Francis “Frank” J. Ralph was born in on the old Sanguinetti ranch, one mile southeast of Sonora, September 12, 1865, to Jonathan Ralph and Esther Wyman Ralph, who were farmers and who had settled in the county in the early 1850s.
About 1895, he married Rose C. Meyer, who was born in Sonora to German parents, Jacob and Rosa Meyer. Frank and Rosa lived on the second block of Washington Street where he was a wheelwright and wagon maker. Their children were Lowell Lester, Rosine Mae, Frank Harold, and Meyer Calvin.
Educated at the Sonora and Curtis Creek grammar schools, Frank worked on his family farm with his father and then served three years as a wheelwright apprentice. He followed his trade from 1886 to 1921. During the later years, as automobiles were being introduced, he was an agent for Studebaker vehicles as well. He soon thereafter bought an apple orchard near Tuolumne and continued in that trade as long as his health allowed. As his apple business grew, Ralph’s Station, a rail stop, was built. He was the first orchardist to ship apples from the county. While growing fruit, he still lived on Washington Street, and the value of his home was $8,000, quite a sum for those days.
Frank served on the Board of Trustees for Sonora Grammar School and was among the members to campaign for the construction of the domed school building, replacing the dilapidated, wooden buildings where the students were taught.
He served on the Sonora City Council, and in 1920, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors and served until his death. He served as chairman of the board, the county hospital, court house, memorial hall, county jail and courthouse square committees. He took an active interest in the building of the Columbia airport, which was named Ralph Field in his honor.
On January 3, 1917, Frank had his wife committed to Stockton State Hospital. She suffered from a manic depressive disorder and could no longer take care of herself properly. However, her stay was short and she was discharged to return home. Although she continued to suffer from that condition, she was considered a dedicated wife and mother, and a model citizen to the people of the community. She passed away June 11, 1924.
In the 1930s, Frank married Evaline M. Mason. She passed away June 5, 1958.
Frank passed away in Sonora July 25, 1941, and is is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Frank and Rose’s eldest child, Lowell, was an electrician and automobile dealer. He married Dollie Mae Connally, and they had a son, Raymond. Lowell passed away October 6, 1938.
Rosine Ralph passed away December 28, 1917, at age 19. She never married.
Frank Harold was a private music teacher. He married Hester Finney, but they divorced about ten years later. They had two children, Carolyn R. and Murray H. He married Gertrude Whitboard in 1941, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Frank married Cherstyn P. (Peggy) Tarbet on February 2, 1973. He passed away December 22, 1989.
Meyer Calvin was a farm laborer and an airplane mechanic. He enlisted in the Army and served during WWII. He passed away August 29, 1981.
________________
The Union Democrat, 01 Aug 1941, p1c7 excerpts
Hundreds at Final Rites For Frank J Ralph
Veteran Supervisor Who Died Friday Is Laid To Rest
Following an illness of several years duration, which became more acute in recent months, Frank Jonathan Ralph, 74, veteran member of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and prominent civic leader of Sonora and the county, died at his home on South Washington Street about 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon.
Interested in all projects which were a benefit to his city and county, Ralph was frequently seen at many public functions and was active upon committees and groups named to carry through projects. Born on the old Sanguinetti Ranch one mile southeast of Sonora in 1867, Ralph was a son of the late Jonathan and Esther Ralph, pioneer residents who settled in Tuolumne County in the early fifties. Ralph was educated at the Curtis Creek and Sonora grammar schools and later associated with his father for a few years in farming. He later withdrew from farming and after serving a three years apprenticeship as a wheelwright, followed his trade from 1886 to 1921.
During this work, Supervisor Ralph became interested int he growing of apples and in 1906 bought an orchard in the Tuolumne Soulsbyville district. This was the nucleus for his later large orchards which resulted in a railroad stop being names Ralph's Station . As an orchardist Ralph brought the first public attention to Tuolumne County's "big red apples" through his participation in many faire and exhibits, where he captured numerous blue ribbons and first prize trophies. Ralph packed the first box of commercial apples to be shipped from Tuolumne County.
Escorting the funeral cortege were member sot he Sonora Elks, Sonora Lions, the county supervisors and the member so the court house staff.
Ralph leaves his widow, Mrs Evaline M Ralph, two sons, Meyer Ralph, Sonora and Harold Ralph, Pacific Grove; three brothers, Walter R Ralph, G B Ralph, Orrin Ralph, three grandchildren and several nephews and nieces of Tuolumne County.
Contributor: Anne Shurtleff Stevens (46947920)
About 1895, he married Rose C. Meyer, who was born in Sonora to German parents, Jacob and Rosa Meyer. Frank and Rosa lived on the second block of Washington Street where he was a wheelwright and wagon maker. Their children were Lowell Lester, Rosine Mae, Frank Harold, and Meyer Calvin.
Educated at the Sonora and Curtis Creek grammar schools, Frank worked on his family farm with his father and then served three years as a wheelwright apprentice. He followed his trade from 1886 to 1921. During the later years, as automobiles were being introduced, he was an agent for Studebaker vehicles as well. He soon thereafter bought an apple orchard near Tuolumne and continued in that trade as long as his health allowed. As his apple business grew, Ralph’s Station, a rail stop, was built. He was the first orchardist to ship apples from the county. While growing fruit, he still lived on Washington Street, and the value of his home was $8,000, quite a sum for those days.
Frank served on the Board of Trustees for Sonora Grammar School and was among the members to campaign for the construction of the domed school building, replacing the dilapidated, wooden buildings where the students were taught.
He served on the Sonora City Council, and in 1920, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors and served until his death. He served as chairman of the board, the county hospital, court house, memorial hall, county jail and courthouse square committees. He took an active interest in the building of the Columbia airport, which was named Ralph Field in his honor.
On January 3, 1917, Frank had his wife committed to Stockton State Hospital. She suffered from a manic depressive disorder and could no longer take care of herself properly. However, her stay was short and she was discharged to return home. Although she continued to suffer from that condition, she was considered a dedicated wife and mother, and a model citizen to the people of the community. She passed away June 11, 1924.
In the 1930s, Frank married Evaline M. Mason. She passed away June 5, 1958.
Frank passed away in Sonora July 25, 1941, and is is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Frank and Rose’s eldest child, Lowell, was an electrician and automobile dealer. He married Dollie Mae Connally, and they had a son, Raymond. Lowell passed away October 6, 1938.
Rosine Ralph passed away December 28, 1917, at age 19. She never married.
Frank Harold was a private music teacher. He married Hester Finney, but they divorced about ten years later. They had two children, Carolyn R. and Murray H. He married Gertrude Whitboard in 1941, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Frank married Cherstyn P. (Peggy) Tarbet on February 2, 1973. He passed away December 22, 1989.
Meyer Calvin was a farm laborer and an airplane mechanic. He enlisted in the Army and served during WWII. He passed away August 29, 1981.
________________
The Union Democrat, 01 Aug 1941, p1c7 excerpts
Hundreds at Final Rites For Frank J Ralph
Veteran Supervisor Who Died Friday Is Laid To Rest
Following an illness of several years duration, which became more acute in recent months, Frank Jonathan Ralph, 74, veteran member of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and prominent civic leader of Sonora and the county, died at his home on South Washington Street about 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon.
Interested in all projects which were a benefit to his city and county, Ralph was frequently seen at many public functions and was active upon committees and groups named to carry through projects. Born on the old Sanguinetti Ranch one mile southeast of Sonora in 1867, Ralph was a son of the late Jonathan and Esther Ralph, pioneer residents who settled in Tuolumne County in the early fifties. Ralph was educated at the Curtis Creek and Sonora grammar schools and later associated with his father for a few years in farming. He later withdrew from farming and after serving a three years apprenticeship as a wheelwright, followed his trade from 1886 to 1921.
During this work, Supervisor Ralph became interested int he growing of apples and in 1906 bought an orchard in the Tuolumne Soulsbyville district. This was the nucleus for his later large orchards which resulted in a railroad stop being names Ralph's Station . As an orchardist Ralph brought the first public attention to Tuolumne County's "big red apples" through his participation in many faire and exhibits, where he captured numerous blue ribbons and first prize trophies. Ralph packed the first box of commercial apples to be shipped from Tuolumne County.
Escorting the funeral cortege were member sot he Sonora Elks, Sonora Lions, the county supervisors and the member so the court house staff.
Ralph leaves his widow, Mrs Evaline M Ralph, two sons, Meyer Ralph, Sonora and Harold Ralph, Pacific Grove; three brothers, Walter R Ralph, G B Ralph, Orrin Ralph, three grandchildren and several nephews and nieces of Tuolumne County.
Contributor: Anne Shurtleff Stevens (46947920)
Francis “Frank” J. Ralph was born in on the old Sanguinetti ranch, one mile southeast of Sonora, September 12, 1865, to Jonathan Ralph and Esther Wyman Ralph, who were farmers and who had settled in the county in the early 1850s.
About 1895, he married Rose C. Meyer, who was born in Sonora to German parents, Jacob and Rosa Meyer. Frank and Rosa lived on the second block of Washington Street where he was a wheelwright and wagon maker. Their children were Lowell Lester, Rosine Mae, Frank Harold, and Meyer Calvin.
Educated at the Sonora and Curtis Creek grammar schools, Frank worked on his family farm with his father and then served three years as a wheelwright apprentice. He followed his trade from 1886 to 1921. During the later years, as automobiles were being introduced, he was an agent for Studebaker vehicles as well. He soon thereafter bought an apple orchard near Tuolumne and continued in that trade as long as his health allowed. As his apple business grew, Ralph’s Station, a rail stop, was built. He was the first orchardist to ship apples from the county. While growing fruit, he still lived on Washington Street, and the value of his home was $8,000, quite a sum for those days.
Frank served on the Board of Trustees for Sonora Grammar School and was among the members to campaign for the construction of the domed school building, replacing the dilapidated, wooden buildings where the students were taught.
He served on the Sonora City Council, and in 1920, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors and served until his death. He served as chairman of the board, the county hospital, court house, memorial hall, county jail and courthouse square committees. He took an active interest in the building of the Columbia airport, which was named Ralph Field in his honor.
On January 3, 1917, Frank had his wife committed to Stockton State Hospital. She suffered from a manic depressive disorder and could no longer take care of herself properly. However, her stay was short and she was discharged to return home. Although she continued to suffer from that condition, she was considered a dedicated wife and mother, and a model citizen to the people of the community. She passed away June 11, 1924.
In the 1930s, Frank married Evaline M. Mason. She passed away June 5, 1958.
Frank passed away in Sonora July 25, 1941, and is is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Frank and Rose’s eldest child, Lowell, was an electrician and automobile dealer. He married Dollie Mae Connally, and they had a son, Raymond. Lowell passed away October 6, 1938.
Rosine Ralph passed away December 28, 1917, at age 19. She never married.
Frank Harold was a private music teacher. He married Hester Finney, but they divorced about ten years later. They had two children, Carolyn R. and Murray H. He married Gertrude Whitboard in 1941, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Frank married Cherstyn P. (Peggy) Tarbet on February 2, 1973. He passed away December 22, 1989.
Meyer Calvin was a farm laborer and an airplane mechanic. He enlisted in the Army and served during WWII. He passed away August 29, 1981.
________________
The Union Democrat, 01 Aug 1941, p1c7 excerpts
Hundreds at Final Rites For Frank J Ralph
Veteran Supervisor Who Died Friday Is Laid To Rest
Following an illness of several years duration, which became more acute in recent months, Frank Jonathan Ralph, 74, veteran member of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and prominent civic leader of Sonora and the county, died at his home on South Washington Street about 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon.
Interested in all projects which were a benefit to his city and county, Ralph was frequently seen at many public functions and was active upon committees and groups named to carry through projects. Born on the old Sanguinetti Ranch one mile southeast of Sonora in 1867, Ralph was a son of the late Jonathan and Esther Ralph, pioneer residents who settled in Tuolumne County in the early fifties. Ralph was educated at the Curtis Creek and Sonora grammar schools and later associated with his father for a few years in farming. He later withdrew from farming and after serving a three years apprenticeship as a wheelwright, followed his trade from 1886 to 1921.
During this work, Supervisor Ralph became interested int he growing of apples and in 1906 bought an orchard in the Tuolumne Soulsbyville district. This was the nucleus for his later large orchards which resulted in a railroad stop being names Ralph's Station . As an orchardist Ralph brought the first public attention to Tuolumne County's "big red apples" through his participation in many faire and exhibits, where he captured numerous blue ribbons and first prize trophies. Ralph packed the first box of commercial apples to be shipped from Tuolumne County.
Escorting the funeral cortege were member sot he Sonora Elks, Sonora Lions, the county supervisors and the member so the court house staff.
Ralph leaves his widow, Mrs Evaline M Ralph, two sons, Meyer Ralph, Sonora and Harold Ralph, Pacific Grove; three brothers, Walter R Ralph, G B Ralph, Orrin Ralph, three grandchildren and several nephews and nieces of Tuolumne County.
Contributor: Anne Shurtleff Stevens (46947920)
About 1895, he married Rose C. Meyer, who was born in Sonora to German parents, Jacob and Rosa Meyer. Frank and Rosa lived on the second block of Washington Street where he was a wheelwright and wagon maker. Their children were Lowell Lester, Rosine Mae, Frank Harold, and Meyer Calvin.
Educated at the Sonora and Curtis Creek grammar schools, Frank worked on his family farm with his father and then served three years as a wheelwright apprentice. He followed his trade from 1886 to 1921. During the later years, as automobiles were being introduced, he was an agent for Studebaker vehicles as well. He soon thereafter bought an apple orchard near Tuolumne and continued in that trade as long as his health allowed. As his apple business grew, Ralph’s Station, a rail stop, was built. He was the first orchardist to ship apples from the county. While growing fruit, he still lived on Washington Street, and the value of his home was $8,000, quite a sum for those days.
Frank served on the Board of Trustees for Sonora Grammar School and was among the members to campaign for the construction of the domed school building, replacing the dilapidated, wooden buildings where the students were taught.
He served on the Sonora City Council, and in 1920, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors and served until his death. He served as chairman of the board, the county hospital, court house, memorial hall, county jail and courthouse square committees. He took an active interest in the building of the Columbia airport, which was named Ralph Field in his honor.
On January 3, 1917, Frank had his wife committed to Stockton State Hospital. She suffered from a manic depressive disorder and could no longer take care of herself properly. However, her stay was short and she was discharged to return home. Although she continued to suffer from that condition, she was considered a dedicated wife and mother, and a model citizen to the people of the community. She passed away June 11, 1924.
In the 1930s, Frank married Evaline M. Mason. She passed away June 5, 1958.
Frank passed away in Sonora July 25, 1941, and is is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Frank and Rose’s eldest child, Lowell, was an electrician and automobile dealer. He married Dollie Mae Connally, and they had a son, Raymond. Lowell passed away October 6, 1938.
Rosine Ralph passed away December 28, 1917, at age 19. She never married.
Frank Harold was a private music teacher. He married Hester Finney, but they divorced about ten years later. They had two children, Carolyn R. and Murray H. He married Gertrude Whitboard in 1941, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Frank married Cherstyn P. (Peggy) Tarbet on February 2, 1973. He passed away December 22, 1989.
Meyer Calvin was a farm laborer and an airplane mechanic. He enlisted in the Army and served during WWII. He passed away August 29, 1981.
________________
The Union Democrat, 01 Aug 1941, p1c7 excerpts
Hundreds at Final Rites For Frank J Ralph
Veteran Supervisor Who Died Friday Is Laid To Rest
Following an illness of several years duration, which became more acute in recent months, Frank Jonathan Ralph, 74, veteran member of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and prominent civic leader of Sonora and the county, died at his home on South Washington Street about 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon.
Interested in all projects which were a benefit to his city and county, Ralph was frequently seen at many public functions and was active upon committees and groups named to carry through projects. Born on the old Sanguinetti Ranch one mile southeast of Sonora in 1867, Ralph was a son of the late Jonathan and Esther Ralph, pioneer residents who settled in Tuolumne County in the early fifties. Ralph was educated at the Curtis Creek and Sonora grammar schools and later associated with his father for a few years in farming. He later withdrew from farming and after serving a three years apprenticeship as a wheelwright, followed his trade from 1886 to 1921.
During this work, Supervisor Ralph became interested int he growing of apples and in 1906 bought an orchard in the Tuolumne Soulsbyville district. This was the nucleus for his later large orchards which resulted in a railroad stop being names Ralph's Station . As an orchardist Ralph brought the first public attention to Tuolumne County's "big red apples" through his participation in many faire and exhibits, where he captured numerous blue ribbons and first prize trophies. Ralph packed the first box of commercial apples to be shipped from Tuolumne County.
Escorting the funeral cortege were member sot he Sonora Elks, Sonora Lions, the county supervisors and the member so the court house staff.
Ralph leaves his widow, Mrs Evaline M Ralph, two sons, Meyer Ralph, Sonora and Harold Ralph, Pacific Grove; three brothers, Walter R Ralph, G B Ralph, Orrin Ralph, three grandchildren and several nephews and nieces of Tuolumne County.
Contributor: Anne Shurtleff Stevens (46947920)
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