San Francisco County
ANDREW KOHLER & QUINCY A. CHASE
KOHLER & CHASE.--This old and well-known music house was
established by Andrew Kohler in 1850, on Stockton, between Jackson and Pacific
streets, San Francisco, his stock at that time consisting of notions, toys and
musical instruments. He purchased the property in which his business was
located. Three years later the firm became Kohler & Chase. In
1857 they leased a lot on Washington street, between Kearny and Montgomery
streets, erected a two-story brick building and occupied it with a stock of
goods, also continuing the business on Stockton street until 1860, when they
discontinued this store. The same year they occupied a store on Sansome street, taking the whole
of the second story from Commercial to Clay street for the demands of their wholesale
trade, still conducting their store on Washington street. In 1869 they
removed to Clay street, between Kearny and Montgomery
streets, and remained there until 1878, when, to meet the growing demands of
their trade, they moved to 137 and 139 Post street. In 1891 they came from
that location to their new store on O’Farrell street,
between Grant avenue and Stockton street. The house carries a large stock
of pianos and organs, the manufacture of Decker Bros, Mason & Hamlin, A. B.
Chase, Ivers & Pond, J. & C. Fischer,
etc. The department, embracing all kinds of musical instruments, is under
the charge of E. C. Chase. During all these years the firm of Kohler
& Chase has continued without change. Since the death of Mr.
Kohler in 1885 the interests have remained the same and the firm name has
remained unchanged. This well-known music house has an established
reputation, not only in the city and State, but also extending over the Pacific
coast.
QUINCY
A. CHASE, the managing partner of the old established music house of Kohler
& Chase, is a native of Freeport, Maine, born in 1830. His ancestors
for many generations were natives of New England. He grew up and received
his schooling in Maine, and on reaching manhood became enthused by the wonderful
reports of the gold discovery in California. Going to Boston, he shipped
on the Samuel Fales, Captain Talbot, came around the
Horn, and after a voyage of six months arrived in San Francisco in the fall of
1853.
Mr.
Chase accepted a position as clerk for Andrew Kohler, and soon afterward became
a partner. Since that time for a period of thirty-eight
years this firm as remained the same.
In his political affiliations Mr. Chase is a stanch
Republican. During the early history of the State he was a member of the
Vigilance Committee, and took an active part in all the movements tending
toward the interests of good government. He has resided in Oakland for
many years, and has been connected with the municipal government of that city.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages
450-451, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Donna L.
Becker.