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ALBERT MEISTER

John Meister the father of the subject of this sketch and the pioneer dairyman of the Capital City, was born in Switzerland, April 17, 1820. He attended the excellent. Public schools of that education, loving republic, and was brought up on a farm, thus laying the foundation for the life-success that came to him in this country. He immigrated to the United States, eventually coming across the plains, arriving in Sacramento in September, 1852. After a short period in the mines he returned to the city and went to work in a dairy. In, two years he was a partner, and soon after became owner of the business. His brother Jacob arriving from the old country bought a share in the establishment and this pair of industrious men carried on the business for twenty years. It was originally located near the site of the old Sutter's Fort. In 1876 the brothers dissolved partnership, Jacob retiring.

Mrs. John Meister was Miss Pauline Herr, a native of Baden, Germany. She died in 1872, leaving four children, viz: Albert; Annie, now the wife of G. H. Luchsinger, of San Francisco ; Pauline, of Sacramento, and Louisa, wife of Dr. W. J. Taylor of this city. John Meister 's second wife was Miss Arelia Wirth, whom he married in 1876. He retired from business in 1900, and died at his home in Sacramento April 13, 1911.

Albert Meister, who succeeded his father in the fine dairy business, also succeeds the elder in the business ability that made the Capital Dairy from its beginning one of the finest establishments of the kind iu the state. It is stocked largely with Holstein cattle, the milk supplied by three hundred and twenty-five cows the year around. The depot and distributing point is located at No. 315 Sixteenth street, while the herd is kept on the farm near Elvas which comprises three hundred and fifty acres. Here the fields of alfalfa are irrigated by means of a pumping plant, and Mr. Meister also engages in horticulture on this tract. He superintends the business of the dairy personally, and it is a source of gratification to him to be able to lead in the industry he has chosen for his life work. He has lived all his life in Sacramento, is a typical Californian and deeply interested in the welfare of the Golden State. Fraternally he is an Elk and a Scottish Rite Mason, Knight Templar and a Shriner. 

Source:
History of Sacramento County, California
Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present
History By: William L. Willis
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California (1913)

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011