Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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



 
FREDERICK J. JOUBERT
 
In the supervision of extensive mining interests in Yuba County, Frederick J. 
Joubert has been successful, winning the confidence of associates and the 
respect of all with whom he comes in contact.  His experience in mining began at 
an early age, for his father before him had been a miner in Yuba County after 
his arrival in 1867.  Frederick J. Joubert was born near Camptonville, March 25, 
1882, the eldest of four children of Frederic and Rosalie (Pellegrin) Joubert, 
both natives of France.  Frederic Joubert first came to California via Panama in 
1867, and with his four brothers, who had preceded him to the Golden State in 
1852, began mining in Yuba County, near Camptonville.  Together they developed 
the Depot Hill mine, which is located on the State Highway five miles above 
Camptonville on the Nevada City and Downieville road.  As early as 1884, Mr. 
Joubert built a log dam�and he completed three of these dams in his lifetime�to 
check the debris resulting from mining activities in the hills.  Before coming 
to California Mr. Joubert was a school teacher in France, and in San Francisco 
Mrs. Joubert taught the French language in a private school there.  There were 
four children in their family: Frederick J., of this review; Leon, deceased; 
Hortense, deceased; and Louis J., a graduate of the University of California 
with a degree of B.S., and now a miner at Sawyer�s Bar.  Frederic Joubert passed 
away at Camptonville in September, 1921; his wife had preceded him on June 6, 
1919.
Frederick J. Joubert began his education in the Camptonville grammar school; 
then he attended preparatory school at Santa Clara College and at Berkeley High 
School, where he was graduated in June, 1902, after which he entered the 
University of California, taking the mining engineer�s course, and was graduated 
in 1906 with degree B.S.  At the time of the earthquake in San Francisco in 
1906, Mr. Joubert served as first lieutenant of the University Cadets; later he 
was commissioned captain, and in connection with the Red Cross accomplished 
outstanding work during this great catastrophe.  After graduating from the 
university, Mr. Joubert returned to his home to assist his father in the 
operation of the Depot Hill mine.  This he did with ability; and when his father 
retired on account of failing health, in 1907, Fred Joubert assumed the 
management of operations at the mine and carried on the work successfully.  As 
early as 1904 the family had incorporated the mine under the name of The Joubert 
Co., Inc., of which he was secretary.  After the death of the elder Joubert, the 
corporation was dissolved, in December, 1921; and in the division of their 
various holdings, Frederick Joubert became owner of the Depot Hill mine and the 
160-acre home ranch lying on the Yuba and Sierra County line, the residence 
being in Yuba County and the mine in Sierra County.  The ranch is improved with 
a fine residence, and with modern conveniences rivaling those found in the city, 
fifty miles away in the valley.  In 1908, Mr. Joubert began the construction of 
the first concrete retaining dam, three miles below Depot Hill mine; this dam, 
which was built in three parts, is sixty-three feet high and was completed in 
1916.  Meantime, Mr. Joubert also served as chief engineer in the mining 
developments at Snowden Hill, from 1909 to 1916.  In 1915 he constructed the 
Weed�s Point dam to a height of twenty-six feet.
The marriage of Mr. Joubert, which occurred in Camptonville, united him with 
Miss Martha Caroline Meek, born at Camptonville, a daughter of William B. Meek, 
a pioneer merchant of Camptonville.  One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Joubert, Lesta.  Mr. Joubert has served as a trustee of the Camptonville school. 
 In politics he is a Republican.  Fraternally he is identified with Gravel Range 
Lodge, No. 59, F. & A.M., of Camptonville, of which he is a Past Master.  He is 
also a member of Nevada Chapter, No. 6, R.A.M., Nevada City, and of Nevada 
Commandery, No. 6, K.T., and is a thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite Mason, 
being a member of the bodies of the consistory in Sacramento.  He is a member of 
Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in San Francisco, while Mrs. Joubert 
is a member of Marysville Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.  Mr. Joubert�s 
hobby is bee-keeping, and he has a large and excellent apiary.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 1091