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 192

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 192

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Ernest began his education in the public schools of Salem, Ore., and later entered the preparatory department of Willamette University, and upon his graduation from that institution came to Palo Alto and entered Stanford in the fall of 1896. There was a little candy store on the campus owned by a couple of students, and here the newcomer found work during his freshman year. He bought a half-interest at the end of the semester, and soon became sole owner. As he studied and worked, he made friends with everybody, and on account of his popularity and sticktoitiveness, soon became familiarly known as "Sticky" Wilson, an appellation which will likely always remain with him. As "Sticky" Wilson stuck to Stanford, so the name stuck to "Sticky" and has become a fixture in the college town.

The four years passed; a new century dawned- and brought with it the graduation of the student-con- fectioner with the class of 1900. To the members of this class, as to countless classes before it, the pro- fessions beckoned to some, adventure whispered to a few, while many drifted out groping, aimless and undecided. But Sticky's mind was made up. He had been attending two kinds of classrooms during his college carcer; one in the imposing buildings around the Quad, and another in the little store on the cam- pus. His life work was to be the making of good candy and the serving of good food. In order to gain a thorough knowledge of his chosen work. he went to San Francisco, where he began at the bot- tom as an employee of a large candy manufacturer, and continued there for a space of about a year, hay- ing in the meantime disposed of his candy store on the Stanford campus. Another year passed and Sticky returned to the little town where he had spent his college days and reopened a candy shop in Palo Alto; this was the year 1902. It prospered, for the

students were glad to patronize a place so clean and attractive. To "Sticky's" came the youthful swain for sweets to woo his co-ed fair. The happy ending of a romantic college courtship of a certain talented young suitor culminated by his presentation to his charming co-ed sweetheart a choice box from Wil- son's, labeled in his own handwriting, "The Candy with a College Education," and by so doing at once won a sweetheart and inspired the adoption of that slogan for Wilson's products.

From the first tiny shop has grown a large cor- poration operating five of the finest stores in the state, each with its own model kitchen, dining room and parlor, namely at Fresno, San Jose, Turlock, Stanford and Palo Alto. The Ernest Wilson Com- payn is incorporated with a capital stock of $250,- 000. Some of the stockholders are prosperous Stan- ford graduates, who first watched the business grow during their own years in college. Sanitation, con- venience, comfort and elegance characterize each store, which has its own manager, and according to the policies of the Ernest Wilson Company, the managers are recruited from the ranks of the em- ployees, and it has never been necessary to go out- side for efficient heads. The Ernest Wilson Com- pany specializes in chocolates with distinctive names such as "University," "Co-Ed," Leland Stanford," "College Maid," and "Wilson's Clods." Its products are wholesaled as well as retailed. Every one of Wilson's stores is fully up-to-date and in keeping with the development of the city in which it is located, and in fact to "keep ahead of the town" is the well- established Wilson policy. Especially have patrons' comforts been considered-steam heat in winter- and washed-air cooling system for summer -and cuisine delights at every season. You are a guest rather than a patron when you visit Wilson's. Its simple home-like hospitality makes you feel thor- oughly at case. Whether it is for cooling drink or course dinner, you always feel welcome at Wil- son's. He says:

"I have never tried to run a store like any one else. Originality is a big asset. To be original, one has only to think. If we make a chocolate that is partic- ularly good, we have one of our salesladies demon- strate it in our store, giving samples to everyone. The success that I have had is due very largely to a corps of loyal employees. It has been my policy to give responsibility to heads of departments and demand results. I don't try to do all the work my- self, but plan to get away from my business fre- quently, take plenty of outdoor exercise, and give someone else a chance to show that he can do the work better than I could." This spirit of live and let live practiced by Mr. Wilson has made the road to success easier and the satisfaction that it has brought can hardly be reckoned. Of a jovial dispo- sition, Mr. Wilson makes friends wherever he goes and he is always ready to give of his time and energy to any good cause.

JOSEPH T. CORPSTEIN .- A worthy represent- ative of an old and honored family is Joseph T. Corpstein, whose family has been a factor in the development of the rural district around Saratoga since 1864. He was born on Pierce Road near Saratoga March 4, 1866, the son of Nicholas and Susan (Brown) Corpstein. The father came to Cali- fornia May 18. 1864, and in 1868 homesteaded 160

Guest Wilson

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

acres, which he improved and which the family still own. The father passed away in 1892 and the moth- er died in October. 1914. This worthy couple had nine children, four of whom are living, Joseph T. being the youngest living. He began his educa- tion in the Lincoln School of his home district and assisted his father on the ranch until he passed away. In 1901 he entered a grocery store as clerk and within the following three years purchased the business. In 1906 the firm of Corpstein and May- hew was formed and in 1908 Mr. Metzger bought out the interest of Mr. Mayhew and the firm is now Corpstein and Metzger and they are doing a successful business, during the busy season em- ploying five men to take care of their large and growing trade. Mr. Corpstein still owns his ranch, a part of the old homestead.

The marriage of Mr. Corpstein in San Francisco united him with Mrs. Mary E. ( Laheff) McCarthy, who was born in Morris Flat, Nevada County, whose father, David Laheff, was one of the pioneers of California. Politically Mr. Corpstein advocates the principles of the Democratic party; fraternally he is a member of the Foresters of America, the Wood- men of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Saratoga Improve- ment Association and the Catholic Church. Santa Clara County and this section of California is large- ly indebted to the efforts of the Corpstein family for 'early pioneer development, and Mr. Corpstein takes a good citizen's part in all present matters that make for prosperity and progress.

WILLIAM L. GALLAGHER .- A native son of California, William L. Gallagher has been identified with the business circles of San Jose and Santa Clara County for many years, where he is a partner in the concern known as Gallagher-Cole Furniture Company. Mr. Gallagher was born in Livermore, Alameda County, in the year of 1884, and was the son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Leahy) Gallagher, who were pioneers of Alameda County; the father has passed away, but the mother resides in Oakland.

Mr. Gallagher received his education in the pub- lic school and high school of Livermore, in the meantime, helping on the farm, where he remained until he had reached the age of twenty-one, at which time he went to San Francisco, where he was em- ployed in the furniture business of W. and J. Sloane until the month of February, 1907, he came to San Jose and became associated with C. H. Robinson's furniture establishment. where he continued for the next six years. With Geo. H. Cole he incorporated the Gallagher-Cole Furniture Company, Inc., with Mr. Gallagher as the president of the company. This growing firm, which has a large and attractive place of business at 69 to 73 East Santa Clara Street, occupying two stories, with a mezzanine floor, han- dles a complete line of high-grade furniture and household equipment, and their well-selected stock has had no small part in contributing to the beauty and comfort of many of San Jose's attractive homes.

Mr. Gallagher's marriage united him with Miss Marguerite E. Plummer and they are the parents of a child, William E. Mr. Gallagher is very popular both in social and business circles, and he is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants' Association and was a charter member of the One Hundred Per Cent Club, in which he has always

been a very active member. He is also a charter member of the Commercial Club. In national poli- tics he is a stanch adherent of Republican principles.

HAROLD G. HUNT .- Among the sons of early settlers of Santa Clara County, Cal., who are worthy representatives of their pioneer fathers is H. G. Hunt, proprietor of a business which is located at 577 to 585 South First Street, San Jose, where he handles bicycles, motorcycles, and auto tires. He was born in San Jose, August 10, 1889, the son of Edward Vincent and Edith (Bent) Hunt. His parents came to California in the year of 1886 and settled in San Jose, where they continued to make their home, the father, becoming the proprietor of a grocery store soon after locating here.

H. G. Hunt received his education in the public schools and high school of San Jose, from which he graduated, then helping his father in the store. he learned the grocery business. Mr. Hunt then started out for himself, becoming the owner of a bicycle, motorcycle and auto tire shop and here he prospered. At the time of his father's death, he continued to conduct his father's store and at the same time carried on the business in his own shop, but finding the two concerns were a little too much for one man to have to manage, he sold the grocery store in 1912 and confined bis time and attention to his own work. He handles the Dexter, Redding, Winchester and Triumph bicycles and the Excelsior, Henderson and Cleveland motor- cycles, and employs two mechanics.

Mr. Hunt's marriage united him with Miss Effie Iverson, born in Salinas, and they are the parents of one child, Gordon. Mr. Hunt is a member of San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., San Jose Lodge 522 B. P. O. Elks, as well as the Lions Club and Sciots, and also of the Merchants' Assn. and the Chamber of Commerce and is president of the Bicycle and Motorcycle Assn. of Santa Clara County. In national politics he is a Republican. Like all of California's native sons, reared in the open life of the great West, he is fond of all out- door sports, particularly of hunting and fishing and enjoys them on every possible occasion.

DUDLEY F. DINSMORE .- That San Jose well illustrates in her various business enterprises all the life, aggressiveness and progress of a great in- terior city is admirably illustrated in the develop- ment and activities of such important concerns as Dudley F. Dinsmore's Wholesale Grain and Feed Store at 352 South Market Street, under the per- sonal direction of the proprietor, who was born in Bloomington, Ill., in May. 1873. His parents, Rev. J. W. and Adeline (Vance) Dinsmore, came to Santa Clara County in August, 1891; and after the calm satisfaction of a long and very fruitful life as a Presbyterian minister, standing high in that denomination, he passed away in April, 1922.

Dudley Dinsmore finished the work required in the public schools of his locality, and then took an excellent course in the Lake Forest Academy when he came to San Jose in 1891. On coming to California, he engaged as an orchardist in the east- ern foothills in both the growing and buying of fruit. At the end of seven years he sold the ranch, when he engaged in buying and shipping fruit for a period of six years. He then began the grain business and at the same time he engaged in the

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cattle business in Contra Costa County for five years and then started his present establishment exclusive- ly for the sale of grain and feed in large quantities. He knew what the public not only called for, but what it needed, and how and when and where; he even anticipated their wants, and so, very natural- ly, from the first he has been successful, shipping all over the coast country. He belongs to the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and through his sup- port of the good work done by that fine organiza- tion, he keeps himself in vital touch with the agri- cultural and commercial life of a community in which he has become such an important part.

In national politics a Republican, and first, last and all the time a patriotic American, Mr. Dinsmore enjoys an enviable popularity in the circles of the Masonic fraternity, as well as a member of the An- cient Egyptian order of Sciots and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. In patriotic societies we find him a member of the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

JOHN R. PENNINGTON-It is almost impos- sible to imagine what would be the condition of the country without the development of its great agri- cultural resources, and valuable indeed has been the contribution which John R. Pennington has made toward the cultivation and irrigation of vast areas of arid lands with a hydraulic well-drilling machine which he had perfected. He was born November 29, 1871, in a rural district near Brenham, Texas, a son of Asa Pennington, who migrated with his family from Galesburg, Ill., to Texas in 1849. His paternal great-grandfather, Sir Richard Pennington, a native of Lancashire, England, came from that country and settled near Galesburg, Ill. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Pennington, brought his family to Texas and engaged in stock-raising, and there Asa Pennington, his father, became an extensive cattleman and land- owner, the present townsite of Brenham being located on property formerly owned by him. In the early pioneer days of Brenham, wild horses roamed the prairies and were a pest to the farmers. He became prominent in the cattle business, controlling at one time about 34,000 acres of choice land.

John R. Pennington's education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of Brenham, later at- tending the Agricultural College at Bryan, Texas, and graduating in 1894 from the department of mechanical arts with the degree of M. E. He then entered the office of his uncle, Robert E. Penning- ton, a prominent attorney of Brenham, and spent a year and a half reading law, but was not satisfied to make the practice of law his life's work, so early in 1899 he was employed by the American Cotton Com- pany at Houston, as a buyer of cotton. Very soon he was placed in the position of mechanical superin- tendent of their mills and the "round bale" was per- fected and brought into use, which revolutionized the cotton industry. He then accepted a position as chief engineer for the Gravity Canal Company of Bay City, Tex., a company which constructed immense fumes for the transportation of water for the irriga- tion of the vast areas of uncultivated lands. In 1901 the whole state was aroused by the striking of oil at "Spindle Top," the first gusher in Texas. Mr. Pen- nington was a witness to this event, and for the next few years he was interested in oil and oil lands at Beaumont, Texas, making and losing a fortune sev- eral times over. While a resident of Texas, he

served as a first lieutenant in Company C of the Second Regiment of the Texas National Guard. In 1906 he resigned his position with the Gravity Canal Company and began to develop 300 acres of rice land, and his crop in 1907 amounted to 2480 bags.

The marriage of Mr. Pennington occurred May 14, 1896, at Paris, Texas, and united him with Miss Effie Smith, a daughter of R. L. Smith, a prominent merchant of Paris. Mr. Smith served as councilman for Paris for twenty-one years, was also active and prominent as a member of the Methodist Church, a strong personality and an influence for good in the community in which he resided. He passed away in September, 1912. Mrs. Pennington is a graduate of the Female College in Paris, majoring in music.

During the year of 1908 the family removed to Houston, Texas, and there Mr. Pennington became associated with the Layne & Bowler Pump Com- pany, doing an extensive business throughout Color- ado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Arkansas. Later the family removed to Stuttgart, Arkansas, and in 1914 they came to the Santa Clara Valley, purchasing a residence at 97 Randol Avenue, an ex- clusive residence section of San Jose. Mr. Penning- ton also owns an orchard property of ninety acres near Morgan Hill devoted to the cultivation of prunes and walnuts; and is a member of the Cali- fornia Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are the parents of five children. On April 9, 1917, Richard L. left his studies at the College of the Pacific to enlist in the Aviation Corps, going to Angel Island, and thence to Kelly Field Ground School for three months. He also received private instruction at Stinson Flying School at San Antonio, Texas. On the first of August, 1917, he reached England and became instructor of flying of the Fifty-sixth Royal Flying Corps, just fifteen miles from London. He witnessed the bombing at night of London by the enemy. At the time of the sign- ing of the armistice he was ready to receive his pro- motion to captaincy, but was discharged before this could take place, on June 26, 1919. In partnership with E. T. Todd, he conducted a flying school at Santa Clara, which they operated for six months. He is married to Miss Emily Gould and they have a daughter-Elizabeth. At present he is interested with his father in the operation of the hydraulic well- drilling machines. Evelyn, now Mrs. Watts, has one son and resides at Burlingame; Thelma is a student at the State Normal school in San Jose; Dorothy at Notre Dame College; Rex is deceased.

While residing in Texas, Mr. Pennington in 1907 perfected his hydraulic rotary well-drilling machine for drilling oil and water wells, and was actively en- gaged in drilling oil wells. Since coming to Santa Clara County he has made and built improvements to fit the conditions for drilling water wells in the valley and has drilled over 200 wells for irrigating purposes, thus demonstrating his success in obtain- ing water, and has made a specialty of drilling large and deep wells by the use of the hydraulic rotary system. The business has grown so he now uses three different outfits for the drilling of deep wells, each outfit costing about $12,000. Mr. Pennington's work here cannot be overestimated, for on plenty of water for irrigation depends the future success of the horticultural and agricultural interests of the county. Politically Mr. Pennington is a Democrat in his convictions. Fraternally he is affiliated with

Thlinnington

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the San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. E; Observa- tory Lodge No. 23, I. O. O. F., and Friendship Lodge No. 210, F. & A. M. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the 100 Per Cent Club of San Jose. He has led an active and useful life, and has the respect of his fellowmen.

JOSEPH CARSON CUNNINGHAM .- A suc- cessful orchardist of Santa Clara, who crossed the plains when only a small boy of nine years and who with his parents settled in Santa Clara County, was the late Joseph Carson Cunningham, who passed away at his home October 27, 1918. He was the son of Joseph Cunningham, a native of Tennessee, while his mother, Mary Jane Goodding, was a native of Missouri. Joseph Cunningham was the fifth genera- tion of the Cunningham family who followed farm- ing for a livelihood. In 1863 he sold his farm and removed to California, settling first in Solano County in 1864 and remained there until 1881, when he re- moved with his family to Santa Clara County. He purchased at that time a ranch containing about thirty-two acres and set it out to orchards of prunes, pears, apples, apricots, and grapes. Here he and his wife resided until their death.

Joseph Carson Cunningham was born in Missouri, November 2, 1849, and was but a small lad when his parents brought him across the plains to California. He came to San Jose in 1881, and here he was mar- ried to Miss Nancy J. Easterday, who was born and reared in San Jose, a daughter of Solomon W. Easterday, one of the early business men of San Jose. After her husband's death, Mrs. Cunningham resided on the farm until she passed away, Febru- ary 21, 1921. Their union was blessed with two children: Vida L. is the wife of Roy E. Graves and they reside in San Jose; Frank L., since his father's death has had charge of and operates the orchards. He is a member of Saratoga Lodge No. 428, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. Joseph C. Cun- ningham took a deep interest in the affairs of the community in which he resided for so many years, and served as school trustee of the Saratoga district for nine years. His home place in which he took much pride consists of fifteen acres of the finest soil and the best improvements that years will produce and he made a splendid success as an orchardist. Always enthusiastic over the resources of Santa Clara County, he supported all movements for its advancement and prosperity.

WILLIAM J. THOMPSON .- One of the best known and most successful veterinary surgeons in the Santa Clara Valley is William J. Thompson, a native of Massachusetts, born in Boston, August 19, 1859, the son of W. J. and Caroline (Kingsmill) Thomp- son, both parents having been born and reared in Massachusetts. The father was a manufacturer of cloth, but he passed away early in life, and the mother removed to California with her son, William J., in 1864, and settled in San Jose. Subsequently she was married again, to William S. Brewer, a merchant in Saratoga. She spent her last days there. Of her first marriage, William J. is the only child; while of the second marriage there were three children, two of whom are living. When four years old William came to California with his mother via the Isthmus of Panama. He attended school at the Normal Square in San Jose and then was among the first pupils to attend the Hester school. In 1867

he removed with his folks to a ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, built the first frame house on the summit, and engaged in stock raising, and they also dealt in shakes and shingles and pickets. In 1873 they removed to Saratoga and bought a five-acre place and engaged in the mercantile business, also handling hay, grain and lumber. When twenty he returned to the summit and engaged in the stock business, having a ranch of 1,100 acres. His practi- cal experience and common sense, coupled with necessity, has made him a capable veterinarian, and is called into consultation frequently and his expert knowledge of the diseases of animals results in com- plete recovery. In 1892 he again located at Saratoga and practiced veterinary medicine. He is the oldest practitioner in this line in this section of the valley. At different times, he has owned a valuable string of race horses and at present has a number of hunt- ing hounds. Among the horses he has owned were Cloverland, Apache, Wecland and Mamie T.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson united him with Miss Emma C. McClain, born and reared in Canada. They are the parents of four children: Carrie, now Mrs. Louis Burnett of the Saratoga district; Roscoe is engaged in the butcher business at Sunnyvale; Eva is Mrs. L. H. Wakefield of this vicinity; and William J., Jr., of Saratoga. There are six grand- children. Politically Mr. Thompson votes the Re- publican ticket. He uses his efforts in the upbuilding and development of the locality in which he has lived and labored for so many years and takes great pride in the prosperity of the county and state.

MRS. JULIA E. BURKET .- A splendid example of the capable American woman in business is af- forded by Mrs. Julia E. Burket, the proprietor of the popular Patterson Drug Store at 251 South First Street, San Jose. She was born in Tipton, Iowa, and her parents were John J. and Freda Escher. She attended the grammar and the high school at Tipton, and finished her studies with higher educa- tional courses in the State University at Iowa City. She continued to reside at home until she was married, on May 27, 1884, to John Eberle Burket, a native of Dixon, Ill., the son of Peter and Eliza- beth Burket. Mr. Burket was an undertaker at Creston, Iowa, before he was married, and when he and his devoted wife came out to California in 1891, they settled at Paso Robles, and there Mr. Burket established a furniture and undertaking business. At the end of eight years, he sold out and they removed to Watsonville; and in 1905, after having again en- gaged in undertaking business, he passed away.

Mrs. Burket remained in Watsonville until 1912, when she removed to Berkeley for the education of her two children. Eventually Harold Escher was graduated from the University of California with the class of '16 as an engineer and architect, and he is at present with the Wallace & Bush Company of Long Beach. Elizabeth also graduated from the University of California, and later she received her state certificate as an instructor. At present, as a member of the staff of the San Jose high school, she has charge of public health and welfare work.

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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 192

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