| Notes |
- BIOGRAPHY:
JOHN W. HIEB
An enterprising contractor of Lodi whose thorough training and dependable workmanship have brought him a high degree of success in his chosen line of work is John W. Hieb, who for a quarter of a century has been numbered among the residents of the Lodi district. A native of South Dakota, born August 2, 1880, he was reared at Menno, his native place. His father, William Hieb, who was born near Odessa, Southern Russia, came to Lodi from South Dakota in 1897 and bought thirty acres of raw land one mile south of Lodi and planted a vineyard, one of the first to be operated on a commercial scale in the district. After living there a number of years and bringing the place to a high state of development, he disposed of it and now makes his home in Lodi, retired from active business. He was the founder of the Salem Reformed Church and has always been active in its affairs. The following are his eight children: William W., a rancher; John W., the subject of this review; Jacob W. is a partner in the firm of Hieb Bros., contractors; Mrs. Magdelene Kost; Mrs. Katie Youpp; Mrs. Alida Bender; Albina, deceased, and Mrs. Pauline Walder.
John W. Hieb was educated in the public school in Menno, S.D., and at the same time from a boy assisted his father on the old homestead. He was a natural mechanic and worked as a helper to a carpenter, building residences, barns and churches. He was seventeen years of age when he arrived in Lodi and he assisted his father in the planting of the vineyard and in its care. He then took up carpenter work, and first was with a bridge construction crew for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and later he received a careful training in his trade with O. Corbin, one of the pioneer builders of Lodi, being five years in his employ, and holding the position of foreman for the three last years of that period. During this time he superintended the construction of a number of fine residences, among them the homes of Frank Beckman, Mrs. Anna Hudson and Dr. Tennyson. Mr. Hieb then entered business with August Marklein, and during their partnership they built the grammar school at Franklin, St. John's Episcopal Church at Lodi, and practically all the business section of Victor, in addition to the Evangelical Church there and many of the homes. Later this firm was dissolved and Mr. Hieb took in his brother, Jacob W. Hieb, as a partner.
Mr. Hieb has been connected with the contracting of over 500 residences and business blocks in and around Lodi, and for some of the homes he has drawn his own plans and specifications. Among his work we note the following: Seven churches in Lodi, the Congregational Church near Victor, the Farmers & Merchants Bank and the White Front Store at Lodi, the residences of H.J. Cooper, Dr. A.C. Boehmer, G.G. Hieb, J.G. Hieb, Max Elbert, all of Lodi, and a $24,000 residence for Louis Chapdelain one mile west of Lodi, one of the best in the county. He just completed the Evangelical Church, Lodi, at a cost of $25,000, and the William Spooner residence, costing $12,000. He has had an average of twenty-one men in his employ in recent years and his reputation for fine work has brought him all the business he can handle. He owns a number of lots in Lodi on which he expects to build residences later. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank.
In 1900 Mr. Hieb was married to Miss Caroline Hieb, a native of Menno, S.D. She is the daughter of Gottlieb and Magdelene (Mettler) Hieb, who were also born near Odessa, Russia. They emigrated to Menno, South Dakota, where Mr. Hieb was engaged in the mercantile business for twenty-five years, until he disposed of it and located in San Joaquin County on a farm near Victor, where he engaged in viticulture until he retired to Lodi where he and his wife resided until their death. They had five children: Jacob G. resides in Oakland; Mrs. Magdalene Handel of Lodi; Mrs. Christine Ulmer of Lodi; Mrs. Caroline Hieb and Gottlieb, a resident of Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Hieb are the parents of three children, Leon, Herbert and Bernice. Mr. Hieb and family are members of the Salem Reformed Church and he has served as trustee for several years. For the last twelve years he has done more building in Lodi and vicinity than any one engaged in the building business. He has made a study of his line and also has studied architecture, and draws the plans for residences, churches and public buildings.
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
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1880 - 1946 (66 years)