Sacramento County
Biographies
PHILIP
SIEBENTHALER
P. SIEBENTHALER, one of the well-known long-resident citizens of Sacramento, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born on Christmas day, 1839, his parents being P., Sr., and Elizabeth (Marshall) Siebenthaler. In 1830 the family came to America, locating at Cincinnati, where the father followed the profession of music. They afterward removed to Indiana, and settled in Highland Towhship, Franklin County. In 1844 the subject of this sketch left home, and, going to St. Louis, learned the cigar-making trade, in a factory on the corner of Second street and Washington avenue. In 1850, in company with John Gares (who had been to California in 1849), Mr. Siebenthaler started for the new El Dorado. They left St. Louis on the 15th of April, and proceeded to California via Fort Hall. They had rather a severe experience on the trip, running short of provisions, etc., but bringing up safely at Placerville on the 19th of August. Mr. Siebenthaler halted at Placerville, and remained there until 1855, engaged in mining and butchering. He next went to Volcano, Amador County, where he conducted a boarding-house and engaged in quartz mining. On the 2d of March, 1870, a cave-in occurred in the mine in which he was at the time, and he was severely injured in the right arm, for which he came to Sacramento to receive medical assistance. He concluded to remain here, and started in business on the corner of Eighth and K streets, removing to his present location on Twentieth and H streets, in 1881. At this location he has made the building improvements, which are of a handsome and substantial character. Mr. Siebenthaler was married at Placerville, December 31, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Heddinger. They have two children, viz: John P., and Isabella (widow of W. R. Claypool, who died May 20, 1888.) Mr. Siebenthaler is a member of Sacramento Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1867 he was elected to the office of recorder and auditor of Amador County, and served two years in that capacity.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of
Sacramento County, California. Page 747. Lewis
Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.