Philip Herzog

 

Philip Herzog, one of the prominent citizens of Sacramento, was born October 4, 1834, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father, Frederick Herzog, a native of Germany, had located in 1817. At that early day Cincinnati was a mere village, and the elder Herzog had abundant opportunity to purchase any amount of land, now in the most valuable part of the city, for little or nothing. He did acquire possession of a piece of land there, on which he followed gardening for a while, though he afterward gave up that occupation for that of butchering. He died in Cincinnati in 1858, having witnessed its progress from a backwoods village to the proud rank which it then enjoyed, of the “Queen City of the West.” His wife, also a native of Germany, likewise died in Cincinnati. Her maiden name was Hall. Philip Herzog, with whose name this sketch commences, was reared at Cincinnati, where he was educated in the public schools, and afterward went to work for a brother. In 1854 he came to California, accompanying a sister, Mrs. Todhunter, whose husband kept the City Market in Sacramento, on J street, between Front and Second. He came by way of New York, leaving there October 4, on the steamer Star of the West, and crossing Nicaragua came to San Francisco on the old steamer Cortez, landing on the 31^st of October. He came to Sacramento next day, and at once obtained employment with Treat & Stanwood, the latter a brother-in-law of James G. Blaine, who kept the Boston Market. He remained in their employment eighteen months, and then he and Fred Wastier succeeded Treat & Stanwood by purchase, and the firm became Herzog & Wastier. The firm continued some four or five years, doing business on Second street between K and L. Philip Hartman then succeeded Wastier, but Mr. Herzog soon bought out Hartman’s interest, and continued alone for a short time, when he again took in a partner, Henry Shulmeyer. They were associated about four years, when Mr. Shulmeyer’s interest was purchased by M. M.  Odell. A year later the latter purchased Mr. Herzog’s interest. He then went back to Ohio to visit old scenes, friends and relatives. He returned to Sacramento in 1872, and bought in with Alex. Burns in what is now the City Market. About two years later Mr. Burns was thrown from a horse and killed, and Mr. Herzog continued the business alone until 1882, when he sold out to A. & A. Heilbron, and retired from business. In 1885, he again went East. In 1886, having returned to Sacramento again, he bought in with M. F. Odell, in the New York Market. They do a heavy wholesale, retail and packing business. Mr. Herzog was married in this city in 1857, to Miss Mary Todhunter, a native of Cincinnati. They have three children living, viz.: Ida, wife of George P. Curtis; Charles and Susie Flora. Mr. Herzog is a Republican politically, and was formerly a Whig, having cast his first vote for Millard Fillmore. He has served with credit on the School Board of Sacramento. He has been associated with Concord Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., since 1858. He is also a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery. Mr. Herzog has passed through all the vicissitudes of Sacramento, and was ruined by the flood of 1862. He persevered, however, and now ranks among the leading citizens of Sacramento in all respects.