Santa Clara County
Biographies
PROF. FREDERICK C. BROHASKA
PROF. FREDERICK C. BROHASKA. Few men who have attained to
prominence along musical lines in the west present so encouraging an example of
perseverance in the face of difficulty as has Prof. Frederick C. Brohaska, instructor on the violin and brass instruments,
and trainer of amateur bands and orchestras. Mr. Brohaska,
to whom San Jose owes an unpayable debt for the
establishment and maintenance of a high standard of musical culture, is
indebted chiefly to his own efforts for his success in life, and these efforts
have been of so worthy and practical a kind that they have secured for him the
aid of the foremost teachers in the world and of extended experience in the best-known
centers of musical activity in Europe. No colossus of music of bygone days
toiled more laboriously, painstakingly or reverently for the accomplishment of
his desire than this very gifted performer, and fortunately the satisfaction in
his own mind and heart is reflected in the growing appreciation of his talents
by the community in which he lives. The family name was originally spelled von Prohaska.
Born in San Jose December 12, 1864, Professor Brohaska is a son of Gustav and Margaret (Otter) Brohaska, natives of Oberkotzou
and Hesse-Cassel, Germany, respectively. The elder Brohaska came to America as a young man, and in 1851 to
California by way of Panama, for a time engaging in farming and stock-raising
in the vicinity of San Jose. He later turned his attention to the theatre
business in San Jose, erected the first opera house in the town, managing the
same for twenty years. In the early days he found the art of entertaining the
public a much more difficult task than it is today, but he persevered and
finally made a success of his theatre, becoming one of the best known and most
popular managers in northern California. He came to the west a single man,
married into one of the pioneer families of San Jose, and with his wife is now
enjoying the comforts permitted by an ideal climate and years of unremitting
toil. Besides Frederick C., who is the youngest son, he had five other
children, four of whom are living. Of these, Theodore is a building foreman;
Julius is a railroad engineer in Mexico; and Tillie is her brother
Frederick’s assistant in his musical studio.
At a very early age Professor Brohaska
began the study of music, learning easily and with keen understanding that for
which he was admirably adapted both by nature and inheritance. Patiently he unravelled the difficulties of the violin, studying under a
master of San Jose, and in 1882 was able to make a trip to Europe, meeting his
expenses with money earned in various ways when not devoting his time to music.
In 1887 he again visited Europe and the Holy Land, returning to take up the
combined burden of music and business in San Jose. Success followed his efforts
and the artistic temperament which spurred him on with its ceaseless unrest
created broader and higher ideals and resulted in yet another journey across
the sea, this one of three years’ duration, and all of which was devoted to
study in Leipsic, Germany, under such eminent
instructors as Professors Becker, Boland and Frederick Gumbert.
With renewed and ever-increasing faith in his wonderful
muse Professor Brohaska started the studio which
bears his name in 1894, and has since given instruction on the violin and brass
instruments, and trained bands and orchestras. He inaugurated the first ladies
brass band in San Jose, which played on the memorable occasion of President
McKinley’s visit to this city. Professor Brohaska is
ably assisted by his sister Tillie, a proficient performer and teacher on the
piano, and equally at home as a vocal instructor. Miss Brohaska
is a popular and ambitious member of society, and among her other
accomplishments was the organization of the Vendome Parlor,
N. D. G. W., of which she was the first president. Professor Brohaska is fraternally prominent, and is identified with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks,
Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, and
Fraternal Brotherhood. He is also a charter member of the San Jose Parlor,
N. S. G. W., organized in 1886. In politics he is a Republican.
Too much cannot be said in praise of this earnest and high minded musician, who
so successfully combined ideality and practicability, and whose attitude
towards his profession, his friends, and the community at large, is one of
progress and happiness, and loyalty to high ideals.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 03 July 2016.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
1243-1244. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Marie Hassard.