USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 63
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S. M. 1879, A. F. Sauffrignon, Jas. E. Enright, J. F. Cavagnaro.
Nobili Medal -1876, Jas. Franklin; 1877, Jas. W. Enright; 1878, Jos. Cavagnaro; 1879, Anselmo Volio.
Commercial Certificate -1878, Frank Galindo, Chas. Hagan, Jno. E. Auzerais, Didier Gagnon ; 1879, Jas. I. Santon, Jas. W. Enright, Martin F. Hauck, Frank Drum, Henry Farmer.
Santa Clara Feed Mill .- Where this establishment stands their originally was a grist mill, the property of Ernest Kramer, which was burned about three years ago (1878). Near its site was constructed the present mill. It is of brick, covers an area of sixty by forty-nine feet and is owned by August Habich, but rented to F. E. Farmer. It was built in 1879, and has a daily capacity of ten tons.
Pacific Manufacturing Company .- Situated at the corner of Bellamy and Union avenues, in the town of Santa Clara. It was originally known as the Enterprise Mill and Lumber Company, but was re-organized Septem- ber 1, 1880, as above. It is a joint-stock concern, James P. Pierce being the President; T. J. Shannon, Superintendent; and Directors, J. P. Pierce, T. J. Shannon, M. Nelson, John Finley, Jesse Nelson, Wm. H. Brown. The busi- ness carried on is chiefly the manufacture of coffins and lumber of every description, to the value of about seventy-five thousand dollars per annum. The premises consist of a building three hundred feet long by sixty wide, two stories high; two hundred feet of this is of brick, and the balance frame The establishment is supplied with all the requisite machinery driven by a fifty horse-power engine. As a coffin emporium this is one of the most com- plete in the United States. The officers for the year are the same as above.
Santa Clara Tannery .- This enterprise was originally started in 1849, where the present establishment stands by L. Wampach, and was, with the single exception of one started by G. W. Bellamy, originally constructed in
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a very primitive fashion, among the first in the State. He conducted it until 1854, when it was bought by Messing & Dixon. F. C. Frank was then admitted a partner; shortly after Dixon sold out to Mr. Glein, when it was conducted by Messing, Glein & Frank, and ultimately passed into the hands of Glein alone. In 1860 the firm became Glein & Albert who were the pro- prietors until 1864, when it reverted to Glein until 1866, and then was purchased by its present owner, Jacob Eberhard. The capacity has been increased ten-fold in his occupancy; when he took charge there were not half a dozen men at work; to-day there are upwards of sixty. The premises are built on a block and a half of land and consist of beam house, curing room, etc., with one hundred and twenty vats. A sale is found for the very superior leather here manufactured all over the United States, Mexico, Sandwich Islands, China and Japan. The tannery is fitted with new machinery and driven by a fifty horse-power engine. The business done aggregates about twenty-five thousand dollars per month.
Santa Clara City Flouring Mills .- Were first started as a joint-stock company under the name of the Santa Clara Flouring Mills in the Fall of 1852, under the management of Charles Clayton, he being also Treasurer, and Samuel J. Johnson, Secretary. It was thus continued for about twelve months when it was sold to a new company, which was organized out of the former one. Afterwards the mills got into the hands of Charles Clayton alone; and was finally sold to French & Baker in 1879. Subsequently it was acquired by Madan & Pitkins, who, in 1880, disposed of it to the com- pany that are its present owners. The President is C. A. Pitkins; - Baker, Superintendent. The corporation has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars.
Santa Clara Brewery .- Is situated at the corner of Benton and Alviso streets in the town of Santa Clara, and was built in 1863 by Herman Leibe. He conducted it until his death when it passed into the hands of his widow, and in 1878, it was purchased by Charles Lauek, who has conducted it ever since. It occupies about a block of land, while the premises consist of a brewery, malt room, etc. The average out-turn is in the vicinity of two thousand barrels a year.
The Davies Machine Shop .- Proprietor, E. H. Davies. This business was established in 1855 on Main street, near Benton, where it remained fourteen years. In the Fall of 1867, the present premises were erected at the corner of Jackson and Liberty streets. The building is three stories in height and forty by sixty-six feet in dimensions. Here is carried on a considerable repairing and manufacturing business, principally agricultural machinery. Mr. Davies is just starting the manufacturing of lumber from ornamental trees, such as the locust, eucalyptus, etc.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The Bank of Santa Clara County .- Is situated on Franklin street, near Washington, and was incorporated May 30, 1875, with an authorized cap- ital of three hundred thousand dollars. The present officers are: J. P. Pierce, President ; H. M. Leonard, Vice-President and Manager; C. C. Hayward, Cashier and Secretary.
Santa Clara Verein .- Was established in April, 1868, with the following Charter Members: C. W. Werner, F. C. Franck, Jacob Eberhard, C. Leibe, John Hetty, August Habich, Leopold Hart, William Gabriel, August Gabriel, Henry Albert, Henry Uhrbroock. The first officers were: Jacob Eberhard, President; C. Leibe, Vice-President; A. Habich, Secretary; C. W. Werner, Treasurer. The membership at present is forty-five. Their hall, a neat structure, is frescoed and tastefully ornamented, and is sixty by thirty-four feet, with a commodious stage at one end. The present officers are: August Habich, President ; H. Metzler, Vice-President; C. W. Werner, Secretary ; Julius Brieth, Treasurer; Librarian, W. Klein; Steward, Franz Emig ; Trustees, Jacob Eberhard, John Hetty, Charles Welti. The Club is divided into a Turn-Verein for gymnastic exercises, as well as for dramatic and musical affairs. The building was entirely built by private subscription of its members.
" Meridian."-This neat little wayside resort was first established in the year 1872, by a man named Shirley, who was succeeded by another named Sullivan. In 1879, he sold it to B. C. Shartzer, who at present conducts it. The wayfarer will find this neat place replete with every convenience for the accommodation of man and horse, while the pedestrian can take it in his daily walk, it being but two miles and a half from the town of Santa Clara.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ALMADEN TOWNSHIP.
Boanerges R. Bailey. Born in Robertson county, Tennessee, May 4, 1827, where he was educated, reared a farmer, and resided for the first twen- ty-one years of his life when he started for California. The journey was commenced with a mule-team, but this he left before reaching Salt Lake, making the balance of the journey with oxen. In the month of September, 1850, he arrived in Nevada county, and passed that Winter at the Rough and Ready mines, having fair success ; in the Spring he moved to Poorman's creek on the South Yuba and at the end of six months set out on a prospect- ing tour. After visiting Sonora and Vallicita, in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, he came to Santa Clara county and settled at Mountain View, on the farm now owned by his brother, D. B. Bailey. In 1857 he proceeded to Tulare county, where he was engaged in stock-raising until 1864, when he settled in Almaden township on his present ranch of eight hundred and seventy-three acres. Married at Mountain View, in 1855, Ellen Sparks, by whom he has had a family of nine children. Two of these are dead, those living are: Frederick, born December 19, 1858, in Tulare county; Nan- nie, born April 30, 1861, in Tulare county; Stonewall, born, September 5, 1863, in Tulare county ; Lulu, born December 23, 1868, in Santa Clara county; James and Wesley (twins), born September 17, 1871, in Santa Clara county; Bowling, born May 26, 1875, in Santa Clara county.
Lewis C. Casey. Born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 1, 1816, and there was educated. When four-and-twenty years of age he transferred his resi- dence to Lee county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for ten years ; thence he crossed the plains with ox-teams to California, arriving in Novem- ber, 1849. The first year Mr. Casey mined at Long's Bar on Feather river, Butte county ; then he removed to Sacramento City where he was variously employed for three months; he next went down the Sacramento river to Walnut Grove and farmed for two years, when, exchanging his ranch for a cargo of wood, he proceeded to San Francisco to find a market, it was dis- posed of as it was landed; in a short time enough was realized to purchase the eighty-five acre farm on which he now resides in Almaden township. Is unmarried.
Thomas Fitzgerald. Born in Canada, February 2, 1839. In 1853 he came to California, and direct to Santa Clara county, first settling near
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Gilroy. Not long after he went to the redwoods near there, where he remained seven years. Afterwards he located at the Fifteen-mile House, Burnett township, and in 1866 returned to Gilroy. In 1870 he entered upon his residence in Almaden township where he owns eight hundred and eighty- five acres of land, has a dairying business and milks about thirty cows. Married at Gilroy, in 1872, Mary Ann Cullen, by whom he has three children: Walter G., born August 30, 1873; John P., born April 18, 1875; Ellen, born June 3, 1879.
John Jeffries (Deceased). Was born in London, England, January 1, 1814; served seven years at the trade of dyeing; in the year 1835 emigrated to the United States ; worked at his trade in New York one year, but find- ing very poor pay joined a party of stone-cutters engaged to build the locks on the canal at Fort Wayne, Indiana, but after enduring fever and ague, and swindling contractors for nearly a year, pulled up stakes and next found himself in Louisiana, in the employment of United States Surveyors. This he soon left. He then went to Natchez, Mississippi. Here he carried on the manufacture of cigars in partnership with Mr. Bryant for about five years. The great tornado in that place destroyed his place of business, burying him under the ruins, from which he barely escaped with his life. He then went to Boston, Massachusetts. Stayed one year, but not liking the cold weather, went to Florida, where he was variously employed till 1846, when he left for St. Louis, Missouri. He there started business at his old trade of dyeing ; continued at that till early in 1849, and then left for California, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and arrived at Santa Clara in the rainy season ; tried gardening on the Stockton ranch in partnership with a Mr. Dickson, since deceased; was with Charles Clayton in a store for a short time; started a farm near where the town of Saratoga now stands, where he was doing pretty well till driven of by the stock-men. He then came to the farm now owned by his brother, James Jeffries, containing one hundred and nineteen acres. John Jeffries died November 21, 1880.
James Jeffries. The subject of this sketch, brother of the above John Jef- fries, is also a native of London, England, where he was born January 29, 1810. In 1835 he came to the United States; was engaged in the wholesale hard- ware store of G. W. Tyson & Co., of Pearl street, New York ; after the great fire went to Apalachicola, Florida, with a stock of goods; remained nearly a year and returned to New York. From there he went to Boston, Massachu- setts; was engaged in the business of property-making for the several thea- ters there till 1872, then joined his brother in Almaden township, Santa Clara county, where he has since resided. Married, December 24, 1832, E. Massham, of Kent, England, who died March 20, 1860; has one daughter, born in 1836, now living in Massachusetts.
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BIOGRAPHIES-ALMADEN TOWNSHIP.
Major Lewis F. Parker. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 20, 1824. When young he was taken by his parents to Indiana, whence, after a short residence, they moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where he lived until he attained the age of sixteen years. He then proceeded to Hendricks county, Indiana, and there received his education. Major Parker next moved to LaPorte county, and there resided until he started for California. September 1, 1850, he arrived in the Golden State, after having crossed the plains with pack-mules, and went to Georgetown, El Dorado county, where he remained but a short time; thence he removed to Horse-shoe Bend, on the middle fork of the American river, and commenced mining. These ope- rations he continued for a year, when he transferred his location to Spanish Flat, in the same county, where he mined and kept a boarding-house until 1856. In this year he arrived in Santa Clara county, came direct to Alma- den township, and settled on the ranch of three hundred and twenty acres which he now occupies, where he has a picturesquely situated and commodious residence, nestling at the mouth of a miniature canon in the western foot- hills. Mr. Lewis has served for eight years as Deputy Assessor, under D. M. Harwood and W. O. Barker. January 28, 1865, was appointed Captain of Company K, First Cavalry, Second Brigade, California Militia, and served as such until November 1, 1867; when he was promoted to be junior Major of his Regiment, with rank from that date. He married in LaPorte county, Indiana, December 23, 1847, Julia Keith, who came to California in 1852, and has an only child, Elizabeth Nancy, born October 19, 1853.
Charles Parr. Born in England, May 5, 1827. Emigrating to the United States as long ago as the year 1842, the first Winter he passed in St. Louis, Missouri, where death deprived him of his mother. In the follow- ing Spring he took up his abode in Lee county, Iowa, and there engaged in farming until 1846, in which year he started to cross the plains to the Pacific slope, with a company of forty-one wagons, his father Joe Parr and family, Jonathan Parr and family, now deceased, (whose por- trait will be found in this work,) and a family named Booth, relatives of our subject, who now live in Victoria, B. C. All went well until the Platte river, in the Pawnee country, was reached, save that there was an occasional stampede of their cattle, in one of which one hundred and twenty-five head were lost. In trying to recover the stock in one of these a man named Tremble lost his life, while his partner, Harris, was recaptured, after he had been stripped of his clothing and was about to receive his death-blow from the Indians. This was done by the Pawnee tribe. The murdered man left a widow and seven children. After the delay of a day, necessitated by the circumstance above related, the journey was continued, while those who had lost a larger portion than others, of their cattle, retraced their steps to
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Missouri. When Fort Laramie was reached the party moving westward were notified by the Sioux Indians that they could not be permitted to travel through their territory unless some substantial compensation was forthcoming, which they received, and the party were allowed to continue their advance. When Sweet Water was reached, the company suddenly found themselves surrounded by a force of some seven hundred redskins, therefore they collected their wagons and prepared for action. For a time affairs had a very gloomy appearance. The Indians were bold and rough, in many instances pushing their way through to the wagons, where remained in trembling fear the women and children. The Chief of the Tribe, Smoky, was, however, notified of the doings of his warriors, he therefore rode in among them, scattering them right and left, and called upon them to desist. To receive a command from such a source was to obey. The Indians departed, while the emigrants were permitted to proceed. Mr. Parr thinks that had it not been for the timely interference of the Chief, there would have been a bloody tragedy enacted at the place called Sweet Water. Before Fort Hall had been reached the party was divided, one portion proceeding to Oregon, the other to California. It is with those last named that we have to deal. Trials now commenced to accumulate. Ere Bear river had been come to the provisions gave out, and much suffering ensued; nor were the necessaries of life obtained in anything like abundance until the hospi- talities of Sutter's Fort were opened to them. Here they obtained bread, and encamped on the American river, about two miles from the fort. Leav- ing the banks of that stream they made their way to Livermore, Contra Costa county, when our subject left his family, and came to the town of Santa Clara, where he was joined in the Spring of 1847 by his relatives-all, save his father, who had died at Livermore, from the unskillful treatment of a broken leg. Mr. Parr was first employed by James Alexander Forbes; and for Dennis Marten, worked in the redwoods, while in the Spring of 1847 he went to Bear river, and witnessed the remains of the Donner party. Here he joined the party that went up the American river to procure lumber to con- struct the now historically famous "Sutter's Mill." At the end of three months he proceeded to San Francisco; thence he found his way back to Santa Clara. In 1848 he was employed in the New Almaden Quicksilver mines. In the latter part of that year he made a journey to the Mokel- umne river, and Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, where he engaged in mining, an occupation he continued at intervals for the two succeeding years, and finally returned to this county. On his return he opened a public house in Santa Clara, in partnership with Dr. Warburton, for one year; he then built a like establishment, which he conducted for six months, when he engaged in blacksmithing. In 1854 he embarked in stock-raising on the Coast Range, which he abandoned in the following year on account
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of ill-health; then, returning to Santa Clara, he there resided until 1862, in the Fall of which year he removed to the stock-raising farm he now occupies, which comprises twelve hundred acres, his own property. Married, April, 1854, T. Garcia. The following are his children by this union: Joseph E., born 1855; Prudence, born 1858; Teresa, born 1860; Simpson N., born 1862; Charles, born 1863 ; Belle, born 1864; Stephen A., born 1867; Agnes, born 1869; Eugene, born 1870; Mary, born 1872.
Zadoc A. Riggs. Born in Boone county, Missouri, March 10, 1826, where he received his education and worked on a farm until 1850. In that year, on May Ist, in company with thirteen others, he started across the plains with ox-teams for California, arriving at Nevada City September 12th of the same year. Remaining there only a short time, he went to Deer creek and followed mining until February 1851; he then proceeded to the Cosumne river and mined there till November, 1852, when he came to Almaden town- ship, Santa Clara county, and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Married, March 10, 1864, Phebe Cairns, by whom there have been a family of five children, three having died when infants. The names and births of those now living are: William A., born December 5, 1864; Zadoc S., born March 10, 1874.
Christoph Schofield. Born in Hanover, Germany, December 13, 1831. In 1854 he emigrated to the United States and first found a home near Mil- waukee, Wisconsin. He remained in that State about one year, then went South and was variously employed in Louisiana until 1856. In that year he made the journey to California by way of Panama, arriving in San Fran- cisco in May. Ashore in San Francisco without a cent in his pocket and in debt to a fellow-passenger for a part of his fare, he did what most new-com ers in those days did, started for the mines in Nevada county, but unlike most others soon returned to the valley and sought work among the farmers. In October of that year he began work on the farm of Jerry Parsons, near the mouth of Bear river, and remained in his employ almost uninter- ruptedly for about twelve years. Having suffered much from the malarious chills and fevers of that locality he went back to Germany in 1865 intending to remain there, but after an absence of ten months returned to Mr. Parson's ranch in improved health and fully determined to give up his allegiance to the German king and become an American citizen. In 1868 he was married in San Francisco to Miss M. Parsons and moved to the Santa Clara valley. During that year he purchased the farm in Almaden Township where he now resides, which has been the home of himself and wife since the time of their marriage.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Francois Tremoureaux. Born in Saint-Nazaire, France, July 12 1840. At the age of nine years he left home and followed the sea until he came to California in 1859, and has naturally seen a great deal of the world. In the last-named year he came to Santa Clara county, and after working for wages on a farm was employed in a store in San José. In 1861-2 he was engaged in the charcoal business, as well as other matters, until 1865, when he purchased his present mountain farm of nine hundred acres, adapted for stock-raising. Married, December 11, 1871, Arabella Grant, May, 1878, by whom there are: Francois M., born December 29, 1872; Leonard J., born March 6, 1874. Married, secondly, September 22, 1878, Mrs. Emma Web- ster, and has: Albert C., born June 9, 1880; Bertha A. Webster, born Jan- uary 28, 1878; a daughter by a former marriage.
William H. Ware: The subject of this sketch was born in Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, November 22, 1822, where he was educated. In early life, Mr. Ware devoted his time to teaching school, at the age of twenty years receiving his certificate from Messrs Ray, Picket, and McGuffe, Professors of Woodford High School, and State Examining Committee of Ohio. He gave instruction consecutively in Delhi town- ship, Hamilton county, Ohio; in different parts of Missouri; in Jeffer- son county, Indiana; in Shelby county, Kentucky; and in the State of Mississippi, where he had a two years' course of legal study. As he was about to enter upon the practice of his profession, the discovery of gold in California was proclaimed to the world. To be behindhand in the search for the precious metal was to sleep. Mr. Ware therefore joined a mule train, dubbed the Pioneer line, belonging to Turner, Allen & Co., and left Inde- pendence, Missouri, April 10, 1849. He continued with this party until they reached Carson river; here anticipation proved too much for him, he there- fore pushed on ahead, alone, but, meeting a predatory band of Indians, his horse (a valuable animal that had carried Colonel Price through the Mex- ican campaign) was stolen, being considerably delayed thereby, and ulti- mately arrived at Weavertown, El Dorado county, September 27, 1849. After a rest here of two weeks, he proceeded to San Francisco, and there, with three others, formed a company to proceed to the San José Mission and commence the cultivation of vegetables, on a large scale. This company made a good start for their destination, in a whale-boat laden with provisions and seed, but they had not proceeded far when a dispute arose in regard to their common affairs (they having ignored all existing agreements). Our subject thereupon severed his connection with the enterprise. Mr. Ware next made for the mines at Beal's Bar, north fork American river, Placer county. A few months later he went to Big Gulch Bar, where he started a trading- post, being, at the same time owner of a mine. Here he remained until
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the Fall of 1851, when he sold out, and proceeded to Amador county, at a place called Arkansas Cabins. Here he and two others named Smith and Drummond, constructed a ditch three miles long. At this place he remained eight months, when he came to San Jose, and in April, 1852, in company with William Rogers, opened the Mansion House, and conducted it until the following July. In that month he located the place on which he now resides, placed a man in charge, and left to dispose of his mining interests near Cook's Bar, El Dorado county. These he sold out, returned to Santa Clara county in the month of February, 1853, and took up his residence on his property in Almaden township, where he has resided ever since.
Edward Young. Born in Dorsetshire, England, July 22, 1834. In the year 1856 he emigrated to Australia, where he mined until 1867, in which year he returned to the "Old Country." After a short stay, he came to California, and arrived in Santa Clara county in the Fall of 1868. He first went to Almaden township, and commenced getting out timber from the redwoods for use in the mines, at which employment he continued eleven years. In 1878, he came on to the place where he now resides, consisting of one hundred and nine acres of land. Married, in San Fran- cisco, June 21, 1870, Sarah Shepherd, a native of England, and has five chil- dren : Harriet, born April 21, 1872; Maria, born January 17, 1874; Charles G., born August 12, 1875; Henry, born September 28, 1876; Nancy, born February 19, 1881.
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