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


ELMER THOMAS WALL. � Among the leading raisin-growers in the 
Selma section, Mr. Elmer Thomas Wall stands prominently forth for his skill 
and success as a viticulturist. He is an example of a hard-working man en- 
dowed with firmness of character and determination of purpose, qualities 
that bespeak the ability and energy which have caused him to attain his well 
merited success. 

A native of Missouri, he was born in Johnson County, May 2, 1872, and 
is the son of Lieut. James M. and Nancy B. (Gray) Wall. His father was 
the owner of an 800-acre stock farm in Missouri and was a large raiser of 
mules, horses and beef cattle. A native of North Carolina, he served with 
distinction as lieutenant during the Civil War, on the Confederate side, was 
body-guard of General Price, and was twice wounded during his time of serv- 
ice. In 1888 he disposed of his business interests in Missouri and came to 
California on account of his wife's health, where, four years later, in 1892, 
he died. His wife, who survived him, is living in Fresno. Of the five chil- 
dren of the parental home, three are living. Benjamin F., who settled near 
Selma, died twelve years ago, leaving two children, Lois and Ethel by name. 
A daughter, Ona B., single, died in California. The living children are: Syd- 
ney Jackson, a fruit-buyer residing in Fresno ; Elmer Thomas ; and Erna 
Ethel, wife of A. M. Haldeman, who is employed on the Fresno Republican 
and owns a twenty-acre ranch adjoining Elmer Thomas' place. 

Elmer Thomas received his education in the public and high school at 
Windsor, Mo. A lad sixteen years of age when he came with his parents 
to California, in 1888, he engaged with his father in the fruit-growing busi- 
ness. He purchased forty acres southeast of Fresno, near Malaga, which 
he improved and afterwards sold. He bought his present place in 1916. 

He chose as his life partner Miss Addie J. Barr, to whom he was united 
in 1894. She is the daughter of Thomas A. Barr, and is a sister of Dr. W. T. 
Barr of Fresno. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are the parents of three bright and inter- 
esting children : Gladys, a graduate of the Fresno high school, now sopho- 
more in Redlands University; Thelma, attending the Selma high school; and 
Warden, a student in the grammar school. 

Mr. Wall has always taken a lively interest in educational work and was 
school trustee for fifteen years at Malaga. He has also served as juryman. 
While he is a Democrat politically, he votes for the man best fitted for the 
position, regardless of party. Mr. Wall and his family are prominent mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church of Selma. Mr. Wall is greatly interested in all 
that advances his community, and he and his family are highly respected.