San Francisco County
Biographies
ALBERT P.
JACOBS
Albert P. Jacobs, who is the president of the wholesale commission firm of Jacobs, Malcolm & Burtt, situated at 101 Washington street in San Francisco, is considered one of the most efficient and capable business executives of this city, holding the managing responsibility of one of the oldest and leading firms of its character in the bay district.
Albert P. Jacobs was born in San Francisco, March 31, 1871, and is a son of the late Albert and Lydia (Porcorny) Jacobs. He is descended from pre-Revoluntionary stock, the first of his paternal line in this country having been Joshua Jacobs, originally from England, who was born in 1702 and died in 1784. Several men of the family participated in the struggle for independence. Albert Jacobs was born October 1, 1831, in Scituate, Massachusetts, and came to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama in the year 1852. He was a contractor and builder by trade. He was married in Massachusetts to Lydia Porcorny on November 27, 1867; she was of an old family of that state and of English blood. To their union were born six children, three sons and three daughters. Albert Jacobs passed away June 27, 1914, while his wife died June 30, 1889.
Albert P. Jacobs was the eldest son born to his parents. He studied in the San Francisco public schools and also in a commercial college, but when only sixteen years of age he started to earn his own livelihood, first as a bookkeeper with the commission firm of Cain & Company. He continued in this connection until 1891, or until the death of Peter P. Cain. Then, with the latter’s brother, he formed a copartnership known as J. H. Cain & Company, and situated at 222 Washington street. This arrangement was maintained until 1901, in which year the firm name was changed to J. H. Cain-Jacobs & Company. Following this, they purchased the business of Campodonico-Malcolm & Company, which was a corporation. The firm then moved to 110 Washington street, where they continued, and about the same time Mr. Jacobs bought the interests of J. H. Cain. The firm was incorporated in 1911, when it was Jacobs & Malcolm and had been since 1903. At this time, George L. Burtt, who is now deceased, became a member of the firm, which was then known to the public as Jacobs, Malcolm & Burtt, which is the present title of the business. In 1906, the place of business was moved to its present location at the southwest corner of Washington and Drumm streets, in the first reinforced concrete building in San Francisco erected after the fire. As noted, this is one of the oldest and largest commission houses in the city, and employs an average of about sixty people. Mr. Jacobs is also a director of the Bank of America. He has made material success in a business where competition is keen, and he has accomplished it entirely through his own efforts, his persistence, intelligent judgment, and honest methods.
In San Francisco, California, on September 4, 1894, Mr. Jacobs was married to Eleanore Porter, a native of this city, and a daughter of the late John and Belle (Wheat) Porter, who were born in Toronto, Canada, and Boston, Massachusetts, respectively. They settled in San Francisco in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have had two sons. Albert H., born August 13, 1898, married Millicent Street of San Francisco, and is the father of Gordon Otis and Eleanore Millicent Jacobs. Donald Porter Jacobs, the second son of Albert P. Jacobs, is now deceased. The family residence in San Francisco is situated at 20 Palm avenue.
Mr Jacobs’ religious views are Protestant in character, and in his political activities he has always followed the republican standard. He has attained thirty-two degrees in Masonry, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery, and Islam Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Stanford Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West; the Lakeside Country Club; the Olympic Club; the Meadow Club; and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Fishing and golf have been his favorite diversions outside of his business and companionship with his family. In local affairs which come to the attention of representative business men, he has given his cooperation as befits his excellent standing in the community.
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 417-419.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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