William and Frederica Stroschein

Born in 1856, Wilhelm Stroscher became William Stroschein when he immigrated to the United States from Prussia. After arriving in the German settlement of Anaheim, he met and married his wife, Frederica. In 1887, the couple moved to San Juan Capistrano with their newborn daughter. They purchased the orchard across the street from the Mission ruins and lived in the Miguel Parra Adobe until their house was completed on the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Old Mission Road.

William expanded his orchard over time and grew walnuts. He was also a director of the Capistrano Water Company and spearheaded the conversion of the town’s irrigation system from dirt ditches to cement-lined channels. William and Frederica had 10 children.