YUBA COUNTY  Biographies

Among the pioneers in horticultural development and the placing of the business on a commercial basis in Sutter County was the late Ferdinand Hauss, well known throughout Central California in the fruit industry as the originator of the Hauss Cling peach, one of the popular varieties of California’s most profitable crop.  He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, February 11, 1855, and received a good education in the excellent schools of that county, after which he learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed until about eighteen years of age.  He then came to the New World seeking greater opportunities, first living in New York City and then spending some time in Philadelphia and various other cities in the East.  In 1884 he made a trip back to his old home; and on his return to New York City he was married, in June, 1885, to Mrs. Elisabeth (Kaiser) Schmidt, who was born in Bibar, Hesse-Cassel, a daughter of Adam and Catherine (Troemper) Kaiser, farmers in that district.  Elisabeth Kaiser came to New York in 1879, and thence made her way to Sacramento, where in the month of September of that same year she was married to Andreas Schmidt, who was also born in Bibar, Germany, and had been her schoolmate back in the old home town.  Andreas Schmidt and his brother Chris were early settlers in Sutter County and engaged in grain-raising on a large scale, owning the old Hock Farm as well as the Five-mile House place, about 3000 acres.  After the marriage of Andreas Schmidt and Elisabeth Kaiser the brothers divided their property, Andreas taking the Five-mile House place and Chris the Hock Farm.  Andreas Schmidt unfortunately met an accidental death in October 1880, being thrown from the wagon and killed when his team ran away.  Mrs. Schmidt remained on the farm about a year, and then rented it and returned to Germany.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hauss located on their place at Five-mile House, comprising 520 acres.  Although engaged in general farming, Mr. Hauss soon specialized in horticulture; for with keen foresight he early saw the great possibilities of the rich soil for the growing of fruits, especially peaches, and the great value the crop would be to the State.  In 1887 he planted his first peach orchard.  He experimented, and thus discovered and propagated the Hauss cling peach, which he first put on the market in 1898, and which was well received and soon became a valuable and popular variety.  Later on he set out fifty acres more, and still later seventy acres.  The floods at various times caused him considerable damage and interfered with his work; so he was one of the starters of the plan for draining this region.  The Hauss cling peach tree produces fruit of uniform size, with a small pit.  Its shape, texture, flavor and, best of all, its beautiful golden color, make it a very popular peach for the purpose of canning.

One of Mr. Hauss’s close friends and associates was Joseph Phillips, the noted propagator of the Phillips cling peach.  However, Phillips was not a good business man, and so was finally left without visible means of support.  For many years Mr. Phillips made his home with Ferdinand Hauss, thus cementing a long friendship; but he was induced by designing parties to leave his comfortable home, much to the regret and disappointment of Mr. Hauss, who appreciated his ability and friendship.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hauss: Herman; Jacob; Fred; Carolyn, Mrs. M. D. Anderson; Elsie, Mrs. W. M. Ostrom; and Mamie, Mrs. F. B. Hauck.  By her first marriage Mrs. Hauss had one child, Andrew Schmidt.  The entire family is engaged in fruit-growing in the vicinity of Oswald and Tudor, Sutter County.  When Mr. and Mrs. Hauss retired, they rented their ranch and located in San Francisco, purchasing a residence at 370 Fifteenth Avenue; and there Mr. Hauss resided until he passed away, on August 28, 1916.  Fraternally he was a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F & A.M., Yuba City; Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., Marysville; and Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T.; and a life member of Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., San Francisco.  Mrs. Hauss continues to make her home in San Francisco, where she loves to entertain her children and her many friend from the Sacramento Valley.  She holds membership in Fidelia Chapter, O.E.S., Yuba City.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924

p 1073

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