Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSEPH GWERDER
JOSEPH GWERDER.—Among the ranchers of
the Grand Island district is Joseph Gwerder, who was
born in Schwyz, Switzerland, in July, 1857, a son of Frank and Marian (Wigat) Gwerder. When he was
nineteen years of age he made his way to France,
where he remained until 1886, and then came to San
Francisco, Cal. The years
from 1888 to 1891 were spent in Washoe Valley, Nev.,
and he then came to Tyler Island
and leased a farm; and there he was married, on November 28, 1892, to Marie Senn, also born in Schwyz, a daughter of Frank and Regina
(Huble) Senn. She came
to California in 1891. In
1896 they leased a 600-acre ranch at Walker’s Landing on Grand
Island, which he still operates. He has been
successful and has purchased ranches from time to time until he owns in all
593˝ acres, where he has planted an eighty-acre pear orchard. He leases
other land, so that he operates in all 1,405˝ acres,
devoted to raising asparagus and general farming. He is a member of the
California Asparagus Growers’ Association.
Seven
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gwerder, six
of whom are living; Marie, Mrs. Albert Hollenbeck; Anna, Mrs. Fisher; Frank C.;
Margaret; William; and Josephine.
Transcribed 8-22-07
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 999. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.