Freda Ehmann Explained

Freda Ehmann (1839 – 1932) was a farmer who has been credited with launching California's olive industry by perfecting a process to preserve the fruit for shipment.[1]

Early life

Freda Ehmann was born in Germany.[2]

Career

She owned a small olive grove outside Oroville in the Sacramento Valley, and sought ways to increase her market beyond olive oil. At the time, olives could not be successfully preserved for long-term storage or shipment. Working with a University of California food scientist, she experimented with a number of pickling methods before hitting on a formula that resulted in a marketable product.

She founded the Ripe Olive Industry of California.

Today, Ehmann's home is the headquarters of the Butte County Historical Society, and tours are offered regularly.[3]

She was active in Women's Clubs affairs and was Chairman of the Financial Committee of the YMCA Building Fund.

She was a member of the Oroville Monday Club.

Personal life

She lived in Illinois and moved to California in 1892. She had two children: Emma Bolles and Edwin W. Ehmann. She lived at 402 Lincoln Street, Oroville, California.

Notes and References

  1. Krissman, Carol. Encyclopedia of Women in Business. Greenwood Publishing, 2005, pp. 171-172.
  2. Book: Binheim. Max. Elvin. Charles A. Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America. 1928. 39. 8 August 2017.
  3. http://www.chicoer.com/20120620/home-of-the-california-ripe-olive-to-host-olive-festival-on-saturday Home of the California Ripe Olive to host Olive Festival on Saturday