San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JACOB BRACK
A name worthy of perpetuation in the
annals of San Joaquin County as that of a pioneer whose faith in its future was
itself an incentive to others, is that of Jacob Brack. Good reason had he to be thankful that he
resolved to come to California when he heard of the discovery of gold; the
mines did not yield to him of their riches, but the soil rewarded his
cultivation with bountiful crops, the lands rewarded his faith by swift
increase in value, and by vessel and railroad his products were carried to the
markets of the world. This honored
pioneer of 1849 was born in Switzerland, February 20, 1825, being a son of
Jacob and Mary (Kestler) Brack,
both natives of that country. After
having obtained a common school education he was sent to a gymnasium, where he
remained a student until eighteen years of age.
About this time he decided to seek a livelihood in the New World, and in
1844 he sailed to the United States, landing at New Orleans, where he proceeded
up the Mississippi River to Burlington, Iowa, and from there went to Galena,
Illinois, for the purpose of securing employment in the lead mines. The work kept him steadily engaged but
offered no opportunity for advancement, and when in 1848 he heard of the
discovery of gold in California he immediately determined to go to the Far
West.
As a member of a train commanded by
Captain Schoe and consisting of a large equipment of
wagons drawn by oxen, Mr. Brack crossed the plains
during 1849, and encountered many thrilling adventures while following the
trail laid out by Capt. John C. Fremont. Upon arriving at Placerville he tried his
luck at mining. A brief experience
convinced him that he could achieve greater results at other employment, and
accordingly he began to work for Sargent Bros., prominent stockmen of that
day. In 1850 he bought a small tract in
the vicinity of Woodbridge, San Joaquin County, and immediately embarked in
ranching for himself. The following year
he went to the tule lands of the county, where he began to raise cattle and
sheep, also raised various general farm products. With the Sargent brothers as partners Mr. Brack purchased a tract of 1,500 acres of land, the
subsequent sale of which brought a fair profit.
Next he bought 10,000 acres, for which he paid $200 to close the deal,
and went into debt for the balance of the $50,000 constituting the purchase
price. With shrewd foresight and the
utmost confidence in the future of this region, he believed himself justified
in burdening himself with such a debt, and events proved his sagacity. A portion of the land had frontage on the
waterway, which enabled him to begin extensive operations on an independent
basis, and he raised large quantities of barley and wheat. Selling one-half of the immense tract, at the end of two years from the time of purchase he
still owned one-half of the property and was entirely free from debt.
The business grew to such
proportions that Mr. Brack purchased a vessel and
shipped his own products to San Francisco and other markets. In addition, to secure facilities for freight
by land, he was one of those who built a railroad from Lodi to Spring Valley,
Calaveras County, this being now a branch of the Southern Pacific
Railroad. By land and by water his products
reached the markets of the state and brought fair returns for his labor and his
investment. His name became known as
that of a prosperous and sagacious rancher, and when in 1906 he retired from
the active management of the ranch and removed to Lodi, it was a distinct loss
to the agricultural interests of the region.
Throughout active life he made ranching his
principal occupation, but he had other interests.
The marriage of Mr. Brack in 1854 united him with Miss Lena Meyer, who was born
in Germany, came to California in 1852, and died in San Joaquin County in 1905
at the age of seventy-six years. They
were the parents of eight children: Mrs.
Mary Diers, died in San Francisco; Henry; John, both
of Stockton; Mrs. Doretta Keller, of Lodi; Mrs. J. H.
Schleef, of San Francisco; Jacob, of San Francisco;
Miss Anna Brack, of Lodi and Caroline, died
1887. There are (1922) nine living
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mr. Brack passed away on March 4, 1912. He was a man of sterling qualities, a good
and generous parent, and an upright citizen.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
381. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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