San Francisco County

Biographies

WILLIAM KEYSER VANDERSLICE

W. K. VANDERSLICE stands at the head of one of the oldest and most popular jewelry establishments on the Pacific coast, and is one of San Francisco’s most prosperous business men. Through his own efforts he has arisen from a position of obscurity to one of honor, his ability being recognized in all the commercial circles of the coast. He came to California in May, 1858, and in the fall of that year he started his present business in a very small, unpretentious way on Washington street near Sansome. In 1860, finding that he required more room for his constantly growing trade, he went to Montgomery street, where he did a prosperous business until 1863. He then purchased the old Sansome Hook and Ladder Company’s building and fitted it up for a store; there he remained until 1871, when he removed to Sutter street, being the first jeweler in this locality. For the past twenty years he has been at 136, where he does a large business in manufacturing, and displays one of the finest stocks of jewelry and diamonds to be found on the Pacific coast. He is justly proud of the fact that he has attained his present high standing in the commercial world form the beginning of $206 of borrowed capital. Then he had in his employ one man, and now he gives work to thirty skilled artisans. As fast as the city grew he kept in the van, but let it not be supposed that he had no difficulties to encounter or obstacles to overcome. Early in his career he adopted the motto, “Truthfulness and Honesty,” and to a life in strict accordance he attributes his prosperity.

Mr. Vanderslice is of Quaker lineage, born in Philadelphia, August 31, 1823. His father, George Vanderslice, was a native of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were early settlers in America and active participants in the struggle for independence. His mother’s maiden name was Jane Roberts, a Philadelphia of Quaker ancestry. They had a family of fourteen children, five of whom still survive. Mr. Vanderslice was educated in Philadelphia, and there learned the silversmith and jewelry trade. He embarked in the business in Philadelphia in 1857, but the prospects were not fair enough to satisfy the ambitions of youth; as the Pacific coast offered many inducements he emigrated to California, and the experience of later years has attested to the correctness of his judgment.

Our subject has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for forty years, and for many years has been a representative to the Grand Lodge. He is Treasurer of his lodge and also of the Hall Association, and took an active part in the building of the hall. He is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order in 1870.

In 1847, August 31, he was united in marriage to Miss Sherman of Boston; she is a member of the old American family of Shermans, who have produced several of the most distinguished men this country has known. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vanderslice seven children. It was their great misfortune to lose one son by drowning just as he has reached his twenty-fourth year. Two of the children died in infancy, and four are still living. One of the sons is his father’s efficient assistant in the store, and one daughter is the wife of J. S. Johnson and resides in Oakland.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.

Source: “The Bay of San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 666-667, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

California Biography Project

San Francisco County

California Statewide

Golden Nugget Library