San Francisco County
Biographies
CHARLES H.
SPENGEMANN
In point of continuous activity Charles H. Spengemann is one of San Francisco’s oldest furriers, for his connection with the local trade covers a period of forty years, and the prosperity which he enjoys is the legitimate reward of an upright life of earnest endeavor and unfaltering purpose. A native of this city, he was born in the old home at the corner of Third and Jessie streets, October 18, 1877, and is a son of Charles H. and Elizabeth (L’Allemand) Spengemann, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in the state of New York. His ancestors participated in the early wars of this country and his grandfather in the maternal line served in the Mexican and other wars. In his native land Charles H. Spengemann, Sr., followed the trade of a cornice maker and also sang in opera, appearing in tenor roles. In 1870 he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, choosing the same route as Miss L’Allemand, and they were married in San Francisco. They established their home on California street in a cottage constructed of material that was shipped around Cape Horn in pioneer times. Charles H. Spengemann, Sr., was well known to the early Californians and his genial nature and magnetic personality drew to him a wide circle of stanch friends. In 1874 he was employed on the cornice work of the original Palace Hotel on Market street and later engaged in the liquor business. His was the first side bar in San Francisco and it was located in a stall in the old California market on California street. He was identified with the Knights of Honor, the Turnverein and a number of singing societies. He possessed a beautiful voice and was the stellar attraction at many musical entertainments in the early days. Leaving San Francisco in 1882, he located in Stockton, California, where he conducted a hotel until his death in 1884. He was a republican and took a keen interest in politics and in all affairs of public moment. To Mr. and Mrs. Spengemann were born four children, of whom one, a daughter, died while on a train and was buried in the desert of Mexico. The other members of the family are: Charles H., and George, both of San Francisco; and Mrs. F. F. Wedekind, a resident of Sonoma, California. Mrs. Spengemann became the great-grandmother of six children, all of whom are living. She has witnessed much of the actual “winning of the west” and is one of California’s honored pioneer women.
Her son, Charles H. Spengemann, acquired a limited education, for he was obliged to seek work at the early age of eleven years. He attended the Lincoln school for a time, later sold papers in the western addition of San Francisco and did other odd jobs. In 1891 he entered the employ of H. Liebes & Company, San Francisco furriers, with whom he remained until 1910, when he established a shop of his own, and has here conducted business for twenty-one years. He is located at 212 Stockton street and is accorded a large patronage, due to his enterprise, his reliability as a dealer and his knowledge of the fur trade.
In 1904 Mr. Spengemann married Miss Emma Schafer, whose father, George Schafer, came to San Francisco at an early date and became a prominent democratic politician, though not an office-holder. Mrs. Emma Spengemann passed away in 1923, leaving a daughter, Emily R., who is the wife of William Goldsmith and the mother of four children. In June, 1928, Mr. Spengemann was again married, his second union being with Miss Clae Delsmann, a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. From his ancestors he inherited a talent for mechanical pursuits and for relaxation from business cares he turns to carpenter work and cabinet-making. He also enjoys gardening and spends as much time in the open as possible. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner, a Sciot and a member of the Eastern Star, and also belongs to Hesperian Parlor, No. 137, Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he is past president. Deprived of advantages in his youth, Mr. Spengemann has made his own way in the world and is actuated in all that he does by the spirit that has made the west--the employment of every available opportunity and faith in the future.
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 322-326.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES