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


JOSE ZANDUETA. � A young man who is making a success at ranching 
in Tranquillity is Jose Zandueta who was born in Erro, Navarra, Spain, May 
26, 1881, the son of Martin and Martina (Gonsalo) Zandueta, who owned 
a farm where they reared their family. His father died May 3, 1899, while his 
mother still resides on the home ranch which she still owns. This worthy couple 
were the parents of eight children, six boys and two girls. Jose, the 
fourth in order of birth was reared on the farm and went to school as was the 
general experience of the youth of that region. After his father died he assisted 
his mother all he could until he was past the age of twenty-two. He had be- 
come interested in California and when he was able to arrange to leave his 
mother he came forthwith to Fresno, arriving October 6, 1903. His funds being 
low, he immediately sought employment and found it with Antonio Urrutia in 
Coalinga for five months and then worked for M. Urrutia of Fresno until March, 
1907, when he went to Reno, Nev., where he was in the employ of different 
sheep growers for three years. All this time he gained valuable experience and 
also studied and learned to read and speak English. In 1910 he returned to 
Fresno County, working another year for wages. His desire was to own a farm 
of his own. So in 1911 he purchased twenty acres, a part of his present ranch 
in Tranquillity. This was raw land but was under the ditch and splendid soil. He 
leveled and checked it, sowed alfalfa and improved it with suitable farm buildings 
and set out a small orchard. Aside from this he raised grain for two years in 
Cantua and then became a partner of the late Joe Yraceburu and leased land at 
Mendota which they farmed to grain. In 1918 Mr. Yraceburu died and when the 
season's work and crop was completed the business was settled up and the partner- 
ship was dissolved. He then leased land from the San Joaquin Farm and Land 
Company on which he raised grain. He has added to his original holdings and 
now owns seventy-one acres which he is improving to alfalfa. His ranch is well 
kept and he is showing himself a careful and successful farmer.