Sonoma County Biography
John Marshall Gutermute
A series of removals, each of which brought him a little nearer to the Pacific coast, eventually made Mr. Gutermute a resident of Sonoma county, where since about the year 1886 he has been identified with general affairs and various commercial enterprises. Pennsylvania is his native commonwealth and he was born in Beaver county on the 22d of February, 1864, being a son of the late John Casper Gutermute, a Pennsylvanian by birth and a German by ancestry. The father, who was born in 1838, removed to Parkersburg, W. Va., during the early life of the son and there he spent the remaining years of his existence, passing away at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, who like himself was a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1845 and married a second time, coming to California with members of the family and settling in Sonoma county in 1886. Prior thereto a brief sojourn had been made in Missouri, so that the sons and daughters had the advantages to be derived by experiences in various sections of the country. The family comprised seven members, namely: David, John Marshall, Henry, Mary, Anna, Adaline and Clara. Of these the first-named son married Eva Tregal and has four children, Frank, Earl, Helen and Grace. The youngest son, Henry, married Linda Derby and has four children. Adaline, Mrs. John Foster, is the mother of four children, Walter, Charles, Ella and Dollie. Clara is the wife of Stephen Foster and the mother of four children, John, David, Hill and Henry.
Educated in country schools and trained to habits of thrift and useful activity, Mr. Gutermute has proved an intelligent and resourceful citizen, devoted to the welfare of the community and helpful in progressive enterprises. June 26, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Etta S. Miller. Three children blessed their union, Carlisle Smith, Stella Genevieve and John Marshall, Jr. Throughout the vicinity of Petaluma Mrs. Gutermute is well known and highly honored. Not only is her financial standing high, but she is deeply interested in educational advancement and in the moral upbuilding of the locality. Gentle yet firm, modest yet the possessor of intelligent opinions, she is a member of that increasing class of modern women who are not only economical housekeepers but also capable citizens.
Carlisle S. Miller, father of Mrs. Gutermute, was born in Pennsylvania February 16, 1828, being of New York state parentage. In those days educational opportunities were meager, hence his time was spent on the farm rather than in the schoolroom and in addition he acquired a knowledge of the blacksmith's trade. During the year 1847 he crossed the plains to Oregon, with a party of sharpshooters, for service on the frontier against the Indians. After numerous escapes from massacre by the Indians the party finally reached Oregon. When gold was discovered in California Mr. Miller turned his steps toward this state, settling in Sonoma county in 1850 and becoming one of the very earliest settlers of this region, where for years he was an honored citizen and successful rancher. The last thirty-seven years of his life were passed on his ranch one mile east of Petaluma, where his death occurred. By his marriage to Sarah E. Fearly, a native of Ireland, he has seven children, Charles, John, George C., Hugh W., Rosanna, Lizzie J. and Etta Sarah, Mrs. Gutermute. The first-named son married Mattie Benson and had two daughters, one of whom is deceased. John has been married three times, but has no children. George who married Clara Woods, also has no children. Hugh W. married Mary Watson and is the father of two children, Carlisle S. and Ellen W. Rosanna, Mrs. David J. Shiek, has a daughter, Ethel. Lizzie J., Mrs. George Waters, became the mother of four daughters, Lillie, Avis, Myrtle, and Lizzie L., the latter now deceased. In politics Mr. Gutermute has voted with the Republican party ever since he attained his majority, while fraternally he is identified with the local lodges of Woodmen and Knights of Pythias. Besides owning $30,000 worth of property in Petaluma and outside estates, Mrs. Gutermute has the title to a quarter section in Sonoma county, where a large acreage of meadow furnishes valuable crops of hay for the stock kept on the ranch and a well-kept orchard affords to the family fruits of several varieties during the season. Movements for the general welfare receive the stanch support of the family and their position is among the public-spirited and progressive citizens of the county.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
October 2009 Pages 998-999
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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