USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 75
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John H. Dibble. Whose portrait appears in this book, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1819. When two years old he removed with his parents to New Lisbon, Ohio, having learned the tinsmith trade
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in Pittsburgh with R. M. Dawson. After traveling through several States he settled in New York City where he followed his business for eleven years. August 5, 1854, he embarked for California on the steamer George Law, and was on the Isthmus of Panama four days; took passage on the steamer Sonora, Captain R. Whiling, and arrived in San Francisco August 31st. Remained in San Francisco in the employment of G. & W. Snook until April, 1857, when he came to Santa Clara where he established his present stove, tin and work shop. Mr. Dibble has been a member of the Town Board of Trustees of Santa Clara seven years, and five years on the Board of Education. He has been a member of Santa Clara Lodge, No 32, I. O. O. F., twenty-four years, and Treasurer of the same fifteen years; is a Char- ter Member of Santa Clara Encampment, No. 32, I. O. O. F., established January, 1868. Married, in Santa Clara, May 7, 1860, Lucy Parker, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 4, 18+1, by whom he has four living children, viz .: George Ira, born February 10, 1861; Frank M., born Sep- tember 27, 1862; Julia, born May 21, 1866; Charley W., born November 25, 1872.
R. B. Donavan. Born in Georgetown, Sussex county, Delaware, Sat- urday, March S, 1823. When twelve years old he accompanied his parents to Cass county, Indiana, there engaging in farming and lumbering until he started for California, February 23, 1853. . Traveling by way of the Isthmus of Panama, he arrived in San Francisco on the 31 April, and soon after proceeded to the mines, near Placerville, El Dorado county. In July of that year he left the pursuit of gold and came to Mission San Jose, now Alameda county, where he engaged in the live-stock and butcher business for ten years. In 1863 he transferred his habitation to the town of Santa Clara and established a mining-stock business. In 1867 he opened his present market in Santa Clara, in a handsome building, fifty by eighty feet, besides which he possesses considerable real estate in the town, as well as a one hundred and thirty-acre farm, about two miles from it. Married, at Georgetown, Indiana, September 16, 1844, Julia Meyers, and has : Napoleon, Clara E., Zulemi, F. C., Owen, Dollie, Cornelia, Nettie.
Captain Frank Dunn. Was born in the State of Maine, July 27, 1833. He commenced a seafaring life quite young, his parents in the mean- time taking up their residence in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he resided at intervals until 1861. From the smallest beginnings he has risen to positions of responsibility, attaining command of a sailing vessel at twenty-four years of age, and since being master of different ships and steamers. For several years he was in the employ of the Japanese Government, and commanded for four or five years the Mitsu Bishi steamship Tokio Maru, formerly the New
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
York, belonging to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. In 1878 he came to Santa Clara county, purchased ninety acres of land, near Lawrence's Station, erected a handsome residence thereon (Okubo Villa), which is replete with many valuable curiosities of Oriental art, while the building, which is English in design, is surrounded with grounds of the utmost taste and beauty. Captain Dunn, at the present writing, is in China, attending to business affairs, his wife being the occupant of their lovely home. Married, in Gloucester, Massa- chusetts, June 19, 1861, Helen M., daughter of William Fears, of a promi- nent and well-known family of that State.
Jacob Eberhard. Born in Germany, May 5, 1837. In the year 1852 he left his native country and came to the United States, proceeding to Galena, Illinois, where he prosecuted his calling of harnessmaker. After visiting St. Louis, Missouri, and other cities, he started via Panama for California. In the year 1858 he landed at San Francisco; going at once to Sacramento, where he engaged at his trade until 1865, when he came to Santa Clara and purchased an interest in the tannery in that town. Eighteen months later he bought the remaining shares of his partners, and is at pres- ent the sole proprietor of the establishment. Married, at Santa Clara, November 1, 1864, Mary Glein, a native of Germany, by whom he has nine children, viz .: Luisa, born November 9, 1867; Mary, born March 3, 1869; John J., born February 6, 1871; Clara, born August 18, 1873; Emelia, born April 7, 1875; Matilda, born January 3, 1877; Hilda, born January 27, 1878; Henry P., born May 20, 1879; Ottelia, born May 24, 1880.
F. E. Farmer. Born in Bel Air, Harford county, Maryland, where he resided until he was about nine years of age when he made a voyage to Brazil, in his unele's ship, and there received his education. He came to California via the Straits of Magellan, in the steamer Tennessee in the year 1850, and remained in the employ of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company about four years; was on board the steamer S. S. Lewis, being one of her complement when she was wrecked on the northern coast of California. On this occurrence he returned to San Francisco and worked for some two years in the Vulcan Foundry, when he removed to Santa Clara, where he has been farming for nearly twenty-four years. He disposed of his ranch in 1880. Mr. Farmer was a Deputy County Assessor from 1876 to 1879, and at the regular charter election of the town of Santa Clara, held April 4, 1881, was elected to the office of Town Marshal. Married, at Watsonville, Mon- terey county, April 16, 1858, Mary A. Ryan, and has five children, viz .: Frank, born July 16, 1859; Henry, born July 14, 1861; James, born Jan- mary 16, 1865; Frederick Edwin, born March 4, 1872; Edith Catherine, born February 22, 1875.
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Otto Finger. Born in Germany, where he learned the trade of land- scape gardener. In the year 1868, Mr. Finger came to the United States and direet to San Francisco, where he followed his business for some time. He then proceeded to Portland, Oregon, and about five years ago established himself in Santa Clara, where in addition to his legitimate occupation he conducts the resort known as Finger's Park. This gentleman is regarded as unexeelled in his partienlar line, and has laid out many fine parks in this, and his native land. Married, at San Francisco, May, 1874, M. Singstarken, by whom he has one child: Ottilia, born at Santa Clara, March 21, 1876.
Hon. Frederich Christian Franck. The subject of the present sketch was born at Washbacherhof, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, December 23, 1828. He left his native country in the year 1846 and emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City, where he worked at his trade of saddler and harnessmaker for about eighteen months. At the end of that time he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence to Louisville, Kentucky. Remaining there but a short time, he found his way to St. Louis, Missouri, · from which point he proceeded down the Mississippi river to New Orleans ; from there to Texas, and afterwards to Natchez, Mississippi, where he con- tinued at his trade for three years. Leaving Natehez, he started for Cali- fornia by way of New Orleans, Havana and Chagres; crossing the Isthmus of Panama on foot, he resumed his journey on board the steamer Golden Gate, and ultimately landed at San Francisco in the month of February, 1852. Two weeks after his arrival in California Mr. Franck proceeded to the mines at Long Bar on the Yuba river, but not meeting with success in this venture he returned to San Francisco. A month later we find him at Morrison's ravine, on the Feather river, where he worked in the mines for a term of six months. He then went to Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne county, where he remained but a short time. We next find him at Murphy's Camp, Calaveras county, from which place, after a brief sojourn, he proceeded to Columbia, Tuolumne county ; mining there until the Fall of 1853, he onee more returned to San Francisco, and engaged in the saddlery business until March, 1855, when he came to San Jose ; staying here one month, he removed to Santa Clara, and entering the employ of H. Messing was soon taken into partnership. In the Fall of 1859 Mr. Messing retired from the firm and Mr. Franck continued the business in his own name until 1875. During his residence at Santa Clara Mr. Franck has enjoyed the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens, having been elected to various positions of trust. He served as Town Trustee for eight consecutive years, and has been an active member of the Fire Department since February 1, 1856. Upon the erea- tion of the office of Chief Engineer of the latter body in 1875 he was elected to fill this position, and was continued in office until June, 1881. He is
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also a Past Grand, in good standing, of Santa Clara Lodge No. 52, I. O. O. F., and a Charter Member of Encampment No. 34. Mr. Franck has always been identified with the Republican party, and in recognition of his services was in 1871 elected to the Assembly for two years, and at the expiration of this period was re-elected for a similar term of office, serving his county faithfully and well. In September, 1857, he was married, at Santa Clara, to Miss Carolina Durmeyer, and has two children living, the elder of which, Carolina S., was born June 28, 1871, and the younger, Frederich Christian, Jr., August 17, 1873.
Andrew T. Gallager. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, May 4, 1831. He sailed for California, in the bark John WV. Cuton, via Cape Horn, October 18, 1848, and arrived in San Francisco March 14, 1849. Two weeks after, he purchased the launch Mary and Catherine, but sold her when he had made a few trips to Sonoma. He now proceeded to the mines, at Sullivan's Camp, Tuolumne county, but at the end of four months, removed to Santa Clara county, obtaining employment in the redwoods, but only remaining there four weeks; then he commenced teaming between that point and Alvi-o. He next commenced the occupation of freight carrier, from Alviso to San Jose and Santa Clara, a business he pursued for two years, when he became clerk in the warehouse at the first- mentioned place. About this period he commenced farming on his present ranch, going to reside there in June, 1853. In 1850. Mr. Gallager was elected Constable of Washington township (now comprised in Alameda county); in 1851, was chosen to the position of Marshal of the town of Alviso; while he has severally held the offices of a School Trustee and Roadmaster. Married, at Alviso, September 26, 1852, Maria Remonda, daughter of John Martin, who died May 31, 1879, by whom he has had fourteen children. The following are the names and dates of the birth of those living : Martha, born May 1, 1855; Andrew T., Jr., born March 17, 1857; Edward E., born December 26, 1860; Richard, born August 10, 1863; George F., born Sp- tember 18, 1865; Bascaleseria, born July 13, 1867; Alford, born April 5, 1869; Charles W., born June 7, 1871; William, born June 16, 1873; Mabel S., born November 18, 1875.
August Habich. Born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, December 24, 1837. When eighteen years of age, he came to the United States, direct to Califor- nia, and at once proceeded to Santa Clara, where he was employed in the store of his brother. In 1863, he visited Germany, married, returned to Santa Clara, and established the business he now conducts. Five years ago he constructed the very substantial store he now occupies, being one hun- dred and ten feet by forty in dimensions, on the site of the former adobe
1
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building used for the purpose, while later he purchased from E. Cramer, the large steam feed-mill in Santa Clara, where he transacts a large and protitable business. Married, in Frankfort-on-the-Main, by the Consul for the United States, April 6, 1864, Augusta Cramer, and has three children: Martin, born March 18, 1865; Walter, born September 7, 1868; Bertha, born September 18, 1872.
Captain R. K. Ham. The subject of this sketch was born in Stafford county, New Hampshire, August 3, 1821, where he passed the carlier years of his life. At the age of nineteen years, he sailed on a whaling voyage in the ship Eliza Adams, from Fair Haven, to the South Pacific, during which he visited many parts of South America and the South Sea Islands, from off one of which (Easter Island) they took a boy, kept him until he learned to speak the English language, and returned him at the end of eighteen months. At the close of three years he returned home and engaged in the Atlantic coast- ing trade until 1848, when he sailed in the ship Capitol, via Cape Horn, for California. July 19, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco, but remaining there only two months, he left for Murphy's New Diggings, Tuolumne county, worked there for a couple of months, and then proceeded to Stockton, where he was employed in building a hotel, at twelve dollars per day wages. This establishment was destroyed by fire the day after its completion. Captain Ham now returned to San Francisco, and in the Winter of 1849-50, con- structed a sloop called the Robin, in April, he loaded her with lumber, at the freight of forty dollars per thousand feet, and with her traded between San Francisco and different points on the Bay, until July, 1853, at which date he was the owner of seven coasters. In August, 1853, he came to Santa Clara, built a livery stable and opened it on December 26th of the same year, continuing in that business ever since. The Captain is a partner in the firm of Renton, Holmes & Co., lumber dealers of San Francisco; he also owns six hundred and fifty acres of the pueblo lands in the Santa Clara valley, as well as three hundred and twenty more in the Calaveras valley, Milpitas township; is one of the Directors of the Bank of Santa Clara County; and possesses much property in different parts of the State. Is unmarried
Walter F. Hargis. Born in Smith county, Tennessee, February 7, 1825. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Graves county, Kentucky, and there resided until 1847. In that year he went to Mexico as a volunteer in Company B, Second Illinois Regiment, Colonel Bissell commanding, attached to the division of General Wood, and with them proceeded through Texas, crossed the Rio Grande at Presidio, thence into Mexico to Buena Vista, where, February 22 and 23, 1848, he took part
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
in the battle fought. Remaining here until My, the corps was marched to Camargo, where Mr. Hargis was honorably discharged, his time having expired. He then returned to Kentucky, where he remained until 1850, in which year he crossed the plains to California, with horse teams, and arrived at Hangtown (now Placerville), El Dorado county, September 12, 1850. He first proceeded to Pedro Bar, Tuolumne county, where he mined until February, 1852; thence to Santa Cruz county, and there farmed until 1853. He then moved to Watsonville, in the same county, where he followed the like occupation for two years. In 1855 he went to Shasta county, and mined on the Trinity river until July, 1858. Next we find him at the Frazer river diggings, but not finding anything there he returned to California, came back to Santa Clara county, and located about a mile south-east of the spot where he now resides. In 1863 he disposed of the farm, and moved to San José, but at the end, of eight months, purchased his present property of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Hargis married, firstly, March 28, 1861, Susan Campbell, who died December 9, 1869; and secondly, May 21, 1871, Libbie Messersmith. He has five children, viz .: Walter L., born June 24, 1860; Jessie U., born June 6, 1873 ; Fred. S., born February 4, 1875; Frank M., born March 20, 1879; Harry E., born May 12, 1881.
A. B. Hunter Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, November 26, 1826. When quite young he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and after a short time, with his half-sis- ter, went to Washington county, Missouri, and there received his education. Mr. Hunter was engaged in business in that State until 1849, when he crossed the plains to California, and immediately proceeded to Bidwell's Bar, on the Feather river, where he remained until the Fall of 1850. He now moved to American valley, Plumas county, where he was one of the first settlers. In 1852 he came to Santa Clara county, and remained two years. In 1855 he returned, however, and located on his present farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, where he has erected a fine residence. He is Treasurer of the Santa Clara Cheese Factory. Married, at Santa Clara, September 18, 1855, Ann Rutledge, and has: John F., born August 22, 1856; Min- nie J., born May 12, 1858; Frank A., born October 7, 1860; Carrie T., born January 15, 1863; Ernest A., born November 26, 1874.
Hon. Samuel I. Jamison. The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait appears in this work, was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, June 26, 1828, where he resided on a farm until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to Cumberland to a high school for two years, after which he entered a mercantile house, and served as a clerk until he was twenty-one, when he started for California, landing in San
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Francisco in October, 1849. He almost immediately started for the mines, his first month of gold-seeking being near Chinese Camp, Tuol- umne county. This experience would appear to have satiated the desire of Mr. Jamison, for we find him, in December of the same year, in company with Philip Mendenhall of Alameda county, getting lum- ber out of the redwoods with whip-saws. Here he worked during that Winter, 1849-50; in the Spring the supply was "hauled out" and sold. That season (the Spring of 1850) he located the ranch he now occupies, about three miles from the city of Santa Clara. In the Fall he took up his residence thercon, and has lived there ever since. It comprises one hundred and eighty-five aeres of land, of excellent quality, which produces straw- berries, grain, and hay, in abundance, while the residence and offices are replete with every modern improvement. In the year. 1869 Mr. Jamison was elected to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara county. In 1875 he was called by the voice of his fellow-citizens to represent the county in the House of Assembly, when he ran ahead of all other candidates ; while we may observe that his first vote was cast in the Democratic cause, from whose principles he has never swerved. He is a Director of the Bank of Santa Clara County, and President of the Santa Clara Cheese Manufacturing Company. Mr. Jamison has thrice been wedded, on the last occasion, to Car- rie W. Cleneay, of Missouri. His three wives were reared within a stone's throw of each other. He is the father of fifteen children, eleven now living. The names and dates of their birth are: Emma S., born March 30, 1860; Robert H., born August 21, 1862; Ora B., and Pauline J. (twins), born June 23, 1866; Frank C., born October 21, 1870; Mary Etta, born February 9, 1872; Howard, born May 27, 1873; Eva, bom December 25, 1874; Lottie C., born April 13, 1876; Samuel I., born January 31, 1878; Relfe L., born June 24, 1880. Those deceased are: Joe S., born December 28, 1854; Mollie E., born December 8, 1855; Belt P., born January 22, 1857; Eddie P., born July 3, 1861.
James M. Kenyon. Born in Adams county, Ohio, May 29, 1817, and there received his schooling. After learning the trade of carpenter, he continued to work at it in Cincinnati, and different parts of Iowa and Illinois, and finally returned to his native home in Ohio, from whence he moved with two of his brothers to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he settled on a farm cornering in Fillmore, and there resided until May, 1849, when he came to California, via the Hudspeth route. Arriving at Ringgold, El Dorado county, the 5th of October of that year, he spent the Winter there and moved to Coloma in the Spring of 1850. In the Fall he moved to San Jose, where he built a house half-way between First street and the Coyote bridge, and in the same Fall moved to his present home of two hundred and forty-
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
two acres, two miles and a half west of Santa Clara, where he still resides. He was married in Nodaway county, Missouri, April 6, 1843, to Martha Roberts, a native of Lewis county, Kentucky, by whom he has five children living, viz .: Sarah F., now Mrs. Gardner, born April 20, 1845; John F., born March 11, 1855; Eunice E., born June 1, 1859; Benjamin F., born March 1, 1861; James M., born February 26, 1863.
John Jacob Laederick (Deceased). Born in Malhause, France, Jan- uary 22, 1822. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States, and for two years was engaged in business in New York City. In 1850 he came to Cali- fornia, went to the Southern mines for three years, then proceeded to San Francisco, where he worked at his trade for a few years, and then embarked in a fruit business which he conducted until 1859. In that year he settled in Santa Clara county, on the place where his widow now resides, where she owns one hundred and sixty acres, principally managed by their son. Mr. Laederick died January 13, 1874. He married, in France, December 6, 1846, Luisa Weiss, by whom there were the following chil Iren: Julius N., born in France, December 8, 1847 ; Edmund, born in New York, July 27, 1850 ; Albert H., born in San Francisco, April 22, 1854; Lottie L., born in San Francisco, December 29, 1858; Emilie L, born in Santa Clara county, July 21, 1861; Victor H., born in Santa Clara county, March 29, 1865; Walter O., born in Santa Clara county, March 4, 1870 ; Emma C., born in San- Francisco, November 22, 1855, deceased.
George Lauck. Born in Germany, June 27, 1830. In the year 1855 he came to the United States, and after working three years in New Jersey, removed to Galena, Illinois, where he was employed in a brewery until the breaking out of the Rebellion. Mr. Lauck now enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Regiment, and with it served until the cessation of hostilities, when he re- ceived an honorable discharge. He then obtained employment in a brewery until 1868, in which year he came to California, an I for the first five years worked at the same business in San Francisco ; thence he moved to Castro- ville, Monterey county, purchased the brewing establishment conjointly with Louis Meyer, managed it until 1878, when he sold out and bought the Santa Clara brewery, where he now carries on a profitable and increasing trade. Married, at Galena, Illinois, Marie Magdalena Eberhard, and has six chil- dren, viz .: Julia, born June 20, 1860 ; Emma, born March 4, 1868; Lena, born May 30, 1870; George, born April 17, 1872; Frank, born May 8, 1874, Clara, born June 18, 1876.
John G. Messersmith. Born in Fayette county, Indiana, August 17, 1846. When ten years of age he went with his parents to Marion county, in the same State, where he received his education and resided on a farm until
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August, 1873. He enlisted in the Fifty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteers; served three years; discharged from the United States service at San Antonio, Texas, December 13, 1865, and returned home to his parents. In 1870 he came to California by railroad and settled in Santa Clara county, in the month of October of that year. For the first two years he lived on a rented farm near the town of Santa Clara, but in 1879 he sold out to Mr. Pullan and took possession of his present home of three hundred and fifty acres. Married, in In liana, December 22, 1867, Miss S. A. Smith, of Indiana, by whom he has three children: Ida May, born December 2, 1868; Clarence Walter, born February 4, 1871; Claude Raymond, born August 17, 1873.
Luther R. Mills. Born in Delaware county, New York, May 4, 1824. In 1842 he went to New York City and engaged in the commission business; here he resided until he started for California, January 18, 1849, and after a voyage through the Straits of Magellan, arrived in San Francisco July 3d. Here he entered into mercantile pursuits; at the end of three years he embarked in the wholesale liquor trade, the largest importers and jobbers in that city, continuing in it until 1869, when, on account of ill-health, he closed out, came to Santa Clara county, purchased the furniture and fixtures of the Congress Springs Hotel, leased the springs and hotel and conducted them for five years, when selling ont he bought the Seltzer Aperient Springs in Santa Clara township (a description of which will be found on page 43 of this work), and there established a soda and sarsaparilla manufactory in connec- tion with the bottling of the seltzer water, which he continues up to the present time.
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