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


WILLIAM HAZELTON. A pioneer and one of the most extensive stockmen on the Upper Kings river, 
William Hazelton holds a high place among the representative citizens of this section of Fresno county. 
A native of Albany county, N. Y., he was born September 7, 1825, a son of Joseph Hazelton, of New 
Jersey, who located in New York state, where he engaged as a blacksmith until his death. His wife, 
formerly Sophia Cleveland, was born in New York state, where she also died. They were the parents 
of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased except the youngest, William Hazelton. 
He received his education in the common schools of his native locality, where in young manhood he 
engaged as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1845 he went to New York City and enlisted in the 
United States Second Dragoons, and was later stationed in Florida and the vicinity of the Choctaw 
nation. Being discharged from the service about the time of the Mexican war, he went to Mexico as a 
teamster in the commissary department, where he remained throughout the war. Returning to New 
York in 1848, he followed this with a trip across the plains to California, coming by way of Texas and 
spending the winter of 1849 in San Diego, Cal. He located in the northern mines, where he met with 
moderate success, remaining until 1853, when he came to his present place on the Upper Kings river, 
taking up a quarter section of land, where he has since engaged in stock-raising. He has continued to 
add to his property by purchase until he now owns over seven thousand acres, on which he has a herd 
of seven hundred cattle. 

In this locality, in 1857, Mr. Hazelton was united in marriage with Alary Jane Akers, a native of Sabine 
county, Tex., and the daughter of Henry Akers, who was born in Illinois. He located first in Missouri, 
later in Texas, and in 1852 came to California and located near the home of Mr. Hazelton, where he 
engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death. His wife, formerly Delilah Miller, was born in 
Illinois and died in California. To Mr. Hazelton and his wife were born the following children : Clara E., 
the wife of F. R. Lindsey, of Sanger, Cal. ; Wesley B., of Sanger; Henry, a stockman; Laura D., at home ; 
Sophia, the wife of George D. Fisk, of Yolo county, Cal. ; Catherine, deceased ; John, deceased ; Alice 
C, the wife of R. M. Kimball, of Napa county, Cal. ; and Edward, deceased. Politically Air. Hazelton is a 
stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party. Although eighty 
years old he is still hale and hearty and takes a keen and active interest in all his affairs and shows still 
the superior judgment and business ability which have made his success.