Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Peter Baltz
     Peter Baltz was born in France on the tenth of May, 1831.  At the age of 
seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of baker, and after completing it, in 
1853, crossed the Atlantic to the United States.  Being a stranger in a strange 
land, and entirely dependent upon his labor for a livelihood, he experienced 
many trials and hardships.  During the three years following his arrival he 
visited and worked in many of the principal Eastern cities, and in 1856 crossed 
the continent to California, settling in Los Angeles.  The next year, 1857, he 
started a bakery in that place, and carried on business very successfully for 
five years, when he lost $15,000 by fire.  Thinking to recover his fortunes in 
mining, he spent two years in hard, unfruitful labor, and lost over $5,000 in 
money in the mines.  He then came to San Francisco, $700 in debt, and resumed 
the bakery business.  By diligence, energy, and economy he again got a start and 
made money, accumulating several thousand dollars.  He then made a visit to his 
parents in Europe for a few months, and on his return in 1869 settled in San 
Jose and opened the El Dorado Bakery, on West El Dorado Street, where he has 
done a prosperous business.  Industry and enterprise have brought their reward 
to Mr. Baltz in the way of a handsome fortune.  He owns over $75,000 worth of 
property in San Jose, has erected a large business and hotel building on West 
Santa Clara Street this year, costing many thousand dollars.
     Mr. Baltz married Miss Christine Kesser, a lady of his own country, to whom 
he was engaged before his emigration.  Mr. Baltz is a member of the Masonic 
Order and of the Turn Verein.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, 
Illustrated. - Edited by H.S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 
1888. 
Transcribed by: Letisha Oddo
Pg. 404


PETER BALTZ
FRENCH BAKERY of EL DORADO ST.
 
SURNAMES: KESSER

PETER BALTZ was born in France on the tenth of May, 1831. At the age of 
seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of baker, and after completing it, in 
1853 crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Being a stranger in a strange 
land, and entirely dependent upon his labor for a livelihood, he experienced 
many trials and hardships. During the three years following his arrival he 
visited and worked in many of the principal Eastern cities, and in 1856 crossed 
the continent to California, settling in Los Angeles. The next year, 1857, he 
started a bakery in that place, and carried on business very successfully for 
five years, when he lost $15,000 by fire. 

Thinking to recover his fortunes in mining, he spent two years in hard, 
unfruitful labor, and lost over $5,000 in money in the mines. Then he came to 
San Francisco, $700 in debt, and resumed the bakery business. By diligence, 
energy, and economy he again got a start and made money, accumulating several 
thousand dollars. He then make a visit to his parents in Europe for a few 
months, and on his return in 1869 settled in San Jose and opened the El Dorado 
bakery, on West El Dorado Street, where he has done a prosperous business. 
Industry and enterprise have brought their regard to Mr. Baltz in the way of a 
handsome fortune. He owns over $75,00 worth of property in San Jose, has erected 
a large business and hotel building on West Santa Clara Street this year, 
costing many thousand dollars. 

Mr. Baltz married Miss Chrisinte Kesser, a lady of his own country, to whom he 
was engaged before his emigration. Mr. Baltz is a member of the Masonic Order 
and of the Turnverein.

SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, 
California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing 
Company, 1888. page 449-50 Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben