Yolo County
Biographies
OTTO SCHLEUR
OTTO SCHLEUR, one of Woodlake’s enterprising business men, now engaged in a bakery there, was born September 20, 1846, in Hanover, Germany; a son of William and Matilda (Struck) Schleur. His father was a merchant and passed all his life in Germany. At an early age Otto learned the baker’s trade, and continued to follow it until he came to America in 1866. Landing at New York, he came almost immediately to California by way of the Isthmus. At first, in this State, he was engaged eighteen months in a bakery at Washington, opposite Sacramento, at $35 a month. In October, 1877, he established a bakery at Woodland, in which he has ever since been interested. His institution is a fine one, well patronized. Mr. Schleur is also a stockholder in the Yolo Brewery, and in the Buffalo Brewery at Sacramento, and he owns eighty acres of choice land near town, devoted in wine and raisin grapes. He is a member of Woodland Lodge, No. 111, I.O.O.F.
He was married in 1873, to Miss Anna Dinzler, a native of California. Of their eleven children, there are seven living, namely: Tillie, Eddie, Willie, Annie, Ralph, Birt and a babe unnamed.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson August 2004
JOSEPH GERMESHAUSEN
JOSEPH GERMESHAUSEN, one of the proprietors of the Yolo Brewery and an old time-honored citizen, was born March 25, 1836, in Germany, and came to America in 1854, traveled extensively through the Southern States and Mexico, and settled in Platte County, Missouri, where he remained until 1861. He then came by ox team to California, stopping first, however, until the next year at Virginia City. He then purchased land near Plainfield, Yolo County, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1881, on 320 acres of rich bottom land, which he still owns. In 1881 he purchased his present interest in the Yolo Brewery, which establishment ranks among the first in the State. He is an enterprising citizen, and has a neat and tasteful residence on Court street, which he built in 1887. He was married in 1868, to Miss Mary Beck, a native of Germany, and they have five sons and four daughters.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson August 2004
WILLIAM KUHN
WILLIAM KUHN, a retired business man of Woodland, was born October 17, 1814, in Prussia, a son of George and Anna (Rena) Kuhn. The father was a tradesman and farmer, and died in 1868 at the age of seventy-six years. William learned the brewer’s trade and followed the same in his native country until he came to America in 1869, landing at New York city and spending only one week there; and then he came by rail to California. First he endeavored in vain to find employment in his line at Marysville, and then at Sacramento, but was soon employed upon a ranch and in a chicory factory. In the spring of 1871 he began to work at the Columbus Brewery in Sacramento, and after a time for the Pacific Brewery, of the same place; next he conducted a saloon on J street, between Sixth and Seventh, which place is remembered by many old-timers. In 1872 he came to Woodland and was employed by the Woodland Brewery; afterward he became a partner with the same, and sustained that relation until 1888, and November 1, that year, he sold out and has lived a somewhat retired life. His beautiful residence on Fourth street was built in 1889, and it is indeed a model of neatness and beauty. He also has a very fine property adjoining. He is a member of the society of the German I.O.R.M., lodge No. 124. Socially and as a citizen Mr. Kuhn has attained a high standing, while his business reputation was always untarnished. He was married in 1887 to Miss Anna C. Sekaumdoffel.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson August 2004
H. C. BUFORD
H. C. BUFORD, dairyman near Woodland, was born in July, 1840, in Kentucky, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Shropshire) Buford, natives of Kentucky. Thomas was a farmer and turfman, and died in Kentucky in 1876, at the age of about seventy years. The subject of this brief notice was reared on a farm. At the age of twenty-one years, in 1862, he entered the Confederate service (although his father was a strong Union man), and served three years. Afterward he lived in Kentucky, until 1879, engaged in farming and mercantile business and trading in live-stock. He then moved to Marion County, Kansas; and then to Cowley County, and remained there until 1887. In December, this year, he came to California and located in Yolo County, one mile from Woodland. His dairy is the second in extent in the county. He intends to purchase land in Yolo County and make his permanent home there. His increasing patronage comprises the best citizens of Woodland. He is a member of Crab Orchard Lodge, No. 420, F. & A.M., of Kentucky. He was married in 1883 to Miss M. Berry, a native of Virginia, and they have had one child. By the two former marriages Mr. Buford had five children. The names of the children are: Bessie, Thomas K., Kennedy, Clara L., Fannie M. and Chelsea C.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson August 2004