San Joaquin County
Biographies
MONROE DAVIS EATON
M. D. EATON, of the
real-estate firm of Eaton & Walsh, is a native of California, born in San
Joaquin County, April 30, 1861. His father, E. R. Eaton, a New Yorker, came to
California in 1852, and farmed successfully in this county, about six miles from
Stockton on the Sonora road, until his death in 1886.
The subject of this sketch was reared and
educated in this county. He learned the wagon-maker’s trade, sewing (sic) an
apprenticeship in the establishment of M. P. Henderson, Stockton, with whom he
remained eight years. In 1884 he engaged in the real-estate business, which has
since employed his attention. He is a member of Stockton Parlor, N. S. G. W.,
and of Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F.
Mr. Eaton is one of the most enterprising
young men of Stockton, and has done a great deal towards calling attention to
what are destined to be the true sources of prosperity in this region.
The firm of Eaton & Walsh, of which he
is a member, was organized in 1884, composed as at present, of M. D. Eaton and
Thomas F. Walsh, and succeeding the firm of Tucker & Walsh; while they sell
property on commission, their business is by no means confined to that branch,
as they buy and sell largely. The firm enjoys an excellent reputation.
They have a ranch of sixty-five acres on
the Stockton and Copperopolis road, distant ten miles from Stockton, and a
quarter of a mile from Holden. This tract is what is called slum land, the soil
being formed by the overflow of the Mormon slough. They purchased the place in
1887 from George Klinger. In February, 1888, the present owners planted the
entire tract to fruit, of the following varieties, and in the quantities
mentioned. Apricots (four varieties), 2,200 trees; peaches (running from very
early to very late), 2,400; Bartlett pears, 450 to 500; cherries, one acre, or
108 trees; prunes (French), 500; almonds, 550; English walnuts, 110; figs, 150;
apples, 50. All the trees named have done well, the planting having been
supervised by Mr. Eaton in person, and every care having been given the
orchard. The place is connected with the Mormon slough, the land being leveed
along the bank, and the waters from the slough are admitted by means of flood
gates. When the water is high these gates are opened long enough to admit six
inches or a foot of water, and when it soaks into the ground cultivation is
commenced, right in the dead of winter. It is expected that the crop taken from
this orchard in the season of 1890 will more than pay expenses for the year.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 624-625. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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