George A. Fleming Company, fruit-driers and dealers in dried fruit. At
the Willows, in 1877, George A. Fleming commenced, in an experimental
way, the drying of fruit. The discouragements of the first years were
many; much had to be learned, the people being slow to believe that the
American prune or apricot could equal imported fruit. In fact, the
often unsatisfactory condition of the first fruits sent from this Sate
to the eastern marked did much to confirm the prevalent prejudice
against all American dried fruit. There were those who believed that
patience and care could remedy all existing deficiences, and in time
created a demand for California fruits that would make their production
a source of great profit, and build up an industry that would employ
thousands, and bring wealth to Santa Clara Valley. Among these was
George A. Fleming. Holding steadily to that faith he gained each year
in experimental knoweldge. With the increased production, his business
steadiy increased, until it has grown to its present magnificent
proportions.
Associated with him is his brother , Charles F. Fleming. Their
interest becoming too large for persoanl supervision, the Goerge A.
Fleming Company was organized, under the state laws of Illinois, in
decmenber, 1887, with a capital stock of $250,000. Of this stock the
Flemings own three-fourths. The incorporators are as follows: George
A. Fleming, President; Charles F. Fleming, Treasurere and
vice-President; Thomas Caldwallader, of Chicago, Secretary; and R. D.
Shaw and George T. McLaughlin, of San Jose. The last-named gentlemen
have been in the employ of the Flemings several years, and are now the
superintendents of the two drying establishments, one a the Willows,
and the other at Campbell Station. The latter establishment was
erected in 1887, The company own, at Rock Island, Illinois, their own
distributing depot, handling all of their own goods. There sixty hands
are employed, under the superintendendance of Charles F. Fleming. The
business office of the company is in Chicago, under the charge of Mr
Cadwaller, the secretary of the corporation. The mangement of the
driers, and the purchase of stock, are under the superintendence of
George A Fleming, who resides at the Willows. During the active drying
season of 1887, about 700 employes composed the force, and 1.800 tons
of apricots (green fruit), and over 2,500 tons of other fruit were
handled. the company deal largely in fruits cured by others. They
shipped, of the crop of 1887, about 120 car loads of dried fruit, about
two-thirds of which was cured by themselves. Their black Diamond brand,
and Fleming's raisin-cured prunes, are favorites in the
market.--------
Pen Pictures from the Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. Edited by H.S. Foote, Published, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company 1888- pages 538-539
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