San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1469
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/8/2010
STEPHEN D. HILDEBRAND
The name of Stephen D. Hildebrand is closely connected with the history of pioneer days in California, for he was but a lad of nine years when his parents came to the West. He was born in Indiana, on March 10, 1844, a son of Abraham W. and Matilda (Heck) Hildebrand, both of Holland ancestry, who settled in Pennsylvania. Later the parents removed to Indiana, and were early settlers in that state; in 1848 they removed to Iowa, and remained there until 1853, when the family crossed the plains to California, taking seven months to complete the journey from Muscatine. They came via the Salt Lake route and Strawberry Valley into California. The father, Abraham W. Hildebrand, engaged in mining in the placer mines at Shaws Flat; but not meeting with much success, he removed to Santa Clara County, located near Gilroy, and engaged in stockraising and grain farming there.
The education of Stephen D. Hildebrand was obtained in the school in Gilroy. When he was twenty years old he went to work in a dairy and later he conducted a dairy of his own near Gilroy. During 1874, he left for Calaveras County, where he purchased a sixty-five-acre grain and fruit ranch near Milton; his residence on this ranch covered a period of forty years. In 1913 he disposed of his holdings at Milton and removed to his present home three miles northeast of Lodi. His place consists of twenty acres, twelve acres in vineyard, five acres in orchard and the balance in alfalfa. His property is improved and is irrigated by a four-inch centrifugal pump propelled by a ten-horsepower engine.
In Stockton, California, on February 22, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hildebrand and Miss Ella Powers, a daughter of Richard Powers. Her parents came to California across the plains to Salt Spring Valley, Calaveras County, in 1854. Mrs. Hildebrand received her education in Tuolumne City. When she was five years old, her mother passed away in Salt Springs Valley. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand. Irene, the widow of William H. Dickhaut, is teaching school in Butte County; Desse is Mrs. Thomas Gill, and resides at Stockton; Stephen R. is interested with his father in the ranch, and assists in operating the place. Mrs. Hildebrand passed away on January 22, 1912. While residing in Milton, Mr. Hildebrand was road master for four years. Fraternally he is a past master of Keystone Lodge No. 161, F. & A.M., at Milton, being master of the lodge for four years.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN 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
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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