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 163

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 163

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To Mr. and Mrs. Volkers were born eight chil- dren. Fred, a gas and steam fitter by trade, resides at Vallejo, Cal .: he married Miss Eva Mcintyre, of Castroville, this state. Alice, who resides at home, is bookkeeper for the Normandin-Campen Company; Mary, also at home, is bookkeeper for the Mission Motor Company; Leo, who is a rancher at Marysville, married Anna Sullivan of San Jose. and they have two children, Thelma and John Ray- mond; Aileen is the wife of A. J. Crabb, an automo- bile merchant of Milpitas, Cal., and they have be- come the parents of three children, Madeline, Helena and Raymond Alexander; William Keith, who is connected with the Standard Oil Company at San Jose, married Violet Martella. On May 1, 1918, he entered the U. S. service and was first sent to the Santa Clara training school, under command of Colonel Donovan, going from there to Camp Fre- mont, where he remained for six weeks, and on to Camp Taylor, Ky. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and was stationed at Camp Jackson, S. C., being attached to the field artillery. There he re- ceived his discharge about December 15, 1919, reach- ing San Jose just before Christmas of that year. Raymond and George died in infancy.

Mr. Volkers was a stanch Republican in his po- litical views and Mrs. Volkers is also an adherent of that party. Fraternally he was identified with the Woodmen of the World at San Jose and he was also affiliated with the United Workmen of America during the existence of that order. He was a great lover of flowers and trees, with which he beautified his home, in which he took great pride. Mr. and Mrs. Volkers were members of the Second Ward Improvement Club that built the pergolas at the Grant School and planted trees on Empire Street from Fourth to Seventeenth streets, a great im- provement for this section. Mr. Volkers found his greatest happiness at his own fireside and was a de- voted husband and father, and he left behind him a memory that is cherished by all with whom he was associated. For the past five years Mrs. Volkers has resided at No. 129 North Thirteenth Street.

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where she has an attractive little home. Like her late husband she is very fond of flowers and trees and takes great pleasure in seeing things grow and it is her delight to care for her flowers and shrubbery.

CHARLES M. LORIGAN-An enviable record of duty and service is the story of the life of the late Charles M. Lorigan, who was born in New South Wales, Australia, on January 14, 1861. His father was B. W. Lorigan, a native of Ireland, who went to Australia, was married there, and removed with his family to California in 1862, in which year he settled in Santa Clara. He has been a successful diamond miner in Australia, but was cheated out of what should have been abundant riches by fraudu- lent dealers.

Charles spent his boyhood in Santa Clara and at- tended the University at that place; and in 1882 he was duly graduated with honors. Five years later he entered the law offices of S. F. Leib; and in 1889, upon successfully passing the examinations of the Supreme Court, he was admitted to practice at the Bar in California. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Leib, and until Mr. Lorigan's death, they maintained the most cordial and helpful relations. He was twenty-five years in active service in probate and office work, enjoyed a large clientele, and not only was very highly esteemed for his knowledge of the law, but had the confidence of all who had come to know him as practitioner.

On November 3, 1903, Mr. Lorigan was united in marriage with Miss Eugenia E. Bohlmann, a daugh- ter of Frank Bohlmann, one of the well-known pio- neers of California, and a native of San Jose; and they were blessed with the birth of one child, Lor- raine M. Lorigan, now a student at Notre Dame. Mr. Lorigan did not enjoy the most robust constitu- tion, and his inability to partake of the more stren- uous life was amply compensated for by the com- forts and joys of his beautiful home, made so attrac- tive through his devoted and charming wife and daughter. He passed away, to the heart-felt regret of a wide circle, on September 24, 1920, at his resi- dence at 235 South Tenth Street. The funeral took place from St. Patrick's Church, which was filled by mourning friends, members of the Bar Association. leaders in many corporations, churchmen and church- women, and people from throughout the state; on which occasion a solemn requiem mass was cele- brated by the Rev. Father Collins, pastor, as cele- brant, the Rev. T. J. Murphy, S. J., president of the University of Santa Clara, as deacon, the Rev. J. Collins, S. J., as sub-deacon, and the Rev. William M. Boland, S. J., as master of ceremonies. A large number of the Sisters of the various Catholic orders of the county were present, including many from the O'Connor Sanitarium, in which the deceased was keenly interested; and he was laid to rest in the fam- ily plot in Oak Hill Cemetery by six nephews- Frank Lorigan, Jr., of San Francisco, and Sidney K. Lorigan, Charles K. Lorigan, B. W. Lorigan, E. L. Nicholson, and G. A. Nicholson, all of San Jose. In delivering a splendid eulogy to the life and character of the deceased, the Rev. Father Collins said:

"Mr. Lorigan's public and private life was his own eulogy. Blessed by God with a good mind and an intrepid spirit, he stood before the public as an cx- ample of the perfect Christian gentleman. To him all men were equal, and neither wealth, nor power, nor

promise could sway him in a just judgment, nor was anyone so poor and lowly to be beneath his rever- ence and service. As a Catholic, he was a perfect example of Christianity. He measured all his judg- ments and actions as if conscious of the ever-present, all-seeing eye of God. He was proud of the dignity of being a true Christian, and his daily life was an example of it."

Nicholas Bowden, on behalf of the Bar Associa- tion, also delivered a culogy before the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Friday, October 8, 1920, in which he said:

"The life and character of Charles M. Lorigan de- serve more than passing notice. For thirty years, and until the beginning of his last fatal illness some months ago, he was a conspicuous and familiar figure in the courts and in this community. Early in his career as a lawyer, he made warm and lasting friend- ships, and quickly secured the confidence and respect of client and citizen. To these friends, and to this confidence, he was ever and always true and loyal. He was an alumnus of the University of Santa Clara. His Alma Mater endowed him with a liberal and Christian education. It was a rich endowment. It was the foundation of his professional success and a sure and safe guide in all the relations of life. Hand- icapped by physical affliction, Charles M. Lorigan radiated sunshine and happiness. His affliction walked with him through life. It was with him in his com- ings and goings. It stood beside him at his hearth- stone. He knew that most of the activities and pleas- ures of youth and manhood were forever denied him, and this fact was graciously accepted without a murmur, never a complaint. Two other of Charles M. Lorigan's distinguishing characteristics were his open-hearted candor and his unimpeachable integ- rity. No whisper of suspicion was ever breathed against his name. The record of his life is the record of duty and service."

DAVID WIGHT .- A pharmacist of wide experi- ence, whose close application to work during many years enabled him to retire in comfort is David Wight, a native son, who was born in Vallejo, on February 5, 1860, the son of David Wight, an hon- ored pioneer who passed away in San Jose on May 25, 1919. He was reared and schooled in Glasgow, Scotland, the city of his birth, and he became an engincer, coming to California as first assistant en- gineer of the steamer Fremont around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1851, following his trade after he came to California for about three years on the Pacific Mail Steamer. He married Miss Nicholas Douglas, who was also born in Scotland, and she passed away on June 18, 1920, at her home on Wil- lows Street. They had six children, all of whom are still living, and among them our subject was the fourth. David Wight became well-known as an en- gineer in the Bay City, and in 1854 he removed to Vallejo, and assisted in the great work of construct- ing the Navy Yard. Indeed, to him belonged the distinction of having driven the first pile needed in that pretentious work. At the conclusion of his serv- ice, he returned to San Francisco and there founded the California Iron Works. The year 1870 brought severe reverses to the family, and they then removed to San Jose. David Wight, Sr., took charge of the iron foundry, owned by John and Donald Mc- Kenzie, and located at the corner of First and

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San Antonio streets, San Jose; and he also in- vested in a small home-place in The Willows. Later, he became manager for Joseph Enright, who was engaged in the manufacture of straw-burning thresh- ing engines. Mr. Wight lived to the ripe old age of eighty-nine.

David Wight, Jr., had the advantages of the pub- lic schools of San Jose. In 1876, at the age of six- teen, he entered the employ of Rhodes & Lewis, pharmacists on South First Street, San Jose, and began the study of pharmacy; he then entered the California College of Pharmacy, and was graduated by the University of California in 1882. After sery- ing as a pharmacist in various cities in California he becanie the manager for Grenell & Beaumont, con- tinuing in that capacity for five years, and there he was one of the organizers of the McKenney Drug Company and established a pharmacy on South First Street. He was vice-president and director and continued to give his services as pharmacist to the business until they sold out to the Wolfe Drug Company in 1898. Since he quit his profession he is engaged as horticulturist. In San Jose in 1886 Mr. Wight married Miss Susie E. Cottle, the only sur- viving daughter of the late Ira Cottle, the pioneer and orchardist, who came to California in 1854. Mr. Wight is a member of Fraternity Lodge No. 399. F. & A. M., and is a member of San Jose Consistory of Scottish Rite, is a member of the O. E. S .; he is also a member of the Odd Fellows and the Re- bekahs; and Mrs. Wight belongs to the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have built for themselves a beautiful residence on a fine por- tion of the Ira Cottle estate, which they retained, while they disposed of the rest of the choice prune orchard at the corner of Minnesota and Lincoln avenues in the Willow district, and out of this has been created the handsome Lincoln Park.

MILDRED P. HANSON .- Prominent among the best-trained, most successful teachers, whose popu- larity, extending through Santa Clara County, has been clearly due to hard, efficient work coupled with the influence of an attracting personality, is Miss Mildred P. Hanson, who resides at 774 South Eighth Street, San Jose. A native daughter proud of her heritage, she was born at Sonora, in Tuolumne County, Cal., and her father was Jesse Kimball Han- son, a member of an honored New England family of farmer folk. He came out to San Francisco in '49, sailing around Cape Horn to get there, and from San Francisco he hurried into the southern mines of Tuolumne. He was not particularly successful, however, and instead of pinning his faith to the dig- ging for gold, he opened a book store, where he also sold Chinese curios. He also managed the telegraph station at Sonora, for he was an expert operator. He was a well-read man, and found a worthy, in- spiring companion in his wife, who was Miss Annie E. Patrick before her marriage, the member of a family that had migrated in 1760 to South Carolina from French Lorraine, and which eventually became represented in North Carolina, Tennessee and North- ern Alabama. Miss Patrick's father made his way to California for the first time via the Isthmus of Panama, after which he returned to the East by the

same route; then he brought his family across the great plains, and once here he became a member of the State Legislature, and for many years he was sheriff of Tuolumne County. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson removed to Fresno County, where the mother died in 1870; the father continued in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, whose service he had entered, being stationed at Tehachepi and Tularc. When the private line was built from Goshen to Visalia he became station agent at Visalia. In 1878 he, too, passed away, honored by all who knew him as a progressive, dependable pioneer citizen.

Miss Mildred Hanson was graduated from the San Jose high school in 1883, and eighteen months later received from the State Normal School at San Jose her certificate for teaching. The first school to which she was assigned was in the Elbow Creek dis- trict, where she was in charge of some thirty-five pupils for a year: and then she spent a year and a half in the public schools of San Luis Obispo County. After that, she moved north to Washington, and for a season taught at Waitsburg, getting a good idea of the conditions of life in that locality, and so enlarging her knowledge of Pacific Coast geography. In the fall of 1889, she came to San Jose and entered the Willow Glen School as a primary teacher, be- coming the fourth teacher on the staff for that sea- son; and at the beginning of the school term in 1908 she was appointed principal, and then there were six teachers. Ever alert and untiring in constructive work and desirable legislation, and the building up a fine elementary school, Miss Hanson has kept abreast of the times, and now a new and handsome school edifice is being erected to accommodate the increasing number of pupils there. The coming year Miss Hanson is to continue as the vice-principal of the school, although for some time she has con- templated retiring from active professional duties. For years she has been a member of the executive committee of the Santa Clara County Teachers' Association, in which her influence has always been wide and helpful to every important interest, and in support of the worthiest movements.

With her sister, Miss Margaret Hanson, who is vice-principal of the Visalia-Jefferson Grammar School, Miss Hanson owns the residence at 74 South Eighth Street, San Jose, which has been their home for some years; another sister is Mrs. C. L. Witten, the wife of Judge Witten of San Jose. History and ancestry, both recalling the fine old days of carly California and New England, as well as Southern, are subjects of attraction to these ladies, for their forefathers were among the Kimballs and Hansons who settled in New Hampshire as early as 1640, became prominent professionally, and figured in Colonial history and the building of the nation. These forebears also included Maj. John L. Patrick and his brother, Capt. George W. Patrick, whose reputation for prowess in another part of the United States was equally enviable. They have good reason, there- fore, to be proud of their ancestors, as they are of the great Pacific commonwealth in which they them- selves have had their part in social and educational formations, and Santa Clara and Tulare counties may well be congratulated upon securing such pedagogical talent as that of the Misses Hanson.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

HAROLD L. FATE .-- A native son of California, Harold L. Fate is now identified with the Associated Oil Company of San Jose and is an alert young business man who is making the most of his time, talents and opportunities. He was born in Santa Cruz, Cal, February 28, 1896, a son of Lewis and Mary Fate. His father was a native of Ohio and as a child was taken by his parents to Danville. [I] .. where his youthful days were spent. In 1890 he made his way to the Pacific Coast, first establishing his home in San Francisco, and later removing to Santa Cruz, where he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1899 he came to San Jose as an employe of that road and resided here until 1903, when he went to Salinas. where he remained until 1907, during which period he continued with the railroad. In the latter year he returned to San Jose where he has since lived.

In the public schools of San Jose and Salinas, Harold L. Fate acquired his education and on start- ing out in the business world he obtained employ- ment with the firm of Popp & Hogan, job printers, for whom he worked as pressman for fifteen months. He then secured a position with the S. H. Chase Lumber Company of San Jose, with whom he re- mained for a little over two years, and then was wood turner for the Hubbard & Carmichael Company of this city for seven years. He next became con- nected with the Associated Oil Company, but at the end of twelve months left that firm and returned to the Chase Lumber Company, with whom he con- tinued for a year and a half. Leaving San Jose, he went to Honolulu. Hawaiian Islands, and there was occupied in planing mill work for about cight months. Upon returning to California he resumed his former connection with the Associated Oil Company and has since continued in their service, proving a faithful and efficient employe.

Mr. Fate is independent in his political views, cast- ing his ballot in favor of the candidate whom he deems best fitted for office, regardless of party ties. He is a member of the Pastime Social Club, of which he has been treasurer and a trustee and is now president. He is also connected wth the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Eagles and the Good l'ellows Lodge of San Jose, being a past exalted director of the last named organization.

DAVID HAROLD CRAMER, Ph. B .- The vicin- ity of Campbell and the surrounding country are fortunate indeed to have as an able and conscientious man to care for the educational welfare of the children of the citizens of that locality as is found in Prof. David Harold Cramer, an eminent and ex- perienced teacher who is now the principal of the Campbell Union high school. Professor Cramer is a native of Bloomdale, Ohio, and was born No- vember 12. 1881. He is the son of David L. and Alice S. (Lesher) Cramer. both natives of Penn- sylvania. David L. Cramer is a carpenter and he and his wife are now residents of Fostoria. Ohio.

David H. Cramer received his education at Bloom- dale grammar school, Fostoria high school and Wooster College, all in the state of Ohio. He was graduated from Wooster College in 1906 with the degree Ph. B. and for the next two years he was science teacher at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, high

school and the following two years he served as principal of the same school. In the spring of 1910 he came to California, and that fall he took a grad- uate course in the University of California, major- ing in mathematics. Then going to Globe, Ariz., he was employed in the offices of the Old Dominion Copper Mining Company for a while, coming to Campbell in the fall of 1912. He became the vice- principal of the Campbell high school and continued in that position for a period of eight years, when he was elected as principal. The Campbell Union high school has had a good growth having now about 170 students and eleven teachers.

Professor Cramer's marriage, which took place at Lake Geneva, Wis., united him with Miss Flor- ence Davidson, who was born in Nevada, and reared in Wisconsin, the daughter of Ebenezer and Elea- nor (Stevens) Davidson. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are the parents of two children: Harold D. and Hugh G. Mr. Cramer is a Knights Templar Mason. Politic- ally, he is a stanch Republican, and in religious faith, he and his family are active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Campbell.

ARTHUR T. BRITTON .- An experienced and enterprising business man whose success represents the Twentieth Century spirit, is Arthur T. Britton, the owner and manager of the busy automobile- machine and repair shop at South First Street. San Jose, noted for its modern equipment and its ability to turn out work of almost any kind within that field of industry. A native son, he was born at San Diego in 1880, the son of William and Laura A. ( Inman) Britton, who came carly to California, were married at San Jose and lived here for some years, and then removed to San Diego. Mr. Britton had come across the plains in 1854, while Mrs. Britton came by the Isthmus. Arthur attended the usual grammar schools, but profited most, later on in life, in the great school of practical experience.

He learned the blacksmith trade and came to San Jose in 1910, when he worked at his trade in the employ of others for two years. Then he opened what was the beginning of his present undertaking, equipped the shop in every respect for first-class work, so that now he is able to keep busy a score or more of skilled workmen. He manufactures the WV. & B. cylinder grinder, and Britton's auxiliary air valve for motorcycles, and ships his products all over the United States.

When Mr. Britton married, on September 18, 1908. he took for his wife Mrs. Flora ( Kifer) Morton, a native of San Gregorio. San Mateo County, and the daughter of S. H. and Isabelle (Smith) Kifer, and they have had one son, Jack Arthur Britton. Mr. Britton likes to fish, and he is also fond of motor- ing, in fact he and his wife revel in California's out- door attractions. He endeavors to remain inde- pendent in national political affairs, and is thus able to work more frecly for what he believes to be the best man and the best measures. During the Span- ish-American War he served in Company B, Eighth California Regular Infantry, and served until he was mustered out with his regiment in 1899. He is a member of Wheaton Camp, Spanish-American War Veterans, and of the Chamber of Commerce.

1 Il Adamo

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

JOHN HICKS ADAMS .- Among the notable California forty-niners resident in Santa Clara County who have joined the silent majority of that adven- turous host and found homes in yet fairer golden lands than those to which they struggled amid count- less hardships in 1849, John Hicks Adams deserves especial mention in any historical record annalling the affairs of Santa Clara County, since he was a real pioneer in that county. On September 4, 1878, the county and that section of the state was called upon to mourn the taking off of a true and worthy man, one who had been true to his own ideals and convic- tions, and who by his large life work conferred bene- fit upon hundreds of his fellow citizens who of neces- sity shared in what he accomplished toward the ma- terial progress and upbuilding of his community. While on his way from his mine in Arizona to Tuscon he was killed by Mexicans in ambush. He was born at Edwardsville, Ill., June 13, 1820. His tather, John Quincy Adams, (named for the presi- dent) who had been a resident of Illinois since 1816, was engaged in wool carding and in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1822 he commenced raising the castor oil bean, having obtained a few seeds from the East Indies. In 1823 he gave seeds to his neighbors, who put in crops, and their returns ran as high as one dollar per bushel, paid them by Mr. Adams, who had erected a factory that season where he made cas- tor oil to supply the market. This was the beginning of this industry in the state of Illinois.

In 1823, Mrs. John Q. Adams died and the son, John H., our subject, was sent to school at Shurtleff College, in Upper Alton, and remained there two years. In the meantime his father had married a Miss Gordon, then John H. returned home and assisted in his father's factory and store. On the night of April 12, 1838, the castor oil mills, five in number, with 20,000 bushels of beans and fifty barrels of oil, were completely destroyed by fire, there being no in- surance, the loss being something like $45,000. This was a severe loss, but they immediately set about erecting another building and continued their busi- ness. In 1838 John Quincy Adams was elected county sheriff and his son, John Hicks, was appointed a deputy and looked after collection of taxes and court business. During the winter of 1838 a bold jail break was effected by two men and, as Sheriff Adams was absent, John Hicks took full charge of the pursuit and after several days captured the two desperate men and returned them to the jail. On May 16, 1840, the father passed away at Edwards- ville, leaving five children by his first wife and three by his second. John Hicks Adams then went into business with H. K. Eaton, and for the next two years manufactured castor oil; then he and his broth- er, W. R. Adams, carried on the business until low prices forced them to suspend.

In the spring of 1847, John Hicks Adams assisted in raising a company for the Mexican War and was mustered in on May 20, 1847, at Alton, Ill., in Com- pany J, Fifth Illinois Volunteers, and Mr. Adams was commissioned first lieutenant, and at Fort Leav- enworth he received the appointment of regimental quartermaster, taking charge of the government sup- plies, stock and wagons to cross the plains to Santa Fe, 120 wagons in all; later in July Lieutenant Ad- ams was advanced to a captaincy, upon the death of Captain Niles, and took command at 110-mile Creek 46

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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 163

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