NAME, Years Elected to City Council

Eugene Stachler (1869 or 1868- ?) served on City Council in 1907 and 1909.

 

POLITICAL AFFILIATION

Nominated on the Democratic Republican and Union Labor ticket.1

BIO

Eugene Stachler was born in San Francisco. He attended Oakland public schools and graduated from Oakland High. He worked in the harness and saddlery business and had a shop at 2041 Adeline. (Husted's for 1910 lists this address as "Stachler Hall.) After the 1906 earthquake he lost most of his business as the majority of his clients were in San Francisco.3 He later lived at 1086 Grand Avenue.4 Stachler's father was an early pioneer: he came to California in 1846 from Germany and was a well-known miner. He killed himself in 1909 at age 75, reportedly because he was suffering from an incurable injury.8

Stachler married Henrietta Carlen of England in 1893 and they had two children.

His time on council is summed up in Greater Oakland 1911:

During his first term he served on the Wharves and Water Front, Railroads and Streets and License Committees. During his second term he was a member of the Finance Committee, Railroads and Streets Committee, Fire and Water and License Committees. He states that it gave him great pleasure to vote for the $5,000,000 bond issue which was defeated. The second time the measure came up for $2,500,000 bonds, which he of course voted for. He also voted for the new charter on two occasions, which was carried the last time. He has worked hard for improved fire equipment and more fire houses, and was instrumental in securing a raise in the firemen's pay from $90 to $100 per month, getting for them four days off out of each month and fifteen days' vacation each year. He also voted twice for school bonds to increase Oakland's educational facilities. In fact, as Councilman he has shown his energy and attitude plainly in fighting for every reasonable measure to improve public utilities and civic improvements.2

In 1911, Stachler's ordinance to create a park between 30th, 32nd, Peralta and Union passed. He had proposed $28,000 for it, but Mayor Mott cut it down to $16,000.7 It appears that this is the site of Poplar Park, but more research should be done.

 

Stachler was defeated in his 1911 election bid. Later, he worked as a jailer at the County Jail. He was involved in at least two notable incidents. In March, 1913, he was shot in the ear when burglars broke into his house. He got into a gun fight with them (though he was "hindered in his attempts to shoot his assailants" because his wife was in the way. The two "thugs" got away.5 Two people were later arrested but released for lack of evidence.9 In July of that year, James Comerford escaped from the jail on Stachler's watch in an incident that made the news for months. According to Stachler, Comerford dressed in women's clothing and snuck out with a visitor. That story was later questioned and a state-wide manhunt was put on for the escapee.6

Stachler was a founding member of the "Harrison Eagles," a West Oakland Republican club. He was also a member of the James G Quinn Republican Club and the Texas Social Club. He was a member of a number of fraternal organizations: the Eagles, the Foresters, Woodmen of the World and Athens Parlor.10

 

OTHER POSITIONS IN CITY GOVERNMENT

 

 

REFERENCES

  1. Blake, Evarts. Greater Oakland. 1911.
  2. Blake.
  3. Blake.
  4. "BURGLARS ESCAPE AFTER GUN DUEL." San Francisco Chronicle: Mar 31, 1913.
  5. "BURGLARS ESCAPE."
  6. "DISGUISE STORY NOW QUESTIONED: Comerford Declared to Have Escaped Jail in His Ordinary Attire." San Francisco Chronicle: July 23, 1913.
  7. "STACHLER'S BILL FOR A NEW PARK GOES THROUGH." San Francisco Chronicle: Apr 5, 1911.
  8. "AGED PIONEER ENDS HIS LIFE: John J. Stachler, Father of the Councilman, Commits Suicide." San Francisco Chronicle: Feb 20, 1909.
  9. "TWO SUSPECTS RELEASED." San Francisco Call: Apr 1, 1913.
  10. Guinn, JM. History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Oakland and Environs (V2) Los Angeles: Historic Record Co: 1907.

     

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