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


JOHN J. WALSH. � A well known and highly respected citizen of 
Reedley, Cal., since 1906, John J. Walsh was one of the first to take up land 
in Merritt Colony. His purchase proved a wise one and his development of 
the place has produced satisfactory results. He planted peach trees, vines 
and alfalfa, and made many improvements on the place, including a fine 
home which he erected in 1918, of cement building blocks. He is now replac- 
ing the peach trees and alfalfa with figs and vines. 

John J. Walsh was born in Australia on July 11, 1863. His parents 
migrated to the United States in 1867 and John J. received his education in 
the public schools of this country. He learned the trade of a harnessmaker 
and traveled over thirty-eight states as a journeyman. After he came to 
Reedley and had planted his vines and fruit trees, he very advantageously 
resumed his old-time business of a harnessmaker and so gained a living 
while his trees were growing and he so continued until his crops were large 
enough to depend upon. He has installed an irrigating system at the cost of 
over $1,800. It includes a well eighty feet deep, with a pit thirty-five feet 
deep, with pumping facilities for 450 gallons per minute. With the develop- 
ment of this section his ranch has greatly increased in value. 

In 1901, John J. Walsh was united in marriage with Miss Edna Bren- 
ner, a native of Kansas, and they are the parents of four children : Agnes A. ; 
John L. : Francis ; and Edna T. Mr. Walsh belongs to the raisin, peach and 
fig growers associations. He is appraiser of the Federal Loan Association 
of Berkeley, for the Reedley branch.