JOHN STUDARUS

       This gentleman, who is now a leading well-known representative of the business interests of Sacramento county, is conducting a large general store at Mills post office, which in the olden days was known to the pioneer settlers as Hangtown Crossing.  He is a representative of one of the early families of California, and the name Studarus is closely interwoven with the history of the development of this section of the state, especially in agricultural lines.  His father, John B. Studarus, was for many years a leading farmer and fruit grower of Brighton township.

       He was born in the land of the Alps, his birth having occurred in St Gall, Switzerland, December 10, 1824.  Upon a farm in the land of his nativity he spent the first seventeen years of his life and then learned the baker's trade, which he followed for five years in one locality.  In 1847 he determined to try his fortune in America, and after a voyage of forty-two days landed at New York.  It was his intention to go to Cincinnati, but upon reaching Pittsburg he found that the Ohio river was too low for navigation, and accordingly remained at Allegheny City until 1850.  For a time he was employed as a gardener, and then engaged in operating a dairy farm, on his own account, in connection with Nokear Stahele, a friend who had accompanied him on the voyage to the new world.  Mr. Studarus drove a milk wagon for his friend.

       In the fall of 1848 he went down the Mississippi to New Orleans, but not successful in an attempt to secure work there, he returned to Cincinnati, where he found employment.  For the first three weeks he was engaged on a packet steamer running between Cincinnati and Madison, Indiana.  He was then taken ill and thus exhausted his small supply of money so that he was obliged to take the first work that was offered.  Accordingly he drove a milk wagon in that city for seven months.  During this period the awful cholera was raging to a fearful extent. Over five thousand people died there in three months!  In August he went to Pittsburg, and being taken ill was cared for by his old friend Mr. Stahele.  He there met a young lady whom he had known in Europe--Miss Mary Reisch, and they were married in Allegheny City. After a short time, however, they went to Wellsville, West Virginia, where they were both employed in the family of a Mr. Arbuckle.

       After six months, however, they began operating the farm on shares, remaining there until March 1853, when, with their two children, they made the overland journey to California, arriving at Diamond Spring, Eldorado county about the 1st of September.  At a place called Logtown Mr. Studarus began mining, but a year later came into the Sacramento valley, renting a farm on the American River, at Brighton.  He had that property for two years, and in 1857, he purchased a squatter's title to the place, which is a part of the old Folsom grant.  He then became the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of rich land, most of it being in the river bottom.  For several years he engaged in raising barley and wheat almost exclusively, and then added to this the cultivation of broom-corn, Indian corn and melons.  After the Central Pacific Railroad was completed, the demand for fruit increased so greatly that this turned his attention to horticultural pursuits, planting fine orchards and vineyards.  This industry also gave rise to others, and Mr. Studarus became one of the charter members and a director of the Sacramento Cannery, which was established in the summer of 1888.  His well directed efforts in business life won to him a handsome competence, and he became a substantial farmer of his adopted county.  

       In October 1872, Mr. Studarus was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.  Thirteen children were born to them, of whom three sons and six daughters are now living.  In 1873 he married Barbara Bollenbacher, who died December 10, 1884, leaving three children--one son and two daughters.  In his political sympathies Mr. Studarus was a Republican during the Civil War, but afterward affiliated with the Democracy.  He is also a charter member of the American River Grange and was a public spirited citizen who took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his adopted county.  He died May 10, 1899, and thus passed away an honored pioneer who played no unimportant part in the work of development in central California.

       John Studarus, whose name introduces this review, was born in Hancock county, West Virginia, and the duties and labors that fell to the lot of the agriculturist early became familiar to him.  He worked in field, meadow and orchard and in the winter season attended the public schools, acquiring a good practical English education.  He is now devoting his energies to mercantile pursuits and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising business men of the locality.  He carries an excellent line of goods, such as are in demand by the general public, and his honorable dealings, reasonable prices and earnest desire to please have secured for him a liberal patronage, which brings to him a good income.

       In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Studarus and Miss Sine Lauridson, and unto them have been born three children--Lawrence, Henry and Howard.  In the community Mr. and Mrs. Studarus have many friends and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in the locality.  He is a typical western man, full of the enterprising spirit and resolute courage to which is due the wonderful upbuilding and advancement of the Golden state.  His genial manner renders him popular and he is accounted one of the prominent residents of Brighton township.