Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 40

A resident of the Golden State since 1869, a period of almost fifty years, during which time he has watched with a great deal of interest the progress of the upbuilding of the state and has done his share to help all worthy projects, Herman Granz of Fresno was born near Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany, August 1, 1841. His father was Samuel Granz, a descendant of an old Saxony family. A brother, Louis Granz, lived in San Francisco for many years and died there, in 1904.

Reared on his father's farm, where he learned the rudiments of the various branches of agriculture as carried on in Germany, Herman Granz attended the public schools in his home locality, and, when he reached the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. After he had thoroughly mastered the business, young Granz set out as a journeyman and worked in Austria, Switzerland and France. He heard of the great country beyond the sea, in the various places where he was employed and he made up his mind to come to the United States, and by 1868 he had made enough money to gratify his ambition. Upon arriving in New York City he worked at his trade one year in order to become used to the ways of the country and to learn the way business was conducted in this part of the world. California was the much talked-of state at that time and the account of its greater opportunities for young men decided this energetic young man to cast his fortunes with the newer state. He had saved enough money to bring him to California and he arrived in San Francisco via Panama.

Mr. Granz followed his trade in the western metropolis a short time, then started a furniture factory in Hayes Valley. Beginning on a small scale, his business increased so rapidly that he established a factory on Barry Street, and four years later erected a steam plant on Brannan Street. Here he made furniture of all kinds and had a trade throughout California and in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and in the Sandwich Islands, and employed some seventy-five experienced workmen. He carried on this business successfully until 1887, when on account of ill health, caused by such close application to the business, he had to leave the city.

In 1881, Mr. Granz had bought a tract of land in Fresno County adjoining the Eisen vineyard; at that time it was raw and undeveloped, and from time to time he set out vines, and when the railroad (which paralleled his land) was completed to Clovis, he had a flourishing vineyard. In 1885 he built a winery and began making wine. In 1887 he left San Francisco and settled on his land and thereafter gave his attention to the manufacturing of high grade wines for which he had built up a good business. This was one of the pioneer wineries in Fresno County. The capacity of the plant was increased from time to time until it had a capacity of 250.000 gallons. Mr. Granz erected a large modern country home, beautified the grounds and in time his became one of the show places on Belmont Avenue, east of Fresno. His example was followed by others and soon the section became one of the most attractive and productive in the county. Later he acquired an eighty-acre vineyard and winery near Dinuba, which is now a part of the Granz estate. This winery has a capacity of 300.000 gallons and is modernly equipped. Optimistic and a firm believer in the wonderful possibilities and future greatness of the City of Fresno, Mr. Granz invested in city property, now owning four business blocks two of which he erected, besides having other business interests in various places. On June 17, 1913, all of the property was incorporated as the Granz Estate, Mr. Granz being president.

The marriage uniting Herman Granz with Adelaide Bauhofer, a native of Austria, was celebrated in New York. To them have been born eight children: Carl T., vice-president of the Granz Estate and superintendent of the Dinuba Winery; Edward H., secretary of the estate and superintendent of the Fresno plant; Emil, deceased: O. J.; Mrs. Hermina Saier; Mrs. Sophie Gilbert; Adelaide, wife of Dr. F. L. R. Burks; and Clara. Mr. Granz was bereaved of his wife on April 3, 1919, and she was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Granz is a Republican, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as a man and citizen is an upbuilder and devoted to the interests of Fresno County and liberally supports all movements for its development. He often extends a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, and has made and retains a large circle of friends.