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 151

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 151

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The third eldest of the family, Walter Walsh, Jr., attended the schools of San Ysidro in the pursuit of an education and his young manhood was spent on the cattle range, where he became thoroughly con- versant with the cattle business. During the Spanish- American War he made two trips to Manila, P. I .. and Panama, as an engineer, spending ten months in that occupation. He then entered the employ of the

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Oakland Meat Company, continuing with them for eight years. On September 6, 1910, he was married to Miss Louise Vaccarezza, born in Alameda, a daughter of Louis Vaccarezza, an orchardist of the Rucker district who was born in Italy and lived in the United States since a child. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh: Walter Walsh, IIf; Bernice; James, and Gladys E, the two younger having passed away. Mr. Walsh devotes the greater part of his time to his horticultural inter- ests at present, and is the owner of forty acres of orchard and ten acres of vineyard property, twenty aeres of bare land, which he inherited from the Walsh estate after the death of his mother on Janu- ary 14, 1920. He has many friends in the Gilroy district, where much of his life has been spent, pos- sessing those qualities which constitute a good citizen and a successful business man.

JOHN ESREY .- More than half a century has come and gone since John Esrey came across the plains to California and settled thirty miles south of Fresno at a town now known as Lemoore, taking up his abode there in 1864, and made that his home to the day of liis death. His daughter, Mrs. Eliza Ann Sutherland, whose sketch also appears in this work, still owns a ranch adjoining the original home place, which is now very valuable. Great have been the changes that have occurred since John Esrey first located there. The wild land has been reclaimed for the purposes of civilization, and has been trans- formed into rich and productive places. Towns and villages have sprung up and all the comforts and con- veniences of an older civilization have been intro- duced. In all matters of citizenship and business life and in every relation with his fellow men, Mr. Esrey displayed the sterling traits of character that in every land and clime command respect and confidence. He was born in Illinois, June 28, 1828, and in Missouri in 1849 he married Miss Sarah Jane Stratton, a na- tive of Kentucky, born September 6, 1829, and in 1864, on account of his wife's delicate health, joined the overland train under Captain Duncan, consisting of thirty families, with horses, mules, oxen and cows. The long journey across the arid plains to the West was fraught with severe hardships, and the con- stant fear of attacks from the Indians, made the ad- venture one long to be remembered. Owing to Mrs. Esrey's state of health, she was an casy prey to mountain fever, so prevalent in those days, and though everything was done for her that loving hands could do, she died and was buried at the little village of Galena, about three miles from Washoe, Nev. Mr. and Mrs. Esrey were the parents of five children: Eliza Ann, the widow of James Sutherland, whose biography appears in this volume; Madelnah, Mrs. William Ingram, deceased; John Wesley Esrey, re- siding at Lemoore; Mrs. Mary L. Martin of Los Angeles, and Thomas S. of San Francisco. At the time of crossing the plains, their daughter, Eliza Ann, was thirteen years old, and the incidents of the jour- ney and the losing of her mother, can never be erased from her memory; to add to their sorrows, the two younger girls, Madelnah and Mary, were taken sick with the same disease that their mother died with, and for many weeks they lingered be- tween life and death, so that when they became con- valescent they were unable to walk.

Weary of heart with his misfortune, but with that true pioneer spirit, so inherent in those early set- tlers of California, John Esrey pressed on until he arrived at his destination in what is now Kings County, where relatives had settled at an earlier date. When he retired he moved to Millville, Shasta Coun- ty. where he died June 2, 1888, after a most noble and useful career. His influence was ever on the side of justice, truth and right and his honorable career exemplified his belief in all that was uplifting and of permanent benefit to mankind.

CHARLES P. COOLEY .- A member of the board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, who has found the Pacific commonwealth a true Golden State, is Charles P. Cooley, to whom both San Jose and Santa Clara County owe an agreeable debt they can hardly hope to repay. He was born northeast of Palo Alto on January 7, 1869, the son of Lester F. Cooley, a native of Vermont, who was married in. San Francisco to Geraldine E. Sutton, a native of New York. Lester Cooley came to California in 1860, and settled as a farmer; and he died at the age of forty-seven on his farm where Charles was born. Mrs. Cooley came to California when about twenty years of age, and she long ago adopted the state as her very own. She is now Mrs. Geraldine E. Frisbie and is the President of the Woman's Relief Corps of California, her sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume. After finishing the courses prescribed in the public schools, Charles commenced to work on the home farmı. His father died when he was only eleven years old, and for twenty-five years Mr. Cooley man- aged the home place, which contained some 400 acres. In 1907 he came to Palo Alto, and for sev- eral years thereafter he continued to farm. He also, for years, followed road building and other forms of contract work. In 1895, at Menlo Park, he was married to Miss Grace Boulware of Palo Alto, a daughter of Wm. and Laura (Williams) Boulware, both Kentuckians, and California pioneers, the father being a 49'er, and one son, Stanley, has sprung from the union.

In 1913, Mr. Cooley began to serve his fellow-cit- izens as a member of the city council, and in 1916 he was elected mayor of Palo Alto, and in 1917-18 was reelected. When war was declared, he did much valuable work with the army engineers, helping lo- cate Camp Fremont, and was chairman of the finance committee which raised funds for the primary es- tablishment, buying out leaseholds and settling with the tenants who, of necessity, had to be dispossessed in order to secure possession of the site for the Government's use. He met the first company- of coast artillery -- sent here, and provided temporary quarters for them until Camp Fremont was ready. He was chairman of the Palo Alto Red Cross drive in 1918, of the Y. M. C. A. drive, of the War Work Council, and of the Victory Loan drive. He also took part in the War Camp Community service. Mr. Cooley has been president for the past four years of the City Planning Commission, and he is now chair- man of the Committee on Public Works. While mayor he cleared the Circle of jitney stands and all other obstacles, for the establishment of the bus depot. He also caused the interurban line to ter- minate in the rear of the Southern Pacific passenger depot, thereby centering the passenger traffic for the

John Corey

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safety and convenience of all He caused a double track crossing to be placed on the Southern Pacific right of way at the point of its intersection with Uni- versity Avenue and put in effect in the City Hall a new billing and bookkeeping system. There was also installed during his administration in the City's plant, two Diesel engines, each costing fifty to sixty thou- sand dollars, and the gas-plant was bought at a cost of seventy-two thousand dollars. Through Mayor Cooley and other far-seeing and public-spirited citi- zens, the Hostess House, originally erected at Camp Fremont, was secured and moved down to the city of Palo Alto and reconstructed as the present Community Center. When the war broke out he set aside all his own work in order to give his ser- vices undividedly to his country's welfare. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs, of course, to the Native Sons.

Perhaps nothing could be more indicative of all that is most characteristic, morally and mentally, in the make-up of this highly representative citizen than a contribution made by him some time ago to the memorial number of the Daily Palo Alto Times, when he set forth clearly "Why Palo Alto Flourished," and from which the following excerpts are quoted: "Look- ing back over the greater part of a half-century passed in the immediate vicinity of Palo Alto," he said, "one can feel a spirit of pride in the notable development that has been realized in this community. I was born not far from what is now the prosperous city of Palo Alto, on the San Mateo County side of the San Fran- cisquito Creek, and have spent most of my life at first on the home place and later in Palo Alto.

"In the early days Cooley's Landing, then my father's ranch, was a point of considerable shipping activity. The volume of commerce was not large, but the bay served well to afford a means of cheap transportation until other methods supervened. The land, aside from the various holdings that had become the country homes of the wealthy, was devoted to agriculture and grazing. Dotted thickly with its growth of magnificent live-oaks, it was a scene of surpassing beauty, where one loved to roam and perchance to hunt, but no man gave a thought to its destiny as a model city. Then as Stanford Univer- sity grew into being under the touch of the fairy wand of its splendid endowment, the demand became in- sistent for a city that should be in keeping with the architecturally perfect pile of buildings which the hu- mane-hearted Stanfords had made reality with the broad vision that embraced the youth of the land for all the years to come. Menlo Park, Mayfield, Col- lege Terrace, and Menlo Heights each in turn as- pired to greatness, but it was otherwise ordained. The broad acres facing the university ground were the destined site for the city-to-be.

"In 1892 Palo Alto began to grow in promise, and the first business enterprises began to center here. The pioneer citizens were a splendid class of people and were gifted in an unusual degree with civic fore- sight and wisdom. In the spring of 1894 the town was incorporated, and under the guidance of these far-seeing pioneers the young municipality had its course shaped in the sure direction of future pros- perity. The era of municipal ownership began as early as 1896 and has continued to broaden in scope, until at the present time Palo Alto is known nation- 18

ally for its marked success in the management of its municipal utilities. The city has been beautifully and substantially built, public improvements have been kept in line with the needs of the time, and as a result a city morally and physically attractive has grown to the pride of the Santa Clara Valley. Aside from the splendid results of municipal ownership, no more important accomplishment is of record than the acquisition for a period of ninety-nine years by the city of the splendid tract of land lying along the city front with the Stanford Arboretum and El Camino Real on the opposing side. This tract gives a parlor entrance to the city, and when fully improved as a community and recreational center it will be the most notable and beautiful spot along the entire Highway from Siskiyou to San Diego.

"Here is clustered the greatest educational develop- ment on the Pacific Slope. Here are the great Stan- ford University, St. Patrick's Theological Seminary, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Manzanita Hall, Castilleja, and Harker's schools, and an exceptionally excellent and finely-housed and equipped high school, with a public school system of high standing. An outgrowth of the intelligence of the community is the Freeholder's Charter that was adopted in 1909. This document is unique, a grant of rights unlike that of any other city. Under its provisions the welfare of the city is completely safeguarded, and the control of municipal affairs so excellently exercised that con- ditions are as nearly perfect as can be desired. The benefits of such government accrue to all the peo- ple, in good service, cheap rates for municipal utility commodities, low taxes and a morally clean commun- ity. The existence here of Camp Fremont, with its 40,000 national defenders, created unusual conditions; yet the needs of the occasion were met and the camp commanders have highly commended Palo Alto for its freedom from vice under this influx of people, and for so fully meeting all the requirements of the na- tional government in the stress of the war period.

"Could anyone ask more than is here afforded to create an ideal home city? The unexcelled climate, the splendid location, the attractive scenery; the cul- ture that marks an educational center, the excellence of the local government, the nearness to the gra' metropolis of the Pacific, all these and many other advantages are things that bless life with comfort and contentment. Those who will may come and share in the solid charms that nature has bestowed on this marvelous valley, and those who come will stay, with never a regret nor a desire to disturb their household goods."

WALTER HAMMOND NICHOLS .- Palo Alto has long been so famous as one of the most ad- vanced educational centers of the United States that it is not surprising it should eventually draw to its varied field of activity Walter Hammond Nichols, the well-known teacher who has accomplished so much in various communities, with the science of pedagogy. He was born at Chicago on February 19, 1866, the son of Joshua R. Nichols, purchasing agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and later assistant superintendent of the Union Pacific Rail- way. He had married Miss Charlotte E. Hammond, the daughter of Col. Charles G. Hammand, of the Chicago & Michigan Central Railway. Walter at- tended the local schools, and eventually, in 1891,

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graduated from the University of Michigan, when he received the degree of B. S., after specializing in chemistry. Still later, in 1891, he concluded some post graduate work at Columbia University, for which he was given the A. M. degree. His first venture, on taking up the practical affairs of life, was in fruit farming at Ann Arbor, Mich., then he was trustee of an estate, and later in the banking busi- ness at Boulder, Colo., where he was vice-president of the Mercantile Bank & Trust Company. He was instructor in history at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1897-98, and later professor of history and economics there; and at Columbia University, in the department of the Teachers College, he was secretary and an occasional lecturer. While living at Boulder, he served as school trustee and he was also a director of the Commercial Association. At Michi- gan he did post-graduate work, and also at the Uni- versity of Chicago and the University of Colorado- from 1891 to 1896. From 1913 to 1915, he was a teacher of English at the Pasadena high school; from 1915 to 1919, he was superintendent of schools and principal of the high school, at Palo Alto; and since 1919, he has been the very efficient and popular prin- cipal of the high school. He has enjoyed exceptional advantages of both American and European travel.

At West Bay City, Mich., on September 27, 1892, Mr. Nichols was married to Miss Esther Blanche Connor, the daughter of Michigan pioneers. Four children blessed this union, one of whom gave his life for his country. Helen Blanche, Alan Hammond, John Ralph and Dorothy Esther, a student at Stan- ford University. Two of the sons were in the World War. Alan Hammond Nichols went with the first Stanford Ambulance unit, and later joined the French aviation corps; and he was killed on June 1, 1918, during the big German drive on Compiegne. John or Jack, went with the second Stanford Ambulance unit, and then joined the U. S. A. tanks; and he was in the St. Mihiel and Argonne offensives. The family attend the Congregational Church; and Mr. Nichols votes with the Progressive Republicans. At Boulder, Colo., he belonged to Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., where he was a warden and a master, then he joined Columbia lodge at Monrovia; then he belonged to San Pasqual lodge No. 252, at Pasadena; and is now a member of Palo Alto lodge No. 346.

The Palo Alto Union high school, of which Mr. Nichols is the experienced and inspiring head, is justly regarded as one of the best institutions of its kind in all California, daily fulfilling its motto, cut into the stone over the doorway of the main audit- orium, "Wisdom is knowing what to do next: Virtue is doing it"-a noble sentiment from Dr. David Starr Jordan, who gave the address at the school's dedi- cation. The magnificent site of thirty acres was prac- tically donated by the Stanford trustees, and those of prophetic vision have seen the possibility of this school growing into a junior college to take care of early years of university instruction. To the school- man who is accustomed to look upon a new high school building as a compact urban structure, limited to a single city block, the Palo Alto high school is a distinct and pleasant surprise; for there is about this group of buildings the charm of the olden-time California mission and the spirit of the small college. The land is the property of Stanford University, and

has been rented to the school district for 100 years at the nominal sum of $1 per acre per annum. Ground for the new buildings was broken in December, 1917. The academic classes are lodged in the admin- istration building, which includes the library, study hall, the office of the school and fourteen classrooms. The science department includes three laboratories and a lecture room, and a small biological garden. The commercial department consists of a typewriting room and a bookkeeping room. The domestic arts department, with its class-rooms, sewing and cook- ing rooms, etc., is in the heart of the group and connects the commercial department with the audi- torium. The manual arts department forms the southeast wing of the group where its activities will not disturb the remainder of the school. The art department and the cafeteria form the eastern wing of a court, upon which the girls' gymnasium, the auditorium and the domestic arts departments will back. A feature of this court will be a swimming pool. The northernmost wing of the group con- tains the auditorium. Probably the most novel fea- ture of the entire group is the study court.

The central idea of the building is embodied in the library, concerning which Mr. Nichols, when superin- tendent of the Palo Alto schools, remarked: "Books remain the master tool of educational processes, all pseudo-vocational, moving picture theories of educa- tion to the contrary notwithstanding ... Exact science is poverty-stricken without its master-interpreters and seers whose names stand out on the library shelves. In the library are gathered the ideals of all time and all men, and even a dullard must be quickened into some sort of vision of life by the very fact of sitting quietly surrounded by books. In the full faith that the library may be made the well- spring of ideality in the lives of high school pupils, the trustees have set their seal on this spacious, central room."

Considering the undoubtedly important part which the Palo Alto high school will play in the future de- velopment of education in Northern California, some observation by its distinguished head on general edu- cational affairs in the Golden State are here worthy of record. "Educational affairs in California," said Mr. Nichols not long ago, "are being excellently di- rected by a strong, efficient, non-political State Board of Education and by the Honorable Will C. Wood, just elected State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion. Mr. Wood is an educated statesman of high order, wholly devoted to the interests of the children and the educational institutions of the State."

PERCY O'CONNOR .- A profound student both of the law and of human life who, on account of his broad knowledge, is able to administer a public trust in almost an ideal manner, is Percy O'Connor, the popular assistant district attorney, with headquarters at San Jose. A native son who has never lost his admiration for the Golden State, he was born at Los Angeles on September 8, 1892, the son of M. F. and Delight ( Hopkins) O'Connor, and he was educated in both the public and private educational institutions of the state. When he had finished with the public schools in Los Angeles, he attended St. Vincent's College in that city and later matriculated at Santa Clara University, from which he was graduated in 1913 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, receiving from

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the same alma mater, two years later, the LL.B. degree. In 1915, he was admitted to practice at the California Bar; and since then he has been inter- ested more and more in the administration of jus- tice and the preservation of law and order. He be- longs to the County Bar Association, nor is there a more welcome member. He was appointed to his present post. as assistant to District Attorney C. C. Coolidge, on January 19, 1920.

In July, 1917, Mr. O'Connor enlisted in the United States Army for service in the World War, commenc- ing as a private; and as first lieutenant of the Eighth Infantry, he discharged his duty in France and Ger- many, and remained a soldier until November, 1919. He belongs to the American Legion, the Y. M. C. A., the Masons and the Elks, and when national issues are at stake, he marches with the Republicans. He belongs to Trinity Episcopal Church, and partici- pates frequently in special uplift work.

JAMES WILLIAM THAYER, M. D .- Promi- nent among the distinguished representatives of the medical profession in Santa Clara County is Dr. James William Thayer, for thirty-four years a resi- dent of Gilroy, and now the health officer in that town, and as a leading pioneer of this section, is one of the well-known and influential citizens in the county. He was born in the vicinity of La Grange, Wyoming County. N. Y., on July 23, 1854, in an an- cestral house long in the family. the son of William John and Eliza (Lockwood) Thayer. both natives of that county, and schoolmates together. the father having first seen the light in 1820. Mrs. Thayer died in 1885, aged sixty-five, the mother of six children.

James William attended the public schools of Wy- oming County, the Wyoming Academy and the Un- ion Collegiate Institute at Attica, and was graduated from the classical and scientific courses on June 19, 1874. He began the study of medicine while at the Institute, but broken health interfered and he was compelled to postpone his favorite work. Then, for a couple of years, Dr. W. B. Sprague, of Pavilion, N. Y., was his preceptor, and in 1875, he went to Ashland, Nebr., and there continued his medical work under Dr. Gray. A year later he matriculated at the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, and in Feb- ruary, 1879, was duly graduated. Then he established himself at Ogdensburg, Kans., and from that town he moved to Milford, that state, where he had a drug store as well as his medical practice to keep him busy. In 1883 he was appointed resident physician of the principal hospital of the Mexican Central Rail- road at Chihuahua, Mexico, receiving promotions from time to time, until when he resigned in 1886, he was acting chief surgeon of that road. He next followed his profession at El Paso, Texas, in partner- ship with Dr. W. M. Vilas, remaining there until the spring of 1888.

On account of failing health, Dr. Thayer decided to try California, and in February of 1888 he came out to the Coast and for three months traveled over the state seeking a climate suitable for his condition of health and decided upon Gilroy as the most advan- tageous. In May of that year he began the practice of his profession here and in 1890 was appointed dis- trict surgeon of the Southern Pacific Railroad, main- taining that position until 1905. In 1916 he again as- sumed that position, which he still holds; he also

became examiner for thirty-two insurance companies, his ability and his conscientious duty commending him to corporations wishing to get only the best. Dr. Thayer is a member of Santa Clara County Med- ical Society and holds the oldest consecutive member- ship of living members there; he is a member of the State Medical Association and the American Medi- cal Association; as well as the Pacific Society of Railroad Surgeons and International Association of Railway Surgeons.

Although among the busiest professional men of Santa Clara County, Dr. Thayer has never failed to give some of his time to promote the municipal wel- fare, generally working with the leaders of the Re- publican party to effect the reforms or progress desired, but being too broad-minded not to put his shoulder to the wheel, when occasion has demanded it, in non-partisan endeavor, and accepting public office himself, that he might more effectively "lend a hand." For fourteen years he served conscientiously as a member of the city council and for many years he has been the health officer of Gilroy, and the dep- uty health officer of the southern portion of Santa Clara County. He also did pioneer and far-reaching work for twelve years as the secretary of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. resigning that responsible position on account of his many other duties, in Sep- tember, 1920. after having contributed a great deal to the success of that organization of great efficiency, which had evolved from the Gilroy Promotion Club of 1905-08. The Chamber of Commerce of Gilroy, however, was not organized until April, 1912, when H. Hecker was elected president and Dr. Thayer secretary. In 1921, a reorganization and drive for new members proved a great success. L. W. Wheeler then assuming the presidency, and C. T. Bolfing be- coming secretary. During the last eight years. es- pecially, the Chamber of Commerce has been working wonders for the benefit of Gilroy, and it is no small honor to have participated, actively and willingly, as Dr. Thayer has done, contributing frequently to both the Gilroy and the rest of the Santa Clara County press. He was one of the organizers and a member of the board of trustees from its organization to the present time of the Gilroy Public Library and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and secretary of its board of trustees.

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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 151

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