San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JOE GALL
There are few men living in San
Joaquin County who are better known than Joe Gall, member of the firm Joe Gall
and Son, Auctioneers of Stockton. He has
been especially known in sporting circles and for many years was the announcer
in the roped arena. Mr. Gall was born in
Stockton on November 23, 1871, the son of Alexander and Margaret (Stewart)
Gall, both of whom were born in Scotland.
In 1850 the father arrived in San Francisco, having made the voyage in a
sailing vessel from the shore of his native land. Two years later he became a resident of
Stockton, where he soon entered into business as a baker. He had learned the trade in his own country
and when he started in Stockton it was in a shop on El Dorado, between Main
Street and Weber Avenue, and his was the first bakery in Stockton. He carried on the business for many years and
during the time took an active part in the development of the interests that
subsequently made the city what it represents today. When he retired from the bakery business he
was appointed superintendent of streets; also had charge of the dredging of the
channel; and he served as a member of the city council, discharging the duties
that devolved upon him in the most capable and painstaking manner. He was firmly impressed with the future of
Stockton and made investments in local realty.
He owned the property and erected the building at the corner of Main and
Sutter streets, where now stands the Stockton Drug Company’s store. In the early days Mr. Gall was a member of
the Scottish Society, since discontinued, and he was also connected with the
Caledonian Club. He died in 1894, the
father of seven children, four of whom are now living: Alexander C., Charles G. and Joe of Stockton,
and Mrs. J. F. Petzinger of San Francisco.
Joe Gall was educated in the public
schools of Stockton and after reaching manhood was engaged in the real estate
business with his brother, John D. for a number of years. Later he was in the cigar business. He next took up auctioneering and has been following
that calling ever since with ever increasing success, being one of the best
known men in that line in this part of the state. It is to his credit to have conducted some of
the largest farm sales ever put through in California; and for four years was
federal auctioneer for the State of California, holding sales in the custom
house in San Francisco. There are few
ranchers and stock raisers in the San Joaquin Valley who are not acquainted
with Joe Gall. In recent years he has
had associated with him his son, Joe C. Gall, and like his father, is well and
favorably known as one of the most successful auctioneers of the state. The present office of the firm of Joe Gall
& Son is at 222 North El Dorado Street, Stockton.
Mr. Gall is a member of the Chamber
of Commerce, whose well-directed projects for the developing of the community
receive his hearty support. He has
always taken a pride in the advancement of Stockton and as a Republican, was
elected a member of the city council from the first ward serving for a period
of seven years. During one campaign he
failed to receive the nomination on the Republican ticket and the next day was
chosen as the candidate on the Democratic ticket for councilman and won out
over the Republican candidate. This is
undoubtedly the only case of its kind in the state. Mr. Gall is a member of Stockton Parlor No.
7, N. S. G. W., and Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks.
In his younger days Joe Gall was
well known among the “fight fans” as the announcer in the ring of the fighters
and he has the distinction of having introduced such notables as James
Jeffries, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J. Corbett, Sam McVey, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain and others before local audiences. Also in the earlier period he was noted as a
comedian and humorist, taking part in fraternal and other amateur theatricals,
and has a well-filled scrap book which tells an interesting story of his
earlier activities. He has now retired
from the ring and the mantle has fallen on the shoulders of his capable son and
partner.
The marriage of Joe Gall in 1892
united him with Miss Annie Benson, born in Stockton, and the daughter of
Captain Benjamin Benson, a pioneer steamboat captain, being master of the T. C.
Walker. Four children have blessed this
union: Joe C.; Theresa, Mrs. P. Tindall; Benjamin M., and Floyd. Mr. Gall is well known as a man of integrity,
enterprise and reliability in all business transactions and has always found
time to cooperate with every movement seeking the improvement of Stockton.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
701-702. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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