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 185

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 185

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Englishman by birth, Mr. Burrows enters heartily into the affairs of the United States, being a natural- ized American citizen and a stanch Republican.

JOHN SCHULZ .- Coming to San Martin October 24, 1901, John Schulz located on South Street in a beautiful grove of live oaks, the land, however, being uncultivated, so that he had a long, hard task to bring it to its present state of development. He set out twenty-six acres to a vineyard in 1902, it being one of the first in this section, and after it came into bear- ing the California Wine Association contracted with him for its yield for ten years. In the early days the grapes brought only eighteen dollars a ton, and in 1921 the price was $140 per ton. Mr. Schulz also farmed part of his ranch to hay and grain, and on ten acres he has harvested as high as thirty-seven and a half tons, an excellent yield. He has added to his holdings until he now owns ninety-two and a half acres of choice land near San Martin.

Mr. Schulz was born near Kiel, Germany, the scene of the famous naval parade in pre-war days, May 16, 1842, being the date of his birth. His parents were Henry and Catherine (Reese) Schulz, both native of Kiel and farmers of that vicinity, while the father was a bridge contractor as well; as the eldest son of their large family. John received a fine education and started out for himself early in life. He became prominent in political life and for twelve years served as a government jurist in his district. Bordesholm was the county seat of his district. In 1867 there was a severe strain on the small land holder because the large holder of land had so many more votes accord- ing to his acres and he could defeat measures that gave the small farmer equal rights, and those who had nothing could not vote at all. Mr. Schulz took up the fight for equal rights for all and carried it to head- quarters of the government and eventually won out.

When the German government officials noted that this particular district wanted to be free from this levy tax that was voted by the rich men, it was granted and the same opportunity was then given the whole country to take advantage of it, but not another province took it up. Thirty-seven years later those who rejected that first offer came to see what advantages were to be gained and made applica- tion, but did not get it. On November 1, 1886, Mr. Schulz married Miss Christina Hansen, born on the Isle of Fohr on August 22, 1864, the daughter of George and Flora (Martin) Hansen, and she was reared and educated on her native isle. Soon after their marriage they came to America, and journeyed on to Davenport, Iowa, to visit Mr. Schulz's uncle, Detlef Schlofeldt. Later they located at Pomeroy, Garfield County, Wash., where they developed a farm from the virgin soil and remained for fifteen years, coming from there to San Martin in 1901, which has since been their home. They have assisted in the de- velopment of this section whenever called upon, having backed every movement for progress.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schulz: Carl is a newspaper man in San Francisco; Kurt W. is a rancher at San Martin; Elfreda is the wife of J. A. Swanson and they reside at San Francisco; Her- bert married Miss Elizabeth McFee and they live at Berkeley; Vigo married Miss Verdie Bradshaw and they make their home at Stockton, and Bruno lives in Stockton. Walter, the fourth child, died at ten

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years of age. All five sons of Mr. Schulz gave their services to their country during the World War, Vigo and Kurt going overseas, a family to be proud of, and he also had a long military record before coming to this country, serving in 1857, 1864, 1866 and 1870 in his native land. His brother, Johan Schulz, came to this country many years before him, and fell at the siege of Vicksburg in 1864, during the Civil War. While living at Pomeroy Wash., Mr. Schulz received his final citizenship papers, and since then he has performed his patriotic civic duties under the leadership of the Republican party. He was one ot the organizers of the San Martin Company that built the winery at San Martin.

VICTOR STANQUIST .- Having made a success as a cement contractor and builder in San Francisco, and having acquired a sufficient amount of money, Victor Stanquist is making a decided success of the orchard business and is using the same thorough- ness and faithfulness in this line that he did in the other lines of work. He was born at Wisby, Got- land, Sweden, July 25, 1868, the son of Lars Nich- olas and Maria Christina (Jungman) Stanquist. The father was a ship's carpenter, while the paternal grandfather was a well-known locksmith, machinist and blacksmith in Sweden.

Victor began his schooling in the common schools of Sweden; then studied navigation, and passing all required examinations successfully was duly licen- sed as a navigator. He sailed for several years on Swedish, American and English ships and visited France, England, Italy, Spain, South America and North America ports. At the end of seven years he removed to America and settled in Illinois and sailed the Great Lakes for one year. He was quarter- master on the first "whaleback" freight hoat on the Great Lakes; and made Chicago his headquarters. In 1890 he married Miss Hanna Christine Peterson, born at Slite, Sweden. While living in Chicago, he worked in a hardware store and thus had his first business experience. He removed to California in 1893 and settled in Alameda, where his brother Ed- ward lived. Mr. Stanquist bought a home in Ala- meda and resided there until 1901. While resid- ing in Alameda he worked for Gray Brothers, gen- eral contractors in cement work, until 1898, when he started in business for himself; two years later he went to Nome, Alaska, but only made expenses; returning to San Francisco he again opened a ce- ment contracting business. While he met with many discouragements, he won his way to the front, hav- ing 100 men and seven teams on his payroll. He constructed the first large reinforced concrete busi- ness block in San Francisco after the fire, namely the Flannery Building; he also put in the founda- tion of the Lincoln building; St. Ignatius Church; St. Paul's and St. Peter's, and also built several large concrete garages.

During 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Stanquist made a trip to Sweden to visit their old homes. Her parents are still living, but his have now passed away. In 1904 Mr. Stanquist became a member of the Golden Gate Lodge No. 30, F. & A. M., of San Francisco and is a member of the Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of San Francisco. He is a charter member of the Swedish-American Balder Lodge. Mr. and

Mrs. Stanquist reside on their ranch of thirteen acres known as the "Lone Oak" ranch on Dale Avenue one mile southeast of Mountain View, which is devoted to apricots, cherries and peaches. In 1922 Mr. Stan- quist helped organize the Growers Ice and Pre-Cool- ing Plant at Mountain View. This organization has just completed a $60,000 plant at Mountain View, and is the best thing for the growers of the vicinity that has ever been started.

ALDEN E. BRADFORD .- A direct descendant of one of New England's finest old families, A. E. Bradford traces his ancestry back to Governor Brad- ford of Massachusetts, whose name is indelibly linked with the history of Colonial days. His parents were Levi and Francene Malindy (Gill) Bradford, the latter a native of New York. Levi Bradford was born in the historic old town of Plymouth, Mass., and was given an education in the best schools of his time. Like many of the family, his inclinations were toward the professional life, and he practiced law in New York, moving to Kenosha County, Wis. He practiced at Perris and was admitted to the har in 1872. He passed away in 1880 at the age of sixty-six in St. Croix County, Wis., and his wife died there aged eighty-six.

A. E. Bradford was born at Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., January 1, 1853, and in 1854 the family removed from there to Kenosha County, Wis. In 1860 they went to Northern Wisconsin, locating in St. Croix County, and there A. E. was reared and educated, the youngest son of a family of four sons and four daughters, and he with his sisters are the members of the family now surviving. When a lad of sixteen he was thrown on his own resources, and he went to work in the lumber camps of North- ern Wisconsin, being employed there in the winter and on the rivers in the summer time. In 1894 he took up the work of building contractor and has fol- lowed this business ever since. Seeking a milder climate he came with his family to Morgan Hill, Cal., on December 4, 1906, and here he purchased ten acres of bare land on San Pedro Avenue. This he has developed into a nice orchard of French prunes and peaches, and it is well repaying his efforts. In the meantime he has continued his work as a contractor, and he has found plenty to do in his line in the new district of Morgan Hill.

1n 1889 Mr. Bradford was married to Miss Jose- phine Cheal, who was born and reared in Wisconsin, and they are the parents of two children, Josephine Ione, residing at home and Mary Caecil, widow of Guy Barrett, and the mother of two children-Har- ry B. and Alden B. Mr. Barrett had a record to be proud of during the late war, serving as a machine gunner from March, 1918, to July, 1919. He passed through many perilous times, three men being killed at his side while in action. He died on May 1, 1922, from the effects of being gassed while in action. Mr. Bradford is a stanch Republican and a strong admirer of Roosevelt. He has for years been a member of the Odd Fellows, being a past officer, and as early as 1878 was a delegate to the Grand Lodge. His favorite recreation is trapping and hunt- ing, and these sports he indulges in today the same as when a boy on the rivers of Wisconsin.

F. m & arwell

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FRANKLIN M. FARWELL .- A man of high standing who had much to do with shaping the civic affairs of Saratoga and did much to improve and build up Santa Clara County, was the late Franklin M. Farwell who was born in Morrisville, N. Y., August 8, 1834. His father, John W. Farwell, was born in Mansfield, Conn., November 14, 1809, and when a young man removed to Madison County, N. Y., where he married Nancy M. Morris. John W. Farwell was a well-educated man, was a fine penman and taught penmanship. He served as county clerk of Madison County, N. Y. Later he moved his family to Brooklyn, N. Y., while he was associated in business with Kinnear & Company. In 1849, leaving his family comfortably domiciled in Brooklyn, he came via Panama to San Francisco, where he engaged in business. In 1852 his wife and four children joined him; having made the journey via the Isthmus, they arrived in San Francisco De- cember 31 of that year. In 1856 he located with his family at Saratoga on 160 acres of government land. This was when Saratoga was called McCartysville. They cleared and improved the place, which neces- sitated cutting down giant oaks. John W. Farwell died in 1866, his widow surviving him. There were four children as follows: Franklin M., of this sketch; Charles, died in 1859; William, died here in 1877; Jennie M., the only one now living, resides in a comfortable residence on a part of the old Farwell ranch in the environs of Saratoga.

Franklin M. went to the California mines in Neva- da and Sierra Counties in 1856 and mined for about five years, when he returned home and assisted on the home ranch until 1871. He then went to San Francisco and engaged in business until 1878, when he returned to the ranch. He engaged in orcharding in which he met with success, being principally en- gaged in raising prunes. He sold a portion of the estate, retaining seventy acres. He found horticul- ture interesting and enjoyable and was content to continue it until his demise in November, 1905. For many years he was school trustee of Saratoga dis- trict, and he was also a member and trustee of the Congregational Church. Mr. Farwell was an origi- nal member and secretary of the board of trustees of the Cemetery Association, and always took a prom- inent part in civic and social affairs.

Jennie M. Farwell, the only surviving member of the family, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., but reared in California, completing her education at the San Francisco State Normal. After her brother Franklin M. passed away, she sold the old Farwell place to Mr. and Mrs. Blaney, retaining only a homesite where she built a residence wherein she makes her home, surrounded by her many friends and the scenes of her childhood now so dear to her. Here she is content to enjoy life, being a member of the Foothill Study Club, as well as the Congregational Church and its societies.

ROBERT S. ROBINSON .- A leading citizen of San Martin who has taken advantage of his oppor- tunities for travel and profited thereby, and is now one of the best-informed men of the vicinity, Robert S. Robinson left his home in Ulster, Ireland, when he was nineteen to cross the ocean to America. He was born in County Antrim, April 9, 1875, and there

attended the public schools from his sixth year until finishing the course of the Model Academy in 1891. In 1894 he came to Canada, joining his brother, James Robinson, among the earliest settlers of Mani- toba and very prominent in its development. The first cooperative marketing association was built up by James Robinson, who is now vice-president and managing director of the Saskatchewan Cooperative Elevator Company, one of the largest organizations in the world handling bulk grain. For one year the brothers were in partnership, growing grain, but in 1896 Robert S. Robinson withdrew and conducted his farming operations alone. He became the owner of 320 acres of land there and produced fine crops of wheat there for a number of years, the yield being as high as forty bushels to the acre.

Mr. Robinson returned to Ireland in 1909 and there was married to Miss Jennie Stewart, the daugh- ter of William and Jennie Stewart. The father has since passed away but Mrs. Stewart still makes her home in County Antrim. January, 1910, they re- turned to Canada and in 1912 Mr. Robinson removed to California, settling at San Martin, where he had been preceded by another brother, the late Henry Robinson. Here he acquired a fine ranch and vine- yard on Llagas Avenue, where he resides with his wife and mother, Mrs. Jane Cunningham Robinson, who at the age of eighty-three is still hale and hearty. Mr. Robinson spends his time superintending the care of his vineyard and as president and manager of the San Martin Wine Company, an office he has occupied since the death of his brother, Henry Rob- inson. He is also a member of the California Prune & Apricot Association. Mr. Robinson received his citizenship papers at San Jose and since then he has been an adherent of the Democratic party. A member of the Masonic Lodge at Morgan Hill, in religious circles he and his wife are prominent in the Presby- terian Church at San Martin, where he is treasurer and a trustee.

JAMES S. CARLYLE .- Coming of fine Scotch stock and numbering professional men on all sides, James S. Carlyle, one of San Martin's most ex- tensive orchardists, traces his descent back in direct line to that famous essayist and historian, Thomas Carlyle. His parents were William and Mary Jane (Crawford) Carlyle, the father a native of Dumfries, Scotland, who accompanied his parents to Ontario, Canada, while quite young, while Mrs. Carlyle was born in Ontario, Canada. There they were married, later taking up their home on a farm and here James S. was born on May 5, 1860, the third of a family of ten and is the only one in California.

In those early days, it was necessary for every one in the family to help provide for its support, so that James S. had a very limited schooling. At the age of twenty he set out for himself, going to Eastern Oregon in 1880, and soon after removing to Mendocino County, Cal. In 1881 he entered the employ of the Gualala Lumber Company and remained in their employ seventeen and a half years. He learned to be a sawyer and for thirteen and a half years was their head sawyer. Leaving there he was at Scotia, Humboldt County, then went to Crescent City, Del Norte County. He then spent eight years with the Northwestern Lumber Company in Men-

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docino County. In 1893, soon after the San Mar- tin Ranch had been surveyed and offered for sale in small tracts by C. H. Phillips, Mr. Carlyle pur- chased seventeen and a half acres, but it was not until 1911 that he gave up his responsible position with the Northwestern Lumber Company to locate on his property. As soon as the family were settled at San Martin, he began the improvement of his ranch, and from time to time he has added to it, so that he is now the owner of fifty-five acres, all set to prunes, now yielding an immense crop. it is one of the finest prune orchards in this district and it is now incorporated as J. S. Carlyle & Sons, and they are charter members of the California Prune & Apricot Association.

Mr. Carlyle's marriage united him with Miss Em- ma Louise St. Ores, born near Gualala, Cal., the daughter of George and Louise (Rouse) St. Ores, descended from honored French ancestry. The par- ents came to California many years ago, via the Is- thmus of Panama, and settled in Mendocino County, where they engaged in farming and in the Jumber business. Mr. St. Ores passed away in Mendocino County on August 24, 1906, at the age of sixty- eight; the father, who makes his home at San Jose, is now eighty-four. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle: Stella M. married Eugene Daney, a well-known attorney of San Diego, and they are both prominent in civic circles there; they have one daughter, Lucile; Cecil L., the assistant manager of the Gilroy branch of the Garden City Bank and Trust Company, saw over a year's service overseas in the Aviation Dept. as an officer. He mar- ried Miss Vera Carl of Gilroy and they have a son, James Howard; C. L. served in the U. S. Army during the World War; Clair H., who was in the U. S. Navy, in transport service, was on the San Diego when it was torpedoed, lives at home and is one of the firm of J. S. Carlyle & Sons; James St. Ores Carlyle is attend- ing Morgan Hill high school; all of the children were born in Mendocino County. For many years a stanch Republican, Mr. Carlyle was prominent in the cir- cles of his party when in Del Norte County, serving as chairman of the Republican County Central Com- mittee there, and during the war gave his hearty support to all the Red Cross and Government pro- grams. In fraternal circles he is a member of Keith Lodge, F. & A. M. of Gilroy, and the Woodmen of the World, and Women of Woodcraft, while Mrs. Carlyle is active in the Women of Woodcraft, and has had charge of the yearly drives of the Red Cross Auxiliary. A cultured, capable woman, she is the teacher of the Young Women's class of the Presbyterian Church at San Martin, and prominent in its home and foreign mission work, while Mr. Car- lyle occupies the office of elder.

J. WALTER BRETON .- An enterprising and suc- cessful rancher, J. Walter Breton is established upon his ranch of twenty-four acres near Morgan Hill, devoting the land to the cultivation of fruit. A na- tive of Racine, Wis., he was born March 29, 1859, a son of John Breton, a native of the Isle of Guernsey, thirty miles off the coast of France. His mother was Miss Margaret Brehaut and was also a native of the Isle of Guernsey. His paternal great-grand- father, John Breton was cited and given a medal for bravery, by the King of England, for piloting

a vessel of Lord Somards' fleet during the French and English War. The Bretons for a number of generations were seamen and farmers. Mr. and Mrs. John Breton came to America in 1857 and en- gaged in farming in Wisconsin, and in that state the father received his U. S. citizenship. Both parents passed away at Paradise Valley, Cal., the father at the age of eighty-eight and the mother at the age of ninety-one.

J. Walter began his schooling in Milwaukee, Wis., and when thirteen years of age removed with his parents to Sparta, Wis., where he finished high school in 1876. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & North Western Railroad as a telegraph operator and agent at different points in Minnesota and South Dakota. For twenty-two years he was located at Huron, S. D., as train dispatcher and was a charter member of the Train Dispatchers Associa- tion of America, the first organization of its kind in the world. During the year of 1893 he made a tour of the Western states, stopping at Paradise Valley and Morgan Hill, Cal., and was so impressed with the desirability of Paradise Valley as a permanent place for a home that he settled up his business in the East and returning to Santa Clara County pur- chased a tract of twenty-four acres, and in 1904 re- moved his family to California and settled on their ranch. Considerable determination and fortitude were required to make the change from railroading, which he had followed for thirty years, to that of ranching, but with never a thought of failure he set to work and success has come to him in good measure. For three years after locating on his ranch he followed railroading on the Southern Pacific Coast division, but in 1907 he retired from the service and devoted his full time to his farming operations.

The first marriage of Mr. Breton occurred in Sparta, Wis., and united him with Miss Lizzie P. Sawyer and they were the parents of two children: Walter Sawyer is married and resides in Sacramento and occupies a prominent position with Libby, McNeil & Libby. He and his father were interested in the Farmer's Union in Santa Clara County and was man- ager of the Farmer's Union Warehouse at Morgan Hill. W. S. moved to San Francisco and became state sales manager. Edith L. is the wife of A. F. Edwards, and they have three children and reside in Paradise Valley. Mrs. Breton passed away in Huron, S. D., in 1886. Mr. Breton was married the second time to Miss Gertrude Ward, adopted dangh- ter of J. Parmelee Ward, who had the honor of having named Paradise Valley, of which he was a pioneer settler. He was an Ohioan by birth, born October 23, 1834, and was descended from a well- known Massachusetts family, his great-grandfather being a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1878 Mr. Ward removed to Dakota Territory and took up a government claim near Parker, Turner County, and became identified with the public affairs of that locality. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Ward left South Dakota and spent some time in travel, going to San Francisco and through California and Mexico. He finally chose a place for a home, selecting Paradise Valley and in August of 1894 he removed his family to his ranch. His farm was a part of the Catherine Dunne estate, and upon it he built a fine residence and engaged extensively in farming and orchard pur-

R. UGanod Emma S. Garrod.

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suits. He married Orra J. Hulet, a native of Ohio, and they were the parents of two children, Wilbur H. and Grace; they also adopted two daughters, Gertrude B. and Ruth, and reared and educated them as their own. Mr. Ward was prominent in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in Dakota Territory served in the legislature two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Breton have had three children: Agnes, died in infancy as also did Vincent; and Vivian H. is married and resides in Corning, Cal., and she has two sons. Mr. Breton is a stockholder in the Farmer's Union store at Morgan Hill and is also a charter member of the California Prune and Apricot Association. For forty-two years Mr. Breton has been a Mason and now belongs to Morgan Hill Lodge No. 324, F. & A. M., and politically he is a Republican. He was a member of the Santa Clara County Water Conser- vation Committee, which had charge of the election in October, 1921, for the creation of irrigation dis- tricts and which conducted an investigation for con- servation of water for irrigation purposes in Santa Clara County. He is a practical, up-to-date rancher, interested in all that pertains to the development of his prosperous neighborhood.

RALPH VINCE GARROD .- A young man of splendid attainments who is devoting much time to the California Division of the Educational and Co- operative Union of America of which he is president, Ralph Vince Garrod is a native of England, born in Horrniger, Suffolk County, September 9, 1879, a son of David and Sophia Ann (Creffield) Garrod, educa- tors, the father being a graduate of Battersea Col- lege, London, the mother receiving her education at Trinity School, Halstead. Ralph Vince is the eldest of their three children, the others being Mrs. Mary C. Pfeffer and Harold Garrod. When twelve years of age, he accompanied his parents to New York, the family being bound for California on account of the father's ill health, but an accident aboard ship necessitated Ralph Vince stopping at St. Vincent's Hospital in the Metropolis until he could join his parents two months later, his arrival in Santa Clara County being July 7, 1892. He attended the Saratoga and San Jose schools and for a time the family resided on a fruit ranch between Campbell and Los Gatos. In the fall of 1893 the family purchased their present ranch of 146 acres at the head of Calabasas Creek, four and a half miles northwest of Saratoga. They moved on the ranch in the spring of 1894 and began the improvements that have finally made it a valuable property of full-bearing orchards of prunes, apricots, walnuts, pears, apples, peaches and vineyard. To these Mr. Garrod gives most excellent care and attention, cultivating the soil and fighting the orchard pests according to the latest and most scientific methods. Intensely interested in the calling of horti- culture, he is a student of the science and brings into practice the most modern and approved methods.

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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 185

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