Minna Dewitt Sherman

Minna DeWitt Sherman (Eshleman)

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Minna Eshleman Sherman was a scientific farmer and civic leader in Fresno California.

She was a founder of the Fresno Parlor Lecture Club in Fresno County. Minna was owner of the Minnewawa vineyard, Minnewawa ranch and thus Minnewawa street were named for her.

Minna Eshleman Sherman, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, turned 640 undeveloped acres into Minnewawa Vineyard, where the most luxuriant table grapes in the state were grown.

She was a successful vinyardist and raised horses and dairy cattle on her ranch as well.

She married W N Sherman well after her success as a single woman.

Minna was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Regent Chester Rowell in March of 1913. She died before attending a single meeting.
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Among the well-known early ranches in Sunnyside were those of Minna Eshleman Sherman, M. Theo Kearney, Frederick Roeding and son George C. Roeding. Minna Eshleman started with the purchase of 480 acres in 1886 from the Henrietta Vineyard Company at Minnewawa and California Avenues. Her “Minnewawa Ranch” was named from Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha. It was the first ranch in Fresno County to be developed by a woman. Minna was an educator, a business woman, a breeder, a farmer, a packer and a shipper. Her extensive work to improve agricultural standards, educate breeders and farmers, and keen business ideas were important contributions to Fresno’s history and California agriculture. Governor Hiram W. Johnson appointed her a regent of the University of California for her work. Her original home still graces the Minnewawa Ranch at the end of the beautiful tree lined road of Minnewawa Avenue.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial