James Popert

 

James Popert, merchant, corner of Twenty-first and H streets, Sacramento, is a native of Hamburg, Germany, born March 17, 1839, his parents being Martin H. and Hannah (Tentler) Popert, the father a manufacturer of cigars and tobacco. He was reared and educated at his native place, and commenced the trade of cabinet-maker, at which he served a couple of years. In 1858 he went to sea as a carpenter, and followed that occupation for eight years, in the trade between Hamburg, South America, East Indies, Calcutta, etc. In 1867 he sailed from New York to San Francisco on the ship Nightingale, Captain Sparrow, landing in the latter part of March. He came to Sacramento and, going to an employment office, applied for work. He soon found work as a carpenter, and afterward followed contracting and building until 1878, when he engaged in mercantile business on the corner of Fourth and P streets, succeeding Charles Chambers at that location. He commenced there on the 1^st of September, and two years later built and commenced business where he now is. He enjoys an extensive trade, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Popert was married in Sacramento on the 14^th of August, 1870, to Miss Margaret Heisch, whose brothers keep the Pioneer Coffee Mills. She died in this city. Mr.  Popert’s present wife, to whom he married November 4, 1875, was formerly Miss Georgina Hoff, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children, viz.: William, Gertie, James and George. Mr. Popert is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O . O. F.; of Occidental Encampment and Uniform Rank, of Union Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. W., and of Cosumnes Tribe of Red Men, in which he has passed the chairs. He was one of the originators and for a while the chairman of the building committee of the German Lutheran Church, and is now trustee.