Hoddinott, Richard

Born in Bristol, England, in 1872, Richard Hoddinott immigrated alone to California at the age of fifteen during the boom year of 1888. After working in the lumber industry at Fort Bragg, he partnered with his brother Charles to run stock-raising and dairying operations across Mendocino County for over two decades. In 1915, Hoddinott relocated his dairy herd to Fresno County, acquiring property south of Kerman where he leveled the land for alfalfa, installed an electric pumping plant, and operated a twenty-cow dairy as a stockholder in the Danish Creamery Association.

Hoddinott married Galena Dalvit in Willits, California, and together they built a wide circle of friends in their community. An avid reader and traveler who made a return trip to England in 1901, he remained deeply attached to California and active in local civic life. A supporter of the Republican party and a member of the Woodmen of the World, Hoddinott established himself as a respected, self-made dairyman in the Kerman district.