Henry Dubbers

Henry Dubbers, a rancher residing in Ventura, came to Ventura in 1862, and as he is one of its most worthy pioneers, this history would not be complete without recording his life. He was born in Holstein, in the year 1819, and came to America in 1851, coming direct from Germany to California. His parents were both natives of Germany, and his father was a merchant. When Mr. Dubbers came to San Francisco he was sick, and his intentions were to go to South America; but becoming acquainted with other Germans, who were engaged in farming, he was induced by them to stay in California. They had rented land in San Mateo County at $4 per acre, and induced him to put capital in the business; he soon discovered that there would be a loss in the venture, and took it under his own management. He soon after bought the property - 500 acres - and made good to the other parties all that they had put in and more. The property advanced on his hands, and he sold it at a liberal advance.  He then came to Ventura, but the title to the lands was so unsettled that he did not buy at that time. A few years afterward oil was discovered, and it was pronounced very rich; New York and Philadelphia capitalists came in, and as he could talk Spanish he was taken in with them. They bought a large tract of land, and Mr. Dubbers took charge of the receiving of the machinery and supplies for the soil wells, and forwarding it to the wells. When Mr. Dubbers came to Ventura only two or three schooners stopped here during the year, to bring supplies and provisions, and for a good while the country was very much isolated from the outside world.

    He bought an interest in the Santa Ana ranch, and owns about 930 acres; he is raising wheat and barley on it. He had fifteen acres in city tracts, which he subdivided, and has sold about half of it at renumerative prices.

    In 1859 Mr. Dubbers was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Osterman, a native of Germany. They had four children: - Henry, born in San Mateo; Hattie, born in Ventura, and is married to Mr. J. B. Ward, a civil engineer from Cleveland, Ohio; Alfred, born in Ventura, and is now at the Berkeley University; Emma, born in Ventura, and is now with her sister in Pittsburg.  Henry is married, and lives at Point Reyes.  Mr. Dubber's ancestors are all deceased, in Germany, but he thinks of making a visit to that place; he has lived in Brazil and buenos Ayres, and can speak English, Spanish, French and German. When he came to Ventura there were only a few Americans in the place, and no mail conveniences. When the postoffice was established, Mr. V. A. Simpson was the first postmaster, and a stage route was established twice a week from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Mr. Dubbers is leading a quiet and retired life, in his old-style, adobe house, surrounded with life's comforts. He is spending the remainder of his life under the shade of some large trees planted by his own hands.

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