Santa Clara County
Biographies
FREDERICK WILLIAM WEISSHAAR
In December, 1861, Mayfield was scarcely an inspiring place of abode, nor would the home seeker, anxious for immediate financial results, have felt any encouragement to settle within its boundaries. The Discerning and patient and farsighted, however, saw much in its location and general advantages, and to this class of people it owes its present prosperity and position among the towns of Santa Clara county. No early settler embodied the essentials of stable citizenship in greater degree than Frederick William Weisshaar, who has owned his present home in the heart of the town since the December mentioned above, and who at the time of his arrival found seven houses and but few straggling interests to bear him company. Mr. Weisshaar possessed the courage and conservatism of his Teutonic ancestors, and expected only steady and sure growth along legitimate lines. Therefore he has been a success, and has helpfully and intelligently aided in the general upbuilding of a community which regards him as one of its most enlightened and reliable citizens.
Born in the village of Kreuzburg, Saxe-Weimar, Germany, July 2, 1832, Mr. Weisshaar is the only survivor in the family of three daughters and one son born to John Justin and Anna Dorothea (Salzman) Weisshaar. John Justin learned the butcher trade as a young man, but in later life turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, occupations at which he made a fair livelihood, and which kept him in health and spirits during the seventy-two years of his well ordered life. His wife survived him for two years, at the time of her death being sixty-four years old. For his time and place Frederick William received a fair education, and until his fifteenth year attended the public schools, thereafter turning his attention to farming for a couple of years. His thorough training under his father, and his own subsequent independent effort, caused him to become an expert landsman, and resulted in the position of overseer of a farm of one thousand acres, a large responsibility in European countries. In 1852 he embarked at a seaport town of Germany for America, reaching Baltimore, Md., June 26, 1852, and soon after securing a position as coach driver for three months. Contracting the westward fever he made his way to New Orleans, and in the surrounding country was variously employed until January, 1856, when he embarked for the Isthmus on his way to San Francisco.
Reaching San Francisco June 26, 1856, Mr. Weisshaar engaged in the furniture business for five years, and as heretofore stated came to the embryo village of Mayfield in December, 1861. With a partner he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which was later divided, he retaining that portion upon which the town has since been built. He laid out the first lot on Main street, and as the settlers began to arrive he found ready purchasers of lots, so that at present he owns a comparatively small part of his original purchase. For years he engaged in grain and stock-raising but latterly has retired from active life, having contributed his share toward the development of his chosen locality, as well as laid by a substantial competence for his latter days. His influence has been a many-sided one, and embraces practically all phases of growth in the town. Especially has he promoted education and political integrity, and though no office seeker in Democratic camps, he has invariably voted for the best interests of his party and town. No more honored or popular fraternalist is known hereabouts, nor has anyone more zealously promoted the establishment of branches of the world’s best societies. Today he is the only charter member living of the Mayfield Lodge of Odd Fellows No. 192, and he is also a charter member of the Mayfield Lodge of Druids No. 45. He has passed through all the chairs of both societies, and has also been a delegate to both lodges. Mr. Weisshaar was reared in the Lutheran Church, but his wife is a member of the Catholic Church of Mayfield.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 301. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2014 Joyce Rugeroni.