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


MRS. MARY OLIVER.� A native daughter of exceptional foresight 
and business ability, as shown in her ranching and dairying operations, is 
Mrs. Mary Oliver, who resides on Rolinda Avenue, north of McKinley, and 
as a loyal American, always striving to better the world, is active in Red 
Cross and other patriotic work. She was born at Santa Barbara, the daughter 
of Frank Alves who was a sailor. Having served on a whaler and experienced 
many stirring adventures, he landed at San Francisco about the late sixties, 
and remained in California. Mining in Siskiyou County next attracted him, 
but later he went to Santa Barbara County, where he was mate of a coasting 
vessel for some years. After that he was manager of the Gorham Lumber 
Yard, and then manager also for the Pierce Lumber concern. While in the 
service of the latter he died. Mrs. Alves was Mary Ann Armas before her 
marriage, and she lives at the old home in Santa Barbara. 

The fourth eldest of seven children, Mary was brought up at picturesque 
and historic Santa Barbara, and educated at St. Vincent's Convent. She first 
saw the light on November 1. 1875; and on November 26, 1801, she was 
married to William Oliver, who came to Ventura County when he was a lad 
of seventeen years. Being experienced in farming, he took up a homestead 
near Fillmore, Santa Barbara County, and he also leased other land. 500 
acres in all, and his crops included beets, beans and grain. He first rented 
acreage of Schiappa Pietra for fourteen years, and then the Thomas Bard 
place for seven years. 

In September, 1912, Mr. Oliver sold out and located in Fresno County, 
where he bought the ranch of forty-five acres at Barstow, in the Roosevelt 
district, that was to become known through his name. He raised alfalfa, 
and set out eight acres of Thompson seedless grapes, and equipped a dairy, 
now having twenty-five fine cows, but on January 2, 1916, he died, acknowl- 
edged by his competitors a man of unusual capability, and esteemed by his 
fellow citizens for those virtues that make a man of value to the state, local 
society and to his home. They had already erected a handsome residence, 
and since Mr. Oliver's death, Mrs. Oliver has managed the ranch. She has 
further fitted out the dairy, planted alfalfa and set out eight acres of vine- 
yard. She is active in the California Associated Raisin Company, giving it 
her interest and support, and enjoying its benefits. 

Eight children made the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver an undeniable 
blessing: Rose is now Mrs. Menezes, and resides in the American Colony, 
in Fresno County; Mary is at home; Frances, a graduate of Heald's Business 
College, is a bookkeeper at Fresno; Henry is farming in Ventura County; 
Charles attends the high school and also assists his mother; and Alvin, 
Arthur, and Rita are at home. All have contributed in some way to advanc- 
ing war-work; and Mrs. Oliver is a member of the Roosevelt Auxiliary to 
the Fresno Chapter of the Red Cross.