San
Joaquin County
Biographies
MANUEL R. DIAS
Among the successful farmers and
dairymen of San Joaquin County, Manuel R. Dias may well be counted as one of
the most progressive and substantial of citizens. From a humble beginning he has become one of
San Joaquin County’s foremost dairymen, being a partner in two big dairy
farms. He is also one of the four
partners in the large store at 34 South Center Street, Stockton, known as the
Portuguese-American Grocery Company, which is composed of M. Silva, Manuel R.
Dias, Frank Vas and John Mendosa. Mr.
Dias lives with his wife and family upon Woods Dairy No. 3, about nine miles
west of Stockton, of which he is the manager.
He is also a part owner in the Silva, Vas & Company dairy ranch,
another extensive dairy farm on Lower Roberts Island. M. Silva & Company is a partnership
composed of Manuel Silva, Manuel R. Dias and John Ignacio. M. Silva & Company lease and operate the
large dairy farm composed of 720 acres, known as Woods Dairy No. 3. Thereon are kept 330 milk cows and 100
heifers and 12 registered Holstein bulls.
The Silva, Vas & Company dairy farm is also located on Lower Roberts
Island and occupies the premises known as Woods Dairy No. 1, and comprises 380
acres. The Silva, Vas & Company is
composed of Manuel Silva, Manuel R. Dias, Frank Vas, Joe Nunes and Joe Costa.
Mr. Dias was born on the Isle of
Pico, Azores, October 11, 1878 a son of M. R. and Anna de San Jose Dias, both
of whom were born in Pico. The father of
our subject was a well-to-do merchant and farmer in his native land. Manuel R. Dias left his home for America and
arrived in San Francisco, California, March 20, 1906; he went direct to the
Delta and began to work as a farm laborer on the Black tract, where he remained
for five years; early in 1911 he went into partnership with M. Silva in a small
dairy on Lower Roberts Island and from the beginning their business prospered
and they do an extensive dairy business.
Before leaving his native land, Mr.
Dias was married to Miss Mary Candeios Freitas, and they are the parents of three children: Mary, Angeline and Manuel. Mr. Dias is past secretary of the I. D. E. S.
and has been instrumental in helping many of his countrymen upon their arrival
in America. His life has been one of
strictest integrity and his own efforts and untiring labor have been amply
rewarded and he is esteemed by his business associates.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1368. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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