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 189

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 189

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

I & Yatham.

1221

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

JEFFERSON F. TATHAM-An energetic, pro- gressive business man who has done much to solve various problems pertaining to the health, comfort and general welfare of the public in Santa Clara County is Jefferson F. Tatham, the efficient and popu- lar manager of the San Jose Ice Company. He was born a native son, proud of his association with the great California commonwealth, at Casper, in Mendo- cino County, on December 15, 1880, the son of John and Sonoma-so called from the county where she was born-( Pendergrast) Tatham, both of whom were also natives of California. The family came to Santa Clara County in 1898, and there John Tatham passed away. His devoted wife, the mother of our subject, is still living in San Jose.

Jefferson attended the schools of San Benito County, and was graduated from the Hollister high school in 1898. Then he profited by the courses in Heald's Business College in San Jose, having pre- viously clerked in a grocery store. He was book- keeper for the Edenvale Fruit Company for two years, and he had charge of the Hayes plant there. Then he went to the New Almaden mine as book- keeper and cashier for three years, and then was ap- pointed general manager of all their California prop- erties, the concern being a New York corporation; later he became a stockholder and was elected direc- tor and treasurer of the corporation and was assistant to the president of the corporation, continuing with them for eight years. A brief history of the magni- tude of the New Almaden mine is interesting and in- structive. The Indians first discovered the deposits and for many years used the cinnabar ore (a bright red) for war paint. When the Mexican government obtained control, they granted it to an American, who opened the mine and ran it for many years until a New York corporation was formed. The Quick- silver Mining Company that took over the property developed it until it became the second largest quick- silver mine in the world, being only exceeded in rich- ness by the Almaden mine in Spain-though this mine had a greater output because the Almaden mine in Spain was limited by Spain, in its work and output. A record of the workings and production of the New Almaden mine have been kept since 1848. The richness of the mine can best be shown by stat- ing the fact that one year the ore ran over 76.4%. The property comprises 8800 acres in the southwest- ern part of Santa Clara County; of this 1500 acres is tillable land and the balance grazing land, though all is mineral bearing land. In 1913 the New York company leased the mine for twenty-five years and it is now being operated under this lease. During Mr. Tat- ham's management, he started new development, blocking out a new ore body that has since proven very rich and valuable and now forms the active workings of the mine. There are over 125 miles of underground work with tunnels, shafts, drifts, etc .. and the deepest portion is 2550 feet, but the great- est depth at which ore has been found is 2400 feet; however, the best ore seems to lie between 800 and 1500 feet. The property is well improved with fences, roads, dwellings and they have employed as high as 2500 men at one time.

Still progressing from various angles, Mr. Tat- ham ranched for two years, after that was with the California Peach Growers, Inc., for a while at Fresno, and from there came to his present posi- 52

tion five years ago, or July 1, 1917. The San Jose Ice Company produces only the finest grade of ice, and to such an extent is its up-to-date organization appreciated that it requires twelve trucks to accom- modate all of their regular retail and wholesale cus- tomers. The plant of the company is at San Augus- tine and Center streets.

The marriage of Mr. T'atham occurred at Modesto and united him with Mrs. Celia Walker Simpson, a native of Santa Monica, but educated in the schools of Santa Cruz. In national politics a Democrat, yet decidedly above party when it comes to working for what he knows to be best. Mr. Tatham negleets no opportunity to help every approved local movement, especially those seeking to upbuild as well as to build up the city and environs; and he is equally in- fluential and helpful in the fraternal circles of the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the San Jose parlor of the N. S. G. W.

HARLEY B. MILLER. - Many of the con- veniences of life which tend to make San Jose al- ways one of the most desirable of home cities not merely in California but in America are undoubtedly due to the experience, progressiveness and enterprise of such far-seeing men of industry as Harley B. Miller, the well-known plumbing contractor, whose establishment is at 348 East Santa Clara Street. He was born at Rochester, Ind., on April 12, 1889, the son of Henry Miller, who came to San Jose in 1890 and who was for twenty years a wholesale dealer in paper here. He is now living retired with his wife, who was Miss Mary Sanders before her marriage. Highly estcemed for both what they were and what they have tried to be in relation to the communities in which they have lived, labored and thrived, Mr. and Mrs. Miller may look back with considerable satisfaction upon the past, and an equal confidence toward the future.

Harley Miller enjoyed the advantages of a com- mon school education, but when still a lad went to work, to establish the foundation for a living. He learned the plumbing trade with Moltzen and Keaton, worked at it in San Jose for a time, then followed it for three years in the State of Washington, where he had his own shop at Spokane. In 1915 he came back to San Jose and at once opened up a business for himself. From the beginning he found that the San Jose public could fully appreciate good work, at whatever reasonable cost; and it is not surprising that he has been called upon to do some of the best work required in the city. His contracts have in- cluded the Gilman Apartments, the Robinson Groc- ery and apartment block, and many fine residences such as those of Nicora, Tarmain, Dr. Kress and others, his business being confined to his private trade. He employs five men, and since he came to California first from Rochester, Ind., in 1890, has wit- nessed the marvelous development of building, to which he himself has contributed not a little. Be- sides plumbing, he also does expert sheet-metal work.

At Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1910, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Grace Sullivan, a native of Canada, and the daughter of John Sullivan, a millwright, in Canada. Three children, Herbert Wilfred, Mary Elizabeth and Robert Stanley, have come to bless the Miller home, and a happy family circle is there. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and is indepen- dent in politics, and believes that through such broad-

1222

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

er nonpartisanship he is able to exercise a far more salutary influence on civic and social life, helping all the better and quicker in the great work of up- building the city.

PATRICK EUGENE VAUGHAN .- An enter- prising business man whose foresight, up-to-date methods and optimism as to the future of Santa Clara County have made him a leader sought by many, is Patrick Eugene Vaughan, the president of the Western Well Works at San Jose. He was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., December 2, 1882, the son of George Vaughan, the railroad con- tractor long so widely known, and his good wife, who was Mary Thompson before her marriage. They were devoted parents, and Patrick enjoyed the ad- vantages of the best Virginia public schools.

At the age of sixteen, however, he left home, and for several years he engaged in railroad, oil well or waterworks labor, following successive oil booms. In 1906 he came to San Francisco, and from there pushed inland to Bakersfield and later San Jose; and in 1915, when the Western Well Works was established, he became its president. He has re- mained at the head of the notable organization ever since, and much of its flourishing condition is un- doubtedly due to his ability to study the past and to forecast the future, as few among his contempo- raries have a better knowledge of this field.

Mr. Vaughan belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce, and also to the B. P. O. Elks; and in na- tional politics he is a Republican. Those knowing the whole-heartedness with which he supports every worth-while movement likely to benefit the com- munity need not be told that in all local affairs he casts partisanship to the winds, and works hard and unremittingly to attain success.

JOHN P. FITZGERALD .- A distinguished rep- resentative of the legal profession in California of whom Santa Clara County in particular is natural- ly proud, is John P. Fitzgerald, the scholarly, ef- ficient and popular assistant district attorney, who was born at the New Almaden Mines, Santa Clara County, Cal., on April 18, 1875, so that he is for- tunately a native son. His father, Thomas Fitz- gerald, came to California by way of Panama in 1853, and his mother, Miss Mary Cullen in maiden- hood, also crossed the Isthmus, in the latter '50s, and they were married here. They first settled at Gilroy, but in time they removed to the New Al- maden Mines where they conducted a dairy. Re- turning to Gilroy, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald con- tinued to reside there until his death in 1888. The devoted and honored mother is still living. They had five children, all living.

John went to the grammar and high schools at Gilroy, and when he was given an opportunity, studied law in private law offices, his studies being affected by the responsibility thrust upon him, at his father's death, of having to care for the home ranch. But he persevered, as might be expected of one bearing his time-honored family name, and in 1897 was admitted to the Bar in California. He practiced for a while at Gilroy, and then removed to San Jose, where he was a deputy under James H. Campbell. He also sat on the Superior Court Bench, to fill out an unexpired term, and then he returned to private practice. In 1919, Judge Fitzgerald entered the office of the district attor-

ney for Santa Clara County, and here he has been, to everybody's satisfaction, ever since, an able, fear- less, but broadminded and sympathetic prosecutor. In matters of national politics a Democrat, Mr. Fitzgerald still finds it possible and agreeable, as a nonpartisan citizen and neighbor, to put his shoulder to the wheel with others, and work for whatever is best for the community at large, thus stimulating the rapid and permanent growth of the city, and helping along its sound development.

At Los Angeles, in November, 1915, Mr. Fitz- gerald was married to Miss Edith M. Barge, born in Canada, at Niagara Falls, and they had a son, Edward Victor, who died, aged three years. Mr. Fitzgerald is past exalted ruler of the Elks, past state president Y. M. 1., member of the Hibernians, in which he has served as state grand vice-president, the Foresters, the N. S. G. W., the Modern Wood- men and the Lions Club. He is fond of outdoor life, and has a special liking for baseball.

ELTON RANDALL SHAW .- An eminently use- ful and esteemed citizen of Santa Clara County, Elton Randall Shaw, has been an important factor in advancing the dried and canned fruit industry of this section of the state. Born in San Francisco, August 8, 1867, he is the son of the famous portrait painter, Stephen William Shaw, and Mary Frances ( Meacham), both natives of New England. Stephen William Shaw came across the Isthmus in 1849, and reached California on the ship Humboldt. His father, Seth Shaw, a farmer, was a native of Wind- sor, Vt., and his mother was Elizabeth Barrett of Massachusetts, whose ancestors came over from England in the Mayflower. Many heirlooms have been handed down to the present generation, and are prized very highly. Mary Frances Meacham, a native of New England, was the daughter of General Meacham, a famous hero of the Modoc wars. Her family came to California in the early days, and Mary Frances is said to have the distinction of being the first white female child to cross the plains to the Pacific Coast. Many were the hardships encoun- tered, but with true pioneer fortitude, they reached their destination without serious mishap.

Elton Randall Shaw received his education in the public school of San Francisco, which on the advice of his father, he later supplemented with a course at the Art Institute of that city. During the sum- mer vacation in 1885, he journed to San Jose and was employed in the fruit industry, returning to San Francisco for the fall term. During the next season he returned, and was employed in the first year of the Flickinger Cannery. Upon leaving the Art In- stitute he took up the study of mechanical and steam engineering, completing this course within two years. When but twenty-four years of age, he began the practice of his profession as construction engineer, and for a number of years he followed this line of work, in the mining industry of California and New Mexico. However the fruit industry, with its varied lines, appealed to him from its mechanical side, and in 1890 he became superintendent of a drying plant, gradually working into the fruit can- ning business, and later the preserving branch which now occupies his full attention as president and general manager of the Shaw Family, Inc.

The first marriage of Mr. Shaw occurred April 3, 1893, which united him with Miss Mary Suther-

MIN. James

1225

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

land, who died in 1913. She was the daughter of Spencer Sutherland, a resident of Saratoga. Three children were born to them, Mary Frances, Elton Sutherland and Marjorie, all living. His second marriage occurred November 7, 1918, in San Fran- cisco, uniting him with Miss Grace E. Russell of San Jose, a daughter of Jolin H. Russell. For three years in early life Mr. Shaw was a member of the Second Artillery of the National Guard of California. During the years of 1914-15, he served as police and fire commissioner of the city of San Jose, and was city councilman from 1916 to 1920. Politically, he is an advocate of the Republican party. He is ac- tively affiliated with the San Jose Country Club, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of San Jose. He is an ardent believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and with his family, holds memberships in church organizations in San Jose. Among his associates he enjoys the confidence born of well-applied industry, personal integrity, and devotion to the welfare of his city and state.

WILLIAM HENRY JAMES-Among the pio- neers who came to California to take advantage of the opportunities that were afforded in the new country, the James family have been identified with Santa Clara County for more than a half century and among the present representatives of these far-sighted people is William Henry James, who is keeping up the good characteristics of his forefathers, and is working for the development of his community.

Mr. James was born twelve miles southwest of San Jose on September 3, 1882, at Guadalupe Mines, Santa Clara County, a son of Charles H. and Jane (Tucker) James, who were both pioneers of Cali- fornia, having come to California in about the year 1865; the father was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, and they were married in this state. He came to America and in time to California where he mined at New Idria and New Almaden. Thirty-five years ago he started the transfer business now man- aged by our subject. He and his estimable wife are both living here retired.

William H., the fourth oldest in a family of six children, received his education in the public schools of San Jose and when he grew up, he followed in his father's footsteps and learned the transfer busi- ness. In 1909 he became a partner in the business and took over the management, thus relieving him of the responsibilities, the firm being known as the City Truck and Transfer Company, and is one of the three pioneer transfer companies of San Jose. He has a large local business, such as freight and furni- ture and it has grown in volume until it requires five trucks and four teams to handle it. The firm owns the two-story building at 133 North Market Street in which they are located, which is ,90x193 feet, and extends from Market to San Pedro Street, also having a warehouse on the S. P. Railroad with a switch from the main line. In addition to his trucking he does a large storage business.

Mr. James was married in San Jose, August 23, 1904, to Miss Effie Carper and they became the parents of three children: Raymond Charles, Wilma Maud, and Effie Estelle. Mr. James is a member of San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M. and also of Pyramid Lodge No. 9 of the Sciots and also San Jose Parlor No. 22, N. S. G. W. and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is very active in the

Chamber of Commerce, and Merchants' Association, also the Builders' Exchange and the Drayman's As- sociation. The family reside at 162 Viola Street.

A. ATHENOUR & BROS .- The owners of a fine vineyard in the Los Gatos district, the firm of A. Ath- enour & Bros. have developed a splendid business, the products of their vineyard being shipped all over the country. Natives of sunny France, the three brothers, Albert, Henry and Leon, were born near Gap, Hautes-Alps. Their father, Jean Athenour, with his three brothers, started to California in 1852, but one brother died at Panama while they were en route. On arriving at San Francisco, Jean Athenour went to Placerville, where he followed mining, re- maining in California for eight years and becoming a citizen of the United States. In 1860 he returned to France and married, following farming until he brought his wife and four children to California in 1888. He first located in Los Angeles, then engaged in fruit raising on a ranch of 189 acres in Fresno County. In 1894 he came to San Jose and started a bakery on Post and Vine Streets and later a store on Post Street, near First, continuing in the business for ten years. He passed away in 1909, survived by his widow and four children: Clara, Mrs. Junqua; Albert, Henry and Leon. Removing to Los Gatos, where they owned a ranch on Redmon Road, the brothers later purchased a vineyard of 137 acres on Branham Road, formerly the property of Mr. Freis- lag. Both places are now devoted to fruit, and bring in a handsome income.

L. M. Athenour is the manager of the business, and with his brothers he gives all of his time and effort to its development .. He was married on July 26, 1908, to Miss Louise Rispaud of Saratoga, Cal., and one child has been born to them, a son, Leon, Jr. Mrs. Athenour was born at Long Bridge, this county, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Colpin) Ris- paud, a pioneer of Long Bridge, and she is next to the youngest in a family of six children.

Mr. Athenour is a Republican in politics and in fraternal life is affiliated with the Odd Fellows in San Jose, being past grand of Lodge No. 242 in San Jose and is past district deputy. Industrious and ener- getic, he takes a genuine interest in all neighborhood affairs, and can ever be found on the side of progress.

LELAND H. WALKER .- A native son of Cali- fornia, born at Santa Cruz, and later of Los Gatos and San Jose, Leland H. Walker is a citizen of ability and energy and as such has contributed his best efforts in the advancement of this community. Born November 5, 1888, his parents were William S. and Margaret R. (Montross) Walker; his father came to California in the early sixties, and was em- ployed in the mines; later he established the Los Gatos News, and then bought the Los Gatos Mail. He was engaged in the newspaper business all his life up to the time that he passed away in 1909. Mrs. Walker makes her home at Los Gatos.

Leland H. Walker attended the grammar school of Los Gatos and graduated from the Santa Cruz high school in December, 1906; in 1912 he received his A. B. degree from Stanford University and his J. D. degree from the same college in 1914. During the same year he began the practice of law in San

1226

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Jose and has proven successful in his chosen work. Politically he is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party and fraternally he is a third degree Mason, being a past master of Los Gatos Lodge No. 292. His marriage on April 21, 1915, at Los Gatos, united him with Miss Marie A. Soule of that city, and one son, Harrison M., has been born to them. Mr. Walker belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and can always be counted on to aid in its good works. During the recent war he willingly gave his time to active war work; lie is a popular and forceful addition to the business life of San Jose, and is regarded as one of its most promising, public-spirited and genial citizens. He belongs to Bar Association, is a director of First National Bank of Los Gatos, and a member of the Republican County Central Committee.

RICHARD P. VAN ORDEN .- An enterprising, progressive business man who has capitalized his cx- perience to the great advantage of his fellow-citizens as well as himself, is Richard P. Van Orden, the president of the Fruit Growers of California, Inc. He was born in Spring Valley, Rockland County, N. Y., on February 27, 1859, the son of Peter L. Van Or- den, a farmer, who had married Miss Euphemia Felter. His paternal great-grandfather, Peter S. Van Orden, acquired his farm from the government after the Revolutionary War, in which he had served; he was a native of York State of Knickerbocker stock, his ancestors having emigrated from Hol- land, his father and two brothers being early pio- neers of New York. Frederick Van Orden, grand- father of our subject, resided on the farm his father owned and here l'eter L. was born, engaging in farming all of his life; during the Civil War he vol- unteered for service, but was rejected. Mr. and Mrs. Peter L. Van Orden were the parents of four chil- dren, all living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest of the family and the only one in California; a brother, Silas D., now owns the old family home in New York. Both parents are now deceased.

Richard attended the public school at Spring Val- ley. N. Y., and when he became of age he first mi- grated to Minnesota in 1880, where he worked as a carpenter for two years in Rochester; he then re- moved to Las Vegas, N. M., for a year, and after that to Dakota Territory, where he liked it so well that he remained for twelve years, engaged in farm- ing. He purchased land at Lisbon, Ransom County, N. D., and engaged in raising wheat on a large scale. He took a prominent part in the movement of statehood in North Dakota and was deputy sher- iff for six years and county assessor of Ransom County for four years. In 1898, at the time of the gold rush in Alaska he made the trip to Telegraph Creek by way of Ashcroft over the Telegraph Trail, and established a store at Glenora, one hundred fifty miles inland from Fort Wrangell, on the Stikine River, and ran it until August of the following year, when he went to the new diggings at Atlin, B. C., and was engaged in mining and merchandising until the fall of 1890. He then returned to California and fol- lowed mining at Groveland, Tuolumne County, un- til 1904, when he removed to Santa Clara County and settled at Mountain View, where he still has sixty-eight acres in prunes and apricots; and there he has been exceptionally successful. On May 8, 1919, Mr. Van Orden and others organized the Fruit Growers of California, Inc., and from the beginning

he has been president of the association, which has been so well received that it may be said to be per- manently established and, considering its age, in a very flourishing condition. It is run on purely co- operative lines, handling and shipping the green and ripe fruit raised by the different members of the association, which has a large membership, extend- ing to the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Benito. Mr. Van Orden makes his home on his ranch, in the prosperity and growth of which he takes keen pride. He realizes marketing of products is vital and is giving much thought and attention to this branch of the industry. He be- longs to the Mountain View Commercial Club, and both in that body, and through kindred affiliated or- ganizations Mr. Van Orden has been working stead- ily for the advancement of the best interests of California horticulture. He was also one of the prime movers in the organization of the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc., and he is still one of its trustees. As president of his company he is a member of the California legislative committee that has been doing so much work in the line of re- search and obtaining of statistics for aid in the enacting of legislation beneficial and protective to the growers. In national politics a Republican, in local affairs more nonpartisan, Mr. Van Orden is first and last an American, and during the Spanish- American War, when he was a member of the Na- tional Guard of North Dakota, volunteered for for- eign service, but the company was not called for service. He was made a Mason in Cheyenne Valley Lodge No. 12, A. F. & A. M., Lisbon, N. D., and belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen. Locally he is a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Club.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 189

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