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 230

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 230

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is a graduate of the department of agriculture of the University of California, and Mary is a graduate of the University of California and also of the Arm- strong Secretarial School of Berkeley, and she is now head of the commercial department at Pierce High School at College City. Edward Shaler en- listed in April, 1917, in the ambulance corps and was sent to Allentown, Pa., where he remained for eight months, then to the army medical school in Wash- ington, D. C., where he assisted in making serum for all kinds of inoculations. He was mustered out on January 8, 1919. He possesses a rare baritone voice and, aside from singing at the Presbyterian Church, is frequently in demand for entertainments. Mr. Edward C. Yocco was one of the organizers and a large stockholder of the Los Gatos Cemetery and was director and treasurer, and continued until his death, after which, in January, 1902, Mrs. Yocco be- came the secretary and superintendent of the asso- ciation, a position she has since held, and her un- ceasing work, coupled with much native business acumen, has brought it to a successful issue, until it is a credit to the community. Mr. Yocco's death was a loss to the community, for he was a man whose place it is hard to fill. For eleven years he acted as school trustee of Los Gatos. In fraternal circles he was an Odd Fellow, a past grand, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Yocco has continued to reside in Los Gatos, in her mother's old home on Church Street, and looks after the prop- erty and business interests left by Mr. Yocco. She is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Delphian Club.

PETER JOHN ZAKIS .- Although poor in purse, upon arriving at San Jose, Peter John Zakis pos- sessed those indispensable adjuncts of success, health, self-confidence and a determination to succeed, so that the goal of his ambition, a good business and a comfortable home, was soon realized. He was born in Greece, on September 14, 1885, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Zaharakis, both natives of Greece. His father was a school teacher and Mr. Zakis' early training was carefully looked after. On coming to America Mr. Zaharakis changed his name to Zakis by a court decree. His mother's death oc- curing when he was only four years old, left him and his brother, William Zaharakis, without the loving care of a mother, but the father endeavored to take the place of both, giving them the best educational opportunities within his means. The brother, who is a lawyer, remained in his native country and is prominent in his profession, at Calames, Greece. His father is also still living in Greece.

Having heard much of America and its opportun- ities, he left his home in Greece in 1905, and sailing for the United States, landed in New York, coming immediately to Chicago, Il1. His first employment was in a stove factory where he worked for $7.50 per week and in a year he managed to save enough to come to San Francisco. Arriving here a year after the earthquake, he obtained work removing the debris, clearing the streets, building sites, etc., doing any kind of work that would make him an honest living. When he came to San Jose, in 1908, he only had twenty-five cents, but it was not long before he had a place working in a restaurant. It was here that he became associated with Chris Mihalakis, his

C. C. youco

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

present partner. Mr. Mihalakis was also trying to make the best of his opportunities, so the two young men began saving their money and in 1917 they be- came partners and opened the Del Monte Restaurant at 255 South First Street. Here, they have worked, early and late, giving constant and close attention to their business, making improvements from time to time, and now have one of the most up-to-date restaurants in San Jose, using the late sanitary equip- ment, making it a place where wholesome, appetizing food can always be obtained, together with the best of service.

Mr. Zakis' marriage, which occurred in San Jose in 1918, united him with Miss Consuello Westlake, who was born in San Jose; her father, Silas West- lake, a '49er, crossed the plains in an ox-team train. Mr. and Mrs. Zakis are the parents of two children, Constance and John Richards. Mr. Zakis is the owner of a comfortable and attractive home, located at 310 South Sixteenth Street. He is a member of Observatory Lodge I. O. O. F. in San Jose, the Redmen, and of the Merchants' Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

GENOVESI BROS., ZAPPELLI AND COM- PANY .- Among the prosperous business men of San Jose who have made good are Bruno and Gioacchino Genovesi and Dario Zappelli, who are the proprietors of the Central Grocery, which is located at 300 South Market Street, on the corner of San Carlos Street. Bruno Genovesi, the eldest, was born in Province Lucca, Italy, in 1884, and when nineteen years of age came to America, about eight years be- fore the other boys sailed. Gioacchino Genovesi and Dario Zappelli, who were also born in Province Lucca, Italy, were the same age, both having been born in 1895, coming to America when seventeen.

Bruno began working on a farm and later in a macaroni factory and here he continued for some time. In 1912 his brother, Gioacchino, and Dario Zappelli arrived in the United States. Gioacchino began working for O'Brien in the confectionery business and was employed here for two and a half years, while Mr. Zappelli worked at ranching and in various lines. In 1915 Gioacchino Genovesi, Dario Zappelli and Alberto Micheli embarked in the grocery business and soon established a prosperous trade. In 1917 Mr. Micheli sold his share to the first two named, and in the following year, 1918, Gioacchino Genovesi enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained at Camp Lewis and Camp Kearny, serving in the field hospital, where he was honorably dis- charged. While he was engaged in the interests of his adopted country, Dario Zappelli was in charge of the business, and after the war Bruno Genovesi bought out a third interest and has been a partner ever since. They now have an $18,000 stock and are doing a large business.

Bruno Genovesi's marriage united him with Miss Elena Demaggiora of San Jose, and they are the par- ents of two children, Lena and Berri. Mr. Zappelli chose for his wife Miss Viola Landucci, also of San Jose, and they are the parents of three children, Frank, Adolph and Gerald. Gioacchino Genovesi is still single. They are members of St. Joseph's Church and in national politics they cast their votes for the men that represent the best measures.

K. J. GRANANDER .- As a representative of the profession of masseur, K. J. Granander is steadily building up an extensive patronage, meeting with success not only in a financial way, but in relieving afflicted mankind. Many of the leading physicians of San Jose turn over cases to him that medicine has failed to relieve, and which he is able to over- come by massage. A native of Sweden, he was born December 16, 1873, in Westergothland, near Ulricehamn, his parents both natives of Sweden. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in his native land, his education being obtained in the pub- lic schools, and when he reached military age, he was pressed into service, doing his full duty to his native country. Filled with wonderment at the stories of wealth and advantages to be gained in America, he embarked for the United States in 1902, landing in Boston. A course in Swedish massage enabled him to engage in his chosen profession on landing in Boston, and for two years he successfully followed this line of work. He removed to Providence, R. I., and was employed there as masseur for one year. Later he migrated to Excelsior Springs, Mo., and for three years was with the Kilberg Sanatorium. He then removed to Blair, Nebr., and began private practice, and also successfully practiced in Colorado. While residing in Nebraska, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Hope Larson, a native of that state. Mrs. Granander is of Danish descent; her father, an early pioneer of Nebraska, was a thrifty and well- to-do farmer. She is well educated and has many accomplishments.

During the year of 1917, the family settled in San Jose. Offices were obtained and handsomely fitted up in the Twohy Building, with accommodations for his fast-increasing clientele. While not a politician nor an officeseeker, he has always been interested in matters affecting the welfare of his county and state. The family residence is located at 384 Auzerais Ave- nne, San Jose, where hospitality and good-will is shared by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

GREGORY GUGLIERI .- A man of decided energy and perseverance, Gregory Guglieri is num- bered among the most successful ranchers of the Madrone district. He was born at San Jose on February 14, 1895, the eldest child and only son of Dr. A. A. and Frances Carillo Guglieri, three daugh- ters also being born to them: Mrs. Charles Haggans of San Francisco, Mrs. Marco Borello of Morgan Hill, and Mrs. Albert Pauls of Madrone. Doctor Guglieri was born at Genoa, Italy, December 13, 1859, the son of a wealthy merchant there, who also had a large fleet of vessels plying the seas, and it was while on a journey around the world that Mr. Guglieri first saw the land of Mexico when he was twenty-eight. While a resident of Colima, Mexico, he took up the study of a herbalist, he was married to Miss Frances Carillo, a native of that place, and in 1890 they removed to San Jose and later to San Francisco, where Mrs. Guglieri passed away Febru- ary 3, 1902. Later Doctor Guglieri was united in marriage with Miss Adela Rodrigues, also a native of Colima, and she now makes her home at Madrone.

Gregory Guglieri was educated in the public schools of San Francisco, graduating later from a private school, and in 1918 he went to work on his

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father's ranch at Madrone, which Doctor Guglieri had purchased in 1902. This consisted of ninety acres of land which he converted into a fine vineyard, and he also was the owner of other valuable prop- erty at Madrone as well as in San Francisco, Oak- land, Morgan Hill and Redwood City. On the death of his father, on November 29, 1919, Gregory Gnglieri took over the management of this great vineyard, and he has handled it most eapably, giving it his constant eare and attention.

Mr. Guglieri's marriage, which took place at Madrone, united him with Miss Beulah Draper, and they make their home on the ranch at Madrone. A Republican in politics, Mr. Guglieri is a public- spirited citizen, and he has always contributed gener- ously toward every public enterprise and thus greatly helped in building up this section.

MRS. KASPAR LENER-Well known in mer- cantile circles of San Jose as a capable business woman, Mrs. Kaspar Lener has demonstrated her ability to successfully manage the enterprise estab- lished by her husband, who was for many years pro- minently identified with business interests of the city. She was born in the Austrian Tyrol, March 16, 1856, her parents being Joseph and Marie Hofer. The youngest of six children, she is today the sole surviving member of the family. When she was but a year old her mother died and upon the father devolved the task of rearing the children, so that Mrs. Lener has never known a mother's tender care. Her paternal grandfather, Andreas Hofer, was a son of Andreas Hofer, the noted patriot, reformer and military leader of Austria. In the struggle of 1809 which ended in victory for the French nation, he was called upon to surrender, but refused, and the order was then given for his execution. It is re- lated that the firing squad directed nine shots at him but all went astray. He was then ordered to kneel, but refused, saying: "I will die as I have lived-standing straight up," and with those words bravely met death. In 1909, 100 years afterward, Mrs. Lener returned to Austria for the purpose of participating in the commemoration of that event.

In September, 1878, in Innsbruck, Austria, was solemnized the marriage of Kaspar Lener and Mag- dalena Hofer. Mr. Lener was born January 20, 1848, and was also a native of the Austrian Tyrol. His parents were Andreas and Marie (Hofer) Lener, the latter's father being a second cousin of his wife's grandfather. The father became promin- ent as a building contractor, erecting many large public buildings throughout Germany. Kaspar Lener attended the same school in the Tyrol in which Magdalena Hofer was a pupil and they were com- panions from childhood. When but thirteen years of age he started out in life for himself, serving a three years' apprenticeship to the locksmith's trade, and also acquiring a thorough knowledge of the hardware business. He worked for others along that line until his twenty-fifth year, when he returned to the Aus- trian Tyrol and opened an establishment of his own as a hardware merchant and locksmith. A couple of days after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lener be- gan their journey to this country, and upon their ar- rival went to Minnesota and purchased a home in Minneapolis, and for several years he worked in machine shops of that city. They then removed to

Tacoma, Wash., where Mr. Lener entered the meat business, conducting a retail shop. This he disposed of after a short time and left Tacoma for Seattle, Wash., where he again took up the machinist's trade, which he there followed for two years.

In 1886 he came to San Jose and here was em- ployed at the carpenter's trade for a year, afterward becoming a mechanic at the Fredericks Brewery, where he remained until about 1900, when he pur- chased a building at the corner of Josefa and San Salvador Streets. There he conducted a hotel, in connection with which he operated a delicatessen shop, continuing at that location until September 20, 1916, when he moved across the street, opening a grocery and general provision shop, of which he remained the proprietor until his death on January 24, 1920. His industry, enterprise and close applica- tion resulted in the attainment of a substantial measure of success, while his sterling worth gained for him the high regard of all with whom he was associated. Since his demise Mrs. Lener has had charge of the store and in its management she dis- played marked business ability and foresight, main- taining the same high standards of excellence that her husband had established.

Mr. and Mrs. Lener became the parents of four children: Marie, is now the wife of A. Epstein, a druggist in San Francisco. Jacob is a mechanic in the employ of the Anderson-Barngrover Company of San Jose. He married Margaret Wenner and they are parents of two children-Vera and Marjorie. David Kaspar is a leading attorney of Ranger, Texas. He married Mrs. Bertlow Fuller, of San Jose. Fred, the youngest of the family, married Gladys Walter, and is connected with the San Jose branch of the Standard Oil Company. During the thirty-five years in which she has made her home in San Jose, Mrs. Lener has made many sincere friends and she is deeply interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and advancement of the city with which she has allied her interests. When Mr. and Mrs. Lener first came to this district to settle there were very few houses and fruit trees of many varieties grew where now stand hundreds of homes, and their home was among the first erected here.

JUSTINO MEDERIOS .- An experienced and practical dairyman who owns his large dairy farm is Justino Mederios, living a mile and a half northwest of Mountain View. He was born on the Island of Pico on October 16, 1867, and when sixteen years of age came out to America and California. He worked for a while faithfully as a farm hand, and then went to Nevada, where he secured employment as a sheep herder. He was married May 11, 1898, at Half Moon Bay, to Miss Minnie Dutra, a daughter of Anton and Ella Phillips Dutra, both of whom, it is pleasant to relate, are living well-to-do and retired at Half Moon Bay. They were born and married on the Island of Fayal, and they have eight living children: Anton, Manuel, Frank, Mary, Ella, Minnic, Rosa and Carrie.

Mr. Mederios is an honest, hard-working man, and is well-liked. He bought his present farm two years ago. Mrs. Mederios was born at Half Moon Bay, and comes from a prominent and wealthy family at Half Moon Bay of Portuguese-Americans who, like Mr. Mederios, have succeeded through their integrity and intelligent industry. He keeps 150 head of cows,

Karper Lener Magdalena Lenen

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and 120 of these are milch cows; he also keeps regis- tered sires, and has a high-grade herd. One child has blessed the union of this worthy couple, Adeline.

Sad to relate, on October 28, 1921, Mr. Mederios met with a very serious accident. He was driving in his car on Embarcadero Street, in Palo Alto, when he was struck by the engine of the Southern Pacific "Flyer," but miraculously escaped death. He was seriously hurt, and was three weeks in the Palo Alto Hospital, but has now fully recovered.

ANDREW HERMLE .- A successful orchardist of Santa Clara County is Andrew Hermle, who by hard work and economical methods has brought his orchard to a high state of cultivation and productive- ness. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 19. 1879, the son of Columben and 1da (Grimm) Hermle, both of whom were born, reared and died in the old country. While still a very small child his parents both passed away and he was left to the care of strangers: however, he was fortunate to go to the grammar schools in his native land, and so re- ceived a fair education. He had heard glowing tales of the prosperous country of America and after fin- ishing the grammar grades set out for the new world, where he had a sister living in Santa Clara County. He was just past sixteen years of age when he ar- rived in Santa Clara County and for the next fifteen years was occupied with ranch work on the ranch of John Klee, who took an interest in the lad and treated him as his own son. The privations of his younger years taught lessons of economy and thrift. and he was then able to purchase his own place of twenty-three acres from Mr. Klee on the Foxworthy Road. Twelve and a half acres were already set to orchard and he went to work and set the remainder and built a modern residence, outbuildings, and to have plenty of water for irrigating he drilled a 300- foot well, installed a fine pumping plant and is amply supplied with water so that he irrigates some 200 acres for others, and he is one of the most prosper- ous orchardists in that locality.

Mr. Hermle's marriage in January, 1901, in San Jose, united him with Miss Margaret Volmer, and they are the parents of two children, Marcell and John. Mr. Hermle is a good example of what indus- try and faithfulness will accomplish toward ultimate success. He took out his citizenship papers in 1908, and since then has loyally supported Republican poli- cies. He is a strong supporter of all movements for the development of Santa Clara County and the benefitting of all its citizens.

ARTHUR MILLS .- In thoroughness and the mas- tery of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon him lies the secret of the success which has brought Arthur Mills to the prominent position ac- corded him in business circles of San Jose. He is a native son of Santa Clara County and a member of one of the old families of this part of the state. and was born a mile south of Campbell on the 27th of July, 1877, a son of Owen and Susan ( Moreland) Mills. In the early days the parents started across the plains from Missouri with California as their destination and the father secured a homestead of 160 acres in the vicinity of Campbell, this being be- fore the advent of the narrow-gauge railroad in the state. The mother's brother, Henry Moreland, be- came a prominent rancher of this section, the More-

land school being named in his honor. Mr. and Mrs. Mills were the parents of sixteen children, of whom five are now living.

In the acquirement of an education Arthur Mills attended the Hester School and when fourteen years of age started out in life for himself, securing work as a ranch hand. For eight years he was in the employ of Mayfield Smith and then went to King City, in Monterey County, and subsequently to Sa- linas, remaining in that county for one and a half years. He then returned to San Jose, where he worked as a teaming contractor until 1905. when he secured the position of salesman with the Union Oil Company, which he represented in Santa Clara County for seven years. In 1913 he became identi- fied with the Balfour Guthrie Company of San Fran-

cisco, Cal., and was operating their oil plant at the time it was taken over by the Shell interests, then for over six years he was manager at San Jose for the Shell Oil Company and his previous experience well qualified him for the discharge of the responsible duties of this position. He is now connected with the Ventura Oil Company and being thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business is ably representing the interests of the company.

At Salinas, Cal .. on the 26th of July, 1899, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kel- logg. a native of Stockton, this state. Her father was one of the early farmers of California and in 1897 he became a resident of Salinas. Six children have been born to this union: Ida, Vinnie, Minnie, Violet, Mabel and Melvin, all of whom are attend- ing the local public schools. Mr. Mills gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He is numbered among those self-made men who owe their advancement and prosperity directly to their own efforts, for he started out in life for himself when fourteen years of age and by perseverance and diligence has worked his way steadily upward until he now ranks with the representative business men and highly-esteemed citizens of San Jose.

GEORGE W. FIEGER .- The health of a city de- pends primarily upon the purity of its water supply and a most effective method of purification is fur- nished by the Duplex Percolator, of which George W. Fieger is the distributor for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. A native of Maryland, he was born in Baltimore, October 2, 1882, his parents being Jo- seph and Mary E. (Schantz) Fieger. The father was a successful merchant of Baltimore, operating a chain of stores in that city, and his demise oc- curred in 1912, while the mother died in 1904.

In the pursuit of an education George W. Fieger attended the grammar and high schools of Baltimore and the Eaton & Burnett and the Saddler-Bryant Business colleges of that city. Having passed the civil service examination, in 1905 he was appointed clerk in the postoffice at Baltimore, where he worked for two years, and was then transferred to San Francisco, Cal. He remained in that city until 1913. when he was sent to San Diego, being employed in the postoffice there during the exposition. In 1918 he was transferred to the Long Beach postoffice and was sent from there to San Jose. He then severed his connection with the service and became distribu- tor for Santa Clara County of the Duplex percolator and water cooler, his headquarters being in San Jose. Although this business was established in the southern part of California, it was practically un-

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known in this county until the aggressive advertising campaign and expert salesmanship of Mr. Fieger brought it before the public. He has succeeded in creating a large demand for the percolator, which is one of the most perfect appliances on the market for removing all micro-organism and foreign sub- stances from ordinary city water, rendering it abso- lutely safe for domestic purposes. It has the in- dorsement of the leading physicians and chemists of the state and its value as a means of preserving health cannot be overestimated. Mr. Fieger is the owner and controller of the patent rights of the Duplex Germ-proof Percolator and Water Cooler for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties and con- ducts his business under the firm name of "Duplex Percolator Company" in these counties. He is also connected with the new corporation known as the "Duplex Percolator Company of San Francisco, Inc."

At Sacramento, Cal., in 1910, Mr. Fieger mar- ried Miss Teresa Ellen Hain, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and a daughter of George and Mary (Lee) Hain, the former of whom came to San Jose a number of years ago and entered mercantile circles, in which he attained a position of prominence. To this union has been born a daughter, Ruth Audrey, who is a grammar school pupil. In his political views Mr. Fieger is a Republican and fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, belong- ing to the Mira Mar Camp at San Diego.

CHARLES R. SMITH .- The enterprising spirit and business ability of Charles R. Smith have brought him to a position of prominence in com- mercial circles of San Jose and he has become well known as an expert well-borer, in which connection he has built up a large business. He was born in Bates County, Mo., February 8, 1868, a son of James Oliver Smith. His mother died at his birth and he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Jeffries, who carefully looked after his welfare and happi- ness. His father and Mr. Jeffries both followed the occupation of farming.

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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 230

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