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


EDWIN L. VAN VALER. From the age of six years, when he accompanied his mother to 
California, until death terminated the business activities that had marked his career, Mr. Van 
Valer was a resident of Visalia and maintained the deepest interest in all movements tending to 
develop the resources of this city and the adjacent country. Of eastern birth and parentage, 
born in New York City September 8, 1849, he remembered the long journey in 1855, when he 
accompanied his mother, Mrs. Matilda Van Valer, to the Pacific coast, joining his brothers who 
had preceded them to Visalia. Upon the death of his mother in 1866 he was taken into the 
home of G. A. Botsford and about the same time began an apprenticeship to the tinner's trade, 
serving under Charles Strong. Proficiency in the trade led him to supplement the occupation 
with kindred lines of work, and for some years he not only manufactured tinware and engaged 
in repair work, but also made a specialty of the manufacture of metal tanks. Later he gradually 
drifted into the business of well boring, in which he acquired such a reputation that his services 
in that capacity were in frequent demand, and many of the wells in this part of the country 
were bored under his personal supervision. That occupation continued to be his special line of 
work until his death, which occurred in Visalia May 30, 1894. The passing away of a man so long 
identified with the history of the city and one whose character had ever been above reproach 
was mourned as a public loss. Masonic honors were accorded him in burial, a tribute from his 
fellow-workers in the Visalia Blue Lodge. Through all of his life he was a pronounced 
Republican, voting the straight ticket. 

The lady who for years was the faithful helpmate of Mr. Van Valer and who now survives him 
was Sarah C. Ridgway, a native of Mariposa county and a daughter of Jarrett M. and Ann 
Mitchell (Barnard) Ridgway, born respectively in Texas and Virginia. Her father, whose birth 
occurred in the year 1808, came to California at the time of the discovery of gold in 1849, when, 
after crossing the plains, he became a miner in Mariposa county, where he successfully opened 
and operated the Princeton mine. Previous to acquiring extensive mining interests he had 
carried on a butcher shop and also engaged in the bakery business, but these he sold upon 
engaging in the work of a miner. His death occurred March 9, 1866, long before the demise of 
his wife, who survived until 1903. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Van Valer was blessed with two 
sons, namely: Claude O., a traveling engineer for the Standard Oil Company, and Clarence, who 
represents the same company on the coast. Mrs. Van Valer continues to make her home in 
Visalia, where she has residence property.