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 JOHN BUCHANAN MONROE. While Mr. Monroe was born in Missouri in 1853, prac- tically his entire life has been spent in California, whither he was brought by his parents in infancy. Residing here for so many years he has been actively associated with many of the movements the result of which has made California one of the greatest states in the Union. Success has crowned his efforts, but while he has accumulated a comfortable competency, he has never neglected his duties as a citizen and when called upon he has always responded. He is a son of Wesley Monroe, who was a native of Illinois, but lived in Missouri for sev- eral years prior to crossing the plains. This memorable trip was made in 1856 with ox teams, six months being consumed in making the journey. He was accompanied by his wife and two children and on arriving here settlement was first made in Butte county, where, near Dog- town, he engaged in fanning and stock-raising. Subsequently the family removed to Sonoma county, near Petaluma, where Mr. Monroe followed farming, his ranch being located in Grass Valley. Meeting with excellent success in his operations he continued there until 1865, when he came to Tulare county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now occupied by his son, John B. Here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising until his death, which took place during a visit to Fresno at the age of fifty-two years. He married Eliza- beth Coundray, a native of Tennessee, who died in Madera at the age of sixty-three years. By her union with Mr. Monroe there were born ten children, five of whom are still living. John B. Monroe was the oldest child and at the age of three years was brought to California by his parents. His early life was spent on his father's farm, attending the district schools and assisting in the farm labors until reaching his majority, when he started out in life for him- self. Engaging in the stock business, he ranged his cattle in the foothills until 1884, when he pur- chased his father's farm. Since then he has added to his first purchase until he now owns five hundred and eighty acres, all in one body adjoining Woodville. Of this one hundred and fifty acres are devoted to alfalfa, while the balance is used for grazing and general farming purposes. Water for irrigation purposes is secured from the Pioneer ditch, of which Mr. Mon- roe is the president. For a number of years he has been the only user and occupant of the Wood- ville ditch and in addition he has a private ditch on his farm which enables him to irrigate every acre of his land. Ever since starting out in life for himself he has been actively engaged in the stock business and for the last ten years he has been interested in the sheep business, now own- ing between two and three thousand head. In Visalia Mr. Monroe was united in marriage with Margaret Vincent, who was born in On- tario, Canada, a daughter of Hugh Vincent (see sketch of S. J. Vincent). As a result of this union the following children have been born : Luella Brooks, Mary Elizabeth, Charles C, John Almond, Hugh Wesley, Samuel Adolph, Norvell Vern and Verna Viola. In politics Mr. Monroe is a Republican. Aside from his service as clerk of the board of school trustees he has never cared to take an active part in public matters, preferring rather to devote his entire time to his own business interests. The results show that this policy has paid him well, for today he is considered one of the substantial farmers in this section of Tulare county. He can write the word "success" in a bold hand on the pages of his history and this success has been attained by the result of his perseverance and determination to succeed.