Shasta County
Biographies
TOBIAS OSSMANN
TOBIAS OSSMAN is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born December 22, 1822, of German parents. He was educated in his native country, graduating at Giessen College, in 1836; held the position of reporter for the court; served nine years in the German army; and came to America in 1848. In this country he learned the trade of carriage painter, and worked at it in one house in Cleveland, Ohio, for nineteen years, from 1851 till 1870. When he came to Cleveland that city contained only 7,000 inhabitants, and when he left it had increased to 20,000. During his residence there he purchased property in the city, which he owned for a number of years. For five years he was Captain of militia at Cleveland. He met with a railroad accident by which he lost his right limb.
Mr. Ossmann was married September 23, 1853, to Miss Catherine Hauser, a native of Germany, by whom he has had eight children, all of whom are living: Amelia, born in Ohio, is the wife of Henry Kern, by whom she has five children. Gustave A. is married, has three sons, and resides in San Francisco. Louisa married Harry Ellmore and resides in San Francisco. Emma B. is single. The family were reared Protestants.
Since coming to California Mr. Ossmann has resided in Redding. He was Deputy County Treasurer during the years 1870 and 1871. Twelve years he acted as Assessor of the city. He was Notary Public eighteen years. He has 160 acres of land and owns three houses and lots in Redding. He is a man of much experience, intelligence and reliability.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©
FRANK N. FULLER
FRANK N. FULLER is a native of Red Bluff, California, born May 28, 1858. His father, who was born in the State of New York in 1828, came to California in 1856. For a time he was engaged in the lumber business at Spring Creek, Shasta County. He afterward turned his attention to brick-laying and contracting, and many of the first brick buildings in the county were constructed by him. He married Miss Sarah Mears, a native of Wisconsin. Six children were born to them, five in Red Bluff and the youngest at Santa Rosa. The father died in 1887, and the mother is still living.
Frank N. was educated in the public schools of Red Bluff. In 1879 he began the study of dentistry at Santa Rosa with Dr. Caldwell. After remaining with him two years he went to Chico and continued his studies two years more in the office of Dr. W. L. King. At the end of that time he opened an office in Red Bluff, and did a successful business there for five years. December 5, 1888, he removed to Redding and has since continued his business here, having a fair share of the practice and giving entire satisfaction to his patrons.
Mr. Fuller is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is justly proud of the State in which he was born. In politics he is a Republican.
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©
ELIZA WELSH
ELIZA WELSH, Superintendent of Public Schools of Shasta County, California, is a lady endowed with remarkable mental vigor and unusual executive ability. A few facts, briefly stated, in connection with her life and work are as follows:
Miss Welsh is a native of California, born near Shasta, in Shasta County, July 16, 1857, the daughter of M.K. and Margaret (Welsh) Welsh. She has two brothers and two sisters. Her father was born in Ireland, and was reared and educated there, coming to America when quite a young man. He married at Sacramento, and in 1856 settled in Shasta County. A fact worthy of note in the history of Miss Welsh’s ancestry is that both her paternal and material grandfathers were named Welsh,—John and Michael,—both were born in the County of Cork, Ireland, and, although their names were the same they were not related to each other. Her father has been a miner for thirty years, and has only recently retired from that business. He resides on his fruit farm near the village of Shasta.
Miss Welsh obtained her education as well as nearly all her experience in teaching in her native county. She posted herself thoroughly in regard to text-books, methods of teaching, school government and all matters concerning her profession. During her twelve years’ experience as a teacher and member of the Board of Education, she has won for herself an enviable reputation. She has the rare ability to express her ideas and convictions in a clear and concise manner; and she not only holds the attention of her listeners by her easy and affable address, but also convinces them of the truth of her statements. The citizens of her county showed their appreciation of her as an enthusiastic educator by electing her Superintendent of Public Schools. When she was first elected in a Republican county, by a majority of 500 (though on the Democratic ticket), the editor of her home paper called her the “Rock Creek Racer,” in honor of the days when he used to see her walking three miles a day to school. Her first term in office proved a success, and she was re-elected by an overwhelming majority. He then began to think he must give her a higher sounding name and called her the “Maid of Orleans.” Miss Welsh very gracefully gives credit to her predecessor in office, Mrs. D.M. Coleman, for the fine condition of the schools in the county. She says that the county is rapidly developing and that the schools and school facilities keep pace with the other advancements. The subject of this sketch furnishes a fine illustration of the many things her sex can accomplish just as well, if not a little better than, the “lords of creation.”
Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co. , 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson, August 2004 ©