USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 85
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George Welch. The subject of this sketch, a highly esteemed citizen of San Jose, was born near Kircubbin, County Down, Ireland, November 12, 1838. At the age of fourteen years, he accompanied his half-brother, James Mageen, to Malone, Franklin county, New York, and there settled, where he completed his education; after which, in 1856, he was employed by the transportation firm of Field's & Co., of Malone and Og lensburg, as travel- ing agent between the former place and Boston. Captain Welch remained in this occupation until the month of December, of that year, when he joined the Ninth Regiment of United States Infantry, and with them came to the Pacific coast. In March, 1857, he was assigned to Company H. stationed at Muchelshoot Prairie, about thirty miles from Fort Steilacoom, Washington Territory, where there was trouble experienced with the Flat-Head Indians. At this place he remained quartered seven months, when, being wounded in an affray with the natives, he was honorably discharged on that account. At this time, 1858, the Frazer river excitement broke out, therefore the Captain, with the sum accruing to him as pay from the United States Army, started for the gold fields, having as a comrade, James Macaulay, a Government teamster. Having arrived at Victoria, Vancouver's Island, arrangements, for their search for the yellow metal, were completed; they then took passage in the Otter, conveying with them a canoe to be used in transporting their impedimenta,
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when the upper waters of the Frazer were reached. From the last named craft, our voyagers were transported to the Umatilla, and in her journeyed from the mouth of the river to Fort Hope, the highest point reached at that time by a steamer. In the latter part of July, 1858, our subject located on Puget Sound Bar, some three miles below Fort Yale; prospected there for three weeks with no success, and finally, disposing of his entire outfit, left the diggings in disgust, his entire resources being the munificent sum of two dollars and a half, but backed with a stout heart and strong will, Captain Welch now proceeded to Fort Langley, where, finding Surveyor Gaston lay- ing out a town, he obtained employment from him in cutting brushwood. After having performed some Custom House duties here, he joined the party of Colonel Hawkins, Royal Engineers, who was then establishing the bound- ary line between the territories of the United States and Great Britain, and, while thus engaged, was appointed to the responsible position of Foreman of Pioneers. Having remained at this occupation during one season, he accom- panied the expedition into Winter quarters at Esquimalt, and while there in the end of 1859, entered the Police of the Colony, being a few weeks later: chosen to be jailer of the Crown Prison, a post he filled with much credit until the year 1862. In this year the Bank of British Columbia established its first agency in Victoria, when the Captain accepted the position of Mes- senger to that establishment, and in the following Spring was deputed by the Bank, in company with Edwin Russell, to open their first ageney in Carriboo. In 1863 he was sent to the mouth of the Quesnelle, to superintend the con- struction of their initial agency at that place, and was, later in the year, on the abolition of the Gold Escort, appointed Treasure Messenger to the Bank, having carried, while so engaged, upwards of two millions of dollars, all of which was safely delivered, not withstanding the rough country which he traveled and the dangers to which he was exposed. In the mean- time a change in the government took place, and through the instru - mentality of the Bank Manager, Welch was appointed the first Inspector of Police of Vancouver's Island, under the administration of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, K. C. B. At the end of three years the office was abolished, on the union of the two colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver's Island, when he removed to California, arriving in the Spring of 1867. Being at this period appointed the Superintendent of the City Garden, then the fashionable resort of San Francisco, he rented the grounds, on its being turned into a joint-stock company, at the high rate of five hundred and fifty dollars per month, and continued them for three months, during which, he introduced for the first time, many of those daring performances which have since become famous. In the Spring of 1868, he came to San José, pur- chased teams, and, for a time, managed the outside work of Wells, Fargo & Co .; at the end of that year he went into the produce firm of Baraco &
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Welch; one year after he embarked in the insurance business, which he has since continued, being now agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York; and the Liverpool London and Globe Fire Insurance Company -the two leading companies of the world in Fire and Life Insurance-to which he joins a large business in Real Estate and other agencies. After a varied life of much adventure and responsibility, we are happy to state that the Captain is now in the enjoyment of that ease and respect which long years of faithful service entitle him to. Captain Welch commanded the San José Guards, organized May, 1872, from their first organization until they were disbanded in 1874. They were independent, and were said to be the finest body of Soldiery Militia in the State; but the cost was too much for the Captain to stand for glory, especially as the Captain is chairman of all committees, according to the tactics now in use. He married, in 1862, Kate Riley, and has a family of five children, viz .: Annie M., born February 14, 1864; Mary E., born December 19, 1866; George, born in San Francisco, June 8, 1868; Katie, born in San Jose, January 7, 1871; John Mitchell, born in San José, March 28, 1875.
Charles F. Wilcox. Born in Joliet, Will county, Illinois, July 6, 1852. He came with his mother to California in the Fall of 1857 (his father having previously arrived here), and the family settled for a time at Monte Christo, near Downieville. In the Spring of 1858 they moved to Silveyville, Solano county, and there remained until 1861, at which time they moved to Maine Prairie, in the same county. From here the subject of our sketch came to Santa Clara in 1865 to enter the Santa Clara College, from which he grad- uated A. M., in 1871. Mr. Wilcox at once settled in San José and entered upon the study of the law with Bodley & Rankin, with whom he remained, as well as with Spencer & Rankin, until he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court, in January, 1875. On the dissolution of the last-named firm, Mr. Wilcox became associated with B. P. Rankin, and afterwards for a few months, with James H. Campbell. In January, 1878, Mr. Wilcox commenced practice alone. His office is room 2 Commercial Bank Building, and he enjoys a fine residence upon the Alameda. Married, Novem- ber 17, 1875, Frances L. Cahill, a native of California, and has: Harriet Marguerite, born September 30, 1876; Mary Christabel, born June 18, 1878; Lucien Harvey, born March 29, 1880.
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ADDENDA.
[The following biographies not having arrived in time to be inserted in their proper places, we are obliged per force to produce them by themselves. ]
ALVISO.
C. W. Young. Born in Cayuga county, New York, January 26, 1826 , and was there educated, and reared a farmer. In 1852 he came to Califor- nia, arriving in July, and at once went to the mines near Sonora. Coming back, at the end of a year, to San Francisco, he entered the employ of I. Friedlander, and was with him four years. He next was engaged by Ken- nedy & Hopkins for a year. He then, in 1858, came to Santa Clara county, and settled at Alviso. Here he was for ten years in the Alviso flour mills, and is now a farmer. Married, September 6, 1862, Mary Pollard, and has an only child, Mary F.
BURNETT.
J. M. Wilber. Native of Ontario county, New York, born February 4, 1828, where he received his education, and was brought up a farmer. In 1850 we find him at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he engaged in farming for two years, when he emigrated to California. He left New York City on the 8th May, via the Nicaragua, landing in San Francisco, June 6th. He at once proceeded to the mines in Coloma, EI Dorado county, where he prose- cuted mining for four and one-half years, meeting with good success. At the expiration of this period he came to the county, and located in San Jose, where he prosecuted farming until the Fall of 1867, when he settled on his present place, comprising one hundred and eighty-two aeres, where he has resided continuously ever since. Married, April 19, 1848, Ann Covert, a native of Cayuga county, New York. Samantha is their only child. Mr. Wilber has interests in mines in Bodie.
GILROY.
N. S. Elrod. Native of Orange county, Indiana, born September 1, 1828, where he was educated, and raised a farmer. In 1856 he went to Texas, and there engaged in farming for five years. In 1861, he started across the plains for California, and arrived in Gilroy township, June 10, 1862. In the Fall of 1862 he bought his present farm, comprising eighty acres, of A. S. Hinman. His ranch is located six miles west of Gilroy, on the Uvas
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creek. He is engaged in a farming and fruit business, and also owns a tract of fifty-three acres further up the creek. Married, September 18, 1855, Hannah R. Fitts, a native of North Carolina. Andrew Jackson, Susan C., now Mrs. Thomas Hilton, Mary E., Clara Grant, Emeline, Albert, and John, are the names of his children.
George Eustice. Born in England March 2, 1843, and emigrated with his parents to Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1846. Here he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the late Rebellion, served three years, and then returned to Wisconsin. In 1866 (Spring) we find him in Montana, where he worked in the mines, and at blacksmithing, until the Fall of 1869, when he came to California, locating in Gilroy, this county. Here he erected his blacksmith and carriage shop, and also a dwelling-house, where he resides at this writing. Married, in December, 1869, Selena Richards, a native of Wisconsin, and has: Willis W., George, and James Garfield.
MILPITAS.
Edward Topham. Born in Toronto, Canada, October 25, 1840, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. When seventeen years of age he came to the United States. His stay was short, however. But in 1868, he returned, and after traveling through a large portion of the country, came to California, direct to Santa Clara, and in that city worked at his trade for six months. He now came to Milpitas, purchased a half-interest in a shop, and became associated with Mr. Boyle. Mr. Topham has been a School Trustee for several years, and is the present Clerk of the Board. Married, in 1876, Miss Hattie Castle, and has four chilchen: Clarence, Frank, Edward, and Chester.
REDWOOD.
John E. Daves. Born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, September 6, 1844. In the Spring of 1852 he crossed the plains, with ox-teams, to California, accompanied by his parents, and settled in Santa Clara county. His father, having preceded him in 1850, took up the ranch, and returned for his fam- ily. In October, 1852, they settled on the farm near Moreland school-house, where they resided until 1870, engaged in farming. In the year 1866 the subject of this sketch left the parental roof, and proceeded to Tulare county, and thence to Kern county, in both of which he was occupied in stock-rais- ing. In 1870 he returned to Santa Clara county, and in 1872, located on the five-hundred-acre farm be now owns. Manied, March 6, 1872, Mary E. Parr, a native of California, and has: Charles C., born February 10, 1874; Pearl, born September 20, 1877.
George Seanor. Porn in Yorkshire, England, January 5, 1844. When eleven years of age his parents moved to the United States and settled in
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
DuPage county, Illinois, where he received his schooling and learned the trade of blacksmith. When only eighteen years of age he started in a shop of his own and successfully carried it on until 1863, when he wound up his bus- iness and started for California via Panama. Upon arrival in San Fran- cisco he worked at his trade a short time, then went to Saratoga, Santa Clara county, and there entered into business with James Mc Williams, but a . few months thereafter, selling out to his partner he proceeded to Santa Cruz and afterwards came to Lexington, in this county. After working there for about a year he went into partnership with W. T. Elledge, and so remained in business until 1872 when he sold out his interest to his partner and removeil to Los Gatos, where he had established a blacksmith shop in 1870. In 1872 he added a carriage shop to this last-named business, and in 1879 built another addition for a shingle factory, with a capacity of thirty thousand a day, which business he is now conducting. Married, November 30, 1875, H. J. Daves, by whom he has two living children, viz .: Georgie H. Seanor, born August 26, 1877; Cora Edna Seanor, born March 26, 1881.
SANTA CLARA.
Peter H. Doyle. Born in County Wicklow, Ireland, on St. Patrick's day, 1830. In 1849 he came to California, and to this county, and settled in the town of Santa Clara, in September, 1851. After engaging three years in the produce business he turned his attention to farming, and is now one of the raisers of the finest bred swine of the Berkshire and Essex breeds, tak- ing, also, a keen interest in horses, a yearling colt of his being a marvel of perfection. Married Miss C. M. Lawless, and has two children, Mary and Katie.
SAN JOSE.
John Balbach. This old and much esteemed settler of Santa Clara county, was born in Mergentheim, Germany, February 13, 1820. Emigrat- ing to the United States at twenty-eight years of age, he landed in New York City in May, 1848, and almost immediately proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, remaining but three months, he moved to Harrisburgh, Owen county, Kentucky, and obtained employment in a carriage manufactory. On March 28, 1849, in company with nine others, Mr. Balbach left Harrisburgh for California, their outfit consisting of horse-teams and wagons. On arrival at a point about one hundred miles west of Fort Smith, the drifting snow and inclement weather compelled them to exchange their animals and vehicles for mules, which they obtained from an Indian trader there located. The bar- ter effected, such articles as were thought to be most requisite were disposed on the pack-saddles, and the march taken up; but now serious troubles com- menced, for the mules, which had never been worked, here proved unruly, one with all the sugar on his back bolted and never returned, while another
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broke his neck while hitched to a tree, necessitating the abandonment of his burden. Notwithstanding these mishaps, as well as the enduring of hard- ships such as have been experienced only by the earlier voyagers to this State, our subject and his comrades arrived safely at Santa Fe, whence they started by the middle route for California, but were obliged to retrace their steps owing to the melting snows and swollen mountain torrents, causing a detention of nearly two weeks. Once more a start was effected and the Gila River route to the Colorado taken ; thence to the place on which Fort Yuma now stands. The crossing of the swift-rushing Colorado was not without excitement, therefore let us relate the experiences of this company of pioneers, which had now been augmented to thirty-five men. The stream was found to be much swollen and therefore the crossing hazardous, but it must be made. Indians were hired to construct rafts, which were to be pad- dled, the mules meanwhile being swam to the opposite bank, and a return voyage made for the men. Let us see what were Mr. Balbach's experiences. The raft on which he and two of his companions took passage, was composed of three logs lashed together, but so carelessly fastened were they that when half way across they broke adrift, leaving an Indian and a man on one log, a second man on another, and the subject of our sketch being carried away with the current on the third. Finding himself quickly swept from the shore, Mr. Balbach plunged into the swirling waters and happily reached the bank, but so enfeebled was he from the effects of a recent fever, that he had no sooner joined his friends than he swooned away, to find on awaking to returning consciousness, that the Indians had stolen their mules. Here indeed, was a dilemma: He who is acquainted with the burning sun, the scorching sand, and seared sage-brush of that inhospitable region, will readily imagine the feelings of our pioneer, as he fully realized that this broad desert must be crossed on foot, with but little food, a scant supply of water, and he exhausted by a long illness. It was confidently asserted that he would never reach California. " What I suffered on that march," says Mr. Balbach, "no one but myself can ever know. How I reached the spot where Fort Yuma has since been built it is impossible for me to say, and yet I have been trying to solve the riddle for the past thirty-one years." On August 10, 1849, he arrived at Rowland's ranch, and in the following December came to San José. On arrival he applied at an adobe house (situated on the lot next to that on which he now resides), occupied by a Spaniard, for permission to remain over night, which was granted; he therefore removed his blankets from off his horse and proceeded to picket the animal on the ground now occupied by Joseph Enright's foundry, at the corner of First and William streets. This effected, he returned to the house to find that his blankets were nowhere to be traced-they had been stolen. Weariness, however, brought sleep. In the morning he awoke to discover that his horse had gone, pre- 48
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sumably to keep company with his blankets, for neither have since been seen by their legitimate owner. It is this fortuitous circumstance that deter- mined him to make his home in San José, where he has been a resident from then till now. Married, November 15, 1854, Minna Berner, a native of Germany, by whom he has nine children.
John Barry. A native of Ireland, born 19th March, 1835, and emi- grated to the United States, landing in New York City, November 15, 1840. Migrating to Frankfort, Kentucky, he settled there for a few years, then removed to Louisville, same State. Mr. Barry being somewhat nomadic, again migrated to New Orleans, Galveston, Texas, and Cuba, stopping a while at each place. Again he came to the United States, proceeding to Memphis, Tennessee ; from thence returned to New Orleans. The continued stories of California's golden wealth proving something more substantial than a dream to the eager eyes turned westward from the Crescent City, the fever seized Mr. Barry, with the rest, and he embarked for this State, ria the Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco May 6, 1852. After varying for- tunes he returned to New Orleans, arriving June 11, 1855; remaining a year, he again bid adieu to the South, and set face toward the Pacific slope, arriving in 1856. This time he settled in San José, and entered the employ of Bartley & Mccutchen, who were engaged in the livery business. In the Spring of 1858 he opened a hostelry at the Twelve-mile House, and conducted this business successfully for nearly four years, when, desiring a change of occupation, he purchased a ranch near that place, in Burnett town- ship, where he resided for about ten years, and again resumed his old occu- pation of inn-keeping at the Fifteen-mile House; here he remained until 1875, when he removed to San José, and opened a store, at the corner of First and San Antonio streets. Afterwards selling this business he pur- chased a half interest in the Wallace Livery Stable, where he continued for three years, at the end of which time he once more sold out, and made a long-contemplated visit to the States, remaining there a few months. But his heart was still in the "Golden State," and we find him here among us once more, resuming his old occupation of livery-stable keeping, on First street, having bought out Mr. Downs; after continuing at this stand for three years he moved his business to 255 Santa Clara street, and there remained until succeeded by his son Tom C., in 1881. After disposing of his livery business he became proprietor of the Russ House, corner First and San Antonio streets. Mr. Barry, in 1856, married Margaret Martin, a native of Ireland, from which union there are living four children : Tom C., James, John, and Mary, now wife of Harry Ziggs.
Tom C. Barry. The subject of this sketch is a native and life-long
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resident of San José, and is not only well-known, but much liked wherever his genial face is familiar. Born January 6, 1857; in his seventeenth year he entered for a classical course at St. Mary's College, San Francisco. So well was he prepared that in two years he graduated with the degree of B. S. In 1876 he returned to San Jose, choosing law as his future profession. For this purpose he entered the law office of D. M. Delmas, Esq., and continued with him for fifteen months, when ill-health compelled him to relinquish his studies. Soon after he was appointed Chief Deputy Clerk in the County Assessor's Office, under Henry Phelps, and remained there during that gen- tleman's incumbency in office; after which he accepted a position in the County Treasurer's office. Desiring to adopt a more active career, he, in February, 1881, purchased the City Livery Stables from his father, and soon, owing to increasing business, removed the establishment to No. 250 Santa Clara street, and there can now be found giving his active personal attention to his business. Mr. Barry, though but a young man, is favorably known for his many kindly and able qualities, of which his aspiration to the histrionic art is not the least. We may add that Mr. Barry married Laura. Rogers, a native of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, and by this union have born to them two children, Laura M., and John T.
Isaac Branham. This old and much-respected pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, is the oldest son of James and Elizabeth Branham, born in Scott county, Kentucky, August 31, 1803, where he received the principal part of his schooling. In 1824 he left Kentucky, and took up his abode in Callaway county, Missouri, making the trip on foot, with a United States knapsack on his back, which was given to him by a friend who was in the war of 1812. The father of the subject of our memoir was born in Virginia, and served in the war of 1812, under Colonel R. M. Johnson, and was in the battle on the Thames. In the Spring of 1846 Mr. Branham crossed the plains with ox-teams, with his wife, to California, and arrived at San José in that year. He married, February 23, 1832, Amanda A. Bailey, a native of Kentucky, born November 27, 1813. They have lived together many years, as will be seen by the date above, and although they bear the marks of the frosts of many Winters, they are hale and hearty, and are honored and respected by all who know them. James, born April 2, 1835; Francis E., born August 5, 1838 ; Margaret, born July 21, 1841; Benjamin F., born July 25, 1845 ; Charles, born October 24, 1854; Mary, born Janu- ary 7, 1860, are the names and births of his children.
Jacob Newton Brown, A. M., M. D. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25, 1837. Owing to the death of his parents, in early youth he was placed under the guardianship of his grandparents, who resided in Highland
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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
county, Ohio, and here the Doctor was reared until he arrived at an age when his labor could command five dollars a month, and out of which he saved enough to pay for his board while he attended the South Salem Academy, located about eighteen miles south-west from Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio. Here he laid the foundation of those scholastic acquirements for which the Doctor is noted. He subsequently graduated A. B. and A. M. from the Miami University, 1857. Doctor Brown at this period pro- ceeded to Burlington, Kentucky, to accept the principalship of a female sem- inary, where he remained twelve months. In 1859 he entered the Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, then under Professor Thomas Wood, from which our subject received his diploma in March, 1860. In October of the same year he came to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and, settling in San José, entered upon the practice of his profession. In the year 1864 he was called to the Chair of Anatomy in the Toland Medical College-now a por- tion of the State University -- a position he held two years. On his return to San Jose he again practiced medicine, which he still continues. Office, Room No. 9, Globe Block, Santa Clara street, San Jose. For the past eight years Dr. Brown has been Surgeon to the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany. The Doctor, close student that he is, is a whole-souled, genial gentle- man, whose reputation as a physician is beyond cavil, while his integrity as a man is unquestioned, added to which he wields a facile pen as a writer of more than ordinary ability. He married Anna Hutchinson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has one daughter: Maud.
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