Alameda County
Biographies
JACOB HARDER
In Jacob Harder, Eden township has a farmer who embodies the sterling traits of the sons of Germany and who, because of his active, moderate, and well-planned life, looks to be forty, although fifty-eight years have passed over his head. Mr. Harder owns a valley ranch of one hundred and fifty-five acres, valued at from $100 to $350 an acre, and for which he paid $29,000 in 1895. He has been identified with ranching in California since the fall of 1867, coming here, direct after landing from a German steamer in New York City, and after a few weeks spent in looking around in San Francisco. He was then twenty-one years old, having been born in Hamburg, Germany, August 4, 1846, and he came to his adopted land with a physique made vigorous by outdoor work on a farm, wholesome diet, and a sufficient amount of money to relieve him of embarrassment until he could find work in the west. His trip from New York was unfortunate in one particular, for, notwithstanding the novelty of the country, and the hope and ambition in his heart, his spirits were somewhat dampened through having his clothes and trunk stolen from him. Fortunately he had $60 in his belt, and this constituted his assets upon arriving in his adopted state.
Investigation revealed to Mr. Harder the desirability of Alameda county as a farming district, and he came to Eden township well informed as to its productiveness and general advantages. Upon applying to a land owner as a farm hand he found that gentleman waiting for a faithful, reliable man, and into this niche he fitted with entire satisfaction to the farmer and himself. His faithfulness and ability were appreciated to the extent that he was retained in the service of the same man for five years, during which time he saves $1,700. He next rented a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres near Mount Eden, making $1,500 the first year, and continuing to improve the place until 1876. That year he bought a ranch near Pleasanton, which he has since rented, and in 1895 came into possession of his present property, a mile and a quarter from Haywards on the Miles road. Mr. Harder has his ranch under dairy, vegetables, grain and hay, and thirty acres of prunes, cherries, pears and peaches have been set out. His farm is a neat and thrifty one, and the visitor is impressed with its many evidences of order and good management.
In 1873 Mr. Harder married Theodora Jensen, a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and of which union five children have been born: Lena, at home; Elsie, who died at the age of twenty; Jacob, Jr., who is an expert electrician, and has charge of the electric light plant at Haywards; Newton, who is assisting his father with the home ranch; and a child who died in infancy. Mr. Harder is a Republican but cares nothing for office, or for fraternal or kindred diversions. He is a home man in every sense of the word, devoted to his wife and children, and surrounding them with all the comforts possible under the circumstances. He is progressive and well-informed, and liberal in his contributions to charitable and other demands upon his purse.
Transcribed
6-30-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1222-1225. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R. Pankey.
BACK TO GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY'S ALAMEDA DATABASES