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


VICTOR ROBERTS.� Victor Roberts was born near St. Aux Bar- 
ragues, Hautes-Alpes, France, September 25, 1854. His father, Robert Roberts, 
was a stone-mason by trade and followed contracting and building. He married 
Julia Seinturier and they had a family of four children of whom Victor is the 
oldest. He came to Chicago, Ill., when seventeen, arriving in March, 1873, and 
was in the employ of Armour and Company. In January, 1874, he removed to 
Wisconsin, where he was employed at sawmilling and lumbering for two years, 
his wages being $12.00 per month. On account of the confusion in his name, 
people insisting on writing it Robert Victor he added an s to his family name, 
making it Roberts. 

In April, 1876, he came to San Francisco, Cal., and in July of the same 
year to Hollister where he was employed by a sheep man and drove a band of 
sheep into the Cholame country in San Luis Obispo County and later into 
Madera and Fresno Counties. It was in 1877, that he came with a flock to Huron 
� to ship from the end of the new railroad. He drove a stage in 1879 from 
Parkfield to Soledad for one year. Having saved some money he concluded to 
settle down. In 1882 he located his present place � a preemption � of 160 acres 
and afterwards homesteaded 160 acres, the beginning of the present large hold-
ings in Jacolitos Canyon. He engaged in cattle raising in which he was very 
successful adding to his possessions until he now owns 4,000 acres on Jacolitos 
Creek for a distance of about seven miles. This he has fenced and cross-fenced 
and devoted to raising cattle, hogs and horses. Jacolitos Ranch, as he has named 
it, is well watered by numerous springs and is a most excellent stock ranch. Mr. 
Roberts is able to graze over 300 head of cattle on his range ; his brand is VR con- 
nected and he is a member of the California Cattle Growers Association. 

Jacolitos Canyon is an old historical place in Fresno County and has been 
the scene of many interesting incidents. The Indians from Tulare Lake came 
here to hunt deer and bear and to gather acorns and red clover; they built small 
lints, which they thatched with tules. When the Sonorans or Mexicans came 
they found these little huts and named the creek Jacolitos, meaning "little huts." 
It was at one time the rendezvous of Vasques, who had a cabin built of mud 
and sticks close to the creek and here he lived with Old Mariana and from this 
point they made raids to the Salinas, as well as the San Joaquin valleys for 
bunches of cattle, and on their return would feast on them. They also had gar- 
dens where they raised vegetables and melons. This was during the latter part 
of Vasques career arid the remains of the hut are still here. 

August 30, 1885, on the Jacolitos, Mr. Roberts was married at the home 
of the bride, Miss Addie Frame, born at Copperopolis, Cal., the daughter of 
James Frame, a pioneer of Jacolitos Creek country. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have 
six children. Zilpha, Mrs. Arthur Bennett, who are ranching on the Jacolitos ; 
Hugo, who served in the United States Naval Reserves, is a graduate of San 
Luis Obispo Polytechnic and is a cattle-grower on the Jacolitos ; Ernest is in the 
United States Navy; Velma and Vera, twins, Velma is Mrs. Charles Eastland 
of Coalinga, and Vera is a graduate nurse and resides in San Jose ; and Robert 
is attending Coalinga Union High School. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have a com- 
fortable home and, being liberal entertainers, Jacolitos Ranch is known for its 
hospitality and good cheer.