Cribb, A. D.

A. D. Cribb was an exceptionally fine old settler who contributed significantly to the development and agricultural destiny of California. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 22, 1848, he was the eldest of four children born to James Cribb and Elizabeth Clenes, both of whom passed away by 1860. Raised as a farmer with limited public schooling, he made his own way in the world after his parents deaths and eventually moved to Bates County, Missouri, in 1868 to follow the stock business. Due to poor health caused by malaria in that region, he determined to move to California in 1872. He quickly relocated to the San Joaquin Valley, where he found employment with a sheepman and eventually built up a band of two thousand sheep by 1877 before a dry year forced him to sell at a great loss.

Following this setback, Mr. Cribb moved to Fresno with a few dollars left and bought a forty acre tract at Malaga to plant muscat grapes as one of the first in the region. Although alkali developed on that land and forced a sale, he undauntedly bought another forty acre plot at Lone Star that he successfully developed into a profitable orchard of peaches, muscat grapes, and Thompson grapes. He later acquired twenty acres on Chittenden Avenue, achieving comfortable prosperity through his dedicated work as a viticulturist. Beyond his farming achievements, he supported various cooperative agricultural associations, was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and worked hard for local civic improvements as an independent voter in local issues.