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


MOSES H. BIXBY. The ancestry of Moses H. Bixby, a well known and progressive vine- 
yardist of Fresno county, may be traced to the early settlers of New England, and among his 
personal attributes may be noticed characteristics typical of men mighty in the formation 
of our government. His paternal grandfather, Albert Bixby, came from England to the United 
States and settled in Vermont, in the course of time participating in the Revolutionary war. In 
his family was a son Albert, born in the state of Vermont, in which state he grew to manhood 
and married Eliza Dearborn, a native of Massachusetts. She came of a distinguished family 
of New England, her father, a sea-faring man and the captain of a vessel, being the nephew 
of Major General Daniel Dearborn, of Revolutionary fame. When ninety-seven years old this 
gallant patriot made the opening speech at the dedication of Bunker Hill monument ; his name 
was also perpetuated by being given to the fort which occupied a spot of land now in the heart 
of the city of Chicago, Ill. The younger Albert Bixby was a millwright and carpenter, and died 
at the age of forty years. 

Born in Windsor county, Vt., March 5, 1848, Moses H. Bixby was reared and educated in 
the Green Mountain state. When twenty years of age he came as far west as Illinois, locating 
in Bureau county, where, for three years, he followed agricultural pursuits. For two years fol- 
lowing he was likewise engaged in Taylor county, Iowa. In 1873 he came to California, locat- 
ing first in Alpine county, where he remained for a period of five years, engaging during this 
time in logging, carrying lumber to Gold Hill and Virginia City. Removing to Fresno county 
in 1878, he purchased twenty acres of land � that upon which his home now stands � and 
through perseverance and continued industry has acquired a competence and has built up for 
himself an enviable reputation as a vineyardist of Fresno county. He is now the owner of 
eighty acres, at the corner of Clay and Elm avenues, about six and one-half miles south of Fres- 
no, thirty-four acres being set to vines, thirty-eight to various fruits, while he also raises 
some alfalfa. In the year 1903 his ranch produced forty-four and a half tons of raisins. As 
an enterprising and progressive rancher, Mr. Bixby occupies a position of prominence in the 
beautiful and productive county wherein he has resided for so many years. 

In Illinois, February 9, 1871, Mr. Bixby was united in marriage with Rachel Fulton, a native 
of Pennsylvania, and four children were born to them, namely : Blanche R. ; John H. ; Guy C. ; 
and Kenneth, deceased in infancy. Politically Mr. Bixby is a Republican in national politics, 
his first presidential ballot having been cast for General Grant, but he reserves the right to vote 
for the man best equipped for public office in local affairs. He is a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church.