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 226

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 226

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).

J. M. CHURCH WALKER .- Prominent among the public officials of Santa Clara County whose sci- entific attainments have enabled them to be of espe- cial service to communities in the vast work of rap- idly and permanently developing the resources of the Golden State, is J. M. Church Walker, the efficient engineer of the progressive town of Los Gatos. He was born at Lincoln, Mass., on May 2, 1872, the son of James A. Walker, a well-known railroad man, now deceased, who had married Miss Gratia Paine, still living and the center of a circle of admiring and de- voted friends. Church Walker attended the local grammar school and the high school at Brainerd, Minn., to which state the family had removed in 1882, and then he became a student of the University of Minnesota, where he took up special mechanical work. For three years he followed engineering at St. Helena, and then, for another three years, he served the U. S. Government at Mare Island, doing some special drafting for structural steel work. At San Francisco, too, he added to his reputation as a field engineer; and then he engaged in bridge build- ing. He had learned drafting before coming to Cali- fornia in 1901, and he gave valuable assistance in the rebuilding of San Francisco, having associated him- self with the company that built the Educational, the Transportation, and the Agricultural buildings, and also the Iowa, the Illinois and the Swedish buildings at the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Since coming to Los Gatos and superintending the construction of roads, streets, sewers and other parts of the public systems, he has done wonders to make the town one of the prettiest and most up-to-date of its size in California. He himself has been living in Los Gatos since 1916, pinning his faith to the fast-growing town, and he has been town engineer since 1917. All the improvements recently effected here, including the bridge on Roberts Road, have been carried out under his supervision.

1478

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mr. Walker was married at Berkeley, Cal., in 1901, to Miss Bertha Cubbler, a native of the Keystone State, and five children have blessed their union: Theron, Bertram, Laura, Florence and Jasmine. Mr. Walker is a Republican in matters of national poli- tics, and belongs to the Masons and the Fraternal Aid. The family attend the Christian Science Church.

MARION THOMAS GWINN .- Now the owner of 225 acres of choice land in the San Martin dis- trict, Marion Thomas Gwinn can well look back with satisfaction on his achievement here, as when he came to this locality, in 1904, he was practically with- out capital. He was born at Cambridge, Mo., May 18, 1872, the son of W. C. Gwinn, a pioneer farmer there, who had married Judith Ford, who lived to be sixty-seven years old, passing away at Sacramento in June, 1920. The father, who was born in Saline County, Mo., is still living, and resides at Sacramento. aged seventy-six years.

In 1888 the Gwinn family removed to Red Bluff. Cal., from their Missouri home, later going to Wood- land. Here Marion Gwinn attended school, mean- while helping his father, and when he set out for himself he returned to Missouri, remained about two years, then came back to California and farmed near Lodi one year. In 1904 he came from Oakland to San Martin, and after making a small payment on twenty acres here he proceeded to give his whole energy and time to its development. Prior to this he had been employed for two years at the Humboldt Lumber Yards at Oakland, but he decided that the life of a rancher offered far greater opportunities for success, and, firm in the belief that one should choose one line of work and bend all his energies to per- forming its duties better than ever before, Mr. Gwinn has made wonderful progress by living up to his creed. When he bought his land it was unimproved stubblefield, and he has developed it to its present state. He has given careful study to the problems of horticulture and now 100 acres of the 225 are in peaches, French prunes and apricots, thirty acres being newly planted trees, while twenty-five acres are devoted to a fourteen-year-old vineyard, from which the returns for the past few seasons have been most satisfactory.

On November 12, 1894, Mr. Gwinn was married to Miss Annie Bell McMillan, who was born in Yolo County. Her father, William McMillan, crossed the plains when nineteen years old, in the train under Capt. Crow. Her mother, Elizabeth Goodin, came that same year with ox teams and they were married in California. The former is living, but the mother is dead. They had seven children, six living. Mrs. Gwinn, with the exception of seven years spent in Texas, has spent her entire life in her native state. Eight children have been born to them: Wilbur L. married Amy Robinson, dughter of the late Henry Robinson, and they have one son, Wilbur C. They reside at San Martin, where he is associated with his father in ranching; he was in the U. S. service dur- ing the World War, spending six months at the U. S. Army Tank School at San Pedro. The other chil- dren are: Dorothy May; Thomas W. and M. Ray- mond, both engaged in ranching on the home place; Warren C., deceased; Vernon C., Mary Elizabeth and Annebel are attending school. The four younger children were born at San Martin. Mr. Gwinn is a Democrat in politics and for the past thirty years

has been a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. A hard worker, efficient in his methods, he is doing the work of two men on his ranch, and he sets an example of industry and thrift, with their reward of successful accomplishment, that is well worthy of emulation. In all his ventures he has had the faithful cooperation of his wife, to whom he gives much of the credit for their present standing in the county, for she has stood shoulder to shoulder with him at all times. The sons have all assisted to develop the ranch and all remain at home.

NICK SCORSUR .- A good example of thrift and untiring energy is illustrated in the life of Nick Scor- sur, now retired from active business life, and his years of toil have resulted in a competency that is justly deserved. Born in Dalmatia, Austria, January 1, 1858, he is a son of John and Catherine (Cavaletta) Scorsur; his father was, for many years, in the stock and sheep business. Five sons and two daughters composed the family, of whom only two survive, the subject of this sketch and an older brother, Ben, who both live in California. As early as 1875, two broth- ers, James and Benjamin, came to America, settling in Virginia; and late in 1880 they came to California by the way of the Isthnius of Panama and located in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley. In 1882 Nick Scor- sur followed them and has continuously resided in this section since that tinie. The brothers invested in a 160-acre tract of land near the New Almaden mines, which they cleared and developed. When they were ready for planting, the owners of the mining property informed them that they had no right or title to the property, and were successful in beating them out of their holdings, as well as others in the neighborhood. This occurred in 1885, but, undaunted, the three brothers located on a tract of land in East San Jose, where they started in the fruit business. Beginning at the bottom, by hard work and close ap- plication, they gradually enlarged their operations and increased their holdings; in 1892, however, they dis- solved partnership. James passed away in 1915. Meanwhile Nick Scorsur engaged in fruit buying, handling cherries, peaches and prunes with good suc- cess. He owned a forty-five-acre prune orchard on White Road, which he kept for about five years, when he sold it at a good profit. He owns a thirty-five- acre cherry and prune orchard at Campbell and also a twenty-acre orchard on Senter Road, which brings him a handsome income each year. In 1900 he in- vested in a tract of land in East San Jose, building a commodious residence at the corner of Twenty-sixth and San Antonio streets, still the family home.

The marriage of Mr. Scorsur occurred in San Jose, April 4, 1889, and united him with Miss Ellen Talia, also a native of Dalmatia, who was born August 14, 1865, and who came to California in May, 1888. She is the daughter of Captain Matthew and Raphael Talia. Her father was a man of sterling integrity who followed a seafaring life as captain of a private merchant vessel on the Mediterranean Sea. Mr. and Mrs. Scorsur are the parents of five children; John is manager of the ranches owned by the family; Mat- thew, deceased; Nicholas graduated in 1917 from the College of Commerce, University of California, with the degree of B. A. He served as chief petty officer in the hospital corps in the U. S. N. R. F. in the World War and is now engaged in general merchan- dising at Orange Cove, Fresno County; Andrew is a

1479

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

student of law in Santa Clara University, class of 1924, and also served in the U. S. N. R. F. at the time of the World War; Catherine is a student at Notre Dame College in San Jose, class of 1922. Mr. Scorsur gives no small amount of credit for his suc- cess to his devoted wife, who has been his loyal help- mate and coadviser, working in harmony to achieve their ambition of becoming independent and rearing and educating their children to be useful and honored citizens. During 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Scorsur and their children made an extensive tour of Europe, espe- cially enjoying the visit of four months at the old home place of their parents. Mr. Scorsur is now one of San Jose's pioneer fruit buyers, and his success has only been gained by the utmost care and intelligence, backed by industry and integrity, which has aided him in laying a foundation for a successful life. He and his family are active and consistent members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of San Jose.

J. H. C. SCHROEDER .- After an eventful life as a mining prospector, during which time he traveled over a wide area, including South America, Mexico, Canada and Alaska, Henry Schroeder, after turning his attention to ranching developed a model orchard and attractive home place on San Martin Avenue, San Martin. Mr. Schroeder was born on February 20, 1853, at Hamburg, Germany, and when he was seven- teen he lost no time in crossing the ocean to America, coming on to San Francisco, where he made his head- quarters while a mining prospector.

In 1890, on January 19, Mr. Schroeder was married at San Francisco to Miss Agnes Kuster, a native daughter of that city, where she was reared and edu- cated. Her father died when about forty-five, but her mother, Mrs. Agnes Gerdes, is still living, aged eighty-one, at Glen Ellen, Cal. Two children were born to them, Selma A. and Herbert O., who is car- ing for the home place at San Martin. Selma Agnes was born in San Francisco and was reared on Dead- wood Creek. She attended the public schools at Yreka, San Mateo and Morgan Hill, and after graduating from high school entered the San Jose State Normal School, graduating in 1917, receiving her certificate as a teacher that same Fall. She taught at Trinity, Sono- mia County, for one year, and in 1918 came to San Martin, where she accepted a position in the gram- inar school, now heing the senior teacher there in length of service. A talented and cultured young woman, she has taken every advantage of her splen- did educational opportunities and can number her friends by the score.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder set- tled at Yreka, Siskiyou County, where Mr. Schroeder was engaged in mining, having developed what is still known as the Schroeder mine on Deadwood Creek. In 1905 they removed to San Francisco, where they suffered the loss of all their possessions in the fire of April, 1906, and then removed to San Matco, com- pelled to start all over again. In 1909 the family came to San Martin and here Mr. Schroeder, nothing daunted by his reverses, selected twenty acres of good land, which he transformed by hard work and intelli- gent care into a fine orchard property, which is al- ready bringing in good returns. Mr. Schroeder was always to he found among the public-spirited men of the district when any progressive measure was consid- ered and in this he was always seconded by his wife, who proved herself a true helpmate. He was a mem-

ber of St. John's Lodge No. 37, F. & A. M., at Yreka, having joined in March, 1902. He died on January 20, 1922, at his home on the San Martin Ranch, and was buried with Masonic honors.

JOHN STURLA, SR .- An carly settler, who came to California when eleven years old is John Sturla, Sr., who has been actively engaged in farming pursuits in the Gilroy district since he was seventeen. A native of Italy, he was born in Genoa on Sep- tember 9, 1853, a son of Angelo Sturla, a farmer in Italy, who came to America in 1862, accompanied by his son James. They first located in San Francisco and were engaged in vegetable farming and sold their products in horse-drawn carts on the streets of the city. In January of 1864, John came to San Fran- cisco via the Isthmus of Panama, taking four months to make the journey. He joined his father and brother in the vegetable business, and as they pros- pered they invested in eight and a half acres in Old Gilroy, fine rich land on the Pacheco Road. His father passed away about 1899, and John and James started out to make their own way independently. By economy and industry, Mr. Sturla now owns a fine place of fifty-seven acres in prunes, apples and pears.

Mr. Sturla married Miss Louisa Rolari, born in Italy, a daughter of Antonio Rolari, and she came to America with her parents when she was fifteen years of age. They are the parents of seven children Angelo, who has three children and lives nearby; An- tonio married Miss Alice Kickham and they reside on the Rucker ranch and have four children; Louis mar- ried and resides in Gilroy; Alexander married Anna Gubser and reside at Old Gilroy and have two chil- dren; John Jr., who is also married, served overseas during the World War for eighteen months; Harold; Mary is the wife of Joseph Baticl of Gilroy, and they have five children. Politically Mr. Sturla is a Repub- lican and his religious faith is that of the Catholic Church. He is a stockholder and a director in the Gilroy Branch, Bank of Italy; and is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Association. He is a familiar figure on the streets of Gilroy, and his affa- ble manner has won for him scores of friends.

GEORGE W. SLOCUM .- A native of New York. who spent many years in the well drilling industry and who is now the owner of a fine twenty-acre ranch, is George W. Slocum, of Church Avenue, San Martin. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., March 4, 1855, and there he lived during the years of his young manhood. Attending the Centennial Ex- position at Philadelphia in 1876, Mr. Slocum was much impressed with the wonders of the wide world exhibited there and so was given the incentive to start out and see for himself. In 1878 he went to the cil fields of Pennsylvania, then coming into wide prominence as a new industry for this country, and here began at the bottom in Warren and Mckean counties. Later he took up contract drilling, and in this he was very successful.

In 1886 Mr. Slocum came to Stockton, Cal., and was employed by Col. E. J. Beane, and there he fol- lowed well drilling, putting down several test wells, but was not rewarded with oil in sufficient quantities to make it a paying venture. He next turned his at- tention to drilling water wells, spending one summer in that occupation in Santa Clara County. Mr. Slo- cum next went to San Diego, in 1889, and followed his trade as oil well driller and working in the mines

1480

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

a' Julian until 1895; then was at Half Moon Bay, next at Newhall in 1898, then going to San Benito County in the fall of 1900, where he was employed by the Watsonville Oil Company, and has been in their employ off and on until 1921, when he retired to his ranch. His home was in Gilroy until 1917. The pos- sibilities of the San Martin section appealed to Mr. Slocum strongly and he determined to make this his home, and accordingly purchased his ranch property in 1917, at San Martin, which he has developed into a fine home place, having set out six acres in prunes.

Mr. Slocum's marriage united him with Miss Mary Ayres, the daughter of the late John Ayres, and they are the parents of two children, Ethel, at home, and Helen, Mrs. J. S. Brown of San Jose. In fraternal circles Mr. Slocum is a Master Mason, belonging to Keith Lodge, Gilroy, and politically the Republican party has had his allegiance for many years.

JOSEPH A. TERESI .- One of the most valuable and highly productive orchards in the Santa Clara Valley is that operated by Joseph A. Teresi, located on Saratoga Avenue. Known as the Sorosis Fruit Company, besides the extensive orchards a large packing plant is located on the ranch, which takes care of the products of the orchards. Joseph A. was born in Sicily, February 23, 1899, the son of Salva- tore and Marianna (La Barbera) Teresi, also natives of Sicily. The family removed to the United States in 1903. His father was engaged in the horticulture business in his native country, and he had seven boys, who were all thoroughly taught the orchard business; three of them are now at home.

Joseph A. was educated in the grammar and high schools of San Jose, graduating from the latter in 1919, after which he was employed as solicitor for the California Prune and Apricot Growers' Association for one year; then he purchased a thirty-eight-acre orchard on the Uvas Road, which he still owns. In July, 1921, with his father and three brothers, he purchased the Sorosis Farm, consisting of 220 acres, including the large packing plant on the place. The place is in full-bearing orchards, 190 acres being in prunes and the balance in peaches. In connection they own the Sorosis water rights from Quito or Campbell Creek. They have a large dam where the creek enters the farm, which impounds sufficient water to irrigate not only the Sorosis Farm, but also a large tract below the dam, making a very valuable water right. The headquarters of the ranch is im- proved with good buildings, large drying yard with a large evaporator and a plant equipped with pack- ing facilities.

The marriage of Joseph A. Teresi occurred in Los Gatos and united him with Miss Clara Lencioni, born in San Jose. In politics Mr. Teresi is a Republican and is a stalwart American citizen, proud of the pros- perity and progressiveness of Santa Clara County.

ALFRED R. NELSON .- Coming to San Jose from his home across the water more than thirty years ago, Alfred R. Nelson has been privileged to sec much of the progress made in the Santa Clara Valley during the past generation and he is enthus- jastic over the great opportunities still awaiting in this section. Mr. Nelson was born at Helsingborg, Sweden, on July 16, 1872, spending his school days there and being confirmed at the age of fourteen. In 1889 he came across the ocean to America and tlen on to San Jose, joining his uncle, Olaf Zack-

rison, who had come to this country thirteen years before. Mr. Nelson spent four years in the copper miines, Bisbee, Ariz., 1900-04, and on locating here worked as a coachman for five years at Edenvale, and then purchased ten acres of land on Chynoweth Ave- nue, Edenvale. This property he later disposed of, and in 1906, he bought his present home place of fourteen acres on Cottle Road, where he has erected a fine new residence, up-to-date in all its appoint- ments. The whole place, including the orchard of prunes and peaches, which he set out, shows the re- salt of his skilled care and the years of hard work he has spent in its upbuilding.

In 1900 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Mattie Olson, who was born in Sweden and came to Cali- fornia in 1890. Five children have been born to them: Alton, a rancher; Vanley L., attending school, as is Olive L .; Melvin, deceased; Ivian L., in school. Mr. Nelson became a full-fledged citizen of this coun- try in 1893, and he has always been active in support of any measures for the welfare of the community. He is now serving his second term as trustee of the Oak Grove school at Edenvale and is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc.

MARION A. STILLENS .- A native of Wayne County, Ind., where he first saw the light on August 9, 1848, Marion A. Stillens has found delightful re- tirement in the Golden State in his comfortable home on Capitol Avenue, just south of Alum Rock Avenue, about two miles east of San Jose. He is a son of Joseph and Clarisa (Decker) Stillens, the former a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer, who moved to Moultrie County, Ill. There were four children in the family-Ezra, the oldest; Marion, our subject; Martha, who is now deceased, and Millie, the young- est, and with these the lad shared the benefits of a common school education.

When nine years of age Marion accompanied his parents to Moultrie County, Ill., and when twenty- three years of age he left the home ranch and on April 23, 1872, was married to Miss Laverna Shields, a native of Virginia. She was nine years old when her parents removed to Moultrie County, Ill., where she continued her education. After their marriage Mr. Stillens farmed for a while in Illinois, and later he went to Hall County, Nebr., where he followed agricultural pursuits for six years. He then returned to Illinois and located at Arthur, in that state; and for the remainder of the time that he was in the Middle West he engaged in carpenter work. His wife died in 1889 and he was married a second time, in 1902, to Miss Jennie Carpenter, a native of Indiana.

In 1902 Mr. Stillens came out to California and settled at Whittier, where he lived for a year and a half, and as a market gardener he made a real suc- cess of his enterprise. Coming north to Santa Clara County in 1904 he purchased five acres of land on Capitol Avenue, and this he set out to prunes and vines. His good wife died in 1917, lamented by all who had come to appreciate her sterling qualities. By his first marriage Mr. Stillens had five children, and their names are Ellroy, Joseph, Bige, Melvin and Wilbur; and by his last union he has a daughter, Mrs. Mary Maude Beaudikofer, of San Jose. Mr. Stillens has always taken a live interest in public questions and always sought to do his full duty as a citizen in civic affairs. He endeavors to keep him- self independent of mere party bias, and so is far freer to pull a hard and steady stroke with his fellows.

Joseph a. Teresi

1481

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

LAWRENCE C. GRUWELL .- An enterprising, experienced and progressive horticulturist whose success in helping to advance the state of California horticulture and agriculture has stimulated others to renewed and great efforts is Lawrence C. Gruwell, who enjoys the esteem and fidelity of a large circle of admiring friends. He was born on the old Melvin Gruwell Ranch on Saratoga Avenue April 8, 1867, the son of Melvin L. and Sarah (Wear) Gruwell, natives of Indiana and Missouri, respectively. Melvin Gru- well, who was born in 1826, was a merchant in In- diana until he crossed the plains to California in 1852 and located in Santa Clara County. With a partner, Benj. Stinson, he owned a 172-acre farm where he resided until his death, in 1910; his wife surviving him one year. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Gru- well were the parents of nine children: William, de- ceased; Arthur J , deceased; Charles Lee, a horticul- turist here; Martha A, who is in partnership with our subject; Lydia became the wife of Jacob Breiten- stein, also of this vicinity; Lawrence C., the subject of this sketch; Theresa, Mrs. Vanderpeer of Oakland; Kate, the widow of Jas. Hemphill, resides with her mother and sister on the farm; Lou became the wife of Joseph Hemphill, and resides at Roselawn. Melvin Gruwell was a very successful man and everyone spoke of him in terms of warm regard. He was an adherent of the Democratic party and in religious faith was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He had been a member of the Masonic lodge for sixty-three years, when he passed away at the age of eighty-four.

Lawrence Gruwell received his education in the public schools in his neighborhood. He assisted his father on the farm from the time he was a lad of ten years and when he became a man and started in as a farmer and has continued in that line, now operating a farm of fifty-four acres which belongs to him and his two sisters. He has brought it to a high degree of productiveness, having set it to prunes and apricots, operating it with a tractor and most modern implements. They have substantial farm buildings, including a drying plant. Mr. Gruwell is an independent in his political views, voting with the party that best expresses his convictions. He was made a Mason in Liberty Lodge No. 299, F. & A. M., Santa Clara. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Redmen.

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 226

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