Tulare County Biographies

ORVILLE W. SUNDERLAND

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Orville W. Sunderland, of the firm of Williams & Sunderland, proprietors 
of the People's Market and dealers in meat in Porterville, is one of the well 
known and substantial business men of that city. A Missourian by birth, but a 
resident of California by choice, he was born on a farm in Polk county, in 
southwestern Missouri, June 8, 1886, and is thus now in the very prime of his 
vigorous manhood. When he was but a lad his parents moved from Missouri to 
Illinois and later became residents of Sumner county in south central Kansas, he 
thus having had boyhood experiences in three states before coming to the wise 
conclusion that California was the best state of all.
        As a young man Mr. Sunderland engaged in farming and stock raising in 
Sumner county, Kansas, and later went into business in the village of Oxford in 
that county, carrying on there as the proprietor of a pool�room and cigar store. 
In 1911 Mr. Sunderland closed out his affairs in Kansas and came to California, 
taking up ranching in Tulare county, on a ranch five miles northwest of 
Porterville and giving his special attention to alfalfa culture until February 
1, 1920, when he engaged in his present business in Porterville, in association 
with Luther E. Williams, a member of one of the old families of Tulare county, 
opening the People's Market at No. 331 North Main street. In connection with 
this well established and well equipped meat market this firm maintains its own 
stock�yards and killing plant and the people of Porterville are thus assured of 
the freshness and high quality of the meats on sale at the popular People's 
Market. Mr. Sunderland has been successful in his affairs since coming to Tulare 
county and in addition to his proprietary interest in the People's Market has 
considerable realty holdings in Porterville.
        On April 14, 1909, in Winfield, Kansas, Mr. Sunderland was united in 
marriage to Miss Mabel Jacobs, who was born in that state, a daughter of Charles 
and Mary (Porter) Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland have had two children : Newell 
V., who died at the age of six years ; and Donald Sunderland, born July 6, 1922. 
Mr. Sunderland is a member of Porterville Lodge No. 1342, Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks. Mr. Sunderland has a summer home at Camp Nelson, and a very 
comfortable home in Porterville.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 162