JOHN D. LAUPPE

Sacramento County

Biographies

JOHN D. LAUPPE

JOHN D. LAUPPE—A most interesting pioneer, who played a prominent part in the development of Sacramento County, was the late John D. Lauppe, who was born on his father’s ranch, near Antelope, in Sacramento County, Cal., on November 11, 1867. His father, Rudolph Lauppe, a native of Switzerland, came to California and Sacramento County in early days, and farmed for many years here. He was the father of several children, including, besides our subject, Rudolph, Edward, Louise, and Anna, the latter being also deceased.

John D. Lauppe was educated in the public schools and at Atkinson’s Business College, where he was duly graduated. He had made a record in penmanship, in which he excelled. After this he operated a farm for four years, and then opened a general store at Antelope, which he conducted for many years. He took an active interest in all the affairs of his district, and was frequently called upon for advice. He was postmaster, express agent and farmer, and later he owned and sold valuable ranch-lands. After marrying, he started in business with $200 capital; he was a “self-made” man, and became one of the best-known businessmen in the Sacramento Valley. He was one of the pioneer automobile dealers of Sacramento, and one of the first to establish an automobile salesroom in Sacramento. His first car was the E. M. F. auto, and later he sold the Jackson car. For a number of years, too, he was agent for the Buick, which he represented at the time of his death. He started in business at the capital in 1910. A very progressive man, he owned the first automobile in Antelope, and installed the first telephone there. Mr. Lauppe had great faith in Sacramento, and invested his money there, owning the building where he carried on his automobile business, 1313-1323 K Street, and also flats at Seventeenth and P Streets, and other valuable property in this city. He was one of the founders of the Riverside Swimming Baths in Sacramento, and was director of the company.

Mr. Lauppe was married in Grass Valley, Nevada County, October 14, 1891, to Miss Nettie Shebley, a native of Grass Valley, daughter of Joseph and Nettie (Smith) Shebley, who were born in Berne, Switzerland, and Wurttemberg, Germany, respectively. Joseph Shebley came to the United States when he was two years old with his parents, who were among the early settlers of Sandusky, Ohio, and there he grew up. In 1858 he came via the Isthmus of Panama to California and followed mining in Nevada County; and there, too, he met and married Miss Smith, who had immigrated to California when she was fourteen years old, arriving in 1850. He afterwards engaged in ranching near Grass Valley, until he passed away, in 1903. His widow is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, making her home with Mr. Lauppe. This worthy pioneer couple had nine children, eight of whom are living. Mrs. Lauppe being third in order of birth. She grew to womanhood in Nevada County, and is a well-educated, refined woman. Possessing very much native ability and business acumen, she materially aided her husband in accomplishing his ambition. Their union proved a very happy one and was blessed with three children. Juanita became the wife of Howard G. Kercheval, of Sacramento; Frank E. is an automobile dealer, located in the Lauppe building in the capital city; while Norman S., whose decease is mourned by many, was serving in the aviation section of the United States army when he passed on. Five grandchildren now give joy to the family circle of Mrs. Lauppe, who lives at 2921 Twenty-second Street, in Sacramento.

Mr. Lauppe was not permitted to enjoy the full fruits of his labors for he was taken away by death on January 8, 1923. He was a very honorable man, whose word was as good as his bond; when he said a thing was so, one could bank on the truth of his statement. He was upright and honest in all of his dealings, and his integrity was never questioned. Mr. Lauppe was a man of few words, but of effective action, being full of energy and never idle. He was generous and kind, helpful to the needy, and ready to assist any worthy object or enterprise that had for its aim the building up of the community and the increase of the comfort and happiness of the people. He was a man of high moral principles and deep religious convictions, and was a member of the Full-Gospel Church.

Transcribed by Gloria Wiegner Lane.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 466-471. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.