California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


MARTIN CHRISTIAN. Numbered among the successful business men and esteemed residents 
of Dos Palos is Martin Christian, one of the most active and enterprising citizens of Merced 
county. He has performed his full part in the advancement of the agricultural and mercantile
 interests of the county, and since becoming a resident of Dos Palos has been one of its 
leading merchants, and has become generally and favorably known to the traveling public as 
proprietor of the Hotel Dos Palos. Beginning life as a poor boy, he has been in truth the archi- 
tect of his own fortunes, by strenuous effort, ability and prudent management acquiring an 
honored position in financial and social circles. A native of Denmark, he was born, October 25, 
185 1, in Jutland, being the only child born of the union of George and Annie (David) Christian. 
His parents spent their entire lives in Denmark, the father dying, while yet in manhood's prime,
 in 1861, and the mother in 1896. 

Growing to manhood in his native land, Martin Christian received such educational advan- 
tages as were afforded by the common schools, in the meantime being well drilled in agricult- 
ural pursuits. In 1871, desirous of taking advantage of the opportunities offered to young 
men of energy and enterprise in America, he immigrated to the United States, and after 
spending a year in Toledo, Ohio, came to San Francisco. Entering the employ of Hiram 
Scott, he drove a coach for awhile, after which he traveled extensively in the state, visiting 
many different places, and being variously employed. Locating at Hills Ferry in 1877, Mr. 
Christian kept a hotel for a short time, and then removed to the west side of Merced county, 
where be carried on general farming and stock raising, operating five thousand acres of land, 
and making a specialty of grain raising until selling out his interests in that locality. 

Coming to Dos Palos in 1891, Mr. Christian purchased the Hotel Dos Palos, which had then 
been running but nine months, and has since been very successful in its management. As 
his patronage increased, he has twice enlarged the house to meet the demands upon his hos- 
pitality. In connection with his hotel, Mr. Christian also runs a livery business, and has a 
well-patronized stage line to Mercy Hot. Springs, which is fast becoming a popular resort. In 
1894 he erected a store, and has since carried on a very successful mercantile trade, being 
in partnership with his son George, and for four years he was also postmaster at Dos Palos. 
With characteristic enterprise, he opened a store of general merchandise in Los Banos in 1900, 
where, as junior member of the firm of Place & Christian, he has built up an extensive and 
lucrative business. 

In Sacramento, Cal., Mr. Christian married Caroline Kair, who was born in Denmark, and 
they are the parents of seven children, namely : Annie, wife of Franz Misch, foreman for 
Miller & Lux ; George, in partnership with his father ; Hedrig; Mabel; Clarence; Thomas and 
Alice. Politically Mr. Christian is a straightforward Republican, and active in party ranks. He is 
an ex-member of the county central committee, and for many years served as school trustee 
and as constable. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of Druids.