History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 101

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At San Francisco on August 30, in 1885, Mr. Mur- rin was married to Miss Mary Devitt. a native of that city and the daughter of Frank and Katherine (Meehan) Devitt, early California settlers, her father having been a very successful merchant in the Bay City. She was educated in Presentation Convent in San Francisco. One son, Frank J. Murrin, was the pride of our. subject and his wife. He had been a dealer in Goodyear tires for four years when the war broke out, and October 1, 1918, he entered the army and was sent to Fort McDowell as a clerk. 31

There he was taken sick with the influenza, and on October 18, 1918, he died at the government hos- pital, a severe blow to the parents as well as to all his friends. Mr. Murrin is now among the oldest resi- dents of his town and at one time knew almost every man and woman who came to town.

JOHN C. F. STAGG .- Among the men who have contributed the greater part of their lives toward the upbuilding of California mention must be made of John C. F. Stagg, who for nearly half a century has been an important factor in the commercial. financial and political status of the county of Santa Clara. He was born June 1, 1863, at Du Quoin, Ill., a son of Rev. I. M. and Marial (Thomas) Stagg, the father, a native of New Jersey, while the mother was born and reared in Michigan. They were the parents of ten children. The Rev. Stagg was a noted Methodist minister and was associated with the famous pioneer circuit rider, Peter Cartwright. Both of these pioneer missionary preachers were noted for their courage and determination in following their chosen line of work, and while they agreed perfectly in religious convictions they disagreed in political affiliations, but each one of them were equally powerful as pulpit orators. Rev. Stagg passed away at Du Quoin in 1875.

The paternal ancestors of Mr. Stagg emigrated from Holland 200 years ago, when three brothers left their native land and settled in New Jersey. All three of them were in the Revolutionary War, and bravely fought under General Washington. The maternal ancestors were of English descent. the progenitor of the Thomas family having emigrated to America in carly colonial days; our subject's ma- ternal great-grandfather being the famous infidel, Thomas Paine. Mr. Stagg has two sisters living in San Jose at the present time: Mrs. Launtz, the widow of Frank Launtz, an old-time scout and nur- seryman, and Mrs. King, the widow of Wilmont King, a railroad man.

On account of the large family, John Stagg was obliged to leave the parental roof and make his own way. For four years he sold newspapers, blacked boots, and did other things for a livelihood in St. Louis, Mo .; later going to Kansas City where he remained for a year. He then obtained employment in the railroad service over the Denver and Rio Grande extension through Colorado, checking and billing freight. His education was obtained solely through practical experience, and was therefore the most valuable. For a period of three years when he was eighteen. he was separated from his family: meanwhile his mother with her family had removed to California and settled at Salinas, having been residents since 1878. The family came to San Jose during the year of 1880, where they have continu- ously resided, and where the mother passed away about 1892. Mr. Stagg was employed by J. P. Jarman, the leading house painting contractor forty years ago, and it was while in his employ that he thoroughly learned the painting business. For the last twenty-five years he has conducted his own business, and many stores and residences attest his ability as a painter and decorator of all kinds of structures. The Continental Paint Company. of which he is president, carries a full line of paints, varnishes. wall paper, roofing, window glass and painters' supplies, and well deserve the large

638

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

patronage which they enjoy. From eight to forty men are employed in his business.

The marriage of Mr. Stagg on August 16, 1897, united him with Miss Margaret E. O'Keefe, a music teacher, born and reared in San Francisco. They are the parents of one child, Helen, a graduate of the San Jose high school and of Heald's Business College, who is now employed as stenographer and bookkeeper in her father's store. Thoroughly hon- orable in all his dealings, enterprising and public- spirited, this esteemed pioneer has made and re- tained friends all along the line of his useful life. and he may well view with pride and satisfaction the work he has accomplished.

JACOB LUTHER .- Numbered among the sturdy early settlers of California who passed through the vicissitudes and hardships of pioneer life with credit and honor to themselves, is the late Jacob Luther, who contributed much to the upbuilding of the Santa Clara Valley during the long years of his residence here. He was born in Germany in 1840, the son of Jacob and Louise Luther, who brought their family to America when Jacob was a baby, settling at Delafield. Wis., where he later received a good education in the schools of that locality. Early in life he learned the harness maker's trade at Water- loo, Wis, and he was engaged in this line of work until 1858, when he started on the journey to Cali- fornia, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama Shortly after his arrival at San Francisco he went to Monterey County and invested in land in Peach Tree Valley; these were the days when Central Cali- fornia was being plundered by organized bands of marauders, when neither life nor property was safe, and one of the teamsters employed by Mr. Luther on his ranch was killed in the holdup by the desperado Vasquez and his gang of bandits at Paicines, Cal. Mr. Luther acquired about 50,000 acres of land which was used as range for his large flocks of sheep, retaining this until 1882, when the whole tract was sold to Miller & Lux. the cattle barons of their day, and he removed to Hollister, purchasing 180 acres in that vicinity.

On December 29. 1870, Mr. Luther was married to Miss Frances Green at Redwood City. A native of Chelsea, Washtenaw County. Mich., where she was born July 26, 1855, she came to San Francisco via Panama with her parents in 1868. Her father, John WV. Green, was born in New Jersey and came to Washtenaw County, Mich., in the early days, where he married Harriet A. Letts, a native of New York, and for many years he was successfully engaged in farming there. In 1850 he made his first trip to California, crossing the plains in an ox-team train, and for three or four years he followed mining, re- turning home by way of Panama. In 1868 he brought his wife and four children to California, locating in Monterey County, where he engaged in stock raising until he retired to Hollister, passing away there in 1905 at the age of eighty-one. Mrs. Green having died some years previous, when sixty- seven years of age. Frances Green had completed her education at Ypsilanti Seminary in Michigan, be- fore coming to California, and it was while living in Monterey County that she became acquainted with Mr. Luther.

In 1889 Mr. Luther, with his family, removed to Santa Clara County and purchased a tract of 123 acres on the Stevens Creek Road, halfway between Cupertino and San Jose, and set it out to orchard, there being sixty-five acres in prunes, thirty acres in walnuts, eighteen acres in hay and the balance in well-planned grounds. One of the finest wells in the district has been developed on this ranch, and is equipped with a Byron-Jackson deep-well pump. Mr. Luther passed away March 11, 1916, at the age of seventy-six. his death closing a career of marked accomplishment and usefulness. A very handsome inan, of attractive personality, his integrity and sin- cerity of purpose gave him a high place in the esteem of all who knew him. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran and was all his life a stanch Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Luther were the parents of four children: Alice, Ida. Julia and Don Walter. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Luther has continued to make her home on the ranch, which she and the children own and operate, and here she continues in the same liberal way as her husband to dispense the good old-time hospitality.

. AUGUST GEOFFROY .- August Geoffroy. the genial secretary and treasurer of the Artana-Geoffroy Company, is making a decided success of his busi- ness ventures. This company distributes Haynes cars, and Fageol trucks and tractors; and besides doing expert repair work, carries a full line of auto and truck accessories. A native of San Jose, he was born June 10, 1888, the son of Dominick Geoffroy, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, who passed away at the age of fifty-eight years, on December 25, 1907. His wife, who was Barbara Horner, was born in Germany, coming to the United States with her family when but eleven years old. Her parents settled in Pennsylvania, where her education was obtained in a convent. She is still living at the age of sixty. They were the parents of seven children; August, the subject of this review; William, vice- president and shop superintendent of the Artana- Geoffroy Company; George is manager of the various properties belonging to the Geoffroy family; when the call came from his country, he responded and was sent to France; Rosalind, a graduate of Notre Dame College in San Jose; Joseph is a stu- dent in Santa Clara College; Margaret is a student in the State Normal of San Jose: one child passed away while in infancy.

Mr. Geoffroy was educated in the public schools of San Jose, later attending the St. Joseph school in San Jose, and the Santa Clara College. His mar- riage united him with Miss Josephine Christensen of San Jose, a daughter of Christ Christensen. They are the parents of two children; Donald and Doro- thy. They are consistent members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, giving of their time and means to the support of all church activities. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

The Artana-Geoffroy Company, of which Mr. Geoffroy is secretary and treasurer was incorporated November 5, 1919. located at 334-349 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, is the largest truck and trac- tor concern on the Pacific coast. They maintain a thoroughly equipped machine shop, with expert re- pairmen, the business requiring the continuous serv- ices of thirty men in the service department, and seven salesmen are required to wait on the large

Jacob Luther

Frances & Luther

643

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

patronage. The steadily-growing business owes its increase, in a large measure, to the strict integrity and careful attention to business of its proprietors. As a public-spirited citizen Mr. Geoffroy has been liberal in supporting objects he deems worthy with both time and money. He owns realty holdings in both city and county, and is accumulating a com- petency worthy of his activities.

IDA M. FISHER .- Fortunate in a thorough artistic training, Miss Ida M. Fisher, the head of her department at the State Teachers' College at San Jose, has done much to advance the study and ap- preciation of music in California, and has thus be- come a woman of exceptionally wide acquaintance and helpful, uplifting influence. A native daughter proud of her association with the Golden State, she was born in Sacramento, a member of the family of John Christian and Wilhelmina ( Geiger) Fisher. Her father. a native of Germany, was a noted musician, as was her mother, who came from the Rhineland. Mr. Fisher was one of a family of eight children, and Mrs. Fisher, of a family of five.

John C. Fisher, on coming to the United States, settled with his parents in Western New York and for awhile engaged in business before attempting the passage of the great plains. Leaving his family, he braved the danger of the continent and later Mrs. Fisher and their two children came to California by way of the Isthmus. Mr. Fisher was employed as an engineer and ran between San Francisco and Sacramento; he was a master mechanic and was one of the early division superintendents having charge of the Sacramento to Freeport and Auburn division. Eventually he was injured in the terrible railroad accident in the Tehachepi Pass about 1883, when the engine left the track and so many were fatally injured. These worthy American pioneers, nobly representing an earlier generation to whom present- day Californians owe so much, were blessed with six children. Anson P. Fisher lives at Canastota, N. Y. Minnie G. is Mrs. Wisner of San Francisco. Annie is Afrs. Plummer of Bakersfield. The fourth of the family is the subject of our review. Emeretta is Mrs. Sybrandt of Selma; Fred is at Syracuse.

Miss Ida Fisher attended the grammar and the high school at Folsom, and then for two years pur- sued the courses of the State Normal School at San Jose. after which she taught in California. Later she went to Boston and there for two years studied music, and then for six years she pursued her musical studies at New York. Thus equipped, she had charge of the musical instruction in the schools at Fayette- ville and East Sycamore, N. Y., including both the grammar and high school grades; and while she was teaching at Syracuse, she attended the Syracuse University and studied piano, pipe organ and har- mony. She also took private voice lessons from Thomas Ward. While at Boston, she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and for two years took private instruction in piano from Profes- sor Charles Conant, and later graduated from the Holt School of Music in Massachusetts.

fn 1899. Miss Fisher came back to California and took charge of the music department of the Alameda schools; and for seven and a half years she con- tributed much toward raising the standards and ex- tending the fame of that school system. In Jan- uary, 1907, she removed to San Jose and took

charge of the musical instruction in the Normal School, now the State Teachers' College. To Miss Fisher, in fact, is due the credit for starting and building up that department; and she has continued there ever since, with the exception of the year 1916-1917, when she attended the Pittsburgh Univer- sity of Music and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Besides this degree, she has many other enviable credentials, certificates and testimonials. The musi- cal department of this State Teachers' College aims to train teachers of music for both the grammar and the high schools. The course consists of harmony, the history of music, sight-reading, piano, part sing- ing, voice training. orchestration, instrumentation, counterpoint and the theory of music.

EDWARD C. POWER .- A very enterprising, successful leader of local industrial affairs, constantly breaking into new paths and pointing the way where others may follow, who has done much to stimulate and to cultivate public art taste not only in San Jose but throughout Santa Clara County, is Edward C. Power, proprietor of "The Urn Shop," the famous headquarters, at 578 West Santa Clara Street, for architectural modeling, cement and plaster decora- tions, and garden furniture. For half a century or more the name of Power has been an honored one in Santa Clara County, and our subject is a worthy successor of his father, Edward Power, a native of County Dublin, Ireland. When eighteen, he came ont to the United States and settled in Chicago; and having learned the trade of a woodcarver, he fol- lowed it energetically in the fast-growing Windy City, maintaining a shop, always attractive to those in search of artistic things, on State Street.

When the Civil War broke out, however, Edward Power, a natural patriot, enlisted in the cause of the Union as a soldier of the Nintieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, popularly termed the Irish Regiment, which had the honor of doing yeoman service under Gen- cral Grant; and during a fierce engagement, he sus- tained a severe leg wound-his sacrifice for a united country. After the war was over, young Power did not return to Chicago nor did he ever see his shop again; but he came out to California and pitched his tent in San Francisco. He worked again at his trade as a woodcarver, and being among the most expert on the coast, he found plenty to do. He married Miss Ellen Barrett, a native of County Cork. Ireland, and in San Francisco, on June 2. 1867. Edward C. Power was born. Mr. Power came to San Jose as early as 1871, to do some contract work in his line; and the following year he first brought his family here. After a few years, he returned to San Francisco; but in 1884 he once more settled in this city, where he made his home until his death, December 16, 1896. Many of the fine buildings erected in and around San Jose from 1871 bore evidences of his superior craft, and he was highly esteemed by fellow industrial workers. Mrs. Power also breathed her last on October 10, 1899. beloved as a good neighbor and a steadfast friend.

Edward C. Power was educated in the excellent public schools of San Francisco, and when old enough, started to learn woodcarving; and having remarkable aptitude for designing, he soon mastered the trade under the fortunate and inspiring guidance of his father, with whom he became associated in business on attaining to manhood. Together they

644

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

filled a large number of varied contracts, and did much outside ornamental work on many of the leading public buildings, as well as the larger and more notable private residences. Since his father's lamented death, Mr. Power has carried on the busi- ness alone, expanding it with the passing years. The advent of cement and stucco work spelt the knell of woodcarving in building, but Mr. Power evidenced his real genius in becoming an expert modeler, and now, through his latest art, he is able successfully and artistically to carry out and complete any kind of work in his field required of him, fashioning in clay or other materials in original, direct manner, with the most artistic feeling and perception, and bringing out lights and shadows, just as an artist does upon a canvas.

Not only has Mr. Power himself superior tech- nique, in both designing and in drawing, but he keeps a force of highly-trained men busy all the time. The First National and the Garden City Bank buildings display his handiwork, as well as nearly all the large buildings in San Jose, and the finest residences throughout the city and the county. He makes garden furniture and finds a ready sale for it all the way from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo; and his shop at 578 West Santa Clara Street has become the mecca of many art-lovers and students and admirers of artistic decoration. Associated with him is his son, Eugene J. Power, who has grown up in the work since he was a small boy, and who is also an expert modeler. As a business man, too, Mr. Power has been very successful, and today he stands high in the city's commercial as well as in- dustrial circles; and he is deeply interested in the upbuilding of both city and county,-a district where the greater part of his life has been passed. He has gained that preeminence which naturally follows superior ability and concentrated effort in the field of activity where he specializes.

At San Jose, in September, 1891, Mr. Power was married to Miss Alida Klinkart, the daughter of William and Alida Klinkart. The bride was born in New York State and came out to California with her parents; and as her father was a leading archi- tect of San Jose, she enjoyed the best of educational advantages. Eleven children have blessed this union of Mr. and Mrs. Power. William, Charles, Dorothy and Alice are deceased. The living members of the family are May B., the oldest child; Edward I., the second born, who is married, and is an orchardist in the Vaca Valley, Solano County; Eugene J., as- sociated with his father; and Joseph, Richard, David and Bernice, attending school.

JAMES BOYD, D. V. S .- A distinguished repre- sentative of California veterinarians is Dr. James Boyd, of San Jose, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on May 15, 1855, the son of David Boyd, a farmer and stockman, of Scotch-Irish descent who came to Pennsylvania when he was a boy. James Boyd was trained partly in the excellent schools of Pittsburgh, and partly in the Military Agricultural School at Blacksburg, Va .; so that with his home advantages, thanks largely to his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Morrison, he was rather well equipped, for one of his age, to cope with the outside world. Both parents died in Pennsylvania.

When he started out for himself, he went to the Lexington region in Kentucky, and there became interested in fine trotting stock. * In 1880, he mi- grated to California, bringing with him some horses and mules, including a trotting stallion worth some $5,000, a colt valued at $4,000, and a saddle horse representing $1,000, together with a mare worth $800, and many valuable jacks. He had already practiced as a veterinarian in Kentucky, so he had no difficulty in establishing himself in the same pro- fessional field in Santa Clara County, and in 1900 he received his certificate from the San Francisco Vet- crinary College.

He settled for a short time in Livermore, then purchased a farm of 100 acres near Milpitas, where he ranched for three years. He sold it to the county, and it is now known as the County Farm. In 1905 he founded and erected a veterinary hospital at Mil- pitas, and in connection with the hospital he also conducted an automobile garage. When he sold his ranch he moved to San Jose, and during the time he lived here he made two trips to the Hawaiian Islands with stock. He then moved to Milpitas and built his hospital. In 1910 he removed to San Jose, and he has ever since then made this city his home. For years he was a director of the Fair Association which was held here annually, and for three years was manager of the track.

On October 13, 1887, Dr. Boyd was married at San Jose to Miss Delia Castle, a native of Amador County, Cal., and the daughter of Wellman Doctor Castle, who had married Miss Frances Ferry. Her father was a real Argonaut, who crossed the great plains in '49, traveling in the spring by ox-team and prairie schooner. He was a native of New York, who first removed to Michigan and from there mi- grated to California. He tried his luck in the Ama- dor Mines, and in later years took up farming and cattle raising, and the development of a fine vine- yard. He lived to be eighty-four years of age, and died at Milpitas. He came to Milpitas in 1872, and here engaged in wholesale butchering, furnishing the markets at San Jose. He was also interested in a large cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon, and was accustomed to make trips to that state cach year to arrange cattle shipments, accompanied by his eldest son, I. N. Castle. Mrs. Boyd is one of a family of four children by her father's first marriage. and a stepsister to the three children by his second union; a sister is Mrs. Hattie Topham.

Harold Edward Boyd, the only son of Dr. and Mrs. James Boyd, made a specialty of the study of geol- ogy at Stanford University and is a graduate of that famous institution. He was for three years with the Barber Asphalt Company, which sent him to South America, and at present he is one of the chief geologists in the employ of the Henry L. Doherty Oil Company of New York City. He enlisted for service in the World War as a member of the Flying Corps which was training at Mather Field, and he attended the School of Observation at Berkeley. He had made twenty flights when he was afflicted with the influenza, and after he came out of the hospital, he made four more flights. Then the armistice was signed, and his services were no longer needed.

An acknowledged authority of exceptional experi- once in his field, Dr. Boyd was appointed by the Bureau of Animal Industry to inspect cattle in Santa

Comfy Lawrence

647

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Clara County for inter-state shipping, and for years he has been treasurer of the California Veterinary Association. Since 1915 he has made his home at 505 South Second Street in San Jose, where he has dispensed a generous hospitality.

WILLIAM HOWARD LAWRENCE .- An ex- perienced, successful rancher, now living in comfort- able, quiet retirement, and a veteran in high standing in the ranks of the G. A. R., is William Howard Lawrence, of 116 Naglee street, San Jose, a native of historic Concord, Mass., where he was born on March 3, 1837. His father was Albert Chester Law- rence, who had married Rhoda Ann Fesenden. Al- bert Chester bore the family name of Bull as a boy until his playmates guyed him so severely that he had it changed to Lawrence by an act of the Massa- chusetts Legislature. Both his parents were of English descent; his father's people, three brothers of the Bull family, came to America on the ship "James" in 1635, while his mother's family dates back to the Pilgrim Fathers. Both of his great-grand- fathers were members of the Continental Army and for eight years fought from Bunker Hill until the close of the American Revolution. Grandfather Bull fought in the War of 1812, until 1815, and while serving under General Andrew Jackson was wounded at the battle of New Orleans. Albert Chester Law- rence was a mechanic and worked first as a carpen- ter and then as a cabinet maker, and after that as a pianoforte builder. In 1849 he came around the Horn to San Francisco and went up into the north fork of the American River, where he engaged in mining. His brother, John Clark Bull, was a sea- captain, who sailed the seas and made it a business to trade his cargo to the Mexicans for hides and tallow; and in 1849 he also went around the Horn with a cargo, and while in San Francisco the ship was deserted by its crew, who left pell-mell for the mines. Captain Bull disposed of the ship and cargo and also tried his luck at mining; and later he went into Humboldt County and ran a hotel at Eureka until his death. In pioneer days he had returned East via the Isthmus and purchased a sailing vessel of 150 tons burden and brought his family around the Horn to California.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 101

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846- Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1928

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928