Butte County
Biographies
CARL JULIUS SOMMER
CARL JULIUS SOMMER.—A pioneer and prominent business man of Chico was the last Carl J. Sommer, who was born at Heide, Holstein, at that time a part of Denmark but afterwards under German rule. He received a good education, and was then apprenticed to learn the jeweler’s trade. Not liking the military oppression of the country under German rule, he obtained permission to travel into foreign countries, with the determination not to return. He came to the United States, the land of freedom he so much admired, making his way to San Francisco, and soon located in Chico, Butte County, which was destined to become the field of his future business operations. He formed a partnership with Albert Hibbard, and they purchased the jewelry stock of Ramage and Company and continued the business, building up a large business and a most excellent reputation. Purchasing the northwest corner of Second and Broadway, they built a store building known as the Hibbard and Sommer Building. After some years Mr. Sommer bought his partner’s interest. Thereafter he was actively engaged in business until just before his death, when he sold out to one of his old workmen. Mr. Sommer died in Chico, January 12, 1896, a man much loved and respected by all who know him.
As early as 1877, Carl Julius Sommer had married in Chico, being there united with Miss Willie Pratt, who was born in Marshall, Dane County, Wis., the daughter of Dr. Willard Pratt, a pioneer physician of Butte County and the founder of Prattville, Cal., of whom mention is made in a separate article in this work. Mrs. Sommer came to California when a little child with her mother, by way of the Isthmus of Panama. She completed her education at Mills College. A woman of culture and refinement, she has always been a social favorite. She still retains possession of her business and residence property in Chico, and divides her time between her home town and Piedmont. She has a daughter, Helen Marion, a graduate of the Chico State Normal and now the wife of Edward Gage, of Ramada Ranch, in Butte County. Mrs. Sommer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She belongs to various social organizations, in particular the Mills Club, and the Corona Club of San Francisco.
Transcribed
by Sharon Walford Yost.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1071-1072, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Sharon
Walford Yost.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies