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 35
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I. W. TABER.
ISAIAH WEST TABER.
EW things tendered more to develop inherent talent and ability than the California gold discoveries, and the spirit of adven- ture which they prompted. But for them, many who have attained wealth and honors would have been con- tented t› have lived a quiet life in some obscure valley or on some lone- ly farm. Therefore, irrespective of the wealth created by the work of the mines, the world is better off for the energy and talent developed in the race for riches to which they gave rise. One of the most notable men who have come prominently before the world from causes connected with this hegira to the West may be said to be Isaiah West Taber. His name as an artist and photographer has long been a household word on the Pacific Coast. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., in 1830, and inher- ited a passion for the sea. He at- tended the public schools of his native city till when 15 years old he could no longer resist the desire to become a sailor. So in 1845 he shipped on board the " Adeline Gibbs," on a three years' whaling cruise in the North Pacific. The voyage was very successful and the individual share of each sailor was very considerable for the time.
One year after his return to his native city Mr. Taber took passage for San Francisco. He arrived here in February, 1850, when the gold excitement was at its height. He did not, however, go to the mines, but deeming that there was as much riches to be gained on the sea as on the land, he engaged for a trading trip to Valparaiso and the Marque- sas. While on this cruise a boat's crew of which he was one were
attacked and surrounded by savages at one of the islands. Here Mr. Taber was severely wounded and returned to San Francisco. He then went to the mines where he had a reasonable amount of success. He also embarked in farming, having taken a mountain ranch among the foothills. Here he remained till 1854, when he returned to New Bed- ford. In that city he commenced to study dentistry, and later opened an office and was a skilled operator ; but he always had a taste for photog- raphy and made several excursions in the course of which he obtained some excellent views. He had at last found his profession and has ever since been passionately devoted to it. He facilitated the mechanical operations of his art by many notable inventions and soon acquired much fame and popularity. He opened one of the first galleries in Syracuse, N. Y. His name as a photographer soon reached even the Pacific Coast, and Bradley & Rulofson offered him exceptional inducements to become attached to their establishment. This he did, arriving in San Francisco in 1864. He remained in their employ- ment till 1871, but he soon saw that there was a fine field for him to enter into business for himself, and after being with Mr. Morse for three years, he established a gallery at 12 Montgomery street. The present gallery over the Hibernia Bank was opened in 1878. Since that time his well-won fame has gone on increasing, till to-day, as an artist, he is cele- brated all over the world. His gallery in appointments, equipment and variety of work has no superior. Most of the notable people who have visited our shores have had their
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portraits taken by him. At his gallery can be seen life-like portraits of some of the leading men of many lands. His landscape views and scenery, which embrace scenes from all the most noted parts of the Pacific Coast, may be said to be un- rivalled. He married in 1871, and has two lovely daughters as the re- sult of the union. His appointment as one of the Commissioners of the Yosemite Valley was a tribute to his artistic skill. He is a member of
Golden Gate Lodge, No. 18, A. O. U. W., as well as of several other social organizations. In manner he is genial and unostentatious. He is generous of heart. His judg- ment is sound, his intellect keen, his nature sensitive. His cordial- ity adds an additional charm to his manner, and is calculated to enhance the impression produced by his well and merited renown. He is one of San Francisco's notable men.
MATTHEW TURNER.
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MATTHEW TURNER.
APTAIN MATTHEW TURNER was born on June 17, 1825, on the shore of Lake Erie, in the Township of Geneva, County of Ash- tabula, State of Ohio. He was edu- cated in the log school-houses of the neighborhood. He learned seaman- ship on the lakes in the Summer, and shipbuilding on shore in the Winter. He arrived in San Fran- cisco (via New Orleans and Panama) on the third day of May, 1850. He mined in Calaveras County three and a half years. He subsequently went to sea for twenty years. Since 1874 he has resided in this city, and has been engaged in shipbuilding and merchandizing. He has helped to develop an industry that is quite important amongst us to-day, and which has a most promising future.
ISAAC UPHAM.
ISAAC UPHAM.
HE booksellers and publishers of San Francisco constitute an honorable and important body of citizens, and one which is in every way prominent and respected in the commercial community. One of the most esteemcd amongst them is Isaac Upham, of the firm of Payot, Upham & Co.
His standing in his business and in the community may be judged by the regard in which he has been held by his associate merchants, who have shown their appreciation by the honors they have seen fit to bestow on him. He came of an honorable, if not renowned stock, his pro- genitors being counted amongst the men of substance of the land. The origin of the Upham family is not certain, though we find it settled in England and recorded among the gentry early in the thirteenth century. A scion of this stock was among the early settlers in America. In 1635 John Upham with his family settled first in Waymouth, Mass. Later, in the settlement of Molden, he was a deacon in the church and for several terms a member of the general count in the colony. From him it is thought is descended all of the name in the United States and British America. Isaac Upham is of a good revolu- tionary stock, his grandfather having fought on the patriotic side in the battle of Bunker Hill. Isaac Upham was born at Union, Me., May 22, 1837. His father, Benjamin P. Up- ham, was brought up as a farmer, but in after years added to farming the occupation of storekeeper, and accumulated considerable property. Young Isaac left his native place in 1843 when only seven years old, and went to Appleton, Me. On the death
of his mother we find him in New- buryport, Mass., where he attended school for one year and supported himself by carrying newspapers. Returning thence we find him at Union again, where he lived on a farm with his uncle, John
Upham. He attended the High School at Lincolnville for three terms. He began teaching school at the early age of 17. Next
year he entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, remaining there until 1860, having graduated from the scientific department the preceding year. On leaving the seminary he decided to cast his lot with the dwellers on the shores of the Pacific. On March 20, 1860, he sailed from New York to California. His first employment in the Golden State was in the capacity of clerk for Paulin Rouse, in a store near Han- sonville, Yuba County. Here he had to be satisfied with the small re- muneration of $25 per month. This did not content him long and a few months later he commenced teaching school in a district of Butte County, still known as Upham District. He followed the occupation of teacher in various districts in this county, until the Fall of 1863, when he was elected County Superintendent of Schools for two years, from March, 1864. Besides attending to his duties as County Superintendent, he taught at Oroville during this period. In the Fall of 1867 Yuba County honor- ed him as her School Superintend- ent, he occupying the position until March, 1870. He was recognized as an able Superintendent and an effi- cient teacher. When his term of office in Yuba County had expired, Mr. Upham moved to San Francisco
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as a representative of the firm of Wilson, Hinkle & Co., of Cincin- nati. He attended faithfully and successfully to their interest for one year, then purchasing a half interest in the business of Henry Payot & Co. At this time, the firm, which did business at 622 Washington street, dealt principally in foreign books, works of value and interest in the French, Spanish, and other European tongues. At that time the entire trade only sufficed to employ the energies of the members of the firm and three clerks. Five years subsequently its headquarters were moved to 204 Sansome street.
In the years intervening since Mr. Upham acquired his interest in the firm, now Payot, Upham & Co., business has increased very largely in volume, and has changed some- what in character. It has been ex- tended to Eastern and English publi- tions, and stationery in all its branch- es, so that it is now one of the largest wholesale and importing stationery and bookselling firms on the Pacific Coast. Its success is largely due to the energetic business methods and practical business knowledge of Mr. Upham. He was married in San Francisco, February 7, 1874, to
Nancy R. Delzelle, a native of St. Louis, Mo., of mingled French and Scottish ancestry. They have two children, both promising boys - now at school - Isaac O. and Benjamin. Mr. Upham was Pre- sident of the Oakland Board of Education from March, 1885, to March, 1889. He has been Presi- dent of the Union Loan Association since its organization, nearly nine years ago, and Vice-President of the People's Home Savings Bank since it started in June, 1885. He was elected Director of the San Fran- cisco Board of Trade in February, 1888, and in appreciation of his fine business qualities was chosen Presi- dent in Frebruary of the following year. He has been re-elecled to the position for the pre-ent year. This in itself is a sufficient testi- monial to the estimation in which he is held in the business commun- ity. In the prime of life and a leading business man, he looks forward to a distinguished career in the commercial world of San Francisco. Such men reflect honor on the city of their adoption, and help to place it in a commanding position among the leading ones of the world.
OTTO F. VON RHEIN.
O. F. VON RHEIN.
O the German fatherland are we not a pioneer in the technical sense indebted for some of our ablest of the word, a residence of thirty and most useful citizens. years amongst us has given him the Among the latter can justly be right to claim a participation in classed O. F. Von Rhein, the whatever honors are usually associ- popular real estate agent. As his ated with the term. For these thirty name indicates he comes of an excel- years have seen San Francisco grow lent German family, which for gen- from a small to a great city, her in- erations has given many worthy sons dustries to develop in a manner al- to the fatherland. He was born in most magical, and her commerce to Berlin, then the capital of the king- spread to the ends of the earth, and dom of Prussia, and now tho metro- Mr. Von Rhein has done his share of polis of the German empire, in 1837. the work needed to accomplish these Unusual attention was given to his wonders. Successful from the start education; after attending to what he sold out his real estate business in answers to our preparatory and gram- 1868 and spent a year with his family mar schools he was sent to the Prus- in travels in the East and Europe, sian Military Academy at Potsdam. returning in 1869 as the manager of This institute compares favorably the Empire Life Insurance Com- with West Point in its exclusiveness, pany. He divided for a time his thoroughness, and the wide field of energies between life insurance and knowledge covered by its curriculum. real estate, but the latter branch of Some of the advantages derivable the business rapidly assumed such from the care given to his instruction proportions as to make it necessary may be inferred from the fact that he as well as profitable to follow it to speaks and writes German, the exclusion of everything else. So English and French with unusual fully indeed has the firm of O. F. fluency and correctness. Indeed his Von Rhein shared in the prosperity accent, or rather want of any foreign that has marked its line of busi- accent, would lead one to believe that ness in San Francisco during the last Mr. Von Rhein is a native American. 10 years, that now his transactions Leaving Germany at the age of 17 average not less than $2,500,00 an- years he came to New York. From nually. This is a not inconsiderable there, led by that adventurous spirit proportion of the total annual real which characterizes so many Califor- estate business of the city. There nians, he went to Central America, are other real estate firms, however, but soon tiring of the enervating lux- in San Francisco the volume of whose urious life of the tropics he decided business is fully as great as that of to come to California. Still a young Mr. Von Rhein, but nearly all of man, he found in San Francisco the these are conducted by corporations, mental and business atmosphere cal- or by two, three or four gentlemen, culated to develop the natural associated as partners, whereas he faculties with which nature has has no associate, hence his duties are endowed him. He arrived here in numerous and so exhausting that 1860 via Panama on the steamer once in about ten years he has been "Golden Gate." Therefore, though obliged to make a European trip for
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recreation. The last of these was for two years when he served on made in 1870. The next vacation the Board of Education, at a time when which Mr. Von Rhein has promised only two Republicans were elected. himself is to consist of a trip around A ready and pleasing public speaker, the world which is planned to begin he has never hesitated from the plat- form or with the pen to give expres- this Fall.
Mr. Von Rhein's operations not sion to his political convictions.
The fact that Mr. Von Rhein is a only include public and private sales but he frequently acts as attorney-in- Knight Templar and a Past Grand fict for non-resident real estate own- and a Past Chief Patriarch, proves ers. His experience, judgment and that in his earlier years he gave some ability in this respect have caused attention to fraternal orders, but of hin to be named as commissioner- late, after the labors of the day, he trustee or referee by our courts in seems to find his entire happiness in many important cases, involving in the home circle. He has a wife, four some instances transactions of hun- children and three grandchildren, and dreds of thousands of dollars.
as he is now only 53 years of age, may
The competency which the subject fairly hope to arrive at the dignity of of this sketch lias accumulated is being great grandfather. naturally mostly invested in real
The welfare and progress of San estate, but he is also interested in Francisco have always been dear to other enterprises. Among such, for his heart. He has been associated instance, is the Inyo Marble Quarries with both in no mean degree. A which produce a quality of marble man of refined and quiet tastes- equal if not superior to the best East- a well-read and scholarly gentleman. ern and Italian. For ten years he was he has still a career of future useful- the President of the San Francisco ness before him, and both physical- Abend Post Publishing Co., the oldest ly and mentally may be cl ssified German paper in San Francisco.
as a young man. Though a Repub-
Politically he is and always has lican, he is thoroughly independent been a consistent Republican. Often in his estimate of men and things. honored by private trusts he has He is able, progressive, conscientious never held political office, except -the true type of a useful citizen.
GEORGE WALLENROD.
HE name of this gentleman is a familiar one to residents of San Francisco, with whose inter- ests he has been identified for nearly thirty years. Since its erection he has been well and favorably known to amusement lovers as manager of the Alcazar building, in which is lo- cated the elegant and popular theater of the same name, and the construc- tion of which stately structure he personally superintended. We are glad to present herein a brief sketch of the principal events in the life of George Wallenrod, which cannot fail to be of interest to his many friends and our readers in general.
Mr. Wallenrod is a native of Ger- many, having been born in Leipsic on the 23d day of June, 1835, and is, therefore, now in the fifty-sixth year of his age. When a child he came with his parents to New York, and received his education in the public schools of that city. When a boy of fifteen, young Wallenrod first came to California, making the long and arduous voyage in a sailing vessel "around the Horn." This was in 1850, shortly after the discovery of gold at Sutter's Fort, which electri- fied the world and resulted in the memorable "rush " of thousands of young, hardy and adventurous men, who were to be the founders of a new empire upon the shores of the distant Pacific.
As was the case with a large pro- portion of new arrivals, Mr. Wallen- rod proceeded to the mining districts and delved for the precious metal in El Dorado and Placer Counties for a time and with varying success. In 1859 the 60-Mile House was erected by him, and in 1865 he went to Vir- ginia City and purchased the Russ
House. June 1868 he disposed of his interest in the hotel, closed up his affairs, and decided to make San Francisco his place of residence, which it has been for the past twenty- nine years. Coming here in 1868, Mr. Wallenrod engaged in merchan- dising and continued therein for some five years, or until 1873. In that year a favorable offer was made to him by the late Charles De Young, of the San Francisco Chronicle, which had already become a prominent factor in metropolitan journalism. The position was one of responsi- bility and trust, and for ten years, or thereabouts, Mr. Wallenrod dis- charged his duties in an exemplary and highly satisfactory manner, se- curing the respect and esteem of all with whom he was thrown in contact in business or socially, and forming a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
The project of erecting the hand- some Alcazar building having been determined npon, Mr. Wallenrod was entrusted with the superintend- ency of its construction, and upon its completion assumed the manage- ment, which posit on he has held for the past four years. The magnifi- cent structure, now so familiar to San Franciscans, was completed in 1885, from designs specially con- ceived and matured by Mr. M. H. De Young, who selected a style of architecture at once unique and im- pressive, the Moorish and Arabesque predominating, in accordance with the name itself, which is of Arabian origin. The beautiful and well- arranged theater, with a seating ca- pacity of 1,050 persons, was com- pleted in 1885, and the public first admitted on March 30th of that year,
¥
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though the formal opening did not occur until the 16th of October fol- lowing. It may properly be de- scribed as a jewel among theaters, and has received a well-deserved, liberal and appreciative patronage from the public. The opening night was an event in theatrical circles, celebrated with great eclat, the lead- ing role being taken by Miss Emma Nevada, with the beauty, wealth and fashion of San Francisco as pleased and applauding spectators. Mr. George Wallenrod may well feel proud of the splendid property under his efficient, management, which re- ceives his full and constant care.
This gentleman is a Benedict, and has a family of two sons, Masters George, named after his father, and Leon, aged respectively 15 and 13 years. The boys are attending school in this city, the oldest being an at- tendant at business college and the youngest at the public school, and are promising lads, who give strong
indications of "making their mark " in the future.
Mr. Wallenrod is personally agree- able and affable in manner, enter- taining in conversation, genial and sunny by nature, and sociable and kindly in disposition. As a result he is a general favorite, as before re- marked, and his friends, "their name is legion." He is a member of the Knights of Honor, Improved Order of Red Men, and has taken a lively interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which organization he holds an hon- orary membership, conferred by rea- son of the many kindnesses and courtesies extended to the various Grand Army Posts in this city and vicinity. He has ever been ready to aid, by benefits at the theater under his control and otherwise, this worthy organization, and few, if any, citi- zens are better entitled to the kindly feeling and appreciation of the veter- ans than is George Wallenrod.
·
JAS. A. WAYMIRE.
JAMES A. WAYMIRE,
N a small farm house, located where the flourishing city of St. Joseph, Mo., now stands, the subject of our sketch was born forty-eight years ago. Stephen K., the father of James Andrew Waymire, was at that time a carpenter and farmer, and owned 160 acres of land adjoining the then small village of St. Joseph. Three years after the birth of James he started overland with his family, in a company of which his | rothers -- Frederick and John-with their fami- lies were members, for the new terri- tory of Oregon. The emigrants had only made a few days' journey past tho Missouri River, when Stephen Waymire was thrown from his horse, sustaining fatal injuries. This sad accident so grieved the widow that, with her young son James, she re- turned to her father then residing in . Buchanan County, Mo. Here mother and son lived until 1852, when her father, James Gillmore, decided to emigrate to Oregon, tak- ing with him his family, including the widow and her boy. They set- tled near Roseburg, and there young Waymire aided his grandfather in building his new home. On the farm he was always busy, fencing, culti- vating and clearing the land, while during the long Winter evenings he perused such books as the home library afforded, and early stored his mind with much useful knowledge. When 14 he branched out for himself and was soon earning good wages in the harvest field, in split- ting rails, and other work on neigli- boring farms. When he was 16 years old, having purchased a horse and saddle, he obtained employment in driving cattle to Washington Ter-
ritory at $2 50 per day. During all this time he continued his reading and studying as opportunity offered. When 17 he had a good knowledge of mathematics and Latin, had mastered the rudiments of Greek, and had learned phonography. In 1860 he began teaching school at a salary of $50 per month. This was the year of the presidential election, and though not entitled to vote, young Waymire espoused Republi- can principles and made numerous speeches in behalf of Lincoln. In the Fall of that year he assisted in reporting the proceedings of the Legislature for the Oregonian and several other papers. At this time he formed the acquaintance of Col. E. D. Baker, and at his suggestion resolved to study law. He set about it at once, continuing his school- teaching in the Spring. Then came the opening of the civil war. Although young Waymire had set his heart upon entering college, and was working hard to that end, his patriotism was too strong to resist his country's call. He gave up school, invested part of his precious savings in the purchase of a horse and accouterments, and on his nine- teenth birthday entered as a private in a cavalry regiment then being raised in Oregon. His first military service was as a member of an expe- dition during the following year under the command of Col. R. F. Maury, sent eastward to protect the frontier and care for overland emi- grants. In February, 1863, Way- mire was made a corporal, and two months later he was commissioned second lieutenant. Soon after this he was sent with a detachment of twenty men and two Nez Perces
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scouts to pursue and punish a party of Snake Indians who had been making a raid among the white settlements. Lieutenant Waymire overtook the savages and adminis- tered a crushing defeat, capturing their horses and destroying their camp. In the course of the action he was at one time engaged with three of the enemy; two he disabled, and timely aid arriving, the unequal contest was ended in his favor. The success of this expedition gave the young officer a reputation as an Indian fighter, and early in the following year he was ordered to take a detach- ment of twenty-five men and pro- ceed to the south fork of John Day's River, where he was to form a camp and protect the white settlers from the incursions of the Indians. The frontier which he was expected to protect extended for a distance of nearly 100 miles. He succeeded in inducing the miners located at Can- yon City to raise a company of vol- unteers to aid his slender forces. This reinforcement, which was com- manded by Joaquin Miller, the poet, increased his force to seventy-four men. The severity of the weather which the little army encountered in their pursuit of the enemy discour- aged the auxiliaries, and twenty-two of the miners returned home. With the remainder the Lieutenant pressed on, and early in April he overtook a body of between 300 and 500 hos- tiles, many of them mounted. The engagement, which began at an hour before noon, lasted until nightfall, and was most obstinately contested on both sides. By the exercise of some skilled maneuvers and the better discipline of his command, Lieutenant Waymire succeeded in routing the foe with a loss of but five men and a few horses on his side. This action raised his military reputation still higher, and he was handsomely complimented by the general officer commanding the de- partment. Soon after this he served as adjutant of a large force sent
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