HON. B.F. BERGEN

Hon. B.F. Bergen, of San Francisco, is a native of Schuyler county, Illinois. His father, George S. Bergen, was one of the large farmers and stock-raisers of Illinois, and a native of New Jersey, from which State he removed to Kentucky in 1818, the same year that the Prairie State was admitted to the Union. Four years later Mr. Bergen removed to Illinois, where he entered Shurtleff College as on of its charter members. After completing his course of studies there, he settled on Jersey Prairie near Jacksonville. Very many residents of the “dark and bloody ground” removed to Illinois about that time and a little later and settled in the country between St. Louis and the Wabash river, notably in Vermilion, Edgar, Champaign, Macon, Sangamon and Morgan counties. The members of those old families, intermarrying with the families of other hardy and honest pioneers, produced descendants especially distinguished for beauty of women and courage and talent in men. It would require but a moment’s thought to recall the names of a host that have become noted at the bar and in the field, whose parentage were natives of Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and States further north. 

The subject of this sketch was education in Illinois, enjoying the crude facilities then common, and selected the law for his profession. On being admitted to the bar, he commenced the practice of his chosen profession, and continued a close student, as in fact he has been such all his life. This, however, did not prevent his taking an active part in politics, always affiliating with the Democratic party. As an organizer he has but few if any superiors. He was chosen as a delegate to nearly every State convention for twenty-five years, or as long as he remained a resident of Illinois, and has such political associates as Hon. Virgil Hickox, Hon. William M. Springer, Hon. James C. Allen, Hon. William A. Richardson, Hon. O. B. Ficklin, United States Senator John M. Palmer, Hon. William R. Morrison and the old war horses who have left their records upon the pages of history. He was also a member of the Democratic State Central Committee from the State at large, for many years, was a member of the Executive Committee, and also secretary of the State Central Committee during the memorable Tilden campaign, spending several months of his time in Chicago, performing the duties of these arduous positions with an ability highly appreciated by the Democracy of the State, and indeed of the whole country. 

It was through his instrumentality that the largest State Convention ever held in Illinois convened at Springfield, on January 8, 1877, for the purpose of protesting again the counting in of R. B. Hayes, as President, by the returning boards of the various States, instead of Samuel J. Tilden, at which such men as General John A. McClernand, Hon. Lyman Trumbull, Governor John M. Palmer and other distinguished lights took part. The resolution offered at that time tendering the thanks of the convention to the Hon. B. F. Bergen for the calling of the convention and its successful termination was enthusiastically adopted. 

At the installation of Mr. Cleveland as President, it became a matter of more than ordinary importance to select the right man to represent and defend the interests of the Government in public land matters on the Pacific coast. Mr. Bergen was importuned to accept the position of special agent of the land department, that the Government might avail itself of his unquestioned probity and great knowledge of law and of the statutes bearing upon land questions especially. He came to California in that official capacity, and filled the position for four years, with marked influence upon the administration of the affairs of the public land office. During this time he conducted the prosecution of the noted California Redwood Company or Scotch syndicate, cases in which he was opposed by the best legal talent that money and influence could procure: the title to some 60,000 acres of redwood timber land, situated in Humboldt county, California, was involved, valued at $20,000,000. The case was contested with all the ability and power that vast wealth could command, and more than 400 witnesses were examined during the trial, which was won for his Government by Mr. Bergen, putting the seal of eminent approval on his ability and fitness as a lawyer for this difficult and important mission. 

After Mr. Harrison had been inaugurated as President, Mr. Bergen forwarded his resignation, requesting that it be accepted as soon as practicable. In reply to this he received the following letter: 

Department of the Interior, General Land Office

Washington, D. C., May 9, 1889. 

R. F. Bergen, Eureka, California:

Dear Sir:--Referring to your request to have your resignation as special agent accepted as soon as practicable, I have to say that I regret very much to learn of your purpose to leave the service, and hope you will reconsider the matter and find it agreeable to remain. Your thorough knowledge of land laws and the duties of your office has enable you to render service which has been of incalculable benefit to the Government; and I feel it my duty to do and say whatever I can to keep you in the service. You have proven yourself to be an honest and efficient officer, and the Government cannot well afford to lose your services. The able manner in which you conducted the trial in the California redwood case, is especially deserving of the highest commendation and praise. I shall therefore decline to recommend the acceptance of your resignation, as long as I believe you can be induced to remain in office.

Yours very truly,

S. M. Stocksleger,

Commissioner G. L. O. 

Later on, and after Mr. Bergen’s resignation had been accepted, the Hon. William F. Vilas, then Secretary of the Interior, in a letter to Mr. Bergen, said, “An honorable record is your just reward for public labor.” As a lawyer Judge Bergen has proven a success, rarely ever losing a case for his clients, and is honored and recognized throughout the State as one among the ablest members of the bar on this coast. 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker © 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 500-502, Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.

W. H. DANIELL 

W. H. Daniell, teacher of vocal music, San Francisco, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1834. His parents were natives of New England, as were his ancestors as far back as 1630. His mother’s grandfather, Colonel Mellen, served in the war of the Revolution, on the staff of General Washington, and was officer of the day at the time of Major Andre’s execution. His father’s grandfather and his brother were in the Lexington fight, the former being a corporal and the latter a sergeant on the patriot side. 

Prof. Daniell was reared and educated in Boston, and even when quite young evinced a taste and talent for music with an excellent voice. After reaching manhood he went to Europe, and after his return, on account of ill health, he came with his brother to California in 1860, and remained until 1865. He took an active part in the Lincoln campaign, being a member of Uncle Abe’s choir, which rendered efficient service in the campaign. He organized the club of gentlemen known as “The Twelve,” with three voices on each part. In 1865 he returned to Boston and began teaching in 1870, at which time he was choir master at the Church of the Advent, and later was choir master of All Saints’ Memorial Church, Providence, from 1874 to 1881. While in Boston he was professor of singing in the New England Conservatory of Music, and was for several years one of the Directors of Martha’s Vineyard Summer Institute. He wrote considerably for musical papers, and attracted much attention by his independence of thought, but he published only a single volume, which is entitled, “How to Sing, or the Voice and How to Use it,” being a dialogue between teacher and pupil, and which received much favorable criticism, but is in now way intended to each the art, though inculcating his ideas. He was connected with the New England Conservatory of Music for ten years, from 1878 to 1888, but on account of ill-health came to California, and since then has been engaged in teaching, and prominently identified with the musical profession. 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker  © 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, page 498, Lewis Publishing Co., 1892. 

WILLIAM A. ENGWER

William A. Engwer, proprietor of the Alta soap company, and manufacturer of toilet and laundry soap, at 109 and 111 Oregon street, is a native of Russia Poland, where he resided until the age of sixteen years. He then went to Hamburg to continue his education, paying particular attention to chemistry, which he took up as a profession. In 1863 he started for California, via Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco in April of the same year. Soon after his arrival he found occupation with R. P. Thomas, of the Standard soap company, which was then in its infancy. With his knowledge of chemistry, Mr. Engwer soon became foreman and subsequently manager of the manufacturing department, and continued in the employ of the company until 1875, when he started his present business at 109 and 111 Oregon street. With the home markets well supplied with all varieties of soap, he at once turned his attention toward building up a market among the South Sea Islands, and in that direction began experimenting with soaps adapted to the water of the countries in which he proposed to trade. In that direction he has been eminently successful, and his chief trade is exporting to Mexico, Central America, South Pacific Islands, China and Japan, also making large shipments to Chicago and the Eastern States. His attention to being entirely given to foreign markets, he is without competition from California manufacturers, but meeting English and Eastern manufacturers, his soaps have to maintain a high degree of excellence. 

He was married in Hamburg in 1859, and to this union have been added four sons and three daughters. Mr. Engwer is a member of the American Legion of Honor, of the I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W. and other insurance and benevolent orders. Though of foreign birth he is thoroughly imbued with American principles, free and outspoken in expression and Republican in politics, believing that is the vital influence which will maintain the laws and institutions of the country of his adoption. 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker  © 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, page 504, Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.