USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 86
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John S. Carter. Born in Swanzy, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, February 25, 1828, moved to Peterboro, New Hampshire, when two years old, where he was educated, after which he moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, and learnd the carpenter's tra le, working at it until January, 1852, on the tenth day of which month he took passage in the steamer Ohio, for Panama, steamer Oregon from Panama up to San Francisco, and landed in that city February 10th of the same year. His first employment was the unre- munerative one of cutting cord-word, at Sherman Island, without pay. He there returned to San Francisco, and commenced working for Governor Bagley, at his trade, where now stands the bonded warehouse, on Battery street. At the end of a month he was employed by Mr. Ham, took passage in the schooner Andrew Roy, and landed at Alviso, July 1, 1852, and erected a warehouse there for that gentleman, he being placed in charge thereof, on completion, by Ham & Flourney, the owners. In this capacity Mr. Carter remained until 1854, when being called to San Francisco by his employers, he was placed in charge of more extensive affairs. He was next sent, by Ham to Milwaukee, Oregon (Ham & Flourney dissolved at the time he went to Oregon), to superintend his grain and lumber interests, for
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about ten months. On the failing in business of Ham, Mr. Carter was engaged by Bray Brothers, then located at the corner of Front and Washing- ton streets, for two years, then after a lapse of twelve months returned to them for a like period. In March, 1862, he returned to Alviso, and was agent for I. Friedlander, whose business he managed until 1863, when railroad com- munication was opened between San Jose and San Francisco, at which time he moved to the former city, and continued his connection with the Grain King until his death in April, 1879. Mr. Carter, with J. J. Ortley and William McCall, has built two warehouses in Alviso, while on his own account he has erected two more in Hollister, San Benito county, which he still conducts. Besides these, he constructed in company with T. F. Douglass and Captain John Martin, the schooner, Maggie Douglass, and with John Martin and Alfred Mills, the Nellie Carter. He is manager of the San Jose branch of the Home Mutual Insurance Company, and has his office in the San Jose Savings Bank Building, Santa Clara street, his residence being No. 162 First street, San Jose. Mr. Carter married, June 7, 1859, Phoebe E. Butler, and has four daughters: Nellie, born September 6, 1862; Lizzie, born December 4, 1865; Florence, born August 7, 1867; Rose, born Febru- ary 1, 1872.
Dr. J. P. Dudley. Whose portrait will be found in this work, is the second child of Moses and Mary Dudley, and was born in Steuben county, New York, August 1, 1822. At the age of sixteen years he entered the Geneva College, and, subsequently, after graduating at the Buffalo Univers- ity of Medicine, commenced practicing his profession in 1846, and so con- tinued until 1849, when he started for California, with mule-teams, via the plains. Arriving at Tehama in the Fall of the year, he proceeded to Sacra- mento, resided there until June, 1850, when he essayed his luck at the mines on the middle fork of the Yuba river. In November he abandoned the dig- gings, and coming to Santa Clara county, located on a portion of the Nagle Tract, but removed from there, to the place where he now dwells, at the end of a twelvemonth. The Doctor is now a resident of San Jose township, on a fine farm of two hundred acres. He married Miss E. Staniford in 1874, and has two children, Louisa, and Flora.
Nathan B. Edwards. This old settler was born in Ireland, April 1, 1830, and in 1841 emigrated to the United States, first settling in New York City, where he was educated and under his father learned the butcher's trade. Ten years later he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, and arriving in San Francisco, February 10, 1851, shortly after proceeded to Nevada county, engaged in mining for six months then established himself in Sacramento for a year. Thence he moved to San Francisco and after-
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wards to San Jose, locating there in December, 1853. He first engaged with William Wood in the butcher business, and in 1854, buying out that gentle- man, he conducted the Shamrock Hotel, then situated not far from Mr. Edwards, place of business, No. 316 Market street, San José. Our subject has now been conducting his present trade for a quarter of a century, and for four-and-twenty years on the ground he now occupies. Mr. Edwards has lent his influence to everything that would tend to build up San José; especially has he been interested in the improvement of the live-stock of the county, which his position as one of the Directors of the Agricultural Soci- ety has materially aided to effect. He married, October 28, 1855, in San Jose, Mary Kirwan, and has: James W., Martin F., Robert E., Mary Eliza- beth, Mary Emma, Joseph Andrew, and Mary Cecelia.
W. R. Empey. Born in Canada, September 27, 1840, where he was educated, and reared on a farm, afterwards learning the harness-maker's trade in Orningville, Wellington county, Ontario. In 1863 he commenced business on his own account, and continued until he started for California, where he arrived June 1, 1867. Settling in San Francisco he was employed by Main & Winchester, and remained with them for about a year. In 1868 he came to Santa Clara county, and established himself in San José, in company with S. Menzemer; manufactured horse-collars for the trade until 1870, when our subject retired from the firm, and after a month, in partnership with W. H. Lennard opened a harness shop on Santa Clara street, which they afterwards moved to the corner of Lightston and C streets, but two years later transferred to the Music Hall Building, No. 289, First street, San José. Married, February 27, 1862, Janet Hume, a native of Canada, and has. Hattie, born December 21, 1864; Maud, born August 17, 1866; Willie, born June 21, 1871.
Hon. William Erkson. Born in Delaware county, New York, June 25, 1829, where he was educated. At a tender age he was left an orphan, and the shaping of his own career left to himself, but he was prepared to meet the " whips and scorns of time" single-handed. His first employment was teaching school at the age of sixteen, and afterwards was, for three years, in a mercantile establishment in Schenectady, New York; he after- wards moved to Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, where he taught school for two years; thence he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, leaving St. Joseph, Missouri, May 22, 1852, and arriving at Sacramento, September 13th ; to the mines he went for a short time; and in the Winter of that year came to Alviso township, Santa Clara county, where he settled on a farm, with his uncle, A. C. Erkson, near the Lick Mill, now owned by Mrs. Fenton. Here he remained until he purchased two hundred acres of the Alviso Ranch, in 1857,
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where he made the first improvements attempted on it, and which he occu- pied until his removal to the city of San José, in July, 1874, whither he came to take charge of the store of the Farmers' Union, of which corporation he had been elected President. This position Mr. Erkson held for four years, when he resigned, and, in the month of August, 1878, entered into partnership with F. J. Brandon and E. C. Smith, in the grocery and provision trade, their place of business being then, as it is now, Nos. 352-4 Pfister's Block, Santa Clara street. Married, June 4, 1859, Laura A. Derby, a native of Massachusetss, and has: William Lewis, and Charles Willard. In the Winter of 1854, Mr. Erkson served in the Assembly, Fifteenth session, and has ever been a staunch Republican, and taken an active part in the Party, having been on several occasions Chairman of the County Committee, and a member of the State Central Committee.
Hiram Fairfield. Was born in Fort Ann, Washington county, New York, April 5, 1836, but when an infant, he was taken by his parents to Wyoming county to reside, and was there educated. He arrived in San Francisco ex John L. Stephens, November 30, 1854, and after a year's resi- dence there, went to the mines, but came back at the end of a twelvemonth, and permanently abode there until the Frazer river excitement, in 1858. To British Columbia, therefore, he proceeded, but, among the many disappointed, returned in 1860, and, in the Fall of that year, settled in Alviso township, where he resided until elected Auditor-a position he held for two years. Mr. Fairfield next moved to a farm in San José township, where he was elected County Assessor, and once more took up his residence in San José. He is the present Assessor of Santa Clara county. Married, in San Fran- cisco, Elizabeth McQuillan, a native of Massachusetts, and has two children: Alice, and Mary.
Levi Goodrich. Born in New York City, January 1, 1822. The sub- ject of this narrative is in his sixtieth year. In his youthful days he acquired the trade of carpenter and builder in Massachusetts, but after went to New York and entered upon the study of architecture, in the office of R. G. Hatfield; he following this profession-which was also that of his father- in that city until he left for California. On March 8, 1849, Mr. Goodrich sailed from New York in the ship Loochoo, ria Cape Horn, and cast anchor in the Bay of San Francisco, September 16th of the same year. No sooner had he arrived than his acquirements were called into requisition ; indeed, he had not left the vessel when he drew the plans and specifications for a three-story wooden building, that was put up at what is now the corner of Kearny and Washington streets, where the old Hall of Records stands, tents being torn down to make way for it. November 30, 1849, he came to San
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José, Santa Clara county, in a small sailing craft, to Alviso, a voyage occu- pying three days and two nights ; thence on foot to San José. He was soon at work, however, and early in 1850 erected the adobe building which stood on the ground now occupied by the store of O'Banion & Kent, opposite the Auzerais House, the clay for the adobe being taken from the lot on which stands the hotel, while, ever since, he has been in business there. Among his principal architectural achievements in San José have been the Court House and jail, the Presbyterian church, three public school-houses, the Bank of San Jose, the State Normal School, and the Knox and Martin's Blocks. Mr. Goodrich is also the architect of the Court Houses and jails of Monterey and San Diego counties. He has twice visited Europe for the purpose of pleasure, while, in his labors, he is seconded by his only son, E. B. Goodrich, his principal assistant. Mr. Goodrich's office is room 20, Knox Block.
G. W. Hellyer. Born in Green county, Ohio, April 21, 1862, where he was educated and trained to agricultural pursuits. After having resided in different parts of Missouri he came to California, and arrived at Placerville, August 27, 1850. He was employed in different ways at the mines until June 1853, when he settled in Santa Clara county on the place now owned by A. Senter. In 1856 he came to the place where he now resides. Married, May 22, 1853, and has a family: Mary J., Manuel R., George T., Nancy J., Catharine, and James D.
Honorable Sherman Otis Houghton. The subject of this narrative, was born in the city of New York, April 10, 1828, where he was educated and grounded in that learning which, in after life, has stood him in such good stead. When but eighteen years of age, and while yet at school, he enlisted in Company A, First New York Volunteer Infantry, the first regi- ment raised in the State of New York for service in the Mexican war, and with it rounded Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco March 26, 1847. A part of the regiment of which his company was one here received orders to proceed to Santa Barbara, where they remained only a short time, then pro- ceeded to the seat of war, under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry S. Burton, the force numbering one hundred and five men, all told. On arrival in Mexico their first station was on a pleasant plateau, overlooking the town of La Plaz, where they occupied a church and four adobe buildings. To oust them from this position of vantage was the imperative duty of the opposing sol- diery, therefore, to effect this, they were surrounded not long after by a force of twelve hundred Mexicans, who made the demonstration from a camp dis- tant about two miles. Thereupon, our little band threw up earth-works, fortified themselves as best they could, and for some weeks carried on a series
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of sorties, made, for the most part, under cover of night, while they success- fully repelled counter attacks, forced the enemy to remove his camp about six miles distant, and triumphantly held their own until relief arrived in the shape of sailors and marines from the United States ship Cyone, under com- mand of Commodore Dupont. The little army was not long after further augmented by the arrival of Company D of the regiment, and other troops from the States, under Captain H. M. Naglee (now of San Jose), to the number of one hundred and fifty. Now they were in a position to assume the offensive, they consequently marched against the foe, captured their com- mander, with several of his officers, and drove them from their position. Let us here revert to Mr. Houghton, more especially. We have remarked that he entered the service in its lowest rank; from that he rose, step by step, to the position of Sergeant-Major until, on a certain occasion, he was called upon by the Colonel commanding to assume the charge of a dress parade, and directed to read "Orders, One and Two." The first promoted him to be Lieutenant; the second appointed him Adjutant of the command. Ponder well oh reader, on the delicacy which prompted the surprise, and the wonder of the recipient of such great favor! These positions he held until mustered out of the service. In September, 1848, he sailed from Mexico for C'ali- fornia in the United States ship-of-the-line Ohio, commanded by Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, and arrived at Monterey in the following month. Here Mr. Houghton, with six of his brother officers, formed themselves into a company, purchased provisions from the Quartermaster's store, bought several yoke of oxen, with two wooden-wheeled carts, of Mexican build, already described, and started for the mines, first locating at Jamestown, Tuolumne county, then known as Wood's creek, where they erected a log cabin, about a mile from the present town site, and commenced digging on the ground where the county seat, Sonora, now stands. Fortuna facet forti- bus-the military were successful. The bonds cemented by association for gold hunting were not of a very durable character at this time; carly in the career of the company now under consideration there was disaffec- tion, and two of the members seceded; in the following Spring, the remain- ing four parted issues, while the subject of our sketch came to the San Jose valley, the date being March, 1849, purchased oxen and wagons, proceeded to Stockton, and established a trading-post at Sullivan's Creek, combining therewith a "pack-train " between that point and the camps of Jamestown and Sonora. He continued in this pursuit until October, 1849, when, invest- ing his entire means in a stock of goods, he departed for the mountains to select a spot whereon to carry on his business operations during the Winter months. This satisfactorily arranged, he returned to Stockton to superin- tend the transfer of his stock in trade, but that very day the rains descended, the trails were rendered unfit for traffic, it was impossible to transport his
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merchandise, he was therefore forced to sacrifice his entire invoice; he was almost down to bed-rock, and twenty-five hundred dollars was his all. With this comparatively insignificant capital Mr. Houghton returned to San José, where he arrived November 28, 1849. Here he found an old acquaintance, Mr. Peasley, who had but then arrived from the southern part of the State with a drove of cattle and sheep, intended for sale at the mines, but such was the desperate state of the weather he could not pro- ceed ; besides, Mr. Peasley was out of funds, he therefore induced Mr. Houghton to invest his small capital in the enterprise, and with him move to the mountains on the cessation of the rains. This Winter, it will be remembered, was that when the first Legislature convened at San Jose, and doubtless it will be borne in mind how rapid was the growth of the town, how great the influx of people, and how scarce and consequently high the price of provisions. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good, says the old proverb; in this instance it worked to a charm for the new firm of Houghton & Peasley. They found a ready market for their entire stock of beef and mutton; they purchased more, and again sold, for the Legislature of a thousand drinks had to be fed as well as toasted, and the partnership was on the high road to success. Now it was bruited about that the State was without cash, the medium of circulation was scrip, and our hero found that his possessions -- his little capital, his oxen and his sheep-had merged into State Bonds. The natives very naturally refused to take paper for cattle, so the business was abandoned. His debts became due, and his creditors clamorous. He therefore was compelled to part with his scrip at a price much below par value, and once more had fortune evaded him, and left him but little in the private exchequer. In the Summer and Fall of 1852 Mr. Houghton assisted in taking the census of Santa Clara county, in accordance with a provision of the State law; in 1853 was appointed Deputy County Recorder; that Fall he was nominated by the Democratic party for Sheriff, but suf- fered defeat at the hands of William McCutchen-majority, one hundred and thirteen votes; in the Fall of 1855 was again nominated for the office of Sheriff, but was defeated by ninety-five votes, the successful candidate being Philip T. McCabe, the Know-Nothing candidate; in 1854, he was elected one of the Common Council of the city of San José and chosen its President; in 1855 was elected to the Mayoralty, retaining the Civic chair during 1855-6, was elected a member of the Forty-second Congress, in 1871, by the Repub- lican party, defeating the Democratic candidate, Lawrence Archer; re-elected in 1872, by the same party, to the Forty-third Congress, defeating E. J. C. Kewen; and, in 1875, was unsuccessful for the Forty-fourth Congress, against P. D. Wiggington, the Democratic candidate, John S. Thompson being can- didate on the Independent ticket. In the year 1854 Mr. Houghton essayed farming on the Milpitas Ranch, which he discontinued, however, in 1856.
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From the year 1852 till 1856, Mr. Houghton, had, during his leisure moments, earnestly read and studied law, and during the latter year, entered the law office of W. T. Wallace and C. T. Ryland. In 1860 Mr. Ryland withdrew from the connection, when Mr. Houghton formed a part- nership with Judge Wallace, which continued until the latter's removal to San Francisco, in 1864. For the last four and twenty years, therefore, has Mr. Houghton been in practice in San José, during which he has had a vast experience in all matters appertaining to the country, but more especially has he been engaged in unraveling the mysteries of Spanish claims, for which his thorough knowledge of the language makes him eminently fitted. Mr. Houghton married Mary M. Donner, August 23, 1859, who died on the 21st of June following, leaving one child, Mary M., who was born June 7 1860, and who still survives. Mr. Houghton married, October 10, 1861, ,
Eliza P. Donner, the youngest and third daughter of George Tamsen Donner, who was born March 8, 1843. She left Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, with her parents, early in the year 1846, and is one of the survivers of the company whose melancholy fate, as the "Donner party," has become a page in California's history. Arriving at Sutter's Fort in April, 1847, accompanied by her two sisters, Francis and Georgia, they met two elder half-sisters, who had preceded them by a few days. The father and mother of these little ones died at Donner Lake, but the fate of the lat- ter was not communicated to the children until after their arrival at the fort. It can readily be imagined how deep was their grief, and how hard to realize was their loss, only those who have been in a like manner tried, can fully picture their heart-broken sorrow. On their loss becoming known to a kindly Swiss couple named Christian and Mary Brunner, their sympa- thies were enlisted in behalf of the orphans, one of them being Eliza, the lady of whom we write. Mrs. Brunner, worthy woman, brought the ehil- dren such luxuries as bread, butter, eggs, and cheese, qualifying her offering with the amiable remark, "These are for the little girls who called me grandma; but don't give them too much at a time." These luxuries were never given to the children, the good old lady found out a few days later, she therefore determined to take the more delicate of the two to her house, where she trusted that, by kind treatment and zealous attention, she would gain strength, when the other would have a like opportunity. Under Mrs. Brunner's hospitable roof Georgia soon commenced to pick up, while Eliza waited, ardently longing for her turn to come. On the return of her sister, the stories told of Mrs. Brunner's kindness, of the many enchantments around and in her dwelling, made the little sister still more anxious for her visit. The long-looked-for day at length came, and what a week of delight ensued, made all the more enjoyable by contrast with former privations. All delights are but transient, however; inevitable fate brought this week of
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rapture to an end. One day, Grandma, all dressed for a walk to the fort, sought the little girl, who was busy at play, and said, "Come, Eliza, I hear that Georgia is siek, and I am going to take you back, and bring her in your place." A shadow was for a moment cast over the little countenance, then brightening up with quick intelligence, she lifted her large, dark eyes, and anxiously asked, "Grandma, can't you keep both of us?" This simple query provided a home for both of them, until a guardian was appointed in the per- son of Hiram Miller, when the sisters were again separated, Francis going with Mrs. Reed's family, Georgia with grandpa, who was about to remove to Sonoma, and Eliza (Mrs. Houghton) to her eldest sister, who was now married and settled on the Cosuinnes river. Here she remained until Win- ter. At this time, hearing that the Brunners and Georgia were anxious for her return to them, the sister consented, and placed her in charge of two families who were transferring their dwelling to Sonoma. This journey was not without its wonders, but the incident which most impressed the child- mind occurred on the banks of the Sonoma river. She had been told that there she would be met by Jacob Brunner, who would take her home to grandma's, but judge of the heart-rending disappointment when it was found that the stream had become a raging torrent and was unfordable. As for Jacob, for days he seeks the swollen stream and shouts words of lov- ing encouragement to the little bairn on the opposite bank. Daily do these cheering sounds come, but there arrives not the opportunity to get nearer. At last the fruition of her youthful desire is to be realized. An Indian, for a silver dollar agrees to carry her across to Jacob, who remains in anxious expectation. The pony is led to the bank, and walked into the torrent, the Indian on its back, and the little five-year-old Eliza clutching nervously his stalwart frame. He presses her feeble arms to his side to make her more secure, gives caution and warning against letting go, the water creeps higher and higher until it reaches her waist, the pony is lifted off his feet, and by the vigorous hand of the aboriginal guided to the shore. She finds herself in the presence of the kind Jacob, who pays the Indian his well-earned fee, then, clasp- ing the infant to his arms, he mounts his horse, and, joy above joy, at last place- her under the hospitable roof of grandma, and upon the beating heart of her sister. At the end of seven years the children left Mr. and Mrs. Brunner's, and went to live with their eldest sister, Elitha, who had come to reside in Sacramento. Here Eliza went to school, attending in turn the places of learning in that city, and one year at St. Catherine's Academy, at Benicia. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton's children are: Eliza P., born August 23, 1863; Sherman O., born May 16, 1865; Clara H., born April 1, 1867; Charles D., born November 5, 1868; Francis J., born March 1, 1870; Stanley W., born January 15, 1872; Herbert S., born July 26, 1876, died March 18, 1878.
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