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 134

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 134

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

FRANK W. KNOWLES, M. D .- The delightful home-town and famous winter resort, Los Gatos, declared by no less an authority than the London Lancet to be, with Assuan, in Egypt, one of the two places in all the world with the most equable cli- mate, owes much of its attraction, to those particu- lar about health and the safety and enjoyment of life, to the presence and activity there of the dis- tinguished Illinois physician and surgeon, Dr. Frank W. Knowles, now one of the leading members of the American Medical Association, and also the medical societies of both California and Santa Clara County. He was born near Port Byron in Rock Island Coun- ty, in the Prairie State, on March 2, 1858, the son of Smith S. and Mary (Crooks) Knowles. His fa- ther was born in Ohio and there he married Miss Crooks, who was born in Virginia; they were pio- neers of Illinois and farmed near Port Byron, where the father passed away, and his widow spent her last days in California. Of their eight children, Frank W. Knowles is the third oldest, and after attending the Moline, Ill., public schools, Frank was graduated from the high school at that place, then entered Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of '83 with the degree of M. D. Ready for practical work, he came to California in 1883, and direct to Los Gatos, at a time when there were few people here, the valley all devoted to grain raising, so that many of his calls had to be made to patients far away among the settlers in the mountains, making his trips on horse- back. Since then, he has practiced here continu- ously, with the result that he has grown up with the country, has had much to do with influencing its development, and has come to know thousands, while everyone knows and loves him. Dr. Knowles is also interested in ranching, and he set ont forty- two acres of orchard on San Jose Avenue, one mile north of Los Gatos, now in full bearing. It is equipped with an electric pumping plant and is de- voted to prunes, apricots, peaches and grapes. He is a member of the Prune & Apricot Growers As- sociation and was an original stockholder of the First National Bank of Los Gatos and a director and vice-president of the bank.

Mrs. Knowles was in maidenhood Miss Olive Warren, a native of Chicago, Ill., who has come to share with him his well-earned and enviable popu- larity for real good; and they have one son, Frank W. Knowles, Jr. Dr. Knowles was made a Mason in Los Gatos Lodge No. 292, F. & A. M. and was the first candidate initiated. He is a past master of the lodge and a member of Howard Chapter No. 14, and with his wife is a member of the Los Gatos Chapter No. 128, O. E. S. He also belongs to San Jose Commandery No. 10, K .T., and is a life mem- ber of Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in San Francisco. He is a Republican in all pref- crences as to national political affairs, but believes thoroughly in nonpartisan support of the best men and the best measures in order to get the desired-for unity in the community. He is fond of hunting, and is an expert at the sport; so that when the pressure of medical or surgical work does not confine him to his well-appointed office over Green's Pharmacy, he is abroad with gun and game bag, both of which he knows how to use to advantage.

LOUIS P. COOPERS .- Prominent in the busi- ness circles in San Jose, Louis P. Coopers is also a native son, having been born in this city on Novem- her 23, 1866. He is one of eight children, five of them still living, that were born to Edmond and Mary (Brady) Coopers, numbered among the earli- est settlers of San Jose. The father was a native of Belgium, born in 1834, and while living in his native country was sent to the schools of his town and afterwards was in the employ of the customs serv- ice until he decided to strike out for America with some friends, who declared their intention of going to California. Leaving home at the age of seven- teen, Mr. Coopers spent six months in making the trip to San Francisco, having come around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel and arriving at his destina- tion during the year 1851. He immediately went to the mines on the Yuba and Feather rivers and was fortunate in making good money, averaging about $35 per day. At that time everything was high in price-a meal of ham and eggs costing $1.50- so his money came easily and went the same way. In 1854 the young emigrant came to San Jose in his wander- ings over this part of the state, then he went soutlı to Los Angeles and San Bernardino, investigating the opportunities before locating. He was so well satisfied with San Jose that he returned here in 1855, and thereafter this was his home and the scene of his activities until his death.

Mr. Coopers engaged in the butcher business on Market Street on the present site of the post office, working for Peter Reeve for a time, then he began driving a butcher wagon for himself, after which decided he would try ranching and bought forty acres in The Willows, on Willow Street, what is now known as the Keesling Place. This was covered with wil- low trees and these he grubbed out and began setting cut one of the first orchards in this section. As an experiment he set out various kinds of fruit and vines and found the soil adapted to their rapid growth. He spent about five years on the ranch and decided he was not cut out for a farmer and sold his property and moved back into town and em- barked in business with M. Blanchard, who had a butcher shop on Market and Post streets. This part- 1.ership continued until 1881, when Mr. Coopers sold (ut and opened a place of his own. The Coopers' Meat Market was located on First Street, between San Antonio and San Fernando streets, for thirty years and Mr. Coopers had the satisfaction of assist- ing in the growth of the city and as a consequence he profited by it as he built up a good trade.

It was in 1864 that Mr. Coopers was united in marriage in San Jose, with Miss Mary Brady. She was born in Ireland and had come to America and lived in Boston for a time, then came to California, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, in company with an older sister and they settled in San Jose. It was in this city that their eight children were born and edu- cated and here both parents passed to their last rest- ing place surrounded by a host of friends who knew them for their true worth as citizens. Mr. Coopers died in 1901 and his wife in 1913, aged seventy-four.

Louis P. Coopers attended the public schools in San Jose and at the age of fourteen went into the shop to work for his father and from the bottom of the ladder he gradually climbed until in 1900, on ac- count of his father's illness, he took over the butcher business and carried it on alone until 1913,

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

when it was incorporated and his brother, Joseph B. was taken into partnership, becoming secretary of the new concern, while Louis P. is the president and manager. As their business increased they added to their number of employees until they now have six. The Coopers' Market at 85 South Second Street, where they moved in 1908, is one of the most sanitary as well as busiest shops in the city and they handle only the very best of meats and prompt and courteous treatment is accorded all patrons.

The marriage of Louis P. Coopers and Miss Laura M. Dewart was celebrated in Gilroy in 1900, the bride being a native of that city, whither her parents had settled upon coming to California. Of their union two daughters have been born, Marie Louise and Agnes Lorraine. Mr. and Mrs. Coopers are popular in their social circle in San Jose and have many friends. Mr. Coopers is a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce: the Commercial Club and the Merchants Association and fraternally he be- longs to the Y. M. I., where he is one of the charter members. He is public spirited and gives his sup- port to all worthy movements for the advancement of the social and commercial interests of city and county. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

HOWARD IRVIN MABURY .- A worthy repre- sentative of one of the old pioneer families of Santa Clara County is Howard Irvin Mabury, the hustling proprietor of the Empire Wet Wash Laundry at San Jose, one of the best organized and best managed in- dustrial establishments of its kind in the entire state. He was born on Mabury Road, named in honor of his father, on September 23, 1876, the son of Frank Howard and Helen A. (Cadwell) Mabury, who came from Jeffersonville, Ind., and Deerfield, Ill., respec- tively, the Cadwell family journeying to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama in June, 1868. They both came to California when young and were married. Mr. and Mrs. Mabury settled early in Santa Clara County, where they grew to be large land- owners and exerted an enviable influence because of their progressive ideas and methods. They had three children, Howard I., Mrs. Laura Nevada Taylor and Florence Mabury Earnshaw, living in Oklahoma City, Okla, and Seattle, Wash., respectively. Mr. Mabury died in 1909, and Mrs. Mabury passed away in 1914. Both parents were of that sterling type which has always been found most desirable for the building up and the upbuilding of a great country.

Howard attended the Grant public school and later mastered an excellent course in a first-class business college; and owing to his rather delicate health, he took up laundry work with H. S. Kelley. He com- menced with the delivery wagon, which enabled him to remain outdoors, and at the end of six years in that field, he went to Fresno and during 1905-06 was with the telephone company there. Returning to San Jose he served the telephone company here for a time, then went with the St. James Laundry.

In 1912 Mr. Mabury started his present laundry embarking on the enterprise with partners, each of whom in time he brought out, so that now he is the sole owner of the institution which San Jose points to with pride. Only wet wash is handled, but there is enough of this to keep ten experienced men busy all the time. Public-spirited to an exceptional de- gree, and deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of Santa Clara County as well as the city of

San Jose, Mr. Mabury so conducts his business enter- prise that it is in the widest sense beneficial to the community and its residents.

On April 18, 1905, Mr. Mabury was married to Mrs. Laura Billingsley of Visalia, Tulare County, an attractive lady who already had two children by her former marriage, Earl and Claude, both married. They resided in the same house on North Tenth Street until November, 1920, when they removed to 207 North Second Street, where Mr. Mabury lived when he was seven years of age. He belongs to San Jose Parlor No. 22, N. S. G. W., the Knights of Pythias and the National Union. As one of the sub- stantial business men of the city, Mr. Mabury also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of San Jose, in which excellent organization he is always ready to discharge his full share of the responsibility. He also belongs to the Laundry Owners' Club of Santa Clara County, the Laundry Owners' Association of California, and the Laundry Owners' National Association.

HENRY M. KERR .- Fortunate it is for any city when it numbers among its citizens and active men of affairs such well-trained, highly-conscientious and experienced representatives of the professions as Henry M. Kerr, of the Kerr Abstract and Title Com- pany of San Jose, a well-maintained concern to which San Jose repeatedly turns for expert service. Mr. Kerr is the manager and under his leadership the company bids fair to expand and to prosper in keeping with the phenomenal growth of San Jose.

Henry M. Kerr was born in Iowa in June, 1862, the son of William and Sophia (Keck) Kerr, worthy and devoted parents, of whom only the mother is still living; and after finishing with the excellent public schools of his locality, he enjoyed all the ad- vantages offered by the up-to-date Elliott's Business College at Burlington. Having been raised on a farm, which developed in him an enviable hardihood. Mr. Kerr followed railroad work for twenty years with success, as agent, operator and traveling freight and passenger agent, and in 1901 first came to Cali- fornia. His wide experience enabled him to select with unerring judgment the city of San Jose as the most promising center for him, although he did not actually settle here until 1907; and in the following year he joined the Garden City Abstract Company, which had been organized in 1905. He had already had experience in this line in Butte County, where he located in the fall of 1901, and at once took up this work in Oroville, and he entered upon his work in San Jose as one of the clerks; and after having been vice-president of the progressive company, he was made manager in March, 1919. He continued in this position until it was sold in June, 1921, then engaged in business under the present title of the Kerr Ab- stract and Title Company.

While still in Iowa, Mr. Kerr married, at Don- nellson, Miss Mary E. Hill, a native of the Hawkeye State and an accomplished woman well fitted to be the companion and stimulation of a professional man; and their union has been rendered happier by the advent of two children, named Ruby M. and Hazel M. Kerr, both educated in San Jose, and Ruby M. is a graduate of Stanford with A.M. and A.B. de- grees and a teacher in the Santa Clara high school. The family attend the Presbyterian Church of San Jose. Mr. Kerr supports heartily the work of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and is an adherent

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of the principles of the Republican party. He be- longs to the Maccabees, and finds much of his recrea- tion in the mountains and in California's wonderful outdoors. His constant researches into the interesting historic past of the great Pacific commonwealth and the highly-favored Santa Clara County and Valley stimulate his interest in the California of the future, and it is probable that, although not a native son. he is second to no more optimistic citizen of San Jose and confidently believes that a wonderful fate is in store for this section of the state.

HENRIETTA REHOR KRIEG .- A native of Germany, Henrietta ( Rehor) Krieg was born at Nas- sau, August 5, 1846, the daughter of Joseph and Louisa Rchor. The paternal grandfather was a Ru. - sjan, and went to Germany to fight against Napo- leon. The father, Joseph Rehor, was a foundryman and worked in the foundries of Nassau. Both par- ents passed away when Henrietta was a small child. She was educated in the schools of Nassau and re- ceived a very thorough training. In 1866 she em- barked for the United States and settled in Chicago, Ill., and engaged in teaching the German language in private families and schools. During these years she studied and became proficient in the English language. During the great Chicago fire she lost all of her be- longings, and becoming homesick to see her native land she decided to visit her brother Frederick, in Metz, Germany. Within a few weeks after her arrival 11 Metz, her brother died, and again she set sail for the United States; later coming to Santa Clara Coun- ty, Cal .. and on April 6, 1878, she was united in mar- riage to Jacob Smith, also a native of Germany, born March 25, 1825, a son of Jacob and Mary Smith, of French and Germany parentage, respectively. When he was four years old, his parents came to New York and located at Eden, about twenty-five miles from Buffalo and remained there four years, when they removed to Hamburg. Erie County, where they lived until they passed away. Jacob Smith, Sr., was a soldier under Napoleon I for nine years and was past ninety-eight years when he died. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters.

Jacob Smith's opportunities for schooling were lim- ited and he had to work during the intervals. In the fall of 1851 he traveled over Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, and in the spring of 1852 returned to New York and came to California via Panama. He was stricken with the Panama fever and was laid up for a week, then left for San Francisco, arriving on June 15, 1852, and for six years he engaged in min- ing near Hangtown. In 1858 he settled on govern- ment land and lived on it until 1877, when he re- moved to Santa Clara County and bought 165 acres on the Homestead Road. Parts of it were disposed of until there are now only forty-six acres left, all being set to orchard and vineyard. Mr. Smith passed away on the home place.

From Mrs. Kreig's home she has a most beautiful view of the mountains and could not be happy away from it. Her second marriage united her with Engel- bert Krieg a native of Hesse-Nassau, Germany, who came to California in early days. Mrs. Krieg is active in Red Cross circles and has also done a great deal of church work and is a liberal giver toward the upbuilding of the community and can be counted upon to : upport all measures for the prog- ress and prosperity of her locality.

FRANK STOCK .- For many years on of San Jose's most successful business men, Frank Stock is now enabled to live in comfortable retirement as a reward of his years' of activity. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 26, 1854, the son of John and Susanna (Berg) Stock, and the nephew of Frank Stock, who broke the ground, so to speak, for the rest of the family in San Jose, by coming here two years after the admission of the state to the Union, when he started a small stove and household fur- nishing store and was the pioneer in that field in the city. John Stock followed in two years, arriving in December, 1854, and the brothers opened a store at the corner of Santa Clara and Market streets, a short time before Frank Stock bought the South First Street lot now occupied by Woolworth's Store and the Pellerano Drug Store. On that lot he erected the first brick building seen on that street and there the brothers removed as soon as possible.

In 1861, John Stock succeeded his brother as the sole proprietor, and until he retired in 1884, he con- ducted the business in his own name. In 1869 he acquired the lot and built the front part of the store now occupied by his sons, and when he laid aside active duties, he had the satisfaction of seeing his three sons, John L., Frank and Peter H. Stock, take hold of the helm together. John Stock died January 26, 1916, his wife having preceded him March 30, 1889. They were the parents of seven children: John L. died June 17, 1904; Frank is the subject of this sketch; Peter H. is the proprietor of The John Stock Sons; Clara is the widow of A. H. Marten; Helena is Mrs. J. P. Martin; Miss Elizabeth Stock and Mrs. Louise Dore, all residents of San Jose.

In addition to his public school studies, Frank Stock had the advantage of a period of study at Santa Clara College, but he said goodbye to the classroom when he was fifteen and for fifteen years he ran the finances of the store and such was his diligence and exactness that he would work at his desk until the wee sma' hours, if necessary, for it was his rule never to leave his desk until it was cleaned up. On February 1, 1884, when the father retired, the three sons became the proprietors, the firm then becoming The John Stock Sons. Frank Stock continued the management and the business grew steadily, new departments being added until they had the largest and most complete store in the county in their line. He remained actively in the business until 1917, when he sold out to his brother and retired. He is an original stockholder and di- rector in the Security Savings Bank of San Jose.

At San Jose, October 21, 1877, Mr. Stock was mar- ried to Miss Juanita F. Hinkelbein, a native daughter of San Jose, who received her education at Notre Dame convent. She is a daughter of Adam and Verena ( Miller) Hinkelbein, who came to San Jose in 1855, where Mr. Hinkelbein was one of the early merchants. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stock: Susan is Mrs. W. H. Pomeroy; George passed away at the age of fourteen, while Nannie lived to be only eight months old. The family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Stock is a Republican, has served as a library trustee, be- longs to the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth degree, and was one of the organ- izers and directors of the Board of Trade, out of which grew the present Chamber of Commerce.

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IGNATZ KOHNER .- An indefatigable worker and an experienced fruit handler, who has very naturally become successful in one of the most im- portant fields of Californian agricultural industry, lgnatz Kohner is content to retain his splendid ranch for his homestead rather than to accept an advance of many thousands, in a proffered offer, for its sale. He lives on the Kifer Road, two miles to the North- west of Santa Clara; and even at that distance from town, the well-cultivated and well-managed rancho draws from afar those ever alert to discover the latest word in horticultural progress.

He was born in Bohemia on January 15, 1871, the son of Adolph Kohner, a drygoods merchant who had married Miss Mary Epstein; and as the fourth among seven children, he grew up in Bo- hemia. When he was twenty-one years of age, he left for America, sailing from Bremen on the North German Lloyd Steamship Line, and landed in New York; and for six years he stayed in Plainfield, N. J .. where he clerked in a drygoods store. One winter he went back to visit his parents, and upon returning to the United States the next Spring, in 1897, he came direct to Santa Clara, Cal., and he has been here ever since.

He entered the employ of A. Block, a grower and packer at Santa Clara, and he worked there steadily for thirteen years while the Block concern was the largest shipper of green fruit in the Santa Clara Valley. He then went with the Pioneer Fruit Company, at San Jose, and for eleven years he was a trusted employe, shipping cherries, pears, apples, and the principal table fruits grown in the great Santa Clara Valley. He made a second trip to Bohemia in 1902, and visited his parents. Since then, his father has died, but his mother is still living. In New Jersey, he was naturalized, to the day, as soon as the law permitted; hence his re- turn, cach time, to America was with a peculiar feeling of satisfaction. Now he owns an exception- ally fine pear and prune orchard of thirty-five acres, which he bought from Grandin Bray in December, 1919, and such is its appreciated value, that he has been offered more than $25,000, above its cost to him, should he care to sell. He now devoted all of his time to care and management of his orchards and carrying out his plans for the shipment of his fruit.

In 1906 Mr. Kohner was married at Santa Clara to Miss Olga Kohner, a lady of the same name, but of no relation to him, who was also born in Bo- hemia. She was the daughter of Phillip and The- resa (Hermann) Kohner, large farmers, and her father was a capitalist, connected with the Bourse in Vienna. Olga Kohner was educated in the city of Pilsen and was graduated from a ladies' semi- nary and business college there. Her uncle, Abra- ham Block, was a pioneer of Santa Clara. and she also had a sister here, Mrs. Max Kohner, so in April, 1906, she crossed the ocean and came here on a visit, where she met Mr. Kohner, the acquaintance resulting in their marriage. They have two children, Herbert Walter and Helen Doris.

Mr. Kohner was made a Mason in 1900 in Liberty Lodge No. 299, F. & A. M .; he is a member of Howard Chapter No. 14, R. A. M., of Santa Clara; and of True Fellowship Lodge No. 238, I. O. O. F. of Santa Clara, of which he is past grand, and is past chief patriarch of Santa Clara Encampment and 39

past captain of Canton No. 9, Patriarchs Militant, and with his wife is a member of Rebekahs. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Cali- fornia Prune & Apricot Association, and the California Pear Growers Association.

JOSEPH T. BROOKS .- In the front rank of those whose foresight, activity and optimism have meant much for the continued prosperity of the Gold- en State undoubtedly stands Joseph T. Brooks, a councilman of the City of San Jose, and also of the field department of the California Prune and Apricot Association. He was born at St. Louis, Mo., on Washington's birthday, 1865, the son of Johnston Brooks, who had married Miss Susan Briggs, natives of Ireland and Greenville, Ill., respectively. His father came to St. Louis, Mo., when a boy in his 'teens. He became a well-known contractor in that Missouri metropolis until his death there. They had four children, and Joseph was the youngest in the family. He went first to the grammar school, and then to the excellent high school in St. Louis, but perhaps he got the most, in his educational growth, out of the school of hard experience. At an early age he engaged in printing and publishing, and was fortunate to associate himself with J. H. Chambers at St. Louis. He then ran a branch office in Chicago for a year, and also for three months an office at Atlanta, Ga., and for five years he was a corre- spondent, with headquarters at St. Louis.

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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 134

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