JOHN E. AUZERAIS
SAFE DEPOSIT BANK OF SAN JOSE
Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: McLAUGHIN, PREVOST, BLANCHARD,
cashier of the Safe Deposit
Bank, of San Jose, is the eldest of three sons and a daughter of John
Auzerais, and is a native son of California, born in San Jose in
1860. He attended school in the city of Paris for a time; was
there during the early part of the Franco-German War; returned to the
United States in 1871, and took a course in Santa Clara College,
graduating in 1879, in the English and scientific course.
Deciding to pursue his studies further, he spent the following year in
the same institution, and received another degree in 1880. His
business career started in the hardware house of Baker & Hamilton,
San Francisco. Leaving there, he spent some time in the hardware
business in El Paso, Texas, and in 1882 went to Los Angeles, and became
a member of the corporate firm of Schoder, Johnston & Co., which
had a capital stock of $ 200,000. Upon the opening of the Safe
Deposit Bank, Mr. Auzerais disposed of his interest in the
hardware business to accept the office of cashier, which he has filled
to the present time. He is a stockholder and Director in the
bank, and is one of the most thoroughgoing, industrious business men in
the city
In 1881 Mr. Auzerais and Miss Minnie McLaughlin were united in
wedlock. Mrs. Auzerais is a native of the Golden State, born in
Grass Valley, Nevada County.
John Auzerais, the father of John E. was an old pioneer and one of the
most successful of the early settlers of San Jose. Born in
Normandy, France, in 1822, he left his native country, in 1849, in
company with his brother Edward, for Valparaiso, Chili, where he
accepted a position in a mercantile establishment. Edward came on
to San Jose and established the "Mariposa Store", which proved a most
profitable venture. A little over a year afterward in 1851, John
also came to this place and joined his brother in the mercantile
business, which prospered in their hands, and the firm of Auzerais
brothers became the best known in this section of the
State. They amassed a large amount of wealth, and in 1864 built
the famed Auzerais House, at a cost of $150,000. John continued
in business until February, 1874, when he disposed of his interest to
his brother,who still owns the great establishment. After this
Mr. John Auzerais devoted his attention to vine-culture and
wine-making, collecting rents and watching his investments His
vine-yard comprised 100 acres, situated east of the city near Alum Rock.
During the partnership of the brothers, they did much to improve the
city in the way of erecting buildings, a number of which are the best
blocks in the city, as the Mariposa Block, the Central Block, the
Pacific Hotel, the City Market, etc., besides a large number of
dwellings.
In February, 1858, Mr. John Auzerais was united in marriage with Miss
Louise Prevost, a sister of Dr. A. L.. Prevost, and nice of Archbishop
Blanchard, of Oregon, and Bishop Blanchard, of Washington Territory
(both deceased). The lady, prior to her marriage, had been
attending the College of Notre Dame in this city. The fruit of
the union was six children, two of whom died in infancy. Those
living are: John Edward, born May 12, 1860; Louis F., born February 17,
1862; Raoul A., born March 28, 1873; and Louise Aimee, born June 25,
1875.
John Auzerais passed away December 12, 1887, leaving his widow
and four children (two of them are minors), and all reside in San
Jose. Louis, the other adult son, engaged in the paint,
oil, and wallpaper business. Mr. Auzerais left an estate which
was appraised at $250,000. He was one of the passengers on the
ill-fated Jennie Lind when its boiler exploded on the way
between San Jose and San Francisco, and was one of the few on board who
escaped without injury. Mrs. Auzerais, the widow, is a Canadian
lady by birth, but came to San Jose in early youth. She was
educated in the Convent of Notre Dame, and it was while attending
school there that Mr. Auzerais met and won her.