California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


HENRY GETLESON.  Son of Hessel and Rachel Getleson, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in May, 1832. 
He resided in his native place until 1848, when he sailed for New York, where he worked at his trade, 
that of sculptor, and remained there until January 28,1851, when he sailed via Panama for San 
Francisco, arriving in the latter place March 28, 1851; remaining there but a short time, he went to 
Shasta, Shasta County, and engaged in general merchandising, and continued in business there until 
his store and almost the whole town was destroyed by fire, Mr. Getleson's individual loss being in the 
neighborhood of $20,000. In about one year after that the subject of this sketch, in company with Ball 
& Baker, rebuilt a block, and he there remained in business until 1863. Mr. Getleson next moved to 
Placerville, Idaho, and engaged in the general merchandise trade, and remained in that place until 
1866. He then moved to San Francisco, and there followed his trade of sculptor, to which he had 
served an apprenticeship in Germany. From San Francisco he came, at Sam Brannan's request, and 
opened the first store of general merchandise in Calistoga, in which place and business he is still 
engaged, and in connection with it is interested in several good mining prospects near Calistoga.