Solano County Biography
Daniel William Kloppenburg
Daniel William Kloppenburg - was born in Hanover, Germany, November 16, 1822, where he remained till 1840, when he came to America, first settling in New York City. Here he remained toll August, 1846, and then joined Colonel Stevenson's regiment, which was bound for California, but was persuaded by his brother not to proceed with it. On August 2, 1846, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in partnership with his brother opened a saloon in that city, which he continued till April 2, 1849, when he sailed for California, in the steamer "Lewis," of Cincinnati, for St. Louis, Missouri, and thence went to St. Joseph, Missouri, in company with three men who were to be his companions across the plains. On arriving at St. Joseph, however, the party broke up and their impedimento sold at auction. Mr. K. reserved to himself one mule, and, having purchased a horse, using the mule as a pack animal, started on horseback to cross the plains to California alone. After three days' travel he overtook a party of Bostonians, and kept in their company until he reached Fort Laramie. Here the whole cavalcade converted their train into one for pack animals, setting fire to the wagons, with such articles as could not be conveniently taken with them, and again started on their journey, he traveling with them till they made Smith's trading post on Bear Kiver, where, seceding from the party, he proceeded alone to Green Biver, Indian Territory. While pursuing his solitary ride he was taken seriously ill, and for three days lay in the sage-brush. Fortunately he soon recovered, and finding his animals had not strayed from his vicinity, he once more was on the move, and when Hearing the fifty mile desert at the Sink of the Humboldt River he fell in, by chance, with a single traveler from St. Louis. With him he crossed the weary waste, the two keeping company till they reached the Golden State. Mr. Kloppenburg first began mining at Wever Creek, near Hangtown (now Placerville), where he continued for a short time, and then went to Sacramento, and there remained till the Spring of 1850, when he moved to Marysville; from thence to Rough and Ready mines, in Nevada County, and here engaged in mining with good success till 1851, when he returned to Marysville and entered into partnership with a Mr. Kennedy, in the bakery business. In the Fall of 1851 he went to Greenwood Yalley, El Dorado County, and pursued mining operations till the Spring of 1852, when, in company with others, he took up a claim at Spanish Bar, on the American Biver, where he worked till driven away by the rainy season. He again commenced the bakery business at Spanish Bar Bridge, which he continued till early in 1853, at which time he went to Michigan Bluffs, in Placer County, and established a like connection at that place, continuing it till 1856, when he left for San Francisco. In the Summer of 1857 Mr. K. proceeded to Sacramento, where, on August 3,1857, he married Margaret A. Harrison. He then returned to Michigan Bluffs, bought back his former business, and in connection with it opened a hotel, which he carried on till 1867, during which time his establishments were twice burned. In this year the subject of this sketch returned to San Francisco and started a grocery, which he managed till 1868, when he removed to South Vallejo, and engaged principally in the draying business. Mr. Kloppenburg is a member of the Vallejo Pioneer Association, and of the Naval Lodge of F. and A. M., No. 83. His children are Annie, Otto and William, and two deceased - Eddie and Etta.
History of Solano County, California
Pages 368-369
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February 2008
Solano County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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