Alameda County
Biographies
CHRISTOPHER GRESEL
CHRISTOPHER GRESEL. Among those venerable farmers who
belong rather to the past than the present, and whose conservative, cautious
lives have added strength and stability to the community which they have called
home, mention is due Christopher Gresel, the
owner of a valuable farm of nearly three hundred acres in the vicinity of Decoto. Mr. Gresel is one of
the many German-Americans who landed in America with their possessions done up
in a small package, and their finances much depleted by the expense of crossing
the ocean. He had energy and courage, however, and prudence and patience,
traits which have won their owner his present competence, and given him his
standing as a man and farmer among his fellow workers. He is now eighty-four
years old, and his eyes are dimmed by much usage, and the beautiful country by
which he is surrounded is indistinct to his vision, yet he carries around with
him a happy heart, a clear mind, and memories as fresh as yesterday of the
experiences through which he has passed.
Born in Hanover, Germany, April 27, 1820, Mr. Gresel was reared on a farm, and when twenty-two years old
bade adieu to the land of his forefathers and came to the United States. He had
neither trade nor resources, and after a few months in New York City made his
way west to Buffalo via the canal, and from there by
vessel to Chicago, whence he traveled to Naperville, Ill., and found employment
on a farm. The country was new and opportunity prolific, yet he saw far better
chances in the far west and journeyed hither in the spring of 1852. By way of
the Isthmus he reached San Francisco, and at once went to the mines of Nevada
and Grass Valley, but not meeting with expected success went to Alvarado,
Alameda county, and secured work on a ranch. Afterward
he worked on land where the California Nursery is now located. In 1858 he
bought his present ranch, all of which is in the valley, and of remarkable
fertility. He has improved it beyond the average, giving to it the care and
thought of a careful and painstaking mind.
In his declining years Mr. Gresel
is surrounded by a happy family, consisting of his devoted wife and two
youngest children, Christophena and Minnie. His
eldest daughter, Amelia, is the wife of Adam Becker, of San Francisco.
Mrs. Gresel was formerly Mary May, a native
of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and an immigrant to this
country in 1859. In politics Mr. Gresel is an
Independent, and in religion he is a Lutheran. He is respected for his
industrious and well directed life, his unquestioned integrity, and his
devotion to his family and friends.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 07 May 2015.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
577-578. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marie
Hassard.
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