San Joaquin County
Biographies
FRANK PATRICK MADDEN
F. P. MADDEN.--Among the most
notable improvements that the country tributary to Stockton has yet shown in
the direction of horticulture, are those lately made by the gentleman whose
name heads this sketch. In April, 1888, Mr. Madden bought eighty-eight acres
just over the line in Calaveras County, twenty-five miles from Stockton, on the
Valley Springs and Burson road. The natural advantages of the land for fruit
culture were apparent and Mr. Madden decided to devote the land to that
purpose, and by October, 1888, he had preparations on the place so far advanced
that he was able to commence planting. The ground was first plowed to the depth
of twelve inches and then harrowed twice, twenty-two men being employed in the
work. All holes for trees were dug two and a half feet deep, and of the same
width, and when the trees were put in, they were filled up with top dirt. The
numbers and varieties planted were as follows: Bartlett pears, 2,000; German
prunes, 400; French prunes, 400; olives, 3,000; almonds, 600; Italian chestnut,
300; oranges, 200; figs, white Adriatic and black Sumatra, 300; peaches,
principally Crawford, running from early to late, 300; and a number of
apricots, apples, plums, etc., of choice varieties. Of vines he planted 32,000
of the principal wine and table varieties. Among them may be mentioned seedless
Sultana, Flaming Tokay, West’s Prolific, Burgundy, Black Prince, Muscats, etc.
After planting he plowed the ground twice, cultivated it three times and
harrowed it twice, besides hoeing about each tree five times. The planting was
finished about the middle of February, 1889. The olive trees were planted
twenty-four feet apart, with two rows of grape vines between the rows. The
trees were topped two feet from the ground when they were set in, and they have
averaged a growth of six feet for the first year. The land was formerly covered
with chapparal (sic), and the soil, which is of a fine black loam, is from
three to five feet deep. Water is abundant and may be found any place on the
ranch, within five feet of the surface. Everything planted on the place showed
such a fine progress that when a few olives seemed to be going backward, or
lagging, that fact became plainly noticeable from contrast. Mr. Madden thought
he would try the effect of an artificial irrigation, and sank a well eight feet
in width each way, and eight feet deep. When they had got down seven feet, the
water came in faster then they could bail it out and rose within four feet of
the top.
One of the noteworthy features about this
model ranch is the rabbit-tight fence that surrounds it, and which was built at
a cost of $600 per mile.
A trench eight inches deep and fourteen
inches wide was dug around the tract, and the posts, after being thoroughly
tarred, were placed in the ground. Then the fence of woven wire and slats was
put on, being made on the place with the aid of a wire-twisting machine, and
each slat being well coated with coal-tar. Then the earth was banked up at its
base, leaving the slats twenty-four inches in the ground. The posts had been
left two feet above the slats, and two barbed wires were then strung on the top
of the fence. The plan adopted is an original one, and is thoroughly effective
for the purpose designed.
Mr. Madden, whose enterprise has given to
Calaveras County its largest and its finest fruit ranch, is a native of
Cumberland, Maryland, but reared in Stockton. He received his education here,
finishing at St. Mary’s College, where he attended in 1869, 1870 and 1871. He
entered the employ of Peyton & Holmes, and when he left them engaged in
farming on Calaveras river. Following this he was at the Yosemite bar,
Stockton, for two years, after which he entered into partnership with John
Gall. Since 1887, Mr. Madden has been sole proprietor of the “Independence
saloon,” the first-class resort of Stockton. Beginning with that year he has
also had the bars at the ball park and race track.
When the volunteer fire department was in
vogue, Mr. Madden took an active part, holding, at different times, several
leading offices, and was treasurer of the department for three years. He was a
member of Weber Company (volunteer) until disbanded. He has been prominent in
the councils of the Republican party and active in the ranks, having served
many times as delegate to county and State conventions, and being now on the
city and county central committee.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 502-503. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
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