San Francisco County
Biographies
LOUIS KAST
Louis Kast, whose death occurred in San Francisco on April 22, 1931, held a foremost position among the honored and respected citizens of the community. He was a pioneer shoe merchant and manufacturer of this vicinity, and in his later years he was engaged extensively in the insurance business.
Mr. Kast was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the year 1842. As a lad, he crossed the ocean to the United States, and soon became identified with business affairs in San Francisco. Eventually, he entered the shoe business, and before the fire of 1906 he owned one of the largest shoe stores in this city. He also erected one of the finest shoe factories in California; this was situated near the city of Napa. His holdings in San Francisco were largely destroyed by the disastrous fire of 1906, however, and subsequently, after a period voluntary retirement, he embarked in the insurance brokerage work which he followed during the remainder of his life. Mr. Kast was a stanch, rugged character, having combined within his make-up the finest of Teutonic qualities. He conducted his business affairs with rigid adherence to honorable principles and methods.
In San Francisco, on January 12, 1893, Mr. Kast was married to Mary E. Jones, a daughter of Dr. William and Catherine (St. Clair) Jones, who were pioneers in the Mother Lode country of California. Dr. Jones was a native of Ireland, while his wife was born in Lorraine, France. The latter’s father served in Napoleon’s army throughout its campaigns, and was decorated by this great leader for bravery in action. Mr. and Mrs. Kast had no children born to their own marriage, but their mutual love of children led them to adopt three daughters and rear them to womanhood. They family residence is at 1126 Guerrero street in San Francisco.
Mr. Kast was the only surviving member of SS. Peter and Paul Benevolent Society of St. Boniface’s Church. He was always actively interested in philanthropic work, and his wife likewise shared his enthusiasm for the helping of others. Mr. Kast’s death followed by just a few days that of his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles E. Jones, a biography of whom appears upon another page of this publication. An extraordinary friendship existed between these two men, both of whom had so many personal characteristics in common, and it is an accepted fact that the death of Dr. Jones hastened the passing of Mr. Kast.
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 211-212.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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