A. R. Dresser one of the pioneers of Santa Ana, and a successful businessman, was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, in 1839. For his parentage see sketch of William Dresser. He started out life for himself at the age of twenty-one as a farmer. In 1861 he came to California, located first in Sutter County, where he “held down a squatter’s claim” until 1870, when he Came to Southern California and located in Santa Ana, where he has since resided; and here he devotes his attention mostly to agricultural pursuits. His first purchase was that of 140 acres in the northeast part of what is now Santa Ana, when there were but two or three houses in the place, and he has seen a lively city spring up around him, and has added his share toward its growth and development.
Mr. Dresser is a quiet and unassuming man and a true Christian gentleman He is a Republican in his political sympathies and also an able advocate of the principles of temperance.
January 3, 1862, in California, he married Mary E. Willock, by whom he had three children: Clarence, Frank and Willie. She died April 12, 1873, and Mr. Dresser was married again February 9, 1875, in Illinois, to Frances Mabie, whose parents were Peter and Eliza (Chapel) Mabie. By this marriage there are Albert, Arthur, Louis, Perry, Harry and Ernest.
