San
Joaquin County
Biographies
WALTER H. TAISEN
Belonging to the third generation of
California pioneers, Walter H. Taisen of the firm of Taisen Bros., proprietors
of the Taisen Dyeing & Cleaning Works, can well take pride in his birth as
a native son. He was born at San
Francisco March 4, 1876, the son of Capt. John P. and Margaret (Eisenhauer)
Taisen, his father being a well-known figure in shipping circles around the Bay
in early days, while his maternal grandfather, Adam Eisenhauer, brought his
family across the plains in 1860, a detailed sketch of these worthy pioneers
being given in the sketch of John C. Taisen on another page of this history.
After completing the course at the
grammar schools in San Francisco, Walter H. Taisen entered the employ of the
Truman, Hooker Company, agricultural implement dealers, working his way up in
the advertising and sales department; later he was with the picture frame
establishment of Schussler Bros. for a time, then
having a desire for outdoor life he made his way to Nevada and rode the range
as a cowboy for two years, enjoying the experience greatly. On returning to San Francisco he was with the
Thomas Dye Works when his brother, John C. Taisen, was the dyer. Next he became salesman for the Franklin
Watch Company and opened an office for them in Stockton in January, 1904. Becoming acquainted with the city, he decided
it would be an excellent place to engage in business on his own account. He purchased the National Renovatory and in
June took over the management. He soon
determined to enlarge the business so his brother, John C. Taisen, joined him
in November of that year and the Taisen Dyeing and Cleaning Works came into
being. However, wishing to see more of
the West, he disposed of his interest to his brother in 1911 and made a trip
into Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and then went to
Alaska, where he pioneered on the government-owned railroad, following
merchandising for a year at Anchorage.
Returning to Stockton in 1916, he repurchased his half interest in the
cleaning works from his brother and has since given his time to the outside and
business department, while his brother has charge of the plant. The brothers are stockholders in the Samson
Tire Corporation and were the first firm in Stockton to use an auto delivery
wagon, now almost universal in the conduct of modern business. They now use two automobiles on their
deliveries and sometimes have to press into service their private cars.
Mrs. Walter H. Taisen was Miss
Myrtle Little, born at Ione, and she is a sister of Mrs. John C. Taisen. Fraternally Mr. Taisen is a member of the
Moose, the Red Men and Foresters of America.
The brothers have built up a splendid business through the superior work
and their territory is not confined to Stockton but extends to different parts
of the state. Public spirited and
progressive, they can always be counted upon to aid every worthy cause.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
752-755. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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