HON. CHRISTIAN REIS

 

 

HON. CHRISTIAN REIS is the youngest of the three brothers who came to California across the plains in 1849.  Gustave was next and Ferdinand the oldest, but even he was but little beyond his majority when they made the venture.  These three gentlemen have certainly made excellent records in California.  They may with all truth be looked on as among the more energetic builders of our great State.  Mr. Christian Reis is certainly well known in this city.  This sketch we give him will, therefore, be read with interest.

 

Mr. Reis was born in Germany.  He was but a child, however, when his family came to this country.  They settled in Texas when Texas was the Lone Star Republic, which in itself shows that they possessed the true pioneers spirit.  In Texas the senior Mr. Reis died, in 1847.

 

When the news of the great gold discovery was carried East, it was but natural these young men should feel a longing to come to California.  Their ambition was aroused over the prospects here and inconsequence it did not take them long to decide.  After settling everything and preparing a proper outfit they join the caravan to cross the plains.  The route they took from Texas was through a wilderness untrodden before by white man.  They had to secure Indian guides as a consequence.  They went from what is now El Paso to and through New Mexico and Arizona.  They voyaged part of the way by the Gila river and by the Colorado.  They passed the present Tucson, which was then an Indian village.  From the Colorado river they struck through the Mojave Desert and on into Los Angeles and so north.  Sometime in July, 1849, the site of the Fort Yuma on the Colorado was reached.  We doubt if a more perilous way could have been chosen when we consider the country and the Indian tribes.  At that time of the year the heat was stifling.  Still, they met with no accidents, and sickness did not come to them.  Young, strong, and full of life, perils at that time seemed light to them, however, and had they been attacked we doubt not they would have given a good account of their courage.

 

On arrival here the three brothers went to the mines of Mariposa county.  For some two months they remained there and worked in the customary way.  It not proving remunerative they moved to Calaveras county, and for some months engaged there near Murphy's Camp.  Following this they went to Stockton, where they remained, however, but a brief period.  Going afterwards to Marysville, they engaged in freighting to the camps on the Yuba and Feather rivers.  This proved remunerative and for several years they were so occupied.

 

Many, indeed, of our leading men now were engaged in freighting in the early days.  Then there were no railroads, few good roads of any kind, and this system, indeed, was general in California and held until the railroad era.  The brothers also started a store, and besides real estate did a banking business in gold dust, etc., during this period at Downieville, Sierra county.  Of this Mr. Christian Reis was manager, and he showed good judgment and wise care in his charge.  From there he came to this city--1860,--and for some three years afterwards was associating with C. H. Reynolds in the banking business here.  As in the mountains, so here, Mr. Reis' straightforward business methods and his personal integrity soon gave him the confidence of our people.  Out-spoken in his views, even those who differed from him respected him for this.  In politics he was always consistent.  Nominated for City Treasurer, his first election showed his popularity.  This was in 1882.  Again in 1886 he was successful, and in 1888.  No man has ever held this office who has given greater satisfaction to our people.  He conducts it indeed, on business principles and keeps it apart from political influence. In his case the office certainly sought the man.  Quiet and unassuming in manner Mr. Reis has little desire for publicity.  He is eminently conservative in his views.  He belongs to a few clubs or societies, for his occupation takes all his time, and in home life he finds that pleasure and relaxation he needs.  Naturally he is a member of the Pioneer Society.  He has two sons.  Mr. Reis is thoroughly Californian and shows this in his genial and affable manner.  In every industry in this State, indeed, does he take interest.  This might be expected, however, for he was, we may say, raised here and has lived his life among us.  His record from the beginning is a bright one.  It is marked all through by industrious and honest effort.  In this record, is his best to success, and, we doubt not, his people so regard it .  Mr. Reis has certainly the respect and confidence of those who know him and very deservedly so.

 

 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco" Volume 1. Lewis Publishing Company 1892. Page 427-429.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.