San Francisco County
Biographies
WILLIAM C.
HAMMERSMITH
Among the foremost morticians of San Francisco is William C. Hammersmith, who is the president of Halsted & Company at 1123 Sutter street. He is a native of California, having been born in San Francisco, September 7, 1887, and is a son of the late Fred and Anna (Johnson) Hammersmith. Fred Hammersmith, who was known for many years as one of San Francisco’s successful merchants, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1850, and came to the United States, and directly to San Francisco, in 1862, when he was only twelve years of age. Here he lived until his death in 1899. His wife was born in 1849 in Stockholm, Sweden, and crossed the ocean to the United States when she was a young girl. She, too, came directly to San Francisco, and resided here until her death on August 15, 1918. Three children were born to Fred and Anna Hammersmith, William C., being the only survivor at this time.
William C. Hammersmith attended the Lincoln grammar school until he was fourteen years old, when he was faced with the necessity of earning his own living. It is a singular fact that he then began work in the profession which was to be his life’s work, that of undertaking. He secured employment with the firm of McGinn Brothers, where he learned the fundamentals and methods of the work in a most thorough manner. He remained in this connection for six years, and then became associated with Halsted & Company in 1908. In 1918, he was made a member of the firm and vice president of the same upon the death of Percy L. Henderson, and in 1930, upon the death of William A. Halsted, he became president of the organization. This representative and successful undertaking firm of San Francisco had its origin in 1883, and was founded by William A. Halsted. The company was incorporated in 1913.
Mr. Hammersmith was married October 8, 1914, in San Francisco, to Miss Emma Traung, a native of this city, and a daughter of Louis and Ella Traung, each descended from pioneer families of the bay district. The mother is deceased. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hammersmith there has been born one daughter, June, whose natal day was May 29, 1917. The family home is situated at 708 Third avenue in San Francisco.
In politics, Mr. Hammersmith has always maintained an independent stand, and he has never sought public office for himself. His church affiliation is with the Episcopal. He is a member of the board of governors of the Civic League Improvement Club and belongs to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 144, F. & A. M.; San Francisco Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; California Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; San Francisco Consistory, No. 1; and Islam Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership in the Olympic Club, the Lakeside Country Club, San Francisco Lodge, No. 3, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the San Francisco Yacht Club, the St. Francis Yacht Club, the Down Town Association, the Loring Club, and the Yacht Owners’ Association. Mr. Hammersmith’s favorite diversions are yachting, hunting and fishing.
In achieving his success in life, and the fine popularity he enjoys, Mr. Hammersmith has attained his goal entirely by his own efforts and ability. He possesses qualities and personal traits which have well qualified him to conduct the responsible duties of his profession most satisfactorily, and he has been gifted with much energy and determination. He earned his first money in life when he was eight years old, by the sale of newspapers, and since that date his career has been one of prosperity and substantial accomplishment.
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 465-467.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES