Aaron Gosliner ( born 1854-1931) Owner of Gosliner’s Shoe Store
Aaron Gosliner, a native of Germany, was in the general merchandise business with his brother in Colusa County, California. After traveling along the California coast Aaron decided to settle in Santa Cruz to start his own business. In 1888 he arrived in Santa Cruz and became a shoe merchant on Pacific Avenue after discovering that Horace Randall Shoe Store was for sale. There he began a partnership Mr. Sussman for two or three years, opening up Gosliner and Sussman Shoes Store on Pacific Avenue. In 1889 he married Flora Solomon (1864-1958), who was born and reared in San Francisco, the daughter of a pioneer California family; they wed at Saratoga Hall. Aaron became a leading businessman and a spirited citizen in the community. Aaraon and his family resided at 231 Walnut Street in Santa Cruz. Aaron and his two sons Hiram (1890-1949) and Joseph (1891-1960), would own Gosliner’s shoe store from 1888 until 1956. Hiram and Joseph worked at the popular store with their father, except for the years when they served in the Army in WWI. Joseph gained the rank of Sargent First Class while his brother served as a Private at Camp Kearney, CA. Aaron Gosliner’s daughter Birdie (Barbara a.k.a. Brydie and/ or Bertie) Gosliner (1893-1981) was a Santa Cruz High School graduate and a classmate and longtime friend of actress Zasu Pitts. The Gosliner family were members of the local Jewish community. Images in this collection are of the Gosliner family and include military images of Joseph Gosliner as well as a trip to Yosemite (Source: MAH Collection Guide by Laura Janet Takemoto, 2004).
