Bio: Stange, Paul Theodore (1879 - 1953?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

 Surnames: Stange, Huntzicker, Hansen, Wood, Mayer, Kostenbader, Prescott, Morris, Eilert

----Sources: Federal Census Records, History of Fresno County, California, by Paul E. Vandor, 1919.

Paul Theodore Stange, a junior member of the firm of Hansen Construction Company, reached a secure position in life through his own efforts and individuality. Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1879, the son of Godfrey and Ann (Teal) Stange, both natives of Germany.  In 1883 Godfrey Stange brought his family to the USA, and located in Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin, where Paul was educated in the public schools, and later learned the trade of carpentery. In 1899 he came with his father to Fresno, to work on the construction of the Fresno Brewery. After its completion, he followed carpentering and mill work in Oakland. In 1906, following the earthquake and fire in San Francisco, he returned to Fresno and was employed by the contractor and builder, H. A. Hansen, as foreman, and later did the drawing and estimating for the firm, having taken a course in mechanical and architectural drawing with the International Correspondence School. He drew the plans for the Kern-Kay Hotel, the Hotel Tulare; Salvation Army Building; Lauritzen Implement Building; also many fine residences in Fresno. After the death of Mr. Hansen in 1914, Mr. Stange, and Thomas M. Paulson took over the business operating it under the firm name of Hansen Construction Company. Among other work they erected the Hotel Mayer; the Eaden Flats; the warehouse for the United Warehouse Company Prescott's Garage residence for J. Edward Prescott, as well as the F. W. Wood home the Mission Episcopal Church, on Van Ness Avenue, and the Peach Growers warehouse, at Reedley.

Mr. Stange's marriage with Miss Minnie Kostenbader, a native of Nazareth, Northampton County, Pa., took place in Fresno, May 31, 1913.  She was a descendant of an old Pennsylvania family. Two children
were born to this union: Paul T., Jr., and Henrietta Ann.

Mr. Stange was a member of the California National Guard for 4 years, and served as corporal of Company K of Fresno. He was a crack shot, winning a medal as a "Distinguished Marksman." His recreation hobbies included hunting and fishing.  In 1913, he took his wife into the Sierras for two months for a wedding trip where they enjoyed hunting, fishing and exploring the mountain fastness and taking pictures as they went. They traveled the Yosemite Valley, and across Iron Mountain, greatly enjoying the beauties of nature. Mr. Stange indulged in a hunting and fishing trip each year, returning to his business duties with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. He purchased lots on the corner of Monterey and M. Streets, where he built three houses. Fraternally he was a member of Fresno Lodge No. 343, I. O. O. F.

***Note:  The Fresno Morning Republican - Sunday May 28, 1922, Record of Memorial Urns and Niches in Fresno Columbarium lists Gottfried & Anna Stange for the Fresno Columbarium.

1900 Federal Census, ED 28 Neillsville city Ward 1-3, Clark, Wisconsin, United States, page: 11, sheet letter: B, family # 224

Paul Stange, 21 yrs. (Jan 1879 - Germany), white, single, male
immigration year: 1884

Household Members
head Gottfried Stange M 55 (1845 Germany)
wife Annie Stange F 56 (1844 Germany)
son Paul Stange M 21 (1879 Germany)
son Hugo Stange M 20 (1880 Germany)

1900 Federal Census, ED 4 Township 3 (excl. Fresno city), Fresno, California, United States, page: 25, sheet letter: A, family # 575

Paul Stange, 21 yrs. (Feb 1879 - Germany), white, single, male
father's birthplace: Germany
mother's birthplace: Germany
race or color (standardized): White
gender: Male
marital status: Single

Household Members
head Fred Huntzicker M 30 Wisconsin
wife Mary Huntzicker F 28 Wisconsin
son Ernest Huntzicker M 1 Wisconsin
father-in-law Ernest Eilert M 57 Germany
mother-in-law Della Eilert F 55 Germany
sister-in-law Leda Eilert F 13 Wisconsin
brother-in-law Louis Eilert M 19 Wisconsin
brother-in-law Wm. J Eilert M 30 Wisconsin
sister-in-law Lillian B Eilert F 27 Wisconsin
boarder Thos Morris M 46 Wisconsin
boarder Claire Morris M 21 Wisconsin
boarder Gottfried Stange M 58 Germany
boarder Paul Stange M 21 Germany
servant Lidia Starkel F 22 Russia

1910 Federal Census, Fresno Ward 8, Fresno, California, family # 322, page # 59

Paul T Stange, 31 yrs. (1879 - Germany), White, single, male
immigration year: 1883
father's birthplace: Germany
mother's birthplace: Germany

Household Members
self Gottfried Stange M 68y Germany
wife Anna Stange F 64y Germany
son Paul T Stange M 31y Germany
son Hugo Stange M 30y Germany

1900 Voter Registration, East Fresno, Fresno, California, United States

Paul Stange
event date: 25 Sep 1900
registration date year range:
age: 21 (1879)
birthplace: Germany

1900 Voter Registration, Fresno, California, United States

Paul Theodore Stange
event: Voter Registration
event date: 08 Apr 1908
registration date year range:
event place: 263 M, Fresno, California, United States
age: 29 (1879)
birthplace: Germany

1930 Federal Census, Fresno, Fresno, California, family # 283, sheet number and letter: 17A, line # 28

Paul P Stange, 51 yrs. (1879 - Germany), white, married male
father's birthplace: Germany
mother's birthplace: Germany
enumeration district # 0036

Household Members
head Paul P Stange M 51 Germany
wife Minnie R Stange F 43 Pennsylvania
son Paul F Stange M 16 California
daughter Henrietta N Stange F 12 California

Social Security Death Index

Paul
middle name: T
last name: Stange
name suffix:
birth date: 9 March 1914
social security number: 548-10-9285
place of issuance: California
last residence: Merced, Merced, California
zip code of last residence: 95344
death date: 30 November 2007
estimated age at death: 93

***Note: Paul T Stange was born on 03/09/1914 and died on 11/30/2007 at the age of 93. Paul Stange is buried in the cemetery: San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, which is located in Gustine, CA.