Shasta County Biographies

RUDOLPH KLOTZ

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
"Of all the pioneer lumbermen who braved the Sacramento, the most successful was 
Rudolph Klotz, who ox-teamed lumber from his mill near Shingletown to Logan's 
Ferry on the river where his brother, Dan, rafted it to Sacramento."  These 
words were written by W. H. Hutchinson to describe the man we are honoring 
today.
 
Rudolph Klotz was born on May 3, 1832 in Berleberg, Prussia. He was confirmed in 
the Lutheran church in that town. He left Germany at the age of 19. With three 
of his brothers Fred, Dan and John, he sailed around the Horn to reach 
California. John and Rudolph made their way to the town of Shasta, where they 
engaged in the butcher business.
 
In 1853, Mr. Klotz acquired property on Millseat Creek and soon became the owner 
of a sawmill which he converted to a sash and door factory. This was the 
beginning of a vast lumber empire which he built up and to which he also added 
cattle raising. The Eureka Mill, which he and Sylvanis Leach owned, became the 
head of the vast flume that carried lumber to Tehama County where the Sierra 
Lumber Co. became the Diamond Match Co. of later years. He was also an able 
carpenter and built several large and beautiful homes for his family and his 
father in law.
 
He was married in 1861 to Anna Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of William W. and 
Anna L. (Evans) Smith. Nine children were born to this union. 
 
Phillip   born in 1862 and died in infancy

Anna Elizabeth, born in 1865 married to John McIntyre, second marriage to Louis 
Voight.

Harry Frederick born in 1867 died in 1879

Emma Delphine born in 1869 married to Grant Isreal, second marriage to D. J. 
Fitzgerald

Mary Anne (Mamie) born in 1872 married to Myron Bidwell, second marriage to 
Platt B. Elderkin.

Henrietta born in 1874 married to Ernest Smith second marriage to Harry (Had) 
Hall of Bloody Island

Caroline (Carrie) born in 1876 married to Willard (Wid) Hall 

William Frederick born 1878 married to Cora Dunham

Catheryn Belle born 1882 married to Charles (Chick) Currier
 
The Klotz home was said to be the center of the social scene of the Shingletown 
area, and everyone was made welcome. Mr. Klotz and Mr. Vilas, another mill man, 
built, equipped, and maintained a school for Shingletown children.
 
Before his death at McCumber Flat, in 1885, he had served as a State legislator 
and was known to be an astute business man as well as a good friend and 
neighbor, whose obituary read: "No more honest, trustworthy, industrious, and 
economical man ever lived than Rudolph Klotz."
 
After her husband's death, Mrs. Klotz married Homer M. Maxwell and moved to San 
Francisco, where she died on January 8, 1921.
 
From this large and historic family, two granddaughters, eight 
great-grandchildren and fifteen great‑great grandchildren survive.
 
Source:  Shasta Historical Society