 
parents are living.
        John F. Michels acquired his education in the public schools. After 
graduating from the high school he was employed for four years as a deputy in 
the office of the tax collector. He then entered the employ of the old National 
Bank of Visalia as a bookkeeper. His close attention to his duties and the 
readiness with which he mastered many of the problems of banking, led to his 
being advanced to the position of assistant cashier. When the National Bank of 
Visalia was merged with the Bank of Italy, Mr. Michels was continued as 
assistant cashier of the new institution, which place he still occupies, 
together with being assistant secretary and stockholder of an auxiliary 
corporation.
        When the United States entered the great World war in the spring of 
1917, Mr. Michels was assigned to the work of acting as interpreter for the 
draft board, where he continued for eight months, being at the time in the 
service of the United States army. Subsequently he spent eight months at Camp 
Lewis, in the state of Washington, but did not get overseas. Politically he is 
an unswerving republican and in the presidential campaign of 1924 was district 
captain for his party.
        Mr. Michels was married to Miss Ruth Olmstead of Pomona, California, a 
teacher in the Visalia high school, and they have one son : John L. Mr. Michels 
is prominent in fraternal circles, being a Master Mason, exalted ruler of the 
Visalia Lodge of Elks, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the American 
Legion. He is also president of the Kiwanis Club and is active in the promotion 
of all movements having for their object the advancement of the material 
interests of Visalia and Tulare county. He is likewise interested in ranching 
and finds his recreation on the farm.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 348