Sacramento County
Biographies
LOUIS W. MYERS
LOUIS W.
MYERS.--At the time of his death, which
occurred on April 8, 1922,
Louis W. Myers was the owner of 865 acres on Grand Island, consisting of a
highly developed fruit ranch, devoted to pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and
asparagus, and one of the show-places of the county. He was born on the Myers
ranch on Grand Island, on October 27, 1870,
a son of Henry W. and Sophia Myers, both natives of Germany and early settlers on the Sacramento, their arrival dating in the early fifties.
Louis W. Myers was educated at the Auburn
schools. Early in life he showed great aptitude for agriculture and horticulture,
which as time went on enabled him to acquire and develop an immense acreage.
This property he managed so successfully that his name became well-known
throughout the valley and the central part of the state as one of the county's
most successful and resourceful ranchers, with a reputation for exceptionally
keen business management as well as thorough knowledge of soil and climatic
conditions.
On November 21, 1894, Louis W. Myers
was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta de Back. She was born in Holland, a
daughter of P. G. and Patronella (Gassling)
de Back, and when twelve years of age was brought to the United States by her
parents, who settled on the Sacramento River and there engaged in ranching,
being numbered among the agriculturalists who aided in the development of the
county's rich agricultural resources. Here the mother died, aged sixty-three
years; the father is still living, making his home on Grand Island with Edward H. Myers. Henrietta de Back received her
education at Notre Dame Convent, in San Francisco, and afterwards was married to Mr. Myers. Although a
native of a far-distant country, Mrs. Myers has spent practically all of
her life in California. Eight children blessed the union of these representative
Californians: Louis John, who is operating the ranch for his mother; Rena
Sophia, wife of Fred Kulper and a resident of Suisun,
Napa County; Henry William, who married Gertrude Kahlmeier,
of New York State, and resides in Sacramento; Patronella
Cato, wife of John Marshall Diggs of Sacramento; and Paul de Back, Theodore
Edward, Hendericka Dora, and Marie Louise. All have
had most excellent school advantages.
In 1918 Mr. Myers started the building of
a palatial home, the construction of which consumed two years; and the grounds
are now in the process of being laid out in landscape gardening. The completion
of the work as planned will place the family home in a class with the Claus Spreckels home in San Francisco. It is of the type of beautiful country home for which California is famous throughout the world. The residence is
constructed after the Italian style of architecture, and presents a magnificent
and beautiful appearance. It was planned by Mrs. Myers, and her ideas were
carried out by the architect. Mr. Myers named the ranch Rose Henrietta Orchard,
and he was very proud of his orchard, so named for his accomplished wife; and
under this brand the fruit is packed and shipped to large cities in the East,
direct from the L. W. Myers landing.
The untimely passing of Mr. Myers in 1922,
coming just at the prime of life, before he was yet fifty-two years of age,
took from Sacramento County one of its most influential and energetic workers
for the common good. He was trustee of the Grand Island Reclamation District,
and was a man of far-sighted vision, active in projects for the further
development of his part of the state and practical in all his undertakings, the
type of man always found at the helm of economic advancement. He was the
president of the Courtland Bank at the time when it was organized, and
remained in that position up to the time of his death. He was a prominent
member of the California Pear Growers' Association, and belonged to Courtland
Parlor, N. S. G. W.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Myers
took over the management of the estate, and with the assistance of her son
Louis J. is carrying on the farming operations on the same broad, progressive
plan followed by Mr. Myers. She is endowed with much tact and business ability;
and Mr. Myers always gave much credit for his success to his talented wife, who
assisted him in every way and encouraged him to gain the fulfillment of his
ambitions.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento
County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Pages 318-321. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.