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


 LUTHER M. SAY. From his earliest recollection Mr. Say has known no other home than California 
until he reached mature years. He was born in Venango county. Pa., December 3. 1873, being 
the fourth child born to James H. and Laura (Coates) Say. the former a native of Pennsylvania 
and the latter of Wisconsin. The father followed farming for a livelihood and in 1874 came to 
California with his family, locating for a time in Mendocino count)'. He subsequently settled in 
the vicinity of Parlier, in Fresno county, at an early day in the history of this county. His widow 
still lives on the old home place in this locality, a short distance from Luther M. 

The recipient of a good education, gleaned from the common schools of California and from the 
three years' attendance at the Selma high school, Mr. Say started out to make his way in the 
world more thoroughly equipped than the average young man, so far as education is 
concerned. Like his father, he followed farming for a time, but in 1895 he went to San Francisco, 
and for four or five months was engaged as gripman on the street cars in that city. In 1896 he 
secured employment on the police force, and for a period of about five years he was on duty 
between Fourth and Sixth streets and northward with the Chinatown squad. 

In 1900 he went to Alaska and for one year officiated as bookkeeper in the mines of his 
brother, W. H. Say. Returning home, he took possession of his place near Parlier, in 1901, having 
previously purchased the ranch in 1897. Mr. Say has one of the most productive farms in this 
part of Fresno county, owning eighty acres, thirty in vineyard, twenty-five in peach orchards, 
the balance in alfalfa. In 1903 he built a modern cottage which adds greatly to the appearance 
of the place, in addition to adding to the comfort of the family. By his marriage in San Francisco, 
he was united with Diantha L. Tremper, who was born in Lake county, Cal. Their home is made 
happy by the presence of one son, Harry. Politically Mr. Say is an unswerving Republican, and 
socially he is allied with the Woodmen of the World and the Widow and Orphans' Aid Society 
for Policemen, of San Francisco. Mr. Say is rapidly attaining a high place in the estimation of his 
neighbors, as a conscientious, energetic young man, whose dealings with everyone are both 
upright and honorable.