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


J. W. BEARUP. Through business interests that are not limited to his home town of Madera, 
but also extend into other parts of Madera county, Mr. Bearup has established a reputation as 
one of the leading men of affairs in this section of the state. When he came to his present loca- 
tion in 1896 he embarked in the agricultural implement business and has since built up the largest 
trade of its kind in the county, carrying in stock a full equipment of modern machinery as well 
as buggies and wagons of the most approved styles of construction. In addition, he is exten- 
sively engaged in the grain business, and has warehouses in Madera, Berendo, Talbot and Bor- 
den, Madera county, where he has adequate provision for the storage and shipment of wheat and 
barley. 

A resident of California since 1888, Mr. Bearup was born at Wawaka, Noble county, Ind., April 
25, 1865, and was the only child of John W. and Jennie (Golden) Bearup, natives respectively of 
New York and Ohio. His paternal grandfather, James H. Bearup, was a native of New York, 
but spent much of his active life in Ohio. The maternal grandfather, William Golden, became 
a pioneer of Indiana and remained there until his death. During the Civil war John W. Bearup 
left his farm in Noble county and enlisted in the service of the Union, becoming sergeant of Com- 
pany G, One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. After an active service of more than two years he was 
honorably discharged on account of physical disability. Afterward he moved from Indiana to 
Ohio and settled at Wellington. About 1890 he came to Madera, where he is now living retired. 
While he was still living in Indiana he was bereaved by his wife's death in 1868. For many 
years he has been an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

On finishing the studies of the grammar and high schools of Wellington, J. W. Bearup was 
sent to Ada College at Ada, Ohio, where he remained for a time. Afterward he learned the 
trade of butter and cheesemaker which he followed in Ohio for five years. After his arrival in 
California he became an employe of a grain house in Turlock and for two years held the position of 
foreman. During that period he gained a thorough knowledge of the grain business, which has 
been of inestimable value to him in his subsequent business operations. Removing to Barendo in 
1891, he built a warehouse and engaged in buying grain. In order to command a larger field 
and engage in business upon a more extensive scale, in 1806 he came to Madera, where he still 
resides. After coming to this county he married Miss A. M. Crow, who was born in Wisconsin 
and came to California with her parents, settling in Madera county. Her father, H. D. Crow, was 
a member of a Wisconsin regiment and served for a considerable portion of the Civil war. Since 
coming to this county he has been engaged in the mercantile business at Barendo, where he is an 
influential citizen. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bearup one child was born, Carl G. Bearup. 

The Madera Board of Trade is one of the local organizations with which Mr. Bearup co-operates, 
in that way helping enterprises calculated to benefit the town. Among business men his standing 
is high and his reputation that of an honorable and efficient man of affairs. Along the line of 
his business, he holds membership in the San Joaquin A r alley Hardware Dealers' Association 
and takes a warm interest in the organization. The Republican party has had his vote and influ- 
ence ever since he attained his majority, and since coming to his present place of residence he has 
served for four years as treasurer of the county central committee. While living in Berendo he 
was elected justice of the peace for the second district and held the position until his removal 
to Madera in 1896, when he resigned. By his high principles of honor, unquestioned integrity 
and persevering industry, he has won the respect and confidence of those with whom he has had 
business dealings and has gained a place among the leading: business men of his county.