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


ALFRED EDWIN PRUNER. A native of Lodi, Washington county, Ya., Alfred Edwin 
Pruner was born October 30, 1852. His father, James M., was also a native of Virginia, where 
he engaged in farming and also worked at the wagon maker's trade. He took an active part in 
county affairs, and at the time of his death was the treasurer of Smith county, Va. James M. 
Pruner married Fanny Sever, a native of Wythe county, Va. She is still living and makes her 
home in her native state. By this marriage eight children were born. Two of the sons served in 
a Virginia regiment during the Civil war. 

Alfred Edwin Pruner was brought up on his father's farm and remained at home until reach- 
ing his nineteenth year. Leaving home he went to Wytheville, where he served an apprentice- 
ship at the cabinet maker's trade. After three years he removed to Jefferson, N. C, where he 
continued working at his trade. At the expiration of his stay in Jefferson he took up his resi- 
dence in Washington county, where he lived seven years, working at his trade all the time. 
Hearing much of the splendid opportunities offered the ambitious in California, he came to 
the coast in 1901 and located in Exeter, where he secured employment as a carpenter. The 
same summer of his arrival he purchased sixty acres of land adjoining Exeter on the northeast. 
At the time of purchase the land was a wheat field, but with characteristic energy Mr. Pruner 
at once began the improvement of his land, and now has one of the finest vineyards in this sec- 
tion of the county. In partnership with a friend he has installed a pumping plant which has a 
capacity of irrigating one hundred and forty acres of land, the water being secured from a 
well one hundred and twenty-eight feet deep. In addition to his vineyard, Mr. Pruner also 
owns land in Exeter, where he lives. 

In Washington county, Va., Mr. Pruner was united in marriage with Pattie Rosenbaum, who 
is a native of the same state. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pruner, namely : J. 
Ottie M., Charles D.. Pearle, Emma, Myrtle and Edwin, all of whom are living at home. 

Fraternally Mr. Pruner is a member of the Odd Fellows, having united with the order while 
still a resident of Virginia. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, but has never had the 
time to take an active part in public affairs. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and take a deep interest in religious work. 

Mr. Pruner has made his own way in the world since leaving home. He has made the most 
of his opportunities and is now in a position to enjoy the latter years of his life. Surrounded 
by all the comforts and many of the luxuries, he can look back upon the past and feel that he has 
no regrets. In his battle with life he has been fortunate in having the assistance of a most es- 
timable wife, who has never failed him. To her he owes much.