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


EDGAR GRAHAM HOPE. Of pioneer ancestry, and a resident of California since his 
boyhood, Edgar Graham Hope has witnessed wonderful transformations in the face of the 
country, and has ably assisted in the development and promotion of its industrial progress. 
His finely improved ranch, a part of which he inherited from his parents, lies about ten miles 
south of the city of Madera, and is one of the most attractive and productive in the vicinity. 
A skillful, thrifty and enterprising farmer, he holds a position of prominence among the lead- 
ing agriculturists of this section of the state, and is a worthy representative of all that constitutes 
an exemplary citizen. A son of the late Aquilla M. Hope, he was born January 29, 1841, in Ken- 
tucky, but was reared in Missouri and California. 

Born in Baltimore, Md., Aquilla M. Hope learned the trade of millwright, which he subse- 
quently followed in conjunction with farming in Kentucky for fifteen years. Removing with 
his family to Scotland county. Mo., in 1844. he was there actively engaged in many industries, 
working as millwright, farmer and stock-raiser, and as tanner. In 1852 he came across the 
plains with his family, in an ox-team train, and located in Santa Clara county, where he had the 
distinction of grinding the first sack of flour made in the Santa Clara Mills. Removing to 
Contra Costa county in 1853, he remained there two years, being employed in milling and stock 
raising. The following year he spent in Amador county, and then removed to Westpoint, Cala- 
veras county, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits from 1856 until 1873. 
Coming then to what was at that time Fresno county with his family, he bought a ranch of one 
thousand two hundred and fifty acres of land, which is now included within the limits of Ma- 
dera county, and here followed his free and independent occupation until his death, at the age 
of seventy-six years. He made a specialty of wheat raising, although for six years he was a 
sheep raiser and dealer, carrying on an extensive business in that line. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Sarah Graham, was born in Virginia, the granddaughter of a Revolutionary 
soldier. She died at the homestead, in Madera county, at the age of seventy-nine years, and 
her body was laid beside that of her husband in the family burying-gound. on the home ranch. 
She bore her husband ten children, and of these two sons are California farmers, namely : S. D., 
of Merced, who owns a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres in Madera county ; and Edgar 
G., the subject of this sketch. 

Bred and receiving his early education in Scotland county. Mo., Edgar Graham Hope came 
with his parents to California in 1852, and subsequently lived with them in different places un- 
til coming to Madera county in 1873. Subsequently learning the trade of blacksmith, he fol- 
lowed it for twelve years, having a blacksmith shop in Madera. Inheriting from his parents 
one hundred and sixty acres of the old home place, he is now engaged in farming pursuits. 
and is meeting with great success. He carries on a ranch of one thousand acres, raising large 
quantities of wheat, for which his land is especially adapted, averaging about seven hun- 
dred pounds to the acre. 

Mr. Hope married Elizabeth Edwards, and they are the parents of seven children, namely : 
George, a merchant in Madera ; Frank E., a prosperous farmer, his ranch adjoining that of 
his father; Marion, a barber in Madera: Edith, wife of S. Crowder; Versa, wife of D. Steven- 
son, of Oakland ; Laura, and Thomas. Politically Mr. Hope is a sound Democrat, but has 
never been an aspirant for official honors.