Frank Happersberger

Frank H. Happersberger
Born December 1859
Placer County, California
Died 11 October 1932[1]
San Anselmo, California[1]
Known for Marble and Bronze Sculpture

Frank H. Happersberger (1859–1932) was an American sculptor based in San Francisco. He was born in 1859 in Placer County, California.[2] His father was a Bavarian immigrant.[3] He received training in a German royal art academy.[4] He is best known for the monument for President James A. Garfield in Golden Gate Park and Pioneer Monument, both in San Francisco.

Biography

Happersberger's father, Frank Happersberger, Sr, was a Bavarian immigrant who moved from New York to San Francisco to join the Gold Rush.[2] In his youth, Frank Jr. worked for the San Francisco firm of Kemp and Hoffman as a wood-carver.[2] For eight years, he studied at a German art academy, and while still in Europe he entered and won a competition to build a monument to the assassinated James A. Garfield.[2] The Garfield sculpture was completed in 1885, and established Happersberger's reputation.[2]

Happersberger established a studio in San Francisco at 51 Park Avenue.[2] In 1894 he completed the Pioneer Monument, also in San Francisco. Happersberger was a member of California Parlor No. 1 of the Native Sons of the Golden West.[5]

In 1899, Happersberger moved to New York, hearing that there was more work for sculptors there. He left his wife Evangeline in San Francisco. She alleged that he had deserted her and sought a divorce.[6]

He died on October 11, 1932 in San Anselmo, California at age 74.[1]

Gallery

External links

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sculptor of Park Monument is Dead". The San Bernardino County Sun. 12 Oct 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 17 April 2015. San Anselmo, Oct 11 -- Frank Happersberger, 74, sculptor, whose works include the Garfield monument ... died here last night. He was a native of Dutch Flat.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Civic Center – Pioneer Monument". Public Art and Architecture from Around the World. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  3. ↑ The Bay of San Francisco. Lewis Publishing Co. 1892. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD)".
  5. ↑ San Francisco Municipal Reports. order of the Board of Supervisors. 1894-01-01.
  6. ↑ "A Sculptor Sued by His Brother". The San Francisco Chronicle. 29 December 1899. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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