San Francisco County
Biographies
HON. ALFRED
J. FRITZ
Skilled in jurisprudence, and with an eminent reputation in the practice of law and upon the bench, the Hon. Alfred J. Fritz is now serving as a municipal judge of San Francisco. He was born in Sacramento, California, September 8, 1871, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Hook) Fritz. Joseph Fritz was a native of New York, and came to California in the ‘60s, here being active as a contractor and builder. He died when his son Alfred was an infant. His wife was born in the state of Ohio, and came to California when she was a young girl. By her marriage to Joseph Fritz, she was the mother of five children, four daughters and one son, of whom four survive.
Judge Fritz decided upon the law as his life’s career when he was a very young man. He found it necessary to work hard to obtain his education, but he persisted and attained his goal more completely than he anticipated during those early years. He attended St. Ignatius College and also other evening classes in the Lincoln school. While taking the latter courses, he worked during the daytime for a wholesale firm. Later he became connected with the law office of Judge Pringle, who practiced as a member of the firm of Pringle & Hayne, and here he had the opportunity to gain much practical experience under the guidance of these veteran counselors. Judge Fritz felt himself qualified to take the bar examination in 1894, and he was successful. In May of that year he was formally admitted to the state bar, and immediately thereafter established himself in practice in San Francisco. From the beginning he met with a favorable reception from the public, and his clients steadily increased in number. In 1899, he was chosen by the vote of the people for the office of police judge. He was reelected in 1901, and served in that capacity until 1906. He then returned to the private practice of law. Further honors were accorded him on July 1, 1930, when he was appointed municipal judge by Governor Young of California. In this position, he has fulfilled his duties with commendable judgment, and in the conduct of his court and the fairness of his decisions he has made an unassailable record.
In 1914, in San Francisco, Judge Fritz was married to Miss Cora Beretta, who was born in the Presidio, where her father had charge of the commissary store, which has now been taken over by the government.
Judge Fritz is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West; the Olympic Club; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Woodmen of the World; the South End Rowing Club; the South of Market Street Boys Club, and the Down Town Association. For six years he served as a lieutenant in the naval reserves. He was for many years active in athletics, and attained a reputation for ability in a number of sports. He was proficient in handball, and was one of the leading players of the Olympic Club. In 1894 he was a member of the championship rowing crew from the Pacific coast, and he has been a sprinter of note and a leader in aquatic sports. Singing has been another of his favorite accomplishments. He has been keenly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen of San Francisco, and has given his aid and influence to all local movements which he considered of benefit to the general welfare. He has gained a host of supporters and friends through the democratic and honorable attitude he has held toward his fellows, and he has upheld the dignity of his position on all occasions.
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 468-470.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES