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 109

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

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North Market Street, where they remained until 1921, when they moved to the present location, where they are doing a good business. It is very interesting to know the origin of the name of De Carli. A homeless orphan, who had taken refuge in one of the orphanages of Switzerland, was given the name of De Carli by the government of that country, Carli meaning orphanage, the name, there- fore signifying, "the child from the orphanage." The late Judge W. G. Lorigan, who was at one time Justice of the Supreme Court, was a very inti- mate friend of Mr. De Carli and was instrumental in our subject's receiving the position of interpreter in his court and after he had occupied this place for awhile, none other in the judge's estimation was so capable. Naturally of a studious disposition, Mr. De Carli is a great reader, and has added much to his store of knowledge in his leisure moments. Benevo- lent and generous, he has been a veritable Good Samaritan in San Jose and many is the family he has rescued from want or starvation, taking the hard-earned dollars from his own pocket for his benefactions.

IRA COTTLE .- Whenever the historian shall essay to relate the stirring history of Santa Clara County, he will not fail to revert to the interesting life-story of one of her sturdiest pioneers, Ira Cottle, who estabished his home as far back as 1858 on what later became Willow Avenue, near its junction with Minnesota Avenue, and so became one of the found- ers of the picturesque community known in early days as The Willows. Ira Cottle was born in St. Charles County, Mo., October 10, 1819. His father, Oliver Cottle, had come from Ver- mont, and his mother, who was Miss Charity Lowe before her marriage, was a native of Tennessee. His parents settled in Missouri when it was known as the Louisiana Purchase; and later they removed to Texas. The move, however, was productive of disaster, for Mr. Cottle was seized with yellow fever and died, and Mrs. Cottle and her family had to make their way back to Missouri. In 1833 they moved once again, this time to Iowa; and located in Des Moines County, where Mrs. Cottle passed the remainder of her days.

In all the vigor of young manhood, Ira set out for Southern Wisconsin, and for eleven years he fol- lowed lead mining in Grant County. In 1846 he took for his helpmate Miss Mary Ann Baker, a native of Indiana, and three years later he established himself as a farmer in Clayton County, Iowa. By 1854 he had a family of two children, and in that year he brought his household to California, traveling by the Overland Trail with ox teams, six months en route. For a while he found what he wanted for general farming and stockraising in the Coyote district, Santa Clara County, but in 1858 he removed to the ranch he continued to occupy until his death, April 8, 1907. He bought 125 acres of the Narvaeze Grant, for which he paid $2,500. He devoted the land to the raising of grain and hay and was an enthusiast in the matter of trce planting.

Mrs. Cottle, who was esteemed by a wide circle of friends as a neighbor and friend, passed to her eternal reward on August 5, 1873, the mother of six children, two of whom are living, and in 1876 Ira Cottle took to himself a second wife, Mrs. Joseph Smith, a talented lady popular as Miss Clara C. Chase before her first marriage. She came from

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Rochester, N. Y., to California in 1860. Formerly a Henry Clay Whig, Mr. Cottle lived to see the Re- publiean party well established, and to have the satisfying consciousness that he had done his full duty in helping support it in its most trying days.

JUDGE FREDERICK BENJAMIN BROWN .- A gentleman versed in jurisprudence and prominent in the civic and social life of San Jose is Judge Fred- erick Benjamin Brown, the present incumbent of the office of Judge of the Superior Court of the State of California, in and for Santa Clara County, who pos- sesses an enviable reputation for sterling character, judicial and business ability of a high degree, which has been made fully apparent in the impartial manner in which he deals out justice. He is filling the respon- sible position with the utmost satisfaction to his con- stituents and credit to himself. He is a native of Illi- nois, having been born at Galva, Henry County, on February 13, 1861, a son of Jeremiah J. and Catherine (Protsman) Brown. His father was born in New Hampshire, coming when sixteen years of age with his parents to Peoria County, Ill. where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming, acquiring 160 aeres of government land, which he cleared and improved. The Brown family is traced back to England, coming to New Hampshire in 1636. Great-great-grandfather Capt. Joseph Brown, of Kensington, N. H., served in the Revolutionary War; while Grandfather Ben- jamin Brown was a captain of New Hampshire inilitia. On his maternal side the family is traced back to Germany where Grandfather Frederick Prots- man was born, but disliking the military oppression he ran away from home when thirteen years of age, going to Holland where in time he married; later he came to the United States, locating in Illinois in 1843.

Mr. Brown is the fourth oldest in a family of nine children, and received his education in the publie schools of his home district and in the Galva high school, from which he was graduated in the year 1881, after which he matriculated at Knox College, Gales- burg, Ill., where he was duly graduated in 1885 with the degree of B. S. He proceeded to Grant County, Kans., where he took up a homestead of 160 acres; he also preempted a tree elaim, making a total of 480 acres, which he improved according to law and re- ceived a government title to the land. While thus engaged he was county superintendent of schools for a period of five years. Disposing of his interests in Kansas, he came to California in 1893 and located in Santa Clara County, making his home at Saratoga. Here he began the study of law under Judge Weleh and in 1895 was admitted to the California bar. Forming a partnership with Allan Brant he con- tinued with him for a time when they dissolved part- nership and Mr. Brown continued the practice alone. In 1902 he was appointed city attorney, holding the office for two terms of two years each, until January, 1906, when he was appointed, by the board of super- visors, justice of the peace to fill a vacancy until the fall of 1906, when he was a candidate for the office and was elected, filling the office to the entire satisfaction of the community. In 1910 and 1914 he was elected to succeed himself without opposition, and again in 1918 was reelected. He became very popular and his decisions were well received, as they were made fairly and impartially. In 1920 when he announced him- self as a candidate at the county primaries for Supe- rior Judge he was nominated and at the November election was elected by a fine majority. He then re-

signed as justice of the peace and took the oath as Judge of the Superior Court in January, 1921, and is filling the position with much credit, all his work be- ing done with the same fairness which has character- ized all of his publie service. Mr. Brown has also been very prominent in civic and commercial cireles. As carly as 1902, he was elected a member of the board of directors of the San Jose Chamber of Com- merce and was reeleeted cach term until 1921, when he declined being a candidate for reelection. During this time he served as president of the organization for one term during the year of 1915.

Mr. Brown's marriage occurred in Rock Island, Ill., on March 29, 1888, and united him with Miss Mary L. Miller, a native of Georgia, and they are the parents of four children: John Miller, a rancher residing in San Jose; Sewell Solon of Los Gatos; Victor Forrest is with the Standard Oil Company; and Paul Winston passed away at the age of three years. Fraternally, Mr. Brown is very popular and active. He was made a Mason in Fraternity Lodge No. 399, of San Jose, and is a member of all the Scottish Rite bodies in San Jose, as well as Islam Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., San Francisco; and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine, he being a past patron and Mrs. Brown a past matron for the former order; he is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Seiots, the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and Modern Woodmen of America. In local club circles he is a member of the Union Club and was a charter member of the Lions Club of San Jose and was the first president of the latter organization. In national polities he is decidedly Republican. Judge Brown has always stood for clean government and been to the front in all matters for progress and up- building of the community. His independence of character, his integrity, honesty and capableness enables him to make a most excellent record as

Superior Judge. Liberal, kindhearted and sym- pathetic, while justice of the peace, he was a friend to the widows and neglected children and let no opportunity pass of righting the wrongs by invoking the aid of the law where his own magnetie person- ality and pleading were in vain, thus making a better world because he understands and demonstrates the real meaning of justice.

HON. GEORGE S. WALKER .- A distinguished, popular publie official, whose enviable record for efficiency and fidelity would have established him permanently in any commonwealth, is the Hon. George S. Walker, the State Building and Loan Commissioner, who connts himself among the resi- dents of San Jose, and maintains his domicile at 556 North Sixteenth Street. As a former Senator of California he has long enjoyed a wide acquaintance and extensive associations enabling him to exert an effective influenee; and this influence has been used, time and again, to advance the best interests of the people at large, and to hasten the day when the Golden State shall come to its own in the perfeet development of its unrivalled resources.

George S. Walker was born on September 21, 1874, at Santa Rosa, the son of the late William S. Walker, who passed away in 1907, in his sixty- seventh year, prominent among the brainiest and most enterprising citizens of Los Gatos, and widely known in journalistic circles. A son of William H.

F& Brown.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Walker, he was born on May 20, 1839, at Macomb, Ill., a descendant of good old patriotic stock, his paternal grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, while his grandfather, James Walker, a Kentucky planter, was in the War of 1812.

William H. Walker was born in Rockbridge County, Va, in which both of his parents also first saw the light, and passed his childhood in the Old Dominion, growing to manhood in Kentucky, where he helped to manage the home plantation. When he pushed out into the world for himself, he settled in Illinois, and having established a nursery at Macomb, followed for a while horticultural pursuits. Subsequently, he resided for some years in Keokuk County, Iowa, but the lure of Illinois brought him back to the state in which he rounded out his use- ful life. He had married Miss Ann Harris, a native of Tennessee, who died at Macomb, and they had five children, among whom William S. Walker, the father of our subject, was the youngest.

William S. Walker, true to the traditions of his grandfather and great-grandfather, early offered him- self for active service in the defense of his country during the Civil War, and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company K. Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, as the first man to enroll from Mason County, and he was mustered in at Peoria for a period of three years. The next year he took part in the siege of Fort Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, but soon after, having incurred physical disability, was honor- ably discharged. His patriotic zeal impelled him again to endeavor to enlist, this time in the Eighty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but he was unable to pass physically.

Having resolved to make the experiment of life in the extreme West, William S. Walker in the spring of 1864 sailed to Panama, and north to Cali- fornia; and for two years he tried it out in Sonoma County. Then he returned to Illinois, traversing again the Isthmian route, and at Mason City es- tablished the first paper printed there, which he continued to edit for several years. Once having gotten acquainted with California, however, he never gave up the plan of resuming activity here; and having sold out his Illinois newspaper interests in June, 1874, he returned to the Pacific Coast, and opened a job-printing office at Petaluma. Not sat- isfied with the results of his venture, he moved across the continent to Missouri, in October of the same year, and there purchased a small farm, in- tending to settle down as a tiller of the soil; but the grasshopper hordes of 1875 so cleaned him out that he was glad to exchange his land for a printing office, and to establish the Henry County News at Clinton. He presided for just six weeks in the edi- torial sanctum of the News, and then he was in- duced to take charge of the Crete Sentinel, at Crete, Nebr. He found, however, that he could not live from the patronage of that paper, and having dis- posed of that property, he removed to Lincoln, Nebr., where he opened a job-printing office. The grasshopper scourge still affected his destiny, the insects having eaten the farmers of that section out of house and home, or nearly so, the previous year. and left them nothing with which to subscribe for newspapers or pay for printing; and so, in the month of September of the Centennial Year, 1876, when California had drawn to itself renewed notice on account of the exploitation at the Exposition and 33

throughout the country, he made his third trip to California; and after resting a while at Ventura, he again opened a job-printing office at Petaluma. Diptheria drove him out within four weeks, and he removed to Cloverdale, in Sonoma County, and there started a newspaper; but this did not hold him, and he returned to Nebraska, in the spring of 1877, when he became a resident of Lincoln for a year. Re- moving to Seward, in the spring of 1878, he entered the local journalistic field and published the Seward County Advocate; but in June, 1879, he sold out and once more set out for California.

Pitching his tent at Cloverdale, in the fall of 1879, he purchased the old paper mill and managed it until the summer of 1880, when he sold it and re- turned to Lincoln, Nebr .; and here it may be well to observe that, although Mr. Walker seems to have been a good deal of a nomad, he never failed to provide for his family, always taking them with him on his innumerable trips. One of the good, old- fashioned winters in Nebraska, however, cured him of his enthusiasm for life in the Middle West and in the spring of 1881 he returned to the more salubrious climate of the Golden State. After look- ing about for a favorable location, he was advised to go to the picturesque mountain town of Sara- toga, in Santa Clara County; and while on his way to that place, he stopped off at Los Gatos and was persuaded to settle there permanently instead. He at once established the Los Gatos Weekly News, and this he conducted successfully until March, 1885, when he disposed of it by sale and removed to Santa Cruz. Even there he published a newspaper for a while; hut Los Gatos drew him a second time within her hospitable borders, and he bought the Los Gatos Mail, which he enlarged and published as a weekly until the spring of 1902, when he disposed of his newpaper interests, and with a splendid record for path-breaking as a pioneer, he retired from active business to the comforts of a private life. Although constantly shifting, Mr. Walker was by no means a rolling stone gathering no moss; he usually sold out at a profit, and each step was a step forward, not only in his progress but with some contribution to- ward the progress of the community in which he had shared a common lot. In addition to acquiring valuable property in Los Gatos, Mr. Walker came to own two ranches, one in Monterey County, and the other in Santa Cruz County, and under his able management, both proved productive and highly profitable estates. He also made good use of his literary talents, during both busy and spare hours, and enjoyed a wide Western fame as the author of two very interesting and instructive volumes, entitled, "Hungry Land" and "Between the Tides."

While at Mason City, Ill., William S. Walker was married to Miss Maggie Montross, a native of Ohio, a talented, devoted woman who became the mother of eight children, six of whom reached matur- ity: WV. G. Walker graduated from the North- western University, became a druggist, and died in Los Gatos at the age of thirty-one; Effie, a Normal graduate and subsequently a popular teacher in the public schools, passed away in 1899, a year after the death of Lincoln Walker, and two years before the death of Walter Walker; George S. Walker is the subject of our instructive review; Leland H. Walker is an attorney in San Jose, with a residence in Los Gatos. Mr. Walker was a Republican, and an active

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

and a very much honored member of the E. O. C. Ord Post No. 82, of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker were devoted mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

George S. Walker was reared and schooled at Los Gatos, and being resourceful even as a youth, he learned the printer's trade early, and as soon as prac- ricable was initiated into the ins and outs of the publishing business. He also delved into politics, and he has the distinct, unique honor of having been clected to the State Assembly in 1900, when he was hardly twenty-six years of age. There he attained such success that he was reelected in 1902, and so much confidence was placed in the young Assembly- man, after his record for four years had been re- peatedly examined, that he was elected to the State Senate on the Republican ticket. In 1908 he was reelected, and he then introduced the Walker-Otis Anti-Race-Track Gambling Bill, which was passed, became a law, and is now in force. In 1910 Mr. Walker was lieutenant to Hiram Johnson, and was in charge of the Johnson Campaign in Santa Clara County; and his executive ability being splendidly demonstrated, he was able to lead his party to triumphant success.

In 1911 Mr. Walker was appointed State Building and Loan Commissioner, and since then he has filled this office with consummate ability. His headquar- ters are in the suite, 604-6 Claus Spreckels Building, San Francisco; and from there have gone out many reforming influences of great benefit to the people of the state at large. During the year 1911-12, for example, Mr. Walker closed the Continental Build- ing and Loan Association of San Francisco, and later in the same year discovered a shortage amount- ing to $140,000 in the accounts of the secretary of the Palo Alto Building and Loan Association, who was subsequently sent to San Quentin prison for seven years. This was a very difficult case to carry through in the interests of the public whom Mr. Walker represented, but he managed the affair suc- cessfully, and demonstrated the value of his office, which, it is needless to say, has many times since rendered the same noteworthy safe-guarding service. During Mr. Walker's administration of this office, the number of associations in California coming under his jurisdiction has increased from eighty-six to 110; and these institutions for mutual advantage have progressed wonderfully. Five of the number doing a building and loan business are located in Santa Clara County, and their assets make Santa Clara County register third in the state.

In 1916 George S Walker was nominated for Con- gress as the candidate of the Progressive Repub- licans, in opposition to the incumbent, the Hon. E. A. Hayes, and each candidate made an excellent run, the fine record of Mr. Walker, both in the conduct of the affairs of his office and in his con- sistent demonstration of an unmistakable patriotism and public spirit appealing forcibly to many; but the result of the election retained the incumbent in office. Mr. Walker took the verdict philosophically, and those who are familiar with his fine record as State Building and Loan Commissioner are disposed to congratulate the voter on his unwillingness to lose either one of the officials.

At San Jose, on December 31, 1900, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Martha I. Spencer, the daugh- ter of the late Theodore Spencer and his good wife

Ann, who is still living and shares the comforts and happiness of the Walker fireside. Three children have blessed their fortunate union: Wesley, Marion and George S. Walker, Jr.

ANDREW H. JEPSEN .- For over forty years a resident of Santa Clara County, Andrew H. Jepsen is one of the substantial citizens of the Cupertino district, and was among the early orchardists that have aided in the development of this prosperous neighborhood. Denmark was Mr. Jepsen's native land, and he was born near the German border. The date of his birth was January 10, 1860, and his parents, both now deceased, were worthy folk who passed their lives in the country of their birth. In common with the lads of his neighborhood, Andrew H. Jepsen gained his education in the schools of that vicinity, and at the age of sixteen he started in to learn the carpenter's trade in Denmark, serving an apprenticeship with one man.

When he became of age, Mr. Jepsen determined to avail himself of the larger opportunities across the water, and accordingly arrived in Oakland, Cal., 111 1881. In the fall of that year he came on to San Jose, and Santa Clara County has since been his home. He worked at his trade for various con- tractors and in different places in the county, having helped build some of the more important residences and business blocks in the city, also worked on the Agnew Asylum and on the new Del Monte Hotel at Monterey, continuing at his trade until 1907, when he quit and has since devoted his time to his ranch property. In 1887 he made a trip back to Denmark and returned to Santa Clara County the next year.

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jepsen and Miss Caroline Rasmussen, who is also a native of Denmark and who came to California in the late '80s. She and a brother bought ten acres south of Cuper- tino and after her brother died she became owner of the property. In 1893 the Jepsens left San Jose and moved to the ranch, Mr. Jepsen continuing at his trade and at the same time setting out the ten heres to orchard. This property was later sold. He had purchased twenty acres in the immediate vicinity of their home and to this he has added and now owns twenty-seven acres, mostly set to prunes, Upon this place he has placed the buildings and sunk two wells, one 155 and one 245 feet deep, and in- stalled a fine pumping plant to irrigate his orchards. He is a strong booster for Santa Clara County and has always given liberally to aid every worthy project that would make for prosperity for the citizens and help build up the county. He is a charter member of the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc. Since he became a citizen of the United States, in 1887, he has voted the Republican ticket at national elections; in local matters hc is nonpartisan. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow.

Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen have three sons: Harold is married and lives on a ranch next to his father's, he is a machinist and works in San Jose; John and George are at home and assist with the work on the ranch. The two eldest sons were in the service of the Government during the World War, and George was called by the draft and was ready to answer the call when the armistice was signed. The family are highly respected by all who have the pleasure of knowing them.

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JAMES G. SHAW .- An experienced business man who has given much thought to the needs of large business and the high and complicated develop- ment of warehousing and forwarding, James G. Shaw has well demonstrated his capability in the comprehensive organization of the Shaw Warehouse & Brokerage Company of San Jose, of which he is the efficient owner and accommodating proprietor. A native son of California, he was born in San Mateo County on July 28, 1882, the son of Elias and Maria (Goulson) Shaw. The latter, as a rather exceptional experience for a woman, crossed the plains twice.

Elias Shaw was born in Columbus, Ohio, and be- ing left an orphan at the age of eight he learned to paddle his own canoe and did it well, but he had little opportunity to obtain an education. Coming West, at the age of fifteen he was fireman on a Mississippi River steamboat, where they used wood and rosin for fuel except when they were racing, when they threw in slabs of bacon, and it is needless to say that the large smokestack was soon red hot. Many were the interesting experiences he could tell of those days when the Mississippi was a great com- mercial thoroughfare. The news of the discovery of gold in California kindled his desire to come to the Pacific Coast and in 1852 he came around the Horn on a sailer to San Francisco. He immediately set out for the mines, his destination being Forbestown on the Feather River, where he had his ups and downs as a miner, making and losing a fortune.

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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 109

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