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


SALMON H. LOOMIS. The present postmaster of Kingsburg is not only a veteran of the Civil 
war, but is one of California's pioneer citizens. His life has been an active one, and during the 
many years of his residence in the state he has done much to assist in the upbuilding and 
developing work that has placed California in the front ranks of the states in this grand Union of 
ours. Born in Ohio, September 13, 1838, Mr. Loomis is a son of Almyron and Roxanna (Moore) 
Loomis. The father, a native of Ohio, removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming on 
what is known as Ball Prairie. Remaining there until 1849, he then went to Peoria, Ill., where he 
secured a position as traveling salesman for the Sanders' Separator, and continued with that 
company for some time. He finally removed to LaSalle, in the same state, and there engaged in 
the trunk manufacturing business, in which he was interested up to the time of his death. As a 
result of his marriage with Roxanna Moore he became the father of nine children, seven sons 
and two daughters. 

Salmon H. Loomis was the sixth child and at an early age was apprenticed to learn the marble-
cutter's trade in Peoria. He remained in that city until 1859, the year of his arrival in California. 
Locating in Georgetown, he followed mining there until 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 
Fourth California Volunteer Infantry. At first his company was stationed at Auburn, but later 
was transferred to Camp Union in Sacramento, being in that city during the memorable flood. 
Subsequently he went to San Pedro, Camp Latham, Fort Yuma, La Paz, then back to Fort Yuma 
and San Pedro, where he was honorably discharged in 1864. Going to San Francisco, he 
reenlisted in Company E, Eighth California Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed on Alcatraz 
Island until 1865, when he left the service. Returning to Georgetown, he soon after moved to 
Truckee, locating there in the spring of 1868. While living in this place he conducted a drug 
store, but finally sold out and secured a position as brakeman on the Union Pacific railroad. In 
1869, while making a coupling, he was quite seriously injured and was sent to the railway 
hospital at' Sacramento. On regaining his health he again returned to Georgetown and followed 
mining, also being interested in the nursery business. From Georgetown he moved to 
Marysville, securing employment on a ranch near there, where he remained until 1870, when 
he joined his uncle in Tehama county and followed farming for several years, or until January, 
1875, the year of his arrival in Kingsburg. Here for a time he was engaged in the hotel business, 
but finally sold out and purchased a barber shop, which he conducted until 1901, when he 
disposed of it, his son taking charge. During these years he carried on quite an extensive 
business and also followed papering and painting. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster, which 
office he is still filling, it being but a just reward for the many years he spent as a soldier in the 
regular army. 

In 1870 the marriage ceremony of Mr. Loomis and Miss Mary L. Hoover was celebrated in 
Marysville, and as a result of this union four children have been born, namely : Acie B., the 
assistant postmaster here ; Calfernie D., now Mrs. A. Stukey, of Arizona ; Almyron C, who 
conducts a barber shop in Kingsburg ; and Bessie H., now Mrs. R. D. Adames, of Fresno. 
Fraternally Mr. Loomis is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being associated with the lodge in 
Fowler, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. A Republican in politics, he is 
actively interested in the welfare of his party.