FREDRICK MECKFESSEL

Sacramento County

Biographies

FREDRICK MECKFESSEL

FREDRICK MECKFESSEL. A visitor in Sacramento when on a tour of inspection among the homesteads of the city, invariably notices with admiring attention the palatial residence of Mr. Meckfessel at No. 1511 L street, with its large and well-kept lawn forming an attractive environment, and its interior fittings reflecting the cultured tastes of the family. In this home the owner is passing the afternoon of a busy life, surrounded by every comfort and ministered to by children and friends. As he reflects upon the past events of his existence, he has every reason for gratitude that he was led to give up the associations of youth in the old German home and try his fortune beyond the great sea. Especially is he profoundly thankful that the excitement caused by the discovery of gold turned his steps toward California, the land of opportunity and promise, for it has here been his privilege to attain a success more than ordinarily gratifying and encouraging.

The early home of Mr. Meckfessel, in striking contrast to his present mansion, was a humble cottage in Hanover, Germany, where he was born February 6, 1827. No event of importance marked his boyhood years, which were devoted to study in the manner of all German boys. On starting out to earn his own livelihood, in 1846, he came to the United States, and after debarking from the ship at New Orleans he proceeded up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where he served an apprenticeship to the trade of saddler and harness-maker. After learning of the discovery of gold in California he determined to try his luck in the far west and accordingly in 1850 came across the plains with a party of immigrants. For eighteen months he was engaged in placer mining on Canyon creek, but in the fall of 1851 he came to Sacramento, where he now makes his home. During the long period of his residence in the Sacramento valley he has been associated with various interests for the up-building of this part of the state and has witnessed the transformation of vast tracts of unimproved land into fertile farms and beautiful homesteads.

In the pioneer days water was a scarce commodity in Sacramento and Mr. Meckfessel earned a livelihood by selling it from house to house. On the establishment of the water works he became connected with the plant, with which he remained identified for fifteen years, meanwhile at first hauling water in wagons and delivering it to families. On giving up his connection with the water works he turned his attention to farming in Colusa county. This proved a most profitable venture. At first he bought only a small tract of land, which he devoted to the raising of grain and stock. From the first fortune favored his labors. As his means increased they were invested in land until he acquired a ranch of four thousand acres, improved with barns, sheds, and a substantial farm house. While he engaged in raising stock of all kinds, yet his specialty was the raising of sheep. During the long period of his connection with this industry prices of wool varied from forty cents a pound down to an amount so small as to wipe out all possible profits of that season. During one year his wool clip amounted to eight thousand pounds, for which he received an excellent price. In the sale of lambs he also made considerable profit, as also in the sale of high-grade sheep for breeding purposes. Upon retiring from active farm cares in 1885, he turned a portion of his business over to two of his sons, and they now conduct the large ranch in Colusa county, raising wheat and barely as well as stock, and furnishing employment to some forty men.

In addition to the large ranch in Colusa county and the home place in Sacramento, Mr. Meckfessel owns property in Sacramento county, including a grain ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in a splendid state of cultivation. When it is remembered that he came west wholly without means, his present success reflects a credit upon his wise management, industry and executive ability. During the long years of his residence in California he has kept abreast with the advancement of the age, has become well versed concerning our national problems, and has found recreation in several trips east, especially for the purpose of renewing the associations of boyhood in the St. Louis home.

The marriage of Mr. Meckfessel occurred in 1857 and united him with Miss Emily Kortstein, who was born in Germany, May 9, 1837, and remained his faithful and affectionate help-mate until her death, March 9, 1902. In religion she was early in life confirmed in the German Lutheran Church and remained a devoted member of its fellowship until she died, and Mr. Meckfessel also has been a lifelong adherent of that denomination. Of their union ten children were born, of whom nine attained mature years, viz.: Carrie, who married T. J. Parsons, a miller by trade, and who established the Del Monte Milling Company of San Francisco; Frank, deceased; Henry and George C., who operate their father’s ranch in Colusa county; William, who is president of the Del Monte Milling Company of San Francisco; Frederick J., of San Francisco, vice president and cashier of the Del Monte Milling Company; Mrs. Emma Reed, of Sacramento; Thomas, a rancher in Fresno county; and Gaston, who is a student in civil engineering at the University of California.

Transcribed by Louise E. Shoemaker on October 26^th 2007.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Pages 845-846. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.