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


WILLIAM L. SELLERS. A typical representative of the self-made men of today, W. L. Sellers 
came to California without means, and by the exercise of his resolute will and persevering 
industry has established a prosperous dairy business and gained a substantial position among 
the successful agriculturists of Tulare. His enterprise, thrift and straightforward dealings with 
all have won for him the respect of the community in which he resides. A native of Iowa, he 
was born, October 6, 1856, in Keosauqua, Van Buren county, a son of Franklin S. Sellers. 

Born and reared in Pittsburg, Pa., Franklin S. Sellers was well endowed with mechanical 
genius, and when a young man learned the trade of a blacksmith. He settled in business first in 
Muncie, Ind., from there removing to Keosauqua, Iowa, where he followed his trade a few years. 
During the Civil war he served in a Kansas regiment, and took part in Price's raid. He after- 
ward took up land in Wilson county, Kans., becoming owner of three hundred and "twenty acres, 
from which he improved a farm. He spent his last years, however, in Ford county, dying in 
Dodge City. He married Lydia Bentley, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Joseph Bentley, 
and died in Kansas. Five children were born of their union, William L. being the second child. 

Brought up in Wilson county, Kans., William L. Sellers received a limited education in the 
pioneer district schools, and as a boy and youth assisted his father in clearing a farm from the 
raw prairie. After his marriage Mr. Sellers engaged in farming and stock-raising in his native 
state, remaining there until 1887. Going then to Las Animas county, Colo., he bought government 
land, and there continued as a farmer and stockraiser for three years. The land being too dry, 
with no irrigating advantages, Mr. Sellers returned to Kansas in 1890, and for two years 
was engaged in farming in Wilson county. Not satisfied with the result of his labors, he came 
to California in 1892 in search of a more favorable opportunity for increasing his finances. Be- 
ginning again at the very bottom of the ladder, he worked out as a farm hand for about three 
years, and by means of economy and prudent thrift saved some money. In 1895 Mr. Sellers 
purchased twenty acres of land, lying one and one-half miles southeast of Tulare, and started in 
the dairy business on his own account. In this occupation he labored hard, for the first six years 
doing all of the work himself, milking the cows, and delivering the milk, making two trips each 
day. Meeting with well-deserved success in his operations, Mr. Sellers enlarged his business as 
his patronage demanded. January 1, 1904, he bought his present ranch of forty acres, lying 
within the city limits, and now retails all of his milk in the city, running the Tulare Dairy. 
His home ranch is all under irrigation, and is devoted to alfalfa. He also rents three hundred 
and twenty acres of land near Tulare, and part of this he has sowed to alfalfa, while on the 
remainder he pastures his large herd of cattle. He keeps a fine lot of choice cows for his dairy, 
and in the raising of stock is carrying on a good business also. 

In Wilson county, Kans., October 31, 1879, Mr. Sellers married Mary E. Sears, who was born 
near Joplin, Mo., and they have two children, Effie J. and Mattie B. Politically Mr. Sellers is a 
Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the 
Woodmen of the World.