USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 59
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hundred and fifty thousand dollars, divided into five hundred shares of five hundred dollars cach. January 10, 1870, Adolph Pfister was elected Trustee, vice C. W. Pomeroy. John G. Bray, President, died in January, 1871; T. Ellard Beans was elected his successor as President and Manager. C. W. Pomeroy was elected to fill the vacancy in the Board of Trustees, and Henry Philip to the Cashiership. In January, 1871, the lot at the north-east corner of First and Santa Clara streets was purchased with a view of erect- ing thereon a banking house with larger and more convenient offices than those in use since the establishment of the Bank. The realization of this project involved an expenditure of over one hundred thousand dollars, and built one of the finest structures in the city. The offices of the Bank are most conveniently arranged for the purposes intended. Supplied with large double vaults, containing Hall's best burglar proof safe, the security which has been further augmented by the addition of a Yale double chronom- eter time lock. The building was finished and occupied for business on June 15, 1872. Early in 1875 papers were prepared and filed with the Controller of the Currency at Washington, and all preliminary arrangments made to disincorporate under the State law, and to re-organize under the National Currency Act as The First National Gold Bank of San Jose. But on account of the financial crisis of that year, caused by the suspension of the Bank of California, the project was abandoned. On February 11, 1875, Henry Philips resigned the Cashiership, and Clement T. Park was elected his successor. Since the last date mentioned no change has been made in either officers or Trustees. They are as follows: T. Ellard Beans, Presi- dent and Manager; Clement T. Park, Cashier; C. W. Pomeroy, Secretary ; Trustees, A. Pfister, C. W. Pomeroy, T. Ellard Beans.
Capital stock $250,000 00
Surplus July 1, 1881. . $115,024 72
The Bank has been prosperous during the fourteen years of its existence. Has paid to stockholders one hundred and ninety-nine dollars, fifty cents in dividends, upon each one hundred dollars invested, and in addition thereto has accumulated a reserve fund exceeding one hundred thousand dollars.
The First National Bank .- Was organized July 11, 1874, those princi- pally interested in its creation being John W. Hinds, E. L. Bradley, W. L. Tisdale, W. D. Tisdale, C. G. Harrison, C. Burrel, and E. C. Singletary. The officers elected in July, 1874-term to expire in January, 1875-were: John W. Hinds, President; W. L. Tisdale, Vice-President; G. P. Sparks, Cashier. These were succeeded in the following year by John Hinds, Pres- ident; E. C. Singletary, Vice-President; W. D. Tisdale, Cashier. July 6, 1875, the office of Assistant Cashier was created and L. G. Nesmith, elected to fill the position. There was no change in the officers of the bank until
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January 3, 1881, when C. G. Harrison was elected Vice-President in place of E. C. Singletary. The present officers are: John W. Hinds President ; C. G. Harrison, Vice-President; W. D. Tisdale, Cashier; L. G. Nesmith, Assis- tant Cashier. Paid up capital, five hundred thousand dollars; Surplus Fund, thirty-eight thousand dollars.
FLOUR MILLS .- In a city like San Jose, the center of a vast agricultural country, flouring mills are a paramount necessity, and one which was early felt, as a reference to our chapter on the early settlement of the county will dem- onstrate. The establishments of this nature now in operation are :-
Moody's Mills .- This is the oldest mill now in operation in the city, and was first erected by R. G. Moody in 1854, on the bank of the Coyote creek, about the spot where Empire street strikes that stream. Here the propel- ling power was water procured from an artesian well; in the year 1858, however, the business was transferred to its present location on Third, near the corner of Santa Clara street, where steam was substituted for water to drive the machinery. The premises consist of the mill and warehouse with a capacity for the storage of forty thousand sacks of flour, and has its frontage on Third, but running through to Fourth street. The mill is supplied with an engine of forty horse-power, two run of stones, and has a working capa- city of one hundred and twenty barrels of flour, and ten tons of feed in the twenty-four hours, while an annual business is transacted of about twelve thousand dollars. The owners are Moody & Brother, sons of the original possessor.
The Vineyard Mills .- This enterprise was started in connection with a distillery in the year 1854, by Gordon Cottrell, on the site it now occupies on the corner of Seventh and William streets. In the year 1858 it came into the hands of A. Pfister, the present proprietor. The mill is worked by water-power, has two run of stone, one for flour and one for feed, and has a capacity of sixty barrels in twelve hours.
FOUNDRIES .- The foundries of San Jose are, too, well worthy of attention, for nowhere can better work be turned out -indeed in some of them machinery and agricultural implements of a high class are manufactured, which have earned for the district a notoriety second to no other portion of the State.
San José Foundry .- There is no doubt of this establishment being the pio- neer foundry of the district. It was first established in the year 1852, by Pomeroy & Mckenzie, on the corner of San Antonio and First streets, where it remained until 1871; the present building being erected by Donald Mc- Kenzie. Here, in addition to a general moulding business, machine work
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of every kind is manufactured and repaired, the facilities for such being com- plete. The commodious shop is fitted with all the latest improvements and capabilities for rapid and correct workmanship, while a speciality is made of the construction of various patented machines and appliances suited to the wants of an agricultural population, for most of which the proprietor has an exclusive right of manufacture. Among the most noteworthy of these are the " Pelton Six-fold Horse-power Threshing Machine," the Harris Tubular Harrow, a seed-sower of wonderful simplicity in construction combined with thorough efficiency; the " Hamond," and other windmills; gang-plows, threshing machines, and all the other implements necessary to the farmer. It is also worthy of mention that the iron-work used in the construction of the Court House, Jail, City and Central markets, and other prominent build- ings in the city, were supplied by the San Jose Foundry. The machinery is driven by a steam engine of thirty horse-power, the whole of which is in excellent order, while from the artesian well on the premises, the city of San José was first supplied with water. This business is at present in the hands of A. Mckenzie, a son of the original owner. The annual amount of work done has an average value of thirty thousand dollars.
Joseph Enright's Patent Straw-Burning Portable Engine Works .- This enterprise was founded by Joseph Enright in the year 1864, on the site it now occupies on the south-east corner of First and William streets. The principal manufacture here carried on is that of the Patent Straw-Burning Portable Engine, recognized by all to be the most perfect of its kind in use. A sale is found for it all over the State; in 1879-80, sixteen different coun- ties, from Tehama to Fresno, and from Monterey to Napa, were supplied with these, while over two hundred are now in use in various parts of Cali- fornia. The patent is Mr. Enright's own. Sixty men are employed on the premises, which consist of all the necessary work-shops and machinery, this latter being driven by an engine of twenty horse-power The yearly out- turn is in the neighborhood of sixty thousand dollars.
F. Kuchenbeiser's Works .- The manufactory of iron doors, shutters, etc., of F. Kuchenbeiser was opened in the year 1868 by that gentleman, and William Fruehling, under the firm name of Kuchenbeiser & Fruehling. In the year 1873, Mr. Fruehling retired from the business, since when it has been managed by the first-named individual. The premises are situated on Third, between Santa Clara and San Fernando streets, having a frontage of thirty feet on the first-mentioned. The establishment has supplied the iron vaults for the Commercial and Savings Bank, and Bank of San Jose, as well as many of the principal buildings in the city, among these being the State Normal School, while such fixtures as required in the County Jail at Hollis- ter, San Benito county, and the large warehouses erected for Carter & Fried-
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lander at Alviso, and those at Mountain View, were also the effort of this model workshop.
San José Brass Foundry .- Was established by L. Chaize in 1872, on Market street, opposite the "Mariposa Store" of Auzerais Brothers, but, in 1879, was transferred to its present location on Santa Clara street. Here every description of brass work is made and supplied.
Alameda Foundry .- The original promoters of this foundry were Messrs. Scott & Watkins, who commenced the business in the year 1875, and retained it until 1877, when it passed into the hands of a joint-stock com- pany, who transacted their affairs under the style and name of The San José Agricultural Works, but, at the end of a year, in 1878, the premises and good-will were purchased by F. Altman, the present proprietor. The manufactures here produced are those peculiar to an agricultural district, separators, threshing-machines, plows, feed-mills, road-graders, etc., all of which are of an especial patent, which the proprietor either owns, or on which he pays a royalty. These implements find a sale throughout the State, the most sought after being the Scott & Watkins plow, and the road- graders. Employment is found for twelve men, and the yearly business done amounts to about eighteen thousand dollars.
MANUFACTORIES .- San Jose is second to no city on the Pacific slope in regard to the number and excellence of its manufacturing industries. In every quarter of the town is to be found some eminent example of the truth of this statement, and that this is so, is a credit alike to the city and its enterprising inhabitants.
The Pioneer Carriage Manufactory .- Here we have a veritable pioneer. In the year 1849 John Balbach established the first shop where a broken wagon could be repaired, or a new one built, on the site of the saloon of Chris. Gerdes, on Santa Clara street, opposite the Auzerais House, and next door to the San Jose Savings Bank. The building was of the pristine adobe, but was pulled down, in the year 1853, and a frame house erected on the ground, this, in turn, making way for the present briek erections, he then moving his business to Fountain alley, between First and Second streets, where he now is. The establishment is divided into three separate departments, and though under one roof, each has no partnership connection. The carriage manufacturing and blacksmith trade is carried on by John Balbach; trimming by L. F. Claus, and the painting by L. M. Castro. Twelve men are employed in the different workshops, while an average annual business of ten thousand dollars is done.
Pacific Carriage Factory .- This establishment was founded in the year 1874, by D. Hatman and A. Normandin, under the firm name of Hatman
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& Normandin, on Santa Clara, between San Pedro and Vine streets, where a general carriage manufacturing business, to the amount of from eight to ten thousand dollars per annum, is carried on. There are nine men employed on the premises.
Alameda Carriage Factory .- In the year 1876, this factory was estab- lished by Fitzgerald Brothers, but two years later, 1878, it became the prop- erty of James Fitzgerald, who carried on the trade at the present workshop, situated at the corner of the Alameda and St. Mary's street. Here street- cars, farm wagons, ete., are manufactured to supply this and other counties, while there are six men employed on the works, which average an annual out-turn of about five thousand dollars.
Globe Carriage Works .- These works are in a fine brick building, erected in 1878, on San Fernando street, they having originally occupied a position on St. John street. Here occupation is given on the average to ten men, though there are facilities for working twenty. The business comprises every manner of carriage and blacksmith work, divided into separate depart- ments, that of carriage-making being owned by T. Bement; painting and trimming, by Greeninger & Young; and the blacksmith-shop by Chris. Bergstrom.
Albert Luke Boc Factory .- Was established by Hobbs, Gilmore & Co., in the year 1864, and by them retained until 1872, when it was purchased by the present proprietor, Albert Lake. Here are manufactured boxes and wash-boards from lumber imported from Placer county. The yield is about two hundred thousand boxes and fifteen hundred dozen wash-boards per annum. The premises are situated at No. 146 San Pedro street.
Sun José Box Factory .- This factory, the property of L. G. Sresovich, was established in 1878, and is in connection with the fruit-packing house of that gentleman. The lumber used is principally obtained from the Truckee Lumber Company, which is imported in its rough state and sawed on the premises in a mill containing two circular saws. The wood-work was formerly brought to the factory ready for making into boxes, but since the erection of his private mill Mr. Sresovich has been enabled to turn out these for himself. The dimensions of these buildings are, the factory, one hundred and thirty by thirty fect, and the saw-mill thirty feet square.
Eagle Coffee and Spice Mills .- This industry was first started in 1867, by Barrett, Caswell & Hunt, on Santa Clara street, in the Opera House build- ing, but after a short time Mr. Caswell severed his connection with the con- cern. After remaining in the firm three years the first-named gentleman disposed of his interest to R. T. Priest, Albert Lake was admitted into part- nership, the present premises on Fourth street were constructed, and the
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
coffee and spice business amalgamated with the box factory of Mr. Lake. This company lasted a year, during which Mr. Bettinger purchased the interest of Mr. Priest; Messrs. Hunt and Bettinger then bought out Mr. Lake, and in January, 1875, S. B. Hunkins purchased Mr. Bettinger's share and the firm became Hunt & Hunkins, the present proprietors. The general business carried on is the manufacture of coffee-roasting, grinding and packing-which is obtained in the raw state from importers, and after the processes mentioned above, is shipped to customers in all the surrounding counties, the average amount thus sent away being nearly fifty tons per annum.
Santa Clara Valley Mill and Lumber Company .- This concern was origin- ally started in the Fall of the year 1864, by W. P. Dougherty, on the site of Druid's Hall on First street, where he had a lumber-yard. In 1869 an interest was sold to C. X. Hobbs and Samuel McFarlane, when the style of the firm became Hobbs, Dougherty & Co. In the following year, William H. Hall and Mr. Dougherty purchased the share of Mr. Hobbs, and the name of the firm was changed to W. P. Dougherty & Co., who bought out, in 1870, the sash factory and planing-mills of Metcalf & Mclellan and W. W. Pratt, as also the lumber business of McMurtry & McMillin, when more extensive premises being required, in 1871, they moved to those now occu- pied by them on San Fernando street, between Third and Fourth streets. The cares of the firm had in 1873 so increased that in that year the business was incorporated, in accordance with the laws of the State, as the Santa Clara Valley Mill and Lumber Company, the Directors being B. P. Rankin, James M. Thorp, Jacob Lenzen, W. W. Pratt, W. H. Hall, James Dougherty, and W. P. Dougherty; the President of the association is W. P. Dougherty and the Secretary, James M. Thorp. The ground on which the premises stand in the city of San Jose occupy five fifty-vara lots, while the wood-work turned out by the sash and planing mills is deemed the finest in the State; indeed, from this establishment has all the material of this nature been supplied to many of the magnificent mansions in the surrounding counties, notably that of J. C. Flood, the " Bonanza King," at Menlo Park. The lumber-mills of the company are situated in Santa Cruz county, about twenty-five miles from San Jose, on the line of the South Pacific Coast Railroad, where they own timber lands of eight thousand acres in extent.
Independent Mill and Lumber Company .- Originally started as a private concern by T. J. Gillespie. A short time thereafter the business was incor- porated under the laws of Calfornia July 1, 1876, with the following offi- cers: Directors, A. C. Stoddard, C. C. Cook, Smith Henderson, James M. Young, T. J. Gillespie, and J. W. Lowry; T. J. Gillespie being elected Presi-
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dent, with J. W. Lowry Secretary. The corporation are dealers in all kinds of lumber; are manufacturers of mouldings and brackets, and produce all manner of mill-work, such as planing, sawing, wood-turning, etc., while in connection with the mill is a lumber-yard, the wood being the product of the Santa Cruz mountains. The officers for the year 1880 are : C. D. Wright, John Reynolds, H. W. Arbogast, Albert Mills, J. F. Sparrow, Directors; the President is C. D. Wright; Secretary, John Reynolds; Treasurer, C. M. Ayres, and Manager and General Superintendent, R. S. Swain. The company have their offices on San Pedro street, between San Augustin and St. James streets.
Sierra Lumber Company .- The headquarters of this company are at Red Bluff, in Tehama, and Chico, in Butte county, with an office at the corner of Fourth and Channel streets in San Francisco, and an agency on the Ala- meda, near the depot of the South Pacific Coast Railroad, in San Jose, which was established in January, 1880, with V. B. Wordward in charge, who is prepared to supply customers in any quantities, with doors, blinds, sashes and sugar-pine lumber.
California Broom Factory .- The manufacture of brooms, brushes and wisps was permanently commenced by M. W. Wilcox in the year 1870, on the premises he now occupies on Bush street, near the Alameda, which cover an area of one hundred and fifty by one hundred and ten feet. The material used in the business is procured from the banks of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and when made up finds a ready market in Santa Clara and the contiguous counties. Mr. Wilcox employs ten men, who make on the average from eight to ten dozen brooms per day.
Angora Robe and Glove Company .- In the year 1875 this business was inaugurated as a joint-stock company, with C. P. Bailey, President, and A. L. Pomeroy, Secretary. On July 31st of that year it was incorporated under the laws of the State of California, with the above officers, since when it has maintained a flourishing business. The principal articles made are robes, whip-lashes and gloves, the latter being a speciality; these find a market in California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada and Colorado, where they are much prized. There is a tannery connected with the establishment, on the Guadalupe creek, where there are twelve men employed, while occupation is given to thirty-five persons in all. The average yearly business amounts to between thirty and forty thousand dollars, and the present directorate con- sists of C. P. Bailey, President, with James H. Pierce, Secretary and Treas- urer. Situated on First street.
California Glove Factory .- This enterprise was first commenced by M W. Wilcox and George Williams, in 1874, and by them continued for two years, when, in 1876, Mr. Wilcox purchased the interest of Mr. Williams and
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has since carried on the business in his own name at the factory, 278 Santa Ciara between First and Market streets. The leather from which the gloves are chiefly made is procured from San Francisco and Napa, already tanned, and here handed out to workers, there being forty and more women who are permitted to sew the gloves at home. A speciality is made of those kinds used for driving, or in the harvest field-a strong serviceable glove-while another style is now being manufactured known as the waterproof glove, which does not, like other kinds of leather, stiffen when wet. Seven men are employed in the workshop, while the average yearly value of work done is about twenty-five thousand dollars.
Soda Works of Williams Brothers .- In the year 1854 Thomas and David Williams commenced the bottling of aerated waters from the spring at the New Almaden mines, but in 1857 moved into the city of San José, purchased the apparatus of Gerricke & Leach (who had the first establishment of the kind in the town, on Santa Clara street, on the site of the Knox Block), and commenced the manufacture of soda-water on the premises they now occupy on St. John, between First and Market streets. From the spring, in 1854, the amount bottled was about one hundred dozen per day; it is now three times that amount, while customers are found in all the contiguous district and counties, who are supplied by means of wagons.
Eagle Brewery .- This establishment was first put into operation in the year 1853, on a site on Market street where San Antonio street strikes that thoroughfare. It was the first brewery in San Jose, and was conducted by its proprietor, Joseph Hartmann. In 1856 he moved it to its present loca- tion at the corner of Market and San Carlos streets, where Mr. Hartmann carried on the business until his death, March 19, 1877. In the following month the affairs of the brewery were purchased by George Scherrer, the pres- ent proprietor. In the first year of its establishment the yield was about six barrels a brew; it is now five thousand barrels per annum. Hops are procured from San Francisco, and the barley used in making malt from the Santa Clara valley; five men are employed in this industry, while the Eagle brewery alone supplies four thousand barrels a year to the city and neigh- borhood. The premises occupy seventy-five by two hundred and thirty feet, and comprise the necessary offices and engine-house.
Krumb's Brewery .- In the year 1856, L. Krumb started a brewery on the site now occupied by the Swiss Hotel, on Market, between San Augus- tin and Santa Clara streets. On this location it remained until 1860, when it was transferred to the corner of First street and Fountain alley, now occupied by Walteufel's book store, and, in 1864, was thence removed to its present position at Nos. 377, 379, and 381 Second street, between Santa Clara and San Fernando streets, the premises occupying an area of seventy
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by three hundred and five feet. Here are to be found buildings and appliances for the production of beer, besides an artesian well two hundred and ninety-six feet in depth, the water from which is used for brewing purposes. When first started, in 1856, the yearly yield was two hundred and fifty barrels; it is now two thousand. Mr. Krumb employs constantly four men, while his brewing is done by means of a twelve horse-power steam engine, manufactured at the works of Joseph Enright, in San Jose. The beer produced at this establishment is exported to San Francisco, and finds a large sale, as well in this as in the adjoining counties.
Lion Brewery .- The institution now under notice was established more than ten years ago, by Philip Doerr, under the name of the San Jose Brew- erv. Its original site is that which it now occupies, on William street, between Third and Fourth streets. Mr. Doerr carried on the business until August, 1880, when it was purchased be A. W. Bode, and C. H. Stafford, who, on taking possession, altered the name to that which it now bears. The premises are supplied with all the necessary offices and apparatus for brewing purposes, while the annual product is in the vicinity of a thousand barrels.
Fredericksburg Brewery .- This, the most extensive and complete brewery in the county, if not in the State, was first established in the year 1869, by Fred. Krahenberg, in a shanty, on the corner of Cinnabar street and the Alameda, where now stands the splendid fabric of Schnabel & Denicke. In 1870, Mr. Krahenberg admitted Alfred Recard into partnership, continuing the business in the original building. Mr. Recard sold out his share to Schramm & Schnabel, in 1872, and the style of the firm became Krahenberg & Co. In this year, a new brew and malt house, as well as other buildings were erected of brick, the dimensions of these being: malt house, one hun- dred by fifty feet; brew house and cellars, one hundred and sixty by forty feet: and fermenting house, supplied with all the latest improvements, eighty by forty feet; while the trade had increased to between four and five thousand barrels per year. In 1876, Mr. Krahenberg disposed of his stock in the concern to Schramm & Schnabel, who gave their name to the firm, which it maintained until the month of April, 1880, when E. A. Denicke buy- ing out Mr. Schramm, the designation of the copartnership became Schnabel & Denicke, that which it now bears. The ground on which the Fredricks- burg brewery is located has two artesian wells, of five hundred and twenty- one, and one hundred and seventy-five feet in depth, the property occupying an area of two acres. Besides being supplied with a refrigerator, whereby ice may be manufactured, and water cooled to the necessary standard, it pos- sesses a department for pitching kegs, under the Anhauser patent, as well as a thirty-five horse-power engine to drive the machinery. The barley used
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