Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 152. GIDEON STOLZ To anyone acquainted with the history of the progress and development of Salem the name of Gideon Stolz is a familial one, for to him as much as to any other one man is due the present status of the city in relation to its public improvements. He took the initiative for paved streets, better sewerage and other forward steps in municipal affairs at a time when many were opposed to the expenditure of the necessary funds, his wisdom and farsighted judgment being later abundantly vindicated and commended. In commercial affairs also he has been an important factor and for a long period was one of Salem's most active and prominent business men, but has now practically retired from commercial affairs. Mr. Stolz was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1844, being one of ten children who blessed the union of Jacob and Mary Stolz. His parents were natives of Germany, the father having been born near Stuttgart in Wurtemberg, where he was reared to manhood. In 1832 lie came to the United States and located in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. Later he obtained a tract of government land in the Scioto valley, on which he lived several years, eventually locating near Dayton in Montgomery county, where he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred when, he was eighty-six years old, his wife passing away there at the age of seventy-eight years. They were earnest members of the Lutheran church and were held in high regard by all who knew them. Of the ten children born to them, the following reached years of maturity: Dr. John, who was a surgeon in the Ninety-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and later practiced his profession in Reading, Pennsylvania, for many years, but is now deceased; Jacob, a member of the Ninety-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed in the battle of Murfreesboro; David, who enlisted in the Fifteenth United States Infantry for three years' service, was captured at the time of Rosecrans' retreat from Chickamauga, and was confined for eleven months in Andersonville prison, where his death occurred; Gideon, of this review; William G., who is retired and lives at Dayton, Ohio; and Mrs. Mary Kuhn, who died in Galion, Ohio, in 1925. Gideon Stolz secured his education in the public schools and in Mav, 1864, enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered into service at Columbus. He was stationed at Baltimore Maryland, until the following September, when, his period of enlistment having expired, he was discharged. The next month he reenlisted and was assigned to the quartermaster's department, being sent to the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1865 and on his return home engaged in the dairy business at Dayton, where he remained until 1873, when he sold out and came to Salem, Oregon, arriving here with a cash capital of one hundred dollars. His first venture here was in the operation of the old Dickenson seed garden, working under contract for six years. In 1879 he established a cider and vinegar store at the corner of Trade and Cottage streets and built up a large and prosperous business, which in 1886 was incorporated under the name of the Pacific Vinegar & Pickle Company, of which he became president. The majority of the stockholders lived in Portland and largely because of that fact the plant was moved to that city in 1891, Mr. Stolz retaining his residence in Salem. In 1894 he disposed of his interest in the business and in the spring of 1897 he again began the manufacture of cider and vinegar in Salem, in which he met with good success, the business expanding until in 1897 it was incorporated under the name of the Gideon Stolz Company, of which he was president; John B. Hileman vice president; his son, W. T. Stolz, secretary; and C. D. and E. W. Purvine the other stockholders. Three years later Mr. Stolz bought the Pin-line interests and W. T. Stolz became vice president and manager. The business enjoyed a steady and substantial growth, and they enlarged their plant in order to meet the increased demand for their products, which consisted mainly of cider, vinegar, apple butter, pickles, jelly and fruit spray, in addition to which they bottled mineral waters. Mr. Stolz remained actively identified with this business as president of the company until 1920, when he retired and has spent the later years of his life in comfortable leisure in his attractive home in Salem. He bought the "Rambler Farm," comprising forty-two acres of excellent land, all of which he planted to prunes. In 1868, in Dayton, Ohio, Mr, Stolz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Whittinger, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and they became the parents of two children: W. T., who was long associated in business with his father; and Senta D., the widow of W. G. Westacott. In his political views, Mr. Stolz has always been a republican and during his earlier years here he took an active and leading part in local public affairs. In 1901 he became a member of the city council, serving as chairman of the committees on health and police; was reelected and served two terms as chairman of the committee on streets and public property, being also a member of the accounts and current expense committee and the fire and water committee. His most important service for the city was rendered during the administration of Mayor Rogers, when he fought courageously and persistently for the paving of the streets, none of which had been done prior to that time. He was also a strong advocate of better sewerage facilities and the development of the city water system in fact, he is known as the father of good paving in this city and in every possible way has worked for a betterment in local conditions, realizing that the future growth of the city depended largely upon its improvements. Mr. Stolz was a charter member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., at Salem, of which he is a past commander; a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Woodmen of the World. He was an active member of the Commercial Club and the Civic Improvement Society, and no movement for the progress or advancement of the community ever appealed to him in vain. Time has dealt kindly with Mr. Stolz and he is still, to a remarkable degree, in possession of his physical and mental powers, being regarded as one of the grand old men of Salem, in the welfare of which city he has always taken a deep interest and in whose prosperity and growth he has felt a justifiable pride. A man of kindly manner, cordial and sincere in his social relations and still keenly interested in the affairs of his city, he commands the uniform confidence and admiration of his fellowmen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.