Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


JACOB WEIL, 
 
116 Pico street, Los Angeles, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 24, 1828. He 
emigrated to the United States in 1846, landed at New Orleans and went direct to 
Louisville, Kentucky. After remaining there some time, he went over into Indiana 
and spent several years in New Albany and Salem. He next went to Louisiana, and 
from there came to California by way of the Isthmus, reaching San Francisco in 
1853. The following year he came to Los Angeles on the old steamer Sea Bird, and 
started a small store at El Monte, a few miles east of Los Angeles. He soon 
extended his trade and successfully carried on the business there over twenty 
years, until 1877, when he went to Kern County and engaged in mercantile 
business at Bakersfield for several years. He then returned, his family residing 
here; and since that time has not been engaged in active business, but gives his 
attention to improving his property. In 1888 he built his large block on Main 
street. He purchased the lot in 1867 for $2,500 and refused $90,000 for it 
before the building was erected. He also owns other property. Mr. Weil is the 
architect of his own fortune, for when he began life he had no capital, and his 
success is due to his own efforts. In April, 1859, Mr. Weil married Miss Gette 
Hellman, a native of Bavaria, and a sister of I. M. and Samuel Hellman, of this 
city. Mr. and Mrs. Weil have seven children: Amelia, Nathan (who is engaged in 
mercantile business on Main street, under the firm name of Rodriguez. & Weil, 
407-409 North Main street, Los Angeles, California), Alice, Morris, Clara, 
Adelle and Arme.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 833
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler