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


JAMES C. FLY is a gentleman whom it is a real pleasure to meet. Hale and hearty he is considered 
one of the most popular residents of Tulare county, where he has lived for so many years. Now 
that he has reached old age he is able to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of a well 
earned competency. 

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Fly was born March 15, 1837, near the city of Nashville, a son of 
John and Betsey (Turner) Fly. John Fly was also a native of Tennessee, where he lived until 1840, 
when he removed to Barry county. Mo., where he engaged in farming for several years. Later in 
life he 'took up his residence near Ft. Scott, Kan., where he continued to follow fanning and 
stock-raising until 1890, when he followed his son to California, locating in Tulare county. Here he 
finally died at the age of sixty years. His marriage resulted in the birth of nine children, seven of 
whom are still living. 

James C. Fly accompanied his parents on their removal from Tennessee to Missouri, spending 
his boyhood on the farm. In those days the farmer youth had little opportunity of attending 
school, a few terms in the district school being the limit of educational advantages. Going 
to Kansas with his father, he remained there one year, when he returned to Barry county, 
Mo., and engaged in farming and stock-raising on the Missouri river. 

Hearing such flattering reports of California, Mr. Fly determined to come west and in 1865 
he started on the long journey. Ox-teams and wagons were the only transportation facilities 
that Mr. Fly could command, hut in those days the young men thought little of such a trip, and 
v.ith a cheerfulness now hard to imagine, he and his outfit started for the Golden West. On 
reaching Prescott, Ariz., he remained there for one year, engaging in placer mining until the 
water gave out. when he again started for California. This time no stops were made, and 
after many weeks of tiresome traveling Mr. Fly reached Tulare county, and here he has since 
made his home. 

Soon after his arrival Mr. Fly purchased eighty acres of land two miles from Farmersville. This 
he at once began to improve, securing water from the People's ditch for irrigation purposes, 
with which he was able to produce splendid crops of grain and alfalfa. During all these years 
this land has remained in his possession, and each year he has raised from one to three crops, 
never having a failure. In addition to this, his first purchase, he homesteaded another eighty 
acres on section 2, which he has improved and placed under a high state of cultivation. Aside 
from general farming Mr. Fly has devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, owning one 
hundred and sixty acres in the foothills, near Dry Creek, which is used for grazing purposes. 

While still living in Barry county. Mo., Mr. Fly was united in marriage with Mary Palmer, who 
was born in Arkansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Fly have been born the following children : Melinda, 
who married Henry Adkisson and died in 1884; Ellen, the wife of Elliott Patten; John, who is a 
stockman living near Fresno : Martha, now Mrs. William Hester ; Rosa, now Mrs. R. H. Owens ; 
Ettie, now Mrs. C. Noel, and Vinton, the youngest, who lives near the old home and assists his 
father in the work of the farm. 

Politically Mr. Fly is a Democrat on national issues, but in local matters he believes in voting 
for the man best qualified for the office. Aside from serving as school trustee he has never 
taken an active part in public matters, deeming it best to devote his time to his own business. 
For years he has been one of the leading members of the Exeter Methodist Church, and has 
always done his part in the upbuilding of Christianity. He has lived here many years and is 
well known throughout the county. He is one of the upbuilders of California, and while he 
has never, in any degree, been a public man, he has done his part as a citizen.