Tehama County
Biographies
MRS. HENRY MILLER
the proprietor of the National Hotel, Red Bluff, is the widow of the late Henry Miller. He was one of Red Bluff’s successful business men and an early settler of California, having come to the State in 1856. Mr. Miller was born in Newark, New Jersey, November 28, 1838, the son of thrifty and honorable German parents. He received his early education in New York and New Jersey; learned the carpenter’s trade; was a United States soldier under the command of General Harney, at Fort Vancouver and was a successful mine in Idaho. He made three trips back to the East, and at one time engaged in the grocery business in New York city. Like many other miners, he made a deal of money, met with reverses and lost it all. In 1870 Mr. Miller again returned to the West, located in California and worked in the Bald Hills. He came to Red Bluff in 1873 and engaged in the restaurant and saloon business, which he successfully carried on for five years. He purchased several lots on Main street and built the National Hotel, a house of only ten rooms, on the corner of Main and Hickory streets. Mr. Miller was married in 1878 to Miss Bertha Rotter, a native of Austria. She came to the United States in 1865, when quite young. Mrs. Miller at once entered into all her husband’s plans with zest and became a helpmate indeed, and, with their united efforts, their business continued to prosper. It soon became necessary for them to have a larger building, and the small hotel gave place to a larger one 50 x 115 feet, two stories high and containing forty rooms. Further north in the same block he purchased six lots, where he built a fine and commodious residence, and also north of his residence a fine brick building for business purposes.
Their union was blessed with five children, all born in Red Bluff, three of whom are now living: William J., George I. and Bertha L.
In 1888, in the midst of his prosperous business career, Mr. Miller was stricken with disease and died. His wife and little family were bereft of a kind and loving husband and father, and the county lost and enterprising and conservative business man.
Having had some experience in the hotel business, Mrs. Miller has, in a measure, prepared to take full charge of and conduct the business that devolved upon her, and nobly has she done her part. She is assisted by an able corps of ten efficient workers, with Mr. George Reid as clerk, and she caters to an average of sixty guests each meal. Mrs. Miller prides herself on her well-kept table and the general cleanliness of the house, which is growing in popularity. It has the reputation of being the best low-rate hotel in the country. Mrs. Miller gives her personal supervision to every detail of the work, sees that guests are attended to with promptness and consideration, and she has acquired a reputation for her business ability. Some one has said that “God helps those who help themselves,” and it is certainly true in this case. Mrs. Miller is deserving of all the success she has attained, and the good people of Tehama County are not slow to appreciate honest merit.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 596
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
L. H. D. LANGE
is one of the best-looking old-timers of Red Bluff. He came to the State in 1857, is connected with the early history of Red Bluff, and has done much to aid in its growth and development. The first tree in the town was planted by him. On his way up the Sacramento River he picked up a small peach tree that had been lost at Chico, brought it here and planted it. The tree grew and flourished and bore fine fruit, and from it many other trees were raised. Mr. Lange engaged in the nursery business on the lots, on which Mr. Kimball’s residence now stands, and there raised all kinds of ornamental and fruit trees. He also has the credit of planting and planning the beautiful grounds which surround the court-house in Red Bluff. He continued the nursery business for twelve years, and, to some extent, is interested in that line yet. Mr. Lange turned his attention to fancy stock, and owned the first five head of Devon cattle in Tehama County. He exhibited them at the State fair held at Sacramento, receiving first premium on each.
In 1873 he erected two fine brick buildings in Red Bluff. Other buildings had been put up, but this was the inauguration of a better class of buildings. They were located on the west side of Main, between Oak and Pine streets. Mr. Lange engaged in the mercantile business and purchased hides, being very successful in his enterprise. He was overtaken by disaster, however, and after being burned out twice found himself so crippled that he felt compelled to engage in the saloon business, which he did and which he now continues. He has an attractive store, well filled with choice wines and fine liquors, and is patronized by the prominent business men of Red Bluff and vicinity. The second story of this building is beautifully finished and furnished for a dwelling, and is occupied by his family. The walls of the rooms are profusely decorated with oil paintings, the work of Mrs. Lange’s own hands. She is quite proficient in this art. Among her works are pictures of flowers and fruits, and best of all is the grand mountain scenery of California.
Mr. Lange was born in Prussia, December 5, 1830. He received his education in his native country, and there acquired the profession of a surgeon. He was married in Brooklyn, New York, in 1854, to Caroline S. Fickert, a native of Saxony. She is a sister of the late Charles W. Fickert, one of Red Bluff’s prominent business men. Mrs. Lange owns some property in this city and also in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Lange have had three children: Charles W. and Louise M., born in Brooklyn; and Amelia C., in Tehama County. Louise is the wife of Mr. Frank Naumann, and Amelia wedded Mr. Ralph Wray. Both Mr. Lange and his wife are members of the Rebecca [sic] Lodge. He is Captain of Patriarch Militant, No. 3, and P.C.P. of Encampment No. 21, Red Bluff, and P.G. of Lodge No. 76, I.O.O.F. He also belongs to the A.O.U.W.
All pioneers love to dwell on the reminiscences of other days, and who is not interested in hearing them relate the wonderful experiences they have had and the funny incidents which happened during the early settlements. Mr. Lange tells the following:
The three gentlemen who formed the first school board of Red Bluff were very illiterate. They were told that it was their duty to examine the teacher and see if he was qualified to teach. They did not know what to do, but finally decided they would visit the school, would each keep his hat on, would have a pipe in his mouth and smoke with all his might; if the teacher made no objection to this, they would decide he was not qualified to teach. They went and did as agreed. The teacher promptly walked up to them and said, “Gentlemen, it is against the rules of the school to smoke or to sit with hats on.” All three jumped to their feet, slapped him on the back and said, “You are just the fellow we want to teach this school.”
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 598-599
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler