USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 68
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John Burchell. Born in Castletown, County Cork, Ireland, June, 1829. In the year 1845 he emigrated to Canada, but shortly after his arrival removed to Rutland, Vermont, where he remained until coming to the Pacific coast. Making the journey to California via Nicaragua, he arrived in San Francisco, April 22, 1855, and in the following August, set- tled in Santa Clara county, and engaged in dairying in East San José. A year later he proceeded to Sonoma county and commenced the like occupa- tion and farming, at the Eight-mile House, between Santa Rosa and Peta- Iuma. Here he dwelt two years, when he returned to Santa Clara county or valley, and established himself, September 1, 1859, in Gilroy township, on his present property, four miles from Gilroy, comprising three hundred
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and seventy-five acres, where he is now engaged in farming and stock- raising. Married, May 5, 1859, Mary Heaney, a native of Ireland, and has: Mary Jane, born November 19, 1860; Richard, born November 20, 1864; Ellen, born September 18, 1866; John William and Catherine Emma (twins), born August 3, 1868 ; Margaret, born January 7, 1871.
John D. Burns. Born in New Castle on Tyne, England, December, 1842. In the year 1863 he emigrated to the United States, joined the army and went to New Orleans; was discharged in April, 1865. He came to Gilroy in 1870 and engaged in the lumber trade. He was married to Emily Hartshorn December 11, 1873. Their two children are: Sarlie, born November 2, 1874, and Robert W., born August 18, 1878.
Alfred Chappell. Is a native of the State of Georgia where he was born March 6, 1819, educated and reared a farmer. In the year 1839 he proceeded to Arkansas; in the Spring of 1840 he removed to Newton (now McDonald) county, Missouri, where he resided until May 1, 1843, when he started for Oregon, across the plains, in company with such well-known pioneers as Julius Martin, Major Hensley, and many others; the subject of this sketch, with the Applegate family, Waldo family, Ex-Senator Nesmith, and Governor Burnett, proceeding to Oregon. In the Spring of 1844 he returned to Missouri with Colonel Gilpin; in the like season of 1850 he re-crossed the plains and arrived at Winter's Bar, October 10th of that vear. In 1852 he came to San José where he farmed until 1853; in that year he removed to Gilroy township and located on his present ranch comprising two hundred acres. In the year 1869 Mr. Chappell visited his friends at the East. Married, December 12, 1839, Mary Lauderdale, a native of Tennes- see, and has nine children : Robert W., born January 28, 18+1; Sarah O., born February 6, 1843; Fannie Jane, born October 7, 1845; Francis M., born June 17, 1848; Thomas Jasper, born October 23, 1850; John William, born September 29, 1852; Mary Ann, born February 20, 1855; Martha Ellen, born November 18, 1857; George Alfred, born June 2, 1860.
Amos G. Cole. Born in Onondaga county, New York, November 20, 1825, where he was educated. At the age of nineteen years he went to Syracuse and apprenticed himself to the mason's trade, and worked at it until 1852, in which year he sailed for California from New York City, arriving in the month of June at San Francisco, after having suffered ship- wreck on the coast of Mexico, by which much delay was caused, the passen- gers, who were all saved, having to journey on mule back to Acapulco, a distance of one hundred miles from the scene of the disaster, where passage was taken on board the ship Northern Light. Mr. Cole proceeded direct to
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the mines, but in November of the same year returned to the Bay City and worked at his trade. In 1856 he once more tried his luck at the mines which he abandoned in the Fall of 1869 and came to Santa Clara county, taking up his residence in Gilroy, where in 1871 he established his brick- kiln situated to the north-west of the town. He married, August 18, 1861, Augusta Wolters, a native of Bremen, Germany, and has: Sterling L., born May 13, 1865; Almina, born June 27, 1868; Augusta, born April 20, 1872: Amos W., born June 6, 1879.
John A. Cottle. Born in Windsor county, Vermont, May 9, 1812. When six years of age he was taken to Lincoln county, Missouri. He was educated in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Troy. Save two years during which he was engaged as a clerk in Gak na, Illinois, and in the lead mines of Wis- consin, just across the line, Mr. Cottle resided in Lincoln county until he came of age. At that epoch in his life he proceeded to Quincy, Illinois, and there dwelt for five years, after which he located in Wisconsin. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, and soon after engaged in the stock business in Peach Tree valley. In the Fall of 1854 Mr. Cottle returned to the East, but recrossed the plains in the Spring of the following year with a band of stock which he drove into Santa Clara county, arriving at San Jose Sep- tember 20, 1855. These he moved into Gilroy township and after keeping them there for two years transferred them to Peach Tree valley. Five years thereafter he sold his stock and commenced agriculture, but at the end of six years more he discontinued this occupation and purchased an interest in the Gilroy Hot Springs. Married, firstly, September, 1837, Julia E. Stone, a native of Troy, Lincoln county, Missouri, who died in the Winter of 1850; and secondly, Priscilla Cottle in 1852, who died in 1862. He married his present wife Cordelia Cottle, a native of St. Charles county, Missouri, in 1864, his only surviving child being a son by his first wife, named Henry Edward, born in September, 1839.
Caleb Brown Crews. Born in Boone county, Missouri, in the year 1834. When a mere child he lost his parents and was reared by his brother Ran- dolph, who moved to Henry county in 1845. Here the subject of this sketch was educated and brought up a farmer. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California, arriving at Belmont, in September of that year.' He immediately proceeded to Mokelumne Hill where he was employed on a farm until 1853; he then came to Santa Clara county, located at Mountain View and commenced teaming, but afterwards embarked in farming and stock -raising which he continued until 1864; he then purchased the one hundred and thirty acres in Gilroy township known as the Ortega Home- stead, on which he now resides. Married, June 28, 1860, Mrs. Emeline
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Thomas, a native of Jackson county, Missouri, by whom he has: Henry P., born March 31, 1861; William J., born June 1, 1863; James Newton, born September 25, 1865; Carrie, born January 1, 1869; Charles, born Decem- ber 15, 1871; Marion, born June 13, 1874; Elmer and Elton (twins), born April 7, 1877 ; George, born May 9, 18SI. The children by the first mar- riage of Mrs. Crews are: John W., born September 22, 1853; Eliza Jane, born March 8, 1857; Ellen Frances, born March 1, 1859.
J. D. Culp. Born in Monroe county, New York, November 17, 1839, and received his education in Rochester. In the year 1856 he located in Floyd county, Iowa, and there raised a erop of tobacco, but it being of sickly growth, he decided to make a like attempt. in California. In 1858 he crossed the plains to this State and after prosecuting a rigorous search for suitable soil, in 1859 fixed upon Gilroy as the place wherein to essay the trial. After experimenting for sometime, in 1862 he erected a factory two miles west from Gilroy, but in 1865 it was unfortunately destroyed by fire. Mr. Culp next, in 1869, built another factory in the city of Gilroy on the corner of Church and Rosanna streets; this he sold in 1871, and moved to its present location, a portion of his grounds being situated in Santa Clara county, the buildings, however, being in San Benito county, near San Felipe. Too much credit cannot be accorded to the subject of our sketch for the persisteney with which he has grappled with the many obstructions allied to the business of tobacco culture. At last he has received his reward. His establishments are most complete in detail ; his fields are laid out with every regard to the protection of plants: and his surroundings are a credit alike to his enterprise and acumen. To him is the honor of establishing this one more proof of the marvelous adaptability of California soil for almost any kind or class of cultivation. Mr. Culp married, in 1865, Jennie E. Duncan, a native of Iowa, by whom he has had five sons: James J., born March 15, 1867 ; George E., born December 2, 1869; Cornelius A., born November 5, 1871; Charles H., born April 15, 1874; Richard D., born August 22, 1879.
Albert Dexter. The subject of this narrative, whose portrait appears in this work, was born January 23, 1809, in Royalston, Massachusetts, and there resided, save two years passed in Boston, until he grew to man's estate. His father, Ebenezer W. Dexter, was a well-to-do farmer of that State, and as such his son was reared. Commencing with the year 1829. Albert Dexter made two voyages on a whaler, the last as third mate, the cruise lasting three years and a half. At this period he had attained well recognized skill in the throwing of a harpoon. The eight years following his leaving the sea he spent in Posey county, Indiana, where he engaged in the manufacturing of wheat fans and furniture, in company with his brother
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Simon, who died there. Here our subject unfortunately failed in business, and, paying his debts like an honest man, with the small sum of thirteen dollars-all that remained to him in coin-he started on foot to St. Louis, and there worked as a mechanic for four years, and built the first omnibus that was used in that city. In 1846, he constructed a wagon, and in the Spring of the following year, with a cavalcade of ninety others, started to cross the plains to Oregon, where he was, on arrival, engaged by the Hud- son Bay Company for two years. In 1848, being fired by the discovery of gold in California, he proceeded thither, and essayed mining on the Amer- ican river for one year. While here, a party of nine men-his friends- were suddenly attacked by Indians, and seven of the number brutally put to death by the savages and their mutilated bodies cast into the river. On the catastrophe becoming known, a band of twenty-two (our subject being one of them) was organized, and went in pursuit. They traced the savages to their lair in a deep gorge in the mountains, where they were surprised, and a full vengeance wreaked upon the murderers. The entire band was shot except five men, two squaws, and a couple of children, who were taken prisoners back to Sutter's mill. Here they attempted an escape, in which four out of the five remaining red-skins were killed, their chief, unfortun- ately, making good his escape, but he afterwards, it was learned, met his death at the hands of some miners who captured him while meting out pun- ishment to the women of the tribe, who had informed upon him. Mr. Dex- ter considers himself fortunate that he was not with his hapless com- rades. He was at the time acting as preceptor to a party of Oregonians, who had but lately come to the mines, on the bar at the mill. To this lucky circumstance he doubtless owes his life. In the Winter of 1849 he proceeded to the Western States, but returned in the following year with a drove of cattle, and his family, and arrived in Santa Clara county, in the Fall, and settled close to the town of Santa Clara, where he carried on a dairying business for four years. . We next find him engaged for two years in mercantile pursuits, in Redwood City, San Mateo county, at the same time conducting a farm, for which he paid three thousand dollars, and after- wards sold to Thomas H. Selby for eleven thousand dollars. May 9, 1867, he settled on his present estate of seven hundred acres, on which he has resided ever since. He also owns a stock ranch in the mountains. Mr. Dexter married, March 12, 1850, Ellen Davis, a native of Ross county, Ohio, by whom he has: Wheeler D., born July 4, 1853; William H., born Sep- tember 27, 1855; Albert L., born January 31, 1859; Otis L., born January 28, 1861.
Jacob Doan. Born in Clinton county, Ohio, September 17, 1828, receiving his early education in the schools of the Society of Friends, and
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finishing his training at Springfield Academy, afterwards studying med- icine under Dr. Davis. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, arriving in Sacramento the day the State was admitted into the Union. After a short stay in that place, he proceeded to the mines in Calaveras county, and prosecuted his search for gold, at Memphis and Douglas Flat, for five years. By this time he had saved about five thousand dollars, with which he came to Santa Clara county, and invested in his present farm comprising two hundred and ninety-three acres, in April, 1856. He was elected Justice of the Peace for Gilroy township, in 1868, an office he held for four years. He married, November 21, 1854, Mrs. H. J. Whitney, a native of Wisconsin, and has: Francis I., Walter C., Clinton W., Agnes C., Jacob N., Hattic Grace, and Helen Dot, all of whom first saw the light under the homestead roof that now shelters them.
Peter Donnelly. Born in Queen's county, Ireland. In the year 1851 he emigrated to the United States, and passed his first year in New York and New Orleans, and in 1852 came to California, arriving in San Fran- cisco, October 5th, and there resided for eight years, being engaged in the warehouse of Dunne & Co. In 1856 he started in the dairy business on his own account, and in May, 1860, located upon his present property, pur- chased from Dan. Rhodes, and comprising twenty-four hundred acres. The land is situated in the Canada de los Osas, where Mr. Donnelly farms three hundred acres, the balance being devoted to stock-raising. Married, Febru- ary 22, 1868, B. A. Condon, a native of Iowa.
John Dowdy. Born in North Carolina, May 3, 1827. When young his parents moved to Indiana, where, after residing one year, they returned to North Carolina; thence they proceeded to Tennessee; and Davis county, Missouri, where the subject of our sketch received his education, and learned the art of farming. In 1854, he crossed the plains to California; came direct to Santa Clara county, and located on the tract of land now owned by Mrs. Angney. In the year 1865, he purchased the place on which he now resides, comprising one hundred and eighty-five acres. Married Mary MeCary, March, 1863, who is a native of Ireland, and came to this country when an infant.
Henry Dreischmeyer. Born in Lippe-Detmold Principality, Germany, August 9, 1840, and came to the United States in 1854, having received his education chiefly in his native land. He first settled in Chicago, and resided there until 1863, when he came to California by way of the Nicaragua route, arriving in San Francisco, April 27th, of the same year. He forth- with proceeded to, and located in, the town of Santa Clara, but at the end of
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two months he transferred his domicile to San José, and started as a brick- maker, an occupation he followed until he went to Gilroy, moving to his present farm in the year 1869. Married, September, 1863, Catherine Ashe- man, a native of Germany, and has: Henry, born June 11, 1864; Fred- erick, born January 1, 1866; Lizzie, born November 18, 1867, died October 21, 1868; May, born November 22, 1869; William, born May 20, 1872; Frank, born May 20, 1874.
David A. Dryden. Born in Adams county, Ohio, May 13, 1824. When about ten years old, he removed with his parents to Miami county, where he received his primary education. At sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to the cabinet-making business, in the city of Piqua, and served four years. In 1845, he entered, as a student, the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, and remained three years, but was compelled to leave before grad- nating, on account of failing health. In 1849, he joined the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in 1851, was transferred by Bishop Morris, as a Missionary to California. He was present at the first session of the California Conference, and continued regularly in the work of the Ministry until 1876. During this long period of service, he was stationed at many of the prominent cities and towns of the State, and traveled extensively. In 1855, he was appointed Principal of the Female Institute, then located at Santa Clara, and in 1862, was stationed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at San José. Was stationed five years in Nevada City. In 1869, organized the first Methodist Episcopal Church in San Diego, and, in 1872, built the church in Gilroy, where he was stationed three years. During the last few years of Mr. Dryden's labors in the Conference, the relations between him and the powers that be, became very much disturbed and embarrassed on account of real or supposed changes in theological belief and teaching, which resulted in his retirement from the Conference in 1876. He is at present located in Gilroy, and in order to support his family, has been com- pelled to go into secular affairs; and at the age of fifty-seven, has returned to the cabinet and furniture business-after a lapse of over thirty years. Mr. Dryden was married, in the city of Piqua, Ohio, to Miss S. H. Raynor, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, June 6, 1850. They have had six children. Three deceased, and three still living: Luella, born March 19, 1853; Wendell Ernest, born September 15, 1862; Ermina Iva, born March 14, 1867.
Joseph H. Duncan. Born in Wayne county, Iowa, November 19 1 1842, educated at University of the Pacific. Crossed the plains to California with his father, Dixon S. Duncan and family, in 1853, being five months and five days on the journey after crossing the Missouri river; arrived at San
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Juan September 5, 1853, and there remained until the Fall of 1856. In that year he came to Santa Clara county and located on his present form situated three miles west of Gilroy. Married, March 2, 1873, Angie I. Litton, a native of Mercer county, Missouri, and has: Elith V., born March 31, 187+; Edna G., born February 5, 1876; Gemma E., born July 5, 1878.
George Easton. Was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, January 4, 1829. In 1848 he emigrated to America and took up his residence in St. Louis, where he was employed in. the coal mines until 1851. In that year he crossed the plains to Utah where he resided until 1854, when he came to Cal- ifornia and located in San Bernardino county, being there employed in hauling lumber from the mountains to Los Angeles. Here he embarked in farming operations, put in one erop, but that proving a failure, he left the district and traveled for one year. In 1856, he came to Gilroy township, and settled on his present farm, previously, however. occupying a portion of the grant next to that farm. Married, May 21, 1852, Jemima Adam, a native of Scotland, who died June 12, 1879. His issue are: Robert, born March 17, 1853; William, born December 8, 1854; Belle, born June 11, 1857; Elizabeth, born June 24, 1859; Emeline, born September 21, 1861; George, born November 25, 1863; Charles, born November 14, 1865; Alexander, born June 4, 1868.
Charles F. Eckhart. Was born in Germany, August 2, 1828. When quite young he accompanied his parents to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia July, 1835, and there remain d four years. Thence they removed to West Virginia and in the Fall of 1844, proceeded to Ohio, where the subject of our sketch learned the trade of cabinet-maker. Leaving home in 1856, he went to Iowa for two years; thence to Nebraska, being one of the pioneers of that State, and in 1876 came to California, locating temporarily in San José. In January of that year, he established himself on his present ranch of one hundred and fifty acres, where he is principally engaged in fruit-growing. Married, January 31, 1850, Elizabeth Welty, a native of Ohio, and has: Ida L., born in Iowa; Clara E., born in Nebraska; Kate M., born in Nebraska; Amanda T., born in Nebraska; Charles H., born in Nebraska; Sarah H., born in Nebraska; Ettie, born in Nebraska; George W., born in California.
John Eigelberry ( Deceased). Was born in Greene ounty, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1812. At the age of ten years he was taken by his parents to Muskingum county, Ohio, and there received his schooling, and became a farmer. In February, 1852, he started with ox-teams for California in a com- pany with William Hollister, the captain of the train, composed of fourteen
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men and one female (the wife of the subject of this sketch, who gives pleas- ant reminiscences of this journey), and came direct to Santa Clara county, arriving at Gilroy September 28th of the same year. His first location was in a small house he erected on what is now the corner of Fourth and Eigel- berry streets, where he dwelt until some five years ago, he then built a new house lower down the street, that takes its name from this pioneer, to which he removed. Married, October 10, 1837, Sophie Houek, born in Zanesville, Ohio, February 4, 1802, a former school-mate of General Sherman; has no family. Mr. Eigelberry died in the month of October, 1880.
E. Emlay. The subject of this sketch was born in Hamburg, Canada West, May 4, 1829. At the age of eighteen year's he went to Detroit, Michi- gan, and there learned the harness-maker's trade, and finished the education commenced in Canada, by attending night-school. After a residence in Detroit of seven years, where he labored zealously at every intricaey of his art, he moved to Jackson, in the same State, for one year, and thence to Cal- ifornia, around The Horn, arriving in San Francisco, October, 1852. To be idle in those stirring days was a thing unheard of. Mr. Emlay therefore was not to be behindhand. He started at once for Sacramento, the haven of many eager travelers; thenee to Marysville where he could find no work at his trade, and finally to the mines near Shasta City where he remained for six months. We next find him working for his board at Marysville; again at Martinez, Contra Costa county, still indefatigably toiling at his calling for two years; thenee to Alvarado, Alameda county, where he remained until 1869, having started a harness store with a capital of one hundred and fifty dollars and closing out with twelve thousand ; and finally settled in Gilroy, where still true to his instinets, he bought outright the only harness store in the town, and still conduets it. Married, July 3, 1859, Helen C., daughter of Captain E. Farley, by whom he has: Oliver L., Harry F. and Hattie (twins), Herbert E., Lulu, Nora, Josephine, Roy.
Charles Kean Farley, M. D. Born in Montgomery county, Alabama, November 22, 1827. In early life he attended different schools in several of the Northern States, and in 1839 commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Weld, with whom he remained a year and a half. He then entered the Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, from which he gradu- ated in November, 1842, being at that time only twenty years of age. In the Spring of 1843 he attended another course of lectures, after which he returned to Alabama and commeneed practice, which he continued until he left for California. January 26, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco and lost no time in finding his way to the mines, but not finding them "after his own heart " he returned to the Bay City, and entered upon the duties of his pro-
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fession, continuing there during the Winter of '49 and '50. He then once more essaved his fortune at the mines, and finally in the Fall of 1850, in company with his brother, entered upon a tract of land near Marysville, Yuba county, where the doctor farmed for one year. In the month of November of the following year, the subject of this sketch returned to the Eastern States, entered upon the practice of medicine at Cahaba, Dallas county, Alabama, stayed there from January, 1852, until January, 1866, and then moved to Summerfield, principally on account of the educational advantages possessed by that place. Here he remained until the Winter of 1868, when he again turned westward to California. After remaining for six months to the north of the San Joaquin, he ultimately settled in Gilroy, Santa Clara county, in April, 1868. Married, December 27, 1846, C. C. Greene, a native of South Carolina, by whom he has: Mary E., now Mrs. J. W. Allen. of Tulare county; Sallie M., now Mrs. J. W. Lovell; Georgia S., now Mrs. G. H. Williams; Susan I .; Cornelia M., and Charles.
Truman Farman. Born in Oneida county, New York, March 16, 1801. When a mere child his parents emigrated to New Haven, Oswego county. In the year 1837 we find him in the southern part of Wisconsin engaged in farming. This State he left in 1842, and proceeded to Hebron, MeHenry county, Illinois, where, although a Republican, and the administration Democratic, Mr. Farman was Postmaster for a number of years, notwith- standing several attempts were made to oust him. He came to California vin Nicaragua and landed at San Francisco, February 3, 1856, proceeding to Gilroy three weeks after. Here he located on a farm a mile and a half from the town and engaged in ranching until 1869, when he moved into the town and built himself a home. Mr. Farman owns a considerable quantity of town property. Married, November 20, 1823, Cerene Perkins, a native of Williamston, New York, who died May 19, 1875, by whom he had nine children, all being dead but two: Lucinda A., Sarah A., Alty C .. Seth MI., Weltha A., Sabrina A., Evander O., Fernando R., and George P .; married secondly, July, 1877, Mrs. E. B. Scott, a native of Ohio.
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