Sacramento County
Biographies
PETER PLANALP
PETER PLANALP, farmer. It is
with pleasure that we record the life of such an old Californian as the subject
of this section of our history. He is a marked type of those who came
hither in early day. He was born in Switzerland,
November 20, 1828, a son of Peter and Barbara (Stahley)
Planalp. In 1834 the family came to the United
States, locating in Dearborn County,
Indiana, where they made their home for a
number of years, during the more active part of their life. The old gentleman
was a farmer by occupation, and when he and his wife were somewhat advanced in
years they went to Missouri,
where they remained with some of their children until their death. They
had three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Planalp, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the
family in this State. He was brought up a farmer boy in pioneer times, at
hard work and with but little schooling. At the age of twenty-four years,
in company with a returned Californian,—Mr. Matthews,—he started, April 15,
1852, for the gold fields of this State. He came by steamer to St.
Louis, and thence by mule teams, leaving Independence,
Missouri, May 10, and arriving in Sacramento
September 16, without any special trouble on the trip, although the trains
ahead and behind them had troubles with the Indians and other
accidents. When he arrived in Sacramento
he had poor health. The friends with whom he came went up on the San
Juan grant, on the American
River, and obtained a
ranch. Mr. Planalp obtained work from a neighbor
living there, remaining with him three months. He then made a trip through
the mines between Sacramento and Marysville, and up the Yuba River
and on to San Juan and other
places. Returning to this county, he obtained work upon a farm about where
he is now living. Some two years later he again visited the mining region
and worked about two years there. Previous to this he had taken up land
claims in Dry Creek
Township, and when he returned from
the mines he went upon his land, and since 1858 he has given his entire
attention to farming and stock-raising. In 1863 he sold his lands, went to
Fresno County
and entered the live-stock business there, remaining until 1867. Returning
then to this county, he bought back his old place, which he now
occupies. It comprises 874 acres, and 240 acres adjoining belongs to his
wife. Mr. Planalp is a most successful farmer,
beginning here, as he did, in early days without anything to help him except
his industrious habits and business tact. In 1879 he erected his handsome
residence in Galt, where he has ever since resided. In politics he has
always been a Democrat, but not an active politician. In 1870 he married
Mrs. Rosanna M. Need, widow of Michael Need, who came to this State in
1857. Mrs. Planalp has had four children, two by
each marriage. The names of all are, in order, Sarah E. and George W.
Need, and Rosanna and Henrietta Planalp. All are
natives of the Golden State.
Transcribed 11-17-07 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated
History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 638-639.
Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.