California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

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


GUSTAVE HERMINGHAUS. In the death of the above-named gentleman. Fresno county 
lost one of its most prominent citizens and the family a most kind and indulgent father and 
husband. The United States is indebted to Germany for many of her sturdy pioneers and to 
this class of citizens Gustave Herminghaus belonged. His life was a success, and the results 
of his labors will live for many years. 

A native of Germany, Mr. Herminghaus was born on the Rhine, March 5, 1820. His father 
Brought the family to America and settled near St. Louis, Mo., where he cleared a farm and 
resided until his death. On this farm Gustave Herminghaus was reared. When the work of 
the farm allowed he improved the opportunity and attended the district school, but in those 
days the youth's education was limited to a few terms in the winter. In 1850, in company with 
others, Mr. Herminghaus crossed the plains, the party bringing cattle through to California. On 
arriving here he settled on the McCosma river, where he engaged in mining until his removal 
to San Jose. From there he continued to Penoche, where he hunted game for the New Idra 
quicksilver mines at New Idra. Later he engaged in the sheep business at Penoche. About 1867 
he located near White's Bridge, where he purchased and also entered land and improved 
a fine place, becoming one of the largest sheep owners in that section of the valley, at one time 
owning ten thousand head. In 1895 he sold his sheep and rented the land to H. Miller, of 
Miller & Lux. It is now rented to Isaac Bird of Merced county, manager of Chowchilla ranch. 
Two years later, in 1897, Mr. Herminghaus came to Fresno, where he continued to reside 
up to the time of his death, November 18, 1904, at the age of eighty-four years. 

In San Jose, in 1884, Mr. Herminghaus was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Spangler, 
who was born in Crescent City, Del Norte county, this state, a daughter of William Spangler. 
who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., a son also of William, who was a manufacturer in the Quaker. 
City. The father of Mrs. Herminghaus came to California in 1849, via the Panama route. For 
several years he followed mining in this state and then removed to Portland, Ore., where he en- 
gaged in the livery business. Later he removed to Idaho and still' later to Walla Walla, Wash., 
where he was a United States mail contractor. Finally he settled in the Willamette valley, Ore., 
and engaged in the stock business near Eugene. Subsequently he located on the Pitt river, where 
he continued in the stock business until his removal to Gilroy, Santa Clara county, where he 
followed general farming. In 1870 he went to Penoche and engaged in teaming to the New Idra 
mines. Later he again went to Oregon, but in a short time returned to Santa Clara county, 
engaging in teaming at San Jose. His next location was in Fresno, where he lived but a short 
time subsequent to his locating in Stockton, where he is still living at an advanced age. He 
married Mary Hardin, a native of Arkansas, who came to California in the '50s and died at Pe- 
noche. She was the mother of ten children, six of whom are still living, Mrs. Herminghaus 
being the second child. By her marriage Mrs. Herminghaus has two children, Bertha Genevieve 
and Victoria Pearl. 

Mr. Herminghaus' life is a splendid example of what may be accomplished through persever- 
ance and industry. His ranch at White's Bridge, on the San Joaquin river, contains about six- 
teen thousand acres, all in one body, fenced and improved. In addition to this property he erect- 
ed thirteen residences in Fresno and built a brick business house which is three stories high 
and modern throughout. This property was accumulated in a few years. In youth and young 
manhood he knew what poverty was, but that same poverty was the stepping stone to his suc- 
cess, and hard work, energy and perseverance brought him a deserved reward for his many 
years of toil. This review of the life of Mr. Herminghaus carries with it encouragement and 
an example for the young men who start in life with no capital save manliness, courage, persist- 
encv of purpose and a willingness to work.