Van Ronk, Lewis E.

Lewis E. Van Ronk was born in Iowa on July 10, 1865, to parents Theodore and Cynthia Van Ronk. After completing his early education in Iowa public schools, he learned the trade of a brick mason and pursued the vocation throughout his life. He relocated to Centralia, Washington, where he resided for twenty-five years before becoming the only member of his family to migrate to California in 1913.

In 1888, while living in Washington, Lewis married Iowa native Nancy Viola Watson, the daughter of Charles Watson. The couple raised six children, including Vera Maud, Lavern Edward, Virgil L., Marie Geneva, Frank L., and Leta J., with both Lavern and Frank serving overseas during wartime. Settling in Sanger, Fresno County, Lewis established himself as a prominent brick, cement, and plaster contractor while operating a factory manufacturing cement building blocks.