California Biographies 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 LUTHER BATTEN. Noteworthy among the prosperous agriculturists and horticulturists of Merced county is Luther Batten, who is pleasantly located on a well-improved ranch in Dos Palos colony. Becoming familiar with the theory and practice of agriculture when young, he has followed this branch of industry most successfully throughout his career. Intelligent, en- terprising and public-spirited, he takes pleasure in identifying himself with the best interests of the piace in which he resides, and is eminently deserving of the high regard in which he is held as a man and a citizen. Coming from a long line of New England ancestors, he was born August 28, 1848, in Wisconsin, on the Eau Claire river, a son of John Batten, Jr. His grandfather, John Batten, Sr., a native of Massachusetts, moved to Vermont when young, and there spent the remainder of his long and busy life, dying at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Banfield, spent her sixty years of life in the Green Mountain state. A native of Orange county, Vt., John Batten, Jr., was born September 8, 1805. After serving an apprenticeship of seven years with Ebenezer Crone of Springfield, a carriage-maker and wheelwright, he followed his trade in different parts of the country, finally going to Maryland, where he was connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as an employe for a while. He subsequently assisted in building a canal along the Potomac river, working until it was com- pleted as far as Hagerstown. Locating then in Pennsylvania, he was engaged in transporting coal from Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia by canal boat. Resuming his trade, he was after- wards employed in New York City and Buffalo, from the latter city going to London, Canada, thence to Port Kent, where he embarked in the lumber business. Removing from there to Mich- igan, he settled near the present site of what is now the flourishing city of Monroe, but what was then but a straggling hamlet. In 1839, three years after his marriage, he removed to Galena, Ill., from there going, in the course of a year or two, to Grand Rapids, Wis., where as a pioneer lumber manufacturer and dealer he had the distinction of operating the first sawmill. He afterwards resided at Stevens Point, Wis., until 1870, when he went to Gar creek, Lincoln county, Neb., where he took up a tract of wild prairie land, from which he improved a good farm. Selling out in 1879, he purchased land at Oak Precinct, Lancaster county, where he re- sided until his death in 1891, at a venerable age. He was a man of much force of character, up- right and honest, and an active Republican in politics. In 1836, in Monroe, Mich., John Batten. Jr., married Sophia Allen, who was born in New York state and died in Wisconsin, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. She was a daughter of Samuel Allen and a cousin of Col. Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. She bore her husband seven children, one of whom, Hannah, born in Galena, Ill., died in early child- hood. The other six grew to years of maturity, namely: Mrs. Mary Chapin, who died in 1903 in Nebraska ; William, residing in Wisconsin ; Clarissa, who died in Wisconsin; Luther, the subject of this sketch; John, of Waupaca; and Mrs. Adaline Dunbar of Wisconsin. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Wisconsin, Luther Batten removed with the family to Nebraska in 1870, and two years later, in 1872, homesteaded eighty acres of land on Gar creek. Subsequently selling out in that vicinity, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land at Oak Precinct, Lancaster county, where he settled with his family. He after- wards added to his landed possessions by purchase, becoming owner of two hundred and ninety acres, which he broke and improved, making it one of the richest and most productive farming estates in Lancaster county. He erected a substantial set of farm buildings, costing about $5,000, and carried on general farming and stock-raising with great success for many years. He also owned and operated a threshing machine for twenty-four years, at first using horse- power, but later having a steam thresher with all the modern appliances. As a farmer and a citizen he was very prominent and popular in the community and wielded a wide influence. He still owns this farm, which lies about eight miles northwest of Lincoln, Neb., but rents it. Com- ing with his family to California in 1894, Mr. Batten bought twenty acres of land in Dos Palos colony, and soon started an orchard. In April, 1895, he set out a variety of trees, planting three acres that spring, and has since greatly enlarged his operations, having now a fine orchard of eighteen acres, in which he raises a choice variety of apples, pears, peaches, walnuts, apricots, figs, etc., on one acre having thirty different kinds of trees. He has other land in his ranch, owning sixty acres in all. He raises alfalfa in large quantities, and also has a fine dairy, keep- ing about thirty head of cows. Mr. Batten is likewise interested financially in the local tele- phone company, and in the development of the G. A. R. park of ten acres, of which he is man- ager. April 19, 1874, in Lancaster county, Neb., Mr. Batten married Helen Hermance, who was born in Scio, Allegany county, N. Y., a daughter of J. L. Hermance. Her grandfather, John S. Hermance. born in 1806, died in Cuba, N. Y., in 1885. He married Marion Bristol, who was born in Columbia county, N. Y., a daughter of Rev. John Bristol, a Baptist clergyman. J. L. Hermance was born in 1832 in Rensselaer county, N. Y., and as a young man was engaged in agricultural pursuits. May 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-seventh New York Vol- unteer Infantry, and was on detached duty at the Douglas Hospital, Washington, until July, 1862, when, on account of ill health, he was honorably discharged. Recovering his normal physical vigor, Mr. Hermance re-enlisted, joining Company A, One Hundred and Eighty- eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as color-bearer until the close of the war. In that capacity he was present at the surrender of General Lee, being color-bearer for the Fifth Army Corps. After the grand review at Washington he was mustered out of service and returned home. Removing with his family to Nebraska in 1872, Mr. Hermance took up a homestead claim nine miles north of Lincoln, and there improved a farm. He was shortly afterward appointed superintendent of the poor farm in that county, and served for six years. He subsequently bought one hundred and sixty acres within five miles of Lincoln, and there set out an orchard and made improvements of an excellent character, and is also possessor of various tracts of land in Lancaster county, having accumulated large wealth. He makes his home in Raymond, Neb., where he is held in high respect. He is a Republican in politics, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. March 28, 1852, he married Esther Hawkins, a native of Cat- taraugus county, N. Y., and of the children born of their union two are living, namely : Ernest Hermance of Raymond, Neb. ; and Helen, now Mrs. Batten. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bat- ten has been blessed by the birth of eight children, five of whom grew to years of maturity. Ernest LeRoy died in 1899, in Dos Palos; Carrie Addie died in 1901 ; Winnie died in 1903; Elmer and Fay are living at home. Politically Mr. Batten is a true-blue Republican, sustaining the principles of his party by voice and vote. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Macca- bees. Mrs. Batten is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.