San Francisco County
Biographies
CHARLES
BUNDSCHU
Representative of the most cultured and intelligent class of citizenship which Germany has contributed to the United States was the late Charles Bundschu of San Francisco, a notable figure in various affairs of this city, and one of the most important promoters of viticulture in the state of California.
Mr. Bundschu was born in the city of Mannheim, North Baden, Germany, in the year 1842, and in the schools and universities of the Fatherland he received his education. In 1862, when twenty years of age, he came to the United States, and for six years thereafter he was associated with mercantile pursuits in California. His attention was then directed toward the science of viticulture, then a leading industry of the state, and one in which he perceived a most promising future. With his father-in-law, Jacob Gundlach, Mr. Bundschu accordingly established the Rhinefarm vineyard and winery in Sonoma county. This became one of the largest organizations of its character in California. He was also for many years president of the Gundlach-Bundschu Wine Company. Unfortunately, the finest cellar and the rarest wines owned by this company were destroyed by the San Francisco fire of 1906. Mr. Bundschu was generally considered a foremost authority on viticulture. He was a profound student by nature, and was possessed with the Teutonic love of thoroughness and attention to detail; consequently he left nothing undone in his application to his field of activity. He was responsible to a great extent for the development of grape growing in northern California, the creation of its permanency, and his prolific pen was used for many articles on grape culture and wine making which were published in leading newspapers and periodicals. He believed in the future of the industry and the quality of California-made wines, and he had the ability to express his beliefs editorially in the most convincing style. He was a member of the old state viticultural commission, and was likewise affiliated with the California wine interests by his contributions to world’s fairs, and to other expositions in the country. Mr. Bundschu took a general interest in business affairs of San Francisco aside from the wine industry, and was always found in the ranks of those loyal citizens who cooperated in worthy movements. He was one of the founders and for several years vice president and a director of the San Francisco Merchants’ Association.
On September 9, 1875, Charles Bundschu was united in marriage to Francisca Gundlach, a daughter of Jacob and Eva (Hoffman) Gundlach. Her father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States in 1850, his voyage to this country having lasted one year to the day. He became a large landholder in Sonoma county, California, and there became a pioneer grape grower, having been associated in the business with Mr. Bundschu. He died in 1894, in his seventy-sixth year.
Mr. and Mrs. Bundschu became the parents of six children. First in the order of birth is Louise, who is the wife of R. M. Sims, and by this marriage the mother of Leora (Mrs. Lee Aydelott), Richard M., and Robert Lee. Second in the family is Carl, who married Gertrude Shelton, and is the father of Elizabeth, Charles and Philip. Third is Alma, the wife of F. B. Scoones, and mother of Thelma. Fourth is Walter B., who is the husband of Sadie Towle, and the father of Towle Bundschu. The fifth child was Rudolph, now deceased, who married Ruth Seeley. Sixth, and youngest, is Ralph M., who married Jean Geary, and they have two children, Barbara Bundschu and Geary Bundschu. Mrs. Charles Bundschu makes her home now at 1350 Jones street in San Francisco.
Charles Bundschu was a man of innate culture and marked literary talent. His poems, written in both English and in German, were subject to most favorable criticism, and one which is typical of the meritorious composing he did, is printed at the close of this biography. He possessed one of the most excellent private libraries in San Francisco, but this was destroyed during the fire of 1906. He was gifted with fine sentiment, and held to the highest ideals throughout his life. He was a leader, especially among German-American citizens in San Francisco, and he was president of the German Benevolent Society for several years. He assisted in the establishment of the Altenheim, or German Old People’s Home in Fruitvale, California. He belonged to the Bohemian Club, and was a member, also once president, of the Loring Singing Society. One of his latest civic activities was to organize the German festival and ceremony incident to the placing of the Goethe-Schiller monument in Golden Gate Park.
The death of Charles Bundschu occurred in San Francisco, September 30, 1910. His work and memory, however, hold imperishable place in the traditions and history of the city. An illuminating insight into his character and thoughts may be gained by perusal of one of his poems, written July 24, 1902, and which follows:
Three scores have passed - the years are ebbing low.
The stream of life must check its rapid flow!
Rushing along it found midst curbs and stays,
Currents and rapids in its winding ways.
While others wail and mourn the fleeting years
I shed no tears!
Three scores have passed--I trace from memory’s shrine
My early recollections from the Rhine,
And all the footprints of my fond ambitions,
My hopeful longings and my youthful visions,
Whatever made me cheerful, strong and free,
Comes back to me.
Three scores have passed--perhaps not all in vain
Were storm and sunshine--failings, loss and gain;
And if not every seed has borne its fruit,
If but a few have somewhere taken root,
Then not in vain was what I fairly sought,
Not all for naught.
Three scores have passed--and many of the best
I ever met have gently gone to rest.
To them and to the friends still fair and bright,
I turn my heart with thoughts of keen delight,
For every word and deed I now recall
I think them all!
Three scores have passed--and still the light of love
Shines brightly and protects me from above.
My wife and children fill my heart and soul,
And will in years that henceforth may unroll
Be loved and cherished dearly to the last,--
Three scores have passed!
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 266-271.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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