An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today, Part 116

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916

USA > California > Sacramento County > An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today > Part 116

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ACOB GEBERT, proprietor of the Union Brewery, Sacramento, is a native of Alsace, now a portion of the Empire of Germany, born on the 3d of May, 1847, his parents being Jacob, Sr., and Louisa Mary (Dewald) Gebert.

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He was reared at his native place, and there commenced the brewer's trade. In 1858, in company with an uncle, Paul Gebert, he came to America and soon came to California, locat- ing in Sacramento, where he attended school, making his home with his uncle. He also worked for a time in the Columbus Brewery. In 1863 be accompanied his uncle back to the old country, and there again attended school. In 1865 he again came to America, and located in San Francisco, where he drove a bakery wagon for a time. He next came to Sacramento, and again obtained employment at the Colum- bns Brewery, at first washing barrels, afterward making malt, and finally driving a wagon. After about a week at the last mentioned occu- pation, he went to San Jose, and obtained work in the Almaden Brewery. While there he got a letter from Mr. Gruhler, who wanted him to come back and work in the Columbus Brewery, which proposition he accepted, and remained with the Gruhlers for ten months. He then engaged with the St. Louis Brewery, where he remained about two years. He next went with Mr. Oswald, who offered him $40 per month additional salary. He was employed there until 1875, when he moved upon a ranch near Florin, and in the meantime formed his plans for going into business in Sacramento for himself. He commenced building operations, and in May, 1880, established the Union Brewery, corner of Twentieth and O streets. He put a two-story brick building, 30 x 70 feet in area, the ina- chinery being operated by liorse-power. After a year lie put in a steam engine of eight-horse power, and the capacity of the brewery was then abont twelve barrels per day. On the 13th of December, 1887, the property was destroyed by fire, making an almost total loss of buildings and fixtures, the fire catching by the overheat- ing of a shaft. Mr. Gebert was not disconraged by the great catastrophe, however, for the ashes had hardly cooled before he was planning for a new outfit. So rapidly was the rebuilding ac- complished that on the 6th of May, 1888, he was again ready for business, but on a far more

extensive scale. The new building is 70 x 140 feet in ground area, but in an L shape, and is fonr stories and basement in part, and the re- mainder three stories and basement, while the capacity has been increased to twenty-four bar- rels per day. He has a large and growing trade, which reaches as far as Mill City, Nevada. The product of the Union Brewery, it is unneces- sary to say, enjoys a high reputation under Mr. Gebert's able management. Mr. Gebert was married December 1, 1875, to Miss Mary Guth, a native of Sacramento County, born at Elk Grove, and daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ken- ney) Guth, who came to California in 1850, and are now living retired from active business in Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Gebert have one child, Charles, born January 6, 1879. Mr. Gebert is a of member Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F., and also of the Druids. Mr. Geb- ert's rise in business has been quite remarkable. He started on a small capital, and his first year's experience was perfectly successful. Hc lost $17,000 by the fire of 1887, but did not let that bother bim. To him belongs the credit of building up that portion of Sacramento. There were no streets graded in that vicinity when he commenced: now there are first-class improve- ments. Lots that he bought for $400 could not be purchased now for $4,000. He is certainly an enterprising man.

A. GALGANI, nerchant, Sacramento, is a native of Tuscany, Italy, born ten miles

o from Lucca, June 20, 1847, his parents being V. and Cleopha (Bartholome) Galgani. The father was a farmer and land owner. P. A. Galgani was the sixth in order of age of a family of nine children. He was reared at his native place, and finished his education at Lucca, where he attended college three years. In 1869 he sailed from Laverno to Corsica, then went from Bastierne to Marseilles, and thence to Paris. He decided to go to America, and pro- ceeded to Havre, took passage on the " Ballona,"

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reaching New York after a rough voyage. He then started for California via Panama. When he arrived at San Francisco he found a brother waiting to receive him. He engaged in farm- ing near the city, and was so engaged until 1871, when he came to Sacramento. He secured a place near Sutterville, where he farmed for a time. He next kept the Garibaldi House, in Sacramento, for three years, then went to farm- ing again, in Brighton Township. He quit farming in 1887, and in April of that year em- barked in the mercantile business on the corner of Twenty-first and O streets, Sacramento. In November, 1888, he removed to his present location, on the northeast corner of Eighteenth and M streets, where he has built up a good business. Mr. Galgani was married in Sacra- mento November 26, 1874, to Miss Mary Fer- retti, a native of Philadelphia. They have six children, viz .: Cleopha, John Batiste, Alba, Helena, Cæsar and Louis. Mr. Galgani is president of the Sacramento Society of Bersag- lieri, and is third lieutenant of the company of sharpshooters connected with the society. Mr. Galgani takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the people of his native land, as also of his adopted country, and is an influential, active man.

HRISTIAN KLENK, one of the old-time Californians now resident in Sacramento, was born -in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 6th day of January, 1823, his parents being Jacob and Dora (Wieland) Klenk, the father a tailor by trade. The subject of this sketch spent his early boyhood days at his native place, and was there educated from the age of six to fourteen years. He was very useful about horses, and after leaving school was engaged in that capacity by Herr von Schlimbach, a very prom- inent man, who had been with Napoleon on his Russian campaign, and belonged to the court of King William of Wurtemberg. Mr. Klenk held that position about one year, then went

with the governor of the district in a similar capacity. He was with him about a year, and was then engaged by Prince Hohenlohe, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He then served two years in the army, and after the expiration of his term went back to his old vocation, this time with a noble- man, with whom he remained three years. He then came to America, on a sailing vessel from Amsterdam to New York. That was in 1849. He proceeded to Philadelphia by water, and re- mained there some time. In 1850 a party of sixteen (Mr. Klenk among thein) organized on Vine street to go to California. They proceeded by railroad to Pittsburg, and thence by steamer to St. Louis. After a week there, purchasing provisions, wagons, etc., they went to St. Joseph, thence by Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie to Salt Lake, where they traded off their cattle and wagons and got horses to cross the desert. This was a terrible task, and they came near dying on the desert. As it was, half the party lost their lives. They proceeded by the Carson route to Hangtown, and Mr. Klenk arrived there nearly starved, very sick, and unable to walk or talk. As soon as he was able he went to work splitting wood, whichi almost killed him. Two weeks later he came to Sacramento, and remained here two or three months. Though still sick and feeble, he went to work at the Ein- pire Honse. From here he went to Coloma, and mined there a year and a half. He then came back to Sacramento, but finding that there was nothing for liim to do here he went to Redding. He was also disappointed there, and again returned to Sacramento, and from here, soon afterward, went to Wisconsin Hill, thence to Iowa Hill, where he put up a log cabin, and mined two years. He then went back to Phila- delphia by water, but in 1854 returned to Cali- fornia over the plains, accompanied by his wife. This time he took a different route, going to Council Bluffs and joining a party there. Two days later they were attacked by Indians, with whom they had a big fight. Mr. Klenk took an active part in the melee, and, although he

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lost some cows at first, got them back all right. The next night he kept watch all night, and next morning they started on their way. They came to a crossing where the Indians showed fight again. The wagons were parked in double lines, and a battle ensued. The Indians lost one of their number killed, and concluded to draw off. This was the last time they gave any trouble. They proceeded by Sublette's cut-off and down the Humboldt, and on to Sacramento, and the journey, except the Indian fighting, was a very pleasant one. He afterward went to Coloma and mined a year on the Middle Fork, and later bought a ranch on the river and fol- lowed cattle-raising there a number of years. He had a dairy also, and got as high as $1.25 per pound for butter. Before the flood he had 240 head of cattle, and after had but thirty-five left. He remained on the ranch some time after the flood, then sold out to Cox & Clarke. He purchased his present property in Sacra- mento in 1881. Mr. Klenk has been twice married, the first time in Philadelphia, to Miss Jennie Schmidt, a native of Waldenburg, Ger- many, who died in Sacramento. By this mar- riage there were four children, of whom two- Louisa and Charles-died crossing the plains. Those living are: Alexander and Reinhold. Mr. Klenk's present wife was formerly Mrs. Uhl, and her maiden name was Strauss. Mr. Klenk has passed through all the vicissitudes of pio- neer life, and has lived to see California advance from a mere collection of mining camps to her present proud position among the States.

F. PETERSON, manufacturer, and wholesale and retail dealer in candies and confections, Sacramento, is a native of Germany, born at Bremen, July 8, 1850, his parents being W. F., Sr. (a shoe manufacturer), and Gesiene (Wischusen) Peterson. When he was an infant his mother died, and when he was eleven years old he came to the United States to live with his mother's sister, in New York.

He finished his education commenced at Bre- men, at Martin S. Payne's College, corner of Canal and Bowery, and under Prof. Daniel Sul- livan. At the age of fifteen years, having finished his schooling, he engaged with the wholesale ship-chandling house of W. F. Hart- kopf. He was engaged in that business until 1866, when he came to California via Nicara- gua, leaving New York on the Santiago de Cuba, and landing at San Francisco from the steamer of that name, on the 23d of August, 1866. He engaged with Meyer Bros., corner of Folsom and Freeman, with whom he remained until 1868. He was then taken sick, and his case given up as hopeless. He went back to New York, and when fully recovered went into business on the corner of Broome and Werrick streets, in the firm of H. Stelling & Peterson, grocers. The firm had continued one year, when Mr. Peterson sold out and went to Idaho. There he tried his luck mining at Placerville, but three months later went to Portland, Ore- gon. He found things dull there, and pro- ceeded to San Francisco, where he went to work for Fred Carson, corner of Bush and Dupont streets. Eleven months later he came to Sacra- mento and went to work with P. H. Russell, with whom he remained nearly four months. He next engaged with H. Fisher. On the 3d of May, 1876, Mr. Peterson started in business for himself, with a retail candy factory and restaurant, at the present location on J street, between Sixth and Seventh. From that time his business has been steadily and rapidly in- creasing, until it has assumed vast proportions. He employs thirty-one people, and his trade ex- tends throughout California, Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Arizona, and is gradually but surely extending its limits. The products of his factory are strictly pure, and have a splendid reputation. Mr. Peterson was married in Sacra- mento, August 29, 1875, to Miss Annie E. Bryte, a native of Yolo County, and danghter of Mike Bryte, deceased. They have four chil- dren, viz .: W. F., Jr., Bryte M., Allen E. and Mabel. They lost one child by death-Edward

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Bryte Peterson. Mr. Peterson is a member of Capital Lodge, I. O. O. F .; of Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Sacramento Chapter, Sacra- mento Council, and Sacramento Commandery. Mr. Peterson is a pushing, vigorous man of business, and a successful manager, yet at all times genial and courteous in his manner. He is one of those men whom success has not spoiled.

OUIS NICOLAUS, one of the leading busi- ness men of Sacramento, and proprietor of the brewery corner Twelfth and I streets, is a native of Germany, born at Heugelheim, Bavaria, January 5, 1829, his parents being William and Margaretha Nicolaus, the father a farmer by oc- enpation. Louis Nicolaus was reared and edu- cated at his native place, and in 1846 came to America, sailing from Havre to New York, be- ing fifty-five days on the voyage. He proceeded to Buffalo, and there entered on an apprentice ship at the cooper's trade with Conrad Antrose. Ile served one year at the trade, then worked for his employer as a journeyman. In 1848 he went to Canada, but returned after one inonth, to Buffalo. He then went to Cleveland, where he was employed for a time, and then worked on the canal to Dresden for a few months. He then went to Cincinnati, where he spent the winter of 1848-'49. He next went to St. Louis, and from there to Lexington, Missouri. He worked ont in the woods near that place that summer, splitting staves for Waddle & Co. In the fall he again went to St. Louis, and in the spring of 1850 returned to Lexington, Missouri, There a company of forty-three was organized. under Captain Joe Waddle (a Mexican war vet- eran), for the purpose of going to California, and Mr. Nicolaus was one of the number. They proceeded to California via Ft. Kearney, Ft. Lar- amie, Sublette's cut-off and the Truckee route, Mr. Nicolaus being sick most of the way. Ile and those with his wagon, four in all, stopped at Nevada City, and engaged at mining, contin-

uing about two months. They went to Grass Valley next, but, getting no rain there, went up to the Little Yuba, and mined at Hess's Cross- ing, in the middle of the river, until the fall of 1851. Mr. Nicolaus then came to Sacramento, and from here went up to Amador County. He mined awhile there, then started in the butcher business with a man named Broaddus. He was in business there until the fall of 1868, when he again came to Sacramento, and bought some stock, which he afterward sold. He bought an interest in the brewery at Twelfth and I streets, in October, 1869, from Martin Arenz, and re- mained in partnership with him until 1873, when Wendell Kerth bought the interest of Mr. Arenz. Mr. Nicolaus has carried on the busi- ness ever since, and has practically rebuilt the entire plant. Since 1884 he has been making a beer which many people consider superior to any lager. The capacity of the brewery is fifty barrels per day, and a ready market is found in Sacramento and tributary territory. Mr. Nic- olaus was married in this county to Miss Susan- nah Kerth, a native of Germany. They have had six children, of whom four are living, viz .: Lonis, Edward, Emma and Julia. The two deceased children are: Willie and Wendell. Mr. Nicolans is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F., and of the Sacramento Hus- sars. He is a popular man, and counts his friends by the score.

HRIS NIELSEN, carriage and wagon manufacturer, Sacramento, is a native of Denmark, born at Gudbjerg, the Island of Fyen, in the heart of Denmark, on the 26th of July, 1851, his parents being Niels Nicolaisen and Hedwig Albertine Corfitz Datter. He was reared at his native place, and educated there between the age of seven and fourteen years. He then commenced the trade of wagon and car- riage maker with his father, and served an ap- prenticeship of five years. He then traveled to improve himself at his trade, and worked some

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time at the large city of Odense. When he was twenty-one years of age he entered the army, and served in the Nineteenth Infantry Battalion for six months steadily, and after that at inter- vals, working at his trade in the meantime. In 1878 lie came to the United States, and located at Sacramento, and went into the employ of A. Meister. He remained with him until May, 1880, when, in partnership with his brother, J. M., he started in business for himself at his present location. They were in partnership for two and a half years, since which time he has conducted the wagon and carriage making bnsi- ness alone. At that time he put up the large and substantial building at 1013 and 1015 Tenth street. This building stands three stories high, with its large basement, and covers an area thirty-three by eighty feet in dimensions. He has built up an extensive trade, and manufact- ures for the trade and to order. He has many good customers, who will have their work done at no other place, and when he gets a customer he always retains his trade. That is the nat- ural consequence of his method of turning out nothing but honest work, of the best material and workmanship. He gets trade from points as far away as. Nevada, and even has business from San Francisco, and now employs five first- class workmen. Mr. Nielsen was married in Sacramento, September 4, 1885, to Miss Louisa Ericson, a native of Sweden. Mr. Nielsen is an upright, honest, business man, pushing and active in his methods. Such men are a credit to Sacramento.

REDERICK LOTHHAMMER, one of the well-known citizens of Sacramento, is a na- tive of Germany, born at Wimpffen, IIesse- Darmstadt, December 31, 1830, his parents being Gottlieb and Frederika (Minsch) Lothhamn- mer. The father was a sash manufacturer by occupation. The subject of this sketch was reared at his native place, and there attended the public schools from the age of six years 48

until he was fourteen. For the next year and a halt he gave his attention to the profession of music. He then learned the turning trade. In March, 1850, he departed from Rotterdam in a sailing vessel for the United States, and landed at New York July 4. He remained there and at Hoboken for six years, learning the carpen- ters' trade at the latter place, and in Jannary, 1856, he went to Watertown, Wisconsin. There he worked as a carpenter a year, then went into the country and followed farming until 1869, when he came to California, locating in Sacra- mento in October. He followed the building trade here for many years, but is now retired from active business. Mr. Lothhammer was married in Wisconsin, April 6, 1856, to Miss Charlotte Borchart, a native of Prussia, who came to this country with her parents early in the 40's, locating in Wisconsin. She died in Sacramento in 1877. Mr. Lothhammer was again married in Sacramento, to a widow lady named Schacht, whose maiden name was Catha- rina Winder. By this marriage there was one child, viz .: Emma, who died at the age of four and a half years. Mr. Lothhammer was again bereaved by the death of his wife, in March, 1889. Mr. Lothhammer is a prominent mem- ber and trustee of the German Lutheran Church. IIe has a wide acquaintance and a large cirele of personal friends, whose full sympathy he has had in the hours of bereavement.

OUIS LOCII, of the firm of Rohr & Loch, proprietors of the Pioneer Bakery, Sacra- mento, is a native of Germany, born in the Province of Bergenfeld, Duchy of Oldenberg, on the 5th of September, 1842, his parents be- ing Christian and Julia (Bumgard) Loch, the father a baker. He was reared at his native place, and then attended school from the age of six to fourteen. Ile learned the baker's trade, and then traveled thronghont Germany. Ile entered the ariny at the age of twenty-one, in the Oldenberg Infantry Regiment, and served

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two years. He came to the United States in 1869, and after two months in New York, came to California, arriving in Sacramento on the 5th of September. He went to San Francisco, and thence to San Jose, where he worked in the New York Bakery for Mr. Derr. He next went to Virginia City, Nevada, where he worked two and a half years, and in 1881 again came to Sacramento, and went to work for Messrs. Vogel and Meyers, where he was employed for four years. He then went to work in the Pio- neer Bakery, finally becoming a partner, as elsewhere stated. Mr. Loch was married in Sacramento, February 14, 1888, to Miss Ella Cotter. He is a member of the Hermann Sons, of the Druids, and of the Bakers' Verein, San Francisco. Mr. Loch is an active man, and well deserves the success with which he is meeting in business.

OUIS CAFFARO, proprietor Hotel Roma, Sacramento, is a native of Italy, born at Lessolo, County of Torino, on the 19th of July, 1854, his parents being Giulio and Maria (Boschis) Caffaro, the father a dealer in horses, etc. He spent his boyhood days at his native place, and had finished his schooling at the age of fourteen years. He then commenced n.ining on the borders of France and Italy. He then traveled throughout France, Africa, Italy, Egypt, Germany, Greece and Turkey. Having decided to come to America, he took passage at Con- stantinople on a vessel bound for New York. After his arrival there he proceeded westward, and brought up in Clear Creek County, Colorado. He mined there two years, then proceeded to Amador County, California, and after mining there five years, came to Sacramento on the 8th of February, 1886. He commenced the manu- facturer of wine the same year, and in this line he has built up a reputation second to none. Ilis seven large tanks range in capacity from 1,500 to 2,000 gallons cach, and he has on hand from 8,000 to 9,000 gallons of good wines. Ile

makes clarets, white wines and ports, and ships the product of his winery direct to the trade at Chicago, and throughout Colorado, Utah, Ari- zona, New Mexico, Dakota, etc. He gives his personal attention to the details of manufacture, and takes care that every thing is done in a proper manner. Besides his outside business, he has a large local trade, which keeps a horse and wagon busy, delivering to customers. An idea of the increase of his business may be formed from his purchases of grapes. In 1886 he bought only abont twenty-four tons, in 1887 he bought forty-one tons; and in 1888 he bought over forty-seven tons of selected grapes. Of his stock now on hand he has about 3,000 gallons of old white wines and clarets, and he stocked up about $2,000 worth of wines last harvest. He also buys and ships brandies. On the 27th of March, 1889, he opened the Roma Hotel, having a partner the first three months. He . has built up a large patronage, and while his hotel has accommodations really for only thirty boarders, he has to take care of from that num- ber to fifty constantly. Mr. Caffaro is a mem- ber of Eureka Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F .; of Unity Lodge, A. O. D., No. 66; of the Chosen Friends, and of the Bersaglieri. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Caffaro is an enterpris- ing man, and well deserves the success he has met with.

UGUST RODEGERDTS, corner of Third and M streets, is one of the most progres- sive of Sacramento's young business men. IIe is a native of Germany, born at Otterndorf, Hanover, on the 26th of June, 1856, his parents being Henry and Franda (Frank) Rodegerdts. When the subject of this sketch was but nine months old, his father died, and his mother was afterward married to George Schoenicke. August R degerdts was reared at his native place, and attended the Government schools from six to four- teen years of age. He then went to Hamburg, and learned the business of waiting, in a hotel.

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In the fall of 1872 he came ta America, sailing from Hamburg to New York on the steamer " Silesia." He worked as waiter in a New York hotel for six months, then went to work in a gro- cery store on the corner of Seventy-fourth street and Second avenue. He remained there quite a while, then went to work in a store on the corner of Ninth and Broadway, Williamsburg. In 1875 he came to California, and locating at Sacramento went to work for Chris. Ehmann, corner of Second and M streets. In 1879 he entered business for himself in partnership with John C. Schaden. Mr. Rodegerdts sold out to his partner in 1884, and buying out John Mc- Mony the following August, removed to his present location. He has built up an extensive trade, which is every year growing larger, and Mr. Rodegerdt's store is as busy as a bee-hive. In 1882 he bought his first real estate, just across the street from his present location, and in December, 1888, purchased his present loca- tion. He was married in this city, February 17, 1896, to Miss Katie Hergett, a native of California, born in Yolo County, where her par- ents now reside. They have one child-a boy- Christian August. Mr. Rodegerdts belongs to the I. O. R. M., and is a member of the Lu- theran Church. He is a self-made man, and judging from his past record, a brilliant future may be predicted for him.

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Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 916

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916