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William “Guillermo” Wolfskill

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William “Guillermo” Wolfskill

Birth
Boonesborough, Madison County, Kentucky, USA
Death
3 Oct 1866 (aged 68)
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Burial
East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Memorial ID
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Agriculturist, Developer. Wolfskill, a native of Kentucky and of German and Irish descent, was one of the earliest settlers in Los Angeles and was the orange pioneer of the state, planting the first grove outside of the ancient missions. In 1822, he arrived in New Mexico, where he engaged in trapping for beaver and in buying herds of cattle which he sent to eastern markets. In 1831, he moved west to Los Angeles, opening the Santa Fe Trail to California in the process, where he built the first schooner in California. From 1838 on, he devoted himself to the cultivation of citrus fruits, nuts and the vineyards which were to make him rich and in 1857, he became the first man to plant and grow oranges commercially in California. Wolfskill, who married into an influential Mexican family in 1841 and became prominent in southern California society and public life, also devoted much of his time and energy to the private school he established in his home at the corner of Fourth and Alameda streets, where his own children as well as those of many other pioneers received their education. At the time of his death, he was producing 50,000 gallons of wine a year and was the greatest producer of table grapes during that period. He has been named by historians as one of the three most important men in the history of California viticulture and was one of the wealthiest men in Southern California for his time.
UPDATE 10/18/2019
As an American citizen, Wolfskill knew that he could not trap legally on Mexican land. Trappers who did so ran the risk of having their haul taken away from them. So Wolfskill applied for Mexican citizenship and became a naturalized Mexican citizen. He changed his name to José Guillermo Wolfskill.
Agriculturist, Developer. Wolfskill, a native of Kentucky and of German and Irish descent, was one of the earliest settlers in Los Angeles and was the orange pioneer of the state, planting the first grove outside of the ancient missions. In 1822, he arrived in New Mexico, where he engaged in trapping for beaver and in buying herds of cattle which he sent to eastern markets. In 1831, he moved west to Los Angeles, opening the Santa Fe Trail to California in the process, where he built the first schooner in California. From 1838 on, he devoted himself to the cultivation of citrus fruits, nuts and the vineyards which were to make him rich and in 1857, he became the first man to plant and grow oranges commercially in California. Wolfskill, who married into an influential Mexican family in 1841 and became prominent in southern California society and public life, also devoted much of his time and energy to the private school he established in his home at the corner of Fourth and Alameda streets, where his own children as well as those of many other pioneers received their education. At the time of his death, he was producing 50,000 gallons of wine a year and was the greatest producer of table grapes during that period. He has been named by historians as one of the three most important men in the history of California viticulture and was one of the wealthiest men in Southern California for his time.
UPDATE 10/18/2019
As an American citizen, Wolfskill knew that he could not trap legally on Mexican land. Trappers who did so ran the risk of having their haul taken away from them. So Wolfskill applied for Mexican citizenship and became a naturalized Mexican citizen. He changed his name to José Guillermo Wolfskill.

Bio by: Louis du Mort

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  • Created by: redshoesgirl
  • Added: Sep 15, 2006
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15767572/william-wolfskill: accessed ), memorial page for William “Guillermo” Wolfskill (20 Mar 1798–3 Oct 1866), Find a Grave Memorial ID 15767572, citing Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by redshoesgirl (contributor 46860639).