San Joaquin County
Biographies
HENRY J. ARMBRUST.
A representative of an old pioneer family who is an enterprising and progressive citizen of Stockton, Henry J. Armbrust was born near Stockton February 21, 1865, the eldest son of Henry and Mary Armbrust, natives of Germany and Switzerland respectively. Henry Armbrust, the father of our subject, left Germany for America in 1863 on a small sailing vessel, the journey taking sixty-five days to New York; from that port in company with his brother Louis, he came via Panama to California, arriving in San Francisco late in 1863 and the same year settled in Stockton, where he found work on the Potter ranch on the French Camp Road. In 1864 he entered the employ of Jacob Wagner and for four years was foreman in the tannery. He was first married in 1864 and two children were born of the union, Henry J., our subject, and Emma, wife of Charles Fritsch, who now has four children and resides in Portland, Ore. In 1867, Mrs. Armbrust passed away and the following year Mr. Armbrust resigned from the tannery and bought ten acres near Stockton on West Lane, which he developed to a high state of cultivation. In 1869 he was married to Miss Christina Christenson, a native of Denmark, and to them there were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom reside in and near Stockton. Henry Armbrust was among the pioneer fruit men of California and a successful viticulturist. In 1914 he retired from ranch work and in 1920 he sold his property and settled in Stockton, where he passed away on October 25, 1921.
Henry J. Armbrust attended the Old North school and from an early age was associated with his father in the fruit business, having charge of the local marketing of the ranch products. His first marriage was blessed by two daughters, Lola, the wife of G. Cinato, residing in Oakland; and Mary, the wife of Percy Van Pelt, residing in San Francisco. Mr. Armbrust later married Miss Mary Steinbacher, born in Woodland, a daughter of John Steinbacher, pioneer merchant of that city. Six children have been born of this union: William, Carmelita, Elenor, Marguerite, Henry, Jr., and Francis. In 1924, retiring from ranch work, Mr. Armbrust entered the employ of the street department of the city of Stockton, where he has since been a trusted employee. In 1908, Mr. Armbrust built his residence at 1345 East Park Street, where he has since resided. Politically he is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of Stockton Lodge 218, B. P. O. E., and for the past thirty-five years has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1052
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
GEORGE FRANCIS THOMPSON.
A distinguished Californian to whom the citizens of the Delta district near Stockton owe much for his great work in the development of that important section—a task which would have been impossible except for optimism and courage, and hard, almost heroic work—is George Francis Thompson, the well-known pioneer farmer now residing at 1138 North Center Street, Stockton, in which city he was born on July 24, 1866. He was the son of J. W. and Margaret (Carlin) Thompson, both natives of Ireland and both now deceased. The father crossed the great, untracked plains to reach California in the famous Argonaut year of '49; and after mining for a while, he teamed to Sonora in Tuolumne County, and as a veritable pioneer, did much to open the way for those that came after him. Five children were born to this worthy pioneer couple: Anna, Mrs. Gofield, of Stockton; James, who died at sixty-two years; W. J., of Stockton: Sarah Jane, who died when fifty; and George Francis, of this sketch. The father died about 1870, and Mrs. Thompson afterward married Sol Hurey, a fruit grower on Roberts Island; later they sold out and returned to Stockton, where they both passed away, the mother at the age of sixty-five years.
George Francis Thompson attended the Franklin school at Stockton, and later the Stockton Business College, where he graduated in 1884. As a boy he went to Roberts Island and there learned the rudiments of farming on the ranch of his stepfather. Later, with John O'Brien as a partner, he rented 320 acres on Roberts Island and farmed it to grain, continuing until they were operating 3,000 acres. Later still, the floods ruined their crops, and then Mr. Thompson bought 160 acres on the Island and also worked for Frank Lane, farming a large acreage. In 1898, with Ralph P. Lane as a partner, he farmed 3,000 acres on Union Island, using a steam tractor, and they were among the first to break the soil after the reclamation of this island. They raised grain and vegetables and were very successful until 1906, when the land was again flooded. While farming on the islands Mr. Thompson was through seven different floods, but he persevered and in time made a success, raising grain, cattle and fine Percheron horses. He has gone through the different phases of California agriculture, from the old header to tractors and combined harvesters, and at times has raised crops of as high as 90,000 sacks. When he was twenty-two years old, he spent a year at Huron, Fresno County, as superintendent for Bowles & McNear, in developing water to prove up six sections of land, tapping Big Cantua Creek and bringing the water by ditch to the land.
With Dr. C. L. Six as a partner, Mr. Thompson rented the Gillis ranch, 320 acres of the Woods brothers' tract, and 598 acres of the St. Catherine ranch, all on Roberts Island. They also operated the Jacobs & Flack ranch of 720 acres, raising potatoes there in 1912; but owing to the low prices of that year, they lost heavily. In partnership with Peter Dentoni and J. Campodonico, he at length bought the St. Catherine ranch, and in 1915 he bought out his partners and then sold a half-interest to Mr. Ruess; and now, with Robert T. Melton, present city commissioner of Stockton, as a partner, he owns the other half. He also farms 320 acres on Woodward Island. Mr. Thompson has invested a portion of his profits in Stockton real estate and is now the owner of a fine flat building and two residences besides his own home, on Center and Rose streets. He is one of the best-informed men on land values in the Delta district, for all his life he has farmed there.
On Roberts Island, November 26, 1897, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Clara Fox, a lady of many accomplishments, a native daughter of Lodi, and three children have been born to them, Ralph. George and Ruth. Mrs. Thompson's father, William Morgan Fox, who was born in Clark County, Ohio, served in the Civil War and was a prisoner at Andersonville for nine months. He was married in Canton, Ill., to Miss Mary J. Sproul, and in 1867 they came to California via Panama, settling at Stockton. He was a shoemaker, but followed farming here. He passed away at Manteca, survived by his widow, who makes her home near Oakdale. Of their six children, Mrs. Thompson is next to the youngest. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Native Sons of the Golden West. Always interested in the community's progress, he served as public administrator of San Joaquin County from 1907 to 1911, and he has been on the Democratic County Central Committee.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1055
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
WILSON HENRY THOMPSON.
It is interesting to chronicle the life history of the successful business man who has risen by his own individual efforts from the bottom rung of the ladder, step by step, until after years of honest endeavor and well-directed energy he has acquired not only an affluence but a rich experience and far-reaching influence, making him a leader both in his own line and in the affairs of his community. Such a man is Wilson Henry Thompson, the genial and popular vice-president and one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank of Lodi, which has its home in a new $100,000 structure on a site he selected on School and Oak streets.
Mr. Thompson was born near Lawrence, Kans., September 27, 1868, a son of John and Catherine (Shank) Thompson, the former a native of Pennsylvania. The parents brought their family to California in 1874 and were pioneer farmers and fruit growers near Lodi until their passing. Coming to California in his sixth year, Wilson H. Thompson was educated in the public schools of San Joaquin County, and supplemented his secondary schooling with a three-years course in Woodbridge College. His first business experience was gained as a clerk in Bentley's general merchandise store at Woodbridge, where he remained for one year. He then became associated with A. L. Cowell, and together they conducted a general merchandise store and hotel at Woodbridge for the next four years.
Selecting Lodi as his future place of operations, Mr. Thompson came here in 1896 and started a grocery store. In 1899 F. W. Beckman became his partner, and the firm was known as Thompson & Beckman; but shortly afterwards they took in H. E. Welch, their bookkeeper, as a third partner, and on February 24, 1904, were incorporated as Beckman, Welch & Thompson, Inc., and thereafter branched out into the various lines of general merchandising. Mr. Thompson was president of the company, and his years of experience and wide acquaintance enabled him to build up a business second to none in the county in this line. In order to provide larger and more suitable quarters, Mr. Thompson erected a brick business block 70x160 feet on South Sacramento Street. He continued as president until 1918, when he sold his interest. With Mr. Beckman, Mr. Thompson also erected the Beckman & Thompson Building on School Street. In 1910, with others, he established the Pacific Fruit Exchange, with headquarters in Sacramento, and became vice-president of the company and local manager of the Lodi district.
Recently Mr. Thompson disposed of his interest in the First National Bank, in which he had been vice-president and director for some years, and with others organized the Citizens National Bank of Lodi, being elected its vice-president. He saw a splendid location for the new bank and business houses on the corner of Oak and School streets; so he purchased the three corners and turned them over to the City Improvement Company, which was organized for the purpose of building up all the corners with substantial two-story store and office buildings and the bank home. The bank building is a Class A concrete and terra cotta building 50x75, and is devoted entirely to the use of the bank. The City Improvement Company also built the new postoffice building on Oak Street. Mr. Thompson's associates are all local men, like himself acknowledged for their integrity and worth, and represent a diversity of interest and wide experience, their influence being of especial value to the institutions with which they are associated. Mr. Thompson is interested in viticulture, his holdings being principally in the vicinity of Lodi. He is a director of the Stockton Home Builders' Association, and the Masonic Temple Association in Stockton; is president of the Lodi Investment Company, which erected the Lodi Hotel and Lodi Theater; is president of the Lodi Public Library Board; and was formerly a member of the Lodi Board of Education.
Mr. Thompson was first married on November 11, 1892, to Miss Mary Eliza Fowler, a native of this county and the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Fowler, pioneer farmers near Lodi. She passed away in February, 1900; and on December 9, 1903, at Crocker Station, he was united in marriage with Miss Celia M. Crocker, a native of that place, the daughter of Henry and May (Hall) Crocker, natives of Massachusetts and pioneers of California. Mr. Crocker came here in 1853 and engaged in mining until he established Crocker Station, on Big Oak Flat road, leading into the Yosemite Valley. There he continued until his passing away. He was survived by his widow. Mrs. Thompson was reared at Crocker Station and received her education at Woodbridge College. They have a son, Henry Allen, a graduate of the Lodi high school, class of 1922.
Fraternally, Mr. Thompson was made a Mason in Lodi Lodge No. 256, F. & A. M., and is a member of Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., Stockton Council, R. S. M , Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T., and Ben Ali Shrine, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sacramento; and with his wife he is a member of the Eastern Star, of which he is a Past Patron. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and Elks, and was a charter member of the Lodi Rotary Club. Naturally progressive, Mr. Thompson has engaged in many enterprises looking to the development of the city, regardless of pecuniary benefits to himself.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1055
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.