D. DIERSSEN & CO.

Sacramento County

Biographies

D. DIERSSEN & CO.

D. DIERSSEN & CO.--Probably no firm in Sacramento offers an instance of such rapid rise to a place among the leading business houses, as does that of D. Dierssen & Co., wholesale and retail grocers, corner of Ninth and L. Streets. Therefore a personal sketch of the gentlemen who have been identified with the firm becomes necessary in this connection. D. Dierssen is a native of Prussia, born near Bremen, on the 5th of February, 1852, his parents being John and Anna Eliza (Roquit) Dierssen, the father a merchant. He spent his early boyhood days at his native place, and there received his schooling. In 1865 he came to the United States, locating at Brooklyn, where he remained three years. The following year he was in New York, and in 1869 he came to California, locating in Sacramento. He was but a mere boy in years yet, was an entire stranger, and had but $4 in his pocket. After he had been here a few days, he got out of funds, and meeting Charles Heisen, obtained employment tending bar for him at his place on Seventh and I streets. Eight months later he formed a partnership with Mr. Lammermann, corner of Eighth and L streets, but after about two weeks Mr. Lammermann was taken sick, and sold his interest to Mr. Heisen. One month later Mr. Heisen sold out to Fred. Koster, and the latter and Mr. Dierssen remained in business about eleven months, when Claus Feldhusen purchased Mr. Dierssen’s interest for $625. The latter then rested for three or four weeks, and he then went in partnership with D. Kohler, and they engaged in business on I street, between Sixth and Seventh. The interest of Mr. Dierssen was estimated at $1,000, and he paid on it $625 in cash. After they had been in business six months, Mr. Kolher said he wanted to go back to Switzerland, and would buy or sell for $250. So Mr. Dierssen bought him out, and continued the business alone. Then a fire burned the building and stock, and the Occidental Insurance Company, in which he was insured, paid but forty cents on the dollar, having been crippled by the great Chicago fire of six months before. Mr. Dierssen lost even all his extra clothing by the fire, and with his $400 insurance money paid up his debts. Thus, after three years of hard work, he was left to start over again from the very last round of the ladder. He obtained employment with John Batcher, on Third and M streets, and after working for him two years had saved up $163. One day, as he was passing a store on the corner of Twelfth and O streets, then in charge of Charles Luhrs, an acquaintance, that gentleman told him if he would buy the place, he would see him through. Mr. Dierssen considered the proposition, accepted the offer, and then gave up his position with Mr. Batcher. There was but the slimmest kind of a stock in his new store, and he commenced business there with an actual capital of only $163, and a debt of $400. There was a little room back of the store-room, and in it he boarded himself. He cleaned up the place, and put the small stock in good order, and commenced to build up a trade. He had no one to assist him, and he delivered goods after nine o’clock at night, when the store was closed. In six months he had money enough to pay off his indebtedness. He kept improving gradually, and after he had been in business four years and a half at Twelfth and O, he removed to the southeast corner of Ninth and L, across the street from the present store. In 1884 the fine building now occupied by the store was erected, and is now the seat of a magnificent trade. Mr. Dierssen was married in this city, on the 7th of February, 1875, to Miss Sophia Lauken, a native of California, born in Yolo County, and educated in Sacramento. They have had four children, viz: Addie, Laura, Willie and Richard. In 1887, Mr. Dierssen purchased a ranch in Yolo County, and sold it in 1889, for $8,100. In the latter year he purchased 2,160 acres of land in Kings County, Washington, stretching between points from one and a half to nine miles from Seattle. This land is eligibly situated, and must prove a great investment. He has an interest in a hop ranch near McConnell Station, in Sacramento County, which he purchased in 1881. In 1877 Mr. Dierssen took a trip to Europe for pleasure and recreation, having well earned a vacation from business cares. Mr. Dierssen’s case certainly presents an edifying example for young men. Commencing work in this city when his pocket was literally empty, he began the battle with fortune amid the most adverse circumstances, and he has fought his way to the front until he is now a capitalist, able to retire, though still a young man, in the prime and vigor of life. He will, however, attend personally to his investments, and is destined to make his mark in yet brighter fields. His rank in financial circles has always been of the highest, and since he commenced in business on the corner of Twelfth and O streets, he has never contracted a debt, but paid cash as he went. In social circles his standing is equally high, and he is an esteemed and honored member of the community in which he resides.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 726-727. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.