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


THOMAS IDLE. The life which this narrative sketches began in Lincolnshire, England, January 26, 
1854, where Thomas Idle was born, son of Thomas Idle, Sr., a native of the same locality, and 
his wife, who was formerly Elizabeth Carnal. His father being a farmer Thomas Idle, Jr., was 
reared to the practical duties incident to an agricultural life, remaining at home until attaining 
the age of twenty years. He then, in 1874. immigrated to the western world, seeking the greater 
opportunities of America. Coming direct to California he located on the Sacramento river where 
he found employment in the work to which he had early been trained, continuing in this 
occupation for ten years. In 1877 he returned to England on a visit and on coming back to California 
he located in Davisville, Yolo county, where he remained for some time. In 1886 he came to Fresno 
county, purchasing a property of twenty acres, located two and a half miles southeast of the city of 
Fresno. Since that time he has doubled the number of acres, has made many improvements, and 
has brought his property under a fine state of cultivation. He now devotes thirty-two acres to the 
cultivation of raisin grapes, while he has seven acres of fruit trees, among which are one hundred 
and ten fig trees. Mr. Idle was an active member of the Raisin Growers' Association during its existence. 
Politically he is an adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party.