Sacramento County
Biographies
JACOB
MEISTER
JACOB MEISTER, a rancher, was born in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, August 28, 1817, a son of George Meister, a farmer, and Marianna nee Zeigler. In 1854 he emigrated to America, whither his brother had come two years previously. He was six weeks on his journey from Switzerland, coming to California by way of New York and the Isthmus, and arriving at San Francisco January 17, 1854. By way of Sacramento, he went directly to the Greenwood Valley and mining district, and several months afterward went to Nevada, where he found employment in a brewery. Returning to Sacramento, he started in the dairy business, in 1855, in partnership with his brother, on a farm near Sutter’s Fort. Afterward they purchased 270 acres of land across the American River, and from time to time they added to their area of land until 1876, when their tract contained 945 acres. In the meantime they had bought another ranch on this side of the river. In 1876 Mr. Jacob Meister sold out his interest in the dairy business to his brother, and the property was divided, he retaining the ranch in American Township. He had carried on the dairy business for twenty-one consecutive years. In 1878 he removed with his family into the city, locating on D street. In 1879 he bought the lot situated at the corner of I and Seventeenth streets, and during the following year erected what is now his family residence. This is indeed a commodious, ornamental, well-built and well-furnished mansion. It was built by the noted contractors, Carle & Croley, according to plans and specifications drawn by N. D. Goodell, one of the best known architects in the city. Especially worthy of this mansion is Mr. Meister’s noble wife, intelligent and refined. Her maiden name was Catharine Kopp. She is a native of Baden, Germany, came to this country when a child, and speaks English as well as any one. They were married in Sacramento, May 22, 1862, and now they have four children living; two have died. Their names are: Minnie, who died at the age of sixteen years; Kate, Laura, Emma, Willie and George Jacob. In May, 1887, Mr. Meister started on a trip to Europe, for the sake of improving his health; but exposures prevented the good that might have been obtained. He was gone six months on this visit. He is a Republican in his political principles, but is not a “politician” or office-seeker.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of
Sacramento County, California. Pages 598-599. Lewis
Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.