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


WILLIAM L. SCALES. � Fresno County is indeed fortunate in having 
as its Sanitary Inspector, William L. Scales, a man of up-to-date ideas in 
sanitation and one who, by efficient efforts, through the installation of the 
latest appliances, and by an educational campaign along sanitary lines, has 
accomplished excellent results throughout the county. 

William L. Scales is a native of the Prairie State, born at Farmington, 
Illinois, February 24, 1876. When he was a small boy his parents moved to 
Leadville, Colo. While living in Colorado the mother passed away, leaving 
four children, which the father, Levi Scales, brought to Fresno in 1881. For 
a while the father followed ranching, but owing to ill-health gave up that line 
of endeavor and retired. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Scales includes: 
Frank Scales of Oilfields, Cal. ; Charles, a rancher in Hills Valley, this 
county; Mrs. Flora Gibson, who resides at Fowler; and William L., the 
subject of this sketch. 

William L. Scales, the youngest member of the family, received his edu- 
cation in the schools of Fresno County. His business endeavors have led 
him into various lines; for two years he rented a vineyard five miles east of 
Selma ; five years he was in the employ of the United States Government as 
postmaster, during the summer time at Bartlett Springs, Cal., a summer 
resort in Lake County. At one time he was bookkeeper and collector for the 
Jersey Farm Dairy, Fresno. In 1906 Mr. Scales went to Siskiyou County, 
Cal.. where he was employed as bookkeeper for the McCloud Lumber Com- 
pany, remaining there three years. In 1910 he was with the Hume-Bennett 
Lumber Company, where he helped in constructing their flume from Hume to 
Station Xo. 4, Fresno County. One year of his life was spent in Portland, 
Ore., and for three years he operated an alfalfa and stock ranch in Los 
Angeles County. 

The year 1913 marks the beginning of Mr. Scales' work in the Fresno 
County Sanitary Department. The cattle in Los Gatos Canyon having be- 
come infected with rabies, W. L. Scales was assigned to that section to inspect 
the herds and take measures at once to eradicate the disease. So thoroughly 
did he understand his work that in six months he had mastered the situa- 
tion and cleared up the condition. Mr. Scales has given especial attention 
to the improvement of sanitary conditions of the country schools. He had 
septic tanks, flush toilets and sanitary drinking fountains installed in the 
schools and has also inspected the water supply for camping parties and 
picnic grounds. This work has been followed up by an educational campaign 
through the daily newspapers, calling attention to the danger in drinking 
from streams. Mr. Scales has made a special study of his line of endeavor 
and his work has met with the most satisfactory results throughout the county. 
A work like his, that has the health of the community at heart, is certain to 
be commended by all.