The reader of mature years who has traveled much can easily picture to himself a hotelkeeper whose geniality is so pronounced that his very presence breathes hospitality. such a landlord is Albert J. Wagner, proprietor, of two of the principal hotels of Stockton, the Imperial and Yosemite. Almost throughout his entire business career he has been a hotel man, and the successful management of his houses have made for them and himself many friends, some from remote parts of our great country.

Mr. Wagner was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, November 21, 1854, a son of William and Anna (VonGansen) Wagner, both now deceased. The father was an officer in the Prussian army, in which he served with distinction, and in 1873 he came to California, taking up his abode in the city of Ventura. After completing his education in the public schools the son Albert engaged as a clerk in a bank, and after coming to Ventura, California, in 1875, embarked in the hotel business, as owner of the Occidental. He was also a stockholder in the Anacapa Hotel, which he conducted until 1888, after which he went to Aberdeen, Washington, and conducted the Sargeant House for six months. In all these various removals his business ventures were attended with success, and after leaving Aberdeen he went to Salem, Oregon, and opened the Willamette Hotel, which he conducted until 1898, and in that year came to Stockton and purchased the Imperial. In May, 1903, he also purchased the Yosemite Hotel, both of which he is now conducting in a highly satisfactory manner. Both are well established hostelries, and the present proprietor is not the least successful of those who have presided over them, in fact his peculiarly well adapted characteristics and affability of manner make him a host most attractive to the traveling public.

In 1878 Mr. Wagner married Miss Sarah Brooks, a daughter of William Brooks, of Kentucky, and they have four children: Alma, Daisy, Emma and Alberta. Mr. Wagner gives his political allegiance to the Democracy, and in 1888 served as railroad commissioner for Oregon.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume I

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine