By Iris Higbie Wilson
This book details the life and times of William Wolfskill, frontier trapper to California ranchero, from 1798 through 1866. His biography closely parallels that of William Workman, who, in addition to his initials, has much in common with this southern California pioneer. Like many immigrants to California, Wolfskill arrived seeking his fortune in the gold fields after a difficult and tedious life in the Midwest. Wolfskill made his fortune in agriculture rather than in minerals and led a prosperous life.
Wolfskill worked as a fur trapper in New Mexico and made trips to California, blazing what came to be known as the Old Spanish Trail. Mexico had just obtained its independence from Spain and Wolfskill became a naturalized Mexican citizen. It is not known whether he knew either John Rowland or William Workman during his fur trapping days. What is known is that Wolfskill settled in California long before the Rowland-Workman expedition arrived in 1841.
Like many pioneers, Wolfskill secured a land grant that enabled him and his family to profit by selling produce to the gold miners. Miners needed food, so William Wolfskill as well as William Workman made their fortunes satisfying the needs of the miners. Wolfskill had producing ranches in southern California and in northern California as part of the colorfully named Rancho de Los Putos.
Wolfskill planted vineyards and grew citrus fruit, primarily in southern California. When the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, Wolfskill was poised to pioneer efforts to produce oranges commercially for the entire United States. He developed the still-popular Valencia orange, which held up well in the several weeks trip that rail delivery required. In addition, his vineyards were the toast of the state and his wines won acclaim.
William Wolfskill was a fur trapper, explorer, rancher, farmer and entrepreneur who helped develop the sleepy village of Los Angeles into a thriving community. Of interest is that, after his death, one the the executors of his estate was F.P.F. Temple.
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