Louis Mesmer
Louis Mesmer was an entrepreneur who was active in western America during the 19th Century and had a significant impact on the development of Los Angeles. Born in Alsace, France he trained as a Baker and was soon setting up his own bakeries in several cities on the Continent, including Strasburg and Paris. He sailed via New York to Ohio and thence to California, participating in the Gold Rush, but finally settled in Los Angeles with his wife and family as a rich man. His continued business interests involved him in hotels and property development, and he was a key player in the development of what is now Marina Del Rey.
He became very wealthy over his life, and was described in an 1893 news report as being a millionaire. Much of this came through investments in property, especially in the rapidly growing Los Angeles.
Birth[edit]
Louis Mesmer was born in the Village Surburd, Canton Sulz, Alsace, France, now Germany, on February 20, 1829.:.[1]
Travels and Marriage[edit]
At the age of 14 years he learned the baker's trade and then went to Strasburg, where he started a bakery, but his travels took him to Colmar, from there to Paris, to Le Havre, and then on to America.[1]
Disembarking at New York, he eventually settled in Ohio, starting his own Bakery in Tippecanoe, in 1855, where he also met and married Miss Katherine Forst, with whom he would eventually have five children. Joseph Mesmer, his first son, was born here in 1855.[2]
This[3] genealogy post attaches a poster describing the life of Louis, including his first wife's original surname: Catherine Forst (née Dieffenbach), and a photograph.[4]
Gold Rush[edit]
In the spring of 1858 he sought his fortune in the California's Gold strike, traveling by steamer from New York via Panama and San Francisco and thence to Calaveras and Mokelumne Hill. When discoveries in British Columbia were made he returned via San Francisco for Victoria and the Cariboo and Frazler river mines. However, not finding himself to be a successful miner he returned to Victoria, BC and there opened a bakery, where he did well. He missed his family, though, and elected to return to San Fransisco where they met him.
Los Angeles[edit]
The family were advised that Los Angeles was a good prospect, and set off by steamer for this town of just 3,500 people. On arrival he purchasd Ulyard's bakery, on the southwest corner of First and Main, where the Natick House later stood.[1]
Baker[edit]
Ulyard's bakery was the only one in the area to make Jewish passover bread, which was consequently sold to all over Southern California.
In 1861 he sold the Ulyard bakery at a good price to purchase the New York bakery from Peter Balz. In 1863 a new spirit of enterprise took him on hearing of big profits made by traders plying between Los Angeles and the mining camps of Arizona. With a partner, Mr. Yander, they fitted out a caravan, and were able to sell the provisions at a good price. However, on the return journey their mules and horses all died from poisoned water, and a sandstorm covered the caravan. The men were able to walk to a stage station from where they returned home.
Hotelier[edit]
The "New York" bakery in Los Angeles was being run by his wife [who possibly became friends with the Strassforth's] and in 1864 they offered to sell their hotel, the United States. On his return Louis accepted that offer, sold the New York bakery, and during the 5 years from 1864 the U.S. Hotel at Main and Market was very profitable.[5]
According to an article in The (LA) Times[6] from 1936 it was "perhaps the finest hotel in town". The referenced page includes a 1936 sketch of it. There are also many photos in the Water and Power Museum collection online.
He reinvested some of the profits into buying and renovating adjoining property on Main Street. He also opened up Commercial Street. In 1869 he took the family (now with 2 sons and a daughter) back to "the old country" for a year, renting the hotel to Gray and Adams.
Developer[edit]
On his return in 1871, he purchased a house on Broadway, where the family lived for over 15 years, and continued to buy and build property and roads in the area. In 1873 the construction of what would become Saint Vibiana Cathedral on Main Street had run aground through lack of funds, and [7] in 1874, Bishop Amat and Bishop Francis Mora of the diocese asked him to take charge; he not only did this but also assisted in raising "thousands" of dollars in donations[8]. In 1876 he handed the Cathedral back without debt.
In 1880 he had put down the first regular cement squares sidewalk, for which he was arrested for an infringement of the Schlinger patent. The closest federal court was in San Fransisco, where he was taken by the Marshal, but able to overturn the patent, though at a cost of over $800.
In 1886 he decided to rebuild his United States Hotel, letting it to contract, and in 1887 he became engaged in the construction of a harbor at the Ballona Lake, with an associate Mr. Myers. Although a lot of money went into the project it failed, with suggestions of poor management. The Ballona Lake harbor was to become Marina Del Rey.
New Family[edit]
In October 1891 his wife Katherine died, leaving him to look after sons Joseph, Tony, and Alphonse, and daughters Christina and Lucile. He remarried[9] a couple of years later at the age of 65, and to much public interest, to Mrs. Jennie E. Swan of Martin street, a lady of about 35 years. They were married in San Diego and went to San Fransisco on honeymoon. Jennie had a daughter from her previous marriage, Ziba Patterson.
Louis died on 19 August 1900[10] after a long illness, leaving 5 children. The funeral was held at the U.S. Hotel, with a requiem mass at the St Vibiana Cathedral. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles.
His son Joseph ran a successful shoe store from frontage at the U.S. Hotel.[2]
His daughter Mary married G.J. Griffith, who was unfortunately a drunk, and she divorced him after he shot and badly wounded her in the eye.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Louis Mesmer is Dead". Los Angeles Herald (19 August 1900). Los Angeles Herald. 19 August 1900. p. 25. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://homesteadmuseum.wordpress.com/2018/01/11/portrait-gallery-a-mesmer-izing-history-through-a-pair-of-cabinet-photos-of-joseph-and-rose-mesmer-ca-1879/
- ↑ http://genealogie.ott.fr/2010/11/
- ↑ A. MERKEL, C. SCHMITT, A CAHEZ (20 November 2010). http://genealogie.ott.fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/MESMER-le-boulanger-de-Surbourg-001.jpg. Missing or empty
|title=(help)CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ http://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_LA_Buildings%20(1800s)_Page_1.html#US_Hotel
- ↑ "Rediscovering Los Angeles: the U.S. Hotel". Los Angeles Herald (26 November 2013). LA Daily Mirror. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ↑ "Helped Build Cathedral". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. 29 November 1947. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ↑ http://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_LA_Buildings%20(1800s)_Page_1.html#St_Vibianas
- ↑ "Louis Mesmer Married - the millionaire makes Mrs Swan his bride". Los Angeles Herald (17 August 1893). Los Angeles Herald. 17 August 1893. p. 25. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ↑ "Findagrave Memorial page: Louis Mesmer". Retrieved 27 January 2018.
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