Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


GEORGE BOEHME.
 
        When the first steamer landed at Santa Monica wharf in 1875, the subject 
of this sketch stepped ashore, and so strong was his faith in the possibilities 
of the place that he at once bought $2,000 worth of lots at the first auction. 
His mature judgment in this, as well as in other matters connected with the 
city, has proved correct, and he has been an eye-witness to improvements that a 
casual observer would never have dreamed of. He has seen a few tents, scattered 
along the beach, give place to a city of over 3,000 souls; and where the wild 
mustard waved in the ocean breeze, there are now fine residences and happy 
homes, and paved streets and business blocks. For thirteen years Mr. Boehme has 
been one of the most active as well as the most successful men in the place, and 
by his enterprise and industry has added much to the material advancement of the 
city. He was born in Alsace-Loraine, France, in 1829. He speaks and writes not 
only the French language, but also the German and English as well. He has a fine 
library, and his general information proves his familiarity with his books. He 
came to America in 1850, landing at New Orleans. In 1852 he came to California 
and was in the mines for a few months, till in 1854 lie established himself in 
San Francisco as a tinner. In 1855 he went to Sacramento and was in the same 
business there for twenty years; he assisted at the laying of the corner-stone 
of the new State capitol building, and finally received the contract for the 
copper roofing of the same, over all competitors. Then in 1875 he came to Santa 
Monica, where he carried on his trade and a general hardware business till 1887, 
when be sold out. In the year 1887 he built the Boehme Block, corner of Second 
street and Utah avenue. This building would be a credit to any city, being a 
fine brick structure of light-colored brick, 77 x 43 feet, and two stories high. 
Mr. Boehme's residence is beautifully located on Ocean Front and Oregon avenue, 
commanding a magnificent view of the ocean and beach. He owns also a great many 
lots in different parts of the city. He has been a very successful man, and his 
name is in every way worthy to be connected with the place he has helped so 
materially to build up, and to be preserved with the history of the county of 
his choice and the land he loves so well. He was married in 1860 to a lady who 
has been a helpmate to him in every sense of that word, and to whom he ascribes 
whatever success he has had in the battle of life. They have four children 
living, three sons and one daughter: George Charles, aged twenty-seven; Henry 
M., aged twenty-two; Eugene W., aged nineteen, and Adelaine, aged sixteen, the 
latter being at Notre Dame College, San Jose, and the three sons being engaged 
in business at Santa Monica.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, Page 387
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler