California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

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


 MANUEL GONZALES, Jr. Among the younger generation of men who are successfully following 
agricultural pursuits in Merced county, and who are doing their part in a practical and intelligent 
way to make this county famous for its fine farms and excellent products, due mention should 
be made of Manuel Gonzales, Jr., who takes an active interest in all matters that are calculated 
to advance the interests of the community in which he lives. Residing on a seventeen and one-
half acre ranch in the Atwater colony, devoted to the cultivation, of sweet potatoes, it may he 
said of him that he understands perfectly how to make a success of this product, having raised 
as high as two hundred bushels to the acre. This is considered an enormous yield and is brought 
about not only by the exceptional fertility of his land, but also by his excellent methods of 
planting and caring for his crop. 

In Mariposa county, Cal., May 25, 1875, Mr. Gonzales was born, one o<f three sons born to 
Manuel, Sr., and Mary (Silva) Gonzales. His father, a native of the Island of Pico, Portugal, was a 
sailor. In the early '60s he landed at San Francisco and soon afterward he located in Mariposa 
county. There he followed mining, but subsequently engaged in sheep-raising. When thirty 
years old his marriage took place in the above named county, which continued to be his home 
until 1894. He then removed to Merced county and purchased land in the Buhach colony, and in 
this locality he still owns twenty-eight acres, being now sixty years old. His youngest son, 
Anthony, assists in caring for this place, and his two eldest sons, Joseph and Manuel, each have 
seventeen and one-half acres in the Atwater colony. 

Reared and educated in Mariposa county, Manuel Gonzales, Jr., when of sufficient age, 
engaged in sheep-raising, with his father, and at one time they owned five thousand sheep. 
Upon the removal of the father to Merced county the sons all accompanied him and about two 
years ago Manuel removed to the farm where he now lives and engaged in raising sweet 
potatoes, as previously mentioned. Pie wedded Miss Mary Armas, who was born in Mariposa 
county, and they have one son, Thomas. In politics Mr. Gonzales affiliates with the Republican 
party, and as a citizen he is one of the highly esteemed young farmers in the Atwater colony.