Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

CORNELIUS STOLP

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

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

            The attainment of a gratifying success through the tilling of the 
soil of Sutter County caused Cornelius Stolp to become a stanch believer in the 
advantages offered by this portion of California.  After a very active career, 
during which he took an interest in all progressive matters, he passed away on 
January 24, 1910.  He was born on the shores of Lake Ontario, N.Y., September 7, 
1821, a son of Joseph Stolp, native of the same State, where the grandfather 
located upon his emigration from Germany, and where he reared his family.  
Joseph Stolp became successful as a farmer and was also active in public 
affairs, supporting the principles of the Whig party.  He was a captain of a 
company in the War of 1812 and also belonged for several years to the trained 
militia.  He died at the advanced age of ninety-five years.  The parents of his 
wife, formerly Margaret Marlett, a native of New York, were emigrants from 
Holland and acquired success and prominence in their adopted State.  Mrs. Stolp 
died at an advanced age in Illinois, where the family moved in 1836, the father 
purchasing land and engaging in farming and the sawmill business.
            Cornelius Stolp was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied 
his parents to Illinois, where he assisted his father and attended the public 
schools.  When about nineteen years old, he returned to New York State and 
entered the academy at Onondaga Hollow, where he continued his studies for about 
three years.  He then taught a district school for about six months, after which 
he returned to Illinois, taking passage from Oswego to Chicago by boat.  Upon 
his return he engaged with his father in farm work and in the burning of lime, 
etc., all of his earnings being turned into a common fund with the exception of 
enough to pay his passage to California.  He went to New York City in 1852, and 
from that point shipped for California, walking a part of the way across the 
Isthmus.  He landed at San Francisco on the first of April of that year, after 
which he spent a month in the southern mines.  He then went to Nevada City, and 
there engaged in the express business for three years, being unable to work in 
the mines on account of his health.  In 1855 he went to Sacramento and purchased 
a lot, where he put up a revolving swing and circular railway and for a few 
years carried on a lucrative business.  He lost this property through a 
confirmation of an old grant title, after which, in 1859, he came to Sutter 
County and in the vicinity of Nicolaus built a hay press and baled hay for one 
season.  He then purchased an outfit for boring wells and worked at this 
business throughout this section; and when he had accumulated sufficient means, 
he purchased 160 acres of the ranch now occupied by his children.  To this he 
continued to add until he owned 640 acres in the home place, 120 acres half a 
mile away, and 200 acres of timber on Feather River. This property he continued 
to farm until 1902, when he rented the place to his son, removing at that time 
to Sacramento.  After making his home in Sacramento for two years, he returned 
to the home place, where he spent the remainder of his days.
            In 1876, Mr. Stolp was married to Miss Martha Hutchins, a native of 
Missouri, who came to California in 1872.  Mr. and Mrs. Stolp were the parents 
of two children, Daisy, the wife of Amos R. Corliss, whose history is also to be 
found in this volume, and Charles Frederick.  Mr. Stolp was a Republican in 
politics.  Both himself and wife were members of the Christian Church, in which 
Mr. Stolp held various offices for many years.  Mrs. Stolp passed away at the 
family home on May 17, 1911.  The old residence on the Stolp home place was 
destroyed by fire in June, 1911, when many valuable old books were consumed.  
This residence was one of the landmarks of the early days in Sutter County.  In 
1913, Mr. Corliss built a modern residence on the foundation of the old home.  
Mr. Stolp sold the right of way for the Northern Electric Railway, and it was 
with keen delight that he watched the building of this road through the 
Sacramento Valley.  Stolp Station was named in his honor, and is located on a 
portion of his old home place, where he had made his home for about half a 
century.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 432-433