USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 62
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 62
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Seven children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell. The eldest four were born in Santa Barbara, the fifth and sixth are natives of Arizona, and the youngest, Pearl, was born in Washington. They are named as follows : Mayzie; Edward, of Monterey county ; Isabella, Mrs. William Silliman, of Salinas; James, of the Elkhorn district; Zona, Mrs. Harry McIntire, of Prunedale ; Thomas and Pearl, at home. Mr. Shotwell has been a firm believer in the public schools and sent his children to them to lay the foundation of knowledge necessary for future usefulness. While in Arizona he assisted in or-
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ganizing the school at Logan and served as its trustee, also filling a similar position later in Washington, and at this writing he is trustee and clerk of the board of the Prunedale district. While making his home in Santa Barbara lie affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. The Re- publican party has always received his stanch support and in all movements for the public wel- fare he has shown a progressive spirit insepar- able from the highest type of citizenship.
JOSEPH BINSACCA.
Identification with the ranching interests of Monterey county has brought to Mr. Binsacca, through the exercise of perseverance and wise judgment, a degree of prosperity well merited and appreciated; and this prosperity finds its visible evidence in the possession of an improved country place, with a neat residence and all the equipment necessary for the management of gen- eral farming and dairying. The ownership of his present property dates from 1908, when he purchased one hundred and twenty-six acres of the old Soledad Mission ranch and since then he has made all the improvements on the tract. Sixty acres of the land are in alfalfa. Grain and potatoes also are raised and some attention is given to the raising of hogs, while a specialty is made of the dairy business, twenty cows being kept on the ranch.
As indicated by the family name, Mr. Bin- sacca is of Swiss origin and was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in 1856. While still quite young he heard much concerning California, whither friends and relatives had journeyed in search of permanent homes and means of liveli- hood. During 1875 he crossed the ocean to the new world and proceeded westward to Cali- fornia, where he found relatives near Watson- ville. For twelve years he remained in that vicinity, meanwhile becoming familiar with our language and the western methods of agriculture.
On coming to Monterey county to establish his home, Mr. Binsacca rented eight hundred acres of the Zabala ranch and for twenty-one years he remained on that place, meanwhile devot- ing his attention almost wholly to the raising of
grain. With the profits of those years of labor he was enabled to become a property-owner and accordingly purchased the land he now owns and operates, the same being located in the vicinity of Soledad. In the town he has a large number of acquaintances and friends and also has varied business interests, including the owning of stock in the Soledad Mercantile Com- pany. Fraternally he holds membership with Soledad Circle No. 153, Foresters of America. During a service as trustee of Warm Spring district school, in which capacity he was retained for ten years, he was instrumental in promoting the educational interests of the district and ac- complished much to aid this important work. After coming to the new world he established a home of his own, being united in marriage with Miss A. Pincini, a native of Switzerland, but at the time of their union a resident of the Arroyo Seco country. Eight children were born of their union, namely: Attila, who is attending the Sa- linas high school; Joseph, who assists in the cultivation of the home farm; Silvio, Felice, Angelo, Catherine, Corinne and Minnie, who are being educated in the home school.
JOHN THOMAS.
Perhaps no memories of childhood have been fraught with deeper interest to the maturer years of John Thomas than those associated with the journey made by the family from Missouri, where he was born October 28, 1843, to Cali- fornia, where he has since made his home. The father, Massey Thomas, had been one of the Argonauts attracted to the western coast in 1849 by reason of the discovery of gold and he had been fascinated by the charm of scenery and soil, so that he was determined to establish a per- manent home in the west. Returning to Mis- souri in 1852 he disposed of his effects, outfitted for the long journey and in 1853 brought to the Pacific coast his family comprising wife, one daughter and five sons. Two sons were born after the family came to California. Of the chil- dren, John was one of twins and was fourth in order of birth. At the time of coming west he was about ten years of age and his impression- able mind was filled with the wonders of the
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long journey. Time and distance have softened the memories of the tedium of its trip, but have not lessened the pleasure associated with its al- luring changes of scenery and of people.
Fairly well educated in the schools of Gilroy, Santa Clara county, John Thomas has since sup- plemented the information derived from text- books by the knowledge gained in the broad school of experience and observation. Self-cul- ture has given him a place among the well-in- formed men of the San Benito valley. Current events have in him a close student. Problems relative to the permanent prosperity of the peo- ple receive his thoughtful attention. The inter- ests of his vast acreage have not prevented him from keeping posted concerning governmental issues. As a public-spirited citizen he does not limit his activities to the details of his private affairs, but generously gives of time, means and influence for the uplifting, educationally and morally, of his community. It was during 1870 that he came from Santa Clara county to San Benito county and purchased a squatter's claim to government land on San Benito creek ten miles south of Hollister. The original claim has been added to from time to time and now he owns one thousand acres of tillable and grazing land, forming one of the large and valuable ranches of the valley.
The marriage of Mr. Thomas was solemnized in 1878 and united him with Miss Agnes Duval, a daughter of the pioneer, Thomas Duval, and a native of Napa, this state, where she was born September 25, 1859. They became the parents. of five children, namely : Florence, Myrtle, Min- nie B., Grover C. and Marion M. Ever since coming to California in boyhood Mr. Thomas has continued to reside in this state with the ex- ception of the period from the autumn of 1863 until 1867, during which time he was prospecting in Arizona. Shortly after his arrival in that territory he washed out his first gold dust and killed his first Apache Indian. For two years he prospected in the wilds of that territory as a member of a company of one hundred men, who chose Col. R. S. Woollsey as their commander. They also had four captains, Pierce, McCannon, Painter and Richard Gird. The purpose of the expedition was to prospect the head waters of the Gila and Salt rivers and while so doing gold
was discovered in various places, but not in pay- ing quantities. During the progress of the ex- pedition between the Penal mountains and the Salt river, wheat was discovered that had been sowed by the Apaches, and the publication of this fact aroused widespread interest through- out the entire country.
ISAAC V. JOHNSON.
In the era when Hollister was an insignificant village compared with what it is today, Isaac V. Johnson became a pioneer of the town and for the past forty-one years has been an inter- ested witness of its growth. Not a little of its advancement is traceable to himself, for every measure that has had the good of the town or community at heart has received his unqualified interest and co-operation. This was especially apparent when, in 1868, he united his efforts with forty-nine other enterprising citizens in buying out the interests of Colonel Hollister, the ultimate result of this being the separation of San Benito from Monterey county.
Like many of those who now make their home in California Mr. Johnson is not a native of the state. He was born in Platte county, Mo., Jan- uary 26, 1841, the son of Archibald and Mary (Little) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. When their son was a lad of eleven years the household goods and provisions suf- ficient for a six-months' journey across the plains were loaded on a prairie schooner, and in this the family made their way to California. It is needless to say that the journey was wearisome to the elder members of the party, but to the son each day brought its excitement and interest- ing events, so the journey to him was one of continued enjoyment. They halted in Santa Clara county, where the father engaged in raising grain near San Jose and at Los Gatos creek.
In the fall of 1868 Isaac V. Johnson came to Hollister, where he soon recognized opportunities greatly in excess of any place he had as yet seen, and he at once entered into the spirit of progress everywhere apparent. It was about this time that the subject of separating San Benito county from Monterey county began to be dis- cussed and Mr. Johnson entered into the spirit
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of the project heartily. He was one of the fifty men who bought out Colonel Hollister, this being one of the prime movements in bringing about the division. About fifteen miles from Hollister, in the Quien Sabe country, Mr. Johnson rented a large ranch of between eight hundred and one thousand acres on which he raises a fine quality of hay and grain, besides which he raises high- grade horses. Taken altogether he is recognized as one of the most successful ranchers of San Benito county and as one of the solid, substantial citizens of his community.
Mr. Johnson's marriage occurred in Hollister July 4, 1875, uniting him with Miss Martha J. Howell, and six children have been born of their marriage, Maud, Rosline, Albert, Eugene, Sadie and Elmo. Politically Mr. Johnson is a stanch Democrat, believing thoroughly in the principles for which the party stands, and supporting its candidates at all elections. Fraternally he af- filiates with the Red Men.
JENS P. ANDERSEN.
California owes a debt of gratitude to her foreign-born citizens, for hither they have brought those qualities which have distinguished them as a nation and made them count in behalf of their adopted home. This has been notice- ably true of the sons of Denmark, whose habits of thrift and perseverance have made them wel- come citizens wherever they have located. Jens P. Andersen was born in the little kingdom of Denmark in 1871, and until he was twenty years of age he continued with his parents on the home place.
Restricted in opportunity and outlook, Jens P. Andersen felt more keenly from day to day the necessity of striking out in the world on his own behalf and in 1891 he landed on the friendly shores of the United States. California was his destination, and hither he came from the port at which he was landed from the ocean vessel. He first located in Stanislaus county, where for two years he was employed on ranches, and after coming to Monterey county he was similarly em- ployed for a time. During this time he had learned much of the American method of farm- ing, and in 1904 he began ranching on his own
account on rented property near Chualar. The ranch comprises seven hundred acres, all of which is in grain, and in its management he and his partner, Ross Naison, are meeting with a gratifying degree of success. Fraternally Mr. Andersen is a member of but one order, this be- ing the Pajaro Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F., at Watsonville.
MILTON T. LITTLE.
Among the energetic and enterprising citizens of Monterey county who have selected ranching as their vocation in life, and who, judging from indications, are realizing their anticipations, is Milton T. Little, a successful rancher and dairy- man of Pacific Grove. A native of the state and county in which he makes his home, he was born October 3, 1855, the fourth child in order of birth born to his parents, Milton and Mary (Eager) Little, who without doubt were among the earliest white settlers in Monterey county, having settled here as early as 1843. (For more details concerning the life of the father, refer to his sketch, elsewhere given.)
Milton T. Little was a very young man when he decided what vocation he would follow for a life calling, and in selecting ranching and the dairy business he did not err, for from the first he has made a success of the undertaking. His first dairy was located near Monterey. It was an unpretentious place, but he saw its possibilities and set to work with a will to improve it, mak- ing it one of the most productive ranches in this part of Monterey county. Besides the dairy business, which is supplied by forty cows, he also raises garden vegetables of all kinds, all of which he finds a market for among the private citizens of Pacific Grove, having transferred liis inter- ests to this town in 1905.
Mr. Little's marriage, which occurred in Sa- linas, September 16. 1879, united his fortunes with those of Miss Nancy Davis, a native of Iowa. who came to California with her father during pioneer days. Two children have been born of this marriage, Elsie, a school teacher of Salinas, and Fred, an employe of the Brunswick- Balke-Collender Co., in San Francisco. Mr. Little's widespread reputation as a successful dairyman and rancher is the result of a wise
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selection in choosing his life calling, engaging in the line of work for which he was best fitted, and the one most congenial to him. By his public spirit he has gained recognition as one of the men who have ever had the best interest of the county at heart, and with time, influence and money have liberally supported all projects that would advance the interests of the citizens. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Monterey Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M.
EDWARD J. BREEN.
In the annals of California no names are more justly entitled to perpetuation than those of the pioneers, those who braved the unknown perils of the desert and the mountains, or the no less dangerous long ocean voyage, in their efforts to reach the great west with its glowing possibil- ities. We of the twentieth century can but vaguely grasp conditions as they then existed, the wide separation of the Pacific coast from the commercial world and the centers of culture, the complete absence of transportation facilities, the constant danger from warring Indians, the ab- sence as yet of any established form of govern- ment, and the endless stretches of land still in its virgin condition. No other than those with the vision of the prophet could foresee present conditions, productive ranches, large cities teem- ing with progress and enterprise, conditions of which every true Californian is proud, and for all of this due credit belongs to the pioneer of the forties.
The earliest representative of the Breen fam- ily on the Pacific coast was Patrick Breen, who with his wife and family of seven children set out from Keokuk, Iowa, with the eldorado on the other side of the Rocky Mountains as the goal of their ambition. No misfortunes or dis- couragements worthy of note marred the suc- cess of their enterprise until they reached Don- ner Lake, where they were snow-bound and dur- ing the six months in which they were detained there they experienced untold hardships and suf- fering. Finally, however, they were enabled to resume their journey and reached the Sacra- mento valley in safety, in March of 1847. Lo-
cating where San Jose is now located, Mr. Breen remained there until February of the following year, when he came to San Juan and purchased a large tract of land adjoining the mission. Here he followed farming and stock-raising through- out the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of seventy, in 1868. He also purchased the Topo ranch, which has been in the posses- sion of the family of Edward J. Breen ever since and is now maintained and managed by J. Edwin Breen and Harry J. Breen, the grand-sons of the original owner.
One of the seven children, six sons and one daughter, born of the marriage of Patrick Breen and his wife, was Edward J. Breen, who was about fifteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family to the Pacific coast. He became an agriculturist and stock-raiser, owning several hundred acres of land near San Juan, San Benito county, as well as the Topo ranch of nineteen thousand acres. The care of his property and large undertakings occupied his time and energies almost completely, although he accepted the office of supervisor and filled the office creditably. Personally he was a man of generous impulses and it may with truth be said of him that no worthy person ever appealed to. him in vain for help. He was one of the kind- liest of men, his sympathies being with suffering humanity, whom he relieved by paying out large sums of money without anyone knowing of his benefactions. He passed away in 1890, mourned by many friends and acquaintances who had learned to revere him for the noble and upright life which he had lived. His marriage in 1880 united him with Miss Mary Burns, a woman of deep refinement and large accomplishments, who is now living in San Francisco, where her mar- riage occurred.
Three children resulted from the marriage of Edward J. and Mary (Burns) Breen, as fol- lows: William A., born in San Francisco in August, 1882; and J. Edwin and Harry J. born on the parental homestead in San Juan in June, 1884, and April. 1886, respectively. All of the children received excellent educational advan- tages, attending first the public schools of San Juan and later St. Ignatius College of San Fran- cisco. Since their return from college Edwin and Harry have had charge of the homestead'
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ranch and also the Topo ranch, both of which are devoted largely to stock-raising, although the raising of hay, grain and sugar beets is also an important feature. Among the younger genera- tion of agriculturists in Monterey county none are more honored than the Breen brothers, who apart from any prestige which their predeces- sors may have gained, are making a name and place for themselves in the agricultural and busi- ness community in which they are located. Both are young men of excellent qualities of head and heart, of good education and of most ex- emplary conduct, temperate and honest, qualities which are of inestimable value to success in any line of endeavor.
JOSEPH BUZZINI.
A native of Switzerland, Mr. Buzzini was born in the canton of Ticino in 1880. He was reared and educated in his native land, and had grown to young manhood when, in 1901, he de- termined to come to the new world and begin life where he was promised a better outlook. Leaving his homeland in 1901, he set out alone for the United States, the ship which brought him hither casting anchor in the port of New York. Thence he came direct to California, locat- ing in San Luis Obispo county, where his knowl- edge of the dairy business as conducted on farms in Switzerland was readily made to count in his favor. Altogether he worked in the employ of others for about six years, in the meantime be- coming familiar with his new surroundings and learning the language of his adopted country. With the idea of finding a suitable location in which to engage in the dairy business on his own account he came to Monterey county, locat- ing Gonzales, in which vicinity he worked in the employ of others for a time or until he pur- chased cattle and established a dairy of his own. In the meantime he had found a desirable loca- tion for a dairy near San Lucas, and having se- cured a lease of five hundred acres established his present business.
In addition to milking and pasturing fifty cows, Mr. Buzzini also raises cattle and hogs, and has one hundred and fifty acres of land nearby which he also rents and which he has in
barley exclusively. Taken as a whole Mr. Buz- zini's accomplishments since locating in San Lu- cas have been remarkable, for in one year he has gathered about him the beginning of a success- ful career.
A. M. OSIO.
While the flag of Mexico still waved proudly over California and the descendants of Spanish grandees held vast tracts of land along the coast of the Pacific, the Osio family flourished in' power and munificence, its members becoming the possessors of large land holdings and having flocks and herds along the vast ranges in charge of their employes. With the change from Mexi- can rule to American supremacy there followed. a waning of their influence and wealth. but pres- ent-day representatives still enjoy the respect of their fellow-citizens and are adding prestige. to an ancient name.
The family history shows that Salvador Osio, a native Californian, received all the advantages in youth which wealth could supply. In order that he might have the opportunities offered by eastern universities he was sent to Massachusetts and became a student in Harvard College, Cam- bridge, where he formed the acquaintance of many young men of wealthy eastern families. On his return to the coast he took charge of the estate inherited from his father and in 1862 he served as assessor of Monterey county, but the following year death removed him from his sphere of usefulness. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dolores Pinto, was born in this state and is still living here, enjoying excellent health notwithstanding her seventy-eight years. Three of her sons are now living. A. M .. Albert and Manuel.
The grandfather of A. M. Osio, Don Antonio Maria Osio, was a wealthy Californian and a large land owner. Included among his posses- sions were the famous rancho, Punta de Reyes, and all of Angel Island and Goat Island, also vast tracts of cattle land near Cape San Lucas in Lower California, which the family still pos- sess. For many years the vessels that he owned plied along the shores of Lower Califor- nia and Mexico in search of pearls, which he bought and sold. To him belonged the distinc-
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tion of having found the largest pearl ever dug out on the Gulf of Mexico, and this beautiful gemi was presented to the Queen of Spain. Through his travels he formed a wide acquaint- anceship. A man of broad education, he attracted friends among the most cultured people and as a representative of the decadent aristocracy of the .early days he is worthy of remembrance in the annals of the state. Through the ties of close relationship he was connected with the historic family of Arguellos of Santa Clara county and other prominent people were also among his kindred.
The city of Monterey is the native home of A. M. Osio and June 10, 1854, the date of his "birth. While much of his life has been spent in Monterey, where he now resides, for some time he made his home in San Francisco and there was an employe in the postoffice. While living in that city he was united in marriage, November 30, 1885, with Evangeline Gagan, a native of Millville, Worcester county, Mass. Four children were born of their union, namely : Albert Alexander, George Edward, Dolores Evangeline and Beatrice Octavia. Since taking up business interests in Monterey, Mr. Osio has occupied for store purposes a building owned by his mother, and here he carries a full assortment of tobaccos, cigars and smokers' sundries. At no time has he held public office, for his tastes do not lie in that direction. but his chief interests are associated with his business affairs and his home. A. A. Osio, from 1878 until 1905, con- ducted a general merchandise store in Monterey ; though now living retired in this city, was for twenty-seven years one of the active business men of the county.
WILLIAM JACKSON WILLIAMSON.
The association of the Williamson family with the history of California dates back to a period prior to the gold discovery, when, in 1844, Will- iam J. Williamson left the south, where his an- cestors had flourished for generations, and es- tablished the name on the Pacific coast. Born in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1826, he was reared in his native surroundings until he was a lad of ·eighteen years, when he came to California and
became interested in mining. Subsequently he came to Santa Cruz county, and near Watson- ville purchased a ranch of fifty acres on which he made a specialty of raising apples, a com- modity for which the land was well adapted, and one for which he received excellent prices. It was on the home ranch that the earth life of both parents came to a close, the mother dying July. 27, 1896, and the father July 27, 1907. Before her marriage the mother was Miss Sheehy, a native of Ireland, though at the time of her marriage she was a resident of Watson- ville.
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