Biographies
JOSEPH C. HOBRECHT
The conservative opinion of those whose
long experience entitles them to an expression of their impartial, accurate
judgment indicates that Mr. Hobrecht has attained to
a position of marked prominence among the electrical specialists of California.
In identifying himself with the electrical business he chose by an apparent
accident of fate the occupation for which nature admirably had qualified him.
His success indeed comes from his natural ability in the line of his specialty;
this ability, supplemented by education and study, has been developed until it
secures for him recognition among men of his occupation throughout the entire
west. When he opened his store in Sacramento, at No. 1012 Tenth street, on the 20th of September, 1909, it was with a
thorough knowledge of his own qualifications for the management of such a
business, which includes the exhibition and sale of exclusive designs in
lighting fixtures. Not only are these designs original with himself, but many
of them are so beautiful as to attract wide attention
and convince the observer of the artistic skill of the designer.
Born in Germany April 21, 1876, Joseph C. Hobrecht was a very small child when brought to the United
States by his parents, Lawrence and Theresa 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, where he still lives,
now being retired from occupational tasks that engrossed his earlier years. In
the family there are eight children, all of whom are still living. One of the
number, Philip J., is associated with his brother, Joseph C., in the ownership
of the business at Sacramento and has spent considerable time in this city
during recent years.
An education acquired in the public
schools of Omaha and the Creighton institution in the same city 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 indeed a skilled mechanic. For eight years he
continued 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. On leaving that position 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 business for
himself. In February of 1911 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Lillian
(McCarthy) Hanford, of Sacramento, daughter of Patrick McCarthy, a pioneer
of Eldorado county. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Hobrecht are earnest members of the Roman
Catholic church and he is identified prominently with
the Knights of Columbus, a well-known organization under the auspices of that
denomination. His fraternal activities are further enlarged through membership
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
When the city of Sacramento decided to
install ornamental electroliers in the district
bounded by I-J and L-M alleys and Front and Twelfth streets, embracing a
section three blocks wide and one mile long, competition was sought from the
leading electrical firms of the entire country. Designs were submitted from
firms in New York City and Canton, Ohio, as well as numerous firms in San
Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, but it was reserved for Mr. Hobrecht to be the successful winner in the great contest.
His design was adopted by the Retail Merchants' Association of Sacramento,
approved by the city trustees, and endorsed by the Sacramento Chamber of
Commerce, the J Street Improvement Association, the Realty Board, the Home
Products' League and the Jobbers' Association. The first contract called for
four hundred and sixty-four electroliers and these
were manufactured in Sacramento (the contract is now about completed), so that
the city may claim with pride that the artistic electroliers
are a product of home skill, representing the inventive ingenuity of the
designer and the mechanical skill of the manufacturer.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 956-958. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.