San Joaquin County
Biographies
K. G. BAUMBACH.
Numbered among the successful viticulturists of the Lodi district of San Joaquin County, K. G. Baumbach shows careful supervision and progressive methods in the care of his fine seventy-two-acre vineyard and orchard located on the Woodbridge Road north of Lodi. He was born in the rural district near Krem, South Russia, on March 6, 1872, the son of George and Charlotte (Delk) Baumbach, both parents natives of South Russia who came to America and located in South Dakota, where they homesteaded land and there both parents passed away.
K. G. Baumbach spent his boyhood on his father's farm working during vacation periods and attending the public school in Hutchinson County during the winter months until he was twenty-two years old, when he started out for himself by buying a half-section of grain land adjacent to his father's farm. His marriage occurred at Menno, in 1893, uniting him with Miss Margaret Maas, born at Krem, South Russia, the daughter of Gottlieb and Magdalena Maas, both natives of South Russia who came to the United States and settled in South Dakota when their daughter was a young girl. In 1905 Mr. Baumbach sold his property in South Dakota and came to California, and began ranching. He has owned different places, some of which he improved to vineyard and then sold. He now owns an eight and threefourths-acre vineyard in South Hutchins, where he resides with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Baumbach are the parents of eleven children: John, Ludvig, Magdalena, Mathilda, Margaret, Martha, Fred, Ruby, Otto, Benjamin, and Phillip. In politics he is a Democrat, and the family are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Lodi.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1521
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
AUSTIN HOWARD BEECHER.
A young man connected with the park department of Stockton, Austin Howard Beecher was born near Stockton, November 21, 1888. His father, John L. Beecher, is also a native son, being born in San Joaquin County about sixty-seven years ago. Grandfather John L. Beecher, a native of Connecticut, crossed the plains in the early gold rush. Following mining for a short time he later engaged in teaming and freighting, having his headquarters in Stockton. He hauled provisions to the mines on the Mother Lode and on the return trips came through Knights Ferry. When he quit teaming he settled on his large ranch where he resided until he died.
His son, John L., was a successful rancher until he retired and now makes his home in Stockton. He served as a member of the California Legislature. In his younger days he had made several trips back to Massachusetts and on one of these he was married to Miss Cora Gibson, a native of that state who had spent his boyhood on the home ranch, attending the the full enjoyment of the delightful California climate.
Austin Howard. the youngest of their five children, spent his boyhood on the home ranch, attending the local public schools. When seventeen years old he struck out for himself and for a time followed ranching, and then came to Stockton where he was employed until 1920, when he was appointed to a position in the Park Department of Stockton, and now has charge of Fremont Park.
Mr. Beecher was married in Stockton to Miss Margaret Ida Sheehan, who was born near Stockton, a daughter of Timothy and Margaret Sheehan, early settlers of this county, her father being engaged in the hotel business. Mrs. Beecher is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, where she majored in vocal music. Possessing a fine soprano voice she sings at churches and in concerts and has delighted audiences with her singing. Mr. Beecher is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1521
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JOHN A. BENDER.
Since 1903 John A. Bender has been residing in the Lodi section of San Joaquin County and is the owner of a forty-acre vineyard five miles south of Lodi. He was born in Menno, S. D., August 11, 1885, a son of John K. and Christina (Bender) Bender. John K. Bender was a farmer in his native land of Russia, having been born near the city of Odessa. In 1903 the family came to California and located in the vicinity of Lodi where the father purchased a twenty-acre vineyard on Cherokee Lane; later he sold this ranch and removed to Lodi, where he passed away in 1916, and the mother passed away in 1906. They were the parents of four children: Charles C.; John A., our subject; Margaret, Mrs. Henry Bender; and Bertha, Mrs. Rudolph Rode, both living in the Henderson district.
John A. Bender received a grammar school education in Menno, S. D., and assisted his father with the ranch work until he was twenty-one years old, when he bought 160 acres on the Elliott road north of Lockeford, where he engaged in farming for six or seven years; on this quarter section of land he set out a vineyard of twenty-five acres; later he sold his ranch and bought the place where he now resides, which is situated about four miles south of Lodi; this ranch contains forty acres, one-half of which is in alfalfa and the remaining half is set to vineyard; there are two irrigating plants on his ranch, one with a five-inch pump with a twelve-horsepower motor and the other with a six-inch pump with a fifteen-horsepower motor; Mr. Bender has also remodeled the house into a comfortable and modern residence.
On October 28, 1906, in Lodi, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bender, which united him with Miss Pauline Schenkenberger, a native of South Dakota, born near Scotland, a daughter of John and Louise (Barrett) Schenkenberger. Mrs. Bender received her education in her native state and accompanied her parents to California about twenty-five years ago and here her father engaged in farming in the vicinity of Lodi. Mr. and Mrs. Bender are the parents of nine children: Herbert, Thelma, John, Jr., Roberta, Roy, Robert, Alfred, Raymond, and Willard. Mr. Bender is a Republican in politics and the family are identified with the German Reformed Church.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1521
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.