San
Joaquin County
Biographies
FRED AURIN GUERNSEY
A prominent and progressive citizen
of the Linden section of San Joaquin County, Fred Aurin
Guernsey has been a continuous resident of this section since 1879. This was a pioneer district in those days,
and to the work of substantial upbuilding and progressive development of the
county Mr. Guernsey has since contributed.
Within a week’s time after arriving in Linden, Mr. Guernsey had
purchased Mr. McDougal’s interest in the general store at Linden and continued
business as Walsey & Guernsey one year, then he purchased his partner’s interest and conducted the
business nearly forty years and also served as postmaster. This worthy citizen was born in Whitefield,
New Hampshire, September 5, 1854, a son of Aaron and Sally (Blakesley)
Guernsey, both natives of that state.
His paternal grandparents, both of the Society of Friends, lived to an
advanced age and Grandfather John Blakesley lived to
be almost ninety. All the grandparents
were born, lived and died in New Hampshire, where the Guernsey’s have long been
settled. During 1886-7 Aaron Guernsey
and his wife made a trip to California, visiting in Stockton, and returned to
their home in New Hampshire, were the father died in March, 1888, his wife
surviving him several years.
Fred A. Guernsey received his
education in the schools of Lancaster, New Hampshire. He was still in his teens when he went to
Lowell, Massachusetts, to take a position as clerk in a general store, where he
remained for three years when he returned to Lancaster and bought an interest
in a general store with C. A. Howe, the partnership continuing a year and a
half, when he sold his interest to his partner.
In March, 1879, he started to California, and on April 27, 1879, he
arrived in California and joined his brother, D. A. Guernsey, in Stockton. He began to look about to invest his money
and within a week after arrival had purchased an interest in the general store
at Linden.
During the years 1884-87, Mr.
Guernsey carried on extensive ranching in the Lone Tree district, but most of
his time and energy was devoted to his mercantile business. He sold his business to the Strong Brothers
in 1918, and has since devoted his attention to his ranch fourteen miles
northeast of Stockton on the Waterloo Road.
This ranch consisted of 400 acres, 200 acres having been subdivided and
sold to seven different families who are engaged in diversified farming. Mr. Guernsey raises cattle, sheep and hogs, a
large quantity of grain and also has a twenty-acre vineyard on his ranch. With his son Homer he has set out a
forty-acre orchard on his place.
In March, 1882, Mr. Guernsey’ first
marriage occurred, which united him with Miss Cordelia
Russel, born near Linden; she passed away in 1887,
survived by three sons: Walter,
Clarence, and Albert; the latter served overseas during the World War. On September 3, 1890, in Linden, Mr. Guernsey
married Miss Jennie Stanley, born at New Hope,, California, a daughter of Isaac
and Luzella (Jenkins) Stanley, born in North Carolina
and Arkansas, respectively. The former
crossed the plains in 1850. After a
short period spent in the mines he purchased a farm in New Hope. Later on they removed to Monterey County where
Mr. Stanley died, his widow still surviving him. Three children were born to them: Mary, the wife of Hugh Appling has one child
and they reside in Oakdale; Bethel is a teacher; Homer is assisting in the
development of the ranch. Fraternally,
Mr. Guernsey is a past grand of Scio Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., and with his
wife is a member of the Rebekahs at Linden and has served as delegate to the
grand lodge on several occasions. In
politics he is a Republican. Mr.
Guernsey has had his ups and down, for in 1904 his store and stock was burned
and was a total loss; however, he immediately started a new store in a rented
building. He has always been found on
the side of public progress and having practical ideas of affairs; his public
spirit has been all the more useful to his community.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
744. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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