El Dorado County Biographies


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


 
 
FRANCIS JOSEPH ARNOLD VEERKAMP
 
            One of the most enterprising and intelligent farmers of El Dorado 
county, was born in Meppen, on the river Ems, in the Kingdom of Hanover, 
Germany, October 2d, 1822.  He is a son of Bartholomew and Louisa (Oelcker) 
Veerkamp.  His father was engaged in various pursuits, such as farming, 
lumbering, merchandising, gardening and bee-keeping; he was also a musician, and 
acted as organist in the churches of his town.  When �Frank� was but twelve 
years old his parents emigrated to the United States and settled in Montgomery 
county, Ohio, but moved, in 1836, to St. Louis, and yet later to Lincoln county, 
Missouri.  Here Frank stayed until about 24 years old, when he went to St. Louis 
and engaged in merchandising until he decided to go to California, on which 
journey he started on April 11, 1852, at 2 o�clock P.M.  After a safe and 
peaceful voyage of five months across the plains, he arrived at Placerville 
September 11th, spent a few weeks at Uniontown, and located on the place where 
his son F. J. now resides, where he opened a hotel and store of miners� 
supplies.  In 1873 he removed to his present home on what has long been known as 
the �Japanese Tea Ranch,� which he had purchased about three years before.  He 
has 340 acres of as good land as can be found in the Sierra Nevada foothills for 
general farming and fruit-growing, and on it will be found about 20,000 vines 
and fruit trees of only the best varieties.  The Granite Hill postoffice is kept 
at his residence, Mrs. Veerkamp being postmistress.  On the 22d of September, 
1849, at St. Louis, Mo., he was united in marriage to Louisa M. Totener, who was 
born June 10, 1825, in the town of Walsrode, Kingdom of Hanover, Germany.  By 
this union there have been born to them a family of ten children, viz.:  Henry 
B., born in St. Louis, Mo., January 27, 1851; Frances J. A., born where he now 
lives, January 11, 1853; Joseph W. E., born March 1, 1856, and died July 23, 
1862.  In 1858 one was still-born.  Sophia Louise, born Aug. 4, 1859, died 
January 19, 1866; William B., born November 23, 1861; Joseph W. Egbert, born 
June 8, 1864; Louis Barthold and Charles F., twins, were born August 4, 1866, 
and Charles F. died Sept. 26 1866; Louis P., born April 15, 1871.  Mr. Veerkamp 
is surrounded with an interesting family, all industrious and of good habits.  
He came to El Dorado county poor, and has suffered many and severe losses, but 
is now rated among the most influential and well-to-do men of the county.  In 
politics he supports the Democratic nominees as a rule; in religious views we 
can do no better than quote his own language:  �Do right and fear no man.�
            Henry B., the eldest son, was married in May, 1882, and now resides 
in Amador county.  He also owns a farm at Gold Hill, on which there is a good 
residence and orchard.
 
Frank J. Veerkamp, his second son, was married February 20, 1877, to Miss Alice 
Wagner, daughter of William and Drucilla Wagner.  She was born near Quincy, 
Ills., July 21, 1858.  They have two children, viz.: Louisa Drucilla, born in 
Virginia City, Nevada, April 18, 1878, and William F., born Dec. 6, 1880, at 
Gold Hill.  Mr. Veerkamp owns the farm on which his father first settled at Gold 
Hill, of about 200 acres, and is growing a vineyard and orchard on it.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p � 266-267  Transcribed by Kathy Sedler