San Joaquin County
Biographies
SAMUEL FERDUN
SAMUEL FERDUN, of Elkhorn
Township, was born in Orleans County, New York, May 7, 1839, his parents being
Samuel W. and Margaret C. (Rude) Ferdun, the former a native of New York city,
and the latter of Canada. The father was a farmer by occupation, although he
was a carpenter and did considerable in that line. He spent the greater part of
his life in New York State. He died July 17, 1889, in Orleans County, at the
age of eighty-five years. The mother died about 1857. In the family there were
eleven children, five girls and six boys. The boys were as follows: J. H., in
the New York Artillery; Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Charles, George E.,
who was taken prisoner at Bull Run; William, in the United States Navy, and one
deceased.
Samuel, the subject, was raised on a farm.
When about sixteen he went to Michigan, where he remained about a year, then returned
to New York, stayed a year and then went back to Michigan, rented land and
engaged in farming. At the end of two years he sold out and started for
California, in 1859. He intended to go to Pike’s Peak, but hearing discouraging
reports of that place he decided to come to this State. Accordingly he went to
New York State, made a visit to his parents, then went to New York city. He
sailed on the Uncle Sam to the Isthmus, April 11, 1859, crossed the Isthmus by
train, and reached San Francisco May 8. He came to Stockton and obtained work
of Langmore, cutting hay. A month afterward he went to work for George Ashley,
on a threshing-machine, remaining at that three weeks, and then was employed on
a ranch. Finally he rented land and farmed for two years; then went to work
once more by the month. He was employed by Morse, with whom he remained three
years. The next two years he spent in freighting. In 1866 he traded his teams
for land located in Elkhorn Township, San Joaquin County, commenced farming,
and has followed that occupation ever since. He has purchased land from time to
time until he has at last accumulated 240 acres of choice farming land in San
Joaquin County. His new residence was built in 1882. The land is devoted to
general farming. He has a vineyard and orchard for family use.
Mr. Ferdun was married in 1868 to Miss
Addie H. Morse, a native of Maine. They have two children, namely: Charles M.
and Ernest E., both living at home.
Mr. Ferdun is a member of Lodi Lodge, No.
259, I. O. O. F., of which lodge he is Past Grand. He is Past Chancellor of the
K. of P., No. 41, of Lodi, and a Past Master of the Lodi Grange, No. 92.
Politically he is a Republican.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 512-513. 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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