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. SMITH DUNGAN is probably one of the best posted men on oranges in the San Joaquin 
valley. He is a persistent student and spends all his leisure time reading books and papers 
relating to the industry. As superintendent of the Bonnie Brae ranch, he has an ample 
opportunity to demonstrate his ability. 

A son of Thomas N. Dungan (whose sketch will be found on another page of this work in 
connection with the sketch of Dr. J. F. Dungan, of Exeter), he was born in Washington county. 
Va., near Glade Spring, March 28, 1872, and is the second of six living children. His early 
life was spent on the home farm in Virginia where he worked and attended the public schools. 
Remaining at home until reaching the age of twenty-one, he then struck out for himself and 
in 1895 came to Exeter. He soon became interested in the citrus fruit industry and for a time 
was in the employ of the Ohio Lemon Company, doing the nursery work for that company until 
February, 1901. when he resigned his position to become associated with George T. Frost, who 
at that time was with the Merryman Fruit. Land and Lumber Company, having charge of the 
Bonnie Brae orange grove. Mr. Dungan was placed in charge of the orchard and continued 
in this position until Mr. Frost severed his connection with the Bonnie Brae. Mr. Dungan 
then took charge of the orange grove for the owners, the Merryman Fruit, Land and Lumber 
Company. 

This is an important position and one that carries a great deal of responsibility with it, but the 
company place implicit confidence in Mr. Dungan, and that this confidence is not abused is 
shown by the condition of the trees. In addition to the Bonnie Brae tract, Mr. Dungan also has 
charge of the Santa Regina tract of one hundred and seventy-five acres. Of this seventy acres 
are devoted to olives, forty-three to pears and five acres are in grapes. The balance is used 
for general farming purposes. To carry on this business requires the services of a large force 
of men, all of whom are under his direct supervision. Mr. Dungan owns a residence in Exeter 
and is also the owner of three acres of oranges, located in the town of Exeter, block 1. 

Mr. Dungan has taken an active interest in fraternal matters, being a member and past chan- 
cellor of the Knights of Pythias and also holds membership in the Uniformed Rank, K. P., of 
Exeter. 

Politically a Democrat, he has never had a desire to hold public office, preferring to devote 
his entire time to his business interests. Public-spirited, he is an active member of the Exeter 
board of trade and can be counted on to do his part in the work of progress.