USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 83
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Hon. J. J. Ower, Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 22, 1827. He was the second son of a family of seven sons and two daughters. His father, who was a farmer, dying when he was twelve years old, he shortly thereafter left the paternal roof-tree, and struck out to make his way in the world. He served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Auburn, New York, gra luating as a journeyman printer at the age of eighteen, in the meantime devoting his unemployed time to a thorough course of study. He was married at the age of twenty-one to his present companion, by whom he has raised six children, two sons and four daughters. He continued to work at his trade until the Spring of 1850, when, catching the California fever, he sailed from New York to Panama, where he remained for two months, being unable to pro-
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cure passage to San Francisco. He was a participant in what is known as the Panama war, which occurred that Spring, in which a number of Ameri- cans lost their lives. Returning to New York, he followed the business of farming and school-teaching until the Fall of 1851, when he came to Cali- fornia, and obtained employment as messenger on the Sacramento river, for Gregory's Express. He continued with Gregory until the failure of that house, the business of which was mostly transferred to the new express com- pany of Wells, Fargo & Co. Mr. Owen continued as messenger for the new company until the Summer of 1853, when, becoming anxious to see his family, he returned to his home in Cayuga county, going in charge of the Company's express to New York, and delivering safely a large shipment of Alaska furs. He remained at home for about eight years, pursuing the business of farming, and a part of the time of school-teaching. He was elected Superintendent of Schools for three years, and subsequently, in 1857, as representative in the New York Assembly. He was appointed in that body Chairman of committee of Military Affairs, which committee had the disposal of the New York Arsenal property to the city of New York to pre- pare the way for the great Central Park. He was also a member of the sub-committee of the whole. In the Spring of 1851 he returned to San Jose, and at once assumed the publication of the San Jose Mercury, in which business he has been engaged ever since. Two years and a half after his arrival he brought out his family and made his permanent home in San Jose In 1862 he was elected to the California Assembly, and again in 1863. He was elected Speaker pro tem of the Legislature of '63-64. Mr. Owen has been through life an active Republican, for which party he has worked with much zeal and ability, while his editorial management of the Mercury has been such as to gain for that periodical a high position among its contempo- raries in the country.
William F. O'Binion. The senior partner of the firm of O'Banion, Kent & Co., was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 2, 1831, and was there educated. He first came to this State in 1853 and engaged in mining and other pursnits, until June, 1855, when he returned to his native State and followed farming until 1860. He then moved to Maroa, Macon county, and embarked in mercantile pursuits; in 1863 he transferred the scene of his labors to Winchester, Scott county, where he started in the clothing trade. He arrived in California for the second time in October, 1870, and coming to San José, Santa Clara county, in the following month, commeneed his present business, which place is now at Nos. 266-8-70, Santa Clara street. Married, October 7, 1856, Rosana Gray, a native of Mississippi, who came to Illinois when a child, and has: Marietta and Emma.
Robert Page. Born in Liepsic, Saxony, November 7, 1831, and was
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there educated. In the year 1849 he emigrated to the United States, and during the first year remained in New York City. At this time he sailed for California, whither he arrived in December, 1851. He almost imme- diately proceeded to the mines, near Sonora, but leaving there in the Spring of 1852, he proceeded to Sacramento, where he opened a restaurant, after the " great fire." The business he conducted until " the flood," when he left and came to Berreyessa valley, Napa county. Purchasing a drove of cattle, he drove them to Sacramento by way of the Carquinez Straits, Benicia, and Knight's Landing, and on arrival sold them. He now again entered the restaurant business, but at the end of a year, removed to San Francisco and opened a bakery. We next find Mr. Page conducting a store in Calaveras county, which abandoning at the end of a fatal dry season, he took up a quartz claim at Musquito Gulch. From here he proceeded to Sacramento thence to Rattlesnake Bar, Placer county, where he kept a store and bakery, at the same time prosecuting tunnel mining near Auburn ; after three years he removed to Yolo county, engaging in sheep-raising for three years; thence to Sacramento, where he took charge of the books of the Lady Adams Com- pany for a short time. Afterwards he managed the principal store in Downieville ; thence proceeded to Austin, Reese river, but returning to Downieville, he embarked in the hotel business, which was burned with all his property, including a heavy stock of supplies. Mr. Page now traveled to Virginia City, Nevada, where he had charge of a very extensive slaughtering establishment; we next find him in business on his own account, in Empire City, carrying on a general merchandise store and butcher shop, where he remained three years. His health failing, in November, 1869, he arrived in San José. Here he bought out the grocery store of H. O. Weller & Co., which he disposed of in 1872, and made a six-months' voyage to Europe. On his return he was elected Secretary of the Santa Clara Valley Mill and Lum- ber Company, holding this position for three years; after which he joined J. E. Rucker in the real estate business, at the Commercial Bank Building, San José. Married, July 4, 1866, Katie Higgins, and has six children: Nellie, Milton, Pauline, Hertha, Alice, and Robert.
Elgin W. Paige. Born in Cinada, October 26, 1857, some twelve miles from Waterloo, near Magog, where he resided until he came to California. After remaining one month with his parents in Vallejo, Solano county, he accompanied them to Contra Costa county, where they engaged in farming near Point of Timber. In 1878 his father located a stock ranch in San Antonio valley. In the year 1872 the subject of this sketch entered the University of the Pacific, which institution he attended a portion of the time until 1878 when he returned to the San Antonio valley, where he has a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mr. Paige is at this writing a
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resident of San Felipe valley. Married, November 2, 1878, Alice R. Fellows, a native of Napa county, California, and has : Ernest R. E.
Walter A. Parkhurst. Born in Granville, Addison county, Vermont, January 10, 1837, in the public schools of which place he received his pri- mary education and afterwards attended the academy in Rutland from 1855 to 1858. In the Summer of the last-named year he moved to Clarendon, in the same State and resided there until September, 1859, at which time he went to the city of New York, and thence per Baltic to the Isthmus of Panama, whenee he proceeded to San Francisco in the John L. Stephens, arriving October 28, 1859. After a stay of eighteen days in that city he moved to the Mission San Jose, Alameda county, and on March 7, 1860, arrived in San José, near which city he taught school from May of that year until April, 1865. From the following June until September, 1866, he was in the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co., in San Jose, which he left on October 5, 1866, to enter the service of the Central Pacific Railroad Company as engineer, making his home severally at Sacramento, Alta, Truckee, anl Wads- worth, Nevada. Mr. Parkhurst remained with the Railroad Company until June, 1869, when he moved to Hollister, San Benito county, and engaged in ranching until March, 1871, when he once more entered the employ of the " Central Pacific," and there remained until June 5, 1873. In October of that year he returned to Sin José, purchased his interest in a real estate office from Mr. Higgins and in company with the partner of that gentleman, Dr. Clark, conducted the business until, the appointment of the doctor as Postmaster. Mr. Parkhurst then bought the entire concern and is now conducting its affairs at room No. 2, Knox Block, San Jose. Married, November 19, 1863, Martha E. Gruwell, a native of Iowa, and has: Harley E., Alfred L., Lawrence A., Lewis A., Milus W., Wilson E., Herbert N., and Minnie A.
Judge D. S. Payne. The subject of this sketch was born in Herki- mer county, New York, June 11, 1831, and at the early age of ten years, was thrown upon his own resources to gain a livelihood. His first start in life was by working on a farm for one Summer at three dollars per month. The following Winter he attended school, " doing chores" before and after hours to pay his board. The succeeding Summer he received five dollars per month, and the next, nine, attending school during the intervening Win- ters. This method of gaining a livelihood, and laying the foundation for a thorough and practical education, young Payne pursued for a number of years. He then entered Fairfield Seminary, where he supported himself by teaching during the Winter months, and remained there until he had pre- pared himself to enter the Senior year at Union College. He commenced
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the study of law in Herkimer, under Robert Earl, now one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals, and was called to the Bar in January, 1857, commenc- ing, and continuing to practice, in his native county, until 1859; in that year Judge Payne came to California, and remained on this coast, until 1861, when he returned to New York, and thenee to Washington, District of Columbia, where he passed the Winters of 1861-2-3-4. Mr. Payne was there engaged as an attorney before the Departments. September 8, 1864, he married Rosa, daughter of Colonel Dow, of Otsego county, New York, and together they came to California, and settled in San Jose, Santa Clara county, arriving here on the 13th of October following. Soon after their arrival he formed a partnership with Judge R. F. Peckham, which contin- ued until Mr. Payne was elected County Judge, an office he filled with dis- tinction for eight years. On his retirement from the bench he resumed the practice of his profession, which he still continues. His office is in the Knox Block. Evidently Judge Payne's motto through life has been, "Aut vincere aut mori " -- to conquer or die. When we contemplate his career, we may well suggest the idea. One who was left an orphan at the age of ten years, who, without aid from any one, has gained an honest living, a liberal educa- tion, and reached fame; who has passed through temptations which only he who has had a like experience can appreciate; must glance over his past life with feelings of pride when he thinks that what he is, and what he has, are due entirely to his own unaided resources. Judge Payne has a beautiful residence at the north-west corner of Santa Clara and Twelfth streets. He has three children: Louise, born April, 1866; Theodora, born October, 1871; Rose, born December, 1875.
John H. Pieper. The eminent City Engineer of San José is a native of the Province of Hanover, Germany, and was born May 3, 1824. He was there educated, and after serving in the Engineer Corps of Holstein, obtained his honorable discharge November 25, 1851, and came to the United States the year after. After visiting the States of Texas and Ohio, he settled in the city of New York, where he was engaged as principal assistant engineer in the topographical survey of a portion of the State of New Jersey ; on the com- pletion of which he was employed as Chief Assistant Engineer in charge of the construction of the New York Central Park. Here Mr. Pieper was on duty seven years. He then accepted the position of assistant manager of the Mariposa estate, and with his immediate chief Fred. Law Olmsted, came to California in 1863. At the expiration of two years at this avocation, Mr. Pieper went to the mines and there remained until he came to Santa Clara county in 1867. Becoming a resident of San José his capabilities were soon found out, and on May 15th of that year he was elected City Engineer and Surveyor to the Corporation, since when he has held that important office
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and satisfactorily performed its functions. To his scientific knowledge are due many of the improvements of which the city of San Jose now boasts. while such engineering successes as the river improvements and the sewer system will be a lasting monument and tribute to his ability. Married, in June, 1868, to Adele Hoffman, by whom he has five children.
Theodore V. Purdy. The subject of this memoir was born in Hillsdale Hillsdale county, Michigan, February 6, 1842, where he received his early, education, completing it at the Hillsdale College. At the early age of fifteen years he entered the office of the County Clerk of Hillsdale and there remained five years. In the Spring of 1862, he enlisted in the First Michigan Sharp- shooters, but owing to delay in organizing the regiment, Mr. Purdy did not reach the front until 1864, when with his corps he at once went into active service, taking part in all the battles of the " Wilderness" to Peters- burg, the most notable among them being that at Wilderness, Cold Harbor, North Anna, Pomonkey river, and Petersburg-for forty-five consecutive days were they under fire. At Spottsylvania Mr. Purdy was selected for promotion and at Petersburg received the choice of a First Lieutenant's Com- mission or an appointment in the War Department at Washington. The latter he accepted and served under Adjutant General Breek, until the close of the war. Our subject, after his fatigues, paid a visit to his parents at Cold- water, and then took up a permanent residence at Pentwater, Oceana county, Michigan, where he dwelt from the Spring of 1856 to 1873, being there chiefly er gaged in mercantile pursuits and farming. In the Spring of the last-men- tioned year he came to California, settled for about five years in Ukiah, Men- docino county, but in November, 1878, moved to San José, where he has since been connected with the firm of A. Sage & Co., grocers. Married, September 5, 1876, Sadie S., only daughter of E. H. Pratt, M. D., of Milwaukee, Wis- consin, by whom there is one child, Mabel Josephine, born July 25, 1875.
Byron Purinton. Born in Franklin county, Vermont, March 19, 1837. When sixteen years of age he went to Holyoke, Massachusetts, and appren- ticed himself to the machinist trade, where, serving two years, proceeded to Boston, and for a few months was employed in Bird's Foundry and Machine Shop, East Boston. He now removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and there worked at his trade for Lord McClelland. Going from here to Illinois, Mr. Purinton was for several years employed in the shops of the Illinois Central Rail- road, at Amboy, and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, at Galesburg. We next find him in Wisconsin, in the employ of the Mineral Point Railroad Company as machinist and engineer; thence he proceeded to Litchfield, Illinois, and was employed in the shop of the Terre Haute, Alton, and St. Louis Railway Company. He was next employed by the
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Tennessee and Alabama Railroad Company, at Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to Mineral Point in the Fall of 1859, where he engaged in the machine and foundry business, in partnership with John Lanyon. In the Spring of 1862 he moved to Idaho, and after mining and prospecting till the Fall of the year he came down the Columbia river and then to San Francisco, arriving there November, 1862, where he worked a few months in the Miners' Foundry. Mr. Purinton next obtained an engagement in the shops of the Market-street Railway Company; appointed Mister Mechanic at the end of nine months, and holding that position till the Fall of 1867. Next employed as Foreman in the shops of the Alameda Railroad Company at Alameda Point, and afterwards by the Central Pacific at Sac- ramento; returning to San Francisco, was next employed as engineer and machinist on the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the Fall of ISGS he purchased land in Merced county, and there engaged in wheat raising until the Fall of 1872, when, returning to San Francisco, he was again employed as engineer on the Southern Pacific; returning to Merced county, after six months, continued farming till August, 1878, when he removed to East San José; from there to Santa Clara avenue, his present residence. Married in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, November 24, 1860, Esther Lanyon, a native of London, England, and has five children: Emily M., George B., Elith L., Lillian E., and Beulah M.
William Quinn. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, January 12, 1828. In the year 1841 he came to the United States and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, where he was engaged in draying until 1853. In that year he came to California, and, after a short stay in San Francisco, settled in San Mateo county, July Ist, and embarked in the livery business. Afterwards Mr. Quinn engaged in stock-raising and dairying, and in 1858 removed to Santa Clara county, and settled on the five-hundred-acre traet now occupied by him. Married, in San Francisco, May 11, 1856, Agnes B. Lennon, and has born to him seven children : William Thomas, born February 21. 1857, and died May 6, 1869; Marguerite Adelaide, born December 14, 1839 ; Nellie Josephine, born September 17, 1861; Daniel O., born February 28, 1866 ; Marion G., born January 10, 1868; Lizzie Agnes, born February 13, 1870 ; Winifred Frances, born July 19, 1872.
Benjamin P.' Rankin. Attorney-at-law, was born in Indiana, June 20, 1824. He was educated at the Indiana Asbury University, in Greencastle, Indiana. Married Miss Martha Wilkins of that State, in 1847. Mr. Ran- kin came to California originally in 1849, across the plains, but was com- pelled, on account of ill-health, to return to his home in the Spring of 1850. He returned to this State again in 1861, since which time he has resided con-
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tinuously on this coast. He settled in San José with his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, in the Fall of 1867. His residence is in East San José, on a ranch of thirty acres of well-improved land. Mr. Rankin spends a large portion of his time in the Santa Cruz mountains, on the fruit farm of his eldest son, which they are improving and ornamenting in such a man- ner as in a few years will make it a very attractive and productive place. Besides a large orchard and vineyard on their mountain ranch, there is a carp pond filled with thousands of young carp, which thrive and grow very large, and are apparently as much at home as in their own native waters in Europe. The culture of this variety of fish promises to be quite profitable, as well as affording pleasure and amusement.
William A. Richards. Born in Hazel Green, Grant county, Wiscon- sin, March 9, 1849, where he was educated, and graduated from the High School of Galena, Illinois. In 1869, he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, becom - ing at once engaged upon public surveys, and during a connection of five years with that department, executed various Government contracts, to the entire satisfaction of the Surveyor General, as the letters of that official tes- tify. In connection with his brother, Mr. Richards ran the south and west boundaries of Wyoming, an arduous undertaking, when natural obstacles and extreme precision of observation are taken into account, but all of which Mr. Richards testimonials prove were done to the entire satisfaction of the authorities. His unoccupied time during the Winter months, our subject devoted to the different publications in Omaha, but an active life was his desire, he therefore sought " fresh fields and pastures new" in California, where he arrived in 1874. After a short residence in Oakland, Alameda county, Mr. Richards located, in 1877, on a farm in San José township, Santa Clara county, where he now lives. During his residence in this State, he has been a Deputy United States Surveyor, and although not always actively employed, his labors ever give eminent satisfaction at the head office in San Francisco. He was elected County Surveyor, November, 1879, and went into office March 18, 1880, and is the present incumbent of the office. Married, in Oakland, December 28, 1874, Alice Hunt, a native of Missouri, and has one child: Eleanor Alice, born December 2, 1876.
John Rock. Born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, August 19, 1838. In the year 1852 he came to the United States, and for about eighteen months was a resident of New York City; thence he proceeded to Ohio, working in nurseries at the several cities of Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton; from there he went to Canada, where he traveled for six months ; then visited the Southern and Eastern States, and finally removed to Rochester, New York, where he worked at his calling for three years. We next find Mr. Rock
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pursuing his avocation in Philadelphia for a year, and after moving about through different States, he once more came to New York, and at the end of a year he transferred the scene of his labors to Long Island, where he dwelt until the breaking out of the war. April 11, 1861, he joined the Fifth Reg- iment New York Volunteers, and accompanied it to the field, serving as sergeant of his company ; at the end of the two years time of enlistment he received his discharge, took passage to California by way of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco June 19, 1863. After a stay of two weeks in that city he proceeded to Santa Clara county, resided near Alviso, and in 1865, in the vicinity of Lick's Mill, started a nursery, which he conducted five years. At the expiration of that term he moved to a point on the Milpitas road, near the city of San Jose, where he acquired forty-eight acres of land and resided eight years. In 1879 he located on his present place on the Coyote creek, near Wayne's Station, on the Central Pacific Railro ul, where he owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of land. Married, at San Jose, Jan- uary 3, 1875, Anna Barbara Steiger, a native of New York.
Heman A. Saxe. Born in Sheldon, Franklin county, Vermont, Febru- ary 27, 1836, where he received his early education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he moved to Saxeville, Waushara county, Wisconsin, and with the exception of a Summer passed in Minnesota there resided for the next five years. On February 22, 1859, in company with twenty-five others, our subject started from Green Lake, Marquette county, Wisconsin, to Pike's Peak. Arriving at Boulder City about the first of the following May, where they remained only a few weeks, five of the party including H. A. and Jacob W. Sixe determined to advance into California, and finally arrived at Camp- tonville, Yuba county, but here our subject remaining only a short time pushed on to Santa Clara county and settled in the town of that name. After a course of scientific study in the College there, he commenced teaching in Solano county, but at the end of three years he returned to Santa Clara and engaged in teaching there for a twelvemonth, when he returned to Solano county and purchased a farm. Abandoning his agricultural pursuits in a year, he returned to the cultivating of youthful minds. Married Miss Flora J. Daniel on September 6, 1865, and with his bride returned to Santa Clara, where he made his home for five years. Mr. Saxe subsequently resided in San Francisco, in San Jose, Tulare county, Los Angeles, and finally came to East San Jose where he at present resides. He is now Principal of the Empire-street School, a position he has held with satisfaction to trustees and parents alike for the past four years. His family consists of William A. (Deceased), John D., Alfred W., and Emma R.
James Singleton. Born in Kentucky, November 23, 1820. He was 47
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taken by his parents to Marion county, Missouri, when but seven years of age, and two years after to Adams county, Illinois, where he resided until 1843, when he proceeded to Wisconsin, and worked in the lead mines there. In the Spring of 1849 he started to cross the plains to California, with ox- teams, which, however, he exchanged for horses and mules at Salt Lake. His first stoppage in this State, was, for about three months, at Grass Valley ; he then went to the mines, at Coloma, El Dorado county, where he wintered. In the Spring of 1850, he was at Rich Bar, on the north fork of the Feather river, Plumas county ; thence he returned to Grass Valley, and after wards to Calaveras, Placerville, and other mining localities, until, in the Fall of 1853, he came to Santa Clara county, and settled on the farm of three hundred aeres he now occupies. Mr. Singleton has been a Director of the Farmers' Union since its organization, while he has also served as a Deputy County Assessor. Married, January, 1855, Pauline Cottle, and has: Laura C., born November 21, 1856; Thomas M., born March 22, 1859, Charles E., born April 25, 1861 ; Marshall J., born May 7, 1863; Henry A., born September 2, 1865; Walter E., born August 12, 1871.
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