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/111.1.".4.1
Hodges, Carrie
9/11/36 el 516
91436
PIONS;a3S OF NWW
Jebel 47, Hirringa•
Jahn J. Meriiwa came to Alw iexlco in Wall so that
his entire business experience has been acquired in this state.
BA was born in Freeland, Hellandi April 42, 1672. His
father being an Attorney at Leaf, was able to give his son every
educational advantage he would take. At the ege of about nineteen
years he left school and came to the United &tate*, sailing on
the steamship Spaarndam, from Rotterdam to ;;ew York City, iiew YOrk.
Alone and without funds, he made his way westward to New Jexico,
arriving at liaxwell in August, 1E22.
For two years he worked for a living and in the mean-
time, mastered both the ::;nglish eau 3panish languages as well as
adating.himself rapidly, to the ways &eid conditions of the new
country to which he had came. The ranching industry attracted him
immensely, and his fist employment was on the Dawson ranch near
Maxwell, a combined ca.tle and sheep ranch, where he remained for
two yeare.
With the wz,periarice he hi gained, he became a farmer
in the same community, his farm being in the irrigation district.
In time he becwile owner of a grain and alfalfa farm, and remained
at this place until 1907, when he exchanged his holdings at lax..
well for L store of general mrchandise at Paseamonte.
=all retail busi, under Yr. Heringais able
management, grew rapidly, and lattei- he was appointed postmaster
of Pasamonte, the postoffice beiiig located in the store building.
In this district, Union County, he coati/mild his ef.
haringa,
auut
forts as a cattle and she,p rancher, tl.d added to his la iva acra-
age as well, as his herds. MK, engaged in farming aa well as rinch..
bag, also hog and poultry raising.
Ye early acquired 4nerican citizenship aald cast his
first presidential vote in 1912, and the only official service he
ever performed was that of postmaster at Fasamonte.-lle la a =Mb-
er of the Masonic Lodge at Clayton, and of the Nei exico Cattle
and Horse Irowers Association. Be was also one of the organisers
of the Life Insurance Company of the Southwest at Albuquerque, and
since its consolidation with the Two epublics Life Insurance Com-
pany, has remained a stockhAder.
He was a stockholder in the -!;ar Finance Corporation
and during the -:orld vJar acted at registrar for his district. Was
appraiser atd director for the Ute Valley Loan Association.
Me was one of the °Ivan/sore of the Farmea's and Stook.
mans Bank in Clayton, row .:7.1-xico, and at preseat is actively
gaged in promoting this organization.
Nr. He'inga returned to Holland for his wife, and
was married to is 'Amdolina Pesman July 1E, 1E99. They came to
Lexico where they have siee resided. To this union were born
four children, :Award, Aizahetho Dia and John, all living ex-
cept john who is now doe eased.
Mr. an.J. Yrs. Ycri4ga make their home in Clayton, and
during his forty-four years of residence in Yew Mexico, is cons.,
sidered to be one of the most successful ranchers, and business
men in Northeastern rew !lexico, and Union County where most of
his interests are centered.
Hodges, Carrie I.
John J. Heringa4
BIBL/O/R7HY
Interviews Jbhn J. Heringai Clayton, New Mexico, 9/3/36.