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


WILLIAM DEAKIN. The late William Deakin is remembered by a large circle of friends to whom 
he had endeared himself by his kindly manners and strict integrity. He was born at Primrose 
valley, near Rotherham, England, in 1828, a son of Benjamin and Mary Deakin, the former a 
soldier in the British army. 

William Deakin was reared in the place of his birth, educated in the schools of England, and 
as he reached manhood learned the trade of a fendermaker (fenders for fireplaces). In 1849 
be immigrated to the United States and in St. Louis followed his trade. Hearing much of the 
Pacific coast and the fortunes made in the mines, he decided to cast in his lot with the emigrants. 
He accordingly outfitted with wagons and ox teams and started on- the overland journey. 
Reaching Salt Lake he remained there about one year, then continued his journey to California. 
He took up farming near San Bernardino, where he remained three years, later coming to Fresno 
county. He hoped to find a satisfactory location on Big Dry creek, but being disappointed in this 
he settled on Kings river and engaged in the stock business and general farming. His health failing, 
after a residence there of six years, he removed into the foothills and located at the head of Clarks 
valley, purchasing land from time to time as success came his way, accumulating about two 
thousand acres of land. He continued in active business until his death, August 14, 1897, at the age 
of sixty-nine years. He was made a Mason in Visalia Lodge. He served as justice of the peace for 
many years on the Democratic ticket. 

In 1899 Mrs. Deakin sold the Kings river ranch and also disposed of the other ranch at a good 
advance. The lady who became the wife of William Deakin was in maidenhood Elizabeth Measley. 
She was born in Rotherham, England, January 9, 1829, a daughter of John and Alice" (Huntington) 
Measley. The former, who was a rope and twine spinner by trade, was born near Chesterfield, and 
there his death occurred. His wife, who was a native of the same locality, came to California and 
passed her last days at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Deakin, on Upper Kings river. 

Mrs. William Deakin was reared in Rotherham, educated in the public schools and became 
acquainted with Mr. Deakin there. They embarked on the same vessel for the United States 
in 1849 ar, d were married on the high seas in May of that year. They came to New Orleans, 
thence to St. Louis. To them was born one child, Eliza, the widow of Peter William Fink, 
of Kings river. Mrs. Fink has five daughters and one son living, viz. : Alice N., Mrs. Felix 
Hill, who has four children living; Juliann Marsh, who has five children living; Rose May 
Geason, who has one child ; Augusta E. Street, who also has five living children; Mary Mitchell, 
who has one son ; and Peter Elliott Fink, at home on the ranch with his mother. 

Mrs. Deakin is a Presbyterian in religious belief. Since the death of her husband she has 
looked after her property interests and disposed of both ranches. She spends her summers in 
San Francisco and the winter months in Fresno, at her home which she purchased at No. 528 O 
street. Like her husband, Mrs. Deakin has ever extended a helping hand to those less fortunate 
than herself and of all enterprises that she deems worthy is a liberal supporter. The position held 
by Mr. and Mrs. Deakin has been attained by their own efforts, good management and an ap- 
preciation of the rights of others. In the annals of the state where their success has been 
made, a monument is erected in the history of the San Joaquin valley that has claimed them as 
citizens for over fifty years.