Obit: Dore, John S. #3 (1838 - 1914)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Contact:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: Dore, Ruddy/Rudy, Johnson, Angeli, Ewell, Joseph, Hobbs

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  September 24, 1914

Dore, John S. (26 Dec 1838 - 31 Aug 1914)

Biography of John Dore         Was a Clark County Pioneer

Story of His Life Published in Fresno Newspaper

John S. Dore, prominent in the history of Fresno County for thirty years, died yesterday in Santa Cruz at the age of 75 years. 

Mr. Dore has been in poor health for the past two years and while his death is a great loss to the community it does not come as a surprise to his many friends.  Dore wanted to return to his home here in order to vote at the primaries, but because of a sudden relapse, he was unable to be moved.  Mrs. Dore, Miss Jennie Dore and H.V. Ruddy, a son-in-law, were at his bedside yesterday morning when the end came.  The body is being brought to this city and the funeral will be held Tuesday at 3 o’clock from Stephens and Bean’s chapel.  Death was due to a complication of diseases followed by a stroke of paralysis.

Following a physical breakdown and financial reverses, Dore with his family moved from Wisconsin to Fresno in 1883.  He purchased land in the Bank of Central California tract which is now known as West Park.  He steadily improved this tract and at the time of his death owned one of the most fertile vineyards in this section of the state.

Dore, several years after settling in West Park, found that alkali was encroaching on the district.  He had faith in proposals for eliminating it and was instrumental in inducing the government to send experts to this county to make experiments.  Dore went to the expense of putting in a drainage system on his vineyard and lived to see the day when his land was cleared of the alkali.

Dore became one of the leading and most prominent vineyardists in Central California.  He was a diligent laborer for the upbuilding of the viti-cultural and horticultural interests of the community.  Dore was one of the first shippers of green fruit out of Fresno County.  He joined the Farmers’ Alliance in 1890 and attended the first state meeting in San Jose in November of the same year.  He was chosen chairman of the executive committee and always took an active part in the work of the Alliance.  Mr. Dore was also very active in the old Populist Party.  He never held office, but was once a candidate for supervisor in the fourth district.

Dore was a man who had progressive ideas, and an intimate friend in Fresno last night recalled that as long back as twenty years ago he can remember of Dore speaking of the parcels post, postal savings bank and the initiative and referendum.  Dore took much pleasure since the parcels post has become a fact in discussing his early views of the postal feature.  Among his many activities was a prominent share in organizing the Fresno Farmers’ Club.

Dore looked with pride toward the success of the progressive movement and it was a sad day for him when he was informed that he could not return to Santa Cruz in time to cast his vote at the primaries for Hiram Johnson.  Miss Jennie Dore, who has looked after her father’s business since his sickness, was planning a visit to Santa Cruz, but Dore sent her word not to come until after the primaries.  He wanted her to stay in Fresno and cast her vote for Johnson.

John Dore was born in Harmony, Maine, December 26, 1838.  In 1850 his father emigrated to Wisconsin, where he carried on general farming.  Dore attended the common schools during the winter and in the summer would assist in farm work.  At the age of 18 years he began teaching, which he followed winters until 22 years of age, and then took a one-year’s course at the Galesville University.

He was married in La Crosse County, Wis., January 1, 1863, to Miss L. Jennie Angeli, and about the same time established the Clark County Journal at Neillsville, Clark County, Wis., which he continued to publish for years.

He was also prominent in county government and for six years officiated as chairman of the board of county supervisors and was county superintendent of schools, in which capacity he served for a period of ten years.  He was also a member of the state board of agriculture for three years.  After selling out his paper he moved to and cleared a farm of over 200 acres of heavily timbered land and also engaged in the lumber business.  This venture was not a success and in 1883, with broken health, he sold his interests there and moved to this county.  Besides his wife, Mr. Dore is survived by five daughters—Mrs. J.J. Ewell, Phoenix, Arizona; Mrs. Harry Joseph, Fresno; Mrs. George Hobbs, Dinuba; Mrs. H.V. Rudy, Fresno, and Miss Jennie Dore, also of this city. - Fresno, Cal., Morning Republican