Yolo County
Biographies
Christian Gumbinger
The proprietor of the Pacific House at Woodland represents the German-American element that has contributed powerfully to the development of the west and has formed a desirable accession to the citizenship. Himself a descendant of unnumbered generations of sturdy Teutonic ancestry, he is the son of John and Theresa (Schuerle) Gumbinger, lifelong residents of Germany, and the third in their family of five children; he was born on the home farm near Dyrkheim, Rheinfalz, December 14, 1866. The environment of his boyhood was such as to develop within him a love of nature and a fondness for outdoor occupations. Those tastes remain with him to the present, notwithstanding that much of his business life has been devoted to other pursuits. The excellent educational system for which Germany is famous gave to him fair opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of the common branches, so that, although he left school at fourteen, already he had gained a comprehensive fund of information.
Very early in the settlement of California John K. Schuerle, Mr. Gumbinger’s uncle, had come hither from Germany and had established a ranch home near Woodland. Believing that he might find a favorable opening for himself in the New World Mr. Gumbinger left his native land at the age of fourteen, in March, 1881, first locating in Chicago, Ill. Accepting the first opportunity that offered for earning a livelihood he became an apprentice to the trade of furniture varnisher. He continued at this business until December, 1884, when he joined his uncle, Mr. Schuerle, in Woodland, the latter taking the young man in his employ and teaching him the rudiments of western ranching, at the same time he had excellent opportunities for learning the English language. It was not until 1893 that he discontinued ranching and turned his attention to business pursuits in Woodland, where with John Jacobs he purchased the Model bakery on Main street. At the expiration of eighteen months he sold his interest to the other member of the firm. His next employment was that of blacksmith with F. H. Heidtman and for almost twelve years he carried on a general blacksmithing business, the Main street shop being the center of a large trade and presenting a scene of busy activity through the working hours of the day.
For some years the attention of Mr. Gumbinger has been given closely and successfully to the proprietorship of the Pacific House. The property, covering a frontage of one hundred and fifty feet with a depth of one hundred and ninety feet, stands on the corner of Main and Elm streets, which is one of the most desirable locations in Woodland. Not only is the hotel one of the oldest in Yolo county, but in addition it is one of the best known. Since it came under the ownership of Mr. Gumbinger in October of 1907 various needed improvements have been made, the most orderly service has been instituted and the comfort of guests has been made the principle consideration. Those who have experienced the hospitality of the genial landlord unite in testifying concerning his admirable fitness for his important task. Not a little of his success in the hotel business is due to the capable assistance of his wife, formerly Miss Katheryn Germeshausen, and a native of this county, where she was educated, reared and married at Woodland. Two children were born to them: Joseph Alfred, nine years old, and Christian, deceased. The family holds membership with the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and contributes generously to the maintenance of the same, as well as to general philanthropies and public enterprises. Since he became a citizen of the United States and acquired a knowledge of politics, Mr. Gumbinger has voted the Democratic ticket and supports the men and measures pledged to the principles of that party. In fraternal relations he is identified with the Herman Sons. Well and favorably known to the people of Woodland and to the traveling public, he occupies a position of recognized importance among the business men of the community.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 545 – 546.
Aaron Beck
A native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in 1847, Mr. Beck received a thorough education in the public schools of that section. Later he learned the shoemaker’s trade, in which, upon his immigration to America in 1866, he engaged in Newark, N. J., serving in a shoe factory ten years. He then came to Capay, Yolo county, Cal., where he remained a similar period. In 1866 he located in Woodland, where he worked at his trade until the purchase of his present twenty-acre ranch in Willow Oak Park, in 1890.
During the past twelve years Mr. Beck has devoted his property to alfalfa. His thrift and perseverance, united with strictly honorable methods, have won him a place among the most influential and highly esteemed citizens of the community.
In Newark, N. J., in 1869, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Mary E. Krumeich, a native of that state, and eight children were born to them, as follows: Anna E., at home; Mamie, deceased; Selma, the wife of Alfred Streng, of San Francisco, Aaron, deceased; Jessie J.; Lavinia, Mrs. Joseph Wetzel, of Woodland; Francis H. and Gertrude A. The mother of these children passed away at her home March 10, 1912.
Always keenly active in public movements of worth, Mr. Beck maintains a special interest in the educational progress, observation and study having not only added to his culture, but enabled him to keep fully abreast of the times as well. He is a member of the Herman Sons, and also holds active membership in the German Lutheran Church of Woodland, while the children are members of the Catholic Church, as was his wife also.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 546 – 549.
Lester Clark Wilcox
Among the brave Civil War veterans, who for the sake of their beloved country dared dangers and hardships which can scarcely be appreciated by this generation, surrounded as it is by peace and comfort, no one served more faithfully or enjoyed during his entire life, higher regard and admiration than Mr. Wilcox, who since 1894 has resided on his ranch three miles west of Winters.
Mr. Wilcox was born March 3, 1839, in Constantia, Oswego, N. Y., and until the age of six years remained in his native state, removing in 1845 to Dodge county, Wis., with his parents, E. E. and Julia (Clark) Wilcox, natives of Massachusetts and New York, respectively. In Dodge county he made his home during the succeeding twenty-two years, with the exception of the period which he spent in military service, and which to him, as well as to his comrades, seemed an eternity instead of three short years. During the opening year of the rebellion, on September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and with the patriotism and loval love of a true American, entered upon his hazardous duties, participating in numerous important engagements, including the battle at Port Gibson and the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-seven days. In February, 1864, he was transferred to Company I, Third United States Veteran Reserves, and served until the expiration of his term, when he was mustered out in Washington, D. C., September 26, 1864. Following this he returned to Wisconsin and there married the girl he left behind him. Two years later, in Waushara county, Wis., he purchased a farm upon which he resided until 1883, when he located in Waupaca county and made a specialty of raising potatoes on his farm.
In Milwaukee county, Wis., January 20, 1865, Mr. Wilcox married Miss Helen Wechselberg, a native of Germany. Seven children were born to them, as follows: Ernest S., deceased; John E., who married Miss Ella J. Rappleyea, and who at his death left four children, Nellie M., Gladys L., Harry A. and John H.; Julia L., deceased; Charles A., of Winters, who married Lizzie McCloud, the latter leaving two children, Edith L. and Edna M., at her death August 3, 1908; Lettie E., Arthur L. and Edmond N., all deceased.
In 1894 Mr. Wilcox came to Yolo county and purchased thirty-two acres of land near Winters, since which time he has given ten acres to his son, and he now has twenty-one acres set to orchard of different varieties. Mrs. Wilcox passed away June 8, 1899. Mr. Wilcox was a member of Garfield Post No. 21, G. A. R., at Waupaca, Wis., of which post he is past commander, and he is justly proud to be entitled to wear the past commander’s badge. At one time he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Good Templars. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and ever since then he has supported Republican principles, and throughout his life has endeavored to live up the the high ideals which he has always held sacred.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 549 – 550.