Several people asked for more information on my great great grandmother Franceska, since they were intrigued at the age 74 she went in hotel business when she had a St. Francis Hotel constructed in 1914.
For starters she was born in 1840 in Switzerland. In 1858, she married fellow countryman, Jacob Murrer. She gave birth daughter, Pauline, in 1859. The following year, Jacob and Franceska migrated to California, leaving infant Pauline care to her parents. The Swiss couple moved around a lot in Northern California where Jacob tried his hand mining, but fell back as a dairy farmer. Their family grew by additional five children–Jacob, Edward*, Mary, Emma and Rose. In 1874, the family moved to Willow Creek Valley, north of Susanville. On July 4, 1876, Jacob died of a heart attack, leaving Franceska to a daunting task of trying to make a living on the 160-acre homestead. After all, Franceska now widowed at the age of 36, had the responsibility of raising her five children who ranged in the age from 3 to 14 years.
This is where the story gets interesting and revealed her strong character. Franceska did find solace with her neighbor Ben Neuhaus. Since they both spoke German.. She had someone she could easily converse with, as she had trouble speaking English. There was an added bonus that they were both devout Catholic. On April 20, 1879, Ben and Franceska were married at Reno, Nevada. It was an unusual union for that they both kept separate business accounts. In early 1900s, Eulalee (Yoakum) Trussell, who grew up on the San Francisco Ranch (now Five Dot), explained this arrangement. Eulalee recalled when Franceska told her about her marriage to Ben, “That we did not marry for love, but marry the ranches.”
In 1902, Ben and Franceska retired from ranch life in Willow Creek Valley and moved to Susanville. They leased a ranch for $1,000 a year. Franceska invested in Susanville’s commercial property and did quite well. In 1912, they sold the Willow CreekValley ranch to Edward Murrer for $13,000. Edward made a down payment of $1,000 and paid balance the following year. Flush with cash, Franceska’s final venture was for the construction of Susanville’s St. Francis Hotel, that son and daughter-in-law Bill and Flora Neuhaus would operate. It should be noted that Franceska was well versed in the inn keeping business. For years the Neuhaus home in Willow Creek was well known for its hospitality to accommodate travelers. Her daughter, Rose, operated hotels at Hayden Hill and Susanville. Rose’s home in Susanville happened to conveniently located behind the St. Francis Hotel and her elaborate flower garden complimented the hotel.
*Edward was my great grandfather.
What ever happened to
Pauline Murrer ??