Fresno County, 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


HANS MONSON. � To those who have succeeded in life solely by their 
own efforts, much credit is due, and of such Hans Monson is an example 
worthy in every way of the success which has come to him through years 
of continuous work and persistent efforts to attain his goal, which he has 
accomplished without help from others. 

Hans Monson first saw the light of day on September 25, 1867, on a 
farm, in the southern part of Sweden. At the very early age of seven years 
he began working, in the summer time, on a farm where he herded sheep and 
through all his life time he has never had an idle day. In 1887 he emigrated 
to the United States and worked on his uncle's farm in Missouri, for nine 
months. On January 27, 1888, he arrived in Fresno with but fifteen cents 
as his cash assets, but possessed with a strong constitution, reliable charac- 
ter and a determination to succeed. He soon found work in the vineyards, 
his first employer being Hector Burness, later he worked for Benjamin Wood- 
ward on the Las Palmas Ranch, and afterwards for F. M. Russell. 

For a number of years after coming to Fresno he sent a part of his 
earnings each month to his father and brothers in Sweden. On June 15, 
1891, Mr. Monson started to work on the Helm Ranch, located east of Fresno, 
and continued in the employment of the Helm family for twenty-five years, 
serving as foreman of the ranch during the latter years. While employed on 
the Helm ranch he planted over 800 acres to vines and for five years con- 
tracted for harvesting the crop of grapes. Later he purchased eighty acres 
of raw land in the Helm tract, which he improved by planting to vines, and 
in 1917 he traded forty acres of this vineyard for his fine new two-story resi- 
dence, located at 475 Glenn Avenue, Fresno. Mr. Monson still owns forty 
acres of full bearing grapes. 

When Frank M. Helm started his modern dairy in Kearney Park, con- 
sisting of registered Holstein cows, Hans Monson took charge of the dairy, 
in addition to his other duties. 

Mr. Monson is a very progressive citizen and greatly interested in all 
movements that have as their aim the upbuilding of the best interests of the 
county. It was but natural, therefore, that Robert Lockhead appointed him, 
in 1916, as road superintendent of his district, which position he still retains. 
During his term of office he has been instrumental in having a number of 
cement bridges built as well as several miles of new road. 

On February 15, 1895, Hans Monson was united in marriage with Sophia 
Lindberg, of Fresno, and this happy union has been blessed with five chil- 
dren : Alice, a teacher of music in Fresno and a talented pianist; Oscar, 
Lillian, Alma, and Harold, who are at home. Mrs. Monson was born at 
Otvidaberg. Sweden, and is a daughter of Gustav and Charlotte (Odahl) 
Lindberg. The father died when Mrs. Monson was only fifteen years old. 
Of twelve children eleven are still living, Mrs. Monson being the sixth child. 

Fraternally Mr. Monson is an Odd Fellow, and he is also interested 
greatly in educational matters, having been clerk of the school board of the 
Scandinavian Colony for five years.