San Francisco County
Biographies
GENERAL
HENRY ADOLPHUS COBB
GENERAL H. A. COBB is
one of the few remaining real estate men who established their business in San
Francisco in the ‘50s. A review of his life can not fail to be of
interest, and is as follows:
General H. A. Cobb
was born on the Isle of Guernsey, in 1817, his father being a naturalized
American, though of English descent. Educated in Belgium and France, he emigrated to the United States in 1834, and in 1837 went to
Texas, arriving at Houston soon after the battle of San Jacinto and while the
army was being disbanded. Mr. Cobb then engaged in the dry-goods business,
in partnership with Stephen H. Everet, continuing to
1839, when he left the business and enlisted as a volunteer in Captain Ross’
cavalry company to defend the republic of Texas against the uprising of the
Mexicans and Indians on the frontier. General Albert Sidney Johnston, who
was killed at Shiloh, was general in command. Mr. Cobb was elected second
Sergeant, and served during the trouble. On his return to Houston, he was
appointed Clerk in the office of Major Moody, Controller of the Republic, and
also Chief Clerk of the Court of Inquiry, organized to pass upon accounts
contracted during the war, for which the proper vouchers had not been
rendered. Subsequently Mr. Cobb was appointed Midshipman in the Texas
Navy, and while in service was promoted to the position of Sailing
Master. Resigning from the navy, he was married in Galveston, in 1840, and
then engaged in business there with Mr. E. Martin, of Havana, in exporting
large quantities of cotton and importing general merchandise, with shipments
afloat all over the globe. He was also Vice Consul of France for a
considerable period.
In 1849 Mr. Cobb left
his family in Galveston and came to California, arriving late in 1850. In
January, 1851, he started a general auction business on Washington street, near Montgomery, and was burned out in the fire of
May, 1851, with heavy losses. He immediately rebuilt, but was again burned
out in June. His losses incited to greater effort, and, once more
establishing himself, he continued with marked success. In the spring of
1851 he brought his family to San Francisco. He continued the auction
business till 1855, when he sold his interest to Simon L. Jones, and, for rest
and recreation, took a trip to Europe, returning the following year.
In 1856 he entered
the real-estate business with Selover, Sinton &
Co., on Commercial street, and he, personally, sold
the immense estates of Folsom, Beidaman, Broderick,
Lick and Thomas Hayes, selling in one day as high as $1,000,000 worth of
property. He was an active member the Volunteer Fire Department and
foreman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; also delegate and treasurer of the
Board of Delegates of the Fire Department. He has been twice elected
President of the Board of Education of the city and county of San
Francisco. He was the First Assistant Adjutant-General on
Brigadier-General Haven’s staff, and subsequently was appointed
Brigadier-General of the Second Brigade, National Guard of California, serving
about three years. He was then appointed Major-General of the Second
Division, and after the war Governor Haight appointed
him Major-General of the forces of the State of California, in which capacity
he served four years. He is the oldest Sir Knight Templar in the State, being
No. 1 of California Commandery; was also Past Chief
Patriarch of I. O. O. F., and now real-estate agent and Notary Public.
Mr. & Mrs. Cobb
had seven children, three now living: Major H. A. Cobb, Jr., who was
aid-de-camp on the General’s staff, and who is now engaged in the insurance
business; Zoe, wife of J. W. Harrison, a prominent
coal and iron commission merchant of San Francisco; Eugenia, wife of E. D.
Jones, the extensive importer and commission merchant on California street.
Thus, briefly, is
summed up the life of General H. A. Cobb, a figure prominent in the growth and
development of San Francisco.
Transcribed
by 9-4-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 333-334,
Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.