Langfeldt, August

He was of German origin and emigrated to the USA. In partnership with the American S. Mayers from San Francisco he established in 1870 Langfeldt & Mayers, General Store, Shipchandlers, Yokohama # 52 and in the following year he opened additionally a store named San Francisco Store at this site. In 1875 this store was closed and they only dealt as importers of groceries, provisions, and similar goods. As the business run very well they got proprietors of the Yokohama Butchery in 1880 and the complete company was shifted to Yokohama # 73, in 1882 they also became Navy Contractors. The company continuously expanded, in 1884 they additionally acted as Coal Merchants with a coal depot in Yokohama # 118 and in 1885 they opened a branch in Kobe # 18 and in Nagasaki they were represented by an Agent at # 50.
In 1889 S. Mayers left the company and in 1890 a Stock Corporation was established operating under Langfeldt & Co., Limited, August Langfeldt became a member of the Board of Directors, the field of operation remained unchanged but the Kobe branch was closed in 1893.
He resigned in 1892 and kept silent co-proprietor.
He was married and from 1874 on his wife lived with him in Yokohama # 52 and 73 resp. According to the diary of Dr. Kleffel he was divorced in 1889.
On December 2, 1891 he married Jessie Esdale, widowed Nachtigal at the Christ Church of Yokohama. His newly married wife lived in Yokohama # 273-B and after his retirement he moved to this address. In 1896 they moved to Yokohama # 179-E Bluff living now beside her parents James und Hester Esdale at # 179-F.
They left Japan in 1899, the company existed on at least until WW I. His connection to Japan continued. He was a longstanding member of the Club Germania and on 08.07.1904 his 25-year membership was celebrated.