Biographies
ANDREW MIKULICH
The
proprietor if the Peerless cafe in Sacramento has so thoroughly imbibed
American principles of thrift, energy and resourcefulness that he easily might
win recognition as a native of our country, if not indeed of California itself,
but a residence of thirty years in the United States has not caused him to lose
a feeling of loyal devotion to Austria, the land of his birth and the home of
his parents, Martin and Kate Mikulich. Memory
affectionately recalls the scenes of his boyhood, the occurrences of youth and
the friends with whom he worked and played at the old home in Fiume, where he was born November 21, 1865. From an early
age he was familiar with the sea, for the city of Fiume
lies at the head of the small bay of the same name and it in turn forms an arm
of the Adriatic sea. The people living along the
shores if this beautiful body of water were accustomed to the sights and sounds
of the sea, to the crafts lazily floating across the blue sea, the vessels
moored in the harbors of Trieste, Ravenna, or other important ports, and to the
vision of the sea-kissed city of Venice whose canals were gay with their
swift-speeding gondolas.
Upon
leaving forever behind him the pleasant associations and picturesque
environment of the Austrian coast and crossing the Atlantic ocean to the New
World in 1882, Mr. Mikulich was prepared for the
future by a fair education qualifying him for patient endurance in labor. After
he had landed in Philadelphia he secured employment as a sailor. During 1885 he
went as far west as Chicago, where he worked in a restaurant for three years.
In 1888 he went south to New Orleans, La., and there found work in a
restaurant. The next move brought him to San Francisco in 1889 and from there
in 1891 he came to Sacramento, where he has since made his home and engaged in
the restaurant business. In this city, June 30, 1903, he married Miss Lena
Arnold. Here, after one year as an employe in a
restaurant, he embarked in business for himself. When he sold out the business
he became manager of the Southern Pacific Railroad restaurant. During 1902 he
opened a restaurant at No.1010 Seventh street, but
four years later he moved to his next location, No. 720 K street, and on April
25, 1912, he opened his present beautiful place which he had built himself. It
is located at No.1117 Ninth street and is a palace of
mirrors set in mahogany, the furniture all being of that same wood. The
mezzanine floor for ladies' parties is furnished in old gold and ivory, the
whole presenting an effect so exquisite and
magnificent as to earn it the place of leading cafe in the vicinity and among
the finest in the state. It is known as the Peerless cafe and is strictly a
first-class restaurant that receives a large share of the public patronage. The
care exercised in the management of the business has left Mr. Mikulich little leisure for participation in political
affairs, but he upholds Republican principles and keeps posted concerning
national issues. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Foresters, Moose,
Elks and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 907-908. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.