This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: rdjtaj_1 Surnames: Cressey Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.california.counties.stanislaus/6556/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Bio ---- CALVIN J. CRESSEY. - An outstanding type of the early pioneer spirit of the West was the late Calvin J. Cressey, who was born in New Hampshire, April 6, 1830. He married Miss Lydia Ann Cram, also of New Hampshire, who had been prom- inently connected with educational work. In order to satisfy the larger vision which was ever characteristic of him, he felt the urge of the call to the far West and came to California, where he acquired a large fortune; this consisted principally of extensive holdings of land and of controlling interest in two banks, of each of which he was the founder. He was president of the Modesto Bank until he organized and assumed management of the Grangers Bank of San Francisco ; this was established for the purpose of loaning capital to farmers, that they might handle their wheat, stock and fruit more advantageously. Mr. Cressey was prominently connected with the Grange organization, and by his brilliant and convincing speeches he awakened an interest in such legislation as the farmers needed. It was at first a little difficult for the people to understand how, being formerly a banker, he had any interest in the Grange. But when they realized how deeply interested he himself was in farming industries, how closely identified he had been in rescuing the wheat industry from the depression into which it had settled, ;ind how much he had done toward finding a market for wheat abroad, they readily understood why he was an enthusiastic member of the organization ; it was through such workers that the reduction of the tariff on jute and jute bagging had been largely brought about. In like manner was effected the sale of grain bags at San Quentin at largely cost price, thus rendering the growers free from the grain-bag trusts that would HISTORY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY 293 otherwise have made prices very high. Mr. Cressey, with his commanding presence and brilliant conversational and oratorical powers, was a staunch type of the early California pioneer who made history for the state. At his passing in March, 1891, he left three children: Frank A. Cressey, of Modesto, now deceased; Cora Cressey Crow, also of Modesto, and William C. Cressey, of San Francisco. ===================================================== 1921 Biography and History of Stanislaus County, California With by GEORGE H. TINKHAM -- http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofstanisl00tink/history... ===================================================== Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.