Imperial County CA Archives Biographies.....Gonder, Roy Eugene 1876 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 23, 2006, 12:18 am

Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918)

ROY EUGENE GONDER.—Individually and collectively, Roy Eugene Gonder is listed
among the progressive ranchers of Imperial County. He is the owner of 320 acres
of highly cultivated land in Water Company No. 5, near Brawley, is ranching on a
large, remunerative scale, and is held high in the esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Gonder came to Imperial County April 19, 1902, and was born at Duncan Falls,
Ohio, November 18, 1876, the son of George W. and Mary E. (Smith) Gonder. The
family is of old American stock. The family tree of Mr. Gonder's mother dates
back to the English, but there are generations of both sides represented in this
country. The parents of Mr. Gonder have passed away; the father died in 1917 and
the mother during February, 1888. Both are buried at Duncan Falls, Ohio. As a
boy Mr. Gonder received his early education near Duncan Falls, but continued his
progress in the way of learning until he reached the age of 20 years, having
attended various institutions in the meanwhile. For five years Mr. Gonder was a
school teacher. Prior to that time, however, he assisted his parents during
vacation periods on the home place. It was at this point in his life that Mr.
Gonder turned his eyes in the direction of Imperial County. Upon his arrival
here he filed on his present property, leveled the same, and has one of the most
valuable holdings in the county at this time. The year Mr. Gonder arrived in the
Valley there was nothing much for the human eye to gaze upon. Vast stretches of
desert could be seen everywhere, with not even so much as a soul-inspiring oasis
to lift the imagination to the heights of joy. He was a pioneer in every sense
of the word. As a practical rancher, Mr. Gonder specializes in the growing of
grain. He has been very successful in this pursuit. His yearly returns are large
and remunerative. More than 1000 trees have been planted by Mr. Gonder, and the
general appearance of attractiveness noted about the Gonder ranch is due
entirely to the foresight and energy of the owner thereof. Whenever election
rolls around Mr. Gonder can always be found attaching his mark on the Republican
side of the column. He is also a member of the Royal Arch, F. & A. M. Mr. Gonder
was married at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1916, to Miss Maud
Liggitt, daughter of Walker and Mary (McCord) Liggitt. The parents are both
deceased and are buried at Chandlersville, Ohio. John A. McCord, grandfather of
Mrs. Gonder, came from historic Crookstown, Ireland. The Liggitt family also
comes of English and Irish origin. Four brothers of the mother of Mrs. Gonder
did valiant service and fought unstintingly for the cause during the Civil war.
Their names on the escutcheon of fame are: John A. McCord, Dr. George McCord,
Samuel and William. Mr. Gonder in the early days was affiliated with the old
California Development Company, having acted as foreman for the corporation
during that period which witnessed the beginning of the Imperial Valley. All his
achievements during the years he has been a resident of the county are primarily
due to his broad, conservative methods in attaching himself to conditions in
general.

Additional Comments:
From:

THE HISTORY
OF
IMPERIAL COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
EDITED BY
F. C. FARR

IN ONE VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
Published by ELMS AND FRANKS
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918


Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/gonder860nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/

File size: 4.0 Kb