Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Gumbinger, Christian 1866 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 10, 2005, 2:36 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

CHRISTIAN GUMBINGER

    The proprietor of the Pacific House at Woodland represents the
German-American element that has contributed powerfully to the development of
the west and has formed a desirable accession to the citizenship. Himself a
descendant of unnumbered generations of sturdy Teutonic ancestry, he is the son
of John and Theresa (Schuerle) Gumbinger, lifelong residents of Germany, and the
third in their family of five children; he was born on the home farm near
Dyrkheim, Rheinfalz, December 14, 1866. The environment of his boyhood was such
as to develop within him a love of nature and a fondness for outdoor
occupations. Those tastes remain with, him to the present, notwithstanding the
fact that much of his business life has been devoted to other pursuits. The
excellent educational system for which Germany is famous gave to him fair
opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of the common branches, so that,
although he left school at fourteen, already he had gained a comprehensive fund
of information.

   Very early in the settlement of California John K. Schuerle, Mr. Gumbinger's
uncle, had come hither from Germany and had established a ranch home near
Woodland. Believing that he might find a favorable opening for himself in the
New World Mr. Gumbinger left his native land at the age of fourteen, in March,
1881, first locating in Chicago, Ill. Accepting the first opportunity that
offered for earning a livelihood he became an apprentice to the trade of
furniture varnisher. He continued at this business until December, 1884, when he
joined his uncle, Mr. Schuerle, in Woodland, the latter taking the young man in
his employ and teaching him the rudiments of western ranching, at the same time
he had excellent opportunities for learning the English language. It was not
until 1893 that he discontinued ranching and turned his attention to business
pursuits in Woodland, where with John Jacobs he purchased the Model bakery on
Main street. At the expiration of eighteen months he sold his interest to the
other member of the firm. His next employment was that of blacksmith with F. H.
Heidtman and for almost twelve years he carried on a general blacksmithing
business, the Main street shop being the center of a large trade and presenting
a scene of busy activity through the working hours of the day.

    For some years the attention of Mr. Gumbinger has been given closely and
successfully to the proprietorship of the Pacific House. The property, covering
a frontage of one hundred and fifty feet with a depth of one hundred and ninety
feet, stands on the corner of Main and Elm streets, which is one of the most
desirable locations in Woodland. Not only is the hotel one of the oldest in Yolo
county, but in addition it is one of the best known. Since it came under the
ownership of Mr. Gumbinger in October of 1907 various needed improvements have
been made, the most orderly service has been instituted arid the comfort of
guests has been made the principal consideration. Those who have experienced the
hospitality of the genial landlord unite in testifying concerning his admirable
fitness for his important task. Not a little of his success in the hotel
business is due to the capable assistance of his wife, formerly Miss Katheryn
Germeshausen, and a native of this county, where she was educated, reared and
married at Woodland. Two children were born to them: Joseph Alfred, nine years
old, and Christian, deceased. The family holds membership with the Holy Rosary
Roman Catholic Church and contributes generously to the maintenance of the same,
as well as to general philanthropies and public enterpriser. Since he became a
citizen of the United States and acquired a knowledge of politics, Mr. Gumbinger
has voted the Democratic ticket and supports the men and measures pledged to the
principles of that party. In fraternal relations he is identified with the
Herman Sons. Well and favorably known to the people of Woodland and to the
traveling public, he occupies a position of recognized importance among the
business men of the community.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
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
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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