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


 JUDSON SETH PELTON. For nearly thirty years J. S. Pelton has been a resident of the state, and during 
that time he has witnessed the wonderful growth of this favored section, performing his share in the 
onward march. He is now living on a ranch near Selma, surrounded by all the comforts of life, made 
possible by years of industry. He has cause to feel proud of his life's work, as he started at the bottom 
of the ladder and without friends or special influence has climbed upward, until now he is named as 
one of the substantial men of Fresno county. 

A native of Ohio, Judson S. Pelton was born in Cuyahoga county, July 17, 1835. His father, Seth D. 
Pelton, was a native of Connecticut and served as a captain in the war of 1812. In 1880 he removed to 
Ohio where he lived until 1885, the year of his death. His wife, who was born in Connecticut, bore the 
maiden name of Mary Porter, and by her marriage became the mother of five boys and three girls. 

Judson S. Pelton was the sixth child. He remained at home, attending school when the work of the 
farm permitted, but in those pioneer days the youth was expected to assist in the making of a home, 
although many hours were devoted to study after the day's work was over. Mr. Pelton was an 
exception, as he was permitted to attend the academy at Norwalk and later engaged in teaching, but 
only followed that occupation one winter. In 1858 he removed to Iowa, and at Mount Pleasant engaged 
in the general merchandise business. Subsequently he sold out and for a time followed farming. In 1866 
he migrated to the state of Kansas and in Topeka re-engaged in the mercantile business, also 
conducted a small farm near the town. There he made his home until 1875, when he disposed of both 
the farm and store and came to California. His first business venture here was in San Francisco, where 
he engaged in the buying and selling of real estate. Later he sold out and purchased a ranch in Solano 
county, near Cordelia, which he conducted but a short time when he again located in San Francisco, and 
engaged in the livery business until locating in the San Joaquin valley, when he purchased the place that 
has since been his home. This ranch of sixty acres is two miles south of Selma on the McCall road. 
Twenty acres are devoted to a vineyard, the same amount to fruit, and the balance is used for growing 
alfalfa. He also has a small dairy. 

In Iowa Mr. Pelton married Miss Margaret Baley, and to this union have been born eight children, 
namely : Berdie, deceased ; Maud M., now Mrs. Rev. N. L. Rowell, of Los Angeles ; Harriett S., wife of T. 
D. Black, of Oakland; Margaret B., now Mrs. Bradford Webster, of Oakland; Dr. Harrison S., who went to 
Alaska in 1898, and was frozen to death near Nome while attempting the rescue of some comrades ; 
William, also deceased ; Paul F., who is mining in Alaska; Mabel M., wife of Dr. C. A. Cameron, of 
Redlands. All his life a Republican, Mr. Pelton is very active and one of the leaders in this section of the 
county, but he has never cared for office, preferring to devote his energies to the management of his 
own business. Both he and Mrs. Pelton are members of the Baptist Church of Oakland. Mr. Pelton's 
early life was surrounded by many disadvantages, but in spite of the environments at that time he has 
made a success. In the different parts of the state where he has lived, and where he is well known, he 
has many friends among whom his word is considered as good as his bond.