Merced-Mariposa-Tuolumne County CA Archives Biographies.....Freitas, Jose F. 1862 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 9, 2006, 12:19 am

Author: John Outcalt (1925)


JOSE F. FREITAS

   A prosperous rancher of Merced County, who has become independent through his
own unaided effort, Jose F. Freitas is now an influential part of community life
in his district of the county. Born April 11, 1862, at Faja Grande, Flores, the
Azores, he is the son of Francisco J. and Violante (Freitas) Freitas, both of
the Azores Islands. His father was a veterinary surgeon in Don Pedro's army from
1832 to 1833, and received three major wounds in campaigns in Spain and
Portugal. He died a farmer, which occupation he took up in later life, in
Flores, and there his wife died, also, after reaching the venerable age of
seventy-seven years; she was a remarkable woman in many ways, and passed on
these characteristics to her descendants.

   Jose F. received his schooling in the public schools of his native land. He
was reared on a farm, but was never satisfied with the outlook for advancement
at home, and his correspondence carried on with two older brothers, A. J. and
John, who had preceded him to California, in 1864 and in 1867, respectively, and
had done well in the mines near Folsom, decided Jose F. to come to the new
country himself and there find the opportunities lacking in the home land. At
the age of nineteen he boarded the barque Sarah, crossed the Atlantic to Boston,
taking twenty-eight days for the voyage and arriving June 17, 1882. He concluded
his long journey by settling in Mariposa County, Cal., meeting his brothers
there, and he immediately started to work as sheep herder in the mountains. In
the following years he bought an interest in the business, in 1886, and followed
sheep and wool growing until 1893, living at Indian Gulch and making his summer
camp at Tuolumne. That year he sold out his interest, and reinvested in land in
Merced County, moving to Buhach Colony in 1898, and there he engaged in sweet
potato growing. He sold his ranch in 1915, having in the meantime, in 1913,
invested in Ash Tract, where he now owns forty acres, a well developed ranch
devoted to general farming.

   The marriage of Mr. Freitas, which occurred in May, 1901, at Merced, united
him with Mrs. Lucinda Z. (Souza) Bispo, then a widow with two sons. Four
children have been born to them: Violet, Joseph, Mary, and Frank. Mr. Freitas'
is prominent among his countrymen as Past President of the U. P. E. C; and he
has for the past twenty-two years belonged to the Woodmen of the World of
Merced. December 28, 1888, he received his U. S. citizenship papers, from Judge
Corcoran, at Mariposa, and he is a Republican in politics, with a real interest
in all civic and national affairs. A progressive minded man, he is a great
reader and takes more than a passing interest in world events. His interest in
local matters is shown by the fact that he was instrumental in organizing the
Buhach District school, and served as school trustee for eight years. Mrs.
Freitas is a member of the S. P. R. I. S. I., and both give liberally to
charities and all good causes. In 1910 Mr. Freitas donated an acre of land to
the Buhach Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Association. His success has
come to him through years not unmixed with adversity, and he is ready and
willing to help others in their struggle for a place in life.



Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925

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