R. H. Gilman superintendent of the Semi-tropic Fruit Company at Anaheim, was born in New Hampshire, left home in 1862, to follow the sea, and in the next year he ran away from the ship Wild Rover and for some time traveled. He afterward worked seven years at the tanner’s trade, and then followed ranching in Lake, Napa, and Sacramento counties. In 1872 the Semi-tropic Fruit Company was organized by L. M. Hoult, R. H. Gilman, I. N. Chapman and. others. They have 106 acres, most beautifully located and in a high state of cultivation. There are twenty-five acres in orange trees, ten acres in walnuts in bearing, and the rest in young oranges and walnuts. Mr. Gilman, who has been superintendent of the company since its organization, has practically demonstrated what can be done in a few years with the rich soil in this part of Orange County. He has also been practically interested in irrigation, being president, vice president and director of companies for this useful enterprise. He is a worker.
