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 221

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 221

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MATTHEW FRANCIS MULCAHY .- A schol- arly, painstaking and highly ethical attorney of whom Santa Clara County is naturally proud, is Matthew Francis Mulcahy, the distinguished lawyer of San Jose, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sep- 1ember 19, 1878, the son of Patrick and Margaret (McDonald) Mulcahy, a worthy couple who came to the Pacific Coast in the year of his nativity and settled in California. For a while they lived in San Francisco, and then they moved to Santa Clara; and in both places they grew to be estcemed as citizens, neighbors and friends. Mrs. Mulcahy passed away in 1904, and her devoted husband in January, 1920.

Matthew went to the Mission Dolores School and to Santa Clara College, and then for six years he was clerk in the district attorney's office. He studied law privately and thoroughly, and in 1916 he was admitted to the bar. In the meantime he had taught school for a year in the Philippines, thereby greatly enlarging his knowledge of human nature; so that when, in 1916, he opened a law office in San Jose, he was successful in his practice and his growing list of patrons from the start. His conscientious de- votion to the best interests of everyone entrusting their affairs to him has been rewarded, as it natur- ally should have been, with more and more law work to do; and his idealistic methods in the handling of even doubtful cases have challenged the admiration of those sitting in judgment on the bench, and won for him the esteem and confidence of both superiors and colleagues. An evidence of this high regard is to be found in Mr. Mulcahy's clection as secretary of the Santa Clara County Bar Association in 1920

In national political affairs a . Republican, Mr. Mulcahy has never neglected an opportunity, while not seeking political advantage, to help raise civic standards and to increase the spirit of true patriot- ism. A member of the Roman Catholic Church, he has sought to further any good measure, or support any acknowledged leader in the great work, so neces- sary in such rapidly-building communities as those of Santa Clara County, of permanent upbuilding.

FRANK P. ALVERNAZ .- A rancher represent- ing the industry of the Azores and the spirit of progress of the American, is Frank P. Alvernaz, who was born on the Island of Fayal on Christmas Day, 1873, and now lives comfortably on the Mc- Laughlin Road near San Jose, the owner of seventy- three acres of constantly increasing value. His parents were Sego R. and Maria Madeline Alvernaz, also natives of Fayal, well-to-do dairy folk who enjoyed the estcem of their neighbors as stanch Christians who aided in the building up and direct- ing of the local church. They had seven children, among whom Frank was the third in the order of birth, while two of the sons, Tony and Joseph P., are also American citizens, the former a well-to-do building contractor at Providence, R. I., the latter a wealthy rancher and orchardist of the Jackson distriet, in the Santa Clara Valley, although for- merly of San Luis Obispo.

Following his brother, Tony, to the New World, Frank Alvernaz started from home when he was eighteen years of age, in 1891, and with ten dollars in his pocket he reached New Bedford, Mass., where he entered the employ of a dairy farmer, agreeing to work for five dollars and his keep a month. By 1896 he had made enough headway to permit him

Of Pears

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

to come to California; and setting out with a friend, he reached San Francisco in November of that year. He was eager to work and to save, and finding no employment open to him in the Bay City, he set out for San Luis Obispo County; and there, on a dairy ranch, he worked for eight years, milk- ing and making butter.

Later, in partnership with his brother, Joseph P. Alvernaz, he acquired by purchase a half interest in 400 head of fine stock. E. B. Biaggini was the other partner and this venture proved the first im- portant financial success in his career. To make possible a return trip to the Azores, however, his brother J. P. sold his interest in the business to Frank. He continued there six years and then sold out and farmed at Morrow. Meantime J. P. had returned from the Azores and the brothers bought a ranch on Coyote Creek, Santa Clara County. Prior to coming to Santa Clara County, Mr. Alvernaz was a leading figure in the Associated Milk Producers of San Francisco.

In 1918 Mr. Alvernaz moved to his raneh of sev- enty-three acres in the Mckinley district in this county, and here he has improved the place with building and is raising alfalfa, apricots and prunes. At Cayueos, San Luis Obispo County, he had mar- ried Miss Roselene Gourat, a native of Fayal, and on taking up their residence here, they both affiliated themselves with the Church of the Five Wounds. Since then Mr. Alvernaz has done much toward the support of his church and the splendid work done in this parish by Father Ribiero, one of the fruits of his activity being the carload of livestock collected by his efforts. This donation was made by the Portuguese farmers throughout San Luis Obispo County. His ranch is devoted to alfalfa and oats and prunes. He is a member of the Califor- nia Prune & Apricot Association, and is also a mem- ber of the U. P. E. C.

L. H. SONNICHSEN .- One of the outstanding meat markets of Palo Alto is that owned and op- erated by L. H. Sonnichsen, who has steadily ad- vanced to the front by hard work and strict at- tention to business. A native of that part of Ger- many which has since, the World War, gone baek to Denmark, he was born in Schleswig, May 19, 1881. The father passed away when he was one year old, and one year later his mother died. The maternal grandparents took the family of children and brought them up at their home in Denmark. It made a large family, but the children were given the advantages of the German school and learned to speak, write and read the Danish as well as the German language. Upon reaching his teens, L. H. Sonnichsen was apprenticed and learned the butcher's trade in Denmark, and according to the military requirements of the country, he served two years in the German army.

Mr. Sonnichsen was united in marriage with Miss Lorenza C. Hallum, a native of Denmark. Tho fame of America had penetrated the locality in which Mr. Sonnichsen lived, and sailing from Copenhagen, with two other families, they landed in New York in 1904 and lost no time in leaving for the Golden State and Palo Alto, where a brother, A. Sonnichsen, was already located. Being unable to speak Eng- lish, Mr. Sonnichsen began working with his broth- er, building roads, later working on the building of

the Catholic seminary. His first work in a meat market in Palo Alto was for George J. Curry in the Elite Market. He worked hard and saved his money until he had a sufficient amount to embark in business for himself and with Mads C. Laundsen started the Palo Alto Market and in 1919 Mr. Son- nichsen purchased the interest of his partner and is now the sole owner. The market is equipped with ice-making and refrigating machinery, excellent fix- tures and showcases, is clean and sanitary and attracts the best of Palo Alto trade. A force of six people are required to take care of the business. Recently Mr. Sonnichsen has purchased a store building on University Avenue and this is being re- modeled for his business.

The family resides on Newell Road and Mr. and Mrs. Sonnichsen are the parents of four children; Carsten and Jennie, and two deceased. Mr. Son- nichsen is a member of the Foresters and the Fra- ternal Aid. Coming to Palo Alto seventeen years ago, without a knowledge of the English language, Mr. Sonnichsen has diligently and industriously worked up until he is now well-to-do and is esteemed by all who know him. He is liberal and by his un- selfish cooperation has made a valuable contribu- tion to the prosperity of the community.

FRANK SILVEIRA CORREA .- A life of dili- gence and activity, is bringing a substantial measure of success to Frank Silveira Correa, who was born at Fayal, Azores Isles, February 19, 1881. His father, Antone S. Correa, also a native of the Azores, was a man of sterling worth to his community, and was extensively engaged in farming; his wife, Cath- crinc Silveira, was born and reared in the same province. When but a lad of nine years, Frank left home and came to live with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. John Freitas, who resided on a ranch at Milpitas, Santa Clara County. The lad made the journey to California in 1890 and spent but six months in the public schools of Milpitas, then his uncle moved to Niles where he also attended school. When fourteen years of age he began the earning of a live- lihood, being employed as a gang boy in the nursery fields of the California Nursery Company at Niles, the working day being eleven hours and twenty minutes a day.

Realizing the need of a better education, he con- tinued his studies at night and enrolling as a stu- dent with the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pa., he finished a course in higher mathematics in 1889. He continued with the Cal- ifornia Nursery Company, working up in every de- partment until he was in charge of the ornamental tree department, remaining with them for twenty- four years, making himself a valuable employe. He then became a stockholder in the Ruehl-Wheeler Nursery of San Jose, also purchasing a home there.

On September 11, 1907, Mr. Correa was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Freitas, a native daughter of the Golden State. Mrs. Correa was born at Alvarado, Alameda County, Cal., July 9, 1886, and is the daughter of Joseph R. and Mary ( Amaral) Freitas, who were pioneers of Alameda County. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Correa; Arnold Ed., who died at the age of eight years; and Charles Frank, who attends St. Mary's school. In 1919, Mr. Correa moved to San Jose with his family, where he became superintendent of the

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Rnehl-Wheeler Nursery; however, he only remained with them one year, when he was offered the place of general manager at San Jose for the California Nursery Company, and on November 1, he assumed his duties. He still retains his interest in the Ruehl- Wheeler Nursery, which he helped to organize.

Fraternally Mr. Correa is a Woodman of the World at Niles; also a member of the U. P. E. C. there. He rendered valuable service to the draft board of the U. S. Army and Navy during the World War and in every way supported all war measures, has proven himself a public-spirited citizen who has at heart the welfare of his community, county, state and nation.

JOHN FAWCETT POGUE .- A native of Ha- waii, John Fawcett Pogue was born on the Island of Maui, February 17, 1885, the son of William F. and Victoria (Saffery) Pogue. Grandfather John Fawcett Pogue was born in Wilmington, Del. He went to Hawaii and was a missionary for the Con- gregational Church; there he married Maria Whit- nicy, who was the first white girl born on the islands. Her father, Rev. Samuel Whitney, was born in Hart- ford, Conn., and was married to Mercy Partridge, born in Massachusetts, and they sailed on their honeymoon around Cape Horn to the Hawaiian Islands as the first missionaries to that country. They were sent by the Congregational Church and spent the remainder of their lives in that country. Rev. John F. Pogue died while on a trip to the United States and his wife spent her last days in California. Wm. F. Pogue was also born on Maui and was married to Victoria Saffery, also a native of Maui, whose father was an Englishman. William F. Pogue was a farmer and for years followed stockraising; later he was the manager of a sugar plantation and at the present time is manager of the East Maui Irrigation Company. He and his wife are the parents of eleven living children; William F .; John Fawcett; Hervey W .; Cory; Maria E .; Charles A .; Ruth E .; Henry B .; Fred M .; Jennie P., and Francis V. Pogue.

The father sent all of the children to California to be educated and John Fawcett attended the Hester school in San Jose and the Santa Clara public schools. Ever since he was sixteen he has made his own way in life. He first engaged as a press- man in the printing office of W. G. Bohannan and was thus engaged for two years; he then took up the carpenter's trade, working for eight years, a good part of the time for Morrison Brothers, build- ers. As early as 1895 Mr. Pogue's aunt, Miss Jane K. Pogue, had purchased a ranch on the Los Gatos Road in the south part of Santa Clara County, where John F. made his home while attending school, as well as while working at his trade. In 1913 he quit carpentering and engaged in farming and horticulture, devoting his time to growing ber- ries, fruits and vegetables and also stockraising, spe- cializing in pure-bred registered Poland China swine and by close application and care he is making a success. Mr. Pogue is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is an active and prominent member of the Fraternal Brotherhood, having passed through all the chairs of this order. He is one of the sub- stantial men of his district, and is held in high re- gard by all who know him.

EDWARD NEWELL, M. D .- The last word of science and the spirit of helpful interest in suffering humanity are well exemplified in the arduous life and successful work of Dr. Edward Newell, the well- known physician and surgeon of San Jose, undoubt- cdly one of the best representatives of the medical profession in California. He was born at East Hard- wick, Caledonia County, Vt., on September 30, 1873, the son of A. W. Newell, a substantial business man, who died there in 1893, aged fifty-seven. He had married Miss Lucy A. Hardy. Mrs. Newell came to California in 1894, and rich in a wide circle of friends, is still living. Edward attended the local grammar and high schools, and then matriculated at Colgate Academy, that famous alma mater for so many worth-while men, at Hamilton, N. Y. Then, for six years, he engaged in mercantile lines of trade, and in 1894 he came West to California. Here he continued high school and Normal school studies, while he acted as agent for the Mercury when it was owned by C. Wooster, and he, with Hugh De Lacy, originated and carried out the present system of distribution; and after that he enrolled in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Fran- cisco, from which he was graduated, with the M. D. degree, in 1904.

Doctor Newell then served for nine months in the city and county hospital as an interne, in San Francisco, then he was with Drs. Howard and Amelia Gates for one year. He also profited by the opportunity to go to New York for post graduate medical work. Of recent years, Doctor Newell has practiced for himself. Naturally he is an honored member of the American Medical Association and also the State and County Medical Societies. In August, 1908, he was married in San Jose to Miss Ava E. Wilkin, of San Jose, an accomplished lady, the meet companion for a professional man with ideals and ambition; and their home life has been blessed by their son, Paul Fowler Newell. The family attend the Grace Baptist Church, and Doctor Newell adds to the influence of the Republican party. Doctor Newell belongs to the Y. M. C. A. and is an enthusiast for both basketball and golf.

RICHARD V. BRESSANI .- A scholarly, experi- enced and very successful attorney who has had the advantage of several years of work in the county clerk's office, is Richard V. Bressani, a native son of California, who was born at San Jose on Febru- ary 1, 1894. His father, August Bressani, and his mother, who was Mary Del Piero before her mar- riage, came here in 1889, and both are still living. Richard went to school like all the other boys of the neighborhood and in course of time he was gradu- ated from St. Joseph's School. Then in 1913 he was given his Bachelor of Arts degree at Santa Clara University and two years later, the Santa Clara in- stitution conferred upon him the coveted LL.B. dc- gree. For three years he was a deputy in the county clerk's office, where his knowledge of local affairs was decidedly enlarged; and on August 1, 1919, he commenced to practice for himself. From the start he was more than fortunate, and it is evident today that his chances for a brilliant future are such as would inspire any young man. He is a member of the Democratic County Central Committee, but is broader in his view of civic problems, and favors

J. F. Paque

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the endorsement of men and measures rather than any form of partisanship.

A patriot professing the greatest devotion to coun- try and state, Mr. Bressani is particularly interested in Santa Clara County and its rational and rapid development. His own record of service in the re- cent World War will always give him status and influence in urging upon others the performance of simple, uplifting duty. He joined the U. S. Army when his nation needed him, and spent one year and three days in France and Italy.

Mr. Bressani is a member of the Dante Alighieri and the Loyal Italo-American clubs. He is also a member of the Y. M. I., the Knights of Columbus, of which society he served as grand knight; the Elks and Observatory Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, as well as the Universal Order of Foresters. At San Jose Mr. Bressani was united in marriage with Miss Emma Nicora, born in Santa Clara County, a daughter of Rolando Nicora, who settled in San Jose in the early '80s.

JAMES LEE OGIER .- A native son, James Lee Ogier was born on the Ogier ranch north of San Jose on August 27, 1874, the son of James H. Ogier, who was a Marylander and came to California via Panama in 1852, settling in Santa Clara County, where he engaged in ranching and horticulture until his death in 1885. He had married Miss Margaret . . Branham, and they had eight children, seven of whom are living; Elizabeth Ogier, the eldest, resides in Boston Mass .; John B. is ranching at Morgan Hill; Frances G. is a teacher in the Oakland high school: James Lee of this sketch; Adelaide has be- come Mrs. Wilmot and lives at Indio, Cal .; Walter T. is a rancher at Agnew; Margaret is Mrs. Wynne of Berkeley; Florence died in infancy. Isaac Bran- ham, Mrs. Ogier's father, was a member of the Don- ner party, until they reached the Cut-off, when he said that he intended to take the regular route to California, and invited all the others to join him. He reached San Jose in safety in the fall of 1846, while disaster met those who went the other route.

Isaac Branham settled on a ranch southwest of San Jose, on the Branham and Almaden roads, the former of which was named after him, and he bought con- siderable land from the Spaniards, but in the dis- putes over land titles that ensued, he lost title, and it was thrice necessary to repurchase the land. Mrs. Ogier was one of the first to attend the Convent of the Notre Dame when it started, and she lived to be seventy-six years old, passing away in 1917.

James Lee Ogier attended the old Orchard school on Coyote Creek, and in 1889 he entered the Univer- sity of the Pacific, attending there until 1896, and then entered Stanford University, continuing his studies there for a year. In 1897 he returned home and worked on the Ogier ranch until 1900, when he took up stock raising for himself. The next year he pur- chased some range land northeast of Milpitas, and from time to time he added to his acreage until he now controls 15,000 acres of range land. He ranges from 800 to 1,000 head of stock on his ranch a season, all depending on the amount of feed the land produces. He belongs to the California Cattlemen's Association.

On April 17, 1902, Mr. Ogier was married to Miss Florence Ayer, daughter of S. F. Ayer, the well- known pioneer, who had married Miss America Evans. Mrs. Ogier was born on the old Ayer ranch

at Milpitas, and attended the grammar school and later the University of the Pacific. One daughter has blessed this union-Florence, a student at the San Jose high school. In national politics Mr. Ogier is a Republican.

JEROME B. THOMAS, M. D .- Occupying a place of prominence among the leading physicians and surgeons of Santa Clara County is Jerome B. Thomas, a specialist in eye, car, nose and throat diseases. A man of superior ability and force of character, with a well-carned stock of medical knowl- edge, he has gained, during his eight years' residence in this locality, the confidence of the people in an eminent degree, and is rapidly building up a sub- stantial and lucrative practice. A native of Kansas, he was born April 30, 1867, in Wyandotte County. When he was a small child his parents moved to Ohio, where his father, Dr. Jerome B. Thomas, was an army surgeon in the employ of the government, with the rank of colonel; later he became governor of the National Military Home at Dayton, Ohio, and at this place the early years of our subject's life was spent. His mother before her marriage was Miss Harriet N. R. Tasker, a native of Massachusetts and born in New Bedford. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the third.

Jerome B. grew up at the National Military Home and attended school in the grammar and high schools of Dayton, and was prepared for college at private and preparatory schools in Ohio. He then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor and was graduated from that institution in 1887 with the degree of A. B. He then went to Europe and stud- ied for fifteen months in the universities of Leipzig and Munich. Upon his return to the United States he entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1892. He then served for a year as interne at the hospital of his Alma Mater in Brooklyn, and at the end of the year established his own office in Brook- lyn and was thus engaged until he entered the Fili- pino War in 1900. He was sent to the Philippine Islands as acting assistant surgeon and later was promoted to a captaincy in the United States Volun- teers. He resigned from the army and was ap- pointed surgeon in charge of the Civil Government Sanitarium at Baguio, Province of Benguet, and there met Governor-General Taft, General Wood, and other civil and military officials. For three years he remained in charge of the sanitarium and helped to build it up. The sanitarium is located on a moun- tain at an altitude of 5000 feet above sea level and the government spent about three millions of dollars in building up the place with good roads, etc. He then came back to New York and entered the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and took a post-gradu- ate course of one year and again opened an office in Brooklyn practicing his specialty.

While residing in Brooklyn Dr. Thomas married Miss Mary Denison Wilt, of Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Thomas remained in Brooklyn until 1910 when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to change climate and removed to California. Settling in Santa Cruz, he opened offices and was occupied for three years; in 1913 he moved to Palo Alto and opened offices in the Frazer Building, located on University avenue; for two years he served as a member of the

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clinical staff of the University of California. Dr. Thomas entered the service of his country during the late war in May, 1918, and was commissioned a captain of the medical corps and put in charge of the eye, ear, nose and throat section of the base hospital at Camp Fremont. He was honorably discharged on December 10, 1918. At the present time he is con- sulting surgeon in the United States Health Hospi- tal at Palo Alto, and well deserves the reputation which he enjoys of being one of the most skillful and faithful physicians and surgeons of this section.

WILLIAM G. RHOADES .- Fortunate in his early training in the East's most noted technical school, William G. Rhoades, who is the proprietor of Rhoades Ranch on Cochrane Road, Morgan Hills, Santa Clara County, is managing the 160 acres with efficiency and capability. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira O. Rhoades, he was born at Omaha, Nebr .. August 21, 1889. He attended the public schools, finishing his elementary education at Berkeley in 1907, and in that year entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston. With but a few months until his graduation, he left school to ac- cept a position in the department of electrical engi- neering of the Westinghouse Electric Company at Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1909 Mr. Rhoades came back to San Francisco, joining his parents who had located there in 1905. His father started life for himself as a railroader at the age of sixteen, with the Union Pacific R. R., was then purchasing agent for the Southern Pacific at San Francisco, and well known in railroad circles through his successful career in this field, and with his wife is now living retired in San Francisco.

Early in August, 1917, W. G. Rhoades enlisted for service with the U. S. forces and entered the officer's training school at the Presidio at San Francisco. He received a commission as second lieutenant and was assigned to duty with the 63rd Infantry, serving un- til January 2, 1919, when he was given his honorable discharge. Since returning from the service, Mr. Rhoades has had complete charge of the Rhoades ranch, a fine tract of 160 acres, a part of the old Laguna Seca grant and lying about three miles east of Morgan Hill. This property had been pur- chased by Mr. Rhoades and his father in 1911 and the improvements made on the ranch have been super- intended by our subject, who has managed the place ever since its purchase, except the time he was in the service of the government. In its primitive state it was covered with oak trees and a dense growth of poison oak, but extensive improvements have trans- formed the property into a fairy land ranch, and now its acres are a mass of bloom every spring, 125 acres being in orchard, while the balance will be planted in the near future. Mr. Rhoades uses horses and tractor power on the ranch, and his modern and ef- ficient methods are bringing him unqualified success. In 1917 Ira Rhoades erected the handsome residence on a knoll overlooking the orchards, and the heauti- ful view from its vantage point, particularly in blos- som time, will ever be an inspiration. In 1920 Mr. Rhoades bought out his father's interest in the place, and now is sole owner. He has installed a fine pumping plant, with a thirty-two horse-power en- gine which pumps the water from the creek and car- ries it through underground pipes from Coyote Creek. The plant has a capacity of from 1500 to

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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 221

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