San Joaquin County Biographies


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



W. J. RICHTER.
 
        An able craftsman, successful business man, and progressive, 
public-spirited citizen, is W. J. Richter, owner and proprietor of the leading 
Plumbing and tinning establishment at Ripon, Cal. He is a native son, having 
been born at San Francisco, April 23, 1884. His parents are J. L. and Maria 
(Peterson) Richter, who both reside with W. J. Richter on a ten-acre ranch on 
the state highway, near Ripon. Both parents were born in the year 1854, the 
father being a native of New Jersey, while the mother was born in Denmark. The 
father came with his parents to California in 1864 via the Isthmus, landing in 
San Francisco. There he grew up and learned the metal-worker's trade, of which 
he was a pioneer in the Bay City. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Richter were married in 
California, and were the parents of three children: Clarence, who works in the 
postoffice at Alameda; a second child, who died in infancy; and W. J. Richter, 
of this review.
        W. J. Richter grew up in Alameda City, where he attended the public 
schools; and when he had finished the grammar school, he entered upon a 
four-year apprenticeship, serving out his time with W. F. Schulte, a plumber and 
tinner of Alameda. He then entered upon his trade, his first employment being 
with George Lahr, in Oakland. Going to San Francisco, he there worked at his 
trade as a plumber and tinsmith. From there he came to Ripon, and went to work 
for Davis Brothers. After working for four years in their employ, in 1920 he 
bought out their tinning and plumbing department, and two years ago he moved 
into his present commodious quarters in the John Manson block on Stockton 
Street.
        Mr. Richter's marriage occurred in 1909, uniting him with Miss Mildred 
Bonnell, of Oakland, who was born in Illinois, and came to California with her 
parents when a young girl. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, at 
present noble grand of Mt. Horeb Lodge, at Ripon, and is also a member of 
Alameda Parlor, No. 47, N. S. G. W.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p    1543      
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.