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


MRS. DORA (JANTZEN) UNGER. It gives us much pleasure to place in this volume a brief 
biographical record of the life of Mrs. Dora J. Unger, widow of the late Frederick Unger, who for 
a score of years was actively identified with the development of the agricultural resources of 
that part of Fresno county lying near Selma. She is a most estimable woman, of superior 
character and endowments, and well deserves the respect and esteem of the community in 
which she has so long resided. A daughter of Herman Jantzen, she was born April 10, 1835, near 
Dorum, Hanover, Germany. 

A lifelong resident of Hanover, Germany, Herman Jantzen followed the trade of baker during 
his earlier life, and was afterward employed as a tiller of the soil until his retirement from active 
pursuits. His wife, whose maiden name was Helen Schleier, died at a comparatively early age, 
leaving one son and one daughter, Dora J., the special subject of this sketch, being the 
youngest child. 

Receiving a limited education in the common schools of her native town, Dora Jantzen 
remained at home until twenty-three years old. Having two half-brothers and a brother in the 
United States, in Philadelphia, and one in California, she determined to join them, and in 
August, 1858, landed in New York City. A short time later, accompanied by her brother, she 
came by way of the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, where a halfbrother was living, and 
with him made her home until her marriage in i860 with Frederick Unger. 

A native of Schanning, Brunswick, Germany, Frederick Unger grew to manhood in the 
Fatherland, obtaining his education in the public schools. Emigrating to the United States in 
1854, he spent a few months in New York City, from there coming by way of the Nicaragua 
route to the Pacific coast. After working in the mines for some time, he settled near Santa 
Clara, where, in 1858, he purchased a small ranch on which he lived four years. Removing then 
to Centerville, he was engaged in farming in that locality for. three years. In 1865 he bought 
land near Petaluma, living there until 1873, when he established himself as a farmer and 
dairyman at Bird's Landing, Solano county. In 1880 Mr. Unger rented land in Fresno county, near 
Selma, and two years later, in 1882, bought the homestead now owned and occupied by his 
widow and her family. From the one hundred and forty acres of land included in his purchase 
he developed a most productive ranch, having a finely-bearing vineyard of sixty acres ; an 
orchard of forty acres planted to fruit trees of different kinds, while on fourteen acres he raised 
alfalfa. In the management of his farm he was very successful, his energetic industry and thrift 
being well rewarded. On November 8, 1903, Mr. Unger passed to the life beyond, leaving a 
large circle of friends who deeply deplore his loss. He was highly esteemed throughout the 
community as a man of sterling worth and integrity, and was an active member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Unger seven children were 
born, namely: Charles Frederick, proprietor of a stationery store in Selma ; Herman Theodore, 
living near Sclma; Caroline, wife of John Seaton of Port Townsend, Wash. ; William, residing 
near Selma; Angie, the wife of M. E. Browe of Selma; Dora, wife of John Anderson of Los 
Angeles, and G. A., of Selma. Mrs. Unger is a woman of good business qualifications, and is 
administratrix of the estate left by her late husband. She is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church.