San Joaquin County

Biographies


 

 

 

HENRY ESHBACH

 

 

            In the great army of Argonauts there came across the plains two brothers, Frank Robert and Joseph Robert, pioneers of 1848 on the Pacific coast and intimate friends of the illustrious Captain Weber.  For a time they tried their luck in the mines, but indifferent success caused them to turn their attention to industrial pursuits.  Starting the first dairy in Stockton they met with steady success, and for years continued to conduct a prosperous business.  Upon finally retiring they removed to San Francisco and there died when advanced in years.  During the early growth of their business they became impressed with the possibilities of the state and accordingly sent money for traveling expenses hither to Henry and Magdalena (Robert) Eshbach, a brother-in-law and sister.

            Thus it happened that the Eshbach family in 1857 boarded a vessel at New Orleans bound for the Isthmus of Panama and from there proceeded to San Francisco, whence they came to Stockton.  Henry Eshbach was a native of Switzerland and in early life had immigrated to the United States, settling in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he followed the trade of carpenter.  There he met and married Magdalena Robert, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, and in childhood, had come to the United States.  It was not the privilege of Henry Eshbach to attend school regularly in boyhood; hence his education was not what he wished.  However, he was a natural mechanic and also a proficient carpenter, and after coming to Stockton he followed carpentering until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty years.  His wife met with an accidental death in 1878.  During the Civil War, he served as a member of the 3rd California Regiment Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1865 and on the way east his regiment was detailed to suppress an Indian uprising in Utah.  He was a member of the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department, San Joaquin Company No. 3.  They were the parents of two sons, Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Frank, both residents of Stockton.

            In the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, Henry Eshbach was born on August 25, 1850, and there he spent his first seven years, when he took passage on a ship in 1857 and came via the Isthmus to California, landing from the steamer Golden Gate in April, 1857.  He attended the old Franklin school, still standing on South Center Street, and in the same class with him was Caroline Deitsch, a pioneer’s daughter, whom he married in 1875, and by whom he has two daughters.  Amy E. is the wife of Frank E. Murphy, an attorney of Stockton, and Carrie L. is the wife of S. E. Berkley of Stockton and they have two children, Caroline and Eugenia.

            Upon leaving school Mr. Eshbach worked at the printer’s trade.  For nine years he was foreman of the job department of the Independent, and has in his possession a copy of the paper dated November 2, 1869.  He also ran a job printing office on El Dorado Street between Main and Weber with Charles L. Hamilton as a partner, and started the Stockton Record, which was then known as the Commercial Record.  Eventually he sold out to a partner and after an association of eighteen years with the printing business he turned his attention to other lines and is now living retired from business cares and responsibilities.  He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department Weber Company No. 1 and is now a member of the Exempt Firemen’s Association, and for four years was chief engineer of the Stockton fire department.  A Democrat in politics, he served as a member of the city council from 1881 to 1884; he also served as a member of the police and fire commission for two years.  Fraternally he is connected with the Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., which he joined over fifty years ago, on February 28, 1872, and is a member of the relief committee of that order; Stockton Lodge Elks; Knights of Pythias; and Ancient Order of United Druids.  He is also a member of Fidelity Lodge.  Mrs. Eshbach is now deceased.  Their two daughters are members of San Joaquin Parlor No. 5, N. D. G. W., and also of Lebanon Rebekah Lodge.

 

 

Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.

Source: Tinkham, George H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages 653-654.  Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic Record Co., 1923.


© 2011  Gerald Iaquinta.

 

 

Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies

Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Genealogy Databases

Golden Nugget Library