LOUIS FEUSIER

 

Louis FEUSIER.  Coming to California in 1852, the late Louis FEUSIER directed his business activities in such a capable manner as to make him a leading figure in mercantile affairs, while his social and civic connections were of an equally prominent character.  Born in France in 1825, he spent his early childhood in his native land.

 

Leaving France at the age of seven with his widowed mother, he joined an elder brother who had located in Ohio.  There he attended a school conducted by an old German pedagogue and later entered the public schools of the state.  In 1852 he made his journey to California via the Isthmus.  After several years in mining and merchandising he went to Virginia City, Nevada, where he embarked in the mercantile business.  During his stay there he gained a place high in the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens and served as a member of the school board and as treasurer of his county.  In addition to being prominent in public affairs he was likewise interested in building activities, and several of the stone structures which he had erected are still standing.

 

He left Virginia City in 1867 and returned permanently to San Francisco, where he contributed materially to the upbuilding and development of the city.  He established himself in the wholesale produce business, and was one of the originators of the first produce exchange in San Francisco.  He also organized the Occident, and Orient Commercial Company, and as the directing head of the corporation was one of the pioneers of the salmon canning industry of the state.  The Sebastopol winery was another of his enterprises, and all of these engaged his attention until he retired at the age of seventy-six.  He continued to live quietly at the old home until 1917, when he passed away at the age of ninety-one.

 

Mr. FEUSIER married Miss Louise GUERNE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. GUERNE.  Her father came to California in 1849, via the Isthmus, and was joined several years later by his family.  To Mr. and Mrs. FEUSIER there were born four children:  Clarence, a resident of California; Josephine, whose death occurred in 1921; Maybelle and Estelle.  The children and grandchildren were born in the old home still occupied by Mrs. FEUSIER, which was erected in the early days of San Francisco and is now one of the oldest structures in the city.