John (Johann) Peter Kofod

Johann Peter Kofod was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 6, 1858. We do not know the names of his parents or how he happened to come to the U.S. We believe he had an uncle who lived in California and encouraged him to come to San Francisco. The uncle was thought to have been a keeper at Lime Point Lighthouse.

John Peter Kofod said he came to America in 1884. He met Meta Maria Jorgensen in San Francisco. They were married on November 6, 1886 in San Francisco.

John worked as a glazier (maker of leaded glass) in San Francisco in the late 1880's. He and his wife had one daughter, Anna Dagmar Kofod, born August 21, 1887 in San Francisco.

When there was reduced demand for leaded glass windows John joined the United States Lighthouse Service as an assistant keeper.

John Kofod was assistant keeper of Yerba Buena Light when his grandson Walter was born there (c. 1903-1914). He was also stationed at Point Sur Light (c. 1898-1900), Point Reyes Light (c. 1900-1902), , and East Brother Light Station in San Pablo Bay (1914-1921). He returned as Keeper to Yerba Buena Light Station (1921-1929).

John Kofod retired from the U.S. Lighthouse Service in the late 1929 and went, with his wife, to live in San Mateo where they resided until his death August 16, 1933.