Tulare County Biographies

CHARLES H. J. HAUSCH

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Back in the pioneer period of California's history, a young German named 
Christian Hausch left the fatherland and came to the United States. Hearing of 
fortunes having been made in the gold mines of California, he crossed the plains 
and for a time followed mining. Then he concluded that the California soil and 
climate would yield better and more certain returns than the gold mines, and 
planted a vineyard in Sonoma county. In this venture he was not disappointed, 
but believing that he would meet with more success farther south, in June, 1873, 
he purchased and settled on a ranch seven miles west of Visalia, where he passed 
the remainder of his days.
        Christian Hausch was prominent in the Masonic fraternity. He belonged to 
the lodge, chapter and commandery and in the last named held the office of 
prelate for twenty years, winning the reputation of being one of the best 
prelates in the state of California. While living in Sonoma county he was 
married to Miss Belle Ireland, who has also passed to her eternal reward.
        Charles H. J. Hausch, a son of this worthy couple, was born in 
Healdsburg, Sonoma county, California, December 24, 1872, but was brought by his 
parents to Tulare county the following June, when he was only about six months 
old. He grew to manhood on his father's ranch, seven miles west of Visalia. His 
early education was obtained in the public schools. He was a member of the 
graduating class of the Visalia high school in 1894, after which he attended the 
Leland Stanford University.
        On August 27, 1899, Mr. Hausch was united in marriage to Miss Maude 
Edith Griffin, a native of Sonoma county, California, and they have one son : 
Douglas C., now a student in Stanford University. After his marriage he engaged 
in farming and dairying on the ranch adjoining that of his father. In 1917 he 
rented out his ranch and moved to Visalia, where he has become identified with 
several organizations and business enterprises. He is president of the Visalia 
Kaweah Water Company, a director of the Evans Ditch Company, secretary and 
treasurer of the County Health Center, to which he gives much of his time, and 
is a member of the Visalia Kiwanis Club.
        In fraternal circles Mr. H. J. Hausch is one of the most prominent and 
best known men in Visalia. He is a member of Visalia Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M.; 
Royal Arch Chapter No. 44; Knights Templar Commandery No. 26; is active in the 
work of the Order of the Eastern Star�the ladies' degree in Masonry ; and is a 
member of the advisory board of Mount Whitney Chapter, Order of De Molay, to 
which the sons of Master Masons not yet twenty-one years of age are eligible. He 
is exalted ruler of Visalia Lodge No. 1298, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 
and belongs to the Order of Sciots.
        Politically Mr. Hausch is a democrat and since he has been old enough to 
vote he has taken an active part in public affairs. In 1920 he was elected 
supervisor from the third district of Tulare county, and in 1924 was reelected. 
Like the late President Grover Cleveland, he believes that "public office is a 
public trust", and in the administration of county affairs he has been actuated 
by this principle. He realizes the fact that low taxes are always to be desired, 
but he also realizes that taxes levied for a permanent public improvement, that 
means an asset to the community, are sometimes a necessity, hence he has given 
his support to the good roads movement. His reelection at the expiration of his 
first term of four years is a testimony that the voters of his district approve 
his policy, and his large vote in 1924 was merely an expression of public 
confidence.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 202