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 187

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 187

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J. T. Baker's marriage, which occurred while he was a resident of Wilkesbarre, Pa., united him with Miss Elizabeth Powell. They have had three chil- diren: Lillie, wife of G. A. Conant; Herbert C., and William J. Herbert C. Baker was educated in the public schools of San Jose and later graduated fromn the Santa Clara high school and then attended Stan- ford University, where he took up civil engineering. He then joined his father in his work and stands

among the popular builders of San Jose. When the World War broke out Herbert enlisted in the in- fantry on May 6, 1917, just one month after war was declared, but he did not get to go abroad. He was honorably discharged with the commission of second lieutenant. Both father and son belong to the Odd Fellows lodge of San Jose, and Herbert Baker is also a member of the Masons and of the Zeta Psi fraternity of Stanford University. They are very popular among the business men of San Jose. Pub- lic-spirited and deeply interested in Santa Clara County and although stanch Republicans, they throw aside their national politics, when it concerns local affairs, and give their influence to the candidate who seems best qualified for public office.

R. E. HENKLE .- Determined to make the most of his opportunities, R. E. Henkle is being rewarded for his perseverance and industry, and these charac- teristics make him a valuable asset to the locality in which he resides. A native of Oregon, he was born in Corvallis, May 9, 1880, the son of G. W. and Columbia (Butler) Henkle. The father fol- lowed the mercantile business for many years. Both parents are still living and enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Educated in the excellent schools of Oregon, R. E. Henkle completed the grammar and high school courses and then entered the Agricultural College at Corvallis, later graduating from Columbia Uni- versity as a pharmacist. He then located at San Francisco and for two years worked at his profes- sion; then went to San Jose where he purchased an interest in a business known as Curtis & Henkle and was thus occupied for fifteen years, when the business was sold to the Owl Company and he removed to Sacramento, remaining there for a year. During November, 1919, he removed to Saratoga and purchased the business which he operates very suc- cessfully. He has revolutionized the drug business in Saratoga and his store is modern and up-to-date in every particular.

The marriage of Mr. Henkle united him with Miss Nan Shivley of Astoria, Ore., and they are the parents of two daughters, Betty Jane and Pa- tricia Anne. Loyal to his locality, he votes for the best man for office rather than adhering to strict party lines. Fraternally he is an Elk and an Odd Fellow. He gives his hearty cooperation to all measures that stand for progress and prosperity for county and state.

ARTHUR P. BACIGALUPI .- Commercial activ- ity in San Jose finds a worthy representative in Arthur P. Bacigalupi, a native son, born in San Jose, March 15, 1877, a son of John and Ellen (Sbar- boro) Bacigalupi. The father, John Bacigalupi, mi- grated to California in the sixties, settling first in Sar Francisco and later removed to Santa Clara County, where he died in 1900; one year later his wife passed away. Arthur is the oldest of a family of nine boys. seven of whom are living, and after the death of his parents, he supported and educated the family of six brothers until they were established.

Arthur was educated in the grammar and high schools of San Jose; later taking a course in St. Joseph's College, however, the school of practical experience proved the most beneficial, and when but a boy of thirteen he entered the employ of the Lick Market, where he learned the ins and outs of the

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butcher business under G. Nocentelli, and in 1899, when he purchased an interest in the business. The partnership with G. Nocentelli was continued for for four years, when it was dissolved, J. E. Williston becoming the business associate of Mr. Bacigalupi, and for eighteen years the congenial partnership has continued at 59 North Market Street.

The marriage of Mr. Bacigalupi in San Bernardino united him with Miss Caroline Pollock, also a native of San Jose. Mr. Bacigalupi adheres to the princi- ples of the Republican party. Fraternally he is a :member of the San Jose Parlor, N. S. G. W .; San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. E .; is past sachem of Gowonga Tribe No. 252, Redmen, and is presi- dent of the local Journeymen Butchers' Protective and Benevolent Association; also a member of the Merchants' Association and the Progressive Club.

GEORGE B. SEELY .- The accomplishments of one of the interesting American pioneer families of enviable association with the development of the West is recalled in the life-stories of George B. Seely, of 1651 South First Street, San Jose, and his highly-esteemed father, the late Charles R. Seely, who crossed the plains twice before settling in San Jose, after which he became one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Santa Clara County. He was born in New York State on December 29, 1830, and when twelve years of age accompanied his par- ents to Jones County, Iowa. Subsequently, he chose for his life companion Miss Salena Southern, and they were married on September 1, 1849; and when, in 1854, he found himself the father of two sons and the lure of California beckoning him west- ward, he left his loved ones in the hands of friends and sailed for the Isthmus of Panama, and hurried north by water. In 1857, he returned to the East and rejoined his family.

Two years later, in the spring of 1859, Mr. and Mrs. Seely and family, together with one or two other families, started on the long and dangerous journey across the plains, and they took nearly half of the year to make the trip. There were nine in the little company, and when at Goose Creek, they were attacked by Indians, but through the cool- ness and courage of Mr. Seely, who had been elected captain, the lives of the party were saved, and the Redskins forced to retreat. Immediately on arriv- ing in California, Mr. Seely engaged actively in agriculture; and this occupation he followed success- fully until 1869, when he concluded that he had ac- quired sufficient of this world's goods to permit the spending of declining years in comfort.

Accordingly, he sold his farm and took passage with his family on board a steamer bound for New York harbor, and from there he came west by rail to Chicago, and then went to Cambridge, Ill., where they visited for a short time their relatives. In Cambridge Mr. Seely purchased a family carriage and a beautiful span of bay horses, and with his family drove over into lowa, to the little town of Olin, where his father had resided ever since he first settled in the state; and supposing that their roam- ing was at an end, Mr. Seely purchased his father's farm and built a beautiful residence. Two winters there, however, made him sigh for the more con- genial climate of California, and he once more out- fitted to cross the plains.

In the spring of 1871, Mr. Seely started out on the old emigrant trail accompanied by his father, Norman B. Seely, and a younger brother, M. J. Seely, who later successfully entered the medical profession. Mr. Seely once more took up his old occupation in the production of California's natural and most staple product, wheat, cultivating thousands of acres in different sections of the country until 1880, when he again retired and settled on Tenth Street, San Jose, where he resided with his family until 1884, when he purchased one of the finest orchard and residence properties in Santa Clara County, known as the McAlister place, on Bascom Avenue. There he again took upon himself the cares of an active business career, and engaged in horticulture, and remained until 1894. Then death took away Mrs. Salena Secly, his estimable companion through all of his wanderings and varied successes, and the mother of thirteen children. In 1895 Mr. Seely took to himself a second wife, Eliza Judson before her marriage, and by her he had another son and daughter. He left a valuable estate, although he spent thousands of dollars in giving financial as- sistance to his more unfortunate fellowmen. He was liberal-minded, sympathetic and tender-hearted, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly all of his life, and withal a stanch, true Christian of the genuinely old-fashioned and practical type.

George B. Seely was born near Dixon in Solano County, on February 28, 1864, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Seely, and a nephew of G. W. Seely, who became well known in California. Idaho and Oregon for his mining operations, and lived to retire on his farm near Aromas. George was reared on the home farm, sent to the local public schools, and then, for a term or two, at- tended the Garden City Business College. For seven years, 1874 to 1881, he was engaged as an extensive grain farmer near Waterford, in Stanislaus County, the Seelys being the first to engage in wheat rais- ing in that section of the San Joaquin Valley. Oak- dale was then the market-center, as the railroad from Stockton ran only to Oakdale.

In 1889 Mfr. Seely was married to Miss Margaret Turner of San Jose, a native of Alleghany, Pa., who came with her parents, Joseph and Anna McClellan Turner, via the Nicaragua route to California in 1867. She attended the San Jose State Normal School in 1886-87, where she further acquired a liberal educa- tion, and has since participated ideally in all of Mr. Seely's ambitious plans and in the social life of their circle. Since 1889 Mr. Seely has been active as a rancher in Santa Clara County, and he has also been a leader in dairying. In partnership with his brother, Charles Seeley and George Graft, he founded the Garden City Creamery of San Jose, ran it four years and sold it and continued dairying. He has also been a pioneer in the wholesale and retail dis- tribution of milk and creamery products in Santa Clara Valley, and for many years he has been a very successful hay-farmer and dealer in hay, at times operating as many as 2,000 acres, some years handling as high as 5000 tons of hay. His ranches lie several miles from San Jose and his home, off the State Highway toward Gilroy. He owns 500 acres in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico; devoted to grow- ing rice, and with associates owns 6,000 acres in

Mina

GBJuly Margaret & Serly

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Sinaloa, Mexico. Mr. and Mrs. Seely reside at 1651 South First Street, San Jose, and are loyal members and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEWIS E. BAKER .- Prominent among the splendidly-organized and equally well-maintained establishments which have contributed to make San Jose famous as a commercial and an industrial cen- ter may well be mentioned that of Messrs. T. E. Baker & Son, now exclusively dealers in electrical appliances, one of the finest stores of its kind in the West. Its president is Lewis E. Baker, a native son, who was born in Los Angeles on January 28, 1880, the son of Terry E. Baker, who died in May, 1912. He was reared in San Francisco from four years of age. When sixteen years old removed to Los Angeles, where he was with the Southern Pacific Railroad for about twenty years. There he married Miss Margaret E. Wilson, a native of Illinois, and with her and their family came to San Jose in 1903.

Lewis attended the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, and then he learned the trade of the electrician. On August 15, 1909, Terry Baker had established a business for his four sons, and had it duly incorporated, and one of these sons was William T Baker, the noted athlete, who was killed in a motorcycle race in 1910. Mr. Baker was presi- dent, and at his demise, he was succeeded in office by the subject of our review. Under the latter's expert management, the firm has found it necessary to employ fifteen men in the busy season to meet their trade's demands; and since they carry a very complete line of everything likely to be needed, they have come to be the leaders in their important line, and to have a very close and enviable relation to the development of not only San Jose but also Santa Clara County. Mr. Baker is a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and it goes without saying that he performs his full share of its work. He is a Republican, and believes in laws and law- makers who favor stabilizing industry and trade.

In San Jose, in 1906, Mr. Baker married Miss Anna Bell Holman, a native of San Jose and the daughter of James Holman; and their married life has been made the happier through the birth of a son, Richard E. Baker. Mr. Baker is a Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Shriner, and is a charter member of the Commercial Club.

LAURENCE GEORGE CASALETTO .- Among those of Italian birth who have profited by the ex- cellent opportunities for advancement presented in the Santa Clara Valley is Laurence George Casaletto, who is successfully conducting a blacksmith shop at 140 East Main Street, Los Gatos. He was born in the province of Naples, Italy, September 4, 1888, and is a son of Salvador and Lena Casaletto, who came with their family to Virginia City, Nev., in 1892, making their way to Santa Clara County in 1901, and they are still residents of this section.

After completing his studies in the public schools, Laurence G. Casaletto started out in the business world, serving an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade under John Crosetti in San Jose, and then worked at his trade for varions firms here and in other parts of California. Following the entrance of the United States into the World War, he en- listed for service in the army and was assigned to Train Company, Three Hundred Nineteenth En- gineers, as farrier, being sent with that command

overseas and served in England and France for seven months. He was discharged at Camp Kearney, April 17, 1919, at the end of fourteen months' serv- ice, and on October 20 of the same year opened a blacksmith shop at Austin Corners, and in 1921 moved to his present place in Los Gatos. He has an expert knowledge of his trade and owing to the excellence of his work and his thorough reliability has secured a large share of the public patronage in the line in which he specializes.

Mr. Casaletto was united in marriage to Miss Ada Marshall, born in Watsonville, Cal., and they have adopted Mrs. Casaletto's nicce, Naomi Anderson, whom they are rearing and educating as if she were their own daughter. Mr. Casaletto supports the platform and candidates of the Republican party and is a member of the American Legion. Frater- nally he is identified with the Eagles and with Poca- hontas Tribe of the Redmen order, and when leisure permits, spends as much time as possible in the open, being appreciative of the beauties of nature. He has given unmistakable proof of his loyalty and devo- tion to his adopted country and is recognized as an energetic and progressive young business man and a public-spirited citizen whose influence is at all times on the side of advancement and improvement.

HUGO W. OTTER .- On November 25, 1920, Hugo W. Otter passed away mourned by the whole county of Santa Clara, where he had spent his en- tire life and was greatly loved and esteemed by all. He was a man of exceptional business ability, honest in all dealings, and although of a quiet and retiring disposition, maintained the business prestige of his native county. He was born in Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, on February 22, 1861, a son of Charles end Bertha (Knoche) Otter. His father migrated to California, by way of the Horn, in the year 1848; six months were consumed in the journey, beset by many dangers and hardships. For about eight years he was employed in the mines throughout the state, then removed to San Jose, where he engaged in the real estate and insurance business; then for a time the hotel business engaged his attention. He served the city of his adoption as councilman for a number of years, and passed away in 1899, honored and re- spected by all who knew him; his wife surviving him until 1901.

Hugo W. Otter attended the public schools of San Jose and supplemented his education by a six- year course in the schools and universities of Ger- many and France. After completing his education, he learned the plumbing and tinning trade, working in this line for ten years. It was in the year of 1888 that the firm of Mangrim & Otter was established; stores were also opened at Palo Alto and San Fran- cisco, and the business grew steadily from its incep- tion. All the stores were later disposed of, with the exception of the one in San Francisco. Mr. Otter resided in San Jose for many years, and here he was the most interested.

The first marriage of Mr. Otter united him with Miss Julia Stegman, who passed away in 1910, leav- ing two danghters: Mrs. Estella Benn of Oakland, who has two children, and Mrs. Gladys Switzer of Coalinga, who has one child. Mr. Otter was married the second time in Oakland to Miss Regula Knoble, born in Glarus, Switzerland, coming to America with her parents, David and Martie (Wahlburg)

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Knoble, who located in San Jose, and she was reared and educated in that fair city. Her father passed away May 20, 1906, but her mother is still living. In his political affiliation, Mr. Otter was a stanch Republican, and served his community as council- man. Fraternally he was well known and popular, and was associated with the Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs, and was for eighteen years treasurer of the Garden City Lodge; he was also a member of the Elks and a Knights Templar and Mason and Shriner. In local affairs he was prominent in the Chamber of Commerce and the One Hundred Per Cent Club of San Jose. Mrs. Otter is a member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Mr. Otter was buried at Oak Hill Ceme- tery with Masonic and Odd Fellow honors. He was actuated in all that he did by high ideals and his life work has been far-reaching and beneficial.

WALTER M. ELMER .- A native son who has risen to a high degree of success in the nursery busi- ness is Walter M. Elmer, born in Santa Clara on No- vember 11, 1891, a son of A. J. and Lovisa (Avery) Elmer, natives of New York and Michigan, respec- tively, who came out to California in 1890 and started, in a small nursery on Sixteenth Street, the nucleus of the present large nurseries of Elmer Bros.

Walter M. is the fourth eldest in a family of eight children and was educated in the Horace Mann school, San Jose high school, after which he was graduated from Heald's Business College in San Jose in 1912. From a small boy he worked in his father's nursery, learning to graft and propagate trees and shrubbery. While still in the grammar school, with his older brother, Leon H., he started in the nursery business, taking over their father's nur- sery when he retired. The nursery was originally on Sixteenth Street, then on Twenty-fourth Street, East San Jose, and it was there they took it over and started the present firm of Elmer Bros. Nursery. They outgrew this location and leased land until they had three ranches under lease in this valley and then outgrew them and took still larger leases of land. They now have 400 acres of land in this valley devoted to their nursery and experimental orchards, where they are raising all kinds of fruit trees and rose bushes. They have ninety acres devoted to raising rose bushes in which they are specializing, and now have over 3,000,000 rose bushes, which are sold in the eastern market. During the shipping season they employ from 200 to 250 men to dig, pack and deliver them. They ship, during the rose season, a carload of rose bushes per day. Their rose business has become so large that they grow more roses than any other one nursery in the world. They began specializing in growing roses six years ago and the business has been exceedingly prosperous, growing by leaps and bounds. They import roses from France and Eng- land, and have as many as 300 different varieties from those countries, only the buds from these plants be- ing used for budding and propagating rose bushes. In all they now grow over 1,500 different varieties. The shipping season for rose bushes starts October 1 and continues until December 15; then starts the shipping of fruit trees which continues until April 1. requiring about 100 men.

During 1917, they leased land near Loomis, Placer County, where they are raising much of their fruit stock. Their headquarters are at 78 South Market

Street, San Jose, on a valuable lot which they own, while their packing sheds are on Twenty-fourth and William streets. They own 110 acres near Evergreen, which they have set out to prunes, peaches and apri- cots, and also lease a number of prune orchards. Leon Elmer manages the business end of the com- pany, while Walter M. looks after the growing, pack- ing and shipping of their products. The work is thoroughly systematized, with an experienced fore- man on each ranch. Great care is exercised in experi- menting on any new variety of fruit tree before it is allowed to go on the market, and their patrons know that they do not put a tree out until it has been tried out and found satisfactory.

Six years ago Mr. Elmer purchased a lot in Han- chett Park, where he erected a comfortable home. He was married in San Jose to Miss Ruby Taylor, a native of Petaluma, Cal. Fraternally he is a member of the San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. Elks, and he was one of the charter members of the San Jose Com- mercial Club, a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, the California Nurserymen's Association and the Pacific Coast Nursery Association. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer are members of the Trinity Episcopal Church of San Jose.

FRANK T. LANNIN .- A wide-awake exponent of the twentieth century methods of successful sales- manship is Frank T. Lannin, of San Jose, dealer in real estate, investments, bonds, loans and insurance. with offices in the First National Bank Building. He was born in Elk County, Pa., on May 6, 1891, his parents being John and Agnes (Weitoff) Lan- nin. and he is the third of seven sons. In 1905 his mother, with all his brothers, moved to Ashland, Va., where they acquired the remaining portion of the John Mallory plantation and at the early age of sixteen Frank became the manager and respon- sible head of the ranch, the brothers preferring to follow other lines of activity. In December, 1909, the family came to California, so that while still in his 'teens Frank became identified with the state.

Mr. Lannin's first position in San Jose, was that of a proud delivery boy for the compensation of three dollars per week. Upon hearing that the Farmers' Union paid more money as well as giving a month's pay at the end of each successful year, Frank jour- neyed to the manager, W. C. Andrews, who was finally convinced that the store would go broke un- less Lannin was given a job. After three years' hard work, having been promoted to a bookkeeper, he de- cided his education was insufficient and entered San Jose high school, in 1911. While there he always took an interest in athletics and other activities and became known as the "high school politician," in fact, he visited the principal's office several times on account of his "political" maneuvers. He was grad- uated in 1915. Upon graduation he became asso- ciated with the Rucker Realty Company, and later with J. R. Chace. Almost immediately upon the declaration of war. Mr. Lannin enlisted in the army. He was sent to Camp Kearney for training in May, 1917, and did not return to civilian occupations un- til March, 1919. He again associated himself with J. R. Chace and upon whose advice he entered the real estate business, and has since been so engaged.

An active Republican, with progressive ideas, he believes governments are instituted for the welfare and happiness of all of the people. He exerts ,an

26. 8 Elmer

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enviable influence on behalf of good government and higher civic pride in local affairs. Active in the American Legion from the beginning, he is a charter member of San Jose Post No. 89, of that patriotic order. He is a past commander of his own post and as representative from the eighth congressional district to the first national conference at Minneap- olis, he helped give impetus to the Legion's ideal of providing amply for the disabled, regardless of con- sequences to that order. He is a member of the Elks, San Jose Commercial Club, the San Jose Coun- try Club, and the Progressive Business Men's Club.

RALPH ALLEN HUSTED. - A prominent orchardist of Santa Clara County and one who is keenly interested in the prosperity of the community especially along educational lines is Ralph Allen Husted. A native of Illinois, he was born at Galva, a son of L. B. and Frances (Brown) Husted, born in Virginia and fllinois, respectively. His father was a veteran. Ralph A. came to California in 1888 and was educated in the public schools, the College of the Pacific and Stanford University. After leav- ing school he engaged in farming on a part of the old homestead established by Grandfather Husted, who was an early pioncer of Santa Clara County. This ranch he afterwards purchased of the estate and it consists of forty-eight acres, well-improved to orchard, and besides providing a home of com- fort, is proving a most profitable source of income.

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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 187

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