Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSEPH WILLIAM ANGRAVE
For more than a quarter of a century
agricultural enterprises in Sacramento county have engaged the intelligent
attention of Joseph William Angrave, who is regarded
as one of the most experienced farmers and capable stock raisers in the
vicinity of Galt. A lifelong identification with this county proved helpful to
him when he started out to earn his own way in the world. While during the
early years of his business activity he had different interests successively in
town and country, eventually he settled upon his present place and here he has
been content to remain, receiving from his resourceful industries a goodly
income each year. The tilling of the soil, conducted skillfully and wisely, has
been a leading element in his prosperity, but he has also found the stock
industry profitable and through specializing in cattle he has established a
wide reputation for skill and success.
The earliest recollections of Joseph
William Angrave cluster around a house that stood on
the corner of Tenth and J Streets in the city of Sacramento. There his birth occurred June 21, 1861. His parents, Joseph and Jane (Davis) Angrave, were natives of Lancashire, England, the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1829. Married
in their native shire during the year 1856, they came to the United States three years later and after landing in New York City proceeded direct to California, settling in Sacramento. In the capital city he opened up a business on J street between Ninth and Tenth and there he continued in business
up to the time of his death in 1872. For many years afterward his widow
remained at the old home, where her closing days were made happy by the
friendship of a large circle of old acquaintances and by the affectionate
ministrations of her children. July 6, 1894,
she passed from her earthly home into the mysteries of eternity. Between the years of six and ten Joseph
William Angrave attended the public schools of Sacramento. Afterward he was a pupil in the Grant school district, five
miles from Galt, and at the age of sixteen he entered a business college at Sacramento, where he completed the regular commercial course. At the
expiration of a year in that institution he returned to the farm. Eventually he
began for himself in San Joaquin county and bought a ranch near
Elliott, where he ultimately owned twelve hundred acres. After ten years on a
farm there he rented it and returned to the vicinity of Galt and bought five
hundred acres of grain land. This he later sold. From 1880 to 1883 he was
proprietor of a livery barn, but in the year last-named he resumed agricultural
pursuits, to which he has since devoted his undivided attention. He still owns
two ranches near Galt, one of three hundred and sixty and the other two hundred
and fifty-two acres, devoted to dairying. Political affairs have never been
allowed to divert his mind from his chosen occupation, but he keeps
posted concerning national questions and gives his support to the
Republican party. In fraternal relations he holds membership
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. December 24, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Lorena Jeannette
Wooster, who was born in San
Francisco, the
daughter of John M. and Jeannette (Clough) Wooster, natives of New York state. They came to California in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Angrave
have three children, namely: Verna, William Wooster, and Joseph Marshall. The
eldest child is now a student in the high school, while the sons are pupils in
the grammar-schools and all are enjoying the advantages of careful preparation
for the activities of life.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 991-992. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.