Alameda County Biographies

Robert Dalziel, Sr.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

        Robert Dalziel, Sr., a long-time resident of Oakland, whose business 
enterprise has constituted the foundation of his growing and substantial 
success, is one whose life record may well serve to inspire and encourage 
others, showing what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the 
way. Starting out in life with no capital, he has gradually advanced to his 
present enviable position.
        Mr. Dalziel was born in Paisley, Scotland, on November 8, 1836, and is a 
son of Andrew and Margaret (Smith) Dalziel. He attended the public schools of 
his native land until fifteen years of age and then crossed the Atlantic to the 
new world, settling first at Brooklyn, New York, where he served his time as an 
apprentice to a plumber for three years. On the expiration of that period he 
went to San Francisco and entered the employ of the San Francisco Water Company 
in the capacity of plumber. After filling that position for a year he went to 
Sacramento, where he embarked in the plumbing business on his own account. After 
six years spent in the capital city he sold out and came to Oakland, opening a 
plumbing shop on Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth streets. After six months he 
removed to Eighth and Broadway, where he conducted business for two years, and 
then located his establishment at Twelfth and Broadway, where he continued for 
three years. He was afterward at Thirteenth and Broadway, where he remained for 
six years, when he sold out, turning over his business to his children. In the 
meantime his patronage had steadily increased. Each removal meant that he was 
seeking more commodious quarters and a more advantageous situation for the 
conduct of his trade. He built up a business of gratifying proportions, his 
success being attributable in large measure to his enterprise and to the 
fairness and probity which characterized his dealings at all times.
        In his native city of Paisley Mr. Dalziel was united in marriage to Miss 
Agnes Smith, and they have become the parents of seven children: Andrew, who is 
now president of the Dalziel-Muller Company, wholesale dealers in plumbing 
supplies at San Francisco; Robert, who is engaged in the plumbing business at 
Oakland and San Francisco; Alexander, now living retired at Oakland; William, 
who is connected with the plumbing business in Oakland; James, a member of the 
Dalziel-Muller Company of San Francisco; Anstruther Smith, living in Oakland, 
and Mrs. Margaret Smith Williams, of Oakland.
        The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, to 
which they loyally adhere, and Mr. Dalziel is a member of St. Andrew's Society. 
His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and his fraternal 
relations are with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He deserves much credit for 
what he has accomplished, and he has never had occasion to regret his 
determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities 
which he sought and in their improvement has made continuous advancement. 
Ambition has pointed out the way, and ability and energy have carried him 
forward to success.
 
Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 
1914, p. 212