San Francisco County
Biographies
Joe Poheim, the celebrated merchant tailor of the Pacific coast, is a native of Austria, born in 1847. He was educated in his native land and learned sewing in that country, serving four years at the trade. Coming to New York in 1865, he worked two years as a journeyman, learning the art of cutting. He came to San Francisco in 1867, and worked at the trade two years, and then engaged in business on his own account, opening his first shop at 103 Third street in 1869. He soon began to secure the trade of the city, and started a branch at 203 Montgomery street, and in 1881 opened a branch at 724 Market street, and in 1885 still another on Market street, Nos. 1110, 1112. After this, in 1886, he started his Los Angeles establishment, and in 1887 opened his business in San Diego. He now has merchant-tailoring establishments, in addition to those already mentioned, at San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Stockton, and in Portland, Oregon. When he first began business in San Francisco he had in his employ ten to fifteen men; now, in San Francisco alone, 100 people are furnished with employment. In supplying his business with goods he imports a good deal of goods direct. He retains the measures of his customers and orders come to him for clothing from all over the coast. He has orders from Montana, Arizona, Salt Lake and even Mexico. The history of his business has been one of constant increase from the start, and has reached as high as $400,000, annually. Mr. Poheim gives strict attention to his business, employs skilled and trusty men and makes it the rule of his business to give entire satisfaction to his customers; and to that he gives credit for his phenomenal success.
He has a wife and five children, all born in San Francisco, and has built a
beautiful residence where he resides with his family. He is quite liberal
in politics, voting more for men than party. He belongs to a few German
societies, the Knights of Honor and the A.O.U.W. Mr. Poheim
is only the forty-fourth year of his age. He has made a good business
record, is widely and favorably known and has a most promising future.
Transcribed 1-31-05
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source:
"The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, page 699, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 Marilyn R. Pankey.