Butte County
Biographies
MORRIS OSER
A successful merchant, a prime move in the notable enterprise of erecting the Park Hotel in 1888, and one of the real builders of growing Chico came to California in the second great period of the state’s development—the early seventies. He was born at Fordon, Germany, in1853, and attended the public school there until 1869, when he came to the United States and for a year settle in New York State, where he clerked in a mercantile establishment.
In 1870, attracted by the stories current regarding opportunities on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Oser set out for California by way of Panama; and after seeing the sights in San Francisco, he went to Port Wine, Sierra County, where he found another clerkship, this time in a general merchandise store. The proprietors were Kleckner Brothers, and he remained there three years.
On November 1, 1873, he came to Chico and entered the service of a Mr. Jacobs, who had just opened a dry goods store here; and five years later he bought an interest in the concern, and the firm then did business under the name of Jacobs and Oser, their place being on Main Street near Second. Two years later Mr. Jacobs retired from business, and they dissolved partnership. Then Mr. Oser continued business for himself on Main Street, between First the Second, and was soon widely known as a dealer in dry goods and as a clothier. About 1890 he moved to his present location, at the corner of Main and Third Streets; and the dry goods business grew to such proportions that he discontinued the sale of clothing and went in for the largest and finest lines of dry goods and ladies’ ready-to-wear garments. First one room and then another was added, and finally he had an entrance on Third Street. Since 1890, the firm has been known as M. Oser and Company, Mr. Oser’s associate in partnership being A. Abraham.
When Mr. Oser was married, the ceremony took place at San Francisco and the bride was Miss Rose Lincoln, a native of the Coast metropolis, where she was reared and educated with all the advantages of that cosmopolitan center. Four children have been born to them. H. J. Oser is a graduate of the University of California with the degree of Civil Engineer. He is now an architect and contractor in San Francisco. W. L. Oser is also a graduate of the University of California, with a degree of civil engineer. He was a practicing architect and engineer in San Francisco. Oser Brothers’ plans for the new City Hall in competition took a second prize. At the request of the senior Oser, W. L. Oser gave up his profession, returning to Chico to take an active part as assistant to him in his business. Hilda, now Mrs. A. Appleton, is a graduate of the Berkeley High School, and is now residing in Stockton. Her husband is also an architect. Rebecca is a student in Chico High School.
In politics, Mr. Oser is a Republican. He is an exempt fireman, belonging to Engine Company No. 1. Fraternally, he is a member of Chico Lodge, No. 113, I. O. O. F., and also of the Encampment of Odd Fellows.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 717-718, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Joyce Rugeroni.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies