hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

188 BUSINESS METHODS AND CHARACTERISTICS.
on the San Pablo ranch, near Berkeley, where he soon became the owner of
2,500 acres of land, now worth nearly $1,000,000. He was also a member of
the finance committee of the board of supervisors for Contra Costa co. In
1869 he established in S. F. a general commission house, importing largely
of French good* and wines from Mediterranean ports. On his decease, in
June 18o9, the bulk of his ample estate was left to his son, Henry F. Emeric
In the lumber business one of the most prominent men is AsaM. Simpson,
who was born in Brunswick, Me, in 1826, and came to this state in Apl
1850. After working for a time at the mines, he began shipping lumber
from S. F. to Stockton aud Sacramento, and in 1852 started the manufacture
of lumber at Astoria, gradually enlarging his operations on the Columbia
river and elsewhere, though still with his headquarters at S. F. By him was
established at Gray's harbor a ship-yard, at which have been built a number
of sailing vessels and steamboats.
Harry N. Morse was born in New York Feb. 22, 1835, attending the
public schools until he was ten years of age, when his parents consented for
him to become a sailor. In 1849 he came to Cal., and after various changes
of resideuce he removed in 1854 to Oakland and started in business. He
was elected sheriff in 1864, holding the office consecutively for 14 years. In
1855 he married Miss Heslap, who bore him seven children, three surviving.
Another successful man was the late David L. Beck, who was l>orn in
New York city Sept. 26, 1814; in 1841 he became a partner in the establishment
of Hoyt & Bogart, came to S. F. in 1850, engaging in general merchandising
aud commission business. He afterward established himself in
the commission business nnder the firm name of D. L. Beck & Sons. For
two or three years before his death, in 1884, he did not take an active part
in business, it being carried on by his sons. He was an advocate of the
people's party, and one of the early founders of the fire department, and of
the presbyterian church. In 1841 he married Miss Wardle, and had four
children, two surviving.
A successful business man of Oakland has been Frederick Delger, a native
of Prussia. Edward F. Delger, his son, was born in S. F. Oct. 24, 1859, his
parent* shortly afterward removing to Oakland, where he attended school,
continuing his studies in Europe. Marryiug Miss Prior of S. F. in 18b5, he
engaged in business in Oakland, taking also an active interest in politics.
In Sacramento one of the leading merchants is Eugene J. Gregory, who
was born in S. F. Aug. 15, 1854, and finished his education at the Santa
Clara college. In 1874 his father died, leaving a large business, which he
conducted until 1882, when it passed into the hands of himself and brother,
under the firm name of Gregory bros. He was also elected and served a
term as mayor of Sac. city.
Eugene Germain, a native of Switzerland, came in 1869 to Los Angeles.
Here he engaged in the mercantile business, and by close attention and
economy he was enabled to extend his operation from time to time until he
became president of the Germain Fruit co., the largest fruit shippers of
southern Cal., and also president of the Los Angeles board of trade, and
the Cal. Fruit and Produce Shippers' association. Germain was also president
of the Produce Exchange for two years, and is a firm believer in the
future greatness of Los Angeles.
The French consul at Los Angeles is L. Loeb, a member of the dry-goods
firm of Stern, Cahn & Loeb, proprietors of the City of Paris store, the largest
in the southern metropolis. Leaving France in 1865, ho settled at Los Angeles
in Feb. of the following year, and gradually won for himself the position
which he now occupies as one of her leading business men aud most
public-spirited citizens.
Among the merchants of San Jose should be mentioned T. W. Spring,
who came to this coast in 1849 as a member of Magruder's battery, and to
S. F. in 1851, when he made the acquaintance of the late H. M. Newhall, to
whom he owes his start in life. Though meeting with strong opposition, he
gradually won his way to a foremost rank among the business men of the
•garden city.'