San Francisco County
Biographies
ARTHUR A.
GOEPP
Arthur A. Goepp, who is the owner of the business known as Arthur A. Goepp, Incorporated, dealing and contracting in glass of all kinds, and situated at 70 Twelfth street in San Francisco, has made a success of his enterprise through his own courageous spirit and executive ability, and now has the seventh largest concern of its kind in this city.
Mr. Goepp was born in New York city, June 7, 1884, and is a son of the late Hon. Charles and Katherine (Silk) Goepp. The father was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and in that city was reared and educated, there receiving a degree in law. He came to the United States as a young man, and settled first in New York city, while in 1890 he removed to San Diego, California, where he engaged in the practice of law. He had been a judge previously in New York city. His death occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His wife was a native of the state of Vermont, and was of Irish and English descent. Six children were born to their marriage, four sons and two daughters.
Arthur A. Goepp, the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of San Diego. At the early age of eleven years, he was employed by an uncle, Peter Silk, in the latter’s livery stable in San Diego at a wage of two and a half dollars per month. Later he became an apprentice at the plumber’s trade, and followed the same about one year. Lead poisoning compelled him to relinquish this work, and he next was employed as a bellhop at the Florence Hotel in San Diego. In the later ‘90s, he became connected with W. P. Fuller & Company, paint, oil and glass dealers, and in this work he found the inspiration to enter the business in which he was destined to make an outstanding success. In February, 1904, Mr. Goepp came to San Francisco, and entered the employ of the Whittier-Coburn Company, with which he remained until 1907. After the great fire which destroyed the city in 1906, he became associated with Holt, Habenicht & Howlett, leading glass jobbers of San Francisco, whom he represented as a salesman from 1907 until February, 1915, when he resigned and established the firm of Fuller & Goepp, which continued until August, 1927. The partnership was then dissolved, and Mr. Goepp thereupon organized his present business as Arthur A. Goepp, Incorporated. Though the enterprise was established on a comparatively small scale, it has been developed, as noted, into one of the most successful in the bay district, being the seventh in size in San Francisco. The corporation deals in shatter-proof glass, windshield glass, Venetian mirrors, art glass, plate glass for furniture tops, health-ray glass, and bullet-proof glass, and also gives special attention to auto glass replacements and broken windows.
In San Francisco, December 21, 1918, Mr. Goepp was married to Miss Gertrude Frances Warren, who was born in this city, and is a daughter of Samuel and May (Wilke) Warren, likewise natives of San Francisco. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Goepp, five of whom are living, as follows: Arthur A., Jr., born December 3, 1919; Samuel Warren, born September 25, 1921; Francis Walter, born September 25, 1922; Gertrude Ann, born July 22, 1924; and Peter Elwood, born June 2, 1927. Another child, born in September, 1925, died in infancy. The Geopp family home in San Francisco is situated at 1530 Portola drive.
During the World war period, the firm of Arthur A. Goepp, Incorporated, did considerable work for the United States government. Mr. Goepp is a republican in his political faith, and he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Olympic Club, the Down Town Association, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He served as exalted ruler of the Elks in 1918-19. The prosperity and success enjoyed by Mr. Goepp is due entirely to his own efforts, without material assistance or influence of others. He started to work when a mere lad and delved into several occupations before he entered the field of endeavor in which he has accomplished so much. He enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has been associated in his business affairs, and has been strictly ethical in all of his relations.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 491-493.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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BIOGRAPIES