J. G. F. BERGHAUSER
San Francisco Hotel Owner-1849-1853
Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES. BRIEL, WERTZ, FOREMAN
resides on the Hostetter road in the Eagle School District, about four miles northeast of San Jose. There he owns twenty acres of fine orchard land, all under a high state of cultivation, and all set with fruit trees, the larger part of them being apricots and prunes, although peaches, pears, plums, cherries, figs, nectarines, and quinces are among the products of this model orchard. Mr. Berghauser also has table grapes and berries of all descriptions. Such water as is needed for domestic use, and for the irrigation of small fruits, is furnished from pumping wells.
The subject of this sketch was born in San Francisco, December 2, 1855, and is the son of John and Margaret (Briel) Berghauser. His father was born in Germany, and came to the United States in 1827. He resided in Charleston, South Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, in both of which places he conducted hotels. The excitement of 1849 brought him to California in that year, and he established himself in the hotel business in San Francisco. In that enterprise he accumulated a fortune, with which he retired from business in 1853. The mother of our subject is also a native of Germany, who met and married her husband in Richmond, Virginia. She is now a resident of San Francisco.
J. G. F., whose name heads this biographical outline, attended the public schools of his native city until eleven years of age, when he was sent to Germany to complete his education. He returned to his home in this State when eighteen years of age, and entered into mercantile pursuits, which occupied his attention for three years. The two years following his relinquishment of the mercantile business, he spent in Yolo, Colusa, and Solano Counties, engaged in farm labor. In 1878 he purchased a farm in the San Joaquin Valley, near Galt, upon which he engaged in grain and stock-raising. This farm he operated until, in 1884, he came to Santa Clara County, and commenced the cultivation of fruit on his present property. Since that time he devoted his attention to the successful management of his land, and has met with favorable results. He is a respected and esteemed citizen of his community, and much interested in the welfare of the public schools, being at this time a School Trustee. As a native of the State and a resident of one of its most favored sections, he is a strong believer in its future greatness and prosperity. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party.
In 1878 Mr. Berghauser was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wertz, the daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Foreman) Wertz, residents of Humboldt County, this State, but natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Berghauser have three children: Fridaricka, Frederick, and Julius.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.
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