Abraham Klauber facts for kids
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Abraham Klauber (born January 24, 1831, in Zdeslav, Bohemia – died July 23, 1911, in San Diego, California) was an important businessman and pioneer. He was the grandson of Rabbi Moses Klauber. When Abraham was just 13, his father passed away, leaving him to support his mother and younger sister Mary. He quickly started working as a clerk in a grocery store.
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Abraham's Journey to America
Abraham learned a lot about business as a young man. By the time he was 19, he had heard exciting stories about the California Gold Rush and the freedom in America. In 1850, he decided to leave his home country to seek his fortune in the New World.
He sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany, on a ship called the Ocean Queen to New Orleans. From there, he took a steamboat to St. Louis. He worked for a short time in St. Louis before moving to Ottawa, Illinois. There, he partnered with Francis Mandlebaum, a merchant he had worked for earlier.
A Difficult Trip to California
In 1852, Abraham and Francis set sail for the gold mines of California. Their journey took them across the Isthmus of Nicaragua. This trip was very challenging, with many people getting sick. Abraham himself caught yellow fever but thankfully survived.
They arrived in San Francisco in July 1852. Abraham then traveled upriver to Sacramento, where he and Francis Mandlebaum opened a small clothing and general store. Abraham saw firsthand the terrible great fire and flood that hit Sacramento on November 2, 1852. After rebuilding their store, Abraham moved to Volcano, California, and opened a branch store.
Abraham and Francis both married sisters, Louisa and Theresa Epstein, who were also from Bohemia. Later, their brothers-in-law, Morris and Henry Epstein, joined their businesses.
Business Success in the Gold Rush
The store in Volcano did very well during the Gold Rush. Soon, Abraham opened more stores over the Sierra Nevada mountains in Genoa, Nevada Territory. The Genoa store became very important in Nevada's history.
Expanding Across Nevada
Between 1859 and 1868, Abraham opened more branch stores in Dayton, Carson City, and Virginia City, Nevada. He brought goods to his stores by using mule trains and wagons to cross the Sierra Mountains.
Abraham's store in Genoa was also used by Wells Fargo for their business. Abraham and Henry Epstein became local agents for the Pony Express. The Pony Express was a vital way for people to get news and information from the outside world, especially during the time leading up to the Civil War.
New Beginnings in San Diego
Abraham became a U.S. Citizen on March 12, 1859. With the money he earned, he sent for his mother and sister to join him in America.
After having three children, Abraham started to get tired of the tough mountain life. The gold and silver mines in Nevada were slowing down, and the new transcontinental railroad began to affect his business. So, Abraham started looking for a new place to live.
Building a Legacy in San Diego
In 1869, he chose San Diego as his new home. He bought land in a new part of the city from Alonzo Horton, who is known as the "Father of San Diego." For the next 40 years, Abraham grew his family and his businesses. He started with Steiner & Klauber, then Klauber & Levi, and finally the very successful wholesale food distribution company, Klauber Wangenheim Co.
Abraham and Theresa raised 9 of their 12 children to adulthood. Their youngest son, Laurence Monroe Klauber (born 1883 in San Diego – died 1968), became a famous herpetologist, someone who studies reptiles and amphibians. He was considered the top expert on rattlesnakes.
In 1877, Abraham was elected to San Diego's Board of Supervisors, serving as its chairman from 1878 to 1880. Abraham Klauber passed away on July 23, 1911, at the age of 80. People remembered him as one of the kindest and most loved people in the area.
Klauber's Enduring Mark
Today, there is still a Klauber Avenue in the southeast part of City Heights, a neighborhood Abraham helped to establish. In City Heights itself, Klauber Street was renamed Wightman Street. However, you can still see the old "Klauber" name engraved in the sidewalk in some places. This is a tradition in San Diego to keep original markings when sidewalks are repaved. Klauber/Wightman Street is one block south of University Avenue, which was originally named after Abraham's business partner, Steiner.
