San
Joaquin County
Biographies
FRED H. VILLINGER
One of the best and most
representative agriculturists in San Joaquin County is Fred H. Villinger,
residing on his ranch of 165 acres west of Lodi on the Perrott Road, which has been his home and the center of his operation since
1915. He was born in Santa Ana, Orange
County, California, May 11, 1884, a son of Leon and Mary (McCoy) Villinger, the
father born in San Joaquin County, and the mother in Iowa. Grandfather Villinger was a native of
Germany, and his wife, who was Miss Mary Perchia
was a native of France. They came to
California in 1850 and settled in San Joaquin County. The father, Leon Villinger, was married to
Miss Mary McCoy in 1876; they were the parents of six children, three of whom
are living: Charles L. of Lodi; Fred H.,
our subject; and Mrs. Edith Ray, of Clements.
The father was reared on his father’s farm near Lodi and for several
years after his marriage farmed about two miles south of Lodi, after which he
removed to southern California and engaged in stockraising. In 1892 he returned to his native county and
began grape culture with most gratifying success. He is residing at the present time in Lodi.
Fred H. Villinger began his early
education in the Santa Ana and Covina district schools; then, when his parents
returned to San Joaquin County, he attended the Salem grammar school in
Lodi. He is to be considered among the
self-made men of the county, for he was but seventeen years old when he started
to make his own way. His first position
was with the J. A. Anderson Fruit Company, and he was also with the Earl Fruit
Company, of Lodi; then he concluded to take up agriculture on his own account,
and during the subsequent years has prospered in all branches of this
industry. After improving and disposing
of two different ranches, he located on his present ranch of 165 acres, six
miles west of Lodi, formerly known as the Keller ranch. Sixty acres of this ranch is in bearing
vineyard, and Mr. Villinger has set out a young vineyard of forty acres. There is also a twenty-four acre orchard, and
the balance is in alfalfa. Mr. Villinger
has further improved the ranch with a modern residence and other farm
buildings; the ranch is irrigated from the Stockton-Mokelumne ditch.
On June 7, 1911, in Stockton, Mr.
Villinger was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Keller, born on the ranch
where they now make their home. She is
the daughter of John and Doretta (Brack)
Keller, pioneers of the county. Mrs.
Villinger received her education in the Turner district school and Lodi high
school, and finished at Mills College, Oakland.
Mr. Villinger is affiliated with Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B. P. O. E.,
and is also a member of Lodi Aerie No. 848, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1590. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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