San Francisco County

Biographies

 

CHARLES C. BEMIS

Charles C. Bemis is one of San Francisco's early settlers, having arrived here in 1853.  He is a native of Waltham, Massachusetts, born July 1, 1830.  His ancestors came from England early in the history of the colonies and participated in all the struggles through which the county (sic) passed.  They were famous artisans and professional people.  His father, George Bemis, was a native of Massachusetts.  He married Elizabeth Cook, a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts.  She was the daughter of Captain Charles Cook.  Mr. Bemis was their oldest child.  At nine years of age he went to the State of Maine, where his education was continued, and where he learned the trade of machinist.  Soon after he had acquired his trade he decided to try his fortune on the Pacific coast.  With little means and abundance of manly endurance he made the journey, crossing the Isthmus on foot, when it was so hot that the natives carried umbrellas.  He made a trip of thirty-three miles in one forenoon, starting very early in the morning, to avoid the heat as much as possible. When he arrived in San Francisco he owed a friend $12.50 borrowed for passage.  His friend said, "Now, I am going to rest and look around a few days;" but Mr. Bemis said, "I must get work, so that I can pay you."  He consequently applied at some of the shops, without success.  While he was at one of the shops an Irishman came in to say that he would have to give up his job carrying pig-iron out of the bay and piling it on the shore, as it was too hard work.  Mr. Bemis asked, "Why can't I have that job?"  The the (sic) reply was, "You can; I have been paying him $5 a day, but will pay you $6, as I want it out of the water."  He worked at it several days.  It was a hard job, as the bars weighed from 75 to 125 pounds each!  When he had got nearly through the proprietor came out and asked, "Would you like to work in the shop now?" and he replied he would, as that was what he wanted in the first place.

     After working in the shop a short time the desire to dig gold became intense, and he repaired to the mines.  His success in gold-digging being poor, and meeting with an accident, he left the mines in disgust and returned to his trade and built a mill at North Branch.  It was then the largest mill in the State.  After this he was machinist on board the steamer Columbia, making trips between San Francisco and Portland.  He followed this business about a year, and thus was engaged in putting up other machinery and in machine shops till 1859, when he opened a shop on his own account, which he ran successfully till 1861, when he was appointed by the Government, Inspector of Boilers.  He held that position eleven years, and was then appointed by President Grant, Inspector of steam vessels for the Pacific coast.  He served in that capacity fourteen years, making twenty-six years in all that he most satisfactorily filled these important positions.

     In 1886 he engaged in the real estate business, in which he has continued since, and has had a successful business career.

     In 1862 Mr. Bemis was united in marriage to Miss Susan Frazier, a native of New York, and there have been born to them five children, all natives of San Francisco.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been a consisted and ardent adherent to the doctrines of the Republican party.  His history is that of an honorable and upright man, and few men in the State are more widely and favorably known.

 

Transcribed 1-31-05  Marilyn R. Pankey