Tehama County
Biographies
PAUL STOLL
a prominent business man of Red Bluff, California, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 24, 1843. His parents, Carl and Margaret Stoll, were both natives of that country. His father and his forefathers for five generations, and in fact as far back as they can trace, were harness-makers. His parents were Lutherans, and to that faith he was reared. After receiving his education and learning his trade, that of harness-making, he spent three years in the German army, during that time participating in the war against Prussia in 1865.
In 1869 he came to California. For fifteen months he worked as a saddler for his brother J. T., in Sacramento, after which he was employed for six months in San Francisco. He then returned to Sacramento and spent two years more there. At that time, hearing favorable reports about Red Bluff, he went to that city and engaged in business, in 1873, his shop being the third one in the place. At first he started in a small way, in a wooden shanty, but soon his business increased and in 1881 he built a fine brick store, 20 x 115 feet, and two stories high. The lower room is filled with his goods and manufactured stock, while the upper room is devoted to buggy and carriage harness and fine saddles. Mr. Stoll does an extensive business, keeping about six men constantly employed in his shop. He also buys all the hides and furs which are brought to town. He is a public-spirited man and has done much to improve the town. From time to time he has invested in city property and has built a number of houses, among which is his residence, one of the finest homes in the city.
He helped to organize the first fire company (Red Bluff Hook and Ladder Company) in 1874, and has held the office of foreman of the company for years.
In 1877 he wedded Miss Emma Hertle, a native of California, born at Weaverville, California. Her father, William Hertle, was a pioneer of the State. They have six children, five sons and one daughter, all born in Red Bluff, viz.: Paul, Carl, William, Albert, Walter, Leo and Emma Margaret.
Mr. Stoll is an active member of the I.O.O.F., has filled nearly all the chairs, and is Captain of the Canton Red Bluff. Politically he is a Republican. By his honesty and industry Mr. Stoll has made a business success in the town of his adoption, and his regarded by his fellow citizens as an enterprising, reliable and worthy man.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 548-549
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
SALOMEN D. SCHOENFELD
is one of the prominent citizens and merchants of Red Bluff, California. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, March 14, 1836. His parents, David and Hannah Schoenfeld, both Hebrews, were born and died in Germany. The father was a merchant and a farmer. Salomen D. attended school in his native place, Doessel and the adjoining city of Warburg.
He came to the United States to engage in business, landing in New York city, where he had relatives. At that place he was offered a situation as porter in a store at a salary of $2.50 per week, but not being accustomed to that kind of work he did not accept the offer. Soon he engaged in business for himself. After remaining in the State of New York a little over a year, he came to California, in 1856. During his short sojourn in the East, he had made enough money to pay his passage to San Francisco and had some left with which to make a start in business. He had a brother in San Francisco, who was conducting a wholesale and retail butchering business, and with him our subject wanted to take a situation. His brother, however, thought he had better start on his own hook. Mr. Schoenfeld had a friend who had come from Germany with him and who was at that time engaged in business in Calaveras County. They met at San Francisco and decided they would go into business together at Red Bluff. His friend had a chance to sell his business, so they bought a stock of goods and were fitting a store to receive them, when the friend’s chance to sell proved a failure. Another gentleman, before unknown to Mr. Schoenfeld, became his partner, and they entered into business in 1856 in the Kraft building, near the site of this present store on Main street, between Oak and Pine. They subsequently opened a branch store in Horsetown, Shasta County, and his partner, Mr. J.S. Rosenbaum, had charge of it. That enterprise was an unsuccessful one and they sold the store. In 1861 Mr. Schoenfeld bought out his partner and continued the business alone, having one of his brothers as clerk in the store. Seeing a business opening in Star City, Nevada, he started a branch business there with his brother in charge, the store being conducted under the name of S. D. Schoenfeld & Brother. This being in a mining place, the business was a profitable one, and they remained there until there was such an excitement over the Idaho mines, when they removed to Silver City, Idaho. Mr.Schoenfeld shipped his brother’s goods via Sacramento, and they continued there until 1868, when they sold out at a loss.
February 22, 1869, Mr. Schoenfeld with his brother Jonas started for a visit to his mother and other relatives at his old home in Germany. While absent he purchased goods in New York, Philadelphia, London and Germany, and sent them to Red Bluff. Upon their arrival in 1870 he did a large business, his trade extending 200 miles from Red Bluff. In 1873 he made a trip to New York to attend the marriage of his brother Jonas, and while in that city made a large purchase of goods. After his return he went to San Francisco to attend to some office work for his brother Jacob. In 1876 he took his brother Jeremiah into business with him, and in May, 1878, bought his interest back. Since that time he has conducted the business alone.
Our subject has invested quite largely in real-estate. He has 1,100 acres of land located two miles and a half south of Red Bluff on Red Bank, 900 acres of which are being cultivated. On Payne’s Creek he has 800 acres, a part of which he rents and the remainder is devoted to fruit, etc. He also owns 2,120 acres of land on Red Bank that at some future time will be quite valuable. In 1859 he built his present brick store, 25 x 105 feet. He has also built for himself and family a beautiful residence on High street, between Oak and Pine.
Mr. Schoenfeld was married in 1878, to Miss Helena Myer, a native of San Francisco and a daughter of Nathan Myer, of that city. They have two children, a son and daughter: David S., born in San Francisco, and Golda S., in Red Bluff.
In politics Mr. Schoenfeld is liberal, always casting his vote for whom he considers to be the best man. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the blue lodge and chapter. He has held the office of Scribe and holds now the office of King.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 550-551
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler