San Francisco County

Biographies

PETER FREDERIC CLERC

PETER FREDERIC CLERC, proprietor of Clerc’s Machine Works, San Francisco, was born in France, January 1, 1827. He was educated in his native land, and spent nearly ten years in Paris, learning the trade of machinist. September 15, 1855, he set sail for America, and after spending some time in several cities in the East, including Springfield, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, he came to California via New Orleans, Havana and Panama, landing at San Francisco from the steamer Golden Gate at six o’clock on the morning of December 16, 1857. He remained in the city until June of the following year, when he went to British Columbia. He took $600 with him, and after a six months’ experience in prospecting and mining returned with $16 and some gold which he keeps as a memento of his British Columbia experience. He then engaged in work at his trade for Paul Garcin, worked two years for him, the following two years in a foundry, and afterward as a machinist in Mr. Gordon’s sugar refinery, February 14, 1861. He bought a half interest in a machine shop, which he named the North Machine Shop, his partner in this enterprise being Mr. Klinclaus. They continued in it until 1866, then purchased the Railroad Foundry and named it the City Foundry, Clerc & Co. conducting the business until 1870. He had loaned $3,200 to the Vulcan Foundry; they failed, and Mr. Clerc’s partner left him to pay up. Financial embarrassment followed. Mr. Clerc again began working for wages, and was in the employ of Mr. Garratt a year and a half. At the end of that time, with three others he purchased a gold and silver mine in Mexico, each owning a fourth interest. They went to the mine and were there six months. All of them were taken sick, and two of the partners died. Mr. Clerc returned to this city, and it was two years before he recovered his health. He was then in the employ of the Rusdan Iron Works, and also worked for a time at the City Foundry. In 1882 he again started in business for himself, and has since been successful in his undertakings; is now out of debt, owns his machinery, and has seven men in his employ.

In 1868 Mr. Clerc married Miss Marie Granadou. They had one child, a son, who died, and after fourteen years of happy married life Mrs. Clerc was called home. After remaining single four years, he married Mrs. Pauline Henry. She has two sons by her former husband; one resides with them and the other in Jefferson City.

Mr. Clerc has been a Mason since 1864. He was one of the organizers of the Union Laborieuse, Norr, Sons of Hiram, a labor union society designed wholly for mental improvement, and of this society Mr. Clerc has been elected President fifteen times, occupying that position at the present. He is a trustee of the Sons of Hiram Society. He has been elected twice a member of the French Benevolent Society.

Such is the short history of one of the early settlers of San Francisco—one who has met with adversity, not, however, through any fault of his own, and who, by his skill as a machinist and his courage and perseverance, has overcome the many obstacles as they presented themselves, and is now one of the responsible business men of the city. Mr. Clerc contemplates a visit to France, the home of his youth, which he has not seen since 1855.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 193-194 Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

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