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


 JAMES JOHN REYBURN. Owing to the death of his father, J. J. Reyburn obtained but a limited 
education, having had to make his own way in the world from an early age. A native of Ohio, he was 
born in Miami county, August 14, 1836, a son of John Stewart Reyburn, who was born in the state of 
Kentucky. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. On reaching maturity J. S. Reyburn 
removed to Miami county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of a cabinet maker until 1839, when he 
migrated to Burlington, Iowa. Later in life he purchased a farm near that city, on which he was living at 
the time of his death, May 31, 1840. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Davidson. She was born 
in Virginia and died in Iowa, September 30, 1860. Of her union with Mr. Reyburn four children were 
born, two of whom are living, a son Joseph, and James John, of this review. The former crossed the 
plains to Oregon in 1862 and later located in Stanislaus county, this state. Subsequently he lived for a 
time in Fresno county, but later removed to the Jefferson district, where he is now living. 

lames J. Reyburn was the third child of the family of four children and was but a boy when his father 
died. This made it necessary for him to strike out for himself at an early age. His first employment was 
on a farm five miles west of Burlington, Iowa. Later he entered a flour mill and subsequently 
purchased an interest in the Franklin Mill at Des Moines, Iowa, where he continued in business until 
1866, when he sold out and went to Missouri. Locating in Scotland county he engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising until 1873, when he disposed of all his interests in the east and came to 
California. First going to Stanislaus county, he became interested in raising wheat near Salida, 
remaining there until 1875, when he moved to the Big Dry Creek district in Fresno county. Here he pre-
empted and homesteaded a tract of land, later adding by purchase until he owned six hundred and 
forty acres, all in one body on Big Dry Creek, fourteen miles northeast of Fresno, at a place called Red 
Bank. He continued living on this place until the spring of 1890, devoting his attention to the raising of 
wheat, at times having many acres of rented land under cultivation. In the last year mentioned he 
purchased eighty acres of land ten miles northeast of Fresno, set out a vineyard and orchard, both of 
which are now in fine bearing, of which he retains forty acres. While living on this ranch he engaged in 
raising fancy chickens, and at the poultry exhibitions secured many prizes for his fine birds. In 1903 he 
disposed of his six hundred and forty acre ranch on Big Dry Creek and located in Fresno, where he is 
now living a retired life, although he still looks after his various interests. 

In Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Mr. Reyburn married Mary McDonald, and to them have been born five 
children, namely: John S., deceased; Chester H., William D., Clarence J., and Nancy, the wife of M. M. 
Shaver. Mr. Reyburn has at all times taken an active interest in county affairs, and while living on his 
ranch acted as school trustee for several years. In politics a Republican, lie is deeply interested in the 
welfare of the party. He has seen many changes in the San Joaquin valley since first coming here, and 
in the onward march of civilization he has performed his part.