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 168

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 168

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Mr. Waltz's marriage united him with Miss Gladys Trimble, who is a native of California, having been

born in San Jose, and they are the parents of four children: Dorothy L .; William Howard; Betty Jane; and Jean Eleanor. Mr. Waltz is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, also the Builders' Association and the Woodmen of the World. In national politics, he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party. In his youthful days, he was a devotee of bicycling and attained considerable reputa- tion as a racer, and he still keeps up his interest in out-door sports by camping trips in the mountains.

JOHN MOSSI .- A successful rancher who is a strong advocate of cooperation among farmers, is John Mossi, the vineyardist who resides on the Wat- sonville Road, eight miles northwest of Gilroy. He was born at Buenos Aires, in the far-away Argentine Republic, on October 18, 1872, although his father, John Mossi, was a native of Canton Ticino, Switzer- land. He was a remarkable man, and when twenty- two years old, in 1852, he made a trip to South America, taking over a year in a sailing vessel to make the trip, to locate and establish a packing house for the handling of tallow and hides; he resided many years at Buenos Aires, where he became well- to-do; and when he sold out, he returned to Swit- zerland. During his stay in the Argentine Republic, he was for four years consul from Switzerland; and he made numerous trips from South America to Europe, and also became well known in New York, where, for eleven years he was proprietor of one of the highest-class restaurants, which he had estab- lished. He also opened a restaurant at San Fran- cisco, and when he was eighty-six years old, he re- tired and returned to Switzerland, where he died October 18, 1921. Mrs. Mossi is still living, enjoying good health at the age of eighty.

John Mossi accompanied his mother, in 1876, from Buenos Aires to Switzerland and was there reared and educated in a fine private academy. When he was eighteen years old, he crossed the ocean to America and followed his father to San Francisco, a year after he had gone hither; and in 1891 he went to work on a ranch near San Luis Obispo for a Mr. Farrey. At the end of six months, he removed to the Santa Clara Valley; and he soon became foreman of the vineyard and orchard development work on the Ban- der ranch in the Morgan Hill Valley. In 1894 he leased the John Wise ranch and orchard, and at the end of six years rented the P. H. Cordes Vineyard, where he then lived for eleven years, engaged as a vineyardist and wine-maker. In 1910 he acquired by purchase some forty acres of barren land on the Watsonville Road, and this he has since developed into a fine vineyard and orchard.

At Gilroy, in January, 1898, Mr. Mossi was married to Miss Rosie Mautino, the daughter of Frank Mau- tino of Gilroy, a talented woman who presides over her home gracefully. Two children have sprung from this happy union, Artillo and Modesta. Mr. Mossi was made a citizen of the United States at San Jose in 1896, and since then he has voted the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Gilroy lodge of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Mossi is a member of the Rebekahs. He is always public-spirited, and has never failed to help the development of worthy public enterprises.

Henry B. Fisher

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

AUGUSTUS A. SCHOENHEIT .- An old pioneer family is worthily represented by Augustus A. Schoenheit, who was born in Santa Clara County in the Cupertino district August 31, 1872, the son of Augustus and Julia A. ( Lutz) Schoenheit. The father was the discoverer and manufacturer of the famous Schoenheit remedies, and he was also the founder, in the pioneer days, of a drug business in San Jose. Born in the midst of the Thur- ingian Forest, in Saxony, Germany, December 12, 1827, his earliest youth proved a keynote to his novel and out-of-the-ordinary career. He was born in a humble mountain home, in a region offering great inducements to his father, John Schoenheit, a civil engineer and surveyor. Left an orphan when three years old, while still a small lad, Augustus Schoen- heit removed to Moscow, Russia, where he lived with his eldest sister and there' he attended the gymnasium, and later pursued his studies in a simi- lar institution in St. Petersburg. He remained in Russia until he was sent back to Germany for military service, when he enlisted in the Third Jaeger Corps of the German army and advanced to first lieutenant before his twenty-first year. From 1848 until 1851 he saw service in the Schleswig- Holstein war. After completing his military serv- ice he spent two years in the University of Got- tingen, and there met Prof. William Seelig, his lifetime friend. In 1853, Mr. Schoenheit sailed from New York for California, crossing the Isthmus of Panama on foot. He suffered great privations on this trip, and after arriving in San Francisco mined at Coloma, in the Sugar Loaf district, in Sonora and Big Oak Flat, in the latter place hearing from the Indians that there was a place where the water came pouring down from the sky. Knowing that the Red men meant to describe a valley, accompanied by three companions, they proceeded in the direction indicated by the Indians. Going through a forest of big trees and wading through grass as high as man and beast, they came upon the great Yosemite Valley from the Big Oak Flat side. and were over- whelmed by its vastness and grandeur. With the exception of Hutchinson, who had been there a few days before, they were probably the first white men to enter this now famous valley, and they may be said to be the first discoverers and practical ex- plorers, for they brought back the first description ever given of one of the greatest wonders of the world. This was in 1854. Returning to San Fran- cisco, Mr. Schoenheit soon afterward came to San Jose and became a clerk in the first drug store in California, founded in 1849 by an Italian by the name of Davini. Some years later it was sold to Dr. Van Cannigan and Dr. Lee, under whom Mr. Schoenheit worked as a druggist. Eighteen months later he purchased the business, located on North Market near the corner of Santa Clara Street, the present site of the Rea Bldg. In 1858 he moved to Santa Clara Street, where the Smout building now stands, and in 1878 he moved across the street at the corner of Lightston Alley and Santa Clara Street. Mr. Schoenheit made a trip to Europe, traveling extensively in different countries, where he contin- ued his studies of chemistry and pharmacy in the great centers of learning, and experimented with certain remedies which he desired to place on the market. In 1898 the business was removed to the 47

Letitia building at 72 South First Street, and he continued to manufacture his remedies. His lini- ment gained for him a world-wide reputation, as well as his other remedies. He married Miss Julia Lutz, a native of Hartford, Conn., and two children were born to them, Augustus A., of this review, and Sophia, Mrs. Geo. E. Merrill of Santa Rosa, Cal., a graduate of Stanford University. Mr. Schoenheit passed away in 1906; and his widow now resides at Santa Rosa.

Augustus A. Schoenheit's early education was ob- tained in the grammar schools of San Jose, when he entered Santa Clara College, on completion of which he attended Heald's Business College in San Francisco, where he was duly graduated. In 1893 he took active management of his father's drug busi- ness. Many improvements were made and the ca- pacity of the manufacturing plant was increased and newer and more modern methods were adopted. In 1907, one year after his father's death, he sold the business and took a position with the Security State Bank; starting at the bottom he worked his way up until he is now paying teller. In 1912 he bought a thirty-six acre ranch on the Stevens Creek Road between San Jose and Cupertino and two years later moved on to it; he built a beautiful bunga- low residence, and laid out spacious lawns. For ir- rigating his orchard he has a pumping plant with a capacity of 1060 gallons of water per minute.

On June 5, 1901, Mr. Schoenheit was united in marriage with Miss Winifred Macleod. a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Macleod, born at Somers- ville, Cal. Mrs. Schoenheit received her education in the schools of Santa Clara. They are the parents of one daughter, Helen Marr. In politics he is a Repub- lican; he belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of San Jose Lodge, B. P. O. Elks.

JULES EMILE RISPAUD .- A native son, Jules Emile Rispaud, was born at Long Bridge, two miles above Saratoga, May 25, 1884. His father, Joseph Rispaud, was born in Hautes-Alps, France, and came to San Francisco, Cal., in 1866 and soon afterwards located in Santa Clara County and in time he bought 320 acres on Campbell Creek in partnership with Maurice Garcin, another old pioncer. Later they divided this ranch, each retaining 160 acres. Mr. Rispaud improved the place and built his residence and set out orchards when he had cleared the land. Here he reared his family and resided until his death, in 1910, aged sixty-three years. He was clerk of the school board in Booker district for over twenty- five years and was then succeeded by his son Jules. Mrs. Rispaud was Elizabeth Calpin, a native of Bel- gium, and their marriage occurred in California. She passed away over twenty-five years ago. Of the seven children, five are living: George, of San Jose; Jules, the subject of this review; Mary is Mrs. Al- hert Athenour of this county; Henry is deceased; Louise is Mrs. Leon Athenour, also of this county; Joseph lives in San Jose; Louis is deceased.

Jules Rispaud attended the public school in the Booker district meanwhile from a lad made himself generally useful on the ranch helping to improve it and set out the orchard and vineyard. After his father's death he purchased the home ranch and has since engaged in fruit raising and general farming. He was married in San Jose, January 1, 1914, to

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Miss Rose Corbella, who was born in San Jose a daughter of Louis and Margaret (Serra) Corbella, natives of Tornio, Piedmonte, Italy, who were mar- ried in San Jose, and were farmers on the Quito Road until they sold the place in 1921 and now are living retired. Mrs. Rispaud, their only child, re- ceived her education in the Boulder Creek school. Mr. and Mrs. Rispaud have one child, a daughter Julia. When Mr. Rispaud's father retired from the school board, he was elected trustee of Booker dis- trict to succeed him, and he has held the position ever since, covering a period of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Rispaud are liberal and hospitable and are much esteemed and highly respected.

THOMAS LOFTIN BLANCHARD, M.D .- A distinguished member of the medical profession in Santa Clara County to whom the Golden State is indebted for some of its reputation as one of the most desirable corners of the earth in which to live, is Dr. Thomas Loftin Blanchard, of San Jose, in which progressive city he is both familiarly and agreeably known, and his offices in the Bank of San Jose building have become a Mecca to those seeking the benefits of the last word of science. Dr. Blanch- ard was born in Missouri on July 17, 1886, the son of George B. Blanchard, a lumberman and stockraiser who came from Missouri to California in 1893 and settled in San Jose, where he established the largest wholesale hay business. He married Miss Emeline Payne, and they resided at 875 University avenue. Thomas L. attended the public schools at San Jose, and also Santa Clara, finishing there the high school course, and then he studied at the Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, and was graduated there- from in May, 1909, with the M.D. degree.

For a couple of years Dr. Blanchard practiced in Campbell, after which he took a trip to Europe and studied at both Vienna and Berlin, doing post-gradu- ate work. On returning to America, he opened an office in San Jose, and there he has since practiced, making a specialty of surgery. He joined the staff of the O'Connor Sanitarium, and when the world conflict called for such professional services as his, he became a first lieutenant and served his country and humanity for seventeen months.

On October 28, 1913, Dr. Blanchard was married to Miss Mariam A. Harris, a native of California, a gifted lady, well fitted to be his helpmate. He is a Mason and belongs to the Consistory, in which he has risen to the thirty-second degree, and to the Com- mandery. Dr. Blanchard's status as a skillful surgeon and a thoroughly up-to-date practitioner is reflected in his election as president of the County Medical Society, and his activity in both the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. A Democrat in respect to his preference for party platforms, he is ready at all times to cast aside par- tisanship when a nonpartisan support will elect or adopt those persons or measures which would be most desirable for the community. He is fond of gardening and the other diversions of outdoor life, and as this is one of the garden-spots of the world, is deeply interested in Santa Clara County, its past and its future. On July 6, 1922, Dr. Blanchard re- turned from his second trip to Europe, having spent five months in London, Paris, and Vienna hospitals,

studying surgery and women's diseases. From the University of Vienna he received his diploma for post-graduate surgical work.

CARLO PANIGHETTI .- Many of the sons and daughters of Sunny Italy have aided in the develop- ment of the orchards and vineyards that have made the Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains famous, and among them none have done more than Carlo Panighetti and his estimable wife who with pride can point to their six sons and three daughters who have also aided them in accomplishing the de- velopment of one of the valuable vineyards in this mountain region. Carlo Panighetti was born at Ro- mianca, Province of Novara, Italy, February 19, 1856, a son of John and Theresa ( Franchioli) Pani- ghetti, of an old family there. The father worked in mines in Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany. He died in Neufchatel and the mother died at the old home. Of the seven children, Carlo was the second oldest, and only two are now living. He was reared on the home farm to habits of industry, at the same time he attended the local schools. However, at the age of fourteen years he struck out to paddle his own canoe, going to Neufchatel, Switzerland, where he was employed in an asphalt mine for twelve years. During this time he made several trips to his old home and on one of these visits he was married, on New Year's Day, 1883, to Miss Marie Perone, who was born in the same vicinity. She is the daughter of Vincent and Josepha (Rossetti) Perone, farmers there, and the second oldest of their eight children. After leaving the asphalt mines Mr. and Mrs. Pani- ghetti spent a short time in France, and then, in 1885, came direct to the Santa Clara Valley, Cal., a step they have never regretted. .

Mr. Panighetti worked on farms and in orchards and vineyards and in time became foreman. Having accumulated sufficient means to engage in agri- culture on his own account, he purchased his present ranch, in 1893, comprising eighty acres. There was very little improvement, so he set to work, clearing, grubbing and breaking the soil, and faithfully set out and cared for the vineyard until today it is a splendid property with thirty-five acres of bearing vineyard and orchards, the latter being devoted to raising prunes and cherries, apples and pears. His buildings are comfortable and in keeping with the prosperous condition of the ranch. He also owns an eighty acre ranch, purchased 1909, located two miles below his home, on the Bear Creek Road, both lying on the Santa Clara side of the Summit. On this ranch he also cleared much of the land and set out orchard and vineyard until he now has all of thirty-five acres in a high state of cultivation to which he and his family give splendid care.

Mr. and Mrs. Panighetti's union was blessed with eleven children, two of whom died in infancy before they emigrated to California; but nine grew up and are living, to whom they have given the best educa- tion within their means and trained to habits of in- dustry and good American citizenship. The eldest, John, who served in the U. S. Army in the World War, is married to Pearl Cushing and resides in Los Gatos; Mrs. Delphine Scilini, of Alma; Mrs. Emma Pianto, of Los Gatos; Carlo Alphonso, who married Miss Camilla Tonini, is ably assisting his father to

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

care for the orchard and vineyard. Then there are Marie Alvera, Noah, Albert. Charles and Salvatore, who are also assisting their parents and attending school. Mr. Panighetti is interested in the cause of education, being a member of the board of trustees of Brown school district, having served for some years as clerk of the board. He is proud of his American citizenship and casts his vote under the banners of the Republican party. Mr. Panighetti gives no small credit to his estimable wife, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with him in accomplish- ing their aim of a well earned competency.

JUDGE WILLIAM G. LORIGAN .- An eminent jurist of the State of California, and a man of bril- liant mental attainments, Judge William G. Lorigan ever wore the stainless ermine of judicial integrity, displaying in his rulings a quick perception of the principles of justice and a deep and discriminating study of the precedents and precepts of law applica- ble to every case, bearing himself always with a lofty impartiality toward the parties and the interests in- volved. In his bearing toward the bar he was dis- tinguished for the courtesy accorded to every mem- ber, and the esteem, confidence and veneration in which he was held will continue to make fragrant his memory through the years to come.

The parents of this distinguished jurist were both natives of Ireland and came to the United States in their early youth, settling in Ohio, but in 1852 they removed from Cincinnati to the gold fields of Aus- tralia, and during their temporary residence there William G. Lorigan was born in 1855. Five years later his parents returned to America, and coming to California, settled in Santa Clara County. Here the son passed his youth, taking up his residence in San Jose in 1884. His education was obtained at Santa Clara College, and at St. Vincent's College at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Early in life he began the study of law, and after a thorough course of preparation with the firm of Moore, Laine, Delmas and Leib, at San Jose, he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court in 1879, when only twenty-three years of age. He immediately engaged in practice in partnership with Harry Benson, and it was not long until he became recognized as one of the best lawyers in the city. An interesting coincidence of this early partner- ship is the fact that his associate became Justice of the Supreme Court of Oregon, while Judge Lorigan rose to the same distinction in California.

Judge Lorigan was elected twice to the now extinct office of justice of San Jose, and in the fall of 1890 to the office of Superior Judge of the county. He was reelected to the Superior Bench twice and immedi- ately after being chosen for the third term he was appointed by Governor Gage to the Supreme Court of the state to fill a vacancy caused by death; he was elected again and again to this high position until he retired in the fall of 1918. A man of deep convictions. Judge Lorigan was greatly impressed with the re- sponsibilities imposed by the judicial office entrusted to him under our system of government, and for a judge to "play the political game" was in his eyes beneath the dignity of the Supreme Court.

The bench and bar of the community had great admiration for the ability of Judge Lorigan, and at his passing, Justice John E. Richards of the District

Court of Appeal, said: "I regard Judge Lorigan as one of the ablest jurists who ever sat on the bench in the State of California. From the time of his admission to practice in the early '80s be displayed the possession of a fine legal and judicial mind to a marked degree. He was selected as a member of the Supreme Bench of California among many aspi- rants, and from the time of his first appearance on that tribunal he ranked among the most capable of the men who have sat upon it during the long term of his service there. He was particularly marked for his great industry and for his intense and constant love of justice in the concrete and for his knowledge of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the State of California. His opinions were always full and able, especially those in the domain of criminal law, in which he excelled. He contributed to the body of our substantive law a large number of very able opinions and the law as he declared it in these opinions will be cited by lawyers and jurists with special reference to himself during all the state's subsequent history."

The following tribute is from the Modesto Herald: "Some twenty years ago, Judge Lorigan, then of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County, was by mutual agreement of the anti- and pro-irrigationists called to Modesto to decide a case. Judge Lorigan listened very patiently to the attorneys on both sides for about a week and promptly decided that the anti-irrigation- ists were in the wrong and the pro-irrigationists were in the right. Immediately thereafter the pro-irriga- tionists took heart, the irrigation bonds rose from nominal to a comparatively fair valuation, and the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation districts came into the developing stage. These bonds are now above par, and upon the development of these districts and their bonds many other irrigation districts of Cali- fornia are based. Stanislaus County, in particular, and the ever-increasing irrigation districts, owe more to Judge Lorigan's decision in the cases in which he sat in Modesto than to any other influences that have ever been exerted. And Judge Lorigan's decision in this case was so comprehensive and complete that appeal was never contemplated."

Judge Lorigan was in failing health for about two years and he passed away at San Francisco, where he had been making his home, on April 2, 1919, at the age of sixty-four. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Annie F. (Burgis) Lorigan; a son, Barthol W. Lorigan, a real estate dealer at San Jose; a daughter, Mrs. Burgis Lacoste of San Francisco; and three brothers, Henry F. Lorigan of Oakland. Frank V. Lorigan of San Francisco, and Charles M. Lorigan of San Jose; the latter has since passed away. A deceased sister, Minnie, was the wife of George Nicholson of Alviso. Mrs. Lorigan was a native daugh- ter. born in San Francisco, whose father, Capt. Rob- ert Berseford Burgis, a native of England, was a sea- captain. His wife was Anne Picking, also born in England, and they were married in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the early '50s Captain Burgis took up his residence on Rincon Hill, San Francisco, but continued to follow the sea until his death. Mrs. Lorigan completed her education at Williams' Young Ladies' Academy. Judge Lorigan was an influential member of the Young Men's Institute, the Foresters and the Elks. Rising by native force of character to

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an eminence of distinguished usefulness, his career commands the admiration of all classes of society, and should especially excite the young men of today to an imitation of the virtues of his exemplary life.

EDWARD NOBLE WILLIAMS .- A resident of California since 1875, Edward Noble Williams was born in Burlington, Iowa, July 28, 1858. His father. J. M. Williams, was born in New Jersey and was a pioneer of Burlington, engaged in contracting and building. The family moved to San Jose in 1875, when the mother died. His father spent his last days on our subject's ranch, passing away at the age of eighty-five. Edward N. was the youngest of four children born of this, his father's second marriage, being educated in the granimar and high school in Burlington until his junior year, when he accompanied his parents to San Jose in 1875. His brother, B. F. Williams, was a surveyor, and Edward worked under him as a surveyor until Black's store was opened. when he became a clerk in this store. Four years later he resigned to begin ranching on the Summit, having purchased sixty-five acres from the Burrell ranch about forty-one years ago, which he immediate- ly began clearing and setting to orchard and vine- yard, and now has one of the fine places in the Bur- rell district, the orchard being in prunes and plums.

Mr. Williams was married in the Burrell district to Mary E. Pratt, born in Marysville, Cal., where she was reared and educated. Four children have blessed their union: Hattie B., E. J., A. B. and Mari- an E .; E. J. served overseas for about two years dur- ing the World War. Mr. Williams has served ac- ceptably as trustee of Burrell school district for twelve years. Fraternally he is a member of Soquel Lodge of Odd Fellows.

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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 168

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