Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JACOB EBERHARD
Owning and operating one of the largest and
longest established tanneries in the Santa Clara valley, Jacob Eberhard is conspicuous among the solid business men of
Santa Clara, and is a keen, wide-awake representative of the manufacturing
interests of this part of California. Possessing rare ability, great tact and
sound judgment, he has steadily pushed his way along the path of progress, year
by year extending his operations, finding new markets for his products, which
are now on sale in the leading marts of the United States, South America,
Canada, Europe and the islands of the Pacific ocean. (sic)
A son of Michael and Magdalene (Soth) Eberhard, he was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany,
in 1837.
Coming with his parents to America
when a lad of fifteen years, Jacob Eberhard lived
first in Galena, Ill., where he learned the trade of a harness and saddle
maker. As a journeyman, he afterward worked in various Wisconsin cities and
villages, continuing his chosen occupation in that region for a number of
years. In March, 1858, sailing by way of the Isthmus,
Mr. Eberhard came to California, and the following
four years worked for wages on a farm or at his trade of harnessmaker,
(sic) or mined in the gold diggings. Opening a harness shop in Sacramento in
1862, he carried it on successfully for about three years. Locating in Santa
Clara in 1865, he purchased the Santa Clara tannery, which was established in
1848, and at once began his present work of tanning leather of all kinds.
Beginning on a modest scale, Mr. Eberhard has
enlarged his plant and his capital from time to time, as the demands of his
trade required, having now one of the largest and most complete tanneries in
every respect that can be found on the Pacific coast, its furnishings and
equipment being of the most modern construction. His leathers, from the finest
morocco to the heaviest sole leather, are well known and readily sell in the
principal markets of this country and Europe, their superior qualities being
everywhere recognized and appreciated. In the management of his extensive
interests Mr. Eberhard employs many men, all of whom
place in him the utmost trust and confidence, and so respect him that the
thought of a strike never enters their heads.
In 1864, in Santa Clara, Mr. Eberhard married Mary Glein, of
this city, and into their pleasant household ten children have
been born. Fraternally Mr. Eberhard is a member of
True Fellowship Lodge No. 238, I. O. O. F., of Santa Clara. A man of great
intelligence and integrity, he is public spirited and progressive, and
contributes liberally toward enterprises conducive to the public welfare.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1185-1186. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.