San Joaquin County
Biographies
CHARLES O. BECHTOLD.
Prominent among the experienced and successful vineyardists who have done much to help place San Joaquin County in the front rank with respect to agriculture, is undoubtedly Charles O. Bechtold, who was born at Milltown, S D., on December 12, 1895, the son of George and Louise (Reimche) Bechtold, the former a native of Russia, from which country he came to South Dakota when he was twelve years old, arriving there in the pioneer days when only those with heroic courage and manhood could hope to survive and succeed. He homesteaded 160 acres of government land in South Dakota, but when Charles was six months old removed with his family to North Dakota and settled at Harvey, in Wells County. There he purchased a half section of land and engaged in grain raising. Little by little he added to his original holding, until he came to possess two sections of land. Charles attended the common school at Harvey. When he was thirteen years old, he accompanied his parents to California, and to Woodbridge in 1908, where his father had bought twenty-four acres of vineyard. This vineyard was set out to Black Prince and Tokay grapes, and was well irrigated. George Bechtold died at Woodbridge, highly respected by all who knew him, the father of a family of nine children: Louise, Mrs. Bich; George, of Woodbridge; Charles; Emma, Mrs. Dahl; Martha, Mrs. Northrop, of Lodi; and Bertha, Ruby, Albert and Mabel. The last four are living at home with their mother.
Charles O. Bechtold finished his schooling in Woodbridge, after which he followed farming. On September 19, 1917, he entered the United States service in the World War, as a member of Company L., 363rd Infantry, 91st Division, and for six months trained at Camp Lewis. He was then transferred to the first replacement division of engineers, to be sent to France; but instead they were sent to Washington, D. C., and he there matriculated in the engineering school, at the American University. He was then sent to Camp Humphrey, Va., and was promoted to first sergeant of Company E, 1st Regiment of Replacement Engineers. He remained there for the duration of the war. On February 11, 1919, he was honorably discharged from the service at the Presidio in San Francisco as 1st sergeant, after which he returned to his home in Woodbridge. He is a member of Lodi Post No. 22, American Legion, and his wife belongs to the Auxiliary of the American Legion. After returning from the war he began viticulture, purchasing ten acres of full-bearing vineyard of the Bechtold ranch from his mother, and also leases another vineyard.
At Stockton, on November 22, 1920, Mr. Bechtold was married to Miss Emeline Campodonico, a native of Hornitas, in Mariposa County, and the daughter of E. and Pasquala (Valverde) Campodonico, both born at Hornitas. Her father, who is still living, was a miner, and she attended school at Hornitas, Fresno, Lodi and Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtold have one daughter, Louise Marie.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1308
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
CHARLES AUGUSTINE GRISWOLD.
Among the residents of the farming community of Lodi, conspicuous for their worth and ability, is Charles Augustine Griswold, a retired vineyardist and a veteran of the Civil War. Before coming to California twenty years ago, he was actively connected with the progress and development in his native state of Pennsylvania and also in Nebraska. He was born near Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa., on August 5, 1840; a son of James F. and Lydia (Franklin) Griswold, natives of New York. Grandfather Griswold served in the war of 1812. Lydia Franklin's mother was a Lee, an aunt of Robt. E. Lee, and her grandfather Lee served in the Revolutionary War. She is also a direct descendant of Daniel Franklin, a brother of Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Griswold's parents died in Pennsylvania. He was the seventh child in a family of ten children and had a brother, King E. Griswold. who also served in the Civil War.
Charles A. Griswold received his education in the Elk Lake district school, Susquehanna County, Pa., and he not only helped his father on the home place, but worked on various farms throughout the county. On October 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, his brigade commander being General Kirkpatrick. He served under Generals McClellan and Sherman and was with General Sherman on his famous march through Georgia and to the sea and took part in all the engagements. After being mustered out December 24, 1864, he returned to his native county in January, 1865, and followed his trade of carpenter, extending his territory to Bradford County as well. In 1877 he located in Franklin County, Nebr., and was engaged for many years in building operations. He erected the Franklin Academy, a number of store buildings, a grist mill, a woolen mill and many school houses; he also helped build the court house at Bloomington, Nebr. While residing in Franklin County, he filed on a quarter section of land, which he farmed to grain, cattle and hogs with considerable success When a railroad was built within a mile of his homestead and Upland, Nebr., sprang into being he established a general store there and for fourteen years served the community as postmaster and justice of the peace.
Removing to California in 1903, Mr. Griswold located in Stockton and engaged in building operations; however, his stay in Stockton only occupied one year and in 1904 he settled in Lodi where he purchased a fifteen-acre vineyard set to four year old vines for which he paid $3,700; his first year's crop was sold for $800 cash. The vineyard is located one mile west of Lodi and is still in his possession, but is now leased. Some time ago he bought an acre and a half on South School Street where he erected a commodious and modern residence, but has sold all but two lots of this tract. Mr. Griswold did some building after settling in Lodi; he erected the Morehead residence on West Elm Street and the O. Poole residence east of Lodi. He has now retired from active carpenter work, but is never so happy as when he has a saw and hammer in his hand.
The marriage of Mr. Griswold occurred in Bradford County, Pa., May 1, 1867, and united him with Miss Martha M. Arnout, a native of Bradford County, Pa., a daughter of Joshua Arnout and Martha C. Chilson Arnout, natives of Orange County, N. Y., who spent their last days in Bradford County, Pa. Mrs. Griswold is the seventh born in a family of nine children and had two brothers; Theo. and George, who served in a New York Regiment in the Civil War; the latter died in service and the former soon after the war. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold are the parents of three daughters: Cora married Oselus Poole, a rancher living east of Lodi and they have six children; Grace is Mrs. S. D. Nelson and they have four children; Mary is Mrs. Charles Waite and they have five children and reside in Sacramento. There are fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren in the family. In politics. Mr. Griswold is a stalwart Republican and has been an ardent supporter of the principles of that party wherever he has resided. At the age of twenty-five he joined the Masonic order in Bradford County, Pa., and is now a member of Lodi Lodge No. 256 F. & A. M. and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He joined the G. A. R. in Upland, Neb. and is now a member of the Hartford Post, G. A. R. of Lodi. He is a past commander and now is chaplain. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of Lodi, of which he is a deacon. Mrs. Griswold is an active member of the W. R. C. In 1917 they celebrated their golden wedding. In the various relations of life he has manifested those traits of character which ever command respect, and his circle of friends is therefore an extensive one.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1311
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.