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 201

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 201

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Samuel H. Pippin first located in Stanislaus County, whence he later removed to Montezuma, in Tuolumne County, where he successfully followed mining. Subsequently he went to Sutter County, where he purchased a tract of land comprising 160 acres, devoting his attention to the raising of grain, in which he continued active until ten years ago, then moved to Sacramento and resided there until he died, at the age of ninety, his wife having pre- ceded him. A short time before his death he took a ride in an airplane, being one of the oldest resi- dents of the state to venture on a trip of this nature. Mary F. Pippin was one of three children, the other members of the family being Zella and William P., the latter a resident of Oakland.

In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy removed to San Jose; wishing to rear their family, particularly their sons, on a farm, they selected and purchased a ranch of ninety-five acres on Capitol Avenue. It was raw land and no fruit to speak of was raised in that sec- tion, but with true optimism he set out orchards and

devoted his attention to the growing of prunes and apricots. Although his ranch was not irrigated, he raised some of the finest fruit in the Santa Clara Valley, being very successful as a horticulturist, and bringing his ranch to a high state of cultivation. However, his health failed and he passed away in 1905. In his demise San Jose lost a valued citizen, for his life was an upright and honorable one, his earnest toil bringing him success and his integrity winning for him the high regard of all with whom he was associated.

Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy became the parents of four children: Robert K., now a resident of Portland, Ore., married a Miss McDowell and they have three children-Robert K. Jr., James and Betty. William F., of Los Angeles, Cal., married a Miss McAbee, of San Jose, and they have become the parents of two children-William F. and June Ethel. Allen Rut- ledge, a resident of San Jose, wedded a Miss Eva M. Holland, a native of this city, and they now have two children-Mary A. and John Rutledge. Bessie C., the youngest in the family, married L. B. Bever- son, of San Jose. There are seven grandchildren, who represent the third generation of the Rutledge family in California and the sixth generation in the United States. Mr. Kennedy was an adherent of the Republican party, to which his widow also gives her political allegiance, while she is likewise a mem- ber of the Eastern Star and White Shrine. Frater- nally he was identified with the Masons and Odd Fellows, belonging to the San Francisco lodges.

PETER SABATTE .- Identified with the com- mercial activities of California for almost forty years and in Santa Clara County for fourteen years, Peter Sabatte established the garage located at 222 South Market Street, and which is now operated by his two sons, Edmond and Joseph Sabatte. He was born in the year of 1865 at Oloron in the Basses- Pyrenees, France; and when he was seventeen years old, came to America and California; locating in Oak- land he established himself in a creamery, with a restaurant. He had married Miss Jeanne Baitx, and she proved the best of wives and mothers. Later the family removed to Santa Clara and where, for three years, Mr. Sabatte conducted a dairy on New- hall Street. He then purchased a ranch of forty acres on the Alviso Road, about three miles north of San Jose, given to alfalfa culture, and for eight years he conducted there a large dairy. Mr. and Mrs. Sabatte are the parents of five children: Ed- mond, Joseph, Yvonne, Elsie and Frank.

In August, 1921, Mr. Sabatte purchased the garage and its patronage at 222 South Market Street, San Jose, from Picchetti Bros. and turned it over to his two sons, Edmond and Joseph; and Edmond Sabatte was made manager. The garage building is 60x120 feet in size; and it is equipped with every appliance necessary for first-class overhauling of all makes of machines. The public appreciate the service there guaranteed, and it is necessary to employ five men regularly to handle the patronage. The Sabatte Bros. are also the agents, for Santa Clara County, for the Reliance Trailers.

Edmond, the eldest of the brothers, was born in Oakland July 24, 1898, and Joseph, born in the same city February 12, 1900, and they attended the public school in Berkeley and Santa Clara parochial school, then Edmond attended Santa Clara College for a time while Joseph went to Santa Clara high

It. Kennedy

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

school. They then assisted the father on the dairy ranch until they took over this garage, which they now own and manage. Edmond Sabatte was mar- ried in San Jose February 23, 1921, to Miss May Shaw, a native of England.

Mr. Sabatte is a stand-pat Democrat. He works for the best interests of the community with the same thoroughiness that he manifests in the conduct of his private business affairs, and his efforts have counted for much in his locality.

MRS. MINNIE B. ZASTROW .- A native of Ohio, Mrs. Minnie B. Zastrow was born at Beverly, April 4, 1868, the youngest child of eight children born to Charles M. and Martha W. (Power) Mat- thew, natives of Virginia who were farmers in Wash- ington County, Ohio. The father was a deacon in the Primitive Baptist Church. Minnie B. was educated in the public school. She learned gardening and en- gaged in business for herself; later she engaged in the grocery business in Beverly until she disposed of it and started a broom factory as well as running a knitting factory. In 1901 she married Fred William Zastrow, a native of Germany, and in 1902 she sold her factories and removed to Chehalis, Wash., where she started the Jersey Dairy and in time built up a splendid herd. Purchasing a farm she was in the dairy business there until 1919, when she sold her ranch and shipped her best cows to Santa Cruz County, Cal, and ran a dairy as well as being pro- prietor of the Washington Hotel at Boulder Creek. In November, 1921, she removed to Los Gatos and established the Jersey Dairy with headquarters at 188 Loma Alta Avenue, where she is furnishing her patrons with splendid service in her linc.

Mr. and Mrs. Zastrow have five children: Leah, is Mrs. Engman and resides in San Francisco; Ruth, also of San Francisco; Esther, Paul Matthew, and Charles Joseph. Mrs. Zastrow is a literary woman and has written many poems and also wrote and published the book, "Unity and Variety of Truth," and she has just completed "Banner of Truth or Faith," a book against Russellism. She is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and has always been a close student of the Bible.

E. NOMMENSEN .- Among the general contrac- tors and builders in San Jose whose work is not confined to Santa Clara County, but is carried on in different portions of California, and who is meeting with deserved success, is E. Nommensen, who left his native Denmark to seek a home in the newer country of America and settled in the beautiful and productive Santa Clara Valley, which has continued to be his home since 1906. He was born March 3, 1885, at Aabenraa, a son of Jess and Cathinka (Dam) Nommensen, both natives of Denmark. The father, who was a hardware merchant, passed away in his native land, but the mother still lives at the old home. This worthy couple had ten children, four of whom are living. One brother lost his life in the World War. Mr. Nommensen is the oldest living child, and he has a sister, Mrs. Cathinka Berger, liv- ing at Bakersfield, Cal.

E. Nommensen was educated in the private schools of Denmark, but his most valuable knowledge was gained in the school of experience. Having com- pleted a course in a local business college he became bookkeeper in his father's hardware store in his

native country; then he spent four years in the same line in different cities of Germany; he then concluded to try his fortunes in the Land of the Stars and Stripes, so came across to New York and immediately to San Jose, Cal. Seeking outdoor work, he chose the carpenter's trade and served his apprenticeship under J. H. Miller, an old contractor, and continued with him for a few years, when he became a partner of his employer. Since then he has become one of the largest general contractors in the valley. He specializes in concrete work and has constructed some of the most handsome business blocks in the city. He built the King City auditorium, the Greenfield school and an addition to the County Hospital, and is now building six bridges in Monterey and Santa Clara counties, two of them being 340 feet long; he also built the Alum Rock and Keyes Street bridges, three bridges on. the Almaden Road and three on Pleasanton Road. He has erected many fine resi- dences and bungalows in San Jose, as well as over the valley, and employs some fifty men.

The marriage of Mr. Nommensen in San Jose united him with Miss Esther Larsson, a native of Sweden. Politically he supports the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of the Dania Lodge of San Jose. He is a booster for good roads and bridges, and all practical utilities, and is active in all municipal improvements. Whenever the op- portunity affords itself, he recuperates at the moun- tains or seashore. He has a pleasant home and a paying business, which has brought him contentment in the city of his adoption. He is respected for his industrious life, his unquestioned integrity, and his devotion to his family and friends.

GEORGE J. FIEHMANN .- An experienced pear- grower, whose pronounced success has proved a helpful stimulation to like endeavor by fellow- ranchers, is George J. Fiehmann, a native son happy in his association with the Golden State, having been born at Tracy, in San Joaquin County. On Decem- ber 20, 1881, he entered the family of August Fieh- man who came from Germany, his native land, when he was a lad of sixteen years, and in time settled in San Joaquin County, Cal. He married Miss Caroline Schulte, reared a family of seven chil- dren, George being the eldest, and acquired some 640 acres of land, whch he farmed.

George attended school in the Lammerville school district, in San Joaquin County, and when twenty years of age started to make his own way in the world. He worked for wages on ranches near Tracy, for a number of years, and removing to Santa Clara County in 1910, he continued to work out as a farm hand. Now he lives upon a ranch owned by his mother, the old Schulte ranch set out with pear trees by his grandfather, Bernard Schulte, a pioneer of the valley. This fine farm he leases from his mother, who lives in Sunnyvale; she was born in Minnesota and came to California with her parents when a girl. August Fiehmann died in 1907 on his ranch at Tracy. George employs two men all the year around, and during the rush season keeps about twelve men busy. The home ranch comprises twenty- acres devoted to the cultivation of Bartlett and ship- ping pears; Mr. Fiehmann, through his careful culti- vation and care of his orchards, has made a decided success, so much so, that a short time ago he pur- chased a ranch of six and one-half acres adjacent

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to the Southern Pacific Railway, also a valuable pear orchard, from which much may be expected under his skillful management. He is a member of Cali- fornia Pear Growers' Association and fraternally is a member of the Woodmen of the World.

At Sunnyvale on February 26, 1910, Mr. Fiehmann was married to Miss Lola Lang, a native of Cottage Grove, Ore., and the daughter of George and Lena (Kerr) Lang. Her father was a rancher, and she attended school at Cottage Grove and St. Mary's Convent at The Dalles, Ore. One child has blessed the fortunate union-a daughter, Emma. A Repub- lican in matters of national import, Mr. Fielmann with his wife are loyal and active members of the Methodist Church of Sunnyvale, and both as citizens and church members endeavor to favor uplift work.

PROSPER ESTRADE .- Among the settlers of the later '60's in Santa Clara County who had much to do in the development of property from grain and hay fields to vineyards and orchards was the late Prosper Estrade, an industrious and enterprising citizen. He was horn at Barat Chien Dessus, Haute Garonne, France, February 12, 1851, and grew to young manhood and received his education in his native district. When he was sixteen years old he left his own country and made his way to America and California, settling in Santa Clara County in 1867. Upon his arrival here he had just forty dol- lars to his name, and to avoid having it stolen, gave it to one of his countrymen to keep for him, and for two years he was employed as a ranch hand; at the same time he learned the ways of the New World and saved his money, so that he was able to buy four horses and a wagon and then began to take contracts to supply the Almaden mines with timber. This he would hire cut and then would haul it during the winter months, while in the summer he worked the Almaden ranch of 700 acres, where he raised hay and grain. He added to his stock until he had four- teen head of horses for teaming and ranching.

In 1882, Mr. Estrade was able to buy seventy-six acres of land near the Masson ranch, and at once started in to improve it, setting out an orchard and a vineyard of wine grapes and in time he became a large manufacturer of wine, averaging 250,000 gallons each year, which he sold in San Francisco. He kept five or six men busy the year 'round and superintended the work in person. He also became the owner of eight acres at Robertsville, on the Almaden Road and Branham Lane, and erected the store building and carried on the business for several years, at the same time living on the property. This property was sold by Mrs. Estrade in 1919 to E. H. Muller, who succeeded to the business in 1913. In 1902 Mr. Estrade was taken ill and from that date until his death, on September 11, 1916, was unable to take an active part in conducting his business, although he still directed his ranch and wine-making affairs.

On November 16. 1880, Prosper Estrade and Miss Lizzie Lanz were married. She was born at Stras- burg, Stark County, Ohio, and came with her parents to California in 1876 and located in San Jose. There were four children born of this union: Mary, Mrs. F. N. Pfeiffer, of San Francisco; Frank P. Estrade has two daughters, Esther and Mildred; Lillie died at the age of three and one-half years; Edward A. Estrade lives on the home ranch and is the father of two sons, Melvin and Eugene. Mr. Estrade was a Republican and an Odd Fellow and liberally sup-

ported all projects for the good of the county. Since the passing of Mr. Estrade his wife has managed the ranch so efficiently that she is assured of a good in- come each season. She is a Republican in her polit- ical affiliations, and is interested in all that pertains to the general advancement of the welfare of the community.

MANLY M. CURTIS .- A veteran of the Civil War, who after living a life of varied experiences in many climes has found the land of peace and con- tentment, is Manly M. Curtis, who for more than a decade past has been a resident of the San Martin district. A native of Canada, Mr. Curtis was born in Eaton township, eighty miles south of Quebec, on March 1, 1836, his parents being William and Roxy (Powers) Curtis, the latter a native of Canada. William Curtis was a native of Vermont and a farmer and mechanic, who after his marriage removed to Canada, where he became interested in farming on the frontier, and also was engaged as a builder. In 1837 the family removed to near Port Hope, Upper Canada, and in 1844 they crossed the border to the United States, settled in the vicinity of Lock- port, N. Y., and four years later settled at Canada Corners, near DeKalb, Il1.

Soon after the family had settled in Illinois they moved to Beloit, Wis., later going on from there to Steele County, Minn., where they engaged in farm- ing on 160 acres of land. While living there the Civil War broke out and Mr. Curtis lost no time in offering his services to his country, enlisting in April, 1861, in Company G, First Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry. After serving one month of his ninety days he was discharged. After the Battle of Bull Run he re-enlisted in the same regiment and company, serving until January 26, 1862. He returned to Min- nesota, but soon went on to Montana, where for eleven years he prospected and mined for gold, op- erating in the streets of Helena, and experiencing all the hardships of that life. On his return to Minne- sota in 1877 he settled near Marshall, Lyon County, and there engaged in farming on about one-half a section, but in 1898 the lure of gold and the love of adventure again took him from the peaceful pursuit of farming to the gold fields of Alaska. Fortunc did not attend his efforts there, however, and the following year he crossed the continent to its south- eastern extreme, locating near White City, Fla. Again the Northwest called him and he removed to Port Angelus, Wash .. where he spent about eighteen months, coming to Gilroy, Cal., December 1, 1901. Here, in 1908. he purchased ten acres of land of San Martin ranch, which had been set to vineyard and which he later sold, and he is also the owner of a vineyard of fifteen acres on Bodfish Road near Gil- roy, a desirable piece of property. In 1919 he bought ten acres of prunes on Colombet Avenue north of Middle Avenne.

After his life of travel and adventure, Mr. Curtis is still looking after his property, finding in the Santa Clara Valley the ideal home place and enjoy- ing the fruits of his years of labor. A Republican in politics. he has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and while living in Steele County, Minn., was a member of Somerset township board of supervisors. A great reader and of a philosophic turn of mind, Mr. Curtis has published a book en- titled "Cause of Variation."

Prosper Estrade Photo taken 1902

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

FRANK N. ARNERICH .- Among the rising young men of San Jose, who have accomplished much, although young in years, is Frank N. Arner- ich, who started in the restaurant business when only a lad of seventeen and now owns a place of business under the name of The Oyster Loaf Res- taurant. He was born in Jugo-Slavia, on June 11, 1888, and was the son of Nicholas and Antoinette (Chargin) Arnerich. His father came to California in the year 1875 and settled in Amador County, en- gaging as a miner. He made three trips back to the old country, and in the year 1916 he passed away at his old home, the mother surviving him until 1918. He came to Amador County in 1900, joining his brother, and there attended the public schools of Amador City and later went to night school in San Francisco. Having learned the business of restaura- teur in San Francisco and in San Jose, at the early age of seventeen he engaged in this line in San Jose in the year of 1905, and has continued here ever since. He engaged in business for himself and with his experience in this line, he has built up a good trade, and he has since been very successful; his up- to-date restaurant, The Oyster Loaf, being both pop- ular among San Jose's residents and increasingly profitable for himself.

Mr. Arnerich's marriage united him with Miss Lucy Chargin, who was also a native of Jugo-Slavia, and a sister of Joseph, Jerry and Nicholas Chargin. They are the parents of three children-Antoinette Frances, Lawrence Nicholas and Beverly Lucile- and the family reside at 137 North Sixth Street. Mr. Arnerich is a member of the Order of Red Men, and of the Slavonic-American Society of San Jose and is past officer in both orders. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, and is a charter member of the Commercial Club. In national politics he is a stanch Republican.

BURL E. RICE .- Among the progressive young men of Santa Clara County is Burl E. Rice, who was born in Madison, S. D., November 5, 1895, the son of Emmett R. and Anna F. (Eaton) Rice. His father, who was a native of Vermont, was the sta- tion agent for the Union Pacific Railroad at Madi- son, S. D. On the mother's side, the family proudly trace their ancestors back to the two Eaton brothers, who came to the United States in the Mayflower. Grandfather Eaton was an early settler of Illinois, and the story is told that he was once offered the land where the city of Chicago now stands for an old horse. When Burl was but three years old he ac- companied his parents to Kansas, and there his father became station agent at Randolph, Kans. From Kan- sas they moved to Denver, Colo., and his father be- came identified with the Union Pacific Railroad there, when his health failed, and his son, Claire, took his place with the railroad.

The Rice family lived in Denver six years, and then Burl attended the Marie Wolcott School, later removing with the family to California. They lived a short time at Watsonville, but finally settled at Hollister, San Benito County, and lived there one year, his father taking up the carpenter trade. In 1906 the family moved to San Jose, where Burl at- tended the San Jose High School a short time, but when nineteen years old, stopped school to make his own way in life. At first he worked in various lines then started working at the T. & D. Theater as 55

usher, and within six months, through his ability and pleasing personality, became assistant manager.

In July, 1917, Mr. Rice enlisted in the Naval Re- serve Force and was sent to San Pedro for three months, and from there to the San Francisco Naval Port Guard. Later he was transferred to the Asiatic Squadron on board the Flagship Brooklyn, where he served in foreign waters eighteen months, dividing his time between China, Japan, the Philippines, and Vladivostok. Later he returned to California and was released to the Naval Reserves in August, 1919, and July 5, 1921, received his honorable discharge and went back to San Jose, and in a short time was back in his old position, filling it until Oct. 1, 1921, when he resigned to accept a position in the office of the San Jose Lumber Company.

Mr. Rice is the next to the youngest of a family of eight children, six of whom are living: Claire R., Dwight M., Elsic A., Glenn H., and Verne D., and our subject. Claire R., at present is a train dis- patcher at Stockton. He entered the service in August, 1917, in the Russian Railway Service Corps, and was sent directly to Japan, and was there six months, being instructed in the Japanese and Rus- sian languages. He was then sent to Vladivostok and thence into the Siberian interior. He visited every station on the Siberian Transcontinental Railway, and was discharged from the service in November, 1919; Dwight tried to enlist several times, but was rejected; he then volunteered his services to the United States in the Oakland shipyards, and when the first draft was called he was accepted April 1. 1918; he was stationed with the Infantry at Camp Kearney about one year, and was discharged from there in July, 1919; Glenn enlisted in the One Hun- dred Nineteenth Engineers at Camp Fremont in August, 1917, and after six months' training he was sent to France. Arriving at Brest, he was later sent to the firing line, and in one of the engagements was knocked unconscious by a piece of shrapnel which hit his helmet. He returned to the United States and received his discharge in July, 1919; Verne, the youngest brother, was under the draft age, so gave his services working in the Oakland shipyards; he was in line to enter service when the last draft was called, at the time the armistice was signed.

On January 30, 1921, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Ethel Le Mieux, the talented daughter of Jas. A. Le Mieux and Agnes E. Le Mieux, of Menom- inee, Mich., where she was born. Her father came to California when she was nine years old and went into the building contracting business in San Jose, and here she was reared, attending the St. Mary's grammar school. Mr. Rice keeps up his interesting military associations by membership in the American Legion, and is one who stands high in the estimation of his many friends.

CLARENCE A. LUTTER .- In industrial circles of San Jose Clarence A. Lutter is well known as an expert foundryman and an enterprising and capable business man to whom success has come as the re- ward of earnest and untiring effort. He was born in Waukegan, Ill., a son of Charles W. and Katherine (Rehling) Lutter, the former a prominent cigar man- ufacturer. After completing his grammar school course Mr. Lutter entered the high school at Wauke- gan, where he was a student for two years, and when sixteen years of age became connected with the Thomas Brass & Iron Works, where he served an

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apprenticeship to the foundry trade. He then worked in the Pullman car shops for a time, going from there to Kenosha, Wis., where he secured a position in the shops of the Jeffreys Automobile Company, with which he remained for two years. His next removal took him to Kokomo, Ind., where he became identi- fied with the Haynes Brass and Aluminum Foundry, a branch of the Haynes Automobile Works. At the end of two years he severed his connection with that corporation and spent the next few years in traveling through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana with his brother, securing work in the foundries of the various cities where they stopped.

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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 201

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