Harris Weinstock

Harris Weinstock (18 September 1854 - 23 August1922)cite news |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/332503892.html?dids=332503892:332503892&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Aug+23%2C+1922&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=WEINSTOCK+SUCCUMBS+AFTER+FALL&pqatl=google |title=Weinstock Succumbs After Fall |date=23 Aug 1922 |work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=2008-07-26] was born in London, England, and was brought to the United States when he was six weeks old.cite journal |title=The Pacific Historian |journal=The Pacific Historian |publisher=University of the Pacific, etc | month=Spring |year=1957|volume=23|issue=1 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jAMUAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Harris+Weinstock%22+date:1922-2008&dq=%22Harris+Weinstock%22+date:1922-2008&lr=&as_brr=0&output=html&pgis=1 |doi= |accessdate=] He re-located to California, in 1869, and became a San Francisco merchant. He established, with David Lubin, the Mechanic’s Store, in Sacramento, California (1874). The store, which incorporated in 1888 as the Weinstock-Lubin Company, became one of the West’s largest department stores. Its one-price policy revolutionized retail business and led to the proprietors having reputations for placing principle above gain.

Weinstock held official positions in public service and dealt especially with labor and industrial affairs. In April 1912 he was appointed as commissioner by California Governor, Hiram W. Johnson to investigate a civic crisis in San Diego involving the Industrial Workers of the World and the right to freedom of speech on San Diego streets. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson appointed him to serve as a member of the United States Industrial Relations Commission. As a State Market Director of California (1915, 1917), Weinstock facilitated the formation of growers’ cooperative associations. He was also a philanthropist and an active member and officer of numerous civic and social organizations, including the Jewish Publication Society and the Commonwealth Club of California, of which he was the first president.cite book |author=Edward F Adams, C E Grunsky |title=Memorial to Harris Weinstock, First President of the Commonwealth Club of California |publisher=Commonwealth Club of California |year=1922 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RDupGQAACAAJ&dq=%22Harris+Weinstock%22+date:1922-1922&lr=&as_brr=0&output=html] He was also a Freemason, served in the National Guard, and wrote the book, "Jesus the Jew and other addresses" (1902).

The Western Jewish History Center, of the Judah L. Magnes Museum, contains an archival collection relating to Weinstock. This material includes biographical information; tributes and eulogies; genealogical information; family correspondence; travel diaries; lectures; newspaper clippings; photographs; and the document testifying to Weinstock’s appointment to the Industrial Relations Commission, which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson and the Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan. He died in August 1922 from injuries suffered from falling from a horse.

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[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/332503892.html?dids=332503892:332503892&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Aug+23%2C+1922&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=WEINSTOCK+SUCCUMBS+AFTER+FALL&pqatl=google Los Angeles Times obituary]