One of the well-know ranchers of Merced County, Modesto V. Baleme has been identified with agriculture here in the San Joaquin Valley for over forty years, and it has been a long journey from the poor boy, who landed in a new country without funds, or even a working knowledge of the new language, to the successful man who is now an integral part of the country's citizenry. Born June 15, 1852, in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, he is the son of Andrew J. and Mary (Bary) Baleme, both natives of that country and farmers by occupation. Educated in the public schools of Switzerland, he came to the United States when a lad of 16, arriving in 1868, and with no knowledge of English, started to look for work to earn a living.

The young adventurer worked his way to California and here took a job on the De Martini dairy ranch, near Petaluma. There he worked steadily for two years, and then, for the next 12 months, worked for Charles Love on the coast of Marin County. He saved his money and was soon able to send home his fare, which had been advanced him. His good mother died in 1871. In the evenings, when his day's work was finished - and it was a full day's work, in those days – he learned the English language, being helped by the tutoring of Mrs. Love, for he was fortunate in having unusually kind employers. After the three years spent in ranch work, Mr. Baleme went to San Francisco, and for the following three years was employed as a stevedore in the metropolis. From there he went to Stockton and there worked for Meyer Brothers for three years on their grain ranch. He then came further north again and took a position as foreman on the K. Fly ranch, in Napa Valley.

In 1883, he came to the San Joaquin to stay, first locating in Turlock, where he entered the employ of the late J. B. Osborn, and finally went into the employ of the late J. W. Mitchell, extensive stockman and rancher, as a teamster and warehouseman. He remained in his employ as foreman at Central Camp and later established another camp, named Modesto Camp, and here he made a wonderful success as a butter maker; the M. B. brand was known throughout the valley and was the most popular butter carried in the Merced stores. Mr. Baleme made weekly trips to Merced with produce and had no trouble in disposing of his output, for it was the best seller on the market. In the meantime, he made an investment in land on his own account, purchasing 40 acres, six miles west of town, later adding 10 acres to his holdings, and engaged in grain-raising. As his sons matured, he took them on as partners, at the same time conducting a more extensive business on lease lands, marketing his wheat, which was the principal crop, at Garibaldi Mills, Merced. In 1920, he sold out his mules to the Heinz Company and bought a 75-h.p. C. L. Best tractor and invested in his present 10-acre home place, one mile from Merced, where he enjoys the comforts of a newly-built, strictly modern home. He has set out his acreage to peach trees, which will soon be in bearing, making his place one of the show places of this section. He also owns residence property in Merced, and other desirable securities, and can surely be said to have reached success through his own unaided efforts, adding value to the section he chose for a home, and doing his share in its development.

The marriage of Mr. Baleme, in Modesto, in 1886, united him with Louise Hamilton, who was born in San Jose, the eldest of seven children in the family of Alex Hamilton, whose father was a Forty-niner, and he himself came to California in 1858. He married Mary Ferrett, a native of New Orleans, and his death occurred at the age of 63. In 1870, the family moved to Paradise City. They were also farmer folk. Thirteen children blessed the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. Baleme: John A., of Cressey; James E.; Loretta Berry; Albert V.; Louise M. Furtado; Helen Ellis; George F.; Josephine Tetzlaff; Fred M.; Walter W.; Mary E.; Irene Lorraine; and Emma N. Adams. There are 19 grandchildren in the family. A Republican in politics, Mr. Baleme received his citizenship papers in Merced. Fraternally, he has been a Knight of Pythias since 1884, when he joined the Turlock lodge.

~ History of Merced County, California, by John Outcalt, publ. 1925, pgs. 593-595.
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Modesto Baleme, a well-known retired Merced county farmer, passed away yesterday morning at Merced Hospital, death following an illness of several months from the infirmities incident to advanced age.

Mr. Baleme was a native of Switzerland and was aged 76 years. He came to this country when he was sixteen years old and after residing for a while in San Francisco came to the San Joaquin valley and engaged in farming, first in Stanislaus county and then in Merced county. About ten years ago he retired from active farming pursuits and had since made his home at the Baleme ranch in the McSwain district. He was an honest and industrious man and a good citizen and commanded the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Baleme was a member of Yosemite Lodge No. 30, Knights of Pythias, of this city.

Surviving relatives are the following named sons and daughters: Fred Baleme, George F. Baleme and James E. Baleme, Louise M. Furtado, Emma B. Adams and Mary Elizabeth Baleme, all of Merced; Walter W. Baleme of Fresno; John A. Baleme of Atwater; Laurette S. Berry of Livermore; Estelle H. Ellis of San Francisco.

Funeral services will be held in the Welch & Griffin chapel tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 2 o'clock.

~Merced Express (California), 6 Apr 1928