San
Joaquin County
Biographies
EDWARD C. STEINMETZ
Four and one-half miles east of
Tracy lives Edward C. Steinmetz, who is the oldest living son and child of the
late George Steinmetz, a well-known San Joaquin County pioneer, whose biography
also appears in this historical work. He
is a prominent citizen and well-to-do and successful farmer of Tulare Township,
where he has acceded to and is happily domiciled upon that portion of the
George Steinmetz farm which contains the old Steinmetz home residence. He was born on this place on October 26,
1872, and grew up here. Being the oldest
son in a large family of children, he was called upon to do hard manual work
while yet a lad of tender years. He
received a good public school education in the district schools.
In 1898 he went to Buchanan County,
Iowa, and there worked at the carpenter’s trade for three and a half years, and
then went to Alaska, where he was employed as carpenter for the “Alaska
Packers” on the Nac Nic River, which empties into
Bristol Bay.
Returning home, in partnership with
his brother George, he farmed the Steinmetz ranch for seven years, until the
death of his father, December 17, 1915.
The father’s estate was then divided and Mr. Steinmetz obtained the
quarter-section upon which the Steinmetz residence was located. To this he later added twenty-three acres by
purchase; but sold about nine acres to the Western Pacific for a right-of-way,
leaving him 174 acres in his present farm, which is in a high state of cultivation. It is farmed principally to barley.
In 1918 Mr. Steinmetz was married to
Miss Lydia Engster, who was born in Canton Zurich,
Switzerland, and came to California in 1916, accompanied by her sister, who is
now Mrs. Henry Himes. Mrs. Steinmetz is
an accomplished woman, an excellent housekeeper, and a true helpmate to her
husband, graciously presiding over the Steinmetz household, keeping up the
famed hospitality of this pioneer ranch home.
Mr. Steinmetz is a charter member of Tracy Parlor, N. S. G. W., and has
twice been through the chairs. He is
also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Tracy, as well as of the Encampment
and the Rebekahs, of which order Mrs. Steinmetz is also a member. He is past grand and chief patriarch of the
Encampment.
In national politics, Mr. Steinmetz
is a Democrat. In local matters he gives
his support to the candidate who in his estimation will best conserve the
public interest. Like his father, he is
industrious and energetic, and intelligently seeks the common good.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1427-1428. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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