San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


ABRAHAM BECHTHOLD.
 
        Viticulture forms the principal occupation of Abraham Bechthold, and the 
wide-awake manner in which he takes advantage of all methods and ideas tending 
to enhance the value of his property has had much to do with his obtaining the 
competence which he now enjoys. He was born near Parkston, S. D., on June 26, 
1879, a son of Henry and Lottie (Baumbach) Bechthold, both natives of South 
Russia, who came to America and settled in South Dakota where he had three 
quarter-sections of land�a homestead, preemption and timber claim. The father 
passed away at the age of fifty-seven and the mother at forty-five years of age. 
Abraham is one of a family of nine children and his opportunity for an education 
was very limited, the time when he should have been in school being occupied in 
helping with the farm work at home. But these duties served to make him familiar 
with the routine of an agriculturist, and when ready to embark on life's journey 
alone, he decided to follow that pursuit.
        On February 20, 1904, in Tripp, S. D., Mr. Bechthold was united in 
marriage to Miss Matilda Wormsbecher, also a native of South Dakota, and a 
daughter of Henry and Katherine (Buchholtz) Wormsbecher. Her father was born in 
Russia and upon his arrival in the United States settled in South Dakota, where 
he was married. His wife came to South Dakota with her parents when a girl. They 
were farmers at Tripp until they retired. His daughter Matilda was reared on the 
farm at Tripp. After his marriage, Mr. Bechthold farmed in South Dakota until 
the fall of 1907, when he removed to California and settled on the ranch which 
he purchased and now occupies. It is located about two and one-half miles 
southeast of Lodi. He first bought ten acres in vineyard, planted to the 
varieties of Tokay, Zinfandel and Cornichon. Later he added sixteen acres 
located on Kettleman Lane, then ten acres on Cherokee Lane near the Union Oil 
Station, making a total of thirty-six acres. On each of his places Mr. Bechthold 
has installed pumping plants. Two years ago Mr. Bechthold erected a fine stucco 
residence and farm buildings on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Bechthold are the 
parents of eight children: Lillie, attending Lodi High, the only one born in 
South Dakota; Nettie, Alexander, Julius, who died in 1917, over four years old; 
Arthur, Ruth, Walter and Edward. In 1913, with his family Mr. Bechthold made a 
trip back to South Dakota, visiting their childhood home and friends. In 1921 he 
and his wife again made a trip to their native state, also Minnesota and Canada. 
In politics Mr. Bechthold is a Republican.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p   1624       
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.