Yolo County
Biographies
LOUIS LUTHRINGER
Louis
Luthringer, a pioneer nurseryman and florist of Woodland, has devoted much of
his life to horticultural pursuits, gaining that success which results from
unabating industry, singleness of purpose and capable management. A native of Alsace-Lorraine, he was born in
the City of Mulhausen, under the French flag, April 1, 1867, and there attended
the grammar and high schools, also taking up the study of English while in that
country. He first crossed the Atlantic when
a lad of eleven and was a pupil in the public schools of Lowell, New York, for
a year, at the end of which time he returned to his native land. As a youth of seventeen he again visited the
United States, making the second voyage in company with his father and spending
a year in Lowell, New York. In 1888, when
twenty-one years of he, once more sailed for America, making the third trip
alone.
Ambitious
and energetic, Mr. Luthringer early became a wage earner, delivering milk from
a wagon while in Mulhausen. After
locating in Waterville, New York, he secured a position as gardener on the
estate of Charles Tower, at one time the United States Ambassador to Germany,
and was employed in that capacity for twelve years, gaining a thorough
knowledge of the business. In 1900 he
crossed the continent, coming to Woodland, where his uncle was then residing,
and purchased a place on Walnut Street.
He obtained work in a restaurant on Main Street and later became the
proprietor of the establishment, which he conducted successfully for seven
years. On the expiration of that period
he decided to return to his former occupation and established a nursery
business. He purchased land adjoining
his place, erected greenhouses, and from a small nucleus has developed an enterprise
of extensive proportions. He grows many
rare varieties of flowers, plants and shrubs, and in the conduct of the
business brings to bear scientific knowledge, broad experience and the requisite
executive capacity. As the years passed
his patronage steadily increased and in order to meet the demands of the trade
he opened a retail establishment in the Byrnes block, in January, 1930. His youngest daughter, Mrs. Gordon Benedict,
has charge of this store, which is centrally located on Main Street and is
thoroughly modern in its appointments, having fine display rooms for his choice
plants and flowers.
In
young manhood Mr. Luthringer was married to Miss Katherine Ringenbach, a former
classmate, who was also born in Alsace-Lorraine and who came to the United
States when their first child, a daughter, was six months old. To Mr. and Mrs. Luthringer were born seven
children and all are now married. The
daughters are Mrs. Josephine Germeshausen, Mrs. Elizabeth Holland, Mrs. Marie
Anderson, Mrs. Carrie Dinsdale, Mrs. Bertha Shellhammer and Mrs. Beatrice
Benedict. Albert, the only son, and the
second in order of birth, is engaged in the drug business. The eldest daughter is a native of
Alsace-Lorraine and the youngest was born in Woodland, while the other children
are natives of the state of New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Luthringer now have eleven grandchildren and may well be
proud of their fine family. In 1928 they
recrossed the Atlantic for the purpose of visiting their old home and greatly
enjoyed the trip. They are Catholics in
religious faith and Mr. Luthringer has long figured prominently in the
activities of the Sons of Hermann, having filled all of the chairs in Concordia
Lodge, No. 20, of which he was secretary for fifteen years, while he has also
been chosen as a delegate to the Grand Lodge.
His interests are closely allied with those of Woodland and his support
can always be counted upon in the furtherance of measures for civic growth and
betterment. Through the medium of his
own efforts he has risen to a place of prominence in his chosen field of
endeavor and is esteemed for the sterling qualities to which he owes his
success.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J. W. Major, History of
Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 Pages 302-303. Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo County
Biographies