Herbert Fleishhacker

Herbert Fleishhacker (November 2, 1872 – April 2, 1957),[1] was an American businessman, civic leader and philanthropist. In 1924, he created and helped fund the Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco, for many years the world's largest outdoor saltwater swimming pool. The pool continued to operate until 1971.[2]

Herbert Fleishhacker
Born(1872-11-02)November 2, 1872
San Francisco, California, US
DiedApril 2, 1957(1957-04-02) (aged 84)
San Francisco, California, US
Resting placeHome of Peace Cemetery (Colma, California)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman
SpouseMay Belle Greenebaum
Children3
Parent(s)Deliah Stern Fleishhacker
Aaron Fleishhacker

Biography

Herbert Fleishhacker was born November 2, 1872 to a Jewish family, the son of Deliah (née Stern) and paper entrepreneur Aaron Fleishhacker.[3][4] He was one of eight children, his brother was Mortimer Fleishhacker Sr. (1866–1953).[5][2] At age 15, he started working for his father as a bookkeeper.[2]

At age 20, he established the first paper mill in Oregon outside of Oregon City.[2] He then created a lumber company in Eugene, Oregon which supported the paper mill.[2] Soon after he turned his attention to electric power and he invested in the Truckee River Electric Company and the Sacramento Valley Power Company.[2]

The Anglo California Bank, Ltd., founded in 1873, was the successor to the London firm of J & W Seligman & Company.[6]

At age 34, he turned his attention to banking.[2] Fleishhacker was president of the London and Paris National Bank of San Francisco (1908), [7] later renamed the Anglo & London Paris National Bank (1909), later renamed the Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco (1932).[8][9][10][11][12][2] In November 1955, the Anglo California National Bank merged with the Crocker First National Bank.

In 1918, he was appointed to serve president of the San Francisco Park Commission by mayor James Rolph.[2] While serving as president of the San Francisco Parks Commission, he founded the Fleishhacker Zoo, later renamed the San Francisco Zoological Gardens. He was also instrumental in the building of Coit Tower. His work on the Panama–Pacific International Exposition awarded him the French Légion d'honneur award.[2]

Personal life

He was married August 9, 1905 to May Belle Greenebaum (August 12, 1884; died 1976) and had one daughter, Marjorie Fleishhacker Mitau, and two sons: Herbert Fleishhacker Jr. and Alan Fleishhacker.[13]

It is possible that in the mid-1920s Fleishhacker had his portrait painted by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury (1862–1947) who had established a new studio home in San Marino, California in 1925.

He lived in the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco[5] and at an estate in Atherton, until it had to be sold to pay debts.

References
  1. "A Journey of Discovery: The Fleishhacker Family From The Argonaut". San Francisco Historical Society. The Argonaut. June 21, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  2. "Herbert Fleishhacker, 84, Dies; Coast Banker and Civic Aide; San Francisco Financier and Political Leader Served as Head of Park Commission". The New York Times. April 3, 1957. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  3. Jewish Journal: "Los Angeles history: Jews shined among stars on Hollywood minor league team" by Edmon J. Rodman September 15, 2016
  4. "Aaron Fleishhacker & Sons, Mortimer & Herbert: Jewish Pioneer Merchants, Manufacturers, Bankers and Philanthropists of San Francisco". Jewish Museum of the American West.
  5. Bloomfield, Anne and Arthur. "Mortimer Fleishhacker Sr. Lived Here". San Francisco Found.
  6. "CA-2185. (Anglo California National Bank, Crocker Bank)" (PDF). Historic American Buildings Survey. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  7. "Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco". National Currency. www.national-currency.com/bank/anglo-california-national-bank-of-san-francisco/
  8. "Banks--Anglo California". digitalsf.org. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  9. Michelson, Alan. "Anglo and London Paris National Bank of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  10. "Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco". Ghosts of Wall Street. Retrieved February 3, 2022. The Anglo National Corporation was founded in 1908 as the London-Paris National Bank of San Francisco. In 1909, the bank's name was changed to The Anglo & London Paris National Bank. In 1932, the company adopted the name the Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco. In November of 1955, the company merged into Crocker First National Bank. Crocker National Bank was purchased by the British financial institution Midland Bank in 1981, but after a series of financial losses it was sold on to Wells Fargo Bank in 1986.
  11. Lempert, Sue. "Polly Hoover Taylor gets the first Pioneer Award". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  12. "Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco". Social Networks and Archival Context. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  13. Beltran Masses, Federico. "A portrait of May Fleishhacker". Bonhams.


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