JEROME A. McLAUGHLIN.
A thoroughly reliable oil-man, whose integrity is unquestioned and who has an enviable reputation as one of the best production men in California, is Jerome A. McLaughlin, production foreman for the Shell Company of California, at Oilfields. He was born in Butler County, Pa., in 1867, the son of Daniel G. McLaughlin, a native of that state, who became a successful farmer and oil-operator, his lands being still in the possession of his family, a valuable heritage, as they are underlaid with coal and oil. The oldest son, C. R. McLaughlin, is looking after the interests of this estate. Daniel McLaughlin died in Pennsylvania. His wife was Eleanor (Boyle) McLaughlin, and she now resides in Glendale, having the companionship of a daughter. They live in a home, that J. A. McLaughlin built for his mother; and there she is spending her later years in peace and contentment. Four boys and two girls were born to this worthy couple, and among them J. A. was the second oldest.
Jerome A. received a good education in the local public schools while he assisted his father on the farm and in his oil operations, and he remained at home until he went to the oil-fields in Wood County, Ohio. There he became production foreman for the Standard Oil Company, and later had the same position with the Palmer Oil Company. In 1904 he came out to Bartlesville, Okla., to become production foreman for the Security Oil Company, and while there he made the acquaintance of A. C. Graham of Oilfields, Cal., who later recommended him as foreman for the California Oilfields, Limited, and he was tendered the position in 1908. He accepted and came here immediately to take charge; and he has remained in that office ever since, continuing with the Shell Company of California when it succeeded to the property in August, 1913. He has given them the benefit of years of valuable experience, and is considered one of the best-posted production men in California.
In many ways Mr. McLaughlin has identified himself with the permanent growth of the community, in which we hope he will remain. Among other activities, he is a stockholder and director in the Oilfields Cooperative Store.
GEORGE F. CORLEY.
Well known as the proprietor of the Coalinga Dairy, the oldest and best dairy in the city, was the late George F. Corley, a native of Tennessee, born near Gordonsville, February 4, 1876, a son of Henry and Tennessee (Ray) Corley, both natives of Tennessee. The ancestors of the Corley family were from the Emerald Isle, Great-grandfather Corley emigrating from Ireland and settling in Tennessee. Grandfather Nathaniel Corley saw service in the Civil War.
After completing his education in the public school of his native state, George F. assisted his father on the farm until 1903, when he came out to Madera County, Cal. Here he was employed by the Raymond Granite Company as their foreman, remaining with them four years. In 1907, Mr. Corley moved to Fresno County, locating at Coalinga, where he secured employment in the oil-fields as a rig-builder, being engaged by different companies. Desiring to engage in business for himself, Mr. Corley bought, in 1914, the Coalinga Dairy from R. Thut, the purchase including his business, residence and dairy buildings. Since that date he personally conducted the business by the most modern and sanitary methods, and his care in safeguarding his milk was fully appreciated, as shown by the large patronage accorded the Coalinga Dairy, which had the reputation of selling the best quality of milk in the city. In addition to the dairy business, Mr. Corley also engaged in raising cattle and hogs.
On January 20, 1898, George F. Corley was united in marriage with Miss Mary Inez Roberts, a native of Gordonsville, Tenn., and they became the parents of four children: Bessie, now Mrs. Reed of Coalinga; William, with the Coalinga Ice Company; Lamon; and Louise. Mrs. Corley is the daughter of Oliver and Lucy (Whitley) Roberts, born in Virginia and Tennessee, respectively, and who were farmers. Mr. Roberts served in the Confederate Army in the Civil War. Both parents died in Tennessee, the father in 1914, and the mother on July 30, 1912.
Fraternally, Mr. Corley was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Eagles at Coalinga. He was well-informed and possessed a genial disposition, with the happy faculty of making and retaining friends and was always ready to aid in advancing the best interests of Coalinga. Mr. Corley passed away on January 13, 1919, after an illness of nine days. Mrs. Corley has bravely taken the management of their affairs and, with the aid of the youngest son, Lamon, continues the dairy business.
BERT A. STATHAM.
A representative of one of Fresno County's earliest pioneer families who has made himself in private and commercial life thoroughly dependable, turned aside to effect a good army record, and come to stand high in Masonic circles so that with his wife he is enviably popular, is Bert A. Statham, a native son who was born in Fresno on October 22, 1888, the only son of James and Margaret (Lawson) Statham. The father was born in Centerville, Fresno County, on September 22, 1859, and engaged in the butcher business at Fresno. Then, for several years, he served as deputy tax collector, and in 1909 he died near Selma. His father was A. H. Statham, a Fresno County pioneer and one of the early developers of the city of Fresno. Mrs. Statham's father was George Lawson, for quarter of a century the proprietor of the Grand Central barber shop.
Bert was brought up in the home of his grandparents, the Lawsons, and when they moved East to Greenville, Ill., he accompanied them, and attended the common schools of the districts in which he lived. He also attended Greenville College, where he pursued a business course, and then he took a position as stock clerk with the Peters Shoe Company of St. Louis.
His grandmother, Betsy Jane Ingles, having died in Greenville, Bert Statham returned to Fresno County with his grandfather, reaching here in 1911; and in July he located at Selma. He accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Selma Planing Mill, but resigned in February, 1915, to enter the service of the Selma Land Company. Now he devotes his whole time and attention to the management of their insurance department.
Not only did Mr. Statham render active field service in the war, but he returned just in time to do the required herculean work in connection with the Victory Loan drive. When the call for volunteers came, he enlisted in the quartermaster's corps, on August 13, 1917, and was assigned for duty in the paymaster's office at the San Francisco Presidio. He remained steadily at his post, and rose to become first-class sergeant. On March 13, 1919, he was honorably discharged at San Francisco. Under his direction as secretary of the Drive, Selma went promptly "over the top" by 115 per cent.
In 1915 Mr. Statham was married at Fresno to Miss Ethel E. Phillips of Selma, the daughter of George B. and Jennie (Dodson) Phillips; and they reside at 2121 North Street in their own house. Mr. Statham is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Selma Lodge No. 277, F. & A. M., and the San Francisco Consistory Bodies, No. 1. He also belongs to Islam Temple, of the San Francisco Shriners. He is a member of Selma Parlor of the Native Sons, and he belongs to the Eastern Star and the Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Foresters, and Woodmen of the World.
CLARENCE L. STAMMERS, M. D.
A medical man of exceptionally superior training, whose skill and conscientious attention and care to every patient have enabled him to rise rapidly in his profession is Dr. Clarence L. Stammers, doubly interesting to residents of Central California as the son of an esteemed pioneer. His father, a jeweler, was one of the highly-respected business men of Selma, and his mother, who has survived and still resides here, owns the well-known Stammers Block. The Doctor occupies rooms in the Sugar Block, while he lives at the Selma Sanitarium, at 1701 First Street, which is in charge of his wife.
Dr. Stammers was