Santa
Clara County
Biographies
In the
days of his activity, general agriculture in the vicinity of Mayfield had a
stanch advocate in Lambert Dornberger, and now that years of effort justify him
in laying aide the mantle of labor, he still retains an interest in the varied
and always progressive life by which he is surrounded. His farm of eighty acres is equipped with
modern machinery, and at all times under its present ownership has been
conducted according to the best known methods.
That the seven children to whom his success has brought better
advantages than he ever himself enjoyed, and that they are occupying positions
requiring high business and intellectual attainments, argues well for the
spirit of progress and ambition which has dominated his home and personal
guidance, and which has led him to espouse and encourage the best in education,
politics and all around development.
Mr. Dornberger
inherits the thrifty traits of the peasantry of eastern France, where he was
born in Alsace, near Strasburg, April 3, 1827.
His father, George, born in the same province, since conquered by
Germany, died when Lambert was four years old, in 1831, and his mother, a
native also of France, died about 1884.
The four sons and four daughters of the family were reared on a farm,
and Lambert, the fifth of the children, shared the hard daily tasks, and had
little time for either recreation or schooling.
All of the sons are now living in America. Lambert left home at an early age and applied
himself to the shoemaker’s trade for a year, and in August, 1850, boarded a
sailing vessel bound for America. Until
November 5, 1852, he remained in New York City, and on that date took passage
for Panama, arriving in San Francisco, December 6, 1852. He had started out with high hopes, and with
expectations of a fortune made in the mines, but his voyage was calculated to
dim his ardor, for he suffered from yellow fever after leaving Panama. For two years he was variously employed in
San Francisco, and August 17, 1853 he came to Santa Clara county,
which he thoroughly investigated with the expectation of making it his
home. Settling in the vicinity of
Mayfield, he engaged in the stock and dairy business, and in 1857 went into the
hills of San Mateo and engaged in the stock business until 1869. December 4, of the same year, he bought his
present home near Mayfield, bringing hither his wife, formerly Anna Kleinclaus,
also a native of France, and born 1 February, 1837. She died October 19, 1910. For many years the improvement of this farm
constituted the chief concern of Mr. Dornberger, but he gradually passed its
management to his children, and is now living in comparative retirement. He is a Democrat in politics, and among other
offices has held that of school trustee for six years. He is a member of the Catholic Church of
Mayfield. Eugene A., the eldest son born
to Mr. and Mrs. Dornberger, is a business man of San Rafael, Cal.; Gustave has found a useful and profitable
field of activity in New York City; Albert is using his superior intellectual
attainments as a professor in the high school of San Jose; Victor is principal
of the Mayfield public school; Anna, the only daughter in the family, is the
wife of Dr. Ross, of Ferndale; George makes his home in Seattle, Wash.; and Dr.
Edward lives with his parents on the home farm and practices dentistry in Palo
Alto. To his neighbors and business
associates Mr. Dornberger has proved himself considerate and conscientious, and
his many desirable traits of character have won him warm and lasting
friendships.
Transcribed by
Louise E. Shoemaker Feb 1, 2016.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 967-968. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Louise E. Shoemaker.