Napa County Biographies
G. Barth
G. Barth - Whose portrait appears in the body of this work, was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, November
16, 1821, and is the youngest child of John and Henrietta Mellor Barth. His father had a fine estate, and his
dwelling was a castle. He first had a private tutor, and at the age of fourteen entered the high school, which
he attended for two years. He was then sent by his father to superintend a large farming interest, where he
remained for two years. He then became administrator for several wealthy gentlemen. In 1854 he became the owner
of a large tract of land, and then, on account of failure of crops, he lost everything he had. In 1859 he
came to America, arriving in San Francisco May 15th of that year. He spent the first two months in this State
in visiting all the prominent places in it, in company with the Austrian Consul, Edward Vischer, General Cipriana,
and Adolph Thomal. He then went to San Mateo County. and began working on a farm for Mr. Topas, where he
remained for one year. He then came to Napa County, and began working on a farm owned by. Mr. Osborne, where he
labored faithfully until 1861. In October of that year he was married and began keeping a small boarding-house,
which he continued until 1870, In that year he went to Europe on a commission from Governor H. H. Haight, in
the behalf of the agricultural interests of California, where he had a pleasant time, and was well
received by the representatives of the different countries. He spent four months in Europe,
and then returned, and has since paid his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. He has a tract of three
hundred and twenty acres in the redwoods above the Hudeman place, where he has a fine elk park; also, four
hundred and sixty acres of what is known as the Salvador Vallejo Ranch, on which he has one hundred and fifty
acres of bearing vines, and twenty-five acres of young vines, and two fine wine-cellars, a full history of which
will be found in the proper place. In Sanel Valley he has a tract of one thousand four hundred and forty acres,
which is wheat land and a sheep ranch, and he is now planting vines upon it He has a fine brewery, also, a history
of which will be found elsewhere. In 1880 he was a member of the City Council of Napa, one of the trustees of the
Bank of Napa, chairman of the finance committee of said bank, and interested in the general advancement of the
county and city. He was married October 16,1861, to Mrs. Mary Pheffer Shepherd, relict of Joseph Shepherd. They
had one daughter, who died in 1878.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Pages 401-402
This Web page is sponsored on behalf of the California portion of The
USGenWeb Project by Richard S. Wilson. Although believed to be correct as
presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any
links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the
County Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.
Last updated February 1, 2007