Leopold Goepper proprietor of the Brunswick Dining Parlors, Santa Ana, is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born October 10, 1856. His parents, Herman and Magdalena, were both natives of Germany, and came to America with their parents when quite young. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of their six children, left the common schools at the age of thirteen years. He was brought up on a farm and came with his father to California in 1870, locating in Santa Clara County, where they followed agricultural pursuits for six years. Then they came to Santa Ana.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Goepper started out in life for himself, and has by his own efforts worked his way up to the position he now holds as a business man. In 1877 he began work as a waiter in the hotel kept by James Layman in Santa Ana. Afterward he was employed in the lumber-yard and then at blacksmithing. In 1879 he went to San Jose and, as times were dull, he went to work as waiter in the Lick House, and next he was night clerk in the St. James Hotel; next he was employed as steward in the Ogle House, the first hotel in Fresno. In 1880 he returned to Santa Ana, and followed house painting, with success, until 1887, when he went into the real-estate business. After the boom was over he kept a restaurant and bar, in company with his brother, and at that he was also successful. Then, in January, 1889, he took charge of the Richelieu restaurant, where he supplied the hungry public with the necessaries of life until he took charge of the Brunswick, May 1, 1890, where he is now holding forth, attentive to the wants, comfort and convenience of the people. He has made for himself a good name as a hotel man, and is really very popular.
The Goepper tract of Santa Ana was laid out by him and his father, and it is one of the best additions of the city, being located between Main and Ross streets, east and west, and bounded on the west by Seventeenth street.
Socially, Mr. Goepper is a member of Lodge No. 82, A, O. U. W., in which he has passed all the chairs. He was chosen representative to the Grand Lodge in San Francisco in 1887, and he is at present District Grand Deputy Master. He is also a member of Santa Ana Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F.
November 23, 1887, he chose for his partner through life Miss Fannie Russell, the accomplished daughter of George L. and Nancy (Crowley) Russell, natives of Missouri, pioneers of 1849 to the Golden State. Mr. Russell was one of the first settlers in Santa Ana, building the fourth house in the place.
