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


 JOHN JAY VANDERBURGH. As editor, publisher and proprietor of the Selma Irrigator, John Jay 
Vanderburgh is widely and favorably known, and is carrying on a successful business. Under his 
judicious management, the paper exerts a healthful influence throughout the community, 
encouraging the establishment of beneficial enterprises, and promoting as far as possible its 
industrial, financial, educational and moral progress. A son of the late Isaac K. Vanderburgh, he 
was born April 13, 1866, in Waterloo, Blackhawk county, Iowa. 

A native of Canada, Isaac K. Vanderburgh was born in Norwich, Oxford county, on the parental 
farm. After his marriage he settled in the United States, and as a member of a government 
party helped survey the state of Iowa. He made his residence in Blackhawk and adjoining 
counties, where he resided nearly twenty years. Coming to California with his family in 1875, he 
continued in his chosen occupation, living near Firebaugh, Fresno county, four years, and in 
Santa Cruz county two years. Returning to Fresno county in 1881, he bought forty acres of land 
lying live miles north of Selma, it being a railway claim, and was there engaged in ranching until 
his death in 1890. He. Was a very successful business man, and an active member of the 
Republican party. He married Pluma Gaines, who was born March 16, 1834, in Barre, Oswego 
county, N. Y. She is a woman of considerable business ability, and since the death of her 
husband has been very successful in the management of the home ranch, among other 
improvements which she has added to the place being the setting out of a peach orchard. She 
bore her husband six children, all of whom are living, namely : B. D., owner of a stock and dairy 
ranch near Hanford, Cal. ; C. M., living near the home ranch ; Annie, wife of S. Bondsen, a dairy 
farmer and stock-raiser, in Tulare county ; Mrs. P. H. McDowell, living with her mother ; Mrs. C. 
C. Cavin, wife of a prosperous farmer of Madera ; and John Jay, the subject of this sketch. 

Obtaining his elementary education in the common schools of California, and afterward 
attending the Selma high school two years, John Jay Vanderburgh began his active career as a 
teacher, and for four years taught school in Fresno county. Engaging in journalistic work in 1S93, 
he bought one-half interest in the Selma Irrigator, and four years later purchased the remaining 
interest of the paper, of which he has since been editor, business manager and sole proprietor. 
This paper was established in 1886 as a weekly, being a pioneer in its line, and has now a weekly 
circulation of six hundred. In addition to publishing the Irrigator, Mr. Vanderburgh also does job 
printing, carrying on a remunerative business. He is a Democrat in politics and for two years, 
from 1900 until 1902, served as chairman of the board of city trustees. 

Near Selma, in 1889, Mr. Vanderburgh married M. Isabelle Bowen, a native of Missouri, and 
they have two children living, Zoe and Isabelle. Fraternally Mr. Vanderburgh is a member of 
Fresno Lodge, B. P. O. E. ; of Selma Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; of Selma Encampment ; and of the 
Rebekahs.