USA > California > Fresno County > History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Volume II > Part 143
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143
Mr. and Mrs. Gilardoni have one child, Italio. Sometime after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gilardoni came to Fresno County. At first they rented a farm near Lanare; they came to the present place in September, 1918, and through hard work have come to be regarded as being among the most prosperous people engaged in dairying in the Burrel section of Fresno County. They are consistent members of the Catholic Church. They take an active part in the Red Cross and take an interest and pride in patriotic and community service.
HENRY ENGELMANN .- One of the successful and progressive ranch- ers of the Barstow district, Henry Engelmann has developed two separate ranches in the county and brought them to a state of productiveness from the raw land, thus helping in the growth and increased wealth of this part of California. He is a native of Wolzgaja, Samara, Russia, born on the Volga River, September 24, 1871, a son of Christof and Mary Catherine (Small) Engelmann, both now deceased, the father in 1880, aged sixty-six years, and the mother in 1872, aged only twenty-nine.
Henry was the youngest of the family and was brought up on the home farm in Russia, where the family remained together after the mother's death. He was educated in the public schools and from fifteen years on, followed farm work, the only interruption being his term of service in the Russian Army, in the regular artillery; during this interval he learned the shoe and harness maker's trade, and was foreman in the shop.
In 1900 the young emigrant came to California and settled in Fresno. Here he found employment at teaming, which work he followed for seven years. In 1907 he bought a forty-acre ranch at Rolinda, on White's Bridge road, and set about improving it, putting in vineyard and alfalfa. This property he operated eight years, when he sold it and removed to Fresno. In 1918 he bought his pres- 'ent ranch of forty acres in the Barstow district, about fourteen miles northwest of Fresno; he found here a fine soil to work with, and put in wells and a pump- ing plant on the property, which is in Thompson seedless grapes, alfalfa, and grain -- a fine ranch and speaking well for the character of its owner.
The marriage of Mr. Engelmann occurred in Russia in 1897, and united him with Miss Mary Elizabeth Engelmann, also born there, a daughter of Conrad Engelmann, farmer of that country. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Engelmann: Katie; Henry, Jr .; Elizabeth; Annie; Jacob; Philip, and George, all at home with their parents. The family attend the Lutheran Church of Fresno, of which organization Mr. Engelmann is ex-secretary. He is a mem- ber of the California Associated Raisin Company, and of the California Peach Growers, Inc.
2597
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
JOHN PETER HUBER .- Though not a native of this country, J. P. Huber has done his share toward the agricultural development of Fresno County, and has shown his appreciation of the opportunities to be found here. Born on October 2, 1878, in Zaucmora, Samara, Russia, he is a son of Henry and Louise (Helmuth) Huber. The father was a farmer in the old country and brought his wife and five children to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1898; and in 1900 located in Fresno. In about 1903 he bought a twenty-acre ranch and set it to orchard and vineyard and still resides there, together with his good wife. Five children born to them are living: John Peter, the subject of this biography; Chris ; Sophia, who is Mrs. Fleming of Biola ; Anna Kath- erine, who is Mrs. Schneider of Empire ; and Lizzie, at home.
John Peter Huber was reared on the home farm in Russia and educated in the public schools there. Arriving in Winnipeg in 1898, he worked there until coming to Fresno, in 1900, with his parents. Here for the first three years he found employment in the Craycroft brickyards. Then with his father he bought forty acres of land, or twenty acres each, and set about im- proving it to a ranch ; he developed his holding to Thompson seedless vine- yard and peach orchards and operated it until 1914, when he sold out and bought his present ranch of forty acres on Shields Avenue in the Empire district, and this he has improved from an alfalfa ranch to Thompson seed- less vines, twenty-six acres ; four acres in apricot orchard, five acres in Mal- agas, and the balance to alfalfa; the land is under irrigation ditches and he has also installed a pumping-plant. He erected a modern bungalow residence in 1914. He has made the most of his opportunities in this growing section of the state, and regards California, and Fresno County particularly, as afford- ing the best opportunities for advancement and prosperity.
Mr. Huber was married on May 15, 1900, in Winnipeg, Canada, to Anna Marie Huber, also a native of Samara, Russia, a daughter of John C. Huber, who brought his family to Winnipeg and resided there until his death. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John Peter Huber: Mary; Mollie ; Edward P .; Elsie Louisa ; and Hilda Dora, all educated in the public schools and at home with their parents. The family attends the Cross Congregational Lutheran Church in Fresno. Mr. Huber has been a member and stockholder in the California Associated Raisin Company from its organization, and is a firm believer in cooperation among the ranchers. In politics he is a Republican.
SWISS SUPPLY COMPANY .- The enterprising mercantile company bearing the above caption, located at Riverdale, Cal., is owned by Delmo B. and Guy J. Badasci, under whose efficient management the business is meet- ing with deserved success.
The Badasci brothers are natives of the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Delmo B. was born November 21, 1888, and Guy J. first saw the light of day in that canton on January 15, 1890. Although of foreign birth, the brothers are in every other way strongly American, not only by adoption and naturali- zation but from the fact that their father, James Badasci, was an early pioneer Californian gold miner, who, after having secured a competency, returned to his native land to claim for his bride Candida Muscio, to whom he was married in Switzerland. About the year 1892, the father returned to California, leaving his wife and children behind in Switzerland. The mother died in Switzerland in 1904, at the age of forty-five and soon thereafter Delmo B. and Guy J. joined their father in California, living at first in San Luis Obispo County, and later removed to Hanford in Kings County, where they operated a fruit ranch and where the father died at an age of sixty-seven years.
The Badasci brothers attended the public schools of San Luis Obispo and Kings counties and at an early age showed a strong tendency toward mercantile pursuits. In 1913, the brothers started in business at Riverdale, under the caption of the Swiss Supply Company. They conduct a general
2598
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
merchandise store, making a specialty of carrying in stock those goods that are in demand by dairymen, as this section of the county is largely devoted to dairying, and the town of Riverdale is the home of two of the large creameries of the county, handling the milk from about 10,000 cows.
Both of the Badasci brothers are men of excellent business ability and unquestioned integrity, and have by close attention to business and courteous service, built up a very satisfactory and growing business. At present the store occupies the building vacated by the First National Bank of Riverdale.
Delmo B. Badasci was united in marriage with Miss Ida Catherine Ferrasci, a daughter of Louis Ferrasci the successful dairyman of Cambria, San Luis Obispo County ; they have one child, Velma. Guy J. Badasci was joined in holy wedlock with Miss Pearl Cerutti of Riverdale, Cal., and also has one child, a daughter, Evelyn. The Badasci families are leaders in both the business and social circles of Riverdale and enthusiastically support every movement that has as its aim the upbuilding of the welfare of the com- munity.
A. S. SERIMIAN .- An enterprising ranchman, who is a general fruit grower, is A. S. Serimian, who shares his prosperity with his industrious wife and children. He was born in Armenia in 1872, and grew up in his native country where his father had a small vineyard. In Armenia, too, he was married, when his bride was Mary Mardarosian; and there his four children, Martin, Leon, Manuel and Sarkis, were born. All were brought up in the Gregorian or Greek Church, and each received the best educational begin- nings.
In 1908 Mr. Serimian and family came to America, and soon settled at Selma. At first he bought seventeen acres ; then, in 1914, he added three more, and finally, in December, 1917, he purchased forty acres. Now he has a splen- did tract of ninety acres five miles east of Selma. Fifteen acres of this attrac- tive ranch are devoted to Thompson seedless grapes, while fifty-five acres are given to Muscats, each group of vines being set out in the most approved fashion. He has also ten acres of peaches, two acres of apricots and an acre of prunes.
In their comfortable residence Mr. and Mrs. Serimian and their family dispense American hospitality enriched by some of the most delightful of Armenian social customs.
Those who are familiar with the traditions of the Armenians in America know that they rapidly assimilate themselves with their new environment and thus early become most loyal American citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Serimian are no exceptions to the rule, and are among the first to lend a hand in all local endeavor, if by so lending they may raise the moral tone of the community.
JOHN AUGUST SWANSON .- A well-known California viticulturist, whose political affiliation as a member of the Progressive Republican party rather naturally indicates his generally progressive spirit, is John A. Swanson, one of the most efficient members of the California Peach Growers' Inc., and the California Associated Raisin Company, and an energetic advocate of the most up-to-date methods for the farmer of today. He was born at Halland, Sweden, on July 26, 1879, the son of Swen Larson, a farmer still active there. His mother was Johanna Hakenson before her marriage, and she died there in 1890. Three children of this worthy couple are still living-a sister, who is at the old home, and a brother, Carl Isaac, who is with the subject of this review.
John was reared on a farm and attended the Swedish public schools, and for a while he remained home while he followed farming. In his twelfth year he began to carry mail for the farmers, and at fourteen he entered the service of the Government as a sub-mail carrier.
2599
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
He had studied English at his old home, so that it was possible for him, when he reached Ludlow, Pa., in 1903, to make himself easily understood. He was first employed in a factory, and then he worked in a store; after that he went into lumbering and was also employed on a pipe line, and then he became a traveling salesman in Pennsylvania and New York. In 1912 Mr. Swanson came to California and located in Fresno ; and soon he was employed at Vinland in a vineyard and orchard. Then he entered the service of Mr. Roeding, in No. 1 vineyard, and after that he returned to Vinland. In January, 1913, he leased a vineyard and orchard of forty acres in Vinland. Now he conducts twenty acres of it, and he has leased other vineyards and orchards. In 1917 he bought forty acres on Madera Avenue in Vinland and moved onto it; and now he still runs twenty acres. He has set out fifteen acres in Thompson seedless grapes and five acres in a peach orchard. His brother, already referred to, operates the other twenty, which is in peaches, grapes and alfalfa.
Mr. Swanson is a member both of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Vin- land and its board of trustees ; and he also belongs to Ludlow Lodge No. 1026 Pennsylvania, of the Odd Fellows.
ELIAS GAMMEL .- Combining business acumen with unremitting in- dustry, Elias Gammel has met with unusual success in his adopted land, and has won the respect of his fellow citizens as well. Transplanted into different sur- roundings from those of his birth, his courage was never daunted and he perse- vered until fortune favored him. Born on October 26, 1883, in Saratof, Samara, Russia. he is the son of Henry and Katherina (Kerber) Gammel, the father a grain and stock-farmer of that country; he died in 1891, and his good wife fol- lowed him just one month later. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living, Elias being the eldest and only one of the family in Cal- ifornia.
Left an orphan early in life, Elias lived with an uncle, Mike Gammel, on a farm and attended the public schools. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed as a moulder in the foundry at Mariupel, where he completed his trade and worked at it until 1905. That year saw his marriage, to Miss Marie Veirt, also born in Saratof, and after this event he farmed for two years.
In 1907, Mr. Gammel came to Fresno, and worked on ranches for eighteen months. Then in 1909, he bought his ranch of twenty acres on Shields Avenue, and raised alfalfa and operated a dairy for two years. He then plowed the land and set out fifteen acres to Thompson seedless, the balance to alfalfa. In 1916 he bought twenty acres, one-eighth of a mile northeast, for $3,000, set it to Thompson vines, and in 1918 sold the property for $8,500. That same year Mr. Gammel bought twenty acres in the Biola district, in Thompson seedless vines, and disposed of it in record time. He then bought twenty acres in alfalfa in the same district and will set out Thompson seedless vines on this ranch also. As can readily be seen, he has developed considerable land in the county, and his judgment has proven excellent. He has studied English and become well-posted on affairs in his adopted country, and is a liberal and enterprising man.
Mr. and Mrs. Gammel have four children: Henry; Chris; Freda; and Ed- ward. The family attends the Congregational Lutheran Church of Fresno. Mr. Gammel is a member of the California Associated Raisin Company. In politics he is a Republican.
CHARLES GUGLIELMONI .- Among those sturdy California pioneers who have started life under discouragingly adverse circumstances, and who have yet in time won out, is Charles Guglielmoni, who was born in the Canton Ticino, Switzerland, on February 3, 1877, the son of a successful contractor and bridge builder, who went to Australia and made a small fortune mining for gold, and on his return married Mary Agatha Calanchini, by whom he had three children. When he died, Charles was of tender years; and although his mother struggled nobly to keep the family together, it became necessary
2600
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
for the boy, then a lad of only nine, to leave home and help the family by his meager wages.
An older brother, Martino, who died at Crescent City, California, when he was only twenty-three, was already established here, and he wrote home and encouraged the ambitious youth to come out and join him. Conse- quently, in the summer of 1891, he sailed from Havre and landed at New York, and finally reached California, arriving at Santa Rosa in October, 1891. He obtained work on a dairy farm; and as he was both willing and apt, he became proficient in every department of dairying, from the care of cows and calves to the manufacture of butter and cheese.
In 1903, with accumulated experience of the most practical kind, Mr. Guglielmoni moved to Fresno County and here married Miss Mary Baker, a native of Idaho, who came with her parents to Fresno, when only two years old. Together they have shared both joy and sorrow; for more than a year ago Death claimed one of their children. They still have five-Hildah, Harry, Lloyd, Earl and Mildred.
Mr. Guglielmoni has bought and owns ninety acres in Section 27, about two miles north of Burrel. He has a comfortable dwelling, large dairy and horse barns, and there is a cheese factory on his place. Wells furnish ample water, a good pumping plant distributes it properly, and a substantial tank house holds a good supply. He is looked up to as an industrious, enterprising and successful man, and his wife and family enjoy the respect and goodwill of their neighbors.
LOUIS PUCCINELLI .- One of the oldest residents of Firebaugh, a successful business man and public official who has the esteem and confi- dence of everyone is Louis Puccinelli, who was born at Mantuolo, Lucca, Italy, October 14, 1864. He received a good education in the local schools. at the same time aiding his parents on the farm. When twenty years old. as was the custom, he entered the Italian Army as a member of the Fourteenth Artillery Regiment, serving the required period of three years receiving his honorable discharge with the rank of Second Sergeant. In 1888 he came to San Francisco, where for two years he was employed in a hotel. Having saved his money, he engaged in the hotel business on his own account as proprietor of the El Capitan Hotel in San Francisco until 1897, then selling out he came to Firebaugh. He immediately purchased his present corner and built a small hotel, naming it the El Capitan Hotel, in which he was so successful that he outgrew his quarters and he built his present New El Capitan Hotel, a two-story, modern building the largest and most attractive in Firebaugh. He also owns other valuable property in the town among them two residences and a rooming house. He also became interested in viticulture some years ago, purchasing twenty acres of raw land at Dos Palos which he has improved to vineyard. He was appointed by Chris Jorgensen as road overseer in the first district about thirteen years ago, and since then has filled the office ably, his district being from Mendota to Dos Palos. In San Francisco he married Miss Henrietta Tofanelli also a native of Lucca who came to San Francisco about 1893.
They have five children : Henry is an engineer and served in the United States Army having just been discharged and is back home; Angelo, a gradu- ate of Heald's Business College, San Francisco, is bookkeeper for the Canal Company at Los Banos; Emma is Mrs. Masini, residing in Firebaugh ; Louise is a graduate of Butler School of Commerce, San Francisco, now filling the responsible position of bookkeeper for Miller & Lux at Firebaugh, and the youngest is Bruna. Interested in having good schools. Mr. Puccinelli has served as school trustee. Fraternally he is a charter member of Firebaugh Lodge, No. 335, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the local lodge of Druids of which he has been treasurer for the past fourteen years; and is a member of the D. O. K. lodge. He is a Republican in national politics.
.
2601
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
C. IRVIN HUSS .- An oil man, widely known throughout the Coalinga field as an experienced driller is C. Irvin Huss, who was born at Genoa, near Toledo, Ohio, in the memorable Centennial year of American history. His father was Noah B. Huss, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, who came of an old "York State" family and served in the Civil War in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was married in Sandusky County to Rosanna George, who was born in the neighborhood. In the late sixties Mr. and Mrs. Huss re- moved to Ottawa County and settled on a farm in the Black Swamp near Genoa, about fifteen miles from Toledo, and there they improved a farm. They also purchased another one in Lucas County about seven miles from Toledo. There, in 1900, the wife and mother died. In less than two years after he had purchased the land, oil was struck upon his place, and the farm has been producing oil ever since. Noah B. Huss is still living and enjoying the fruits of his labors.
Of the nine children, C. Irvin is the fourth youngest. He was reared on the home farm, and educated in the local public schools. When eighteen years old. in partnership with his brother he purchased some land and engaged in getting out square timbers for the market, taking about three years to clear it up. In Jan- uary, 1899, he was married in Toledo to Miss Mamie Seeger, who was born in Lucas County, Ohio, near the city of Toledo, the daughter of Fred Seeger, one of the early settlers of Lucas County, now deceased, although his wife is still living. After their marriage, Mr. Huss engaged in farming for a year, and then he began work in the oil business.
At first he was employed in the Oregon field in Lucas County, and there he commenced at the lower rung of the ladder. Then he engaged in contract team- ing and afterwards was pumper and then tool dresser. In September, 1908, he moved to Coalinga, Cal., and spent the first summer drilling in the Devil's Den. When he returned to town he worked for Borchester for a year, and in March, 1911, he began with the Standard Oil Company on Section 28, and two years later he became driller-a place of responsibility which he has since filled very acceptably.
Mr. and Mrs. Huss have three children-Elinor, Basil and George. Fraternally, Mr. Huss is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
ALEXANDER P. SCHWABENLAND .- A resident of Fresno County for the past twenty-one years, A. P. Schwabenland has held a position of responsibility for the entire time of his residence here, and at the same time has developed a vineyard successfully, which speaks much for the character and energy of the man. He is a native of Russia, born in Straub, January 7, 1878, a son of Peter and Helen (Winter) Schwabenland, both still living there and engaged in farming. Of their thirteen children, nine are now alive, and A. P. is the second oldest in the family and with his sister, Annie Rudolph, are the only ones in America. He was raised on the home farm and received his schooling in the public schools of his native place. His marriage there, May 13, 1897, united him with Miss Katie Roth, also born there, a daughter of Conrad and Susie (Lehman) Roth, farmer folk, and still residing at the old home, the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Schwabenland is the first, in order of birth, and she was born March 30, 1878. She has two brothers in Fresno County, Henry and Dana Roth.
In November, 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Schwabenland came to Fresno, and here Mr. Schwabenland found employment with the Fresno Brewing Com- pany. He assisted in the building of the brewery and later became foreman of the cellars and cold storage department holding that position from 1900 until November, 1918, when he resigned to give his time to his ranch. In 1908 he bought twenty acres in American Colony, but sold out at an advance three months later. He built three residences in Fresno. The first was in the 200 block on E Street; the second was in the 400 block on F Street, and the third was in the Hazelwood addition. He sold each in turn and in 1915 he bought his ranch, twenty acres on Shaw Avenue, in Vinland Colony, estab-
2602
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
lished his residence there and developed his property to Thompson seedless vineyards and a peach orchard.
Five children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schwabenland: Roy Alex, born in Russia, assisted his father on the home ranch, he enlisted June 5, 1917, in the Engineers of United States Army; Emma, deceased; Elsie, deceased ; Pauline Theresa ; and Frieda Helen. The family are of the Luth- eran faith. Mr. Schwabenland is a member and stockholder in the California Peach Growers, Inc., and a member of the California Associated Raisin Com- pany. In politics he supports the Democrat party. He is a member of the Fresno Aerie, No. 39, F. O. E. His success is deserved and achieved through his years of steady application and sturdy habits of life.
EMANUEL PORTA .- Born at Campo, a town founded A. D., 970, in the Canton Ticino, Switzerland, on March 4, 1875, Emanuel Porta is the son of Guisseppi Porta, a coppersmith by trade, a landowner and farmer, who farmed in summertime and worked at his trade in the winter. His mother came from the Genazzi family. Her Christian name was Elizabeth, and she died in 1904, seventy-eight years old. The father lived to be eighty-four. They had thirteen children, six boys and seven girls ; and seven are. still living.
Brought up in the Catholic faith, Emanuel completed the grammar school grades and obtained his diploma at fourteen. His eldest brother, Jim, had come to California in 1871, but returned to Switzerland in 1896, after the death of his father, whose executor he was; and he still lives there. His letters from California interested Emanuel, and the lad was seized with a desire to come out to the Pacific.
He left home on February 17, 1892, sailing from Havre, France. He landed in New York and soon after came West to San Francisco, where he arrived on March 7, 1892. His brother met him in San Francisco and went with him to Ignacio, Marin County, where he took a job on a dairy farm and continued to work for wages until September, 1905, when he came to what is now Riverdale.
For a year he ran the place of Louis Gobby on shares, but was drowned out in the overflow, and then he worked for wages for two years for Mr. Gobby. Then he rented S. Zanolini's ranch of 189 acres, buying the cows and paying cash rent. Then October 1, 1912 he bought this place.
In 1915 Mr. Porta was married to Miss Louisa Gonzinotti, by whom he has had two children: Lydia and Mabel. Her father is Edowardo and her mother Virginia Gonzinotti, long residents of the Canton Ticino, Switzer- land, and they are both living as farmer folk in Italy. There were six girls and five boys in the family, of whom seven children are still living; and two of Mrs. Porta's brothers are Giacondo Gonzinotti and Miradio Gonzinotti, of the villlage of Mosognio, Switzerland, who compose the firm of Gonzinotti Bros., well-known farmers and dairymen.
Mr. Porta has been a naturalized American citizen since 1900, when he was admitted to citizenship at San Rafael by Judge Frank M. Angellotti, now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. He is a Republican, but aims to vote for principles and men of principle. He is a stockholder in the bank and creamery, and helped to organize both.
THEODORE RATHMANN .- Into whatever portion of the world the natives of Denmark have chosen to make their adopted homes, there they have always exemplified in their lives the traits that make for success; in- dustry, integrity and thrift.
The subject of this sketch, Theodore Rathmann, the well-known black- smith of Tranquillity, was born in Brovst, Jylland, Denmark, February 16, 1884, a son of Carl Ludvig and Johanna Marie (Petersen) Rathmann. His father was a saddler and harness maker by trade, and conducted a shop at Brovst.
2603
HISTORY OF FRESNO COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Rathmann were the parents of six children, five of whom grew to maturity, the youngest member being Theodore and the only representative of the family in California. When fourteen years of age Theodore was apprenticed to a blacksmith for three and one-half years, and after becoming a journeyman blacksmith, continued to follow his occupation in Denmark until he came to California.
It was in 1909 that he located in Fresno County where he secured em- ployment with C. M. Jacobsen, at Rolinda, but remained only a short time with him, later going to work for Martin Hald, in the same place, where he remained six months. Afterwards Mr. Rathmann was employed as a black- smith for the Lauritzen Implement Company, at Fresno, where he remained for about one and a half years.
Believing that his business interests would be best served by owning a shop of his own, Mr. Rathmann determined to establish a blacksmith shop at Tranquillity, Fresno County, and on January 1, 1912, he opened his new enterprise. Being a splendid workman, he soon built up a good business, which began to gradually expand, and in due time he had saved enough money to purchase the corner lot on which he built his present large shop.
In addition to regular blacksmithing, he operates an auto repairing shop and has equipped his place with a gas engine and the most modern machinery. Besides these lines of work he is also a dealer in farming implements.
In Fresno, on December 20, 1913, Theodore Rathmann was united in marriage with Miss Katarina Nielsen, born near Odense, Fyen, Denmark. Her parents were Mads and Maren (Jorgensen) Nielsen, the former still living They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Rathmann being the youngest of these. She came to California in 1902, when about fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Rathmann have been blessed with one child, Robert. They both belong to the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Rath- mann is a member of Dania No. 5 at Fresno, and is a stockholder of the First National Bank of Tranquillity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.