ROBERT L. CONNER

ROBERT L. CONNER. -- An enterprising rancher whose progressive ideas and industrious habits lead him to employ only the most scientific, up-to-date methods and the latest, most approved and modern apparatus, is Robert L. Conner, resident some five miles north of Clay Station. He was born in Sacramento County, on the Conner Ranch, on the Cosumnes River and near Cosumnes, November 9, 1864, the son of George D. and Sarah Jane (Welsh) Conner, the former, a pioneer who had crossed the great plains twice. He came for the first time in 1849, and just ten years later he made the second trip. He was a trader and merchant, and had a grocery store. He acquired an estate of about 4,000 acres having a frontage of three and one-half miles on the Cosumnes River; and on this ranch he reared a family of eight children: Alma, now Mrs. L.F. Ward, of Oakland; George, deceased; William; Robert, the subject of this review; Sallie, deceased; Eugene, who lives in Tehama County; Alfred, deceased; and Pauline, who has become Mrs. Vernon Handley, of Modesto.

Robert L. Conner attended the Lee district school, and later was a student at the state normal school, at San Jose. After that, he remained with his father until he married, at Sacramento on January 15, 1890, Miss Mollie Emeline McClendon, who was born near Stockton, the daughter of W. D. and Frances (Williams) McClendon. Then he went into Fresno County and purchased a ranch of eighty acres three and one-half miles west of Sanger, which he improved by setting out fruit-trees and vines. After a while, he traded the Sanger ranch for Sacramento land and still later, he purchased in Sacramento County 350 miles north of Clay Station; and there he conducts a dairy ranch and raises bronze turkeys. He usually has about seventy-five head of cattle and quite a good flock of turkeys. He himself built all structures forming part of the improvements on the 350-acre ranch. He is a trustee of the Lee District school, and in national politics is a Republican.

Two children have blessed the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Conner. LeRoy R. is married, and has four children, Robert Thompson, Donald, Virginia and Lowell; and he is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Florence Naomi McClendon Conner is a graduate of the Sacramento high school and a member of the class of 1917, University of California.

Transcribed by Vicky Walker, 2/6/07.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 366-367. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.