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


WILLIAM M. MARLOW. Among the progressive farmers and fruit-growers who have 
made a splendid record for successful work in agricultural lines and who are an honor alike 
to their county and their country as representatives of the best class of citizens, we may ap- 
propriately mention William M. Marlow, who for the past nineteen years has been a resident 
of Hanford district, Kings county, and one of her most successful fruit-growers. Although 
justly considered a pioneer of California, where he located as early as 1859, il was not until 
1885 that he came to Kings county, having devoted the early part of his residence in this state 
to mining pursuits. In 1885 he purchased ten acres of land at Grangeville, Kings county, .all 
planted to fruit, and until 1902 he devoted his energies to fruit culture, easily ranking among 
the most successful fruit-growers in his locality. Upon selling his place in that year, he removed 
to his present location in the Hanford district, purchasing thirty-five acres of alfalfa land. Al- 
though practically retired on account of poor health, Mr. Marlow is still able to oversee the 
work done on his place. 

In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Marlow, we find him to be a descendant of an old southern 
family. His father, McKinsey Marlow, was born in Virginia and spent his entire life within 
the borders of that state in agricultural pursuits, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. 

It was in Pittsylvania county, Va., that William M. Marlow was born April 14, 1832, spending 
his boyhood days on his father's ranch, and receiving his education in the subscription 
schools. At the age of twenty-three he took up the occupation of his father in his native lo- 
cality, where until 1859 he followed farming. In that year he left home and went to Missouri, 
but a few months later joined a party en route to California and arriving in this state engaged 
in mining pursuits in Gibsonville, Sierra county, where for a period of ten years he was fairly 
successful. 

Returning to Missouri with the means which he had accumulated, Mr. Marlow, with a part- 
ner, built and conducted a distillery for about a year. The venture proved an unprofitable one, 
for, besides losing the distillery, Mr. Marlow lost nearly all the money he had invested in the busi- 
ness. Again turning his attention to farm pursuits, he gave his entire time to this calling for 
fifteen years, and once more success crowned his efforts and he retrieved his lost fortune. 
Selling out about 1885, he came to California, as previously mentioned, and the farm which is 
his home to-day is worth perhaps $300 per acre and adjoins the city limits. By his marriage in 
Missouri Mr. Marlow was united with Polly Ann Gaer, who was born in Iowa, and they have 
one son, Claude. In his political inclinations Mr. Marlow has ever been a stanch Republican, 
but he has never possessed any political aspirations. Fraternally he is a valued member of 
Lemoore Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M., and as a citizen he is highly esteemed in his community.