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 203

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 203

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).

On his return to civilian life, Mr. Britton was in- strumental in organizing the high school at Gonzales, one of the first Union high schools in Monterey County, and he remained there for two years. From 1910 to 1913 he was head of the history department of the Stockton high school, and in the latter year came to Santa Clara County, where he became the head of the Morgan Hill schools. In 1916 he was given a leave of absence and again entered the mili- tary service of his country as first lieutenant in the Fifth California Infantry. Accompanying the cx- peditionary forces to Mexico; he was in that country for eight months, returning in March, 1917. He be- came a member of General Funston's staff, and while on duty guarding the bridges and tunnels of the Northern division of the Southern Pacific Rail- road, he received orders to report at Camp Kearny, where he reorganized and named the One Hundred Fifty-ninth Infantry. He was promoted to a cap-

1318

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

taincy and went overseas, being attached to the Second Army in France, and he spent twenty-six months in the service there, a period filled with inter- esting experiences, during which time he was able to travel over a goodly portion of France. On his return to the United States he received his honorable discharge in April, 1919.

On December 17, 1910, Mr. Britton was married to Miss Mabel L. Lopeman of San Jose, the daughter of Rev. A. S. and Amanda Lopeman, now residents of Imperial Valley. One daughter, Nellie Jane, has been born to them. Mr. Britton stands high in fra- ternal circles, being a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, a member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at San Francisco, a member of the Elks at San Jose, and of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Politically he is a Republican. In addition to his professional work, Mr. Britton has important horticultural interests, being a half owner of the holdings of Britton Brothers, fancy pear and prune growers, of Sunnyvale, Cal., an enterprise that has proven very successful.

LIVE OAK UNION HIGH SCHOOL .- After considerable effort on the part of several public-spir- ited citizens, the Live Oak Union high school opened at Morgan Hill in September, 1904, with a small en- rollment. Montgomery Hall was used to house the pupils for the first term, for although bonds had been voted, the construction of the high school building, now known as the administration building of the present group, was not completed until 1905. Pro- fessor Petitt had charge of the first term of school, and he was succeeded by Prof. Franklin H. Talbert, who remained with the school until 1910. He was followed by Prof. C. C. Childress, and three years later, in 1913, Prof. Lewis H. Britton took the prin- cipalship, and with the exception of the years, 1915- 1916 and 1917-1918, has been in charge of this grow- ing educational institution and the leading figure in the marvelous development in the Morgan Hill schools. In 1915-1916 Professor Abbott, now dean of the College of the Pacific, succeeded Mr. Britton temporarily, and in 1917-1918, H. C. Tillman, now of the faculty of the San Jose high school, occupied this responsible post. On both occasions Mr. Britton was called into the military service of his country, and gladly gave up his chosen vocation to accompany the U. S. Army to Mexico, as a first lieutenant under General Funston, later being promoted to captain and seeing over two years' service overseas during the World War. Needless to say, he received a warm welcome on his return, both from his pupils and the patrons of the school.

At the organization of the Live Oak Union higli school, the following rural districts were included: Highland, Burnett, San Martin, Machado and Mor- gan Hill, and in August, 1921, the addition of the Coyote, Llagas and Uvas districts added greatly to the enrollment. In April, 1921, the $45,000 bond is- sue carried, this sum to be used for the construction of three additional buildings, making a fine group, and also for the purchase of ten acres in the town of Morgan Hill. The departments of chemistry, science, home economics and physical training are now well cared for, with modern equipment through- out the entire courses, and the machine shop and

woodworking department deserves special mention. The Smith-Hughes agricultural work is carried on under the close supervision of Prof. S. H. Davidson and has been given high and well-deserved com- mendation by the federal inspectors.

The fact that a great number of the students who attend the high school live at some distance from Morgan Hill made the problem of transportation quite a difficult one to cope with, but a fleet of motor busses are now operated by the school, and so far this has proved very successful. In 1921 the first kindergarten was established and this was temporari- ly housed at the high school on account of the con- gestion in the grammar school. The trustees are Robert Britton, president; C. D. Robertson, clerk; Mrs. A. F. Cochrane, E. E. Worcester, and Charles Kellogg, and the high school faculty consists of Lewis H. Britton, principal; Sidney H. Davidson, vice-principal; Mrs. B. G. Bevier, Arthur G. Van Gorder, Will Jessup, Miss Florence I. Yesberg, Miss Agnes Corcoran, Charles A. Pihl, Miss Genevieve Barlow, and Miss Myrtle L. Shafer. The district is very fortunate in having a representative board of trustees and a splendid spirit of cooperation exists between them and the faculty and student body, this harmonious relationship being manifested in the activity and progress of the pupils.

ROBERT BRITTON .- Among the successful property owners of Santa Clara County, who have contributed much to the prosperity and advancement of the community, is Robert Britton of Paradise Valley. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland. March 16, 1870, and was reared and schooled there, finishing the grammar grades at the age of thirteen. His father, William Britton, died when he was four years old leaving the mother, Margaret Britton, with four children to rear and educate. Robert attended night school one winter in Manchester, England, and then came to America. His mother still resides in County Donegal, Ireland, and has reached the age of ninety years, a woman of a fine Christian charac- ter. Robert remained with his mother until 1893. when he left home to make his own way. Arriving in California he secured a position with the Western Meat Company at South City, having complete charge of their refrigerating plant, and remained with them for thirteen years. He had bought fifty-two acres of the Machado Tract in Paradise Valley, Santa Clara County, and while employed with the Western Meat Company was developing his ranch. From time to time he purchased more land until he now owns 200 acres, forty of which is in full bearing prune trees; the remaining acres are devoted to gen- eral farming, the hill land being used for grazing purposes. Mr. Britton completed his U. S. citizen- ship in Judge Welch's court in San Jose. Mr. Brit- ton is a charter member of the California Prune and Apricot Association.

The marriage of Mr. Britton occurred at South City in 1904 and united him with Miss Mary Jane Young, a native of Liverpool, England, where she was reared and educated, and they are the parents of four children: William Y., George, Margaret, and Charlotte. Politically, Mr. Britton is a Republican and fraternally a member of the Keith Lodge of Masons in Gilroy. For twelve years Mr. Britton

Elise Renaud

1321

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

served his community wisely and well as president of the board of trustees of the Live Oak Union High School of Morgan Hill and his work is outstanding for its progressiveness and stableness. He is high- minded and generous, loyal to friends, to his work, and the community in which he makes his home, and he has never regretted settling in Santa Clara County. In 1901 his brother, W. H. Britton, came from Ire- land and settled in Paradise Valley and is engaged in the orchard business also.

MRS. ELISE RENAUD .- A worthy representa- tive of an old and interesting family is found in Mrs. Elise Renaud, the widow of Leon Renaud, a French- man who came to California in the early '80s, and the daughter of that distinguished pioneer, Pierre Pellier. Elise Pellier was born in Santa Clara County on her father's ranch, known as the Yerba Buena ranch, east of Evergreen in the foothills. The father was born in Santa Pauliet, France, was reared and schooled there, and as he grew up, worked hard on his father's place. After he had served seven years in the army of France, he and his brother, Louis, decided to come to America, and in 1849 they left their native land and journeyed, by way of the Horn, to America, arriving in San Francisco six months later. He made three trips to California before he married Miss Henrietta E. Octeau, bringing her to California about thirty years ago, one trip to Cali- fornia being made via the Isthmus of Panama. Locating in Santa Clara County, he established his home on the 315-acre Yerba Buena ranch, east of Evergreen. The last time that Pierre Pellier came to America he brought with him cuttings and seeds of many varieties of fruits from his native country, among others the first French prune trees set out in the Santa Clara Valley. There were also wine and fancy table grapes; and in 1855 the brothers en- gaged in the nursery business at San Jose. In 1880, Pierre Pellier, accompanied by his two daughters, Helene and Elise, returned to France for a visit, and in 1895 he died at Evergreen, on the home place, where his wife had passed away fifteen years before. Pierre Pellier and his wife were the parents of five children. Louis died at the age of sixteen; Henrietta is the wife of Thomas Casalegno; Helene is deceased; Elsie is Mrs. Renaud; Josephine is Mrs. Mitchell Casalegno, the mother of six children, and the family reside at Morgan Hill.

Elise began her education in the Evergreen schools, finishing at the convent of Notre Dame in San Jose, and on June 2, 1883, she was united in marriage with Leon Renaud, a native of France, born near La Valle. Mr. Renaud came to California in 1882, locating in the Santa Clara Valley on a ranch of eighty-seven acres near the Pellier home. This tract of land was in its virgin state and he set to work to clear it of the thick undergrowth and planted one-half of it to vineyard, later setting out an orchard of thirty-five acres to apricots. Mr. and Mrs. Renaud were the parents of eight children; Theophile L., rancher in Evergreen; Virginia is the wife of John Claverie, a baker, and they reside in San Jose; Clementine married John Caillou, a baker, of San Jose; Leon T. assists his mother on the ranch; Henrietta is a graduate nurse of the O'Connor Sani- tarium; Victoria, Martin and Adelaide, the latter a graduate of San Jose high school and Heald's Busi- ness College. Mr. Renaud was a member of the

Franco-Italian lodge of the Odd Fellows of San Jose. He was accidentally killed by being thrown from a wagon and passed away September 16, 1900. In 1900 Mrs. Renaud built a commodious residence upon her ranch of seventy-eight acres, which is devoted to vineyard, prunes and apricots. The place has a most beautiful situation, overlooking the Santa Clara Val- ley; it lies high and is above the frost belt; is very productive, and is especially adapted for early vege- tables. Mrs. Renaud's home life is ideal; she is loved by her family and respected by all who know her.

HARRY H. FITCH .- An enterprising, successful business man, whose wide experience is evidenced in his happy anticipation of the public's wants, is Harry H. Fitch, the president and manager of the San Jose Auto Supply Company, located at 248 North First Street. San Jose. He was born at Augusta, Maine, on June 25, 1865, the son of Horace W. and Emily (Nason) Fitch; but his parents died when he was a mere baby. When seventeen years of age, he migrated to Minnesota, and for six years labored hard there on a wheat farm; and then went to Montana and for ten years was manager of a cattle ranch. From the spring of 1898 to the fall of 1908 he was in Alaska, going in over the Valdez glacier at the head of Prince William's Sound, traveling on foot and by raft 450 miles to Dawson. He prospected and mined on Forty-Mile and located a claim; later mined at the head of the Chitina River and remained there for several years, meeting with success in gold and cop- per mining, particularly the latter. He was one of the original locaters of the Kennicott mines at the head of the Kennicott River, now owned by the Gug- genheims. In 1908 he disposed of his holdings and came to San Francisco, after spending ten years in the frozen north. As early as 1900 he located his family in San Jose, and made ten round trips between San Jose and Alaska. Following his location in San Jose, he became associated with the Osen Auto Com- pany, and in February, 1912, he organized the San Jose Auto Supply Company and established it at 248 North First Street. From a small beginning the busi- ness has grown until it is now the largest establish- ment of its kind in the county. In 1919, Mr. Fitch purchased the Campbell-Collins Company, wholesale auto accessories and appliances and moved it to 248 South First Street, and it is now the wholesale de- partment of the Auto Supply Company. Mr. Fitch is the president of the Auto Supply Company, man- ager of the Campbell-Collins Company, and secretary- treasurer of the Osen Motor Sales Company. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants Association and the One Hundred Per Cent Club, and there is no more welcome member of those flour- ishing organizations.

At Detroit City, Minn., on June 25, 1889, Mr. Fitch was married to Miss Rose L. Blanchard, a native of Wisconsin, and their union has been blessed with one daughter, Margaret, a graduate of Stanford Uni- versity. Mr. Fitch was made a Mason in Cascade Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., in Great Falls, Mont .. and is now a member of Fraternity Lodge No. 399, F. & A. M., in San Jose, and of Howard Chapter No. 14, R. A. M., San Jose Commandery No. 10. K. T .. San Jose Pyramid No. 9, Sciots, and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Oakland, and of the San Jose Lodge of Elks. Locally he is active in the Santa

1322

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Clara County Auto Trades Association and was its president for the first three years of its existence and is still a director; and is also a member of the State Automobile Association. Mrs. Fitch is an active member of the Eastern Star and the Order of Ama- ranth, and the. White Shrine, and is prominent in civic and social circles. In national politics Mr. Fitch votes with the Republicans, and dning the recent war he was on all the Liberty and Red Cross drives.

GIACOMO MARTELLA .- A fine old California family whose patriotism in the hour of trial was never found wanting, but demonstrated its value in unmis- takable fashion, is recalled in the life story of Giacomo Martella, a native of Switzerland, where he was born at Gordola, in Canton Ticino, in 1859, the son of Giacomo and Bernarda (Giattonini) Martella. He attended the excellent Swiss schools, grew up to a useful round of labor, and when eighteen and ready to cope with the world, he left Switzerland, continu- ing his journey until he reached California and San Luis Obispo County. For a number of years he worked on dairy ranches, and then he leased a large dairy ranch near San Luis Obispo from a Mr. Lopez, which he operated for three years.

On November 24, 1883, Mr. Martella was married at San Luis Obispo to Miss Adelina Canet, a native of San Luis Obispo County and the daughter of Joaquin and Lucia (Mirra) Canet. Her grandfather, Vincent Canet, a native of Valencia, Spain, served in the Spanish navy, finally sailing around Cape Horn, and while in a South American port he left the ves- sel to come to California while it was still under the Mexican regime. He received a grant on Morro Creek, San Luis Obispo County, and there he thrived as a large farmer, stockman and miller, building the first mill in that region, which was run by water power from a dam that he constructed. Here he manufactured meal and fine white flour, people com- ing long distances from remote places to obtain what was then a luxury in this part of the country. He be- came wealthy and very influential, and when he died his request to be buried on a cliff opposite his ranch home was followed, and there his body rests in peace. His marriage had united him with Rosa Butron, a native daughter of California and a relative of the Alviso family, and six children were born to them, Joaquin Canet, Mrs. Martella's father, being the eld- est. After finishing his college course, he followed farming on the home ranch until he became interested in stock raising in Northern Mexico, where he died of smallpox. Mrs. Martella's mother came from a prominent old Castilian and Chilean family, who were carly settlers of Santa Clara County but later re- moved to San Luis Obispo County, and there she died at the age of sixty-seven. Of her five children, Ade- lina was the second eldest, and she was reared on a part of the old Canet grant, attending a private Spanish school and the public schools.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Martella lived for a while on part of the Canet grant, and then they removed to Guadalupe, in Santa Barbara County, and followed farming on the old Jerry Donovan ranch, where they had a large dairy. While in Santa Bar .. bara County Mr. Martella was in partnership with Henry Bonetti, late of San Jose, and represented else- where in this volume. In time Mr. Martella went to Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, and there for two years he had a dairy in partnership with his

brother Benjamin, then moved back to Guadalupe and leased Mr. Bossi's ranch and for many years ran that place. Selling out to J. J. Johnson, Mr. Martella en- tered into both dairy and the raising of cattle on a larger scale than ever before, and he ran two ranches and had between 700 and 800 head of cattle. He sold out to Henry Bonetti for $16,000 in 1903 and moved into Kings County, where he purchased two ranches near Hanford-one of 500 acres and one of 490 acres, devoted to alfalfa. There he maintained a dairy of 200 cows and also conducted a good-sized cheese factory. After a while he sold the 490 acres, but Mrs. Martella still owns the 500-acre ranch. He also pur- chased a ranch of 100 acres near Tracy, and this ranch Mrs. Martella also owns, as well as the hundred or more cows upon it, which are leased to a dairyman.

In May, 1911, Mr. Martella moved onto a ranch of forty acres which he had bought on Lundy Road, in the Berryessa district. This place was devoted to alfalfa and he maintained a dairy of forty cows here, and Mrs. Martella is now leasing this property. With a devoted wife, who proved the best of help- mates, and a family of nine children, all of whom are living, Mr. Martella had much to live for, but he bade goodbye to the scenes of this world on Janu- ary 7, 1921, leaving behind him a record for useful- ness many might well envy. The following are their children: Mary, a Sister of Charity, died at Emmets- burg, Md., in 1918; Theresa, Mrs. Giovanetti, lives at Santa Clara; Margaret is Mrs. Regetti and resides at Redwood City; Kate is the wife of Charles Toole of San Jose; Cora married Leland Calice, assistant man- ager of Black's Package Company, San Jose; Willie is on the home ranch; Victor is with the Southern Pacific Railway; Violet is Mrs. William K. Volkers of San Jose; Irene, who is engaged as a stenographer, and Charles, a graduate of Heald's Business College, reside with their mother in San Jose.

Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Martella saw service in the World War in defense of their country. William enlisted in July, 1918, and went to Camp Lewis, where he trained in a machine gun company; and in Janu- ary, 1919, he received his honorable discharge. Victor entered the United States Navy in June, 1918, and was sent to San Pedro to train, being furloughed to the reserve in January, 1919. These chapters of army and navy service the young men are naturally proud of, performing their patriotic duty efficiently and well. Since Mr. Martella's death, Mrs. Martella has as- sumed the management of the property which she owns, continuing in the line marked out by her hus- band, carrying out his ideas and ambitions and show- ing much ability. She is a member of St. Patrick's Church at San Jose and contributes liberally to all its benevolences.

JOSEPH L. JUAREZ .- Undoubtedly the oldest settlers of the Uvas district, the Juarez family have been closely identified with its development, and as manager of the large Juarez ranch, Joseph L. Juarez is following the traditions of his forebears. He was born on August 10, 1883, on the home place, the son of Juan Juarez, born at Monterey, Cal., in 1841. Hc married Felicita Garcia, born in San Luis Obispo, and they had sixteen children, eight now living: Albert, of Guadalupe; William, of San Jose; Alice, of San Jose; Frank, of Riverside County; John, of Los Gatos; Joseph L., the manager of the ranch; Daniel, of Oakland; and Edward, in Santa Barbara County.

Y Martella

Adelina Martella

1327

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Those deceased are: Frances, Nellie, Angie, Andre, and Juanita, all of whom died after twenty years old; Josie and Louis died when eighteen and Vincent at the age of three. The family were reared on the ranch on the Uvas road and attended the Mountain Dell school. The father died in 1899, at the age of fifty-eight, from heart failure while at his work clear- ing timber from the hillside. Part of the property when acquired was Pueblo lands, and some he ac- quired from the government. The land was divided among the heirs after the death of Mr. Juarez, each having their own interests. The proceeds of the acreage are divided, also the expenses of production. The Juarez ranch consists of 390 acres of land. Ten acres are set to vineyard, a fine property in itself, and the balance is devoted to grain and stock raising.

After the death of his father, John L. Juarez be- came the manager of the ranch, and lived with and cared for his mother until her passing away in 1919 in her seventieth year. A hard worker, industrious and capable, he gives the property his undivided at- tention, devoting practically all his time to its man- agement, and he has a bright future before him, as a reward for his years of efficient labor.

JOHN L. HAGELIN .- A successful rancher who enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances is John L. Hagelin of Campbell. Having taken out his naturalization papers soon after coming to Amer- ica, he is a good, patriotic American citizen, loyal to the land of his adoption. He was born in Animskog, Elsborslan, Sweden, March 3, 1856, and is the son of Andres and Anna (Anderson) Hagelin, who were both natives of Sweden and spent their lives there, the father being a blacksmith. John was reared and educated in the schools of his native country, learned his father's trade and did military duty in Sweden.

In 1880 he came to the United States and landed in New York, then went to Pennsylvania. He first worked in a tannery at Wilcox and later at Dagus Mines. At this place his brother Anton was accident- ally killed in the mines. Later he worked in tanbark and lumber camps in Kane County. Going on to Chicago for a short time, he again went to work in the mines, this time in Ishpeming, Mich. It was in this state that he met and married Miss Britta Mag- nuson, also a native of Sweden. They became the parents of two children: Anton Walter, is deceased; Anna, who lives at home, received a splendid educa- tion, graduating from high school and then later tak- ing a business course. In 1898, with others, Mr. Hagelin went to St. Michaels, Alaska, and with a comrade, John Bryantson, and four others, were the discoverers of Nome. He spent four summers and one winter there and meeting with good success. During this time his family were residing in San Francisco, and in 1904 they moved to Santa Clara County where they purchased nineteen acres where they now reside. He has made many improvements on his ranch setting it mostly to prunes and apricots, and is receiving no small income from the fruits of his labors. He has made three trips back to Sweden, but is always glad to be back on the soil of his chosen state-California. It is interesting to know that his entire wealth consisted of $6.75, besides he was in debt for his passage, upon arrival in the United States, and he is proud, to be recognized as a "self-

made" man, and well he may be, since his success has been accomplished in the face of seemingly insur- mountable difficulties. The family are members of the Swedish Mission Church in San Francisco.

GEORGE C. WOLFE .- A rancher of the Gilroy section of Santa Clara County who has been fairly successful in the development of a fine orchard prop- erty is George C. Wolfe, residing on New Avenue, northeast of Gilroy. He was born in Red Willow County, Nebr., October 12, 1878, the fourth son of Henry M. and Mary C. (Richman) Wolfe, natives of West Virginia, where they were married in July, 1873. Their first two children were born in that state before they removed to Nebraska, which was at a time when there were no railroads in that locality and Indians were numerous and often dangerous. Soon after locating in Nebraska Mr. Wolfe engaged in the stock business and met with good success in the venture. Always of a progressive nature he erected a small flour mill at Indianola, Nebr., and operated it for a time, but not finding it large enough to meet his demands he disposed of it and went to Culbertson, that state, and there erected a larger mill and prospered accordingly. Such were the excel- lency of his products that he took many premiums at the various fairs in the state. After a residence of nearly twenty years in Nebraska he migrated to California in 1893, bringing his family and locating for a short time in the vicinity of San Martin, but soon sold out there and bought some land, fifty-three acres, in the San Ysidro district, and immediately began its development and soon had the third prune bearing orchard in his section. When he located on his property there were but four houses between Morgan Hill and Gilroy on the east side of the val- ley, there were no north and south roads and the country was one vast grain field. He had the first prune drier and dipper in his locality and believed in keeping abreast of the times in every way. He also was a buyer of prunes, which he dried and sold. Deeply interested in educational advancement, he served as a trustee of the San Ysidro district for some years; likewise was one of the pillars of the M. E. Church in Gilroy. A Republican and a Mason, he died in 1917 at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Wolfe makes her home with a daughter in the vicin- ity of the home place.

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 203

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