San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1175-1176
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/28/2010
EDWARD KURTZ
A worthy citizen of Lodi who has witnessed many changes during the twenty years of his residence in the San Joaquin Valley is Edward Kurtz, the capable and efficient buyer of the American Fruit Growers, Inc. A native of South Dakota, he was born in Tyndall on July 9, 1884, a son of Henry and Helena (Unruh) Kurtz, both parents being natives of Germany. His father was a pioneer of South Dakota and passed through many hardships and privations of the early days of that unsettled prairie country. He was actively connected with the development and upbuilding of the city of Tripp and was engaged in various enterprises while residing there, at one time owning twelve sections of land. Desiring a milder climate, in 1901 he removed with his family to Woodbridge and purchased ten acres planted to almonds and grapes; he added more land to his holdings until he owned 140 acres, which he improved to vines and trees. A harnessmaker by trade, he opened a shop in Lodi in 1906, which he successfully conducted for a number of years. He passed away on January 4, 1918, his wife surviving him in Lodi. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living, ten of them residents of California.
Edward was seventeen years of age when his parents settled in Woodbridge and for a time remained with his father on the home place, then concluded that it was time that he started for himself. He has owned, developed and sold a number of vineyards; he bought forty acres of the Anderson ranch north of Lodi and sold it at a good profit, and some of his places have increased in value 400 per cent. He now owns a vineyard of twenty acres west of Lodi. His intimate connection with the agricultural and viticultural interests of the San Joaquin Valley has enabled him to gain an expert knowledge of soil conditions and methods of cultivation.
Mr. Kurtz's marriage united him with Miss Marie Konig, a native of Germany, and they are members of the German Lutheran Church of Lodi. He works for the best interests of the commonwealth and is an enthusiastic and ardent supporter of all measures for the advancement of his locality.
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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