Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSEPH RADKE
JOSEPH RADKE.--Unqualified commendation is ever deserved by the man who, through his own efforts, rises from an impecunious position to one of comparative affluence. Such a one is Joseph Radke, a prominent orchardist of Fair Oaks, who has fought life’s battles unaided, and whose career is proof of the fact that merit and ability will always come to the front. A native of Germany, Mr. Radke was born on September 3, 1864, and his life from early boyhood has been one of unremitting industry. He was denied the educational privileges which most youths enjoy; but he had the desire to know more and to grow more and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, constantly adding to his store of knowledge, so that he is today an exceptionally well-informed man.
Like many of his fellow-countrymen, Mr. Radke sought the opportunities of the New World. For a time he was a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, whence he journeyed to California, settling in Sacramento County. He is an expert cabinet-maker and formerly followed that trade, also becoming connected with milling operations, but is now devoting his attention to horticultural pursuits. He is the owner of a valuable orchard ranch of thirty acres in Fair Oaks, and specializes in the growing of almonds, prunes, walnuts and persimmons, in which he has been very successful. He carries on his labors scientifically and keeps well-informed on all modern developments relating to his line of work. He has become well-known throughout California, owing to his having signed over to the State Exchange his rights in the Radke Almond Bleacher, which greatly facilitates the handling of large quantities of nuts in the bleaching process. For the past eleven years he has served as a director of the Almond Growers’ Association of Fair Oaks and Orangevale, and has been largely instrumental in promoting the success of this organization. He is also a director of Fair Oaks Irrigation District No. 4, and reelection has continued him in that office for three terms.
Mr. Radke is married and has a daughter, Mrs. Winnifred Cadman, who resides at Fair Oaks and is the mother of a son, Richard. While a resident of Iowa, Mr. Radke received his citizenship papers. He is in thorough sympathy with American ideals and principles, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but is not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term. He is firm in his convictions, and is a man of strong and forceful personality, inspiring respect and confidence. He has ever placed the general welfare before personal aggrandizement, and in the larger life of his community he fills an important place.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches,
Pages
945-946. Historic Record Company, Los
Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.