Frank Happersberger

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.

Frank H. Happersberger
1894 sketch in the San Francisco Call
BornDecember 1859
Placer County, California
Died11 October 1932[1]
San Anselmo, California[1]
Known forMarble and Bronze Sculpture

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]

Personal life

Happersberger's wife Evangeline Ballou-Happersberger[6] was the subject of a short 1894 article in the San Francisco Examiner, which described her skill at wood carving.[7] A "wood carving revival" had been a fad out East, and Evangeline learned the skill from her husband. She was happily planning to carve "elaborate beams and panels" for a new house they were building.[7]

In 1899, Happersberger moved to New York, hearing that there was more work for sculptors there. He left Evangeline in San Francisco. She alleged that he had deserted her and sought a divorce, citing "cruelty and failure to provide the necessities of life."[6][8] The resulting bitter and emotional confrontations between Frank and Evangeline were reported in the Examiner.[6] Their divorce was granted in January 1900.[6]

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

  • The James Lick/Pioneer Memorial
  • Garfield Monument in Golden Gate Park
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References
  1. "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. "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. "Meeting She Did Not Anticipate". The San Francisco Examiner. 18 January 1900. p. 4. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  7. "A House Beautiful: Mrs. Frank Happersberger Making Carvings for Her New Home". The San Francisco Examiner. 2 December 1894. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  8. "A Sculptor Sued by His Brother". The San Francisco Chronicle. 29 December 1899. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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