EDWARD KLEBITZ

Sacramento County

Biographies

EDWARD KLEBITZ

EDWARD KLEBITZ, capitalist, is a native of Germany, and was born in the Prussian province of Silesia, January 31, 1817. His parents were Karl G. and Leonora Klebitz. His father was a wagon-maker and blacksmith, and also carried on a farm. The son, Edward, attended school during boyhood, and learned the trade of his father. He joined the army and served his time, and in the revolution of 1848 he took an active part, and on account of his prominence was an officer, but was tried by court martial and degraded in rank to the line, and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment within the fortifications; but was only detailed until the investigation could be reached by the highest tribunal, which released him. During this time he heard of the gold excitement in California, and he determined to emigrate to America. He came by a sailing vessel, and had a very rough time in doubling Cape Horn. After leaving Valparaiso he had a pleasant passage, and after being en route six months arrived in San Francisco the last of February, 1851. A few weeks later he went by steamer to Marysville, and thence six of them, shipmates together, went to mining at Bidwell’s Bar: they only remained a short time and then he returned to San Francisco. Not finding work he came up to Sacramento, May 15, 1851, and went to work in Flohr & Harm’s saddle shop, and remained until the end of 1851. The following spring he engaged in merchandising at Volcano, in Calaveras County. The firm was Klebitz & Beckman. They carried on the business until July, 1853, when the store was robbed and his partner murdered. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Klebitz closed up the business and returned to Sacramento. He and Julius Wetzler started a swimming bath on Fourth street, but he sold out his interest the following year to Wetzler, and engaged in business on Fourth street, the firm being Klebitz & Green. They also owned a large sheep ranch in Solano County, and had several thousand sheep. They continued together for twenty-nine years, until 1884, when he sold out and retired from active business life. Mr. Klebitz’s family consists of his wife and two daughters—Leonora, now Mrs. Fred B. Adams, of the firm of Adams & Co., wholesale grocers of this city; and Lizzie, living with her parents in their attractive home, No. 417 Eighth street.

Transcribed 10-17-07 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 779-780. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.

Sacramento County Biographies