Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN JURACH
JOHN JURACH.--Many features of life in the city of Sacramento contribute to make the California capital an earthly paradise, but none gives greater comfort than the Peacock Cafe, at 1020 Sixth Street, one of the best-appointed and best-conducted restaurants anywhere in the Golden State. Its proprietor is John Jurach, a native of Dalmatia, Austria, who was born on May 22, 1878, the son of a captain of a sailing vessel; but as he did not care for the sea, he learned the shoemaker’s trade with his brother. In 1901 he came to the United States and washed dishes in a restaurant at Denver; and later he worked as both a waiter and a cook. With two partners, he ran a cafe in Denver, on Laurimer Street, for thirteen months; and in 1904 he came to California. He worked in a cafe in San Francisco, and later was assistant manager in a cafe in San Jose. After the big fire in 1906, he ran a small cafe in a shanty at the corner of Kearney and California Streets, and later he conducted a restaurant opposite the custom house. He went to Sacramento on a visit, and later in San Francisco opened a cafe opposite the Phelan Building, at the corner of Grand Avenue and O’Farrel Streets. After that, he was proprietor of the Plaza Cafe, at Mason and O’Farrel Streets.
Going to Sacramento in 1910, he opened a small place on Third Steet, between J and K Streets, originally called the Mississippi Kitchen and one of the oldest places in the city, and later known as the Lounge Restaurant; and in 1912 he removed to his present place on Sixth Street. It was at first a small room, which was later enlarged; and now he has a finely appointed cafe. He has been successful from the start. He owns his own dwelling, and two sets of flats at 814 T Street and 1825 Eighth Street. He has established a reputation for good food and good cooking. He belongs to the Retail Merchants’ Association.
At Sacramento, on October 9, 1913, Mr Jurach was married to Miss Minnie Valerio, of Dalmatia, Austria, a lady with special gifts which have enabled her to become the best of helpmates and a most invaluable companion to her ambitious husband.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 894.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.