Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM F. GUNCKEL
WILLIAM F. GUNCKEL. The death of William F. Gunckel, which occurred May 22, 1904, removed
from the society of San Jose a man who had won the esteem and confidence of all
business associates as well as those who knew him socially. By profession he
was a dentist, and since 1870 carried on his work in this city, as well as
engaging in agricultural pursuits and making a special study of horticulture,
thereby adding much to the material development of the resources of the county.
Born in Butler county, Ohio, Dr.
Gunckel was reared to manhood in his native locality,
receiving a preliminary education in the common schools. He then took up the
study of dentistry, and after its completion located in the east and engaged in
practice. Success was not long in coming to him and he rapidly rose to a
position of importance in his chosen profession; but his health becoming
impaired through his close application to duty he was advised to seek a change
of climate. He therefore came to California in 1870 and after thoroughly
acquainting himself with the state, decided to locate in San Jose, a city
unsurpassed in his estimation as to climate and advantages. Upon his settlement
here he opened an office for the practice of his profession, and bringing to
his work the same application and thoroughness which had distinguished his
career in his eastern home had soon established a large and lucrative practice.
Besides his profession, which he followed until 1900, he engaged extensively in
horticultural pursuits, having first purchased a ranch located on the west side
of the valley devoted to fruit raising. Subsequently
he sold this property and purchased another ranch, which has recently been sold
by his widow. A close student of horticulture he made many experiments in this
line, setting out new varieties, with many of which he had the greatest
success. Interested in the city of his adoption and with a firm faith in her
future possibilities he invested in real estate, putting up two fine residences
on Stockton avenue. At the time of his death he was
seventy-four years old. He is survived by his widow, who was formerly
Miss Emma J. Taylor.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 03 July 2016.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
1253-1254. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marie Hassard.