In 1853 John Mohler Studebaker, one of 
the five founding brothers of the Studebaker Corporation, arrived in a 
village of Hangtown (now Placerville), California with a wagon train he had 
joined in South Bend, Indiana.  A wagon built by John and his brothers was 
used as payment for the young man's passage across the country to the gold 
fields of California.

    Upon arrival, with just 50 cents in his pocket, John was approached by 
the local blacksmith who needed a man familiar with wood working to build 
wheelbarrows for the miners.  After some deliberation, he took the job and 
thus proceeded to build the first Studebaker crafted "vehicles" west of the 
Rockies.  After five years in California, John got the urge to return to 
South Bend and help his brothers in the wagon making business.  With $8000 
in California gold, he returned to South Bend in 1858 to invest all his 
earnings in the fledgling H & C Studebaker Company.

    In 1912, when the name Studebaker was nationally known, John returned to 
Placerville for an official homecoming.  As he stepped down from his car he 
was welcomed by a group of old friends, some of who shouted out "Welcome 
home Wheelbarrow Johnny."  A small book TO OLD HANGTOWN OR BUST, written by 
Wells Drury records almost every moment of this great man's pilgrimage to a 
land he once knew so well.  In honor of John Mohler Studebaker for his part 
in making California history, the Sequoia Chapter's newsletter has taken on 
the nickname given him by his comrades many years ago.  One of John Mohler 
Studebaker wheelbarrows is on display in Placerville.