Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSEPH CHARLES HOBRECHT
JOSEPH
CHARLES HOBRECHT.–When Joseph Charles Hobrecht opened his electrical store
in Sacramento at 1012 Tenth Street, in the spring of 1909, it was with a
thorough knowledge of his own qualifications for the management of such a
business, and his success has come from his natural ability in the line of his
specialty, supplemented by education and study, which has secured for him
recognition among men of his occupation throughout the entire West. Born in Germany, April 21, 1876, he was a very small child when
brought to the United States by his parents, Lawrence and Theresa (Kremier)
Hobrecht. After landing in New
York City, the family
traveled as far west as Nebraska and settled in Omaha, where the father, a skilled mechanic, secured
employment at his trade. During 1903 he joined the other members of the family,
who had preceded him to California and settled in San Francisco. Both parents are now deceased. An education acquired
in the public schools of Omaha
and Creighton University of Nebraska qualified Mr. Hobrecht for the duties of
the business world. In early life he assisted his father in a machine shop and
thus acquired a comprehensive knowledge of such work, becoming a skilled
mechanic; and he continued for eight years in that
occupation. Going to Montana, he started to work as an electrician, and continued
to operate a plant in that city for some time. During the year 1900 he came to Sacramento, where he worked in the employ of the Bay Counties
Power Company for eighteen months; then he entered the employ of the Electrical
Supply Company, with whom he continued for seven years, or until he had
determined to engage in the electrical merchandising and construction business
for himself.
Mr. Hobrecht’s
first marriage united him with Miss Mary Farrell, who passed away, and
subsequently he was married to Mrs. Lillian (McCarthy) Hanford,
of Sacramento, daughter of Patrick McCarthy, a pioneer of Eldorado County. During the World War, Mr. Hobrecht was a member of
the draft board. He is public-spirited and has always taken an active part in
civic affairs, is a director of the Chamber of Commerce and a past president of
the Rotary Club, and fraternally is affiliated with the Elks, the Y. M. I. and
the Knights of Columbus, having attained to the fourth degree in the latter
organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hobrecht are earnest members of the Catholic
Church.
Transcribed by Vicky Walker, 5/31/07.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 667.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Vicky Walker.