By: Zachary Hulsey

The City of Stockton was founded by Charles Weber.

About Charles Weber

Captain Karl Maria Weber was born on February 17, 1814, in Germany. At just the young age of 22, Captain Weber made the brave decision to immigrate to America in 1836, where he traveled the nation. He spent some time in Texas, Missouri, and traveled through other states. Weber eventually settled in the state of California with the Bartleson-Bidwell Party in 1841, when California was still governed by Mexico.

After his arrival in California, Karl began calling himself Charles. Captain Weber then went to work for a man named John Sutter, who showed great support for “Carlos Maria Weber” to the Mexican authorities. In 1842, Captain Weber settled in the Pueblo of San José, where he became a trusted business partner of William Gulnac. William Gulnac was born in Hudson, New York, in 1801 and was an experienced blacksmith and fur trapper who had also settled in the Pueblo of San José in 1833. Weber and Gulnac owned and operated multiple businesses, ranging from selling soap and shoes to mining salt, operating a bakery, and more.

First San Joaquin Settlement

Gulnac, a naturalized Mexican citizen on account of his marriage to Maria Cesena, petitioned Governor Micheltorena of California for a tract of land for the benefit of himself and eleven other families who were to assist him in forming a settlement. Governor Micheltorena granted this land to Gulnac – a spread of over 48,000 acres in the area that is now San Joaquin County. The name of this tract of land was Rancho Campo de los Franceses (Ranch of the French Camp). After breaking away from his partnership with Captain Weber in 1843, Gulnac’s attempts to settle the land – in the area still known today as French Camp – failed. Eventually, in 1845, Gulnac sold the land to Captain Weber, who attracted multiple settlers to locate on the ranch a year later. Soon after, the Mexican-American War broke out, and Weber later became a cavalryman for the United States. After becoming a cavalryman for the United States, Captain Weber lost respect and trust from those who sided with the Mexican army.

The Start of Tuleburg

Captain Weber relocated the primary settlement of the grant northward near what is now called the Stockton Channel in 1847; in 1849, he laid out a town that he named Tuleburg. The small town Captain Weber established grew at a rapid rate and gained notoriety for being a gold miner’s supply point.

The Shift to “Stockton” and a History of Commodore Stockton

By 1850, Weber changed the name of the town to Stockton. Why Stockton? He did this to honor Commodore Robert F. Stockton, who had played a major role in the naval success of the American army in the Mexican-American War. Commodore Stockton was born in 1795 in Princeton, New Jersey. Commodore Stockton lived his life with long military service, a short political career, and lots of business experience. On July 23, 1846, Commodore Stockton arrived in Monterey, California, where he took over command of the Pacific Squadron of U.S. naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. He eventually gained the high position of senior military commander and military governor. It’s safe to say that Commodore Stockton spent a great deal of time and effort in capturing California during the Mexican-American War. After the war, California became a part of the United States of America largely because of Commodore Stockton.

Commodore Stockton later resigned from the Navy in May of 1850. After his resignation, Commodore Stockton returned to his business and political interests. He was elected to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate but resigned to serve as president of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Company, where he served until 1866. Commodore Stockton was also a delegate to the Peace Conference of 1861 that tried to settle the secession crisis. Although the Peace Conference was unsuccessful, he gained the position to command the New Jersey militia after the start of the American Civil War. During this war, he fought against the Confederate Army as they tried to invade the state of Pennsylvania. After living an adventurous, brave life, Commodore Robert F. Stockton died in 1866 in Princeton, New Jersey, the same city he was born in. Commodore Stockton is buried in the Princeton Cemetery.

Commodore Stockton’s adventurous life caught the eye of Captain Weber, which led Weber to name the small town after him. 

Weber’s Family & End of Life

Captain Weber married Helen Murphy in 1850. Captain Weber and Helen Weber later built a house on a piece of land surrounded by water, which is known today as Weber Point. They had three children: Charles Martin Weber, Julia Helen Weber, and Thomas Jefferson Weber. Captain Charles M. Weber later died in May of 1881 due to pneumonia. Captain Weber was buried in the same city he built from scratch, Stockton, CA. He is buried at the San Joaquin County Catholic Cemetery.

A Credit to Weber

As we know, the current city of Stockton has grown significantly. From a small town used for gold mining, settlement, and exploration to the 11th largest city in California (approaching 400,000 citizens), Stockton has grown significantly thanks to Captain Weber’s vision and leadership. As this city continues to grow, we should all remember the rich history that lives here. If it wasn’t for Captain Charles M. Weber and many other leaders along the way, the City of Stockton wouldn’t have grown into the city we know today.