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


AUGUST JERNBERG. As agent for the Crocker-Huffman Land and Water Company, 
Mr. Jernberg also represents the Homeseekers Land Agency, with offices in the large cities of 
the Union, and through these mediums has assisted in disposing of the forty-five thousand-acre 
tract in Merced county owned by the former company, all of which is available for growing fruit 
or alfalfa. This land can be purchased for $35 and up, per acre, with the assurance that the 
best system of irrigation prevails. Every inducement is given to those of limited means to 
build a home. 

By trade Mr. Jernberg is a practical machinist, and comes of a family identified with that oc- 
cupation for generations. One member, more ambitious than the rest, emigrated from Ger- 
many and settled in Sweden, his example being followed by his descendants, who were peaceful 
and law-abiding citizens. In Wernland, Sweden, Mr. Jernberg was born March 17, 1858, and the 
same kingdom was the birthplace of his parents, John and Ulrika (Lovequist) Jernberg, the 
latter the daughter of Olaf Lovequist, a harnessmaker by occupation. That the family were in 
moderate circumstances, and encouraged independence at an early age, was demonstrated in 
the case of all the children, of which there were eight, five daughters and three sons. Of these, 
all but two daughters came to America, and the sons all engaged as ironworkers or machinists. 
While Air. Jernberg has been forging his way to the front in real estate circles, his brothers, 
Carl and John, are equally industrious, the former being mechanical engineer and a partner 
of the Standard Forgings Company of Chicago, and superintendent of the plant at Indiana Har- 
bor, while the latter brother assists him in the last named capacity. Mr. Jernberg's father was 
an engineer for his entire active life, and died in Sweden, although he had formerly spent a 
number of years in Chicago, Ill. 

Coming to Chicago, Ill., about 1879, Mr. Jernberg became identified with the Chicago Bolt & 
Forge Company, was raised to the position of foreman in 1880, and remained with the con- 
cern until deciding to embark in the real estate business in 1886. Chicago at that time offered 
inducements to men thus inclined, and from purchasing small tracts of land outlying the city, he 
enlarged his business in all directions, laying out the additions to west part of Englewood, and in- 
vesting in lands in Austin, Morgan Park, West Pullman and South Chicago. At the same time 
he became identified with the well-known real estate concerns, of the Union Pacific, Western, 
and Koltz Brothers, operating successfully in the purchase and disposal of their various proper- 
ties. The same tendency which had prompted the immigration of his family to Chicago, in- 
duced him to dispose of his Chicago interests and put his fortunes to the hazard in the west. 
Arriving in California in 1902, he traveled extensively over the state, finally selecting Merced 
as a promising and favorable field of operation. He practically laid out the Bradley addition of 
one hundred and sixty-one lots, and has since vigorously and with telling results, promoted its 
advancement to a thriving and useful community of interests. He is a member of the Cham- 
ber of Commerce. 

Mr. Jernberg is improving a home place of thirteen and a half acres, where he is living with 
his family, and where may be found the comforts and luxuries dictated by a refined and ex- 
acting intelligence. His first wife, Hilda Stope, whom he married in Sweden, died during his res- 
idence in Chicago, leaving to his care seven children, in order of birth as follows : Ellen, a resi- 
dent of Chicago ; Hilda, the wife of F. Bryant, of Chicago ; Gustav, a machinist by trade ; and 
Laura, Julia, August and Ruth. His second marriage in 1900 united him with Anna Lilia, a na- 
tive of Sweden and formerly a resident of San Francisco. Mr. Jernberg is a man of pleasing 
address, and courteous in dealing with patrons. He is rated as one of the substantial men of the 
community, having inspired confidence and support from the time of his arrival.