Yolo County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
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RICHTER Brothers
 
That conspicuous era of western development whose climax was reached in the 
memorable year of 1849 witnessed the identification of the Richter family with 
California and the beginning of their long and honorable association with the 
commonwealth.  It was Andreas Richter, a young German of stalwart frame and 
sturdy powers of endurance, who left his native place near the city of Berlin 
and crossed the ocean to the new world, landing a Memphis, Tenn., in 1846.  
Hearing of the trouble in the west, Mr. Richter, who had served his three years 
in the German army, enlisted in the Mexican war, at the of which he went to St. 
Louis.  His stay there, however, was brief, for again he was lured to the west 
and in 1849 came to San Francisco as a gold-seeker.  In the midst of the chaos 
then existing he found employment at the mines and for several years he 
experienced the joys and sorrows of a miner�s life, he having lost considerable 
in the Fraser river country.  Subsequently he established a large pack train, by 
which he profited well in supplying the needs of man.  Eventually he laid by an 
amount sufficient to permit him to return in comfort to his old German home 
beyond the seas.  The visit was not made solely for the purpose of renewing the 
associations of childhood, but with a deeper purpose in view, for there he 
married Miss Amelia Lehman, his boyhood sweetheart and the devoted companion of 
his later years.
 
Upon the arrival of the young German couple in California they came at once to 
Yolo county, where Mr. Richter bought a tract of raw land, one hundred and sixty 
acres one mile north of Yolo.  With unwearied ardor he cleared the tract, put up 
necessary buildings and brought the land under cultivation.  A comfortable home 
was provided for his growing family.  Constant application brought its merited 
reward.  Eventually he became known as a prosperous farmer and always he was 
honored as a patriotic German-American citizen and as a representative of the 
class of men indispensable to western development.  On the home farm where for 
years he had lived and labored his useful existence came to an end in 1896 and 
here too his wife passed away some years later.  The old home is still occupied 
by some of their family and it will be long ere their memory will grow dim in 
the hearts of descendants or in the annals of the pioneers of the county.
 
The Richter family comprises four sons and six daughters.  The eldest, Henry, is 
engaged in business at Berkeley, this state.  The daughters are Emma, the wife 
of Jacob Freiberger; Mrs. Laura Cooper; Miss Amelia H. Richter; Mrs. Ella 
Rehmke; Mrs. Minnie Millsap; Mrs. Elizabeth M. Curtis; Lewis J., Herman H. and 
Adolph J., the last-named a resident of Oregon.  Under the firm name of Richter 
Brothers two of the sons, Lewis J. and Herman H., have since the death of the 
father operated the old homestead where they were reared.  During 1903 they 
increased their enterprises by the purchase of three hundred and twenty acres, 
which they now cultivate in addition to managing the estate.  Their activities 
are varied and extensive.  Horses, sheep, cattle and hogs may be seen on their 
lands and each in its own line contributes to the income of the proprietors, who 
exercise sagacious judgment in the purchase and care of stock and are accounted 
experts in this department of agriculture.  In the raising of grain they also 
are experienced and successful, while the making of hay adds another to the list 
of activities that contribute to their prosperity.  Throughout Yolo county they 
are well known and everywhere they are honored as men of high principles and 
farmers of recognized skill who, by their capable work, are adding prestige to 
an honored family name.
 
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source:  �History of Yolo County, California� by Tom Gregory.  Published by the 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 755 � 756.