Los Angeles County
Biographies
HERMAN D. WIGMAN
One of the most loyal of California’s adopted sons was the late Herman D. Wigman, president of the Herman D. Wigman Paving Company, who was likewise widely known as a rancher, cattle raiser, real estate operator, and as a general business man of extraordinary acumen and honest methods. Mr. Wigman was a native of Hanover, Germany, where his birth occurred on August 5, 1865. He received his education in Europe, and when eighteen years of age he came to the United States. After a short period, he went to the state of Iowa, where he engaged in farming with an uncle who had preceded him to this country.
While living in Iowa, Mr. Wigman first learned of California, of its beautiful setting, its salubrious climate, and the prosperity which here existed. The lure of the west proved strong enough to bring him to the west coast in the year 1888, when he was twenty-three years old, and soon after his arrival he first found work on the famous Baldwin ranch. Later, he leased an extensive tract of three thousand acres, on which he planted walnut trees, and also did some ranching and cattle raising. In subsequent years, he relinquished this undertaking and established the Wigman Paving Company, which progressed steadily in the scope of contracts filled and became one of the principal companies of its type on the western coast. Mr. Wigman’s company did practically all of the paving in Hermosa Beach, In Inglewood, in Melrose, and a number of other civic communities. For many years, he conducted his business in a highly commendable manner and always gave value received, was a good employer, and among business men of Los Angeles held a reputation of sterling integrity. Real estate also appealed to him, and he bought and sold many tracts of land in both the city and county of Los Angeles. Mr. Wigman loved California more than any other place in which he lived. Its beauties inspired him, and he was always a willing cooperator in any movement which had for its purpose the improvement of the city and state. In his death, which occurred in November, 1933, there was lost a truly representative citizen.
In Los Angeles on February 28, 1903, Mr. Wigman was married to Miss Katherine Young, who was born in Australia and is a daughter of Adam and Victoria Young, who were natives of Australia. They came to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, but in 1898 came to California. Adam Young was a prominent building contractor and died at the age of seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Wigman there was born one daughter, Evelyn Wigman.
Mr. Wigman was a very active worker in the Christian Science Church, of which he was a member for many years. He contributed much financial assistance to the church and his assistance was always available when any need arose. He was charitable by nature and held much sympathy toward his fellowmen. His political affiliation was with the democratic party [sic], but he never aspired for public office. His career may be summarized by the brief statement that it was one of substantial achievement and one of most satisfactory fulfillment of duty.
Transcribed by K.V. Bunker.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V,
by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 697-698,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2013 K.V. Bunker.
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BIOGRAPHIES