The morning call., 1890-09-07
JACOB p. LEEsE.

One of the oldest, II not The oldest, California
Pioneer Of American birth is Jacob Primer
Leese, who was bonn at ST. ClaiIsyille, Ohio, on
August 8, 1909. In his twentieth year lie started
out to see lie as trapper, and after series OF
adventures reached Los Angeles in December,
1888. Here he arranged with the padres to take
a band Of mules across the plains 10 New Mex
leo and In November following he started back
with 1000 animals, which the missionaries let
him have on credit. He did not proceed very
far, however. before he was surprised by In
dams, who stampeded the herd and left him
penniless with debt Of $4,000 due the good
fathers. He hurried back 10 Los Angeles. re-
ported his loss and Den wiped out his Obliga-
ton.
Anxious TO repair his fortunes lie next pro-
ceeded 10 San Francisco, where lie met Captain
Richardson, then engaged III collecting hides and
taIlow AT the ranches around the bay. The cap
tain aud his family were at the lime living under
a sail thrown over a lew posts stuck into The
beach, at point which Is now the northwest
corner OF Plaza, or BRENNAN place. and Wash
ington street. Leese had previously known the
family and accordingly he unfolded his future
plans TO the captain, but, upon bis doing so,
Richardson Informed him that there was no
use In trying 10 get concession, as he himself
bad made several attempts and could not succeed.
Thanks to circumstances, LeeSe, however, be-
came successful, and, as the history OF San Fran.
cisco shows, he founded the city by erecting the
first frame house ever seen here The structure
was begun on the LIST OF July, 1886, ana Mr..
Leese strained every nerve to have IL built in
tune for the 4tb. an effort in which he was quite
successful.
While he was thus employed Captain Richard
son crossed the bay and Invited all of the promi-
nenI people there to come and join in the double
event which was TO be celebrated-the house
warming OF the new establishment and indie
pendence day. They were but too happy to be
asked, aud at once accepted The Invitation, set
out. and, to the number OF sixty entered imne-
dlaey into the spirit of the festivities. After an
elaborate feast with musical aecompaniments.
toasts OF patriotic nature were gwen and re-
spolded TO- and then. when the tables had been
cleared away, dancing was introduced and the
ball kept rolling till late next day.
In the new building Mr. Leese opened ner-
clandisiug business, IN Which lie prospered be-
yond his expectations. When opportunity
offered he assisted Richardson in obtaining a
grant, and the friends lived aud labored side by
side for many years. When the city was INST
surveyed in $50 Leese became the purchaser OF
some valuable lots upon which he erected large
warehouses. These he subsequently sold 10 the
Hudson Bay Company, and with the proceeds lie
went To Souoma, where he built dwelling house,
which still stands there. Alter trips TO Oregon
and San Francisco he went into business In
Sonoma and continued to acquire considerable
wealth at 1t Till the discovery OF gold led him to
the miues Here his good fortune followed him
aud he became 4 large purchaser OF gOld-dust for
a merely nominal sum, afterward selling II Tor
treble what IL cost him.
In 1919 Leese built Inc FIRST wharf into The bay,
at what became known as Clarks Point, foot OF
Broadway, and obtained q patent to The sur.
rounding land, which he subsequently realized
upou at IL large profit. twas little more than
temporary landing place tor passengers, and
hardly worth the name OF wharf.