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 155

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 155

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).

The mother of Alfred Post was Adelaide Holmes, and she was born near Janesville, Wis., where our subject's father was a Presbyterian minister. He came out from Janesville to Santa Clara to preach, and died at Santa Clara when he was twenty-eight years old, three months before Alfred was born. Another child had already entered the family, a dangh- ter named Mary, who is now the wife of Dr. John J. Miller of San Jose. Mrs. Post removed to San Jose when Alfred was a young man, but he grew up at Santa Clara and attended the public schools there, topping off with some fine courses at the University of the Pacific at San Jose. In his sophomore year, however, his college career was cut short, and he entered the service of the Pacific Manufacturing Company, at Santa Clara, and for five years or until he was twenty-two years old, he worked for them as their cashier. He then entered the employ of the Garden City Bank at San Jose, and commencing as a receiving teller, he continued in their service for a quarter of a century, during which time he became assistant cashier, and for the last ten years cashier of that flourishing bank. In 1920 he severed his connection there and sold his stock in the Garden City Bank and came over to the Bank of San Jose, and became one of its stockholders. He is also a

stockholder in the Pacific Manufacturing Company at Santa Clara, and a director of the Bean Spray Pump Company of San Jose. He owns a ranch in the Santa Clara Valley, and has other important fin- ancial interests.

At San Jose, in 1902, Mr. Post was married to Miss Mary W. Giles of Chicago, by whom he has had three children: Alfred Breed, Jr., Janet Giles and Charles Truman Post, and they now reside in the handsome residence he built at 845 Hedding Street. He belongs to the Elks, the Masons, and is a Knight Templar. He is a member of the Bankers Association, and is the president of Group No. 3 of the California Bankers Association-one of the many honors and responsibilities in a very busy career.

ROBERT K. PATCHELL .- Among the enter- prising business men of Morgan Hill is Robert K. Patchell, whose continued success has been brought about by his thoroughness and faithfulness to the task in hand. He was born in Westchester, Pa., February 25, 1862. His father, John Patchell, is of Scotch-Irish parentage and married Miss Sarah Mc- Hurter of a well-known Scotch family. Robert K. was reared on a farm and at the age of seven years entered the district schools. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Swift & Company in Chi- cago, serving the usual time as an apprentice, and in 1892 he resigned his position of superintendent and removed to San Francisco to become the general superintendent of their plant in that city. The work of building up the packing department was empha- sized and the business steadily grew to enormous pro- portions. When Mr. Patchell assumed control, the company employed 125 men, and in 1910, 360 men were employed; during the thirty years of his super- intendency he has had the satisfaction of systematizing the work until the factory runs like clock work.

Mr. Patchell's marriage, July 2, 1893, in Chicago, united him with Miss Clarissia Mae Crawford, a native of Lafayette, Ind., who was reared and schooled in that city. In 1898 Mr. Patchell bought fifty-seven acres of bare land in the Machado tract and began developing an orchard. In 1904 he set out 2240 French prune trees, the first set out in this district, which cost him six cents each. During 1909 he removed to the ranch and has since resided there. Mr. Patchell sold fifty-four acres of his ranch, re- taining three acres surrounding his residence. He erected a commodious residence in Morgan Hill High School Park. He has always been actively identified with co-operative marketing of farm prod- ucts and is at the present time the president of the Morgan Hill Farmer's Union store, a co-operative business owned and controlled by a number of local ranchers and capitalists. In 1920 this business reached the total of $300,000 for the year and in 1921 the business exceeded this amount considerably. Poli- tically he is a Republican and fraternally a promi- nent member of Lodge No. 463 of Morgan Hill, F. & A. M .; he also is a member of Howard Chapter, R. A. M., San Jose Commandery No. 10, K. T. and Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has never failed to do his part as a public-spirited citizen and many are the projects that he has fostered that have helped to make Santa Clara County one of the best- known localities in California.

992

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

PHILIPPE PRUDHOMME .- Many European na- tions have made valuable contributions to California's citizenship, and Philippe Prudhomme, a prominent member of the French colony of San Jose, found in the vineyards of the Golden State opportunities for the attainment of success, of which he was not slow to avail himself, and now, after years of industry and earnest effort, he is living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He was born at Matha, Charente- Inferieure, France, March 1, 1857, the son of Jean and Josephine (Caute) Prudhomme, who were farm- ers in that locality, who passed away there leaving three children of whom Philippe is the second oldest and one of twins, his twin brother Stanislas, residing in the vicinity of the old home; Philippe acquired his education in the schools of his native province. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and the care of the vineyard and also assisted in making wine, an art in which for centuries the people of his nation have been uncxcelled. Having com- pleted his military service, which covered fifteen months, he decided to seek the opportunities pre- sented in a newer country, and carly in 1882, when a young man of twenty-five years, sailed for the United States. He arrived in San Jose on August 17, 1882, and soon afterward purchased a tract of 105 acres near Evergreen, which he devoted to the growing of grapes. His previous experience had thoroughly acquainted him with every phase of the industry. He named his place the Saintonge vine- yard from the province in which he was born, and the excellence of his wines secured for them a ready sale on the market. As the years passed he at- tained a substantial measure of prosperity and con- tinued active as a vineyardist until national prohibi- tion became a law, when he sold his ranch and pur- chased a six and one-half acre orchard and is en- gaged in raising prunes and apples. For nineteen years he had a wholesale wine and liquor store at 19 South Market Street, San Jose, which was sold when he disposed of his vineyard.

In San Jose, June 3, 1883, Mr. Prudhomme was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pellier, a daughter of Pierre Pellier, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Prudhomme passed away in Evergreen in 1905. Four children were born of that union: Louis, who served as a member of Company B of the California Home Guard and passed away at the age of thirty; Helene, now the wife of Joseph V. Simon, a prominent resi- dent of San Jose; Madeleine, deceased; and George, who is married and resides in San Jose. In 1909 Mr. Prudhomme married Mrs. Marie (Vivier) Grosman- gin-Bonnore, who was born in Dieuze in the prov- ince of Lorraine, France, November 1, 1860; her first marriage was to Simon Grosmangin, a chocolate maker who had learned his trade in Paris. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Grosmangin emigrated to the United States and subsequently made their way to San Francisco, Caf., where for fifteen years they conducted one of the leading confectionery stores in the city. Owing to the ill health of her husband she assumed the burden of the business and has the distinction of being the first woman in Cali- fornia to manufacture the famous pure Parisian chocolate bonbons. She had learned the art in Paris,

France. They later engaged in the confectionery business in Portland, Ore., and took the first prize for the excellence of their candies, but her husband became ill and they came in 1888 to San Jose, where, a few weeks later, he passed away. She is a fine scholar and taught French to private pupils here as well as in the East. At the French celebration of the Fall of the Bastile, in Portland, she was selected as the Goddess of Liberty. She is a woman of marked strength of character and possesses a kind, genial and sympathetic nature, her life being a true exem- plification of the spirit of Christianity. Mrs. Gros- mangin was married a second time to P. Bonnore, also born in France; he was a vineyardist and died in San Jose in 1907.

Mr. and Mrs. Prudhomme reside in an attractive home at 785 South Fifth Street and theirs is a life of contentment and happiness. Mr. Prudhomme is a prominent member of the Foresters of America, being affiliated with Lodge No. 263, and for over twenty years he has been connected with the order. He deserves much credit for what he has accomp- lished in a business way, for he has worked his way steadily upward through industry and determination, and in winning prosperity he has at the same time gained the respect and goodwill of the community.

CHARLES T. O'CONNELL .- An experienced, enterprising and thoroughly dependable leader in the local commercial world is Charles T. O'Connell, of Messrs. O'Connell Bros., who was born in San Benito County on March 18, 1876, and so commenced life with the fortunate environment of a native son. His father was the highly esteemed Thomas O'Connell, whose interesting life story is outlined in another part of this work. The lad attended the San Benito schools and when he was ready for the more ad- vanced courses, he became a student of the Santa Clara College.

Taking up the task of supporting himself, Charles first worked for J. W. Borchers for four years, and then for a short time he was with the Saratoga Meat Market, and also Woodward & Bennett. The next four years he was deputy superintendent of streets of San Jose, and following this he was appointed deputy city treasurer under Charles Lightston. In November, 1901, with his brother Frank, he took over the wood business which his father had con- ducted so successfully, and then, as the other brothers came of age, they also entered the firm, and on July 9, 1906, the business was incorporated as O'Con- nell Bros. That same year the firm erected their fine structure at Sixth and St. James streets, and there they have since been, conducting one of the best headquarters for groceries, meats, wood and coal to be found anywhere in the county. They aim to carry only the best of everything and are alert to meet and anticipate the wants of their customers. They also own 15,000 acres of land, twenty-three acres being in orchard, while the rest is devoted to stock raising, and are now putting in a dam which will furnish irrigation for over a hundred acres of the land. This ranch is near Coyote, convenient to the market, and is enclosed by over forty miles of fence. Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Journey- men Butchers Protective and Benevolent Association, having been secretary for twenty years, and it is

995

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

needless to say that he does what he can to make that excellent organization what it is.

On September 21, 1910, Mr. O'Connell was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth M. Cunan, who was born in San Jose, the daughter of John and Mary J. (Dur- kin) Cunan. Their married life has been blessed by the birth of three children, Maurice R, Adrian E. and Clarice. The family attend St. Patrick's Cath- olic Church, and Mr. O'Connell belongs to the Knights of Columbus, in which he has attained the third degree. He is a member of San Jose Parlor, N. S. G. W., aud also belongs to the Foresters.

JOSEPH H. BONE .- A distinguished representa- tive of a very interesting, widely-scattered and numer- ous English family in America is Joseph H. Bone, the successful rancher to whom much credit is due for the formation, a few years ago, of the California Prune and Apricot Association. He was born at Portchester, Hampshire, England, near where both the Romans, and later the Normans, built a famous castle, and on September 25, 1862, he entered the family of Samuel and Emily (Combs) Bone. His father, who belonged to a family of not less than 1,000 representatives in the United States today, was a sub- stantial merchant, and lived to be sixty-five years of age, survived by his devoted wife about eight years. They had seven children: Emily, Mrs. Heal; Alice Katherine, now deceased; Joseph H., our subject; Frances Emma, Charles Edmund, a substantial busi- ness man of Red Bluff, who died in August, 1920, and Edward, deceased.

Joseph attended a private school at Fareham, walk- ing two miles to reach the schoolhouse, after which he was an apprenticed bookkeeper, working for his board and lodging. Once a thoroughly-trained bookkeeper, he entered the employ of William Whitely, of Lon- don, popularly known as the Universal Provider; and afterwards he had charge of the books of a large re- tail dry goods establishment in London, prior to com- ing out to the United States in 1887.

On reaching the States, Mr. Bone went to Florida. and for a while settled near Ocala, where he acquired forty acres of land upon which he raised oranges, by means of excellent irrigation, At the end of twelve months, however, be came back to New York, and in the metropolis he found profitable activity for three years with a large lace-curtain house on Broadway. He then migrated to the Northwest, and pitched his tent at Seattle; this was the summer after the great fire. He had charge of the shipping and receiving de- partment for McDougall & Southwick, and later be- came chief bookkeeper to the Seattle branch of the Standard Oil Company. All in all, he spent ten years in Seattle. He next went to Minneapolis, Minn., and organized the Fraternal Industrial Cooperative Asso- ciation, but later entered upon five-year engagement with the National Biscuit Company there.

In September, 1906, Mr. Bone came to San Jose and took up vegetable seed production at Greenfield, in Monterey County, in which he remained for four years, selling mostly to the Barteldes Seed Company of Lawrence, Kans., and during this time he made his home at San Jose. When he sold his seed-farm and business, he bought the old Fleming Ranch of forty acres on Fleming Avenue, three-fourths of which was bare land, which he set out to apricots and wal- nuts; and after a while he sold half of this ranch, re- 44

taining the other twenty acres. In July, 1919, he purchased a home place of four acres in Linda Vista district at the corner of Alum Rock and Kirk ave- nues. Mr. Bone belongs to the Grange. In 1915 he began the movement to reorganize the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc., and with the assist- ance of others this movement became a reality on May 1, 1917, Mr. Bone serving as secretary and treas- urer for the first two years.

At St. Pancras Church, London, on June 6, 1886, Mr. Bone was married to Miss Phoebe Ellen Booth, the daughter of James Booth, a hotel man, and his good wife, Susanna; and this marriage was blessed with the birth of one daughter, Maude Emily, who was born in Florida and who is at present the wife of J. H. Waalkes of San Jose, and the mother of a son, John H. Waalkes. Public-spirited to a large degree, Mr. Bone is that much of a true patriot, that he always puts the issues at stake above the demands of partisan- ship, and so is able to exert a wider and more endur- ing influence for the elevation of politics and the ad- vancement of the public weal.

ALBERT F. O'CONNELL .- Proud of his birth- right as a native son of the Golden State, Albert F. O'Connell takes a keen interest in the development of Santa Clara County, where the greater part of his life has been passed, and in preserving the history and interesting landmarks of its early days. A son of Thomas O'Connell, the pioneer, whose life story appears on another page of this work, he was born at Hollister, San Benito County, February 22, 1887, but was reared in San Jose, where he attended the Grant School and the San Jose high school. From the time he was a boy he made himself gen- erally useful, assisting his father in his fuel and feed business mornings and evenings while going to school and during his vacations, and thus he formed the habits of thrift and industry that have become a most valuable asset to him.

After his schooldays were over, Bert O'Connell, as he is familiarly called, continued to assist his father in the business until July, 1906, when with his four brothers they incorporated it as O'Connell Bros., Inc., after which they branched out into the wholesale and retail butcher business, as well as establishing a grocery store. They also began cattle raising on an extensive scale and in time came to own a ranch of 15,000 acres at Madrone, a descrip- tion of which is given in the sketch of O'Connell Bros., Inc. Giving his time to the new firm, Mr. O'Connell became very proficient in all the details of the grocery and meat business, contributing much toward its success. In September, 1918, he entered the U. S. service, being assigned to the Signal Corps, and was stationed at Camp Kearny until after the signing of the armistice. He was honorably dis- charged December 12, 1918, when he returned home and again took up the duties of civil life, giving his time and attention to their cattle and ranch interests, as assistant to his brother, Frank J. O'Connell. He continued there until October 1, 1921, when his ser- vice's were required in the office and he now has charge of the books of the corporation. He is a director and secretary of the company, having held this office since 1915.

At San Jose, on September 21, 1921, Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage with Miss Grace Marie Clark.

996

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

She was born in Colorado, but reared and educated in Kansas City, Mo., where she was a graduate nurse. Coming to San Jose, in 1913, she became head nurse at the O'Connor Sanitarium, and it was in this city that the young people met, the acquaintance result- ing in their fortunate marriage. Mr. O'Connell is a firm believer in protection and hence is a stanch Republican. He is a member of San Jose Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, belongs to the Eagles and is a popular member of the Pastime Club, and his patriotism is shown by membership in and support of San Jose Post No. 89, American Legion.

G. DANIEL O'CONNELL .- Accounted one of San Jose's progressive young business men, G. Da- niel O'Connell has achieved a marked success as a member of the enterprising firm of O'Connell Bros., Inc., who conduct a large wholesale and retail busi- ness in the sale of meats, groceries, feed and fuel at Sixth and St. James streets, and are also owners of a large cattle ranch, stretching out 15,000 acres beyond Madrone. Mr. O'Connell is a native son of Cali- fornia, born at Hollister, San Benito County, Feb- ruary 21, 1883, a son of Thomas and Julia (O'Brien) O'Connell, pioneer settlers represented on another page of this history. Dan O'Connell, as he is known by all his friends, received his primary education in the Hollister schools, and later in San Jose, where the family removed in 1895, the father engaging in the feed and fuel business there. Thomas O'Connell passed away at the age of sixty-four, but the mother still makes her home in San Jose, and the family are well known and highly respected throughout the community. At the age of fifteen Dan O'Connell started out to make his own way, working in the butcher shop of J. W. Borchers for five years and thoroughly learning this business. In 1906 five of the O'Connell brothers, succeeding to their father's business, incorporated the firm of O'Connell Bros., establishing a wholesale and retail business in meats, groceries, feed and fuel, and Dan O'Connell became one of the firm. In addition to this thriving business they own and operate a great ranch of 15,000 acres east of Madrone, which is largely devoted to raising cattle and feed, a description of the ranch being found in the sketch of O'Connell Bros. By industry, energy and integrity on the part of all the partners the business is steadily growing, and the proprietors enjoy the respect and confidence of a large and in- creasing patronage.

On October 18, 1908, Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage with Miss Mary McMurray, a native of Butte, Mont., a daughter of John and Mary Agnes (Casey) McMurray. The father was for many years coroner and public administrator of Butte, Mont., where the family was well known, but both parents have now passed away. Mrs. O'Connell was educated in the grammar and high schools of Campbell and Heald's Business College at San Jose, and she is the mother of two children, Irwin Thomas and Kenneth Daniel O'Connell. Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the San Jose Par- lor, N. S. G. W. Politically he votes the Republican ticket, and progressive in his ideas, he can be de- pended upon to give of his time and means to all movements calculated to secure substantial progress.

GEORGE E. NICHOLSON .- The associations of a life-time bind George E. Nicholson to Santa Clara County, where he has become one of its influential citizens through years of intelligent and unremitting industry. He is the owner of a very valuable ranch in the excellent pear section of Santa Clara Valley which lies on the San Jose-Alviso road, about seven miles north of San Jose. To the place where he is now living he came as a boy of ten years, with his parents and two sisters. He was born in Syracuse, N. Y., December 24, 1859, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Kelly) Nicholson, both emigrants from Ireland, though married in the state of New York. Soon after his marriage and before the birth of his son, the elder Nicholson determined to try his fortune in the storied Eldorado of the West, left his bride in the care of friends and set out for California via the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in San Fran- cisco he immediately boarded one of the steamers navigating the sloughs to Alviso. After a few months in the employ of Richard Fox, pioneer nurseryman of California, he sent for the bride and the son he had never seen. The family arrived in San Jose in 1859, resided there a few years and then took up their abode on a ranch rented by the father, where with the aid of all hands sufficient means were ac- cumulated to make a first payment on the present homestead in October, 1868. Three children were born to this worthy pioneer couple: George E. of this sketch; Elizabeth, who passed away some time ago; Mary F., now Mrs. L. E. Appleton of San Jose. Mrs. Nicholson passed away in 1894, but the father survived until 1918, passing away at the exceptional age of ninety-seven years and six months.

After the death of the mother in 1894, George E. Nicholson succeeded to the home place which the father deeded to him, one consideration being that a stated sum should be paid to the surviving sister. Since then Mr. Nicholson has purchased an adjoin- ing twenty acres and has made many valuable im- provements on the place, splendid irrigation being furnished by wells and pumping plants. He has a fine orchard and devotes quite an acreage to market gardening; thirty-five acres are in pears and twenty acres in various kinds of apples.

Mr. Nicholson's first marriage, which took place at San Jose, united him with Miss Minnie Lorigan, a sister of the late Charles M. Lorigan, prominent attorney and pioneer citizen of San Jose, and of W. G. Lorigan, Justice for many years of the Supreme Court of the State of California. Two sons were born to them: George A. and Edward L. Nicholson, both graduates of the University of Santa Clara, and now rising young attorneys, occupying the office in San Jose long used by their uncle, C. M. Lorigan. While they succeeded to much of his practice, they have forged ahead upon their own merits and are creditable acquisitions to the bar of Santa Clara County. Mrs. Minnie Nicholson passed away on February 8, 1898, and Mr. Nicholson was married in 1905 a second time to Miss Anna Baumgartner. One son has been born to them, Wilmot J. Charitable and public spirited, Mr. Nicholson can be depended upon to help in every good movement. For twenty- six years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Alviso school district, having served as clerk of said board for more than a quarter of a

Est. Page.

997

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

century, and during the late war contributed much in time and money to the local success of drives and bond issues. He was the drive leader for the Alviso, Midway and Agnew districts in conjunction with Dr. Stocking, superintendent of the State Hospital at Agnew, while Mrs. Nicholson served as head of the Red Cross in the Alviso district. Mr. Nicholson helped to organize the Pear Growers' Association and lends his best efforts to its success. Faithful to his early teachings, he is a member of St. John's Cath- olic Church at Milpitas.

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 155

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