Harris Weinstock
Values Codes I – E
Harris Weinstock (1854-1922) was born in London in 1854, came to New York City with his family, and migrated to California at fifteen after his father died.
Weinstock opened a small shop in San Francisco with his half-brother David Lubin in 1872.
Several years later, they relocated the business to Sacramento, the state capital.
By 1881, they operated the largest mail-order business in America.
The brothers acquired fruit-growing land near Sacramento and Weinstock began a life-long involvement in fruit marketing and sales.
Weinstock won a seat on the Sacramento County board of freeholders in 1891.
He also joined the California National Guard and rose to lieutenant colonel.
State Capital in Sacramento late 1890s,
Vintage Postcard
Weinstock was an anti-corruption reformer, an advocate of ethical business, and a charter member of the California Progressive Party.
Progressive governor Hiram Johnson repeatedly turned to Weinstock to solve sticky political conflicts.
Source
- Mark Rutzik, Breaking New Ground: The Untold Story of Early America’s Jewish Electoral Pioneers – 1788 to 1920, 2025.
Mark Rutzick is the curator of this Harris Weinstock exhibit.