Ventura
County
Biographies
ALBERT H. CALL
Belonging to that class of men whose
talents find their highest expression in public service, Albert H. Call has
done notable work as agricultural commissioner for Ventura County, an office
which he has occupied for twelve years.
He was born in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, May 6, 1892, a
son of A. H. and Louise C. (Milliman) Call, who are now deceased. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in
1894, at which time Albert H. Call was but two years old, and at the age of
four he was brought by his mother to Ventura County.
After attending the public schools
of Santa Paula, Mr. Call started to work on the Blanchard Ranch, and later was
employed in the oil fields at Bakersfield, where he remained until 1913. Obtaining a situation in the packing house of
the Santa Paula Citrus Fruit Association, he maintained that connection for
three years and in 1916 became an inspector under the Ventura county
horticultural commissioner. He proved so
capable and dependable that his responsibilities were increased in 1921, when
he was appointed county agricultural commissioner, and results have amply
justified the wisdom of his selection for this important position. As horticulture has advanced as a science
Ventura has progressed with it, and was the first county in the United States
to use the vacuum fumigator on nursery stock.
Mr. Call was chairman of the agricultural exhibit at the Ventura County
Fair in 1924 and 1925. This county took
first prize for three years at the Riverside County Fair. At the State Fair in 1932 the Ventura County
exhibit was again successful, winning a number of cups and several cash prizes,
and Mr. Call was able to return to the county board of supervisors a considerable
portion of the amount which had been allotted for expenses. This county has had an exhibit at the State
Fair each year for the past seven years and is perhaps the cleanest and most
prolific agricultural district in California.
The leadership of the county in the production of walnuts and citrus
fruits Mr. Call attributes to the progressive spirit and close cooperation of
the ranchers in this district. He served
as secretary of the state horticultural commission for five years and in 1925
was sent to Boise, Idaho, as a delegate to the quarantine conference. His well developed powers have brought him
rapidly to the fore in his chosen field of activity and service and he is known
and esteemed throughout California by reason of his untiring and effective
efforts to bring to a high state of efficiency the horticultural interests of
the state.
In 1916 Mr. Call was married to Miss
Bertha M. Rappold, a native of West Virginia, and
they have two children, Clare C. and Mary Louise. Mr. Call has an attractive home in Santa
Paula and his office is in the Agricultural Building. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights
of Pythias and has been active in the affairs of the organization, being a past
chancellor commander of Santa Paula Lodge, No. 6. Through his own unaided exertions he has
risen from a humble position to one of broad influence and usefulness and is
deserving of much credit for what he has accomplished.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 331-332, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES