Butte County
Biographies
DANIEL N. FRIESLEBEN
DANIEL N. FRIESLEBEN.--That a man may ultimately triumph in the face of numerous
obstacles and repeated discouragements, if he but have the determination
and and persistence necessary to continue until he has a chance to show
what he can do, and that it is important that such a man should display his
actual capability at the first opportunity presented, are shown in the
experience of Daniel N. Friesleben, who was born near
Marienbad, Bohemia, but who was brought up on a farm
in New York State. When he was old enough to learn a trade, he was
apprenticed to a cigarmaker; and after serving his
time in
He tired to get work at his trade, but as
no cigars were made there at that time he looked for other employment. Not
being successful, he went to Marysville. There he was no
more fortunate in obtaining employment, and he set off for the mines, reaching Camptonville with just five bits as his sole
capital. At that place he disposed of his blankets to get back to
Marysville, and on his return he found work on a ranch, where he proved so
capable that he won some good friends. He then obtained a clerkship in a
clothing store kept by Mr. Tuska in Yuba’s capital,
and being found capable, his wagers were advanced rapidly.
In 1857, Mr. Friesleben
came to Oroville, and was soon engaged in the mercantile business. In
1864, he was one of a joint stock company to build the Union Hotel; and three
years later he bought out all the stock and became the proprietor. His
first purchase of real estate was the building later occupied by N. Goldstein;
the third purchase was the St. Nicholas Hotel.
Mr. Friesleben
was also one of the Oroville Water Company’s stockholders and vice-president of
the Rideout-Smith National Bank. He became very
active in the Oroville citrus fairs, and in arranging for the large and
beautiful displays made there, he personally designed the early ones. Being
confident that the climate and soil were favorable for citrus fruits, he was
one of the original members of the Oroville Citrus Association, which planted
the first forty-acre commercial orange orchard in
Mr. Friesleben
was twice married. By his first wife he had three children, and by his
second wife, a son. His last years were spent between his ranch in
Oroville and his home in
Transcribed by Louise E. Shoemaker, November 25th,
2007.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 515, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
©
2007 Louise
E. Shoemaker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies