Benjamin Dreyfus
Values Codes I – H – E -L – P
Mayor Benjamin Dreyfus, Anaheim, CA, 1881
WS10/1464
Benjamin Dreyfus was born on Westheim, Bavaria, in 1824.
During his lifetime, Dreyfus, the business and civic leader of Anaheim, California, was praised with these words:
“We cannot refrain from expressing the universal sentiment that Mr. Dreyfus is one of the best men – none more honorable – few so unselfish.”
Along the way . . .
Dreyfus arrived in Baltimore and was naturalized in 1851.
Los Angeles
Dreyfus arrived in Los Angeles in 1854, where he spent some time in general merchandising.
He later became the promotional manager for the Gambrinus Brewery.
Like many other early pioneers, when Dreyfus had some extra money, he invested in real estate.
He was also an early oil refiner in the 1850s.
Anaheim
In 1857, Dreyfus became part of a Los Angeles/San Francisco investors group that raised money to start the Los Angeles Vineyard Co., located in the “Mother Colony” known today as Anaheim.
The Los Angeles Vineyard Co. purchased 1,200 acres of land and divided it into 20 acre parcels, each of which could sustain 10 thousand vines.
Dreyfus Winery, Center & E. Street, Anaheim, CA, 1884 #WS10/1466
Dreyfus moved to Anaheim and in 1858 opened a store with August Langenberg called Langenberg & Co.
Langenberg ran the daily business, while Dreyfus put up the necessary money.
They soon also opened a hotel and a bar.
By 1873, B. Dreyfus & Co. had 200 acres of vines producing over 175,000 gallons of wine – most of which was shipped to New York.
B. Dryfus & Co. made both kosher and non-kosher wines.
By 1880 B. Dreyfus and Co. was shipping 2-1/2 million gallons yearly.
Advertisement for Anaheim Wine Growers, 1863 #WS17/2402
In 1871, Dreyfus purchased 8,400 acres in an area near Los Angeles, now called Eagle Rock and Glendale. He paid just 10 cents an acre – $840.
12 years later, he sold the property for $50,000 and retained the mineral rights.
His heirs sold their mineral rights in 1934 for an additional $77,000.
Civic
in 1872 Benjamin Dreyfus was named Water Commissioner of Anaheim.
From 1880 to 1882, he was president of the Anaheim Water Company.
He was elected to the Anaheim City Council in 1880, and became mayor of Anaheim in 1881.
Family
Leah Dreyfus, circa 1875 #WS10/1465
The Dreyfus family maintained two homes, one in Anaheim and another in San Francisco. Dreyfus would travel back and forth as necessary.
Benjamin Dreyfus married Leah Weil.
They had 5 sons, only two of whom reached maturity: Emil and Walter.
Benjamin Dreyfus died in 1886 and was buried in the Anaheim Cemetery.
In 1889 he was moved to Congregation Emanu-El’s Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma.
Leah Dreyfus died in 1912.
Sources
- Gladys Sturman, “Benjamin Dreyfus: Anaheim, California Vintner, 1825-1886,” Western States Jewish History 36/4.
- Norton B. Stern and William M. Kramer, “Benjamin Dreyfus: Wine Country Tycoon of Anaheim,” Western States Jewish Historical Quarterly 9/3.
- Norton B. Stern, “Benjamin Dreyfus: Wine Tycoon, Anaheim and San Francisco, 1824-1886,” Western States Jewish History 41/4.
