USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The builders of a great city : San Francisco's representative men, the city, its history and commerce : pregnant facts regarding the growth of the leading branches of trade, industries and products of the state and coast > Part 26
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JOHN LUDWIG KOSTER.
HE German-American, properly so called, as a general thing, unites in his own person the best qualities of the dweller in this country and the fatherland. To the solidity of the German character he adds the inventive genius and the quick adapta- tion of means to ends so characteristic of the native of Yankee land. John Ludwig Koster was born in Charles- ton, S. C., in 1840. When he was only four years of age his parents took him to Germany where he remained till he was between 14 and 15. He thus acquired a thorough acquaintance with the language and manners of both countries, which has often proved useful to him since. On his return, he, as a boy, became employed in the grocery and provision trade in Brook- lyn, N Y. In 1835, when barely 19 years of age, or in 1859, he came to the Pacific Coast. He sailed for Pana- ma on the " Northern Light," which was not very far away from New York when she came into collision with a ves- sel engaged in the Brazil coffee trade, which was returning with a load. A hole was stove in the other vessel while
the " Northern Light," in command of Captain Tinklepaugh, sustained no damage worthy of mention. Captain Blethen, being the commander of the " Orizaba," on the Pacific side, well known in this city, often talks to such
of the old passengers as are within hail, of the incident, which the prog- ress of time renders comparatively un- important. No other mishap occurred, and by the steamer " Orizaba " the Golden City was at last safely reached,
and the struggles of the adventurers
with the peculiar conditions of life in the new land then fairly began. Ar- riving here, Mr. Koster soon went into
the employ of Schultz & Van Bergen, then engaged in the liquor trade. He remained with them till they sold out in about nine months, when he pur- chased the business from them. In this he continued for three years when he disposed of it and entered into the cigar trade with Henry Plagemann. While here, he went to Nevada and established a branch of the firm under the style and title of Koster, Menke & Co. He remained three years in this also. Finally selling out, he returned to this city and meeting Joseph Pohley, who had started the business of manu- facturing vinegar, the latter gentleman told him that he was abont to dispose of his business to Francis Cutting. Mr. Koster, on the spur of the mo- ment, asked him to reconsider his de- cision and to go in with him. To this Mr. Pohley at once consented. This was in 1867. The works were those of
the Pacific Vinegar and Pickle Works which to-day still continue to flourish. After Mr. Pohley's death the works were incorporated by Koster with the following Trustees: Francis Cutting, Sol Wangenheim, Joseph Elfelt, John L. Koster and Charles J. King, with Mr. Koster as President and Manager, which position he holds to this day. He, in conjunction with Henry Briek- wedel, conceived the idea of importing sulphur from Japan instead of sending all the way to Italy for it. The first shipment hither was made in the Ger- man vessel " Mohburg," and consisted of only twenty-five tons. It proved everything expected of it, and the two partners took in with them Judson and Shephard of the Acid Works. They made a contraet with the Gov- ernment of Japan which lasted three or four years and was quite profitable.
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Mr. Koster was thus one of the first who had the honor of opening up to us this important source of supply. He organized the California Barrel Company, of which he is the President, in conjunction with Henry Brickwedel and Bela Wellman, in 1883. It has been most successful, as have in fact about all the enterprises with which Mr. Koster has been connected. The Pacific Woodenware & Cooperage Com- pany, with works on Sixth and Chan- nel streets, and of which he is Vice- President, was organized in 1881. He has been in the steamship business. He ran a line from this city to Eureka and way ports-the Coast and River Steamship Company-for two and a half years. He was able to success- fully compete with the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. The object of permanently lowering the rates was, however, attained, and particularly at a time when it was very much needed. it enabling labor to be transported cheaply when it was in great demand, and the goods were carried at a lower rate to market, and to-day the people of Humboldt County are thankful to Mr. Koster for his successful efforts in their behalf. He was married in New York, in 1865, to a graceful and charm- ing lady, who is the happy mother of an interesting family of six sons and three daughters, all born in Califor- nia. The eldest, John Andreas Kos- ter, is a fine, manly young fellow of 21 years old, tall and straight as a mountain ash, and, towering over his fellows like Saul amongst his brethren, is six feet three in height. He is agent for the celebrated cooperage stock of Richard Grant & Co. of New York. He was first Captain in the National
Guard, then Adjutant on General Cutting's staff, with the title of Major. In two years he was made Adjutant with the title of Colonel. This is an enviable record for one so young. He is a member of El Dorado Parlor, Na- tive Sons of the Golden West, and is Commander of the Native Sons Drill Corps, which he himself organized. The noted General Wagner, who in the war, fought for the South, is his unele on his mother's side. Frederick Jacob Koster, his second son, 20 years cf age, is Superintendent of the Cali- fornia Barrel Company, and is also a member of the Native Sons. The rest of the children are at school. Though often adjured to take an active part in politics and to run for office, Mr. Koster has always steadily declined, though he has never failed to support good men for place and position. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the German Benevo- lent Association. Slightly over the middle height, neither slender nor corpulent, blonde of complexion, with full features bearing the hue of good health, Mr. Koster is still destined to a long life of usefulness. He has a fine country retreat near Boulder Creek, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, which he has rescued from its native wilderness during the past two years. He has here twenty acres of fine or- chard. His son, who, by the way, is an amateur photographer of more than usual talents, has taken some magnifi- cent views of it and of the surround- ing redwoods, which are amongst the finest in California. Mr. Koster is a inan of brains and enterprise, and one of those to whom the State owes industri- ally more than it can ever repay.
WM. KRELING.
WILLIAM KRELING.
ILLIAM Kreling, one of San Francisco's most enterprising and energetie citizens, was born on the eighth day of August, 1850, in Prussia, Germany. He left his native land with his parents for the United States of America when but a boy, only having attained his seventh year. The family took up their abode in the em- pire city. Here Mr. Kreling received a liberal education. On its comple- tion he was apprenticed to the furni- ture business. He continued at this occupation until 1874, when he re- solved to try his fortune in the Golden West.
In the year mentioned he reached San Francisco, having traveled thither by the overland route. His father and brother, F. W. and Joseph Kreling, had already preceded him, having arrived in San Francisco in 1872. The two brothers were men of great musical culture, and they thought that there was a good opening in this city for that class of entertainment that forms such a pleasing diversion to the many millions of honest toilers in the Fath- erland. So, shortly after their arrival, they opened a place of entertainment on the corner of Stockton and Sutter streets. Their idea was to supply the public with good music at a minimum of cost. How they succeeded, the pub- lic know right well.
In 1874 William Kreling was taken into partnership. In 1877 the firm resolved to try something more ambi- tious, and so they went in and built the New Tivoli on Eddy street. Here they decided to produce light operas in their entirety, and to place them upon the stage with a proper regard to accuracy of costume and scenie effect. The charge of admission was so fixed as to be within the reach of
everybody. The establishment of the Tivoli Opera House supplied a long- felt want, as before its opening the publie only had occasional opportuni- ties of witnessing opera, and then had to pay comparatively high prices, and this, of course, deprived many thou- sands of persons of moderate means of the pleasure of witnessing this class of entertainment.
The Tivoli was a decided success from the start. The management was in good hands, and the most laudable endeavors were used to win the pub- lic approbation. Light opera was the class of entertainment fixed upon. The most popular works were chosen, and the artists engaged in their inter- pretation were of a high order of merit. The orchestra of the Tivoli is composed of first-class talent, and is one of the finest musical organiza- tions in the city. Occasionally the management has taken ambitious flights, and has produced grand opera, and in most cases the departure has been both a financial and artistic sue- eess.
There is one thing in connection with the policy of the management that must not be overlooked, and that is the encouragement given to local artists and composers. Said Pasha, the work of Richard Stahl, a former leader of the Tivoli orchestra, had a very lengthy run at this house, and was subsequently taken East, where it was most favorably received, both by press and publie. The First Lieu- tenant, another local effort, was also produced at this house, and met with much success. The management has several other local operas under con- sideration, and will probably produce them at no distant date.
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BUILDERS OF A GREAT CITY.
The Messrs. Kreling have a regular stock company of about ninety mem- bers. The principals are changed from time to time, as occasion de- mands.
In 1880, the brothers, who are all practical men, went into the furniture business. The new venture proved a great success, and at the present time Kreling Brothers have one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in the city. The firm employs 185 people. In 1884 a severe calamity overtook them, their factory on Fifth street, it being located there at that time, being totally destroyed by fire, the loss being $45,000.
In 1887 Joseph Kreling, one of the partners, died, and his interest was bought by William Kreling. This gentleman has been the leading spirit
in all the firm's business ventures. He is a man of great energy, and a good citizen. He was married in July, 1886, and has two children. He has taken an active part in politics. He was elected Tax Collector of San Fran- cisco in 1887, and filled the position till the beginning of the present year. He discharged the duties of his office with honesty and great ability, and gained the good will and esteem of not only his own political friends, but also of people in the opposite camp.
He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and is also an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Honor, and a Knight of the Golden Eagle. Suel a man as Will- iam Kreling will always find many friends. The State needs more of such citizens.
R. D. LAIDLAW.
ROYAL D. LAIDLAW.
OME are born to greatness; others have greatness thrust upon them." Others yet attain it by their own unaided efforts or rather by a proper use of the talents bestowed on them by Mother Nature. San Francisco furnishes many illus- trations of the truth of this observa- tion-she will furnish many more. There are scores of young business men in our midst who are conspicu- ous examples of the truth of our statement. Of these Royal D. Laid- law, the Pacific Coast agent of the great tobacco house of P. Lorillard & Co., has been one of the most energetic and successful. When it is known that this house was found- ed in 1760, the oldest and largest tobacco manufactory in the world, has during the past quarter of a cent- ury paid in taxes to the United States Government not less than fifty millions of dollars-a vast fortune in itself-that it constantly employs about five thousand people, and that it does about one-sixth of the tobacco business of the United States, some idea may be formed of the qualities that have to be possessed by any one representing such a firm as this.
This gentleman comes of mixed Scotch and French ancestry, and was born in New York city in 1858, be- ing now therefore only as it were in the opening of his career. He re- ceived a good public school educa- tion in his native city, and started in his fight with the world at a very early age. At that time he went to work in the plug department for Allen & Co., tobacco merchants of New York. He took to the trade, and it was natural to him, for he may be said to have come of a tobacco family. From Allen & Co. he found
his way to Lorillard's, where many of the smart young men of the trade eventually gravitate. He has been in their employ ever since, attached to the New England agency, and also travelling in various parts of the United States. They treat those in their employ well, and good service is the rule. They constantly keep up a large night school for the bene- fit of factory employes, with a regular attendance of about five hundred scholars. From this, those who show the proper capacity, are, if they so prefer, sent to college at the expense of Mr. Pierre Lorillard. Then there is a splendid library of fifty thousand volumes and commo- dious reading rooms provided with all the leading newspapers and periodi- cals. Their old employes who have given faithful service they pension off-in this respect paralleled only by the general Government. In such a mercantile institution as this, where ability is the only standard, Mr. Laidlaw rapidly advanced, and in 1884 had the honor of being chosen as the representative of all their in- terests on this coast. He had two predecessors, Mr. Herman Heyne- man and Mr. George Griswold, the latter a nephew of P. Lorillard. The business, as he found it, was flourishing, but under his manage- ment it has increased wonderfully in volume. He has travelled all over the coast in its interests, and has done remarkable work during the past six years. Outside of business, which has, so to say, kept on the even tenor of its way, his life has not been noted for any unusual inci- dents. A steady current of success has always accompanied him in his career. He has made the Pacific
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Coast trade of the great firm repre- sented by him one of the largest mercantile interests on this coast, and that is saying a great deal.
Mr. Laidlaw was married in 1884 in Portland, Me., to Katherine A. Shaw, the daughter of Frederick Shaw, Esq., an amiable and talented lady, who has borne him one child-a daughter. He is interested in sever- al enterprises, in some of which lie is a director. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and also an Odd Fel- low. He is much enamored of Cali- fornia, and says that his only regret
is that he was not born here. He declares that California has better promise for a young man than any other part of the country, and a more glorious future than any other part of the United States. He is enthu- siastic over its magnificent resources, its unparalleled climate, and its gen- erous and prosperous people.
Mr. Laidlaw is full of grit and en- terprise, and is one of the energetic and progressive young business men on whose shoulders rests the responsibility of San Francisco's future.
JOHN LUCAS.
J. WM. LUCAS.
٠٨٥٩
JOHN AND J. WILLIAM LUCAS.
T is a rare thing indeed to find three generations engaged in fighting the battles of Califor- nia industry, and fighting them successfully. It is rare, at least, in California, whatever it may be in old States and older countries. Sometimes, however, we find fa- ther, son and grandson working har- moniously in harness together. A notable instance is that of the Lucas family, which has been, since 1874, engaged in the manufacture of plaster of Paris on this coast which, in fact, founded the industry both on the coast and in the city.
John Lucas was born of English parents in 1823, but was brought up in the city of NewYork, and has been connected with the plaster business for forty years. He had charge of the largest plaster mills in New York, where he was Superintendent for seventeen years. While there he made many new inventions, and util- ized many new ideas of value pertain- ing to the manufacture of plaster.
J. William Lucas, his son, com- menced at these mills in New York, at the bottom, one might say, of the business. He was born in 1848. His birthplace was New York city. He received good, solid commercial edu- cation in the common schools of that city. At the age of 17, under the instruction of his father, he learned how to manufacture Plaster of Paris. After serving an appren- ticaship of ten years, he thought lie would start out for himself. He went West and embarked in the business. He was fairly successful at first, and thought he could fight the world's battles alone; but he soon found out that he needed the practical experi- ence of his father and a general
knowledge of business to achieve the success that he sought. Father and son accordingly joined forces, and had a very successful trade. They knew something about the consump- tion of plaster on the Pacific Coast, and they thought there was a good prospect for plaster mills here.
In 1874 father and son came to the coast by rail, the journey occupying eight days. They built the Golden Gate Plaster Mills at 215 to 217 Main street, where they have labored in the business ever since. For more than a quarter of a century all the plaster used in the State of California had been imported in clippers via Cape Horn, and the business was a very profitable one to importers. When the Lucases, father and son, started, there were very few people who did not predict a lamentable failure; but they had practical knowl- edge and experience, knew what they were about, knew their market, and how to produce a good article, and persevered in the face of every op- position and discouragement. Of the latter there was abundance; not the least of which was that many unsuc- cessful attempts had been made to manufacture plaster previously. Con- sequently they found it up-hill work to convince the people here that a good article in all respects, equal, if not superior to that 'mported, could and would be manufactured on this coast. The first trial given their plaster was at the Palace Hotel. It gave good satisfaction, and the build- ing was finished with the Golden Gate brand, some three thousand barrels being used. This gave them a grand start and great encourage- ment, and from that day up to the present they have slowly but surely
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BUILDERS OF A GREAT CITY.
gained ground in their business on this coast.
They have from two different mines an inexhaustible supply of the right quality of gypsum, which they manu- facture into Plaster of Paris, and manufacture the right quality. They have built up on this coast a business of no little importance. At present classed amongst our minor industries, in future it will assume more note- worthy dimensions. Nothing but great practical knowledge, the expe- rience of a lifetime and unconquer- able energy could have brought suc- cess to those interested in the face of the great difficulties and the vigor- ous opposition from formerly old and well-known brands that they have had to encounter in the course of their arduous struggle to establish themselves, but success has come to them.
While Mr. John Lucas is still a vigorous, hale old gentleman, and while his son, J. William Lucas, is yet in the prime of life, a wise divi- sion of labor has aided measurably in their success. Mr. John Lucas takes charge of the manufacturing portion of the business, while J. Wil- liam Lucas attends to that pertaining to the office and sales.
The grandson, William F. Lucas,
who is now 21 years old, is fast mastering the details of the industry. He at present attends to the office and accounts, and, like his father, will in due time master all the details of the manufacture from his grandfather, as some day he will probably become the successor to both in the Golden Gate Plaster Mills
Mr. John Lucas, Sr., unbowed and unbent by the weight of years, does not look to be over fifty, and still may perform the work of a gen- eration. His vigorous constitution, inherited from an old English ances- try, has not been impaired by the wear, tear or worry of a long life. His son, a gentleman of medium size, robust in form, ruddy, rotund countenance, with good humor gleam- ing from every lineament of his face, is one of our smartest business men, and possesses, in addition to the de- sirable qualities of his ancestry, a full measure of American wit and humor, which is constantly overflow- ing and which never seems to aban- don him under any and all circum- stances. The grandson is a youth of bright promise, strictly attentive to business, and bids fair to be one of San Francisco's futuro representative manufacturers and business men.
D. A. MACDONALD.
D. A. MACDONALD.
N 1852, the good ship " Samuel Appleton" brought to this city a gentleman of whom we give the following sketch. He came from Prince Edward Island, bringing with him a good character, an indomitable will, and the trade and tools of a carpenter. Not only these, but a pride of family, for he belongs to the Scottish clan whose name he bears, and whose record in the annals of Scotland for heroic deeds and suffering in the cause of loyalty and truth is unsurpassed and unsurpass- able. For two years after his arrival he followed his trade, but in 1854 went into partnership with B. T. Chase and bought a small planing mill at Beale and Market streets. Upon the death of Mr. Chase he was appointed administrator of his estate and guardian of his children. He was so faithful and successful with this trust, that Judge Myrick com- plimented him in open court at the time of the settlement.
About ten years ago, Mr. Macdon- ald moved to his present location on Spear street, first conducting the business in his own name, but after- wards organized it into a corpora- tion. He has been no stranger to political life. He was elected Super- visor of the Twelfth Ward in 1873-5 by the Taxpayers, and had charge of the New City Hall as Chairman of the Building Committee of the Board of Supervisors, under the regime of Hon. James Otis, Mayor, while the Democrats subsequently accorded him a similar mark of pub-
lic confidence. But he has always been conservative and looked upon public affairs more from the point of view of a business man solicitons for the public welfare than from that of the mere partisan. When San Francisco determined to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Inde- pendence in a manner befitting the occasion and her own importance, Mr. Macdonald was elected Grand Marshal by acclamation. The re- sult of the choice was seen in the grandest and most orderly demon- stration ever held in the Golden City. He has figured in military matters, having been Captain of the San Fran- cisco Hussars for several years. For fifteen years he has been a Director of the Mechanics' Institute. He was twice clected Vice-President, and for a number of years an active member of the building and finance and executive committees. The insti- tute owes much to his labors in its behalf. Though a North American by birth and an American citizen by adoption, he has never forgotten the land of his fathers, and has long been a conspicuous member of the Scot- tisli societies of San Francico. For seven years he was chief of the Cale- donian Club, and is a welcome guest at every social gathering. His en- deavors to advance the condition of San Francisco industrially, and to promote the welfare of the State generally, should not be forgotten. The mechanics of San Francisco owe him a debt of gratitude, he being the first and only one to start the nine-hour system of labor in this city, twenty-one years ago, and kept it np ever since, while all other mills were running ten hours, until within a very short time.
WILLIAM MCAFEE
WILLIAM MCAFEE.
RITISH COLUMBIA has pro- duced a hardy, industrious, and talented race. Some of our best citizens in New England and the West were born within its bor- der. With its rugged climate and its hardy sons inured to toil, it has proved a most valuable. nursery of men. To the ambitious and enter- prising amongst them, the great re- public across the border has always appeared a veritable land of promise. Amongst those whose labors have helped to build up the land of their adoption and shed luster on the land of their birth, we must number Will- iam McAfee, the pioneer boiler man- ufacturer of San Francisco and the Pacific Coast. He was born at St. Jolins, New Brunswick, on March 6, 1829. He was educated in the com- mon schools of that city. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to a black- smith, with whom he remained about two years. At the end of this time, young as he was, the spirit of en- terprise filled him with an ambition beyond his years, and going to Bos- ton, the Mecca of the Northwestern land, he sought employment. He found it in a boiler shop where he served as rivet-heater and boiler- maker, about six years. It was then the golden year of '49, and the fame of California's mines liad filled the earth and sent tens of thousands, by land and sea, to seek the new El Dorado. Besides gold seekers, great numbers of mechanics, mer- chants and others found their way thither. Mr. McAfee had a longing to seek the new country, and with six others entered into a contract to go to California and build a steam- boat, which was to ply on San Fran- cisco Bay. It was named the
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