geb./get. (Z) 10./24.August 1861
Pate: Valentin Hucke, Auszuger in (Z)
Konfirmiert in (Z) 1875

"History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches 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 Tom Gregory and other well known writers, Historic Record Co., Los Angeles, California, 1913. Reprinted by Higginson Book Company, Salem Massachusetts.

August Valentine HUCKE

There is a large number of prominent citizens in this vast state who have reached their present progressive environment by overcoming obstacles which would appear appalling to some, and by putting forth their utmost effort to solve the vital problem of eking out an existence and building up an enterprising business out of the uncultivated country which they found here. It is interesting to note that many of these were natives of Germany, among them being August Valentine Hucke, whose birth occurred there August 9, 1861.

Upon his arrival in California Mr. Hucke secured a situation upon a farm at $25 per month, but some time later decided to start for himself, and rented a tract of four hundred and eighty acres, assuming thereby an indebtedness of $2500. Misfortune, however, accompanied him in these efforts, his later lease of two hundred acres also proving a poor investment. Undaunted, determined to rise above his defeat, he remained in the community, bending every effort toward the liquidation of his obligations, his quiet courage calling forth the admiration of his associates. Throughout the succeeding years, during which period he resided near Dunnigan, he succeeded not only in clearing his debts, but, also in educating his brothers, his victory having but added to the stability of his character. He took a three-year lease upon a tract of four hundred and eighty acres some time ago, which he devoted to general farming and pasture land, and he gives a great deal of attention to the raising of stock.

Mr. Hucke is the owner of twenty-four horses and mules, and has several fine colts, among them a span of twins, brothers, whose sire has distinguished himself as a pacer in several important races, his time having been two minutes and nine seconds. Both colts are broken to drive single or double and are fine travelers. Mr. Hucke has one hundred and twenty-five sheep, several cows and about seventy turkeys, all well kept and in fine condition. He has a small plot planted to grapes, which are now in bearing.

In 1898 Mr. Hucke was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Willkendorf, a native of California, their union being blessed with three children, as follows: August, Martha Elisabeth and Bertha. The youngest child died in infancy, and the two eldest are students in the public school.

A stanch Democrat, having at all times supported his party to the best of his ability, Mr. Hucke is a citizen of highest worth, and as an advocate of Free Thought religiously, maintains a deep interest in matters relating to the betterment of social conditions.

Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: "History of Yolo County, California" by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 359 - 360.

Yes, I am quite aware that the Hucke family were Evang Reformiert here in Woodland. Grandfather August Valentine Hucke) and his brothers put up quite a bit of money towards construction of a church and the Richies gave the land next to their house for that purpose, Mrs Richie being a Schaumloeffel and aunt. (I had been in the Richie home a few times as a child, but never in the church.) There was a fight over the naming of the church and patron saint and about 20 of the original supporters, including grandfather, left as a result, and most of them became founders of another Reformed Church. (At least that is the story I heard from several people, grandfather never said anything to me about church and mother and uncle August said very, very little.) Hence, I've always had a feeling that I would not be welcome there and never have tried to look at the records. (I attended Woodland Christian Church as a child and teenager, dad had attended it and the Methodist Church at various times, grandfather Schuder attended Christian Church and had a B S (1889) from the Hesperian College here at Woodland.) Yes, I will be interested in what you find.
Don (Schuder)


A PRETTY WEDDING
Miss Bertha M. Wilkendorf Becomes Mrs. August V. Hucke Sunday Afternoon
A Festival Wedding Feast and Much Mirth and Music Accompany the Marriage

A very pretty wedding took place at the residence of Mrs. Wilkendorf, near Plainfield, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Her eldest daughter, Miss Bertha M. Wilkendorf, was given in marriage to August V. Hucke, of Dunnigan. The ceremony was performed in the presenceof a large number of guests, by Rev. Endter of the German church.

The decorations were elaborate and very elegant. Smilax constituted the principal feature, tender branches finding places in every available spot. There were enough of other materials used, however, to heighten the effect. The solemn vows were exchanged under a canopy of smilax; a veritable screne formed by intertwined streamers of smilax studded here and there by varid colored flowers.

Miss Rhoda Maxwell played the wedding march, to the strains of which the bridal party entered the room and took their positions. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Agnes Wilkendorf. Both were attired in handsome tailormade gowns, the bride in tan and the dridesmaid in gray. The groom and his best man, John Hucke, a brother, both wore black. During the impressive ceremony music was rendered. It was a pretty feature: these four young people, with faces aglow, with pride and happiness, standing against the background of smilax, with the minister between them, and it was equally as impressive.

After the customary congratulations all repaired to the dining room, where the decorations were also of an extensive order. The whole room was draped in white bunting, upon which smilax had been fastened in graceful form and design. Large tables groaned under loads of delicacies. There was almost every dish imaginable, appropus of the occasion. It was a wedding feast, such as use to grace the boards of the fathers in the Fatherland. The tables were also nicely decorated. A merrier company never sat down to do justice to such a feast. For full two hours they feasted and made merry, the conversation interspersed with mirth and music.

The happy couple were the recipients fo a great many handsome and useful gifts, such as will come in handy for housekeeping. They will reside o a ranch near Plainfield, not far from the home in which they were wed, to which they will return after a honeymoon trip spent in San Francisco.

The bride is a charming young lady, one of the most popular of the community in German society circles. She is intelligent and accomplished, amiable and loving; a bride her husband can well be proud of, and he is a young man who will appreciate his good fortune. He is strong and young, with plenty of ambithion and strength of purpose with which to carry his aspirations into effect. He has been successful so far in life and will no doubt continue to be so if perserverance and good will can bring it about.

YOLO
Tuesday witnessed the silver wedding anniversary celebration of Mr and Mrs. August Hucke at their country home near Yolo. The guests gathered around tables laden with a wedding feast. The honored couple received many gifts.

Those present were Messrs. and Mesdames Abele, Louis Abele, Ed Clover, J. Coleman, Jon Hermle, August Holler, August Hucke, George Hollingsworth, M. Milsan, J. W. Morre, Thomas Reardon, Otto Richie, Albert Schneegas, David Stoddard, Guy Wanshap, Fred Wilkendorf, Otto Wilkendorf, Emil Weiss, mesdames E. Richie, O. Strong, Schneegas, Wanshop, Misses Lois Abele, Beulah Clover, Adeline Hermle, Martha Hucke, Elizabeth Reardon, Anna Richie, Juanita and Eleanor Wilkendorf, Messrs. Alfred and Leonard Clover, A. Holler, August Hucke, Jr. , Moyer, Henry Schneegas and Albert Wilkendorf, all of Yolo County; Mrs. E. M. Cronacher of San Francisco , Mrs. John Hucke and Barbara Klippel of Sacramento.



AUGUST V. HUCKE

     August V. Hucke, one of Yolo county’s best known farmers and highly regarded citizens, has led a busy and industrious life and though at times he has met with reverses, his persistence and determination ultimately have been rewarded by worthy success and today he is numbered among the solid and substantial farmers of the valley. Mr. Hucke was born in Germany, on the 9th of August, 1861, and was reared on his father’s farm, acquiring his education in the public schools of his home neighborhood.

     In 1884, when twenty-two years of age, in company with a boy friend, he emigrated to the United States to seek his fortune. He came direct to Yolo county, California, arriving here with a cash capital of less than fifty dollars. He secured work on John Richie’s ranch at a wage of twenty-five dollars a month, and from that time to the present has been engaged in farming, always doing his best to improve his condition. At one time he rented four hundred and eighty acres of land, in connection with which he assumed an indebtedness of two thousand five hundred dollars. However, in this venture misfortune overtook him and for a while things looked very discouraging but he refused to admit defeat, persevered in his efforts and by the most rigid economy and the hardest kind of work, eventually cleared off his obligation. He has rented farm land in various sections of Yolo county and is probably one of the best known farmers in the county. He has farmed in the Dunigan district, in Capay valley, and the Winters, Madison and Plainfield districts. About twelve years ago he bought his present ranch of two hundred and forty acres, in the Yolo district, which he has developed to a high state of improvement and production, it being one of the best cultivated farms in this locality. He has modern farm implements and machinery, including a grain harvester, and follows progressive methods in agriculture. Formerly he gave much attention to raising wheat, but now his main crop is barley. His ranch is well supplied with horses, sheep and hogs. In his early days here he gave special attention to raising horses, and had a span of twin brothers, whose sire was distinguished as a pacer, having won several important races. Both of the colts were broken to drive single or double.

     In 1898 Mr. Hucke was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Wilkendorf, who was born in Yolo county and is a member of one of its pioneer families. They became the parents of two children, August, who assists his father on the home place, and Martha Elizabeth, who married Paul S. Schuder, a farmer near Woodland, and has one son, Donald Allen. Mr. Hucke has always been interested in local public affairs, but has never aspired to office, content to act the part of a private citizen. He has been an exemplar of true manhood and loyal citizenship and no resident of his community is held in higher esteem than he, for he has consistently stood for those things which have contributed to the public welfare.

Transcribed by Craig Hahn.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 24-25. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Great Register #752 page16 Dunnigan
Farmer, 35 years of age, 5’7” tall, Dark complexion, Grey eyes, Brown hair Naturalized June 10, 1889, Yolo Co, CA , Registered June 5, 1896,