California Biographies, Santa Cruz County.
HARRY D. FREIERMUTH. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

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

HARRY D. FREIERMUTH. 

An inspiring impetus has been given to the development of America by the immigration hither of sturdy, healthful 
and energetic families from the older countries of the world. Especially are we indebted to Germany for a desirable acces- 
sion to our citizenship. The Teutonic race has mingled with the Anglo-Saxon in peace and harmony, the two laboring side 
by side in the building up of homes in the new world. The Freiermuth patronymic indicates the Teutonic origin of the 
family, but several generations have resided in the United States and the present representatives are ardently loyal to 
the institutions of our country, public-spirited in civic affairs and well-informed regarding governmental problems. It was 
during the year 1853 that the name became established in America, the original emigrants settling in Minnesota, where 
P. J. Freiermuth, then a child of three years, received a fair English education. At the age of eighteen years, during the 
year 1868, he left Minnesota to seek a livelihood on the Pacific coast, being induced to come to Watsonville by reason of the 
residence here of an uncle, George H. Freiermuth, a pioneer of the Pajaro valley and for years the proprietor of a plumb- 
ing and tinner's shop. 

Thorough instruction given by the uncle in every detail of the trade enabled the young man to gain a knowledge of the 
plumber's business that has since proved of the utmost assistance to him. In addition he learned the tinner's trade so that 
he became competent to do such work with promptness and skill. With the exception of a year spent in the plumbing 
business in San Francisco he remained with his uncle until 1882, when he began to operate a hardware store of his own, 
combining with the same a tinning and plumbing shop. The remainder of his life was devoted to business pursuits and 
he continued at the head' of his store until his death, which occurred March 29, 1904. About two years before his demise 
he had been bereaved by the loss of his wife, Permelia (Chapin) Freiermuth. Throughout the entire period of his 
residence in Watsonville he maintained a warm interest in civic affairs and on one occasion he was elected town trustee, 
which office he filled faithfully for one term. 

There were five children in the parental family. The older daughter is the wife of Philip Sheehy, an attorney of Wat- 
sonville. The three youngest children are George, Vincent and Theresa. The eldest son, H. D., has been a lifelong resi- 
dent of Watsonville, where he was born October 17, 1879, and where he received a common-school education, later hav- 
ing the advantage of study in St. Mary's College at Oakland. Upon the completion of the course of study in that institu- 
tion in ] 898 he became identified with his father 's store. Previous to this, during school vacations, he had acquired a 
knowledge of plumbing and tinning. The business is still conducted under the name of its former owner, P. J. Freier- 
muth, the son, H. D., acting as manager in the interests of the estate. A complete assortment of hardware and all of 
the equipment necessary for plumbing and tinning may be found in the store, which occupies an excellent location in the 
Freiermuth block, at Nos. 247-249 Main street. Many of the present customers are citizens who began to trade with the 
fonner proprietor twenty-five or more years ago, while in addition there is an excellent patronage from among the 
people more recently identified with onr citizenship. 

In common with many other native Californians Mr. Freiermuth finds enjoyment and interest in his association with the 
Native Sons, his membership being in the parlor of Watsonville, his native city. Other fraternal relations include con- 
nection with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the American Order of Foresters, 
in each of which he maintains a warm interest, contributing to their charities as his means permit. Like his father, he 
is warmly interested in public affairs and believes it to be the duty of every public-spirited citizen to keep posted concern- 
ing the issues before state and nation. For three years he has been a member of the city council and during that time 
he has been a stalwart champion of progressive enterprises looking toward civic growth. He has a pleasant home in 
Watsonville, presided over by his accomplished wife, whom he married January 25, 1903, and who was formerly Miss Lou 
Webb, of Oakland. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters, Peter, Arthur, Ruth and Elizabeth.