JEAN EYRAUD.— The second eldest of his parents’ children, Mr. Eyraud was born May 12, 1863, at La Motte, in the province of Dauphine, France, son of Jean and Appolone (Meyer) Eyraud, the former of whom was a shoemaker and farmer there all his life. He spent his early years at home with his parents, attending the public schools and aiding his father on his farm. But he had heard reports from acquaintances who had gone to America that California was a good field and he concluded to come hither. In 1880 he secured a passport, which was signed by his parents and the mayor, and set out. On November 13, 1880, Air. Eyraud landed at New York, whence he came on an immigrant train to California, arriving at San Francisco November 30. He then made the trip to Bakersfield, consuming four days in the trip. Mr. Eyraud’s energy and willingness to work was made evident in the fact that on the day of his arrival here he procured employment with John Jamison, roadmaster of county roads between Sumner and Bakersfield, to chop the sage brush, and he aided in building the first road in the county, for which lie received a salary of $.3.00 per day. He was obliged to sleep outdoors on the ground and pay $2.00 a day for his meals. A short time later he entered the employ of a sleepman for a year, and then obtaining on credit a lot of sheep valued at $4,030, he engaged in the sheep business on his own account.
In 1883 occurred an episode in Mr. Eyraud”s life which he has never forgotten. Colonel Morrow had come to the town of Lone Pine from Chicago to inspect Mt. Whitney and other high peaks, and he engaged Mr. Eyraud as guide on his expedition, paying him $500 for ten days’ service, and it was on Mt. Whitney that Mr. Eyraud drank his first champagne in the United
States. Returning to his sheep business he continued to make that his occupation until 1887, when he went to Los Angeles and was married, on April 19, 1887, to Miss Constance Alarin, who was also born in Dauphine, France. Mr. Eyraud traveled over Southern California looking for a good place to locate, but noticing so many nickels and pennies in use he became disgusted and returned to Sumner where he bought the lot where he has his saloon and restaurant. This place was nothing more than a shack. He immediately started to remodel and rebuild it. It is located opposite the depot, on Sumner street. His residence is at No. 503 Humboldt street. (Eyraud, Jean, 701 I Street, r 501 H Street)
Mr. and Mrs. Eyraud are the parents of two children, Henry and John. Mr. Eyraud is a charter member of the Druids, which he joined in 1893(?) also a charter member of the Order of Eagles, and the Foresters of America. He is Democratic in political sentiment.
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