Tulare County
Biographies
PHILLIP AULMAN
Another of those good German citizens who have so nobly done their part in the development of California was Phillip Aulman, who came to the state in 1855 and died at Visalia, Tulare county, in July, 1910. Born in the Fatherland in 1827, he came to America when he was twenty-two years old and, in 1849 he settled in Iowa and engaged in farming. After six years there he came across the plains to California, where he put in his first twelve months at mining, meeting with indifferent success in the venture. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and dairying near Suisun, Solano county, and later he operated in the vicinity of Gilroy, Santa Clara county. At length he went back to Iowa, farming there until 1864, when he went to Oregon and Washington, and there prospered as a dairyman. He came again to this state in 1869 and lived for a time in the Packwood district, Tulare county, whence he subsequently moved to the vicinity of Visalia, which was his home for many years, and where his widow now resides. There he engaged in dairying and developed a farm of a hundred and sixty acres.
In 1850, five years before he started overland from Iowa to California, Mr. Aulman married Miss Parthenia E. Hughes, a native of Indiana, born in 1833. Her experiences enable her to relate many interesting incidents of their trip across the plains. She is one of the dependable business women of Tulare county, recognizing all responsibilities and discharging all obligations, carrying out very ably the plans made by her late husband for the conduct and improvement of the home interests.
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913
pp. 527
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
LOUIS F. PLATT
This progressive and popular architect and contractor of Tulare City, Cal., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1874, and began his education in the public schools of his native city. After a five years' course of study he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was fitted for the professions of architect and civil engineer. He devoted himself to a practice of the two professions in the east till 1908, when he came to California and, locating in Tulare, took up contracting and building. It should be recorded that in New York City he designed sixty residences and store buildings, in Wilmington, Del., one hundred and seventy-seven, and in York, Pa., thirty-two, all of brick and stone construction. In 1905 he designed a beautiful residence for A. M. Clegg,. of Brooklyn, N. Y., which is one of the show places on the Ocean Park and Burly road boulevard. At the time it surpassed in cost and magnificence any other house in the vicinity.
In beginning his work in Tulare county Mr. Platt recognized the necessity of combining contracting and building with his practice of architecture, and he was the first builder there of the bungalow now so popular throughout California. He has designed and erected residences in and around Tulare City for Dr. Charles, George H. Castle, F. N. Schnable, W. E. Flagg (for whom he built two), W. Sampsons, A. Primmes, F. E. Standley, A. Frazer, Joseph Myers, Dr. C. E. Harper, F. Newcity, E. F. Treadway, Mrs. Lathrope, A. Martin and others, and stores for W. L. Weidman and A. W. Wheeler. His work both in design and construction takes rank with the best in the state and his services are coming into greater demand with each passing year. Perhaps the concrete buildings on South J street constitute the most conspicuous monument to his artistry as an architect and his skill and integrity as a builder. Personally he has become popular in a wide circle of acquaintances and socially he affiliates with the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of the World. In 1904 Mr. Platt married Miss Sarah E. Bowers, a native of Pennsylvania.
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913
pp. 527-528
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler