Harris Weinstock
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Harris Weinstock (1854-1922) was born in London, England, and immigrated to the United States in 1855. 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 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 a founding president. 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 Harris 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.
