George E. Minges is a prominent and leading representative of agricultural interests in San Joaquin county, residing in Castoria township, where he has made his home continuously since 1887. He owns a valuable farm of eleven hundred and twenty acres and in his agricultural methods is most progressive. He is one of the stanchest advocates of irrigation, and his labors have proved its effectiveness as an agent in agricultural activity.

Mr. Minges is a native of San Joaquin county, where his birth occurred on the 22d of April, 1864. His parents were John and Philapena (Leicht) Minges, both natives of Germany. The father became one of the pioneer settlers of Stockton, California, emigrating to America with his wife and children in the year 1849. He landed on the Atlantic coast, but made his way westward, crossing the plains to the Pacific coast. His first location was made in southern California, but in 1850 he took up his abode at Stockton, where he conducted a gunsmith shop. He possessed excellent mechanical skill and ingenuity and was able to execute almost any kind of mechanical work. He also conducted the first bakery in Stockton and was likewise proprietor of a hotel. In fact, his name is closely associated with the early business development and substantial upbuilding of the town, where he was numbered among the honored pioneer settlers. He favored progress and improvement along every line that he believed would contribute to the general good, and he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which the present prosperity and progress of the county have been built. In 1859 he removed from Stockton to Atlanta, where he remained for many years. He also resided for several years on the west side of the San Joaquin river in Stanislaus county, but subsequently returned to Stockton, where his last years were passed. His death occurred on the 23d of November, 1893, and thus passed away one whom the citizens of San Joaquin county had come to esteem and honor. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he was a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church. He lived an upright, honorable life that commended him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. Of the children born to him and his wife nine are yet living: Barbara E., now the wife of John E. Gross, of Stockton, California; John W., who is living in San Joaquin county; Henry, also a resident of San Joaquin county; Mary A., the widow of Albert Netz, of Stockton, California; Caroline C., the wife of George Bertch, of Tulare county, California; Louise P., the wife of James Sage, of Tulare county; Rosette, the wife of John W. Montgomery, of Stockton; Magdalena, the wife of Micheal Premo, of Los Angeles county, California; and George E.

The last named was reared to man's estate in San Joaquin county and acquired his early education in the public schools near his home. Later he attended the San Joaquin Valley College at Woodbridge, California, and there on the completion of a court in the business department he was graduated . He early became familiar with all the duties and labor that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for he assisted materially in farm work on the old family homestead. Throughout the greater part of his life since attaining his majority he has also followed farming and stock-raising, and in buying and selling stock he has realized a handsome competence. Through several years he has taken a very active interest in the matter of irrigation throughout San Joaquin county, and is recognized as among the most prominent and influential advocates of the subject. He labors untiringly to secure the adoption of irrigation methods in the district, realizing the value thereof in promoting agricultural interests. His lands are nearly all irrigated and his fields are now extremely productive. In fact, in all of his farming methods he is progressive, and his efforts have been so ably directed and his dealings have been so honorable and straightforward that he has gained a very desirable measure of prosperity and at the same time has won the unqualified confidence of those with whom he has had dealings.

On the 24th of November, 1887, occurred the marriage of George E. Minges and Miss Birdie Williams, of Woodbridge, California, and a daughter of Richard W. and Amanda (Irelan) Williams, who are residents of Woodbridge and early settlers of San Joaquin county. To Mr. and Mrs. Minges have been born seven children: Georgie A., now deceased; Eva M.; Beulah A.; George W.; Leslie A.; Walter C.; and Carl, the baby. The family is prominent in social circles and the Minges household is noted for its generous hospitality. For a number of years Mr. Minges has served as a trustee of the Castle school district and for a portion of the time has been clerk of the school board. In politics he is a Prohibitionist with Republican proclivities. He and his wife belong to the Atlanta methodist Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as a steward, and his wife is a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Atlanta and also of the Ladies' Aid Society of the church and of the latter has served as president. Their influence is ever on the side of right, morality and religion, and they are honored and respected by all because of their genuine character worth.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume II

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine