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


MATIAS SERRANO.� A successful stock-raiser of the West Side in 
Fresno County, is Matias Serrano of Huron. He is a native of Spain, born 
at Aincioa, Bailie Erro, Navarra, February 24, 1883, the son of Miguel and 
Besanta (Villanueva) Serrano, farmers of that region. 

Matias, the third oldest of their family of five children, was reared on 
the farm and educated in the public schools. He had a brother, Florencio, 
who had come to California, and Matias, hearing the glowing accounts of 
opportunities in California, resolved to come hither, so on December 11, 1900, 
he arrived in Fresno. The first winter was spent herding sheep at Mendota. 
In April, 1901, he made his way to Nevada, where his brother was raising 
sheep in Esmeralda County. Working for him and others he made a "stake" 
sufficient to enable him and a cousin, Domingo Serrano, to purchase a flock 
of sheep and they ranged them in Nevada until October, 1909. when they 
brought them to Stockton, continuing business together as Serrano and 
Company ever since ; Matias having the management of the business. In 
1916, Mr. Serrano purchased eighty acres two and a half miles south of Huron, 
where he makes his home and headquarters. Having purchased additional 
land they own 400 acres and are also leasing lands for ranging their sheep, 
running "from 3,000 to 4,000 head. 

Mr. Serrano was married in Reno, Nev., March 9, 1909, being united 
with Besanta Cartago, also a native of Navarra, Spain, who came to Nevada 
in 1907. They have five interesting children : Florencio, Braulia, Manuella, 
Filippa, and Julia. Mr. Serrano is one of the original stockholders in the 
Growers National Bank of Fresno. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. and 
Mrs. Serrano are favorably known and well liked in their social circle.