Arthur
Herman Ziegler, organizer and manager of the Executives Association of
Sacramento, has had broad experience in business affairs and has also gained
prominence in other lines, being on of the foremost exponents of Masonry in this
part of the country. He was born in Los Angeles, California, January 14, 1888,
and is a son of A. M. T. and Carrie (Simonson) Ziegler. His father pioneered in
the Black Hills of South Dakota and had the distinction of owning and wearing
the first white shirt in that district. While in the Black Hills he was made
deputy sheriff and had many interesting and thrilling experiences in connection
with the discharge of his official duties. In the early 80’s he came to
California, locating in Los Angeles, where he was identified with the cigar
business for a time, and when the Broadway store was opened he became one of
its first employes. Afterward he went with his family to Seattle and was among
the first to install telephone systems in northern Washington. With his return
to California he engaged in educational work in San Francisco, where he
established the Applied College, becoming its head, and he was also a
pharmacist. Removing to Oakland in 1899, he opened a delicatessen store at
Seventeenth street and Telegraph avenue and later was located at Sixteenth and
Telegraph. Generous and kind-hearted, he was ever ready to assist those in need
and in April, 1906, fed many persons who were left destitute by the memorable
earthquake in San Francisco. Subsequently he sold the business and became
associated with the Sunset Lumber Company in Berkeley. He was injured by the
running board of an automobile and passed away in 1925, but Mrs. Ziegler is
still living in California.
Arthur
H. Ziegler supplemented his high school education by attendance at the
Polytechnic Business College, taking a course in engineering, and thus
qualified for the position of draughtsman for the United Iron Works in Oakland.
He was next with the Smith Brothers stationery house in Oakland and this connection
led to his appointment as a manger of the cooperative store at the University
of California, in which capacity he acted from 1907 until 1918. On September 18th
of the latter year he applied for enlistment in the army but defective eyesight
disqualified him for active military duty and he joined the reserves instead.
After the war Mr. Ziegler became commercial traveler for a firm of stationers
in San Francisco, remaining with them for three years, and afterward traveled
for a stationery house of Seattle. Steadily advancing, he became manager of all
the H. S. Crocker stores in Sacramento and after these were taken over by a
large mercantile concern he was made manager of the new business department of
the Peoples Bank of Sacramento. While thus serving he organized the Executives
Association and later was induced to act as its manager, severing his
connection with the bank at that time.
Forceful, sagacious and far-sighted, he has materially promoted the
interest of the association and under his capable management its continued
success and progress are assured.
Mr.
Ziegler was married to Miss Azelia B. Johnston, also a native of Los Angeles,
and a son, Thurlow Arthur, was born to them. For relaxation Mr. Ziegler turns
to gardening and many of his leisure hours are spent in the open. He is very
active in fraternal work and has written many rituals. Identified with both the
York and Scottish Rite bodies of Masons, he has held high offices in the order
and the honorary thirty-third degree had been conferred upon him in recognition
of his services in its behalf. He formed the High Twelve Club, a Masonic
organization, becoming its first president, and is one of the nobles of Ben Ali
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a
past patron of the Eastern Star at Oakland and in the Order of the Amaranth he
has held the offices of royal patron, grand patron of the state and supreme
patron of the world. He wrote the ceremonial used by members of the Amaranth
throughout the world and few men have attained so high a place in the order. He
is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias at Oakland and recently he was
elected high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of Masons and watchman of the
Sheep of White. He also belongs to the Elks Club and to the Exchange Club. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and in civic affairs, as well as in business, he manifests a
progressive spirit. His standards of life are high and all who know Arthur
Herman Ziegler speak of him in terms of admiration and respect.
Source: History of the
Sacramento Valley California Vol. III J. W. WOOLDRIDGE 1931. Page 377-378.
© 2004 Marla
Fitzsimmons.