California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN B. AVILA. A successful farmer and merchant, John B. Avila commands the respect and 
esteem of all who have witnessed his steady progress up the ladder of success since he located 
in Merced county in 1888. He had located in the state five years earlier, having emigrated from 
St. George, in the Azores Islands, where he was born March 19, 1865, settling first in Alameda 
county. There he followed ranching until he removed to Merced county, with the proceeds of 
his five years' work purchasing twenty acres of land located in the Buhach Colony. Here he 
engaged in farming with the same energy and ability which had characterized his first years in 
his adopted land, becoming one of the pioneer sweet potato growers in the county. This 
business he has found exceedingly profitable in the passing years, and now devotes ten acres 
exclusively to the cultivation of this tuber, the average yield being from one hundred to one 
hundred and fifty sacks to the acre. He ships his own products to various localities, the principal 
points being Denver, Colo., Washington and Oregon, disposing of as many as one hundred and 
forty-five carloads in one year. With his constantly increasing financial ability he has added to his 
ranch until he now owns forty acres of well developed land, ten acres of which is devoted to 
fruit, ten to sweet potatoes, and twenty to alfalfa. In addition to his ranching interests he 
conducts a general merchandise establishment in Merced, in partnership with I. J. Pimentel, Jr., 
carrying a well assorted stock valued at $5,000. He resides upon his ranch, which is located five 
miles west and north of Merced. 

Mr. Avila has been twice married, his first wife being Emilia Pacheco, by whom he had the 
following children : Delfina and Belmira. His second marriage united him with Puliscena Duarte, 
also a native of the Azores, and of this union was born a daughter, Maggie. In his political 
convictions Mr. Avila is a Republican, and though undesirous of official honors for himself has 
nevertheless taken an active interest in the advancement of his party's interests. In fraternal 
orders he is quite prominent, being a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 
Religiously he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.