USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 69
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Asa Ferguson (Deceased). Of English descent, and whose paternal ances- tors originally settled near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, was born in North Caro- lina, June 14, 1805. About the year 1811, his parents moved, by way of the " Cumberland Gap " route and Kentucky, crossing the Ohio river at the vil- lage of Cincinnati, to the new territory of Indiana. During the first two years the colony of pioneer families experienced the usual hardships incident to border life, and were kept in a nervous state of alarm by hostile Indians; and for inntual safety the women and children were often crowded into "the Fort," or wooden stockade, while the able-bodied men were engaged in clear-
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ing and cultivating the land, or skirmishing with " Proctor's allies." After a residence of fifteen or sixteen years in Indiana, Mr. Ferguson removed to Ver- million county, in the new State of Illinois, and erecting a "round-log-cabin" on a quarter-section of Uncle Sam's generous domain, once more engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. In the year 1832 the Asiatic cholera made its first appearance in Northern Illinois, while the celebrated Indian chief, " Black Hawk," added to the excitement by raiding on the exposed frontier settle- ments. In this miniature fight, Mr. Ferguson as a volunteer " high-private," served with zeal until his regiment was disbanded by General Atkinson. Soon afterwards he grew weary of devoting so much hard labor in turning the " prairie sod," attended with so little pay, and engaged extensively in buying droves of cattle in Southern Illinois and Indiana and driving them north to the new territories of Wisconsin and Michigan, and to the then diminutive towns of Chicago, Detroit, and the embryo village of Milwaukee City. An old French trader or trapper and his Indian wife had just sold a tract of land-the present site of this beautiful and flourishing city-and Mr. Ferguson was among the first to speculate in the lots then being offered. He, with many others, was seized with this speculative fever, and soon acquiring a handsome little sum proceeded, in 1836, to New York City to purchase a stock of goods. While there he was alvised by " older heads " to close out the remainder of his Milwaukee and Chicago lots, contract his business and prepare for a financial " crisis " that would soon shake up and sweep over the entire north-western country. Upon his return to Chicago and Milwaukee he was prompt to follow this advice, closed out in time to save a little, and returned to Vermillion county, Illinois, where he engaged in merchandising and farming until 1839, when he removed to Cape Girardeau county, Missouri. He was quite prosperous in this new location, and his independent spirit and untiring energy prompted several old settlers on one occasion to inquire of him if he was not a " Yankee." He assured his inquisitive friends that he was, though minus the " blue streak." In the Spring of 1847 his business had so expanded in several States as to justify his removal to the city of Philadelphia, where he remained until 1850, mean- while actively engaged in the commission and mercantile business. In the Spring of 1854, owing mainly to ill- health, he was induced, though at a pecuniary loss, to cross the plains with an outfit and drove of cattle bound for California, hoping the overland journey and a new climate would mate- rially benefit his health. He arrived at San Jose in October of that year, where he resided until the following year, when he settled at Gilroy and located on the tract of land now occupied by his two sons, J. L. and M. L. Ferguson. He died November 11, 1863, and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery at San José. Mr. Ferguson was married, October 2, 1828, to Parthenia S. Anderson, a native of Madison county, Kentucky. She was born July 15,
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THE NEW YORK PULMO LIBRARY
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1807, and still survives and is in the enjoyment of excellent health. When a mere child her parents became so imbued with anti-slavery sentiments that they sold out their " Old Kentucky Home" and removed to the new and free territory of Indiana Mrs. Ferguson's ancestors were of the hardly " Scotch-Irish, Presbyterian colony " that settled at a very early day in Angusta county, Virginia. Her family now consists of seven grown children.
Spencer P. Fine. Born in LaFayette county, Missouri, May 13, 1836, and there received his early education. In 1854 he came with his father to California, crossing the plains with a drove of cattle, and located first at Mayfield, Santa Clara county. In 1856 he settled with his father on his present property ; in 1857 he conducted a grazing ranch in the mountains, where he continued until the dronth of 1864, when he returned to his home- stead and has since resided thereon. In July, 1859, he returned to the East, and in December entered Jones' Commercial School, there completing his education, being, however, obliged to leave on account of ill-health before the time of graduating. In June, 1860, he returned to this county, and has since been engaged in farming. Married, May 13, 1868, Maryline Mccutchen , a native of California, by whom he has: Spencer, born February 26, 1870; Lidgard, born May 22, 1872; Milbra, born July 16, 1874, died November 17, 1880; Ada, born January 20, 1878; Bertie, born August 26, 1880.
James Fitzgerald. Was born in Canada, June 1, 1840, and is the eldest son of Patrick and Johanna Fitzgerald. In his native place he received his education and was raised a farmer; in 1851 he started to Cali- fornia, arriving June 18, 1851; he came direct to Santa Clara county, located in Gilroy township on the ranch of eleven hundred acres he now occupies, and there resides with his aged mother. His father died in Canada, August 26, 1849. The subject of this sketch attended the Santa Clara College in the year 1852, where he finished his education. Is unmarried.
John S. Fitzgerald. Youngest son of Patrick and Johanna Fitzgerald, born in Canada, May 24, 1848. His father died August 26, 1849, and in 1851 his mother and family emigrated to California, via Panama, landing in San Francisco June 18, 1851. The family settled at once in Gilroy township, Santa Clara county, where the subject of this sketch has ever since resided; here he received his education, finishing with a term at the Pacific Business College, San Francisco, in 1870. He married, February 5, 1872, Mamie M., daughter of Captain Gray, by whom he had two children: John, born December 7, 1872: Frances, born Angust 8, 1874. Mrs. Mamie Fitzgerald died March 4, 1872. On August 13, 1879, he married Louisa, youngest daughter of the late Dr. Diezmann, of Graytown, Central America, and has: James, born May 18, 1880.
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Patrick Fitzgerald. Born in Canada, April 18, 1843. In 1853, when ten years old, he accompanied his parents to California, and, traveling via the Isthmus of Panama, arrived in San Francisco in June of that year. He came direct to Santa Clara county; located in Gilroy, where he was edu- cated and grew to manhood. His first employment was herding cattle, and working on a farm. In 1875 he embarked in the livery business in Gilroy, in partnership with his brother William, in which occupation he is now engaged. Married, January 30, 1881, May A. Fitzgerald, a native of Cali- fornia.
William Fitzgerald. Born in Frampton township, Canada, April 14, 1845. At the age of eight years he came to California, with his parents, ria the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco June, 1853. The family coming direct to Santa Clara county, they located in Gilroy township, where Mr. Fitzgerald Sr., followed farming for several years, our subject being reared a farmer. In 1875, with his brother Patrick, he engaged in the livery business in Gilroy, which they now conduct. Married, April 21 1879, Margaret Cullen, a native of Canada, by whom he has : Mary Kate, born March 27, 1880.
Charles Francois. Born in France, March 20, 1819. In the year 1855 he emigrated to the United States, and, after residing in New York for nearly six years, came to San Francisco, where he arrived Novem- ber 26, 1861. There he remained until he located on his present farm of one hundred and eighty acres, October 1, 1867. Mr. François has twenty-five acres of a vineyard. Married, September 13, 1853, Adele De Vaux, a native of France, who was born January 3, 1833.
W. N. Furlong. The subject of this sketch is a native of Canada, hav- ing been born there March 21, 1836, but losing his parents at a very tender age he was thrown upon his own resources. The early part of his life was spent in New York City and New Jersey, and finally settled in Phila- delphia where Mr. Furlong received his scholastic training and acquired the carpenter's trade, but his keen foresight having showed him there was in the broad and beautiful occident a destiny that only required the hands of industry to consummate, he bade farewell to the quaint old Quaker city on December 1, 1858, and being " cribbed, cabined and confined " for a space on board the steamer Golden Age, landed in California on the 28th of the same month. At the end of two months' toil, and obtaining an insight into the modus operandi of the trade on the coast, we find Mr. Furlong develop- ing into a Contractor, in addition to the cares of his bench. Eight years of these undertakings having expired, he next engaged in the lumber trade for four years in partnership with William Hanna, at the same time having
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some transactions in real estate. In the year 1868 we find he has sold his lumber interest and bought into the Hollister Homestead Association, but soon disposing of his share in that enterprise he embarked in real estate operations in Oakland, Alameda county, being at the same time interested in the Bank of Gilroy. In 1874, he retired from these affairs. It is not alone as a man of commercial enterprise that Mr. Furlong's ability has been recognized, for in the year 1871 he was elected to the responsible position of Supervisor for District No. 3, by an overwhelming majority, and served for two terms of four years each. In addition to the onerous duties consequent on this exalted position, he filled the Mayor's Chair in the City of Gilroy from the years 1874 to 1876. Mr. Furlong is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on his property comprising six hundredl acres, whither he moved in January, 1879. Married, December 5, 1861, Mary E. White, a native of New Orleans, born September 6, 1839, who came to the Pacific coast on her way to Oregon in 1843, by whom he has: Albert W., born June 9, 1863; Mary Caroline, born June 11, 1867; George Washington, born February 22, 1870. We cannot conclude this slight biography of Mr. Fur- long without recording that in all his relations as privat; citizen and public officer, he has ever maintained the character of an exemplary man, whose efficiency is unquestioned and whose integrity is above suspicion. Mr. Fur- long was elected, February 28, 1876, Supervisor for the Seventh District, when the county was redistrieted.
Laban H. Gruwell. Born in Fayette county, In liana, March 5, 1816. Accompanying his parents when eleven years of age to Quincy, Illinois, he was there educated and resided for the following seven years. When at eigh- teen he was employed in the office of the County Sheriff as collector, being made a deputy one year later. This position he held four years when he moved to Carthage. In the year 1836 he moved to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he was Deputy Sheriff for two years, and in 1852 crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, first locating near San José, Santa Clara county, on the 14th of October of that year. For the first two months Mr. Gruwell kept a boarding-house; in the Spring of 1853 he purchased a ranch near Santa Clara which he occupied until 1862, farming also during this period in Amador and Napa counties. In the last-mentioned year he left Napa and took up his domicile in Santa Clara county, where he engaged in stock-raising on a farm of four hundred acres; in 1864 he disposed of his ranch and removed to Lake county where he dwelt until the Fall of 1870 when he returned to Santa Clara. In 1875 Mr. Gruwell moved to San Luis Obispo and there conducted a hotel for two years; for two years more he was engaged in the dairying business; when, owing to the failure of his wife's health he returned to this valley, purchased a farm near Gilroy, where he has since resided. Mr.
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Gruwell was Deputy Sheriff in Napa county during the year 1858. He married. November 16, 1837, Eliza Jane Wilson, a native of Kentucky, and has: Amanda M., born September 15, 1838; Jacob O., born December 23, 1840; Ann, born February 24, 1842; Joseph W., born May 14, 1844; Jenette, born March 24, 1847; Ruth A., born July 21, 1849; Jemima M., born March 3, 1852; George W., born April 1, 1854; Charles L., born July 30, 1856; Betty, born November 21, 1858; Laura, born March 9, 1861
Hon. William Hanna. The subject of this sketch was born in Union county, Indiana, August 5, 1812. When twenty-two years old he moved to Warren county, Illinois, where he engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising. Owing to failing health he sold his possessions in Illinois and in December, 1859, sailed wwith his family by way of Panama for the more mi d and health-giving climate of California, arriving in San Francisco January 9, 1860, from whence he came direct to Gilroy, where he has since resided. Mr. Hanna belongs to an ancient and honorable family, many of whom shed their blood in the cause that gave us a free and happy republic. He was married, December 14, 1848, to Rebekah Cresswell, daughter of Gen- eral Samuel Cresswell of Ohio, by whom he had nine children, five boys and four girls, four of whom are dead and five living. Mr. Hanna soon after arriv- ing at Gilroy engaged actively and extensively in the lumber business, and to him more than to any other member of that community, belongs the honor of the rapid growth and symmetrical homes of the beautiful little city of Gilroy. No deserving man ever sought his help to build a house for himself and fam- ily in vain. No man stands higher or is more beloved by the community, and is justly renowned for his unsullied morals, his rigid integrity and his high sense of honor. He has served the city of Gilroy in the capacity of Councilman and Mayor and was elected by a large majority of the citizens of Santa Clara county to the Legislature in 1877, whom he represented with his usual conscientious uprightness, always casting his vote in favor of justice, and against corruption and frauds. Few men are better informed on governmental and scientific subjects than Mr. Hanna, he being an ardent and devoted student of the latter. He is the inventor and patentee of two improvements in mechanism which bid fair to revolutionize steam propell- ing power on land and sea. Though strong, physically and intellectually, he is now in the sere and yellow leaf of life and has retired from the active cares of business pursuits, and lives in the peaceful repose of a happy home, sur- rounded by devoted children where he can serenely review a life spent without a stain to sully or a blot to mar its escutcheon.
William Hartshorn. Born in Pendleton, Lancashire, England, in April, 1817. In the year 1848 he emigrated to the United States, first set
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tling in St. Louis, where he engaged in coal mining for two and one-half years. He then went to Salt Lake and passed the Winter and Spring. Carson Valley was his home until 1856, in which year he came to California. Mr. Hartshorn and family arrived in Gilroy November 3, 1856. In a short time he located on his present property of two hundred and fifty-five aeres, situated five miles west of Gilroy. Married, February 3, 1842, Sarah Bowen, a native of England, who was born in 1819, and has: M. E., now Mrs. John D. Burns, born October 31, 1859, in St. Louis, Missouri; and M. J., born August 23, 1855, in Carson Valley, Nevada.
Adam Herold. Was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 13, 1842. Arrived in New York, February 7, 1869, and soon after proceeded to Buf- falo, but remaining there only four months, came to California where he arrived July 3d, of that year. He was first employed for four months on a farm in Contra Costa county; he then came to Santa Clara county, but left in 1872 and conducted for five years a public house on the Pacheco Pass road. Mr. Herold next came to Gilroy, bought the Gilroy Brewery, and has since been its proprietor. Married, in 1869, Clara Rosa Brown, a native of Germany, by whom he has : Rudolph, Eugene, Matilda, and Oscar.
P. C. Hodges. Born in Surry county, North Carolina, July 19, 1825, where he resided and was educated. When twenty-two years of age he took up a residence in JJackson county, Missouri, and there remained for some four years. May 9, 1852, he started across the plains for California and arrived in Napa county, November 28th, of that year, where he remained for eleven months, at the expiry of which he removed to Santa Clara county. Locating in the vicinity of San Jose, he followed the occupation of a teamster, for the most part, until 1867, in the Fall, when he transferred his residence to Gilroy township. In the Spring of 1869, in partnership with Mr. Whitehurst, he erected a saw-mill in the French redwoods where they jointly own two thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of timber land. Mr. Hodges married, December 4, 1870, Judith Franklin, a native of North Carolina.
Milton T. Holsclaw. This worthy pioneer was born in Howard county, Missouri, July 12, 1827, where he received a limited education, and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, who carried on that business in connection with farming. He is the eldest of fourteen children, ten of whom lived to man's estate. Mr. Holsclaw joined the Christian Church, August 23, 1849. In company with his brothers, Clifton D., and James P. Holsclaw, the subject of our narrative, left his native State to cross the plains for California, arriving at Diamond Springs the 9th September of that year. Here they erected the second house in that place, established a pro-
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vision depot and made it their headquarters, also engaging in mining in the Martinez and Weber creeks, finally moving, in January, 1851, to the mid- dle fork of the Cosumne river, where they were successful, until April 1st, making from forty to fifty dollars a day per man. At this time Mr. Hols- elaw's two brothers joined the forces sent to meet the Indians, while our subject proceeded to Sacramento City, where, purchasing a wagon and team, he commenced freighting to Grass Valley, Yuba, and Placerville. In the month of June he laid in a stock of provisions, and, proceeding to Shasta City, sold them, but so bold were the natives that he had to stand guard over his mules in the very heart of the town. He then returned to Saera- mento, after a rapid march from fear of Indians, and there, on July 3d, once more joined his brothers. The National Holiday they passed in that city, and on the day after started southwards, visiting Stockton, Livermore Pass, Mission San Jose, San Jose City, and finally arrived at Gilroy, August 2, 1851, determining there to make their home; his brother, J. P. Holsclaw, and himself being the two first members of a Protestant Church to locate there. Here they kept open house to members of all Christian denominations, the first arrangement of the South Methodist Church in the district being organ- ized there in 1853. In September, 1851, he started the first blacksmith shop in Gilroy. In 1852, the Holselaw brothers raised the first crop of wheat in the Gilroy District, which they conveyed to Alviso and sold at eight cents per pound. In the following year they added barley to their productions, and manufactured some flour, which they disposed of in a radius of thirty miles, on credit, to all that wanted bread. The honesty of the settlers is fully borne out by Mr. Holsclaw's statement that out of six thousand dol- lars' worth of produce thus sold, he lost only sixteen dollars. In 1854 he moved on to the farm now occupied by Hon. T. R. Thomas. In 1854-5 he was Constable of Gilroy township. In 1856 he sold his farm, and moved to the tract now occupied by Mr. Graff and Frank Smith. This he dis- posed of, in 1858, and moved to the lot on which the railroad depot now stands. In 1859 he disposed of this property, and built the house now occu- pied by D. Hildebrand, and there resided until he purchased, in 1860, a farm near that of D. Zuck, where he dwelt until 1867. In 1868, selling his land, he embarked in the sheep business, and moved his family to the town of Gilroy. In 1872, disposing of this last enterprise, he purchased the property known as the Homestead tract, where he now resides. In 1875 he sold his town property, and took up his residence on the farm. Mr. Holsclaw mar- ried, February 11, 1855, Mary Ann Zuck, a native of Marion county, Ohio, by whom he has had ten children. Of these, the following are now living : William B., born March 6, 1860; Florence Mabel, born November 28, 1871; Gracie Ellen, born March 16, 1874.
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M. E. Hunter. Born at Salem Hill, now known as New Salem, Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, April 25, 1841. Moved to Montagne, Massa- chusetts at an early age, and there received his preparatory schooling. At the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the watchmaker's trale, in Boston, Massachussetts, where he resided until the breaking out of the Rebellion, at which time he enlisted for three months. Again enlisted in the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, for three years. At the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, was commissioned, at the request of Brigadier General A. S. Hart- well, and was immediately appointed to a position on the General's Staff, and at the time of being mustered out, was holding the position of A. A. C. S. of Brigade, at Orangeburg, South Carolina. In 1865, and for two years thereafter, he was working at his trade in Chicago, Illinois. February 23, 1868, he arrived in San Francisco, California, and in May of same year located in Gilroy, Santa Clara county, where he has since resided, working at his profession, and dealing in watches, jewelry, books, etc. Married, February 7, 1864, Lavinia A. Wilson, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, by whom he has had three children, one, Lizzie C., born November 29, 1863, now liv- ing.
Hugh Stephenson Jones. The subject of this biography, whose por- trait appears in this work, is a native of Madison county, Kentucky, where he was born, January 9, 1832. When quite young, his parents moved to Mon- roe county, Missouri, where they resided until they left for the Pacific coast. On March 10, 1849, they commenced the arduous undertaking of crossing the plains, by the southern route, to California, and arrived at San Jose, in the following January. After remaining there some months, they proceeded to Merced county, but, staying there only a short time, came back to Santa Clara county, in the township of which name, the father, William Jones, took up a tract of land. Here Mr. Jones, Senior, farmed until his death, in October, 1865. In 1852-3, the gentleman now under notice, atten led the old brick school, in Santa Clara, where he finished his education, and, in 1854, returned to Monroe county, Missouri, via Panama and New Orleans, and married, in Bowling Green, Pike county, Missouri, March 22, 1854, Mary F. Blaine, a native of Virginia, who died Angust 17, 1863. May 1, 1854, Mr. Jones once more came to California, by way of the plains, bringing with him a drove of cattle, and came direct to Gilroy township, where he has since been interested. He is the owner of a farm of six hun lred acres, and a fine mountain range, about three miles east of Gilroy, on which he is principally engaged in stock-raising. Mr. Jones has held the office of School Trustee of the San Ysidro district for ten years, and has been a member of the Masonic order since 1857. Married, secondly, Henrietta Freeze, a native of Germany, January 1, 1872, by whom he has: Lee, born, June 1, 1873; Maud, born,
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August 31, 1875; George, born, October 6, 1877. The children by his first marriage are: Corinne, born May 17, 1856; Henry, born November 29, 1839; William, born April 12, 1861; Charles, born July 9, 1863.
Thomas Kickham. Born in Ireland, in the year 1839. When nine years of age, he emigrated to the United States with his parents, and settled in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he remained three years; thence he proceeded to Louisiana; from there to Texas, for eighteen months; and finally to New Orleans, where he remained until 1849, in which memor- able year he came to California, by way of Panama. After a six months' stay in San Francisco, Mr. Kickham proceeded to the mines in Calaveras county, where he was located for the chief part of seven years. In 1862, he arrived in Santa Clara county, and embarked in stock-raising near San Felipe, but afterwards moved to the Cañada de los Osas, and, in 1878, set- tled on his present property. Married, in 1872, Margaret Redmond, a native of Canada, and has: William J., born in June, 1877.
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