Herman Klaber

Who was Herman Klaber?

Herman Klaber was a prominent American businessman and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on November 18, 1870, in San Francisco, California, Klaber rose to become a successful hops merchant, wool trader, and insurance agent. His tragic demise at the age of 41 (forty-one) during the Titanic disaster cut short a life of entrepreneurial success and family devotion.

Early Life and Family Roots

A Tale of Two Continents

Herman Klaber’s story begins with his parents’ journey across the Atlantic. His father, George Klaber, born in 1825 in Prague, Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic), embarked on a life-changing voyage to the United States as a young man. George’s naturalization in New York in 1848 marked the beginning of the Klaber family’s American dream.

Herman’s mother, Bertha, hailed from Baden, Germany, adding another layer of European heritage to the family’s background. This blend of Old World origins and New World aspirations would shape Herman’s worldview and entrepreneurial spirit.

Childhood in the Golden City

Growing up in San Francisco during the late 19th century, young Herman witnessed the city’s transformation in the aftermath of the Gold Rush. As the son of a coal merchant, he likely observed the bustling port and the importance of trade from an early age. Herman had one sibling, an elder sister named Sarah, born in 1869, who would later marry Herman Kaufman.

The 1880 census provides us a glimpse of Herman’s childhood, still residing in San Francisco with his family. Tragically, Herman’s father passed away on December 16, 1893, an event that may have spurred the young man’s drive to succeed in business.

The Rise of a Business Magnate

How did Herman Klaber build his business empire?

Herman Klaber’s journey from a San Francisco youth to a multi-faceted businessman is a testament to his acumen and ambition. In the early 1890s, Klaber ventured north to Puyallup, Washington, where he began his career as a hops buyer and warehouse manager. This move proved pivotal, setting the stage for his future success.

By 1900, the census records paint a picture of a man on the rise. Klaber had established himself in Tacoma, Washington, working as a hops merchant for the firm Klaber, Wolf & Netter. His responsibilities included overseeing the company’s interests in the Northwest region, a role that demanded both business savvy and an understanding of agricultural markets.

Diversification and Growth

Klaber’s business acumen led him to expand beyond the hops trade. His entrepreneurial spirit drove him to become:

A successful hops broker
A wool merchant
A cigar store owner
An insurance agent

This diversification showcased Klaber’s ability to identify opportunities across various sectors, building a robust business portfolio that would eventually be valued at over $500,000 – an immense fortune for the time.

Personal Life and Family

A Union of Prominent Families

Around 1907, Herman Klaber married Gertrude Ginsberg, born on September 3, 1885, in Sacramento, California. Gertrude came from a wealthy merchant family, and their union likely strengthened both families’ social and economic ties. The couple welcomed their only child, Bernice Janet, on February 8, 1910, in Portland, Oregon.

A Man of Multiple Homes

The Klaber family’s success allowed them to maintain residences in three major West Coast cities:

San Francisco, California
Tacoma, Washington
Portland, Oregon

This multi-city lifestyle reflected Klaber’s expansive business interests and the family’s social standing across the Pacific Northwest.

The Fateful Journey

Why was Herman Klaber aboard the Titanic?

In January 1912, Herman Klaber embarked on a business trip that would ultimately lead him to his tragic fate. His journey began in San Francisco, taking him across the Atlantic aboard the RMS Olympic. The purpose of this voyage was to visit hop-producing districts in Europe, crucial to his business interests.

For his return journey to the United States, Klaber booked passage on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. He boarded the ship at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as a first-class passenger. His ticket, number 113028, cost £26 11s, equivalent to approximately £3,000 in today’s currency.

Klaber’s Final Days

During his time on the Titanic, Klaber would have enjoyed the luxurious amenities of first-class accommodation. His cabin, C124, was located on the promenade deck, offering comfortable quarters for what was supposed to be a triumphant return home.

“The Titanic was a floating palace, and men like Herman Klaber were its kings. Little did they know that their reign would be cut tragically short.” - Maritime Historian

The Tragic End and Legacy

Herman Klaber perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The loss of this 41-year-old businessman sent shockwaves through the commercial circles of the American West Coast.

What became of the Klaber family after the tragedy?

In the wake of the disaster, Gertrude Klaber, now a widow at 26 (twenty-six) years old, returned to Sacramento with her young daughter Bernice. She later settled in San Francisco, never remarrying, and passed away on March 17, 1961. Gertrude’s final resting place is in the Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma, California, alongside her family.

Bernice Janet Klaber, Herman’s daughter, grew up to marry Samuel Isador Jacobs, an attorney from Sacramento. The couple made their home in San Francisco, where Bernice lived until her untimely death on February 23, 1962, at the age of 52 (fifty-two).

Remembering Herman Klaber

Today, Herman Klaber is remembered on his parents’ gravestone in Salem Memorial Park, Colma, California. His legacy lives on not only through this memorial but in the annals of Titanic history and the story of American entrepreneurship at the turn of the 20th century.

Herman Klaber’s life and tragic death serve as a poignant reminder of the dreams, ambitions, and lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His story