Milnes, Alan D.

Alan Downes Milnes was born at Kerry, Montgomery, Wales, on February 28, 1881, to James Mayall Milnes and Agnes Mary Downes. After working in a hardware shop at Newton, Wales, he immigrated to North America in 1899, landing at Quebec before working as a range hand in Havre, Montana. In 1902, he relocated to Laton in Fresno County, California, where he married Lelah Lewis on April 30, 1905.

In 1908, Alan and his wife settled on their present 100-acre ranch near Riverdale in Fresno County, where they raised seven children and built a bungalow home in 1918. He established himself as a prominent rancher and major livestock shipper, specializing in dairy stock, registered Poland-China hogs, and direct shipments to California packers. A Past Grand in the Odd Fellows and a supporter of the Riverdale Cooperative Creamery, he became one of the most successful livestock buyers and shippers in the region.