Merced-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Tetzlaff, August C. M. 1853 - 1910
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Author: John Outcalt (1925)

AUGUST C. M. TETZLAFF

   One of the pioneer ranchers of Merced County, and a man who aided materially
in its development, August C. M. Tetzlaff came to this country when a youth of
eighteen years, and by the steady application of industry and honesty, he built
up a name for himself as one of the prominent agriculturists of the San Joaquin
Valley, and a man to be relied upon at all times by his fellow-men. Born October
14, 1853, in Germany, he was the son of William A. Tetzlaff, a native of that
country and a tailor by trade, who, with his son Frank, emigrated to the United
States, and after a short time spent in Baltimore, they both came to California,
in 1870, and in 1871 August and two sisters came to America, one sister
remaining in Philadelphia; the other and August joined them in California. His
mother had died in Germany, and when August arrived in Merced County he entered
ranch life as a wage earner on the Applegate Ranch.

   The second season in the new country, the two brothers, August and Frank
Tetzlaff, entered agriculture on their own account, as joint partners, rented
land and engaged in grain growing in the vicinity of the Eugene Morley property.
They soon invested in land on Mariposa Creek, formerly the Healy property,
purchasing it thirty-five years ago, and continued their ranching activities on
an extensive scale, by subsequent purchases adding to their holdings until they
owned 2440 acres, and erecting all the ranch buildings, prospering accordingly.
They owned 100 head of cattle, and with sixty head of mules, raised and shipped
large quantities of wheat and barley from Lingard and Merced, becoming
well-known figures in financial circles in the Valley. Both were steady, quiet
men, highly respected and esteemed by their many friends in the community.
August C. M. Tetzlaff died in April, 1910, in San Francisco, and Frank passed
away in 1912.

   The first marriage of August C. M. Tetzlaff united him with Sarah Lauder, who
died in 1889, survived by three children: Mrs. Sarah M. McMaster, of Merced;
Godfrey M., now deceased, survived by a widow and two children; and Mrs. Dorothy
E. Roduner, of Merced.

   On June 20, 1899, occurred the second marriage of Mr. Tetzlaff uniting him
with Kate Patterson, the fourth of five children born in Mariposa County to the
late David and Mary O. (McKenzie) Patterson, both natives of Scotland, who came
to California during the gold excitement, and settled in Mt. Buckingham,
Mariposa County. It was in the Patterson home at Mt. Buckingham that the
marriage occurred, and Mrs. Tetzlaff's brother, Daniel P., is now residing
there. Her parents died when she was a child, and she was reared by an aunt,
Mrs. Daniel Gonigal, a sister of her father. Four children blessed their
marriage: Herman D., the efferent manager of the home ranch in Merced County,
who married Georgia Conway of Merced; Archie C.; William A.; and Emma C.

   Mr. Tetzlaff was a man of high honor and principle; he believed in forwarding
the progress of his community, and his ranch was, and still is, conducted
successfully, a symbol of the man who built it up. He built the fine residence,
which he lived to enjoy less than two years. Today the Tetzlaff ranch is
conducted on an extensive scale, modern methods being used throughout by the
sons, who manage the business jointly with their mother. Mrs. Tetzlaff is
prominent in social and fraternal circles in her home community, and is a member
of the Pythian Sisters, and the Women of Woodcraft. The family attend the
Presbyterian Church.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925

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