The Valley of Heart's Delight
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Henry A. Harms
American Biscuit Company
San Jose , California
Surnames: HAUSCHILDT, KOCH, BRAUN,
An enterprising , experienced business
man who is making splendid progress is H. A. Harms, who is employed as
the representative for the American Biscuit Company in the Santa Clara
Valley. He was born August 10, 1863, in San Lorenzo, Cal, the son
of August T. and Louise E. (Hauschildt) Harms. His father came to
California in 1859, and here he ws married and they settled in San
Lorenzo, later moving to Pleasanton, where the mother is still living,
but the father passed away in 1890, aged sixty years.
Henry A. Harms was born and reared in a farm and attended the public
schools of Pleasanton, and when he was nineteen he took charge of
the hay and grain department in a general merchandise store at
Pleasanton, where he continued for the following fourteen years.
On July 21, 1896, he located in San Jose, purchasing a one-half
interest in the local agency of the American Biscuit Company, and at
the end of a year bought his partner's interest , and here he has
resided since that time, making steady progress. He has built up
a very good business, and in proportion to the population of his
territory his sales rank with the highest.
Mr. Harms' marriage in 1897 united him with Miss Emma Koch, and they
are the parents of a daughter, Helen, who is now Mrs. F. M. Braun, of
San Jose. Mr. and Mrs. Harms are very popular in social
circles and are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of San Jose.
Mr. Harms is interested in Santa Clara County and San Jose and is
always for good measures that will help in the upbuilding of this
commonwealth. He is a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite Mason, in
which he has attained the K. C. C. H., and a Shriner, holding
membership in Islam Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco; also is
affiliated with the Sciots, the Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the
World. He is associated with the progressive work of the Chamber
of Commerce and the 100% Club, and is likewise a member of the
Merchants' Association.
A true American, he showed his patriotic
spirit in the various war drives, and he he was very active as the
chairman of the Fourth Ward district. He is on the board of directors
of the Masonic Hall Association and the vice-president and
secretary-treasurer of the Scottish Rite Hall Association.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. 1539
GEORGE W. HARMS
Palo Alto Soda Works
Bio-Sawyers
SURNAMES: HUASCHILDT, McKENZIE,
An enthusiastic advocate of municipal ownership who did much to further
this civic development in the days of its adoption at Palo Alto, George
W. Harms is also well known throughout the vicinity as a pioneer
blacksmith of this city, though he has recently entered a new field,
being.proprietor of the Palo Alto Soda Works. He is a native son of
California and was born February 22, 1874, at Pleasanton, Alameda
County. His father, Theodore August Harms, was born in Germany and came
to California when a young man, and in Alameda County he married Louise
F. Hauschildt, also a native of Germany, who came to California when
she was eighteen years old. She died May 3, 1922, at the age of
seventy-eight, but the father passed away more than thirty years ago.
They were the parents of six sons and four daughters, two of the
daughters having passed away.
The seventh child of the family, George W. Harms, grew up on his
father's farm at Pleasanton, and at the age of sixteen began his
apprenticeship in the blacksmith's trade, serving for four years in the
shop of C. B. Steane at Pleasanton. On January 16, 1906, he came to
Palo Alto and immediately opened up a blacksmith's shop of his own at
the junction of The Circle and Alma Street, where the La Paloma
restaurant now stands. Then he located at 426 High Street, and in 1909
he removed to 601 Emerson Street, where he continued until he disposed
of his business in 1921. On March 1 of that year he became the
proprietor of the Palo Alto Soda Works at 942 High Street, and has
complete charge of its business. The products of this growing concern
are sold all the way from Mountain View to Millbrae.
Mr. Harms' marriage united him with Miss Ethel McKenzie, a native
daughter of California, and they are the parents of two children, Lloyd
and Elizabeth, both in the Palo Alto high school. Mr. Harms has built
two residences in Palo Alto and the family home is now at 680 Homer
Avenue. When the plan of municipal ownership was in its early stages,
Mr. Harms was one of its ardent supporters and a stout champion of the
advantages during the days when the idea still met with considerable
opposition. For three and one-half years Mr. Harms had charge of the
collection department of the municipal water and light bureau, a post
he filled faithfully and well. He has always been prominent in
fraternal circles and is a past master of Palo Alto Lodge No. 346, F.
& A. M., past high priest of Palo Alto Chapter, R. A. M., was first
consul commander of the Woodmen of the World, past chancellor, Knights
of Pythias, and for more than twenty years has been master of finance
of the latter order. In politics he is a Republican.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. 1472
SANTA CLARA COUNTY PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA COUNTY-The Valley of Heart's Delight