Family/Spouse: Margaretha Hoffer. Margaretha was born on 29 Dec 1834 in Neudorf, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 15 Aug 1899 in California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wilhelm "Columbus" Hieb
Dakota Datebook, North Dakota Public Radio, August 1, 2005.

People who grew up in the German Russian regions of the state likely knew at least one person who either moved to Lodi, California, or who had relatives there. This was the result of a quest by Wilhelm Adam Hieb, who became known as Columbus for encouraging others to join him there.

Hieb (heeb) was born in Neudorf, Russia in 1852 and came here with his young wife, Catharina, on the S.S. Hermann in 1874. They settled in Hutchinson County, Dakota Territory, near what is now Menno, South Dakota. Catharina died during their tenth year together.

After two decades on the prairie, Wilhelm missed the more temperate climate of south Russian, so he decided to find a place more similar to where he grew up. In 1895, he and two friends, Gottlieb Hieb (no relation) and Jacob Mettler, headed for California and toured the state by train.

Wilhelm liked Los Angeles and its orange groves, but he wanted to grow grapes. They headed north and finally found the perfect place: Lodi. Hieb went back to Dakota, sold his land, and became the first German Russian to move to Lodi.

With him were his second wife, Charlotta, and their eight children. In 1975, Hiebs youngest child, Pauline Walters, told the story to the Lodi News-Sentinel. Her father bought 30 acres a mile south of Lodi and planted some of it into Zinfandel and Mission grapes. The rest he put into pasture to raise cows to keep them afloat until the grapes were mature enough to produce.

It wasnt until a few years later that others began to join them. Polly said when other Dakotans began arriving, theyd always stay with the Hiebs. The town did have a hotel and a restaurant, she says, but this wasnt for the thrifty Dakotans. People came and went from our house, and this went on for years. Sometimes families would stay with us for two or three weeks until they could find a place.

It was about this time that Wilhelm became known as Columbus, as he enticed more and more of his former neighbors to migrate to Lodi. Even his mail came addressed to Columbus Hieb. He would meet Dakotans at the train depot and drive the men around until they found what they needed. Land was inexpensive about $25-35 an acre and the sandy soil was ideal.

Some people farmed, others worked in wineries or canneries. Nearly everyone prospered, and the migration increased. Back in Dakota, it became a sort of joke among German Russians to ensure their childrens survival they taught them three words in English: Papa, Mama and Lodi.

Polly remembered a day in the early 1900s when an entire train car of Dakotans arrived. This time there were so many, their home wasnt large enough to accommodate everybody. Her brother was sent on horseback to tell earlier migrants to come and get some of them. Meanwhile, she helped her mother prepare food for everybody. It didnt matter how many came, she said, we always had food. We learned how to manage on the spur of the moment.

Columbus Hieb's vineyard was one of the first commercial wineries in the Lodi region. After his grapes started producing, he shipped his wine in 50-gallon barrels to Hosmer, SD, where it was marketed. The initiator of the Lodi connection died on this date in 1929. He was 77.

Source: Hieb-Vogt, Bev (great-granddaughter). http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~davison/hiebgenfourcont.htm Mays, Myrtle

Columbus Hieb Began Migration to Lodi. Lodi News-Sentinel. 10 Jan 1975. Reprinted in Heritage Review Sep 1983: Vol 13 No 3: 20-21. Bismarck: Germans from Russia Heritage Society

Vossler, Ron (documentary script). Heaven Is Our Homeland: the Glueckstalers in New Russia and North America. Glckstal Colonies Research Association, 2004

Dakota Datebook is a project of North Dakota Public Radio, in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. Hosted by Merrill Piepkorn, written by Merry Helm, and produced by Bill Thomas.

North Dakota Public Radio is a service of Prairie Public Broadcasting in association with North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.

65. Wilhelm Adam (Columbus) Hieb #23003, (18.Adam3, 5.Wilhelm2, 1.Johann1) b. 11 Jan 1852, Neudorf, Russia, d. 1 Aug 1929, Lodi, CA. The Wilhelm Hieb & wife Catharina on the SS Hermann arriving in Baltimore in 1874 are the Wilhelm Hieb called "Columbus" and his wife, Catharina Frey. They probably married in 1873 before leaving Russia - the marriage does not appear in GLK B&M because the 1872-1873 records are missing from the St. Pete.

WILHELM "COLUMBUS" HIEB - Wilhelm Adam Hieb, better known as "Columbus" Hieb, is credited with being one of the first Dakotans of German descent to settle in Lodi, CA. In 1895 he and 3 others (Gottlieb Hieb, Jacob Mettler, and Ludwick Derheim) traveled from Menno, South Dakota to scout for land in California. The men orginally looked in Southern California, but decided Lodi would be a good place to plant vineyards. They purchased land and returned to Menno.

On November 11, 1897, Columbus returned to Lodi with his second wife Charlotta and eight children. Once settled, he encouraged others in South Dakota to come to Lodi. He met the new arrivals at the train station and generously provided food and lodging at his 30-acre farm until they themselves were settled. In addition to pioneering the Dakota-to-Lodi migration, Columbus planted one of Lodi's first commercial vineyards and was founder of the Salem Reformed Church. Until the church could be built, services were held in Columbus' home.

It was determination, fortitude, and a pioneering spirit that earned Wilhelm Adam Hieb the well-deserved nickname of Columbus. Those who followed in his path knew him by that name...even his mail was addressed as such. He went by the name of Columbus until he passed away in Lodi, a town that embodies the spitit of those who, like Columbus, came for a better life. Submitted by great-granddaughter, Bev (Hieb) Vogt.

Family/Spouse: Katherina Frey. Katherina (daughter of Johannes Jakob Frey and Magdalena Schmidt) was born on 24 Jan 1852 in Neudorf, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 6 Mar 1883 in Menno, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wilhelm married Charlotta Wahl on 10 Dec 1883 in South Dakota, USA. Charlotta (daughter of Georg Heinrich Wahl and Charlotta Grosshans) was born on 16 Jun 1848 in Kassel, Odessa, Ukrayina; died in 1913 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Wilhelm Hieb. Wilhelm (son of Wilhelm Hieb and Maria Katharina Dockter) was born on 12 Aug 1863 in Neudorf, Odessa, Ukrayina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Christina Kost. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Christina Yopp. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Karolina married Michael Guthmüller Guthmiller on 5 Nov 1889 in Menno, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, USA. Michael (son of Johannes Ludwig Guthmüller Guthmiller and Katharina Elisabetha Guthmüller) was born on 28 Feb 1866 in Neudorf, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 16 Dec 1942 in South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

John married Carolina Hieb in 1900. Carolina (daughter of Gottlieb Hieb and Magdalena Mettler) was born on 10 Nov 1881 in Menno, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, USA; died on 15 Oct 1956 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Michael Yopp. Michael was born on 9 Sep 1877; died on 16 Sep 1945 in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California, USA; was buried in Lodi Memorial Cemetery, Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown Suess. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lydia married Frederick K. Bender on 29 Jun 1905 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. Frederick (son of Karl Bender and Karolina Guthmüller) was born on 4 Apr 1882 in Scotland, Bon Homme County, South Dakota, USA; died on 17 Jan 1937 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA; was buried in Lodi Memorial Cemetery, Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown Walters. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Katharina Brandner. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Anna Maria Wiest. Anna (daughter of Karl Heinrich Wüst Wiest and Dorothea Boschee) was born in 0Jun 1893 in North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Lydia Raile in 1935 in Wishek, McIntosh County, North Dakota, USA. Lydia (daughter of Jakob Raile and Karolina Wanner) was born on 25 Jun 1908 in Wishek, McIntosh County, North Dakota, USA; died on 15 Aug 1988 in Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho, USA; was buried in Minidoka Acequia Rupert Cemetery, Rupert, Minidoka County, Idaho, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Emil Brandner. Emil was born on 21 Aug 1900 in Zeeland, McIntosh County, North Dakota, USA; died on 27 Jul 1977 in Roscoe, Edmunds County, South Dakota, USA; was buried in Morning Side Cemetery, Glen Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Edgar Edward McGovney. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Agnes Mabel Strauman. Agnes was born on 27 Dec 1910 in Canada; died on 24 Feb 1998 in Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, USA; was buried in San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Herbert married Martha Ernst [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bernice married Harold William Fletcher on 26 Jul 1936 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. Harold was born on 24 May 1911 in South Dakota, USA; died on 23 Dec 1984 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Bonnadene Edna Fore on 5 Sep 1948 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. Bonnadene was born on 11 May 1929 in San Joaquin County, California, USA; died on 6 Jun 2002 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Helen married William R. Coffman before 1940 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. William was born on 19 Sep 1903 in Kansas, USA; died on 15 Nov 1974 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Virginia married Raymond Hoff [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]