Biographies
EUGENE WACHHORST
The district attorney of Sacramento county is a native of Sacramento and a member of a pioneer
family whose identification with the west began during the memorable mining
era. The first representative of the name in the west and indeed in the new
world was Herman Wachhorst, a native of Hanover,
Germany, born in May of 1827. For three successive
generations the heads if the family have been expert dealers in precious stones
and renowned watch-makers. When he crossed the ocean in 1843 he already
had acquired a thorough knowledge of the manufacture of watches and the value
of jewels. In the new world his first task was the acquisition of fluency in
the use of the English language. For five years he remained in the employ of
Hyde & Goodrich, one of the most famous jewelry firms in the United States.
While with them he became an expert in judging precious stones and devoted much
attention to that branch of the trade.
The discovery of gold in California
attracted the young jeweler from congenial surroundings which he had expected
to make permanent. With the quickness of decision that was one of his
characteristics he resigned from his business connections, proceeded to New
York City and took passage on the ship, Mary Waterman, under Captain James
Higgins. The voyage proved to be one of the roughest known in history and the one
hundred and seventy-five passengers endured every hardship and danger ere the
final destination was reached. The heaviest storms fell upon them as they were
rounding the Horn. The ship cast anchor at Rio de Janeiro on the eastern coast
and Valparaiso on the western coast, these stops being necessary for repairs
and supplies. After the final stop at San Francisco the young gold-seeker
proceeded to Sacramento and thence to the mines at Mormon Island. Not finding
the occupation of mining congenial or profitable he returned to Sacramento in
December of 1850 and rented , at $500 per month payable in advance, a shop
about eight feet wide on J street between Front and Second. During the next
three years he made money with startling rapidity and when he sold out in 1854
he had accumulated a capital sufficient to give him an income of $800 per
month. A life of cultured leisure in San Francisco thus became possible to him
and enabled him to devote considerable attention to the study of vocal and
instrumental music, also rendered possible extensive continental travels for a
period of two years.
Upon his return to California in
1859 Mr. Wachhorst purchased the business of Heller
& Andrews in San Francisco and after the disastrous floods of 1861 he
opened a jewelry establishment at Sacramento, where he gained an enviable
reputation as an expert in diamonds and precious stones. His stock of jewelry
was said to be one of the finest in the entire country and until his retirement
from business he held a high position among the leading men of early days. When
he passed away in the year 1899 it was recognized that the state had lost one
of its most interesting pioneers and Sacramento one of its most famous business
men of early days. The honors of Masonry
were bestowed upon him in his interment and over the body were sung some of the
songs which he himself had often rendered to delighted audiences with rare
sweetness and beauty of technique.
In the family of Herman and Frances Wachhorst there was a son, Eugene, whose birth occurred at
the family homestead in Sacramento May 11, 1866, and whose education was begun
in the schools of the capital city. Later he attended the California Military
Academy for two years and afterward he was a student at Berkeley, where he was
graduated in 1884. Upon starting out for himself he went to Solano county, where for two years he assisted with the work on a
large cattle and grain ranch. Upon returning to Sacramento he became porter in
the wholesale grocery of the Adams, McNeil Company. Two years later he was
promoted to be buyer and shipping clerk. When he retired from the employ of the
grocery house he became connected with his father in the jewelry business, but
at the expiration of two years he began to work as a deputy in Judge Catlin's court. Two years afterward he was chosen chief
deputy under William B. Hamilton. In 1899 he was appointed assistant district
attorney and while serving as such he gave his leisure hours to the study of
law under Judge Catlin. When he had completed his
course of reading he was admitted to the bar by the supreme
court at San Francisco and October 27, 1907, he was admitted to the
United States supreme court ar Washington. Meanwhile
in 1906 he had been chosen district attorney of Sacramento county
and in 1910 he was again elected to the office, which position he has filled
with characteristic intelligence and energy.
The Republican party
has had in Mr. Wachhorst a faithful and sagacious
exponent of its principles. Among the organizations to which he belongs may be mentioned
the Sutter Club, Eagles, Elks and the Masonic Order in Washington Lodge No. 20,
F. & A. M.; Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M.; Sacramento Council No. 1,
and Sacramento Commandery No. 2, K. T. Upon removing
to Solano County he there formed the acquaintance of Miss Mollie B. Johnson and
they were united in marriage May 2, 1887. They are the parents of three
children. The eldest son, Donald Eugene, is a well-educated young man, having
had excellent advantages in the University of California. The younger sons,
Jack B. and Thomas H., are students in the Sacramento public schools.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis, William
L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1005-1007. Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.