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


ROBERT H. SRONCE is named among the representative citizens of Fresno. Cal. He was 
born in Newton, N. C, August 9, 1877, a son of William A. Sronce, of the same vicinity, 
and the descendant of an old Virginia family who had early removed to North Carolina. 
William A. Sronce was a carriage manufacturer in Newton, where he now resides, retired 
from the active cares of life. His wife, formerly Jane Cobb, a native of North Carolina, died 
early in life. Of a large family of children three attained maturity and are living, Robert H. 
Sronce being next to the oldest. 

Until he was eleven years old Robert H. Sronce remained in Newton, N. C, when he 
came to Riverdale, Fresno County, Cal., in company with an aunt. Mrs. Robert E. Sronce, her 
husband becoming a large farmer and stockraiser in that location. He made his home with 
his aunt until attaining maturity, attending the public and high schools of Fresno, graduating 
from the latter in 1894. He then entered the Fresno Business College, from which he was 
graduated in 1895, after which he entered the employ of the Philadelphia Shoe Store. He re- 
mained for a time in that connection, when he became a salesman in the employ of W. Parker 
Lyon, with whom he continued until 1900. In the last-named year he engaged in business for 
himself, forming a partnership known as Sronce & Dick. They handle wall paper, paints and 
picture frames, doing a wholesale and retail business at their store at No. 1157 I street, having 
a building 25x75 feet in dimensions, and occupying three floors. They also engage in contract 
painting and decorating, having twenty-two employes. 

In Fresno Mr. Sronce was united in marriage with Anna Fitzgerald, a native of Woodland, 
Yolo county, Cal., and the daughter of a pioneer of the state. Fraternally Mr. Sronce is a mem- 
ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Foresters of America, Fraternal Brother- 
hood and Woodmen of the World. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is active in all 
movements pertaining to the upbuilding of the city and county. Politically he is a stanch ad- 
herent of the principles of the Democratic party.