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 ALFRED MODINE. � The subject of this review, Alfred Modine, is a native of Sweden, being born on February 19, 1862, at Langaryd Socken, Smaaland, Sweden, a son of Andrew and Sarah Modine, who were the parents of four children, Alfred being next to the youngest; Lewis, his old- est brother, resides on the old home place in Sweden ; Swen is a farmer and lives in Sweden; and Annie is the widow of Alfred Swanson and resides in the homeland. Alfred Modine was reared on his father's farm in Sweden, and was the first member of the family to immigrate to the United States, where he ar- rived in 1883, and after a brief stay at Diamond Lake, Mich., he settled at Assaria, Saline County, Kans., and secured employment as a farm hand, continuing at such work for about six years, being paid by the month, Dur- ing the winter season he worked for as little as six dollars per month, yet by thrifty habits, so characteristic of his fellow countrymen, he was enabled to save money. In 1892, Alfred Modine returned to his native land and while there was united in marriage with Emma Charlotte Nyquist, returning to Kansas the same year with his bride. For four years he rented a farm at Assaria, sub- sequently purchasing a farm of 240 acres at Lindsborg, where he success- fully engaged in farming until 1915, when he received such an excellent offer for his Kansas ranch that he sold it and removed to the Golden State, set- tling one mile north of Kingsburg, Fresno County. He purchased the C. G. Stone place on Grant Avenue, in the Kingsburg Colony. Previous to buying his ranch at Kingsburg, Mr. Modine had made several trips to the Pacific Coast country to see the land and investigate the agricultural and horticultural conditions in California, and after very care- ful consideration decided that Fresno County was the best place for him to locate. Mr. Modine has always been a very industrious and thrifty farmer, and by hard work, untiring efforts and intelligent management of his Kansas ranch he accumulated considerable means, and having had to work very hard to secure a financial start, now that he is comfortably provided for, he en- joys life and values money for the good it can bring him and his family. His home in California abounds in comforts and conveniences and his family are happy in the enjoyment of their new environment. Mr. Modine has made three trips to Sweden, and during the summer of 1917 he made an extended trip through the Middle West, visiting relatives in Minneapolis, Minn. His ranch at Kingsburg consists of forty acres and is devoted to raising peaches and raisin grapes. The property is regarded as one of the most valuable of its size in the Kingsburg Colony, being improved with a brick residence, good barns, tank house and pumping plant. Mr. and Mts. Modine are the parents of four children: John A., resid- ing at home, is an ex-soldier, having been discharged from duty owing to physical disability; Selma, who is a graduate of a business college at Linds- borg, Kans. ; Hjalmar, who married Mary Rodgers, and they reside in Kings- burg; and Carl, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Modine are members of the Swedish Mission Church at Kingsburg. Although but recent comers to the county and state, the Mo- dines have already made many friends, are highly esteemed in the com- munity, and have been warmly welcomed into the Kingsburg Colony.