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 173

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 173

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Fraternally, Mr. Lundin is a charter member of the Elks of San Jose: also a member of the Ma- sons, being a Knight Templar. He is active in the Rotary Club of San Josc. Politically he is a stal- wart Republican. He works for the best interest of the commonwealth with the same thoroughness that he manifests in the conduct of his business affairs and in both has made substantial progress.

TOM D. ANDERSON .- One of the well-known business enterprises of San Jose. Santa Clara County, is that conducted under the firm name of T. D. An- derson, manufacturers of awnings and tents. Mr. Anderson is well known as the originator of the collapsible auto-tent and bed, called the Campo Comfy Camp, which has become so popular with tourists and campers, and has made a specialty of catering to the needs of campers. He manufac- tures a tent that can be attached to an auto by straps which pass over the top; also manufactures beds and mattresses and many different styles of tents used by campers on vacation trips. These camping articles have become so popular that Mr. Anderson ships them to all parts of the United States, Canada and even to the Orient. He maintains his factory at 246 West Santa Clara street and enjoys a very lucrative business.

Tom D. Anderson was born July 28, 1887, at Devils Lake, N. D., a son of H. D. and Amalia B. (Peterson) Anderson, who came to California in the year of 1900; both parents reside in Los Angeles at the present time. Mr. Anderson received his education in the grammar and high schools; upon leaving school he was taken into the business of his father, that of manufacturing awnings and tents. His inventive mind has revolutionized the vacation problem and through his invention, campers may now enjoy many of the comforts of home. His great love of the outdoors led him to manufacture those things which make life in the open even more de- sirable and pleasurable. .

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mr. Anderson's marriage April 8, 1906, united him with Miss Ethel M. Bradly of San Jose. To them have been born two children. Maurine and Leola. Politically he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and is active in all affairs pertain- ing thereto. His course has been directed and gov- erned by a public-spirited and unselfish policy, and he has never hesitated to condemn reprehensible schemes in municipal life or to encourage movements whose tendency has been toward the elevation of the moral and industrial status of the community.

WILLIAM E. AUSTIN .- An experienced, wide- awake leader in the musical world who has been working hard and successfully, with stimulating fore- sight, to help bring San Jose into the forefront of California musical centers and to raise the standard of music in Santa Clara County, is William E. Aus- tin, the efficient manager of the Wiley B. Allen Company. dealers in musical instruments. He was born in Tennessee on February 24, 1881, and first came to California in his thirty-sixth year.

He attended the common schools of his locality. then pursued the high school courses, and for three years was a student at Holly Spring College. Next he busied himself in various fields of activity in West Virginia, and in the Western, Middlewestern and Northwestern states, and after that sailed on coastwise boats. This varied occupation added ma- terially to his experience, especially with human na- ture, and experience that is always an asset. In 1907, Mr. Austin came to California, and for nine months he was with the Columbia Phonograph Com- pany in San Francisco. Then he made three trips on the transport Sheridan to Manila and back, and at the end of that engagement received the highest credentials from the captains of the vessels.

On returning to Oakland in 1909, Mr. Austin en- tered the service of Messrs. Eilers in that city, with whom he remained for two years. In 1911 he became connected with Wiley B. Allen Company and in 1913 he was rewarded by advancement to his present responsible position. He employs eighteen people to discharge the ever-growing business of the firm, and in the shop alone he has supervision of five expert workmen. The local store enjoys an enviable patronage in Alameda, San Mateo, San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties, and bids fair to extend even this extensive territory, so great is the demand for their goods, and so well satisfied are most folks with their painstaking efforts to please as well as serve. In this great work the Wiley B. Allen Company and Mr. Austin are constantly effecting an educa- tional influence of the highest order and the most lasting. as well as far-reaching, in the great work of upbuilding and uplift in new communities. Mr. Austin's honesty and frankness have commended him to strangers, who soon come to place implicit confidence in both his judgment and his integrity, and often allow him carte blanche in the selection of the musical instruments they need.

At Thanksgiving, 1909. in San Francisco Mr. Aus- tin was married to Miss Louise Glasson, a most at- tractive lady, a native of Michigan, who has lived in California since she was one year old. She has entered heartily into Mr. Austin's ambitions, with her talents and companionability, and also enjoys with him the great outdoors. Mr. Austin belongs to the Lions Club, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce.

and is a Mason of the Eighteenth degree. During the World War, both Mr. and Mrs. Austin were active and helpful in all the war drives.

FREDERICK LEE HIATT .- A member of one of the prominent families of the Union district, Fred- erick Lee Hiatt is well know in Santa Clara County as an enterprising horticulturist. He was born in San Francisco, July 21, 1896, and is a son of Levi and Marie (Edwards) Hiatt. The father is also an orchardist and for the past thirty-two years has en- gaged in raising prunes, cultivating a tract of sixty- five acres in this locality. In the acquirement of an education Frederick L. Hiatt attended the grammar schools of Santa Clara County and high school at Campbell, but owing to illness was obliged to discon- tinue his studies before completing his course. On choosing an occupation he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and has also proven his ability as an orchardist, cultivating choice varieties of prunes and apricots on his eighteen-acre ranch in the Union district. He carries on his operations along the most modern and progressive lines and success is reward- ing his efforts.

Mr. Hiatt was united in marriage to Miss Glee Hageman, of San Jose, Cal., a member of one of the pioneer families of Santa Clara County, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Jean. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he finds diversion in hunting. He is a represen- tative of a family that for over thirty-two years has contributed to the prestige of Santa Clara County along horticultural lines and in the development of his talents he has already won a well established position among the progressive orchardists of this part of the state.

JOSE C. ANGELO .- Without any one to assist him in securing a start in the business world, and without the aid of fortuitous circumstances, com- monly known as "good luck," but by persistent labor and the constant exercise of frugality, Jose C. Angelo has brought himself to the position where he possessed the means necessary for the purchasing of land. He now resides on the place of ten acres, near Cupertino on the Doyle Road, which he pur- chased twenty-eight years ago and set to orchard. Mr. Angelo was born in the Azores Islands, in the year of 1861, and was the son of John and Mary Angelo, who were also natives of Azores, and com- ing to the United States, they were for many years engaged in farming near Half Moon Bay, Cal. Mr. Angelo's father lived to be eighty years of age, his demise occurring in 1918, his wife's death occurring some years before.

Jose C. Angelo came to the United States at the age of sixteen and landed at New Bedford, Mass .. in 1877, and for the next six years followed the life of a sailor. After returning from a trip back to his native land, he came to California and settled in Santa Clara County in 1883, bringing with him his bride, whom he had married while he was in his homeland. Mrs. Angelo's maiden name was Mary Vieria and she was also born in the Azores Islands. Mr. and Mrs. Angelo became the parents of a family of twelve children: Joseph served in the One Hundred Fifty-eighth U. S. Infantry; after training at Camp Lewis and Camp Kearny was sent overseas and served in France during the late war; he is now a rancher at Sunnyvale; Mary is Mrs. Martin of Santa

Cop Polife

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Clara; Anna is Mrs. Adrian of San Jose; Antonio aided the cause of the Allies by giving his services to the U. S. Navy; Manuel, Frank, Rose, Peter, Enos, Carl, Phillip, and Jesse are all at home. Politieally, Mr. Angelo is a Republican.

CHAS. ROBERT ROCLIFFE .- A resident of Santa Clara County since 1893, and owner of the Giant Oak ranch in Saratoga district, Charles Robert Rocliffe was born in Easingwold, Yorkshire, England, January 24, 1860, a son of John and Kate Jepson, farmer folk in Yorkshire, where they spent their entire lives. There were five children in their family of seven that grew to maturity, two of whom reside in California, Thomas Clough Rocliffe of Orosi and our subject, who is the eldest living child. He was brought up on the Yorkshire farm where he received a good education in the public and private schools.

When eighteen years of age, Mr. Rocliffe migrated to Canada, where he became messenger for the Can- adian Express Company, running out of Montreal to Quebec and Toronto, from 1878 until 1893, when he came to the States, stopping in Chicago for the World's Fair, thence on to Denver, Colo., for a short time and in the fall of 1893 came to San Francisco. His brother was living in Santa Clara County, so he took up his abode here. He was employed on the Simons & Chipman ranch for about a year and he then purchased his present place of twenty acres and named it Giant Oak ranch because it has a majestic white oak spreading its giant limbs over his residence, probably the largest tree of its species in California, measuring twenty-two feet in circumference. Mr. Roeliffe improved the ranch, getting the soil in con- dition and set out an orchard of prunes and apricots which he has faithfully cared for until now they are full bearing and yielding a satisfactory income.

Mr. Rocliffe is a member of the California Prune & Apricot Association. He joined the Odd Fellows in Montreal and was a member of the order for many years and is a member of the American For- esters at Saratoga. He has a great love for the out- doors and spends much time hunting with his pack of fox hounds he keeps especially for the chase. He has the finest bred hounds in the country, being of the same splendid stock that Isaac Branham had- and it is a great pleasure to enjoy this interesting gentleman's description of the chase. Mr. Rocliffe is a life-long Republican and he did his bit during the World War in supporting the various drives.

FRANCIS JAMES HAMBLY. - Prominent among the attorneys of Santa Clara County whose scholarly knowledge of law and ethical practice have reflected distinction upon the California Bar may well be mentioned Francis James Hambly, who was born at Belleville, Canada, on April 21, 1874, and who there received his early education in the excellent schools for which the great Dominion is noted. His father was James Hele Hambly, a distinguished chemist, who married Miss Emma L. Roblin, a daugh- ter of David Roblin, M.P.P., of Napanee, for many years the representative of the Counties of Lennox and Addington in the Dominion Parliament, known throughout Canada as one of her ablest men prior to Confederation. Mr. Hambly's father died ir. Can- ada in 1880, but his mother, a gifted and accom- plished lady, is living and resides with our subject. After coming to California in 1891, Mr. Hambly stud- ied law in the offices of Messrs. Morchouse & Tut-

tle, at San Jose, being admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of California in April, 1895. He im- mediately entered upon the practice of his profession in the office of Senator Morehouse, the firm of More- house & Hambly coming into existence in 1897, and continuing until 1900, when the senior partner moved to San Francisco and later to Nevada. Since that time Mr. Hambly has been actively engaged in prac- tice on his own account, and he has a large and rep- resentative clientage. A Republican in matters of national political moment, but broadly nonpartisan in his support of whatever seems to him best for the community, Mr. Hambly served his fellow-citizens as Police and Fire Commissioner for terms under Mayors George D. Worswick and Henry D. Mat- thews, and while in that office made an enviable rec- ord. Decidedly a progressive thinker, he has never failed to participate in all that might make for the advancement of the community.

RONALD G. STEWART .- Among the young progressive, and successful lawyers of Santa Clara county is Ronald G. Stewart, a native son of San Jose, born October 24, 1896, a son of William R. and Magdalena (Schilling) Stewart. His mother is a daughter of the old pioneer family of Schillings, prominent in the early history of California.

His preliminary education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of Oakland, where he graduated in 1913; he then entered Santa Clara College, where he obtained his A. B. degree in 1917; in 1918 he returned for a post-graduate course and received his J. D. degree, and the same year was admitted to the bar. He spent a short time in San Francisco, and in the year 1919 he established his law business in San Jose. He now occupies the po- sition of professor of law in Santa Clara College. a signal honor for one of his years, and a recog- nition of his grasp on matters of jurisprudence.

Politically Mr. Stewart is not a member of any party, preferring to support the man he deems best fitted for office. He is ever ready to assist in any- thing that tends for the betterment of his commun- ity, and is regarded as a man of strong character and sterling worth, a good citizen and a successful man in his profession.

CHARLES EDWARD HOWES .- Among the active, successful men of important business affairs in San Jose today is the well-known realtor, Charles Edward Howes; and none, it is safe for those to say who are familiar with his common-sense, dry humor and skill as a raconteur, can prove more entertaining in the narrative of a life-story. He was born at Downieville, Cal., on August 23, 1859, the son of Sam P. and Laura B. Howes, and the latter is still living. His father, now deceased, was a searcher of records, nor was there one more expert, in this day, in all the state.

After Charles declared himself graduated from the grammar schools of Downieville he got to work, not at all ambitious for college and losing no sleep about degree. He put in four days at carriage painting, when he was declared N. G .; then he worked for a month as a printer, or until the foreman passed upon him the same eulogy; after that he dried fruit for a night, but did not stop to learn what the fruit owner though of his incapability, and eventually he searched records for ten years, abstracting from them every-

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

thing that any wight could expect to find. More eventually he got into real estate, and there he has been ever since, so that today he and his family are in comfortable circumstances, and he doesn't owe a farthing to anyone. He still works hard, enjoys the leisure hour when it rolls around, and never wor- ries about an ancient past and a genealogical record with crests and coats of arms, being mighty thank- ful-and why shouldn't he, in the light of modern events-that he is "just here."

At Pleasanton, in 1885, Mr. Howes was married to Miss Kate Farr, and their union was blessed with the birth of one child, Charles E. Howes, Jr., the genial manager of J. E. Sloan at San Jose, himself the father of two children, of whom his granddad is properly proud. Mr. Howes is a member of the Elks, in which fine organization he has managed to be- come a natural leader without having the trouble to fill any office; while in politics he is, to employ his own characterization, a free lance. He was born a Democrat, but jumped the party when Bryan first ran; and he kept on opposing him until he at length found himself within the pale of the Republican party. "I am the political boss of the first ward," he says very solemnly, "and prefer to handle the officers when once they are elected. I have no mili- tary record, very naturally, for I never did believe in fighting; I am too fat to run, and must halt the enemy to argue. Of course I believe in churches- when they are subject to police supervision and control; and as for San Jose and Santa Clara County, who ever lacked faith in them when once they had seen the most promising city and environs in all the Golden State?"

CHARLES E. HOWES, JR .- An experienced and highly efficient business man who has repeatedly demonstrated exceptional executive ability, is Charles E. Howes, Jr., the general manager for J. E. Sloan; a native son, having first seen the light at San Jose on January 24, 1888. His father is Charles Edward Howes, the well-known real estate expert, who was born at Downieville, Cal., in 1859, the son of Sam P. Howes, in his day highly-esteemed as a very conscientious and thoroughly dependable searcher of records. In 1885 Charles E. Howes mar- ried Miss Kate Farr, by whom he had one child, the subject of our sketch.

Charles E. Howes, Jr., finished with the grammar schools of his district, and then attended the high school of San Jose, from which he was graduated with the June class of '05. He then worked for his father for a couple of years, and next put in a year in the lumber business. Then he was assistant credit man in a large department store for a year, and after that he was accountant for the P. G. & E. at San Rafael.

In 1914 Mr. Howes came back to Santa Clara County, and associated himself with his present con- cern as a demonstrator; and the following year he became manager. In the handling of the Buick car and the White truck for both Santa Clara and San Benito counties, he has been more than successful, and the prospects are that with each year the estab- lishment under his excellent leadership will do an ever-increasing business.

At San Rafael on October 21, 1912, Mr. Howes was married to Miss Aida M. Duffy, of that attrac-

tive place, a gifted lady rich in friends; and their wedded life has been blessed with two children- Gordon and Allen. The family attend the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Howes is a Republican, and he belongs to the Elks and the Olympic Club, as well as a charter member and director in the Commercial Club, and holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce, in all of which flourishing organizations he enjoys an enviable popularity.

EDWARD HALEY .- Among the native sons of California, who have given of their best energy and ability, as well as the best years of their lives in the service of the community is Edward Haley, who was born in San Jose, Cal., on May 5, 1858, the son of Martin and Bridget (Gallagher) Haley, natives of Ireland, where they grew up and were married. The young couple came to New York City and the father came to California in the year of 1851 coming around the Horn, the mother following a year later by the same route. Martin Haley at first engaged in mining and settling in San Jose about 1853, was employed by the Cottrell Bros. distillers. Later he engaged in farming and also in freighting between San Jose and Alviso which was the shipping point to San Francisco and receiving point for San Jose until the Southern Pacific was built into San Jose. In time he came to own and improve several ranches. He died on his ranch on Storey road in 1907, his wife having preceded him many years, passing away in 1864, leaving him six children, four of whom are living, Edward being next to the youngest.

Ed. Haley, as he is familiarly called, was reared in San Jose and educated in the public schools, after which he assisted his father for a few years. He then learned the trade of painter and decorator un- der Mr. Hogan and followed this line of business until 1895, when he was elected constable and re- elected to the office, resigning in the middle of his second term to accept the office of chief of police of San Jose in 1901. One year later, however, he re- signed to engage in business for himself as contrac- tor, decorator and painter, continuing for six years. In 1907 he was again appointed chief of police, effi- ciently discharged the duties of that office for four years, when he resigned in 1910 to accept the office of chief of the fire department of San Jose to which he gave all of his time as head of the department until 1919, when he resigned to engage in ranching. He owns a twenty-two acre prune orchard on the Monterey Road nine miles south of San Jose. This he improved from stubble and set ont the orchard, which is now full bearing. Since 1919 he has also been the manager of the American Dairy Company, the largest wholesale and retail dairy in the county. He makes his home at 187 South Market Street where he resides with his family. Mr. Haley from a boy served in the fire department; he was in the volunteer department with engine No. 1; then be- came a driver in the organization of the paid depart- ment, and drove a hose cart for eight years up to the big fire of 1892, when he resigned. During these years he was offered the position of chief at different time, but would not accept.

Mr. Haley's marriage occurred in San Jose in the year 1883, and united him with Miss Mary Cobb, who is also a native of California, having been born in San Jose and coming from one of the earliest families to settle in this city. Her father, Sam Cobb,

LOV. Elmer

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

came here in an overland ox team train the first wagons to come through by the southern route; they started in 1848 and arrived in 1849. After mining they located in San Jose becoming large farmers, owning a ranch known as the Cobb ranch. Mr. Cobb passed away in May, 1906, at the age of ninety-two. His wife, Mrs. Mary Cobb, passed away in 1868, leaving three children, two girls and one boy, Wil- liam Cobb resides on the home farm; Mary is Mrs. Haley and Eliza is Mrs. Weaver of San Jose. Mr. and Mrs. Haley are the parents of one daughter, Leta M. Mr. Haley is a member of the San Jose Parlor, N. S. G. W., in which order he takes an active interest. In national politics, he is an ad- herent of the Republican party. He is very fond of the outdoor life and takes delight in hunting and fishing, spending his leisure time in this way.

L. H. ELMER .- Among the California industries that have won world-wide fame are the nurseries owned by Elmer Bros., located at 78 South Market Street, of which L. H. Elmer is one of the owners and general manager. He was born on July 15, 1888, at Midland, Mich., the son of A. J. and Louvisa ( Avery) Elmer. A. J. Elmer and his family came to Cal- ifornia in May 1889, and soon after engaged in the nursery business which he continued here until 1906, when he retired.

L. H. Elmer received his education in the grammar schools and San Jose high school, which was supple- mented with a course at Heald's Business College in San Jose. After graduating from that institution, he immediately selected the nursery business for his life work. He had been familiar with it from the time he was a youth, having assisted his father from the time he was a mere boy and thus he had acquired the experience and knowledge of propagating, grafting and caring for trees. In 1911 he started in business with a capital of sixty dollars and as the business grew he gradually branched out so it took in every department of the nursery business. In 1913 his brother, Walter M., joined him in the partnership of Elmer Bros., and since then they have worked har- moniously together, each having explicit confidence in the other, and they have built up five large nur- series, three being located in Santa Clara County and two at Loomis, Cal. During the busy season they employ 500 men and their stock is shipped all over the world. They have the largest budded rose nur- sery in the world and they handle several million fruit trees a year. Elmer Bros. Nursery is conceded to be one of the most valuable assets of the county and they are frequently spoken of as the nursery that made Santa Clara Valley famous. This success has been accomplished by persistent effort, close applica- tion to their task and honest and fair dealing. The original nursery was started with a capital of sixty dollars, so it is readily seen what a wonderful growth has been accomplished by these two energetic and conscientious young men, all their trees being propa- gated from selected buds. They introduced the apri- cot known as the Losse Blenheim, which has had a large sale. All their new varieties of fruit trees, as well as roses are tested out on their own experimental grounds before they are placed on the market. All of their new varieties of roses are imported from all parts of Europe and are of the finest stock obtain- able. Their headquarters and offices are located at 78 South Market Street where they own 68x210 feet and here they are planning to erect a large office

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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 173

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