San Joaquin County
Biographies
EZRA FISKE
EZRA FISHKE.--It is a fact
that there is not mentioned within the pages of this work, replete as it is
with creditable deeds, a name more widely or more universally respected than
that which heads this sketch. Mr. Fiske is a native of Massachusetts, born in
the little town of Weston, twelve miles west of Boston, August 21, 1825. His
parents, Ezra, Sr., and Lydia (Sanderson) Fiske, were both born in
Massachusetts, and both came of families which were resident in the old colony
in ante-Revolutionary times. The father, a farmer, died when our subject was
about five years old, and when he was nineteen years his mother’s death
occurred. Ezra Fiske, with whose name this article commences, was reared at his
native place, there received his schooling, and there learned the machinist’s
trade with the firm of Coolidge & Sibley. After he had completed his
apprenticeship, he went to New Jersey and worked for a time below Camden,
afterward going to Philadelphia, where he was also employed at his trade. His
next work-place was at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and following this he worked
a year in the railroad shops at Springfield, Massachusetts. He finally returned
to the old shops at Weston, where he had learned his trade, and while working
there got the California fever, which grew upon him till he decided to try his
fortune in the land across the continent. He left Boston in the latter part of
October, 1849, a passenger on the ship Richmond, bound on the long journey
around Cape Horn to California. Their first stop was made at St. Catharines,
Brazil, where the vessel was held in quarantine a week, making their stay in
all two weeks, which included the holidays. Washington’s birthday was spent at
Valparaiso, in the harbor of which port they remained ten days. The vessel
arrived in San Francisco harbor April 6, 1850, the voyage having occupied 157
days, including the time spent in port. The voyage, on the whole, was a
pleasant one, and free from especially noteworthy incidents. The ship went up
to Benicia and cast anchor. Mr. Friske and Joseph Adams (now of Stockton)
waited only long enough to secure what belonged to them aboard the vessel, and
then took passage on the steamer McKim, which took them to Stockton. They
remained here a few days in order to supplement the mining equipment they had
brought along with other necessary articles, and then proceeded to Mokelumne
Hill. Mr. Adams was not especially pleased with the outlook there, and soon
returned to Stockton, but Mr. Fiske remained and commenced mining. He went from
there to Rich Gulch, and mined till October, but as his efforts were not very
successful he came down to Stockton and engaged with Adams, who was running a
blacksmith shop. The next spring he went up to Jamestown to resume mining, but
after a month there concluded to abandon the pick and the rocker. Returning to
Stockton he engaged, during the summer of 1851, in haying, and in the fall took
up some land. He did considerable work preparing it for cultivation, but on
getting up one morning about Christmas time was surprised and shocked to
observe the whole country round about under water, with nothing showing above
except the house he was in. He bowed gracefully to the inevitable, took his
pair of horses out where the wild feed was good, turned them loose and then
footed it to Stockton, where he stayed during the remainder of the winter. He
was among the first to undertake the raising of grain, as people only began to
sow wheat and barley that winter. In the summer of 1852 he went with McK.
Carson to operate what was probably the first threshing-machine ever seen in
San Joaquin County. While traveling about he got into the section of country
where he is now located, and finding an opportunity to get some land there, he
took advantage of it. It was a fortunate investment. Of his 390 acres, situated
three miles south and a little west of Lodi, he acquired 160 acres by
pre-emption, the remainder by purchase. He devotes his principal attention to
grain, but has about fifteen acres in vineyard, about one-third of which was
planted in 1862, the remainder between that year and 1867. Mr. Fiske farms as
he does everything else, in an intelligent manner, and has consequently been
successful. He has a well-improved ranch, and one that will bear looking at. He
belongs to the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers, of which he has been
trustee. He has given much time and attention to the furtherance of the cause
of the Patrons of Husbandry, having always been among the foremost workers. He
was one of the original incorporators of the Grangers’ Union, and was the first
President of the Board of Horticultural Commissioners of San Joaquin County. He
is a member of the Woodbridge Grange, P. of H., organized in 1873; has held
nearly all its officers, and is now its treasurer. He is also treasurer of
Pomona Grange of San Joaquin County, and was its first master. The first school
in San Joaquin County, outside of Stockton, was held in a structure which is
now part of a house belonging to him. Mr. Fiske is a man of broad and liberal
ideas, up to the times on all great questions affecting the public welfare.
Always strictly conscientious in business dealings and thoughtful of the
feelings of others, a dignified yet pleasant gentleman, he is honored and
respected by all--a man of whom any county might be proud.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 299-300. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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