San Francisco County

Biographies


 

 

JOSEPH BUDDE

 

 

JOSEPH BUDDE, dealer in sanitary appliances.—It is a fact well-known to students of physiological science, that one of the most potent factors in the health or disease of civilized communities, especially in cities and towns, is the freedom of the dwellings from sewer gases, which are the recognized cause of a number of acute diseases that have their origin in blood poison and are very destructive to life in thickly populated districts.  Hence one of the most difficult problems of solution for the building grades is to dispose of these poisonous gases so as to have the home, the shop and the office free from their deadly presence.  The inventor and manufacturer who devises the most effectual method of achieving this important result is a public benefactor.  To this class belongs Joseph Budde, who stands at the head as an inventor and manufacturer of sanitary closets on the Pacific coast.  His manufactory and warerooms occupy the second story of a large brick building on the southeast corner of Mission and First streets, San Francisco.  From fifteen to twenty hands are employed in the establishment, which is supplied with the best machinery and conveniences for carrying on this business.  The sanitary goods manufactured are largely his own inventions, for which he holds letters patent and which are pronounced by the scientific authorities to be the superior to any other.  His “Golden Gate,” his “Supreme” and “Pioneer” closets are the climax of sanitary science and mechanical skill, and besides being perfect safeguards against sewer gases are artistically beautiful.  These closets have superseded the older and inferior sanitary appliances in many of the largest and best public buildings and the finest residences in San Francisco and other cities of this coast, and the demand for them is so great and is increasing so rapidly that in spite of frequent enlargement of facilities the factory is unable to keep pace with his orders.  From the most humble beginning Mr. Budde has built up this extensive and prosperous business in a single decade, solely through the excellence of his goods—the product of his inventive genius and mechanical skill—and his personal energy.  So obvious is the superiority of these goods that his sanitary exhibits have been awarded the highest medals at the State fairs for several years past.

      Joseph Budde was born and learned the business of manufacturing brass goods in Westphalia, one of the most progressive provinces in Germany.  Starting at the trade in 1858, he continued in the same establishment fourteen years, during which he mastered every department of the business.

      In 1872 he immigrated to America, stopping first in the city of Baltimore, where he obtained employment, first, with one of his own countrymen, and afterwards in a box-factory.  Leaving there he worked two years in a large manufactory of gas fixtures and chandeliers, where he was largely employed in metal spinning.  Deciding to come to California, he arrived in San Francisco in October, 1874, and secured a situation in Clark & Springer’s brass works.  During the seven years following he made several changes, the last five being spent in the manufactory of William Schmidt.  In 1881 Mr. Budde established the nucleus of his present business in a small room on First street, himself and a boy comprising the working force.  The rapid growth of the business has necessitated larger manufacturing facilities, the last being the removal to his present commodious quarters in 1890.

      Landing in this country without capital or friends, and unable to speak a word of the English language, Mr. Budde has through his own industry and energy climbed the ladder of success from the bottom round until he occupies a prominent position among the manufacturers of the Pacific slope.  Mr. Budde is conscientious in business, and socially his is affable and kind-hearted.  He is a member of the German Hospital Society, the Eintracht Musical Club, and German Loan and Building Association.  He married in San Francisco, in 1876.

 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, pages 669-670, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.


© 2006 Donna L. Becker.

 

 

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