Autobiography and Reminiscence of Henry Koster, "Veterans Home" - Yountville, 1901.
Title:
Autobiography and Reminiscence of Henry Koster, "Veterans Home" - Yountville, 1901.[Institutional Records Digitization Project: Reminiscences of Early Pioneers: 1900-1904]
Creator/Contributor:
Koster, Henry, 1824-1907, creatorAbstract:
Autobiographies and Reminiscences of California Pioneers, p.186-192, Vol. 1. This is a typed transcript, bound into a volume,
of the member's autobiographical reminiscence created as an institutional record for the Society of California Pioneers.
The transcription includes a reference to a photograph of the member in a set of bound volumes. It appears that the photographs
in this set were dispersed throughout the regular photography collection, but the photographs referenced in the related materials
may or may not be these same photographs. This reminiscence covers the years from 1824 to 1901 and details Koster's career
aboard many ships. He names the ships he traveled on and describes many of his journeys. Cost of renting property is mentioned.
Koster details his journeys around the world and his various businesses.
Date:
1901 (issued)Subject:
Koster, Henry -- 1824-1907
Pioneers --
California --
Biography
Frontier and pioneer life
Gold mines and mining
Voyages and travels
Adventures and adventurers
Mexican War, 1846-1848
California --
History --
19th century.
California, Northern.
Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader
Autobiography & Reminiscence of Henry Koster, "Veterans Home" - Yountville, 1901. The Society of California Pioneers
Henry Koster, born in Germany(1824) traveled to America at age 14 aboard the bark "Bath" from Maine. He arrived in Baltimore
and walked to New York, joining the ship "Jewess" leaving for Hull, England. The ship was destroyed and Koster was sent back
to New York by the American Consul in London. In New York he took the "William Taff" from Warren, Rhode Island, for a 3 year
whaling cruise. From then until 1848, Koster traveled to Portugal, Brazil, the West Indies, and ports in America. During
the U.S.-Mexican war Koster survived a shipwreck and afterwards returned to New York joining the steamer "California" as water-tender,
headed to California. In Panama, Koster switched ships and sailed to Cal. with Capt. Jordan aboard the brig "Belfast", arriving
in San Francisco May 1849. From S.F. Koster went to the mines: Coloma, North Fork, Auburn, Placerville, Shasta, Weaverville,
Sonora and Columbia. He returned to S.F. "almost broke" and started a coffee business outside a canvas tent on Pacific and
Sansome Streets, later renting a small store. After his business success, Koster returned to New York and soon returned to
California. Koster and Capt. Short built the "Washington Baths" (burning down in 1852), and then he built his wholesale cigar
and tobacco store. Koster claims to be the first importer of Havana cigars, direct from Havana. From 1853 to 1901, Koster
traveled between California and the world. He fought in the Civil War and at the battle of Bull Run. He built a road hotel
in Rise River, Nevada, but moved back to S.F. in 1867 after losing much of his money. Koster worked as a traveling agent,
selling merchandise for F.B. Taylor & Co. and then went into business on his own selling general merchandise
Type:
Autobiographies.Physical Description:
[7] p. ; 35 x 21 cm.
Language:
English
Identifier:
\LowResSCANS\Volume01\ARKoster,H01.jpg7
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader.
Related Item:
Autobiographies & Reminiscences of California Pioneers, compiled by The Historical Committee of the Society of California
Pioneers.