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{{short description|American financier of German-Jewish descent}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Isaias W. Hellman<!-- include middle initial, if not specified in birth_name -->
| image = IsaiasHellman.jpg<!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing ] --> | name = Isaias W. Hellman<!-- include middle initial, if not specified in birth_name -->
| image = IsaiasHellman.jpg<!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing ] -->
| alt =
| caption = Isaias W. Hellman | caption =
| office = ]
| birth_name = Isaias Wolf Hellman
| term_start = 1905
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1842|10|3|mf=y}}
| term_end = 1920
| birth_place = ], ]
| predecessor = ''Himself as president of the Nevada National Bank''
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1920|4|9|1842|10|3|mf=y}}
| successor = ]
| death_place = San Francisco<ref name=latimes/>
| office1 = ]
| resting_place = Home of Peace Cemetery and Emanu-El Mausoleum<ref>{{Find a Grave|49452793|Isaias Wolf Hellman}}</ref>
| term_start1 = 1898
| nationality = ]
| other_names = | term_end1 = 1905
| predecessor1 = ''Himself as president of the Nevada Bank''
| spouse = {{Marriage|Esther Newgass|1870}}
| successor1 = ''Himself as president of the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank''
| children = Isaias Wolf Hellman, Jr.<br> Clara Hellman<br> Florence Hellman
| office2 = ]
| occupation =
| known_for = | term_start2 = 1890
| family = | term_end2 = 1898
| predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = ''Himself as president of the Nevada National Bank''
| birth_name = Isaias Wolf Hellman
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1842|10|3|mf=y}} <ref name="IN MEMORY ISAIAS W 1920">"IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref>
| birth_place = ], ]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1920|4|9|1842|10|3|mf=y}}
| death_place = San Francisco, California
| resting_place = Home of Peace Cemetery and Emanu-El Mausoleum
| nationality = ]
| spouse = {{Marriage|Esther Newgass<br>|April 14, 1870}}
| children = ]<br>Clara Hellman<br> Florence Hellman
| occupation =
| known_for =
| relations = ] (brother)<br>] (grandson)<br>] (great-grandson)<br>] (great-great-granddaughter)
}} }}


'''Isaias Wolf Hellman''' (October 3, 1842 – April 9, 1920) was a German-born American banker and ], and a founding father of the ].<ref>"IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> '''Isaias Wolf Hellman''' (October 3, 1842 – April 9, 1920) was a ]-born American banker and ], and a founding father of the ].<ref name="IN MEMORY ISAIAS W 1920">"IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref>


==Biography== ==Early life==
One of three sons and four daughters,<ref name=hellmann/> Isaias was born in ], ], to ] parents Wolf Hellmann (1815–1884), a master weaver,<ref name=hellmann>, Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank {{de-icon}}</ref> and Sara Fleischmann (1823–1888).<ref> Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank] {{in lang|de}}</ref><ref name=dinkel>Frances Dinkelspiel (2008) ''Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California'', St. Martin's Press, New York {{ISBN|978-0-31235-526-5}}</ref> He was educated in German public schools and at the College of Marktbreit, Bavaria.<ref name=death>"DEATH CLAIMS I.W. HELLMAN.: Pioneer Southland Banker Succumbs in North; Began Career as Dry Goods Clerk in Los Angeles; Was State University Regent; Man of Many Interests" (Apr 10, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> This school was founded by Solomon Wohl in 1849.<ref name=dinkel/> Isaias and his brother ] left Hamburg on the steamer ''Hammonia'', arriving in the ], ] on May 14, 1859 to join their cousins. A third brother James W. Hellman (1861-1940) also emigrated to Los Angeles.<ref name=dinkel/> The four sisters were Bertha (b. 1845), Flora (b. 1846), Regina (b. 1848) and Ernestine (b. 1853).<ref name=dinkel/> Ernestine married a wealthy cattle merchant named Schloss. Hellman went to work as a clerk in his cousins' dry goods store, and learned how to speak Spanish.<ref>Abrams, Jeanne. In ''Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies, 1720 to the Present'', vol. 3, edited by Giles R. Hoyt. German Historical Institute. Last modified February 24, 2016.</ref> He opened his own dry goods store in April 1865 on the ].<ref>"ISAIAS W. HELLMAN" (Apr 13, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> Hellman was born in ], ] on October 3, 1842. He was one of three sons and four daughters,<ref name=hellmann/> born to ] parents Wolf Hellmann (1815–1884), a master weaver,<ref name=hellmann>, Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank {{in lang|de}}</ref> and Sara Fleischmann (1823–1888).<ref> Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank] {{in lang|de}}</ref><ref name=dinkel>Frances Dinkelspiel (2008) ''Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California'', St. Martin's Press, New York {{ISBN|978-0-31235-526-5}}</ref> His siblings included brothers ] and James W. Hellman.<ref name=dinkel/> Their four sisters were Bertha, Flora, Regina, and Ernestine (who married a wealthy cattle merchant named Schloss).<ref name=dinkel/>


He was educated in German public schools and at the College of ] in Bavaria.<ref name=death>"DEATH CLAIMS I.W. HELLMAN.: Pioneer Southland Banker Succumbs in North; Began Career as Dry Goods Clerk in Los Angeles; Was State University Regent; Man of Many Interests" (Apr 10, 1920) '']''</ref> This school was founded by Solomon Wohl in 1849.<ref name=dinkel/>
Hellman became Los Angeles' first banker almost by accident. As a courtesy, he stored his customers' gold and valuables in a ]. One day, Hellman got into an altercation with a customer who had been coming in and out of the store gloriously drunk, withdrawing gold each time from a ] stored in the safe. When the man sobered up, he was angry to discover he had spent most of his funds, and he lunged at Hellman. That interaction prompted Hellman to stop his informal banking operations. He got slips printed up that said I.W. Hellman, Banker, and started buying people's funds and issuing deposit books.{{cn|date=December 2019}}


==Career==
On September 1, 1868, Hellman and ] founded Hellman, Temple and Co., the fledgling city's second official bank. In 1871, Hellman and ], a former governor of California, formed the ], which became Los Angeles' first successful bank. Hellman lent the money that allowed ] to buy the '']'' and ] and ] to drill for oil.{{cn|date=December 2019}}
]
]'' today, is the store that I. W. Hellman bought from Adolph Portugal in 1865 at age 22. At right is the ] foreign and domestic dry goods store, wholesale and retail, at 53. ]]


Hellman and his brother Herman left Hamburg on the steamer ''Hammonia'', arriving in ], ], on May 14, 1859, to join their cousins. Their brother James later emigrated to Los Angeles as well.<ref name=dinkel/> Isaias went to work as a clerk in his cousins' stationery and cigar store, and learned to speak Spanish.<ref>Abrams, Jeanne. In ''Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies, 1720 to the Present'', vol. 3, edited by Giles R. Hoyt. German Historical Institute. Last modified February 24, 2016.</ref> The store operated as Hellman and Bro. and sold cigars and stationery, and was located at the corner of Main and Temple streets.<ref></ref> Isaias joined the business in 1855, brother Sam in 1857, and the partnership was dissolved January 26, 1862.<ref></ref>
Hellman was also a major investor in trolley lines, putting in funds in 1874 to start the Main Street and Agricultural Park Railway, which traveled from the Plaza, the heart of Los Angeles's downtown, to Agricultural Park, a popular horse-racing track. Hellman eventually invested in many of the city's rail lines and with ] formed the ] in 1898 and the ] in 1901.{{cn|date=December 2019}}


In 1865, Hellman bought the dry goods store of Adolph Portugal at the corner of Main and Commercial that Portugal had opened in 1854.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Newmark |first1=Marco R. |page=87|title=Pioneer Merchants of Los Angeles |journal=Historical Society of Southern California|date=1942}}</ref> This is approximately the current location of the '']'' sculpture on the ]. Some sources state that he opened a dry goods store in April 1865 "on the ]".<ref>"ISAIAS W. HELLMAN" (Apr 13, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> The Baker Block did not open until 1875, however is ] of Hellman's store at the southeast corner of Main and Commercial streets. In 1870, Hellman erected the ] at the northwest corner of Los Angeles Street and (a street that no longer exists) Commercial Street.<ref></ref>
Hellman was also a major investor in Los Angeles's water, gas and electricity companies, and helped bring ] to Los Angeles in 1876, which ended the isolation of the region. He was president of ] in 1872 when the congregation built the city's first temple on Fort Street. In 1870, his cousin Isaiah M. Hellman was elected City Treasurer.{{cn|date=December 2019}}


===Banking===
]
Hellman became Los Angeles' first banker almost by accident. As a courtesy, he stored his customers' gold and valuables in a ]. One day, Hellman got into an altercation with a drunk customer who had been coming in and out of the store, withdrawing gold each time from a ] stored in the safe. When the man sobered up, he was angry to discover he had spent most of his funds, and lunged at Hellman. That interaction prompted Hellman to stop his informal banking operations. He obtained printed slips reading I.W. Hellman, Banker, and started buying people's funds and issuing deposit books.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}


On September 1, 1868, Hellman and ] founded Hellman, Temple and Co., the fledgling city's second official bank. In 1871, Hellman and ], a former governor of California, formed the ], which became Los Angeles' first successful bank.<ref name="1991MergerHistory">{{cite news |title=THE BANK MERGER; The Historical High Points |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/13/business/the-bank-merger-the-historical-high-points.html |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=13 August 1991}}</ref> Hellman lent the money that allowed ] to buy the '']'' and ] and ] to drill for oil.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} In 1881, Hellman was appointed a ] to fill the unexpired term of ]. He was reappointed twice and served until 1918.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Hellman was also a major landowner in Southern California and his holdings included numerous city lots and vast swaths of former rancho land. In 1871, he and a syndicate bought the {{convert|13000|acre|km2|adj=on}} ]. In 1881, Hellman and members of the Bixby family purchased the {{convert|26000|acre|km2|adj=on}} ] (now home to Long Beach and Seal Beach). He also purchased the ] (now Montebello) with ] and Kaspare Cohn. Hellman and Downey also bought up swaths of ] from the Dominguez family. Hellman also owned much of ] with ].{{cn|date=December 2019}}


In 1890, Hellman moved to ] to take over the Nevada Bank of San Francisco, which had been formed in 1875 by four men known as the Silver Kings: ], ], William O'Brien and ]. While the bank had once had $10 million in capitalization, it was nearly broke by the time Hellman took over. When word got out about Hellman's involvement, capitalists from around the world applied to buy stock. Hellman had $15 million in applications but only $2.5 million in stock to sell. Two of the biggest shareholders included ] of ] ($150,000) and ] ($120,000). Other shareholders included men Hellman had grown up with in Reckendorf who had become important businessmen, including Kalman, ] and William Haas, and David Walter. Hellman served as president of the Nevada Bank of San Francisco from 1890 to 1898 when he nationalized the bank under the title of The Nevada National Bank of San Francisco.<ref name="1898Nevada">{{cite news |title=THE NEVADA NATIONAL BANK {{!}} REMARKABLE INCREASE IN ITS BUSINESS THIS YEAR {{!}} A Solid Financial Institution Which Ranks Among the Foremost in the World |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73200753/the-nevada-national-bankremarkable/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=18 December 1898 |pages=31}}</ref> Hellman was president of that bank from 1898 to 1905, until he bought the banking division of ],{{refn|group=lower-alpha|In 1905, ], who controlled the ] and ], had gained control of Wells Fargo and reached a deal with Hellman where Wells Fargo separated its banking and express operations, with Hellman's Nevada National buying the Wells Fargo Bank and Harriman retaining control of the express business. The Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank opened on April 22, 1905, with the following board of directors: Isaias W. Hellman, president; ] and F.A. Bigelow, vice presidents; ], cashier; Frank B. King, George Grant, William McGavin, and John E. Miles, assistant cashiers; ], ] and ], directors. ] joined the board in 1906.}} and merged it with the Nevada National Bank to form the ] with a working capital of $9,500,000.<ref name="1905Ratified">{{cite news |title=Nevada Bank Merger Ratified. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/04/archives/nevada-bank-merger-ratified.html |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=4 April 1905}}</ref> After the ], the bank was operated in the residence of Hellman's son-in-law at 2020 Jackson Street while the headquarters was rebuilt.<ref name="1906Faith">{{cite news |title=HELLMAN WILL SPEND THIRTY MILLIONS WELLS FARGO NEVADA BANK'S PRESIDENT HAS LOTS OF FAITH IN SAN FRANCISCO |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73201245/hellman-will-spend-thirty-millions/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=6 May 1906 |pages=1}}</ref><ref name="1906Resources">{{cite news |title=BANK'S RESOURCES SHOW INCREASE Wells Fargo Nevada Institution's Assets Are Fifty Millions of Dollars. RECORD IS BROKEN |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73201682/banks-resources-show-increase/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=23 December 1906 |pages=68}}</ref> At the height of his power, Hellman reportedly served as president or director of seventeen banks along the Pacific Coast and controlled $100 million in capital.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Hellman served as president of the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank until his death in 1920 when he was succeeded by his son, who sadly died a month later, on May 10, 1920.<ref name="la1920"/>
In 1879, Judge ] established a ] to create a new ]. Hellman joined the businessman ] and the former ] ] in donating valuable land and an ] to found the ].<ref> University of Southern California.</ref>


After his death, the ] (which Hellman had incorporated in 1893) was merged into Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank in 1923 creating ].<ref name="1923Expansion">{{cite news |title=CALIFORNIA BANK EXPANSION Six Leading Banks in Los Angeles and San Francisco Increase Capital $9,000,000 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73199503/california-bank-expansion/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=31 October 1923 |pages=8}}</ref> In 1954, Wells Fargo & Union Trust shortened its name to ].<ref name="1954Name">{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Special to The New York |title=WELLS FARGO BANK; Five-for-One Split Voted, as Is Shortened Name |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/08/06/archives/wells-fargo-bank-fireforone-split-voted-as-is-shortened-name.html |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=6 August 1954}}</ref>
]


===Streetcars and utilities===
In 1881, Hellman was appointed a ] to fill the unexpired term of ]. He was reappointed twice and served until 1918.{{cn|date=December 2019}}
In 1870, Hellman's cousin Isaiah M. Hellman was elected city treasurer while Isaias became a major investor in trolley lines, contributing funds in 1874 to start the Main Street and Agricultural Park Railway, which traveled from the Plaza, the heart of Los Angeles's downtown, to Agricultural Park, a horse-racing track. Hellman eventually invested in many of the city's rail lines and with ] formed the ] in 1898 and the ] in 1901.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}


He was a major investor in Los Angeles's water, gas and electricity companies, and helped bring ] to Los Angeles in 1876, which ended the isolation of the region.
In 1890, Hellman moved to ] to take over the Nevada Bank, which had been formed in 1875 by four men known as the Silver Kings: John MacKay, James Flood, William O'Brien and James Fair. While the bank had once had $10 million in capitalization, it was almost broke by the time Hellman took over. When word got out about Hellman's involvement, millionaires and capitalists from around the world applied to buy stock. Hellman had $15 million in applications but only $2.5 million in stock to sell. Two of the biggest shareholders included ] of ] ($150,000) and ] ($120,000). Other shareholders included men Hellman had grown up with in Reckendorf who had become important businessmen in their own right, including Kalman, ] and William Haas, and David Walter. Hellman was president of the Nevada Bank of San Francisco from 1890 to 1898 and nationalized the bank under the title of The Nevada National Bank of San Francisco from 1898 to 1905. 1905 Hellman bought the banking division of Wells Fargo and merged it with The Nevada National Bank under the new title of Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank of San Francisco and was president of the bank until his death in 1920. In 1893, Hellman had incorporated the Union Trust Company. Union Trust Company was later merged into Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank in 1923 creating Wells Fargo Union Trust Company which became Wells Fargo Bank.{{cn|date=December 2019}}


===Real estate===
In 1897, Hellman bought a large parcel of land next to ] where he built a mansion in 1903. He named it Pine Lodge after the sugar pines that dotted the property. His family later sold this land to the state of California, which made the property into ].{{cn|date=December 2019}}
Hellman was a major landowner in Southern California. His holdings included numerous city lots and vast swaths of former rancho land. In 1871, he and a syndicate bought the {{convert|13000|acre|km2|adj=on}} ]. In 1881, Hellman and members of the ] purchased the {{convert|26000|acre|km2|adj=on}} ] (now home to ] and ]). The ] neighborhood of Long Beach bears his name. He also purchased the ] (now Montebello) with ] and Kaspare Cohn. Hellman and Downey also purchased swaths of ] from the Dominguez family. Hellman owned much of ] with ].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}


].]]
He also purchased the {{convert|35000|acre|km2|adj=on}} Nacimiento Ranch near ] and stocked it with cattle and horses. In 1905, Hellman merged the Nevada National Bank with ] to form the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank. After the ], the bank was operated in the residence of Hellman's son-in-law at 2020 Jackson Street while the headquarters was rebuilt.{{cn|date=December 2019}}
In 1897, Hellman bought a large parcel of land next to ] where he built a mansion in 1903. He named it Pine Lodge after the sugar pines on the property. His family later sold this land to the state of California, which made the property into ].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}


He purchased the {{convert|35000|acre|km2|adj=on}} Nacimiento Ranch near ] and stocked it with cattle and horses.
At the height of his power, Hellman served as president or director of 17 banks along the Pacific Coast and controlled $100 million in capital.{{cn|date=December 2019}}


===University of Southern California===
==Family life==
In 1879, Judge ] established a ] to create a new ]. Hellman joined the businessman ] and the former ] ] in donating valuable land and an ] to found the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526024108/http://about.usc.edu/history/ |date=2014-05-26 }} University of Southern California.</ref>
He married Esther Newgass of New York on April 14, 1870. Her sister, Babette, was married to ], one of the founders of ]. The couple had three children: Isaias Wolf Hellman, Jr. (1871-1920), Clara (1878-1959), and Florence (1882-1964).<ref name=dinkel/><ref name=death/> Clara married Emanuel S. Heller and Florence married Sidney M. Ehrman who went on to form the law firm of ''].''<ref>{{Cite web|last= Dinkelspiel |first= Frances |authorlink=|title=Heller Ehrman's demise closes chapter of San Francisco history|publisher=]|date=October 2, 2008 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Heller-Ehrman-s-demise-closes-chapter-of-San-3192634.php |accessdate=}}</ref>


==Legacy== ==Personal life==
]
At his death in 1920, Hellman was considered the leading financier of the Pacific Coast.<ref name=latimes>"Isaias Hellman Laid to Rest with Honors: Pioneer Pacific Coast Banker is Given Tribute at San Francisco" (Apr 13, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> His son, Isaias Wolf Hellman, Jr. and grandson, Isaias Warren Hellman, later became presidents of Wells Fargo Bank. The Union Trust Company was merged with Wells Fargo after his death and the original Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles later merged with Security First National Bank of Los Angeles.


On April 14, 1870, Hellman married Esther Newgass of New York. Her sister, Babetta Newgass, was the wife of ], one of the three founding brothers of the investment bank ]. They had three children:<ref name=dinkel/><ref name=death/>
Biographies of Hellman include ''Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California'', by Frances Dinkelspiel, his great-great-granddaughter. The 2008 book was on the '']'' bestseller list for five weeks and was reviewed favorably in the publication.<ref>Abby Pollak (Nov 30, 2008) ''San Francisco Chronicle''</ref>

* Isaias W. Hellman Jr. (1871–1920), who married Frances Jacobi.<ref name="la1920">{{cite news |title=FINANCIER OF NOTE PASSES AWAY |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73206458/financier-of-note-passes-away/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=10 May 1920 |pages=1}}</ref>
* Clara Hellman (1878–1959), who married Emanuel S. Heller in 1899.<ref name="1899Troth">{{cite news |title=Miss Clara Hellman and Emanuel S. Heller Plight Their Troth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73206250/miss-clara-hellman-and-emanuel-s/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=] |date=27 April 1899 |pages=12}}</ref>
* Florence Hellman (1882–1964), who married Sidney M. Ehrman who went on to form the law firm of ''].''<ref>{{Cite web|last= Dinkelspiel |first= Frances |title=Heller Ehrman's demise closes chapter of San Francisco history|publisher=]|date=October 2, 2008 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Heller-Ehrman-s-demise-closes-chapter-of-San-3192634.php }}</ref>

He was president of ] in 1872 when the congregation built the city's first temple on Fort Street.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Hellman died in San Francisco on April 9, 1920.<ref name=latimes/><ref>"IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) '']''</ref>

===Legacy===
At his death in 1920, Hellman was considered the leading financier of the Pacific Coast.<ref name=latimes>"Isaias Hellman Laid to Rest with Honors: Pioneer Pacific Coast Banker is Given Tribute at San Francisco" (Apr 13, 1920) ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> His son, Isaias Wolf Hellman, Jr. and grandson, ], later became presidents of Wells Fargo Bank. The ] was merged with Wells Fargo after his death and the original ] later merged with Security First National Bank of Los Angeles.

Biographies of Hellman include ''Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California'', by ], his great-great-granddaughter. The 2008 book was on the '']'' bestseller list for five weeks and was reviewed favorably in the publication.<ref>Abby Pollak (Nov 30, 2008) ''San Francisco Chronicle''</ref>


==References== ==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

;Sources
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{find a Grave|49452793|Isaias Wolf Hellman}}
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526024108/http://about.usc.edu/history/ |date=2014-05-26 }}
* rootsweb. * rootsweb.


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Latest revision as of 11:10, 21 November 2024

American financier of German-Jewish descent
Isaias W. Hellman
President of Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank
In office
1905–1920
Preceded byHimself as president of the Nevada National Bank
Succeeded byIsaias W. Hellman Jr.
President of The Nevada National Bank
In office
1898–1905
Preceded byHimself as president of the Nevada Bank
Succeeded byHimself as president of the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank
President of The Nevada Bank
In office
1890–1898
Preceded byJohn William Mackay
Succeeded byHimself as president of the Nevada National Bank
Personal details
BornIsaias Wolf Hellman
(1842-10-03)October 3, 1842
Reckendorf, Kingdom of Bavaria
DiedApril 9, 1920(1920-04-09) (aged 77)
San Francisco, California
Resting placeHome of Peace Cemetery and Emanu-El Mausoleum
NationalityAmerican
Spouse Esther Newgass
​ ​(m. 1870)​
RelationsHerman W. Hellman (brother)
Isaias W. Hellman III (grandson)
Warren Hellman (great-grandson)
Frances Hellman (great-great-granddaughter)
ChildrenIsaias W. Hellman Jr.
Clara Hellman
Florence Hellman

Isaias Wolf Hellman (October 3, 1842 – April 9, 1920) was a Kingdom of Bavaria-born American banker and philanthropist, and a founding father of the University of Southern California.

Early life

Hellman was born in Reckendorf, Kingdom of Bavaria on October 3, 1842. He was one of three sons and four daughters, born to German Jewish parents Wolf Hellmann (1815–1884), a master weaver, and Sara Fleischmann (1823–1888). His siblings included brothers Herman and James W. Hellman. Their four sisters were Bertha, Flora, Regina, and Ernestine (who married a wealthy cattle merchant named Schloss).

He was educated in German public schools and at the College of Marktbreit in Bavaria. This school was founded by Solomon Wohl in 1849.

Career

1857 Sketch of the Hellman & Bro. store where Isaias W. worked for his cousins
View in 1870 of the east side of Main Street, north of Commercial Street. At far left, on the corner of Main and Commercial, approximate location of the Triforium today, is the store that I. W. Hellman bought from Adolph Portugal in 1865 at age 22. At right is the S. Lazard & Co. foreign and domestic dry goods store, wholesale and retail, at 53.

Hellman and his brother Herman left Hamburg on the steamer Hammonia, arriving in Los Angeles, California, on May 14, 1859, to join their cousins. Their brother James later emigrated to Los Angeles as well. Isaias went to work as a clerk in his cousins' stationery and cigar store, and learned to speak Spanish. The store operated as Hellman and Bro. and sold cigars and stationery, and was located at the corner of Main and Temple streets. Isaias joined the business in 1855, brother Sam in 1857, and the partnership was dissolved January 26, 1862.

In 1865, Hellman bought the dry goods store of Adolph Portugal at the corner of Main and Commercial that Portugal had opened in 1854. This is approximately the current location of the Triforium sculpture on the Los Angeles Mall. Some sources state that he opened a dry goods store in April 1865 "on the Baker Block". The Baker Block did not open until 1875, however is one short city block north of Hellman's store at the southeast corner of Main and Commercial streets. In 1870, Hellman erected the Hellman Block at the northwest corner of Los Angeles Street and (a street that no longer exists) Commercial Street.

Banking

Hellman became Los Angeles' first banker almost by accident. As a courtesy, he stored his customers' gold and valuables in a safe. One day, Hellman got into an altercation with a drunk customer who had been coming in and out of the store, withdrawing gold each time from a pouch stored in the safe. When the man sobered up, he was angry to discover he had spent most of his funds, and lunged at Hellman. That interaction prompted Hellman to stop his informal banking operations. He obtained printed slips reading I.W. Hellman, Banker, and started buying people's funds and issuing deposit books.

On September 1, 1868, Hellman and Temple founded Hellman, Temple and Co., the fledgling city's second official bank. In 1871, Hellman and John G. Downey, a former governor of California, formed the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles, which became Los Angeles' first successful bank. Hellman lent the money that allowed Harrison Gray Otis to buy the Los Angeles Times and Edward Doheny and Charles A. Canfield to drill for oil. In 1881, Hellman was appointed a Regents of the University of California to fill the unexpired term of D.O. Mills. He was reappointed twice and served until 1918.

In 1890, Hellman moved to San Francisco to take over the Nevada Bank of San Francisco, which had been formed in 1875 by four men known as the Silver Kings: John William Mackay, James Cair Flood, William O'Brien and James Graham Fair. While the bank had once had $10 million in capitalization, it was nearly broke by the time Hellman took over. When word got out about Hellman's involvement, capitalists from around the world applied to buy stock. Hellman had $15 million in applications but only $2.5 million in stock to sell. Two of the biggest shareholders included Mayer Lehman of Lehman Brothers ($150,000) and Levi Strauss ($120,000). Other shareholders included men Hellman had grown up with in Reckendorf who had become important businessmen, including Kalman, Abraham and William Haas, and David Walter. Hellman served as president of the Nevada Bank of San Francisco from 1890 to 1898 when he nationalized the bank under the title of The Nevada National Bank of San Francisco. Hellman was president of that bank from 1898 to 1905, until he bought the banking division of Wells Fargo & Co., and merged it with the Nevada National Bank to form the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank with a working capital of $9,500,000. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the bank was operated in the residence of Hellman's son-in-law at 2020 Jackson Street while the headquarters was rebuilt. At the height of his power, Hellman reportedly served as president or director of seventeen banks along the Pacific Coast and controlled $100 million in capital. Hellman served as president of the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank until his death in 1920 when he was succeeded by his son, who sadly died a month later, on May 10, 1920.

After his death, the Union Trust Company (which Hellman had incorporated in 1893) was merged into Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank in 1923 creating Wells Fargo & Union Trust Company. In 1954, Wells Fargo & Union Trust shortened its name to Wells Fargo Bank.

Streetcars and utilities

In 1870, Hellman's cousin Isaiah M. Hellman was elected city treasurer while Isaias became a major investor in trolley lines, contributing funds in 1874 to start the Main Street and Agricultural Park Railway, which traveled from the Plaza, the heart of Los Angeles's downtown, to Agricultural Park, a horse-racing track. Hellman eventually invested in many of the city's rail lines and with Henry Huntington formed the Los Angeles Railway in 1898 and the Pacific Electric Railway in 1901.

He was a major investor in Los Angeles's water, gas and electricity companies, and helped bring Southern Pacific Railroad to Los Angeles in 1876, which ended the isolation of the region.

Real estate

Hellman was a major landowner in Southern California. His holdings included numerous city lots and vast swaths of former rancho land. In 1871, he and a syndicate bought the 13,000-acre (53 km) Rancho Cucamonga. In 1881, Hellman and members of the Bixby family purchased the 26,000-acre (110 km) Rancho Los Alamitos (now home to Long Beach and Seal Beach). The Hellman neighborhood of Long Beach bears his name. He also purchased the Repetto Ranch (now Montebello) with Harris Newmark and Kaspare Cohn. Hellman and Downey also purchased swaths of Rancho San Pedro from the Dominguez family. Hellman owned much of Boyle Heights with William H. Workman.

Hellman mansion on Lake Tahoe, now in the Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park.

In 1897, Hellman bought a large parcel of land next to Lake Tahoe where he built a mansion in 1903. He named it Pine Lodge after the sugar pines on the property. His family later sold this land to the state of California, which made the property into Sugar Pine Point State Park.

He purchased the 35,000-acre (140 km) Nacimiento Ranch near Paso Robles and stocked it with cattle and horses.

University of Southern California

In 1879, Judge Robert Maclay Widney established a board of trustees to create a new university. Hellman joined the businessman Ozro W. Childs and the former Governor of California John G. Downey in donating valuable land and an endowment to found the University of Southern California.

Personal life

An 1887 lithograph of Hellman's Los Angeles home

On April 14, 1870, Hellman married Esther Newgass of New York. Her sister, Babetta Newgass, was the wife of Mayer Lehman, one of the three founding brothers of the investment bank Lehman Brothers. They had three children:

  • Isaias W. Hellman Jr. (1871–1920), who married Frances Jacobi.
  • Clara Hellman (1878–1959), who married Emanuel S. Heller in 1899.
  • Florence Hellman (1882–1964), who married Sidney M. Ehrman who went on to form the law firm of Heller Powers & Ehrman.

He was president of B'nai B'rith in 1872 when the congregation built the city's first temple on Fort Street.

Hellman died in San Francisco on April 9, 1920.

Legacy

At his death in 1920, Hellman was considered the leading financier of the Pacific Coast. His son, Isaias Wolf Hellman, Jr. and grandson, Isaias Warren Hellman, later became presidents of Wells Fargo Bank. The Union Trust Company was merged with Wells Fargo after his death and the original Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles later merged with Security First National Bank of Los Angeles.

Biographies of Hellman include Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, by Frances Dinkelspiel, his great-great-granddaughter. The 2008 book was on the San Francisco Chronicle bestseller list for five weeks and was reviewed favorably in the publication.

References

Notes
  1. In 1905, Edward H. Harriman, who controlled the Southern Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad, had gained control of Wells Fargo and reached a deal with Hellman where Wells Fargo separated its banking and express operations, with Hellman's Nevada National buying the Wells Fargo Bank and Harriman retaining control of the express business. The Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank opened on April 22, 1905, with the following board of directors: Isaias W. Hellman, president; Isaias W. Hellman Jr. and F.A. Bigelow, vice presidents; Frederick L. Lipman, cashier; Frank B. King, George Grant, William McGavin, and John E. Miles, assistant cashiers; E.H. Harriman, William F. Herrin and Dudley Evans, directors. Levi Strauss joined the board in 1906.
Sources
  1. ^ "IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) Los Angeles Times
  2. ^ "Wolf Hellmann", Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank (in German)
  3. "Hellmann, Sara geb. Fleischmann" Jüdisches Unterfranken Biografische Datenbank] (in German)
  4. ^ Frances Dinkelspiel (2008) Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, St. Martin's Press, New York ISBN 978-0-31235-526-5
  5. ^ "DEATH CLAIMS I.W. HELLMAN.: Pioneer Southland Banker Succumbs in North; Began Career as Dry Goods Clerk in Los Angeles; Was State University Regent; Man of Many Interests" (Apr 10, 1920) Los Angeles Times
  6. Abrams, Jeanne. "Isaias Wolf Hellman." In Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies, 1720 to the Present, vol. 3, edited by Giles R. Hoyt. German Historical Institute. Last modified February 24, 2016.
  7. "Hellman & Bro.", Calisphere, University of California
  8. "Hellman & Bro.", Calisphere, University of California
  9. Newmark, Marco R. (1942). "Pioneer Merchants of Los Angeles". Historical Society of Southern California: 87.
  10. "ISAIAS W. HELLMAN" (Apr 13, 1920) Los Angeles Times
  11. “Hellman Block”, Calisphere
  12. "THE BANK MERGER; The Historical High Points". The New York Times. 13 August 1991. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. "THE NEVADA NATIONAL BANK | REMARKABLE INCREASE IN ITS BUSINESS THIS YEAR | A Solid Financial Institution Which Ranks Among the Foremost in the World". The San Francisco Call. 18 December 1898. p. 31. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. "Nevada Bank Merger Ratified". The New York Times. 4 April 1905. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  15. "HELLMAN WILL SPEND THIRTY MILLIONS WELLS FARGO NEVADA BANK'S PRESIDENT HAS LOTS OF FAITH IN SAN FRANCISCO". Santa Cruz Sentinel. 6 May 1906. p. 1. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  16. "BANK'S RESOURCES SHOW INCREASE Wells Fargo Nevada Institution's Assets Are Fifty Millions of Dollars. RECORD IS BROKEN". The San Francisco Call. 23 December 1906. p. 68. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  17. ^ "FINANCIER OF NOTE PASSES AWAY". Los Angeles Evening Express. 10 May 1920. p. 1. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  18. "CALIFORNIA BANK EXPANSION Six Leading Banks in Los Angeles and San Francisco Increase Capital $9,000,000". The Wall Street Journal. 31 October 1923. p. 8. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  19. Times, Special to The New York (6 August 1954). "WELLS FARGO BANK; Five-for-One Split Voted, as Is Shortened Name". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  20. About USC: History. Archived 2014-05-26 at the Wayback Machine University of Southern California.
  21. "Miss Clara Hellman and Emanuel S. Heller Plight Their Troth". The San Francisco Call. 27 April 1899. p. 12. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  22. Dinkelspiel, Frances (October 2, 2008). "Heller Ehrman's demise closes chapter of San Francisco history". San Francisco Chronicle .
  23. ^ "Isaias Hellman Laid to Rest with Honors: Pioneer Pacific Coast Banker is Given Tribute at San Francisco" (Apr 13, 1920) Los Angeles Times
  24. "IN MEMORY ISAIAS W. HELLMAN: Board of Directors of Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank Adopt Resolutions Lauding Attainments of Late Banker and Los Angeles Pioneer" (Apr 28, 1920) Los Angeles Times
  25. Abby Pollak (Nov 30, 2008) "'Towers of Gold,' by Frances Dinkelspiel," San Francisco Chronicle

External links

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