San Diego-Placer-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Levi, S. 1850 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 21, 2006, 3:41 pm Author: Theodore S. Van Dyke S. LEVI. THE junior member of the firm of Klauber & Levi is a native of Austria, in which country he was born December 26, 1850. When twelve years of age he came to this country, landing in New York City. From there he went to Syracuse, where he remained six months and then started for California. He arrived in San Francisco in March, 1863, and went directly to Auburn, Placer County. In that town he lived two years, turning his hand to whatever came in his way. In 1865 he returned to San Francisco and entered the employ of Sweitzer, Sachs & Co.,with whom he remained until January, 1873, when he came to San Diego. After a brief stay here he went to Temecula, in this county, where he engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1876 he sold out his interest in Temecula and came to San Diego, where he was admitted into the firm of Steiner & Klauber. In January, 1883, Messrs. Klauber and Levi bought out Mr. Steiner and he retired from the firm. It is since that time that the business of the house has reached such great proportions, and it is not improper to say that the rapid increase in business is owing largely to the energy, push, and personal popularity of the junior partner. Mr. Levi's career has been a remarkably fortunate one, but his success has been entirely due to his perseverance and indomitable will. Coming to this country at an early age, he was thrown entirely upon his own resources, and in the battle of life no time was accorded him in which to study or obtain even a common-school education. It was not until he had become located in San Francisco that he had so far prospered in his worldly affairs that he could afford to set aside some time to the improvement of his mind. He then devoted his spare moments to study, attended evening school, and availed himself of every means in his power to make amends for his lack of early educational advantages. He is now considered one of the best-equipped and most thorough business men in the county. He has at different times taken an earnest interest in politics, and was elected Councilman from the First Ward, on the Citizens' ticket, at the election held last fall. This was the first election under the new charter giving the city a Mayor and twelve Councilmen. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce in 18S2; was Master of the Masonic Lodge in 1882, '83 and '84: is now Vice-President of the San Diego Gas and Electric Light Co., Vice-President of the San Diego Telephone Co., and President of the Building and Loan Association. He is a thoroughly public-spirited .citizen, and there is not an important public movement but finds in him an earnest friend and promoter. Mr. Levi was married, in 1876, to Miss E. Meyer, of San Francisco. Their union has been blessed with three children, all of whom are living with their parents. Additional Comments: From: THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO. ILLUSTRATED, AND CONTAINING BI0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. SAN DIEGO, CAL. LEBERTHON & TAYLOR 1888 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sandiego/bios/levi582bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb