USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 84
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Francis J. Smith. Born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January 28, 1843. In 1861, he came to the United States, and, after a short residence in New York, he went to Pennsylvania and conducted a grocery store until 1867, in which year he came to California, direct to Santa Clara county, and opened the first and only store in Evergreen, in May, 1868. In 1872 he went back to Pennsylvania with his family, with the intention of remaining there, and went into the oil, paint, and furniture business, with his father-in-law, but, after a year's trial, came back to California, and to Evergreen again, where he has been doing business ever since-satisfied that there is no place like the Santa Clara valley. Mr. Smith owns a fine house and three acres of land, planted with ornamental trees. Here he has in contemplation the estab- lishment of a place of guncral resort and recreation. He is the Postmaster of the village, and was elected a School Trustee in 1879. Married, June 5, 1865, Catharine Shiely, and has: Lizzie, bom April 7, 1869; Katie R., born October 18, 1870; Joseph V., born July 8, 1872; Francis J., bom September 29, 1877; Clara A., born November 19, 1879.
Thomas E. Snell. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Essex county, Massachusetts, October 25, 1830. In the year 1851, he made the voyage, via Cape Horn, to California, in the ship Euphrates, and, after a short stay in San Francisco, went to Curtis' creck, Tuolumne county, by way of Stockton. Here he remained until July, of that year, when he changed his camp to Jacksonville, and mined there until the month of September; thence he proceeded to Jamestown, where he
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worked until March, 1852. From the last point he made his way to Wood's creek, three miles from Poverty hill, and stayed there until June, at which time he went to French Camp and commenced freighting; his plan being to receive orders from the miners, fulfill them at Stockton, and return. This occupation he followed until August, when he commenced ranching at French Camp, and engaged in "hauling" wood to Stockton. On the setting in of the rains, he once more went to the mines near Poverty hill; the Spring of 1853 saw him conducting a store at that place, combining with it a freight- ing business, which he continued until the Fall of 1854, when he came to San Jose, Santa Clara county, and embarked in the butcher's trade with Henry Harvey. At the end of six months he changed that occupation for the milk business, and conducted such until 1856, when he acquired the property on which he now resides, eight miles south-west from San Jose, comprising eight hundred acres, three hundred of which he cultivates, and the balance lying in pasturage. Mr. Snell owns about four hundred head of cattle-chiefly cows-and is one of the largest producers of butter in the county. He also has a seven-hundred-acre stock ranch in Burnett township. Mr. Snell is one of the founders, and is at present a Director of the Farmers' Union ; while he is also Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the School District of Oak Grove, who have one of the finest places of instruction in the county. He married, April 9, 1857, Catharine Hart, a native of Salem, Massachusetts, and has: Ruhamah A., born February 17, 1858; Harriet J., born September 1, 1860 ; Helen L., born February 23, 1862; Teresa L., born December 19, 1863; Everett T., born September 6, 1865; Lena M., born April 28, 1868; Katie E., born December 12, 1871.
James Snow. Born in Toland county, Connecticut, May 23, 1836. At the age of fifteen he went to the city of Hartford as clerk in a hardware store for one year; from there to Brooklyn, New York, as clerk in a gro- cery store, then back to Hartford, where he learned the trade of merchant tailor, and resided until the Fall of 1863, when he proceeded to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and carried on that business for seven years. He then came to California, and direct to Santa Clara county. Finally concluding to make his home there, be purchased his present property, near Berreyessa, consisting of about sixty acres. He also owns an orchard of some seven acres at The Willows, San Jose, where he is a large producer of rhubarb. In the year 1879, Mr. Snow was selected as a Supervisor for the county of Santa Clara, and for the last decade he has been a Trustee of the Berreyessa school dis- trict. Married, in Hartford, Connecticut, February 2, 1860, Frances H. Dewey, a native of Utica, New York, and has: Eugene D., born June 26, 1865; Fred E., born January 13, 1868; J. Everett, born May 29, 1873; Frank T., born May 12, 1875.
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
John J. Sontheimer. Born in Balzheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 16, 1842, where he received his early schooling. In the year 1852, his parents came to the United States, and settling in Do lge county, Wisconsin, commenced farming, the subject of this sketch acquiring the science of agri- culture. Mr. Sontheimer now had a three years' term at the Wayland University, after which he taught school, and engaged in mercantile pur- suits, but his health failing, he came to California, and located in San José, Santa Clara county, in the Fall of 1869. After having been book-keeper to Auzerais Brothers for some time, he organized a private school, for the English and German languages, which he discontinued at the end of twenty months, at which time he was offered, and accepted, the Principalship of the Hacienda school, at the New Almaden mine, where he remained three years. Mr. Sontheimer was elected County Clerk, on the Republican ticket, in 1875, and is the present holder of the office. Married, February 28, 1878, Annie Krieg, a native of New York.
Judge Francis E. Spencer. The learned Judge was born in Ticon- deroga, Essex county, New York, September 25, 1834. When but an infant he was taken by his parents to Saratoga county, where he resided until He had attained the age of twelve years. In 1846 he emigrated to Will county, Illinois, and there received his education first at the common schools of the district, and afterwards at the academy at Joliet, the county seat. In 1852, Mr. Spencer crossed the plains to California, arriving in Sep- tember, and settled in San Jose, Santa Clara county. During the first years of his residence he was engaged in sheep-raising, farming, etc., after which he essayed the study of medicine, but abandoning that, he com- menced reading law in the office of Archer & Voorhies, where he remained until called to the Bar of the Supreme Court, in January, 1858, his first office being opened at the corner of Second and Santa Clara streets. He was one of the Board of Commissioners of the Funded Debt of the City of San José, was appointed City Attorney, and acted as such from 1863 to September 8, 1879; District Attorney for 1862-65; to the State Assem- bly, 1871, when the co.les were adopted; and Superior Judge, in 1879.
T. W. Spring. Born in Buffalo, New York, June 17, 1829. In his youth he moved to New Orleans with his parents, there received his education, and early in life embarked in the dry goods trade, when he laid the foundation for his present success in that business. In 1848 he enlisted in the United States Battery commanded by Colonel John B. Magruder and after making the voyage around the Horn, landed from the ship Monte- rey, at San Diego, in 1850. In 1851 Mr. Spring was discharged from service, and proceeding to San Francisco, there embarked in the auction
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business, but after a short space he went to the mines, whence he returned to San Francisco. In 1860, he came to San José, and joined the late Nich- olas Hayes, and afterwards established " The Great American Store," which is now conducted at the corner of Santa Clara and Market streets, San José.
J. P. Springer (Deceased). Was born in Washington county, Kentucky, October 27, 1812. He early developed a love for travel and fondness for adventure; when a young man, just from college, he conceived the idea of exploring the Far West; according'y, with a little company of thirty, they startel on their uncertain anl perilous ride. They encountered many obstacles, and endured numerous privations. Nothing daunted, they, like sturdy yoemen, pushed forward, suffered much from hunger and thirst, being often obliged to travel for weary miles over long stretches of desert, almost famishing for a drop of cold water. The tortures of hunger were equally severe, and they were driven as a last resort to the necessity of eating their own mules. This to us would seem a bitter portion, but was to them the very morsels of life. After surmounting these and countless other difficul- ties, arrived in San Jose November, 1841; spent some months in viewing and inquiring into the resources of the country, then returned to Missouri, where he published and circulated many pamphlets and articles concerning this far- away country-this El Dorado of his dreams. He told the people of the fab- ulous wealth of hill-side and ravine, of the aeres of wild oats on which roamed and fed thousands of wild cattle; of the richness of the soil, the beauty of the valleys; but above all he extolled our health-giving and health-restoring climate. His zeal and enthusiasm caused many to emigrate to California, more especially to this county, which he considered the garden spot. He made several trips across the plains; was married in 1845, and crossed the country with his family for the last time in 1852; located at Sara- toga, about ten miles from San Jose. Was elected to the Legislature from Santa Clara county in 1859, where he served the people honestly and faith- fully. Was a true gentleman and an earnest Christian. After a short illness at his home, he died of pneumonia June 4, 1861, regretted by the many friends his social and pleasant manners had made for him. He left a widow and one daughter to mourn the loss of a kind husband and loving father.
Orrin Taber. Born in Grafton, Grafton county, New Hampshire, October 22, 1840. In 1845 he moved with his parents to Manchester, New Hampshire, and thence to Chester, in the same State ; afterwards to Sheldonville, Massa- chusetts, finally returning to Manchester, where he was educated. On the break- ing out of the Rebellion Mr. Taber, July 19, 1861, enlisted in Light Battery A, First New Hampshire Artillery; was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant,
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
and held the position until 1863; was further promoted to be first Sergeant; in the Spring of that year was commissioned Second Lieutenant; and in the following July was detailed for service on the Artillery Staff of the Second Army Corps of General Hancock. Having served his entire term with the Army of the Potomac, he was discharged October 9, 1864. Mr. Taber now proceeded to Washington, District of Columbia, and embarked in the grocery and provision business, which he continued until April, 1865, at which date he went into the hardware and agricultural implement trade. Retiring from this last occupation in February, 1868, he started for California, and arrived in San Francisco the 6th of March following, and proceeded to visit differ- ent parts of the State, which completed, he returned to Manchester, New Hampshire, in the Fall, and there resumed his former calling. June 1, 1869, he once more came to San Francisco, with his family, and engaged in the dairy business until 1872, when he came to Santa Clara county, and, settling in Santa Clara township, engaged in farming. In the Fall of 1875 he came to San José, and the next Spring, 1876, opened an agricultural implement store for Frank Brothers, of San Francisco, which business he now follows, in the Music Hall Building, No. 283 First street. Married, October 9, 1861, Calista A. Barker, a native of New Hampshire, and has: Charles A., Orrin, Samuel M., Lena M. and Lora J. (twins), and Harry E.
George W. Tarleton. The second son of Mathew and Elizabeth Tarle- ton, was born in Deerfield, New Hampshire, October 7, 1828. He received his early education at Alexander, whither his parents had moved. In the Spring of 1841 he accompanied his parents to Manchester, where he com- pleted his schooling. Here he resided until May 5, 1852, when he sailed from New York for California, rid Nicaragua, and landed in San Francisco July 7th of that year. Two days after found him in Santa Clara county, where, having worked at gardening a few months for Captain Joseph Aram, in 1853 he sowed a crop of grain, and the following year was employed by the before-mentioned gentleman, with whom he remained one year. In 1855 he was admitted a partner in the nursery business, and came to his present place in 1858, where he owns thirty-nine aeres, in close proximity to the city of San Jose. Married, July 12, 1860, Jermie M. Brierly, a native of Vermont, and has : Charles B., born October 29, 1861; Frank W., born February 26, 1863; Lester G., born February 25, 1866; Lizzie M., born February 10, 1868; Edgar, born November 26, 1870; Albert, born April 16, 1874; Lucy, born August 13, 1876; Nellie, born July 16, 1880.
Frederick W. Tennant. Born in County Wexford, Ireland, February 8, 1855, and came to this county when a year old. After an attendance of hree years he graduated at Benicia, Solano county, and about 1878 took
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up his residence on the farm he now occupies about seven miles from San José. He also rents one hundred and twenty-five acres from his uncle. Married, January 3, 1878, Clementina January, and has John W. anl Mar- garet M.
John Tennant. Born in County Wexford, Ireland, March 9, 1800, and there resided until he reached fourteen years of age when he went to E lin- burgh, Scotland, and served an apprenticeship to the Cabinet and Piano-forte- maker's trade. At the end of six years he removed to London, England, and there remained ten years working at his calling. He now returned to his native land where he dwelt until 1852, sailing from London for California, United States, December 29th of that year and arriving at San Francisco in August, 1853. Coming at once to Santa Clara county he purchase l the place known as Edenvale, seven miles from San Jose, and has since resided there. His present splendid mansion he erected in the year 1876.
Judge Charles G. Thomas. Born in Northumberland county, Penn- sylvania, November 8, 1807, and was there educated. He went to Illinois in 1834, residing there until he came to California in 1851. After a residence of one year in San Francisco, during which he was attached to the United States Custom service, the Judge came to Santa Clara county and located on the property now owned by George E. Thomas, his son, but only occu- pying the place for about twelve months he purchased his present tract com- prising eighty acres. Was Justice of the Peace for ten years, and Postmaster of San Jose for three years. Murriel Elizabeth Eckert in 1830, an I has: Louisa, Charles L., residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Arthur R., now temporarily in California; George E., residence adjoining his father; Will- iam N., residence with his father; Delia D., residence with her father; Frank H., residence, San José.
Robert Thomson. Born in Fifeshire, Scotland, February 25, 1825. When young he moved to Dundee, Forfarshire, where he learned the black- smith's trade and worked at it until 1848, in which year he emigrated to the United States and settled in Brighton, Livingston county, Michigan, where he embarked in his trade, and continued until 1850. In that year he crossed the plains with pack-mules to California, and a party of fi ty men, journeying by way of Sublette's Cut-off. On his arrival Mr. Thomson turned his attention to the mines at Rough and Ready for a short time; he then came to Sacramento and worked at his trade for twelve dollars per day and board. He then took a short prospecting tour and returned to Sacra- mento, where he once more went to his forge. Here the whole course of Mr. Thomson's life was changed. While standing on the sidewalk one day in conversation, there chanced to come by a peddler who was retailing onions
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
at fifty cents per pound ; he ultimately sold the entire lot at forty-five cents
per pound and realized thereby the sum of two thousand dollars. While cogitating over this streak of fortune the Rev. Isaac Owens happened that way and on ascertaining the out-turn of the bargain just struck said, that he had forty acres of land in Santa Clara county which he thought could raise onions, and would like to "go shares" with some one in putting it to that use. Thomson with William Coffee and Anthony Fromen, at once made arrangements with Owens. They proceeded to Placerville, purchased seven yoke of cattle and two wagons, came to Santa Clara county, fenced the land, it being the same now owned by Edward MeLaughlin the banker, and is sit- uated in East San José. Thomson built a plow of wood with a sheet-iron point, turned up the land, and the first year produced twenty acres of veg- etables with a like quantity of barley, which was sold at eight to twelve and a half cents per pound. , The next year he came on to the place on which he now resides. In 1853 he sold it and took up his abode near the Pala road where he remained until 1857, at which time he went to Sonoma county, but at the end of twelve months he returned, bought his former property back and has since maintained his domicile there. He owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of well-improved land. Married at San Jose, June 25, 1834, Ellen S. Wall, a native of Missouri, and has living: Robert E., born September 10, 1856; Thomas D., born April 14, 1859; George A., born October 6, 1871; Agnes M., torn May 18, 1876.
William D. Tisdale. Born in Utica, New York, October 12, 1845. In 1854 his parents came to Nevada county, California, vice the Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in the Fall of the year. In 1860 he entered the Santa Clara College, where he remained three years. He then returned to Nevada county, and engaged in quartz mining, until coming to the city of San José, in November, 1871. On the organization of the First National Bank there, Mr Tisdale was elected cashier, a position of trust which he still holds. Married Leuella Gephart, a native of Niles, Michigan, and has: Bettie, John B., Robert D., and Blanche.
John Trimble. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Montgomery (now Warren) county, Missouri, February 17, 1828, but was raised, educated and acquired a knowledge of farming in Callaway county. In the year 1846, having enlisted, he served for thirteen months in the Mexican war under General Kearny. In the Spring of 1849 he started to cross the plains with ox-teams to California, and arrived at Lassen's ranch, on the Sacramento river, in the month of September of that year. Thence he proceeded to the mines in Shasta, and after a short stay there came to Santa Clara county and embarkel in farming operations in
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company with Samuel Q. Broughton and Robert Bailey at Berreyessa, and in 1850 raised a crop. In the Spring of 1851 Mr. Trimble went to the mines in El Dorado county but returned to his farm at the end of six months and stayed there until the Fall of 1852, when he paid a visit to the Eastern States, returning with his bride by way of the plains, and bringing with him a drove of cattle, which he drove to this valley. Here he resided until 1857 when he sold out and moved to the place he now occupies near Mil- pitas, comprising two hundred and fifty acres of land on which he raises fruit, berries, and, grain. Married, in Missouri, April 20, 1833, Mary J. Miller, and has living: Sarah R., Maggie J., Mary F., Mattie M., and John.
Marcus Trueman. Born in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada, May 10, 1821. When twenty-one years of age he emigrated to the United States and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked at the carpen- ters' trade which he ha l acquired in " the old country." He resided contin- uously in Boston until the year 1857, when he returned to the soil of his birth and there remained until 1868, in which year he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Francisco July 14th of that year, Coming directly to Santa Clara county, he obtained employment, and there worked for about eighteen months, on the Fourth-street Mill, when he pur- chased the undertaking business of Edward Albion and alone conducted it until February 1, 1871, when he took William L. Woodrow into partnership. In July, 1874, they removed to their present place of business at No. 408, First street, where the office of the County Coroner is also located. Mr. Trueman has been twice married, his second wife being Jane M. Evans His family consists of : Lydia (by his first marriage), and Ida M. and John H., by his present spouse.
Austin F. Umbarger. Born in Withe county, Virginia, August 6, 1836, but moved at an early age with his parents to Clark county, Illinois, where he was taught farming. On the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Sec- ond Brigade, Second Division Fourteenth Army Corps, in which he served three years. He returned home and in 1866 started for California, coming direct to Santa Clara county. Taking up his residence with his brother on his farm three miles from San Jose on the Monterey road, he there had his headquarters until 1871, when he came to the place on which he now lives, comprising seventy-three acres of land, situated near Berrevessa. Mar- ried, November 29, 1874, J. E. Bowen, and has one child: Nellie May, born April 18, 1876.
Isaac N. Van Doren. Born in Oakland county, Michigan, November 13, 1843. In 1856 he moved with his parents to Ionia county, and was there
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
educated. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Third Michigan Infantry, but was rejected by the Government on account of age. Again on Novem- ber 15, 1863, he enlisted; on this occasion in Company K, First Michigan Engineers, and joined the army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, Tennes- see; was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and after going to Wash- ington, D. C., was ordered, May 23, 1865, to Parkersburg, West Virginia; thence to Nashville, Tennessee, where they were mustered out of service, our subject receiving his final discharge on the 6th of October of that year. Having purchase l a farm in Iowa county, Michigan, he resided there until 1871, when he came to California, and after visiting different parts of the State settled in San Jose, Santa Clara county, in 1873, being then engaged as traveling salesman for Williams Brothers. In 1878 he went to Arizona but returned after a stay of thirteen months; he then went prospecting to Washington Territory, but at the end of four months he left, and coming back to San José purchased, August 23, 1880, in company with A. D. Daunes, the business of C. E. Bodley, at No. 271 First street, where they are now engaged in the coal, lath, plaster and cement trade. Married, October 7, 1868, Rachael Mitchell, a native of Canada and has one child : Ivy Ellen.
Daniel Van Pelt. Born in Staten Island, New York, in 1804, where he was educated. At sixteen years old he went to New Jersey, and after- ward to New York City, and there entered into business. June 2, 1852, he sailed from the last-named port in the Daniel Webster for the Isthmus thence in the Pioneer for San Francisco, where he arrived August 2d of that year. Leaving a stock of goods which he had brought with him in the hands of commission merchants, Mr. Van Pelt took himself off to the mines, and, after a year, returned to San Francisco. He then bought a foundry and machine shop, and conducted it until 1858, when he came to San José, Santa Clara county, and purchased his present residence, at the corner of St. James and Teresa streets. Married, December 14, 1825, Eliza H. Falkner, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and has an only child, Mrs. Premilla Evans, now living. It should be stated that to Mr. and Mrs. Van Pelt were born seven children, four boys and three girls. Of these five died in New York City, and two joined him in California with their mother in April, 1858. Andrew H. Van Pelt, the son, volunteered in 1861 into Company D, First Regiment California Volunteers, and served during the war, three years, without loss of a single day. Receiving his discharge, with six other non-commissioned officers, they commenced their return journey, by way of New Mexico and Arizona. On the way Andrew Van Pelt was stricken with a fever, to which he succumbed on the borders of California. Mrs. Van Pelt died in San José December 15, 1862, and her remains were interred on the premises where her husband now resides.
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Asa Vestal. The subject of this sketch is of an ancient family of Saxon and Scotch origin, and of Quaker stock, the first member, William Vestal, having emigrated from London, England, in the year 1683, with a large number of Friends (Quakers) who came to America to settle on the lands purchased by William Penn, and known as "Penn's Purchase," or Pennsyl- vania. The founder of the family settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. reared a large family, and from them have sprung the " Vestals " in America. Asa Vestal is of the third generation, the order being: William, Thomas, Jesse, and Asa, who was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, in the year 1801, March the 17th; was married in that State to Elizabeth De Jar- natt, who is of French Huguenot extraction, and after a residence of a number of years, in 1839 moved to the State of Missouri, and for ten years was engaged in farming and wagon-making in Jackson county. In the year 1849 he removed to California, overland, with his family, and after spending the Winter of 1849 and the Spring of 1850 in placer min- ing came to Santa Clara county and settled in the suburbs of the city of San Jose, and has lived there since August, 1850, being engaged in farming and fruit-growing. Asa Vestal has never been engaged in active politics, but was a Whig of the old school and a Republican of the stalwart order' of sound principles and good morals, ever ready to aid the distressed and help the deserving if unfortunate.
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