Kings County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
GEORGE WRIGHT STERLING
 
dates his birth in East Bloomfield, New York, August 20, 1834.  Grandfather 
Sterling was a prominent citizen of the Empire State and had large real-estate 
interests there.  Justin J. Sterling, father of George W., was born in New York 
and married Miss Caroline Wright, a native of Connecticut, and the daughter of a 
Revolutionary soldier.  Their family comprised four sons and one daughter, 
George being next to the youngest.  He attended the public schools until he was 
seventeen years old, when he went to Illinois and for a time worked in a machine 
shop.  After that he went to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres of land, which he 
improved and farmed for twelve years.
            Selling his farm in Minnesota in 1874, he came to California and 
purchased his present ranch, 240 acres, located two miles north of Lemoore.  It 
had been used as a stock ranch, and he bought it for $12.50 per acre.  Mr. 
Sterling has platted six ten-acre colony tracts on one side of it, for which he 
is now receiving $120 per acre.  He has built his residence, planted trees and a 
raisin vineyard, and otherwise improved his property, thereby increasing its 
value.
            In 1864 Mr. Sterling was united in marriage with Miss Emily J. Webb, 
a native of Canada, and there have been born to them four children. The oldest 
died at the age of six months.  Those living are George, Cora and Belle.
            Mr. Sterling is a charter member of the Farmers� Alliance.  In 
politics he is liberal and independent.
 
Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, 
California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892  p. 664
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler