Shasta County
Biographies
FRED GROTEFEND
Fred Grotefend, cashier of the Shasta County Bank, is a native of Shasta, California, born February 18, 1857. His father, Augustus Grotefend, was born in Germany; came to the United States when a boy; crossed the plains to California, in 1849, with Mr. H. F. Johnson. Upon his arrival in this State he located at Shasta and engaged in mining. He married Miss Amelia Zumdahl, a native of Germany, who crossed the plains to California in 1852. To them were born seven children, all of whom are living. The father died in June, 1889.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native town. At the age of thirteen years he entered his father’s store, and remained there until April 1, 1886. At that date he came to Redding to accept the position of cashier of the bank in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Grotefend has built a nice residence on Pine street, between Shasta and Sacramento streets; has several other residences and city properties in Redding; owns a number of ranches in Shasta and Trinity counties, and also has mining interests.
April 14, 1886, he married Miss Elizabeth Eaton, a native of California. The writer of this article learned from the files of the Redding papers that the marriage of this prominent young couple was the finest and most noted event of the kind which ever occurred in this county. They have one child, a daughter. Mr. Grotefend is a member of Mount Shasta Parlor, N.S.G.W., and is Past President of the parlor. For two terms he has been Treasurer of Redding. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Grotefend takes a lively interest in the affairs of his county and country, and is a most agreeable and obliging business man.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Page 642
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan
Joseph Mathewson
The early settlers of California are fast passing away, and their places are being filled by native sons and daughters of the Golden West and by enterprising men and women from other States and countries. Among those came to this coast during the early history of California the name of Joseph Mathewson will be remembered by many.
He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland; was a soldier in the English army; came to the United States before the Mexican War and served the United States as a soldier in that war; spent eight years in New Orleans; and came to California in 1855, and followed mining for several years at French Gulch. Mr. Mathewson was married at New Orleans, in 1842, to Eliza Leonard, a native of County Wexford, Ireland. She emigrated to England when eleven years of age. To them were born six children, five daughters and a son, three born in New Orleans and three in French Gulch, namely: Josephine, wife of Charles McConnell, of Redding, California; Mary Jane, wife of Christopher Renica; Eliza, wife of Thomas Simpson; Katie, wife of Mead Everhart; Margareta, wife of Luke McDonald; and William W., who resides in San Francisco.
While at Red Bluff, in 1876, Mr. Mathewson contracted a severe cold which terminated in pleurisy and which caused his death. He was buried at that place.
Mrs. Mathewson was one of the early settlers of French Gulch. During the early mining times she kept boarders. She had poultry, hogs and cows, and supplied the miners with plenty of wholesome food at four bits per meal. From transients she received from six bits to a dollar for a meal. She now resides at French Gulch in her pleasant home on one of the principal streets of the town. She owns two other dwelling houses, and has a one-third interest in the J.I.C. Mine, which is now being worked successfully, and has accumulated $20,000.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 646-647
Transcribed by: Christine Helmick
JOHN B. HEWITT
John B. Hewitt was born in County Down, Ireland, May 3, 1852. His parents, Samuel W. P. and Elizabeth Ann (Russell) Hewitt, were both natives of the Emerald Isle. They were farmers and also kept a hotel and store. Mr. Hewitt’s father came to America in 1863. He had a plantation in Florida. From that place he returned to New York, and since that time no trace of him has ever been found. It is supposed that he met with his death in New York city.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth son in a family of eleven children, four of whom are now living. He received his education in his native land, and, at the age of sixteen, came alone to California to seek his fortune. He first worked at College City, Colusa County, and built the first house there in 1872. For a time he worked on farms, and afterward learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked four years. He was also interested in the windmill manufactory. The mill was his own patent, “The Lone Star.” He sold from 175 to 200 per year. After four years he was burned out and lost heavily. He re-established the windmill business, and in 1882 added to it a foundry, conducting both three years. Then he came to Redding, and built a foundry and machine shop. In 1886 he opened his present business, collecting and abstract work. His system of abstracts is the Dufers system, which is self-correcting. He is part owner of the right, and does a large share of the business in the county.
Mr. Hewitt owns twenty acres of land near the town, which he has improved and on which he resides. He has planted a variety of fruit trees and vines, which are just coming into bearing. In 1872 he married Miss. Susan J. Oliphant, a native of Iowa. They have eight children, all but the last two born in Colusa County. Their names are Lillie V., Willington G., Harriet D., William John, Robert Perry, Harman, Frankie and Frederick. In politics Mr. Hewitt is an independent.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Pages 630-631
Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan