Chino California

Biography of George A. Wilbur

George A. Wilbur, born in 1865 in California, founded the Chino Store in February 1888, establishing a thriving business that serves the local community with a wide range of goods. Originally a clerk in his brother’s store, he ventured into real estate in Los Angeles before returning to Chino. In addition to his mercantile endeavors, he engages in horticulture, cultivating various fruits on his ten-acre tract. A Democratic supporter and community advocate, Wilbur is also the Postmaster and Wells Fargo Express agent. He married Minnie Saunders, with whom he has one daughter, Hazel Elsie.

Biography of John Wasson

John Wasson, born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1833, transitioned from farm life to a diverse career marked by editing and public service. After mining in California, he returned to Ohio before moving to Illinois and later to Nevada, where he engaged in various jobs, including editing the Owyhee Avalanche. Wasson served as Surveyor General of Arizona under President Garfield and published the Arizona Citizen for over seven years. He also held several public offices in Chino, California, while consistently pursuing his passion for journalism and public affairs.

Biography of Albert E. Payne

Albert E. Payne, born in England in 1841, immigrated to the U.S. at age ten. He ventured to California in 1883, establishing the first general merchandise store in Ontario while engaging in horticulture. After selling his businesses in 1886, he focused on agriculture in Chino Township, cultivating prunes, apples, and nursery stock. A Republican and former Ontario Postmaster, Payne actively supported his community through public service and education. He married Mary Sheppard, and they had three children, solidifying his legacy in the region.