Yolo County
Biographies
M. S. BENTZ
The business interests and commercial progress of Woodland receive the constant co-operation of Mr. Bentz, who since coming to this city during 1906 has identified himself with movements for the local upbuilding and has proved the high value of his capable citizenship. Such success as he has achieved¾and it is by no means insignificant¾results from his own determination and unaided efforts. As a boy he had little opportunity to advance in the world, but, sturdily resolved to secure an education, he paid his own expenses as he was attending various institutions in the east. The result was that he acquired a varied knowledge and also gained what is even more to be desired, viz.: an abundance of self-reliance and independence. A member of an old Pennsylvania family, he was born in York county, that state, April 11, 1851, and was next to the youngest in a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. The parents, George and Nancy (Grove) Bentz, were born in York county, lived upon farming land there and remained in the same locality until death.
When the completion of public-school studies seemed to indicate to M. S. Bentz that his educational opportunities had ended he started to work to secure further advantages, so that he made it possible to attend the Shippensburg Normal and the York high school. From the latter institution he was graduated at the age of nineteen. Later he taught school in York and Cumberland counties for eight years, meanwhile attending the Holbrook Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and graduating from its commercial department. During March of 1877 he landed in Kansas and purchased land in Rice county, where he was bereaved by the death of his wife, who was Abbie Heikes, a native of Pennsylvania. In the fall following her death he removed to Stafford, Kan., and embarked in the mercantile business. For a times he prospered, but a cyclone in 1881 destroyed his store, ruined the stock of goods and left him without goods and left him without means to start anew. Thereupon he embarked in the freighting business in Colorado, where he remained for eighteen months. Upon his return to Kansas he settled in Canton, Mc
Pherson county, and opened a mercantile store, which he conducted for ten years. Later he engaged in the same business at Eldorado, Butler county, Kan., for ten years.
Coming to California during January of 1904 Mr. Bentz bought land in Sutter county and planted an orchard. Two years later he came to Woodland and purchased the store of Powell Brothers, whom he succeeded as proprietor of the little establishment. Here he has since built up a large trade and has carried a full line of notions and furnishing goods. Thoroughly devoted to Woodland, he entertains a profound liking for the city of his adoption and champions every measure for local progress. In national affairs he has been a close student and the result of his studies is that he supports socialist principles, being a firm believer in the adoption of national measures that will aid the day laborer and prevent the enormous wealth of our country from being concentrated in the hands of a few. Fraternally he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. The Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church has the benefit of his active co-operation with every movement for its spiritual and material upbuilding and as a member of the official board he is rendering efficient service in its interests. While making his home at Canton, Kan., he was united in marriage with Miss Florence L. Cronk, who was born in Oneida county, N. Y. Six children were born of their union, namely: May, who died in Eldorado, Kan.; Charles W., now living in Woodland; Earl S., who is employed at Long Beach, this state; Ruth, Mary E. and Herbert, who still remain with their parents in the Woodland home.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 736 – 737.
Cyriak HERMLE
Through years of identification with Yolo county, to the development of which he has contributed materially, Mr. Hermle has become well known as a man of unquestioned honor and enterprising spirit, his good judgment and rare business ability having placed him among the most influential citizens of Woodland.
A native of Germany, Mr. Hermle’s birth occurred August 7, 1862, in Wurtemberg, where he received his education, spending his youth of the farm of his parents, John and Ursula Hermle, also of German nativity. Having completed the shoemaker’s trade, at the age of eighteen years, led by a determination to win both wealth and freedom in the land of opportunity, the son immigrated to America, securing a position as a shoemaker in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained six months. In 1881 he came to Yolo county, Cal., and for six years worked on a ranch, prior to his purchase of a quarter section of land nine miles north of Capay, which he operated until 1902, when he sold out and bought his present place of five hundred and sixty acres six miles northeast of Winters. His peach and almond orchard cover twenty acres and he also raises other fruit. In addition to his own highly cultivated and productive ranch he leases seven hundred acres, which he devotes to grain raising. He gathers his crops with a combined harvester, the motive power for which, as well as for plowing and harrowing, is supplied by a caterpillar engine. He also at one time engaged in raising cattle and sheep.
In 1886 Mr. Hermle was married to Miss Corne Stall, a native of Germany and the daughter of Charles L. and Kate (Latch) Stall, who ultimately became residents of California. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hermle, Frank and Adolph. Mr. Hermle maintains a deep interest in political issues, is active in all public enterprises demanding conservative judgment, and with his family enjoys membership in the Catholic Church of Winters, which receives his hearty support.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 737 – 738.