An entry in the IGI records the birth of George Marchbank 22nd (sic) December 1857 in Buittle Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire. The 1851 census shows his parents, seemingly not long married, residing in Butterhole Farm in that parish. By the time of the 1861 census they have left the parish, but the IGI comes to the rescue again. They have a child Wellwood Herries Maxwell Marchbank born in 15th January 1864 in Cloghjordan, Tipperary, Ireland. Given that Butterhole was on the estate of Munches, and the property of Mr Wellwood Herries Maxwell, there can be no doubt this is the same family. This is the story of George Marchbank junior who found a new life in California.
George Marchbank, Buittle, and Madera County, California.
GEORGE MARCHBANK. As the efficient superintendent of the Mid Vale Land and Fruit Company, composed largely of Pennsylvania capitalists, who own one of the largest and most productive fruit ranches in Madera county, Cal., Mr. Marchbank is filling a position of prominence and has proved to be exceptionally well fitted for the place. He has twenty men under his supervision and in the management of this ranch he has shown excellent judgment and executive ability of a high order. The three hundred and twenty acres comprising his ranch are devoted almost wholly to fruit culture. Here one finds extensive orchards of peaches, apricots, figs, almonds and a few orange groves, besides large vineyards of raisin grapes and thirty acres of alfalfa. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Marchbank became superintendent of this ranch and the excellence of the various products of the place is attributed largely to his efforts, as he personally directs all laborers, and employs only the best methods of raising and caring for the fruits.
A descendant of Scotch parents, and himself a native of Scotland, born December 23, 1857, Mr. Marchbank was reared on the farm which belonged to his parents, George and Jessie (Campbell) Marchbank, both of whom spent their entire lives in Scotland; educated in his native land, at the age of twenty Mr. Marchbank came to America and for three years served as deputy United States surveyor in the territory of Utah.
He was afterward located for fourteen months in Minnesota and a short time in Oregon, engaged in similar work, and in 1884 he took up his residence in California. In 1886 he went into Fresno county and for a time was in the employ of the George W. Mead Company, and was subsequently raisin inspector for the Co-Operative Packing Company of Madera county. Receiving the offer to superintend the Mid Vale Land and Fruit Company, in Madera county, he at once assumed the duties of his present position. Aside from casting his vote in favor of Republican candidates Mr. Marchbank takes little interest in politics. Fraternally he affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has two children, Marion A. and Margaret C.
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