Santa
Clara County
Biographies
CHARLES MAURER
The plant of the San Jose Bottling Company is the largest of its kind in the Sacramento Valley, and the oldest in the town of which it is a landmark and important commercial factor. Charles Maurer, its owner and proprietor, is a typical German-American, possessing the most substantial and reliable, as well as the most genial and likable of Teutonic traits. Both sides of his family have been connected with extensive land ownership in Germany for centuries, and have been identified with the wars which have tested the valor and allegiance of the sons of the empire. He was born in Gudingen, Germany, March 22, 1859, a son of Nicholas and Christine (Klein) Maurer, natives of the same part of the kingdom, and the latter of whom was one of the largest land owners in the vicinity of Gudingen. The paternal grandfather, Nicholas, came from the same place, succeeding to vast estates, which he managed with consummate financial skill. At the time of his country's distress he enlisted in the army and served in the Napoleonic wars, acquiring the rank of commissioned officer, and participating in the historic march to Moscow. Among the same courageous band of men was George Klein, the maternal grandfather of Charles Maurer, who years after the downfall of Napoleon, came to America, locating on a farm in Wisconsin where his last days were spent. The wife of Nicholas Maurer still occupies the old home in Germany, having reared a family of four children, of whom three are living, Charles being the youngest.
Mr. Maurer was educated at the gymnasium in his native town, and after graduating from the school of architecture at Saarbrucken, a city in the Rhine Province, he entered the army, being transferred to the pioneer department which had charge of the rebuilding of forts in the country. During his service of five years as government army architect he was paid $75 a month. After receiving his discharge he came to America in 1888 and located in San Jose. That he was a man of enterprise and determination was proved three days after his arrival, when he purchased the bottling business of his brother-in-law, Peter Baltz, and also succeeded to the agency of the old Fredericksburg Brewery. Later success encouraged him in the purchase of the San Jose Bottling Company's plant, which he operated in connection with his former enterprise, making a combination of enormous capacity and even greater promise. The plant has branch stations in Salinas, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City, and the balance of the territory is worked from the main office in San Jose. The most modern of machinery and equipment prevails throughout the works, both steam and electric power being available. Besides the old Fredericksburg Brewing Company, Mr. Maurer represents the John Wieland Brewery of San Francisco. Some years ago he purchased property at No. 370 San Fernando street, where the present establishment was erected, and next to which he erected his home.
The family of Mr. Maurer consists of his wife, formerly Catherine Keiser, of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, and four children: William, who is his father's assistant in the works; and Carl, Peter and Catherine. Mr. Maurer is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active interest in his party's local undertakings. With characteristic sociability he is interested in many fraternal organizations, being a welcome member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Royal Arch, the Sons of Herman, Eagles, Turnverein, German Eindracht and German Krieger Verein. He is popular alike with the business and social element of the town, and encourages higher education, sound municipal government and the outdoor and indoor pleasures and diversions which contributed to the health and happiness of communities.
Transcribed
9-30-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Page 802. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R.
Pankey.