History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 116

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

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ROBERT SCOTT .- A man of wide experience and famous as one of Santa Clara County's success- ful inventors, the late Robert Scott well deserves an honorable place in the annals of the Golden State. He was born in London, Ontario, Canada, on July 29, 1840, the son of William Scott, a brick and stone mason, a native of Edinburgh, who, migrating to Canada, became one of the pioneer settlers in West- minster. As early as 1863 Robert Scott came out to California and traveled through the state doing stone and brick mason work; and he helped to build the old Palace Hotel and also the Hot Springs Hotel at Paso Robles, and after that he went to work at the Almaden mines.

The old adobe furnaces were not giving satisfac- tory service, and this circumstance led our subject to study the needs of the miner; and in time he in- vented and patented the Scott furnace for cinnabar mines, a contrivance which, once it was installed at Almaden, became a great success. Since that time, he has installed many of these furnaces, for quicksilver extraction, in California, Oregon, Nevada and Mexico; and he even made a trip to Spain to install one there. He was also negotiating with the Chinese government to install a Scott furnace for it, and had a contract to install one of his furnaces at Marathon, Texas, but his untimely death prevented the carrying-out of the contract.

At San Jose, in 1881, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Sarah Walters, a daughter of Walter Walters, who had married Miss Sarah Scott, and a native of London, Canada. Her father was a native of Eng- land, and her mother a native of New York; and together they migrated to Canada so early that Mrs. Scott was born there. Mr. Walters was a farmer, and he had a large family, among whom Sarah was the youngest. One son, Robert Walter Scott, was born to this worthy couple, and he is now a rancher on the Mt. Hamilton Road. The family have been Presbyterians. Mr. Scott made his home at Alma- den for about twelve years, and then, in 1895, came to San Jose, and built a home at 498 South Eleventh Street. For over sixty years he was a Mason, in which ancient order he had reached the Thirty-sec- ond degree. Mrs. Scott is an active member of the Eastern Star.

On June 22. 1920, Mr. Scott was killed in a dis- tressing automobile accident. He was leaving his

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home with another man, in the latter's car, when a large truck struck the machine, rendering him un- conscious; and inside of four days he died. His funeral was conducted by the Masonic fraternity. His tragic death was widely deplored by the com- munity, where he was held in high esteem.

JOHN LAFAYETTE MAGEE-Success has crowned the efforts of John Lafayette Magee, who for many years concentrated his labors and atten- tion upon farming, but is now retired from the ac- tive fields of life, while he is enjoying the fruits of his former toil, occupying a pleasant home at 195 Viola Street, San Jose. He was born on a farm near Macon City, Mo., February 12, 1841, a son of Sam- uel Lewis and Mary Jerusha (March) Magee, both natives of Bourbon County, Ky., removing to Mis- souri about 1835, where the family engaged in farm- ing for a livelihood. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, remaining till 1851 when he returned home via Panama intending to bring his family to California, but was taken sick and died at Mound City, Ill., on the trip from New Orleans to Iowa.

When John L. was twelve years of age, his mother removed to Davis County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Bloomfield. There he received his edu- cation, his spare time being in helping his mother on the farm. Although married and farming, in Feb- ruary, 1864. he enlisted for service to his country in Company E, Third Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Spencer, and served in the Army of the Cumberland. He was trained for a short time at Keokuk, Iowa, and was then sent to Benton Barracks at St. Louis. In the spring of 1864, his regiment was sent to Gravelly Spring, Ala., then to Macon. Ga., and at South Selma, Ala., were in an engagement; also were in the battle at Columbus, Ga., one of the last of the Civil War. In the pursuit of General Price, at the present site of Pleasanton, Kas., they had a battle and Mr. Magee's horse was shot from under him. The battle was fought on a flat piece of prairie with an unobstructed view of both the Federal and Con- federate lines, which resulted in the capture of the Confederate officer, General Marmaduke. The town of Pleasanton, named for General Pleasanton, who was in command of Federal forces, was afterwards built on the site of the battle. After his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, he returned to his home, where he engaged in farming until 1869, when he moved to Saunders County, Nebr., and took up a homestead, also purchased eighty acres in addition. He remained on the farm until 1888, when he sold his property and removed to Valparaiso, the same county, where he established a general merchandise business, which oc- cupied him for eleven years.

In 1899 Mr. Magee removed to California and re- tired from active business life. He has made nine trips across the continent, visiting his old home and renewing old friendships. The first marriage of Mr. Magee occurred January 19, 1863, and united him with Miss Nancy A. Tharp, a daughter of Abner and Sarah Tharp, born and reared in Davis County, Jowa. Her father was a farmer and an early pioneer of Iowa. They were the parents of nine children; Flora L., now Mrs. Hurtt, residing at Huntington Park, Cal., is the mother of four children-Weaver, Roy, Floy and Stanley. The grandson, Weaver Hurtt, has a wife and three children-Merle, Helen and Bruce. Roy Hurtt has a wife and two children- Ty (named after Ty Cobb, the famous baseball play-

er) and the baby; Floy Hurtt is married and has two children-Florine and a baby; Stanley Hurtt is married and has one child-Robert; Oliver N. first married Annie Scoville and they had one daughter, Rosalie. His second marriage united him with Miss Nellie Throop and they had five children-Harold. Ethel, who is Mrs. Foreman and has a son, Richard; Elmer, Helen, and Woodrow Wilson, the latter born the day Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated president. Harold Magee is married and has two children. Oliver N. Magee passed away in 1918. Carry Bell is the wife of Charles Allen, a member of the Board of Education of San Jose, and they are the parents of three children-Marie, now Mrs. Woodward, living at Watsonville; Edith, and Charles Sumner. Lewis J. married Miss Price and they have four children- Wallace, Kenneth, Doris and Rosalie, and the family reside in Idaho; Edwin E., a clothing merchant of Scotts Bluff, Nebr., married Miss Edna Meserve and they were the parents of two children-John Bruce, and Edwin, Jr. By his second marriage he had two children-Martha Elizabeth, and Lloyd George. Mary L. married Mr. Brown of San Jose, and they are the parents of one child, Forest; Abner Bruce passed away at the age of nineteen years. James L. of Long Beach is the father of four children-Mary, deceased, John Paul, Eleanore, and Louise. Anna Helen is now Mrs. Gordon of Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Magee's first wife died in Valparaiso, Nebr., in 1894.

The second marriage of Mr. Magee occurred at Reno, Nev., April 29, 1902, and united him with Miss Martha T. Hunter, born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, a daughter of John and Jean (Faulds) Hunter. Her father was a merchant in Scotland. Mrs. Magee came to America when a young woman and settled in San Jose. Fraternally Mr. Magee is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and has been identified with this order since 1890. In national politics, he is a Demo- crat; is also active in G. A. R. circles, being a mem- ber of the Sheridan Dix post of San Jose, and is past commander, having served in 1915. Mrs. Magee is a member of the Ladies of the G. A. R. and the Relief Corps of San Jose. Among the most valued of keep- sakes of the family are the letters written to his first wife during the Civil War. Mr. Magee's years of activity on the farm and in business have told on him and although he had always been strong and hearty in 1915 he was stricken with paralysis but he is able to be around and his mind is alert and he is sur- rounded by his family of whom he is very proud. He has ever manifested the deepest interest in questions of public concern and the three greatest public move- ments he has engaged in during his life and which all won the day are the emancipation of the negro, woman's suffrage and the placing of the Eighteenth Amendment as a part of the Constitution of the United States, making a success of Prohibition, of which he has always been such a staunch supporter.

WILLIAM FRANCIS HOQUE .- No profession is more useful or important than that of relieving the sufferings of mankind, and William F. Hoque has, through his cancer remedies, been able to as- suage the suffering of many since he has taken up the work left by his father, the late Francis Marion Hoque. W. F. Hoque was born in Jackson County, Mo., December 25, 1872. a son of Francis Marion and Melissee (Good) Hoque; the former was born in Clay County, Mo .. in 1844, a son of James M. Hoque, a pioneer of Clay County who had migrated

John L Mages

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

from South Carolina in the early '30s. James M. was a man of many resources, investing in govern- ment lands upon which he conducted a large sugar plantation; his individual brand of maple sugar, mar- keted under his own label, being the most note- worthy. He died in 1884, aged eighty-six.

Severe reverses were suffered during the Civil War and the Hoque family moved to Kansas City, where F. M. Hoque established a general merchan- dise business and carried it on until 1875, when he sold out and migrated to California,locating in Santa Clara County near San Jose. Melissee Good Hoque was born and reared in Ray County, Mo., where her parents were highly esteemed. Two of her brothers survived service during the Civil War.

The early records of the Hoque family show French and German ancestry, and the cancer remedy dates back to the old country and the formula has been handed down from generation to generation for over one hundred years, and thousands of cures have been effected by its application. F. M. Hoque es- tablished and maintained his manufactory and busi- ness headquarters in Los Angeles, but always made San Jose his home. His successful practice covered a period of thirty-five years and many thousands are grateful to him for relief from their intense suffer- ings. He was a man of keen intellect and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died on Feb- ruary 2, 1921. He was an active member of the Masons for over fifty years and held the first manual of the San Jose Chapter; and he was also a member of the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Hoque passed away some time prior to the death of her husband; and they were survived by four sons and one daughter: Wil- liam F .; A. Luster, deceased, is survived by his widow and two sons and a daughter who reside in San Jose. He was a department manager for O. A. Hale & Company up to the time of his death in 1919; James E. resides with his wife and two sons on a ranch at Ceres, Stanislaus County; Annie May is the wife of P. H. Hilderbrand and they reside in San Luis Obispo with their two sons and one daughter; and LeRoy is married and has two boys.

For several years William F. Hoque was the mana- ger for the Hoque Cancer Remedies, which have be- come widely known all over California. He is a keen business man with progressive ideas and very wisely invested his profits in lands in Santa Clara, Madera. and Stanislaus Counties. These properties he has partially improved and sold at comfortable advances. One of his latest investments was in apartment house property in San Jose, when he became interested in the purchase of the Don Felipe Apartment house building. Mr. Hoque is a liberal patron of all pro- gressive local enterprises, is broadminded and well- informed, a typical representative of the wideawake, large hearted pioneer.

The marriage of W. F. Hoque united him with Miss Bertha Merriweather, born in San Benito County in 1877, a daughter of David and Amanda Merriweather, both born in New York State, and who crossed the plains in the early 50's and settled at Mission San Jose. There the father engaged ex- tensively in the sheep business. Mr. and Mrs. Hoque have four children: William D. and Elmer A. are ranching: and Herbert and Florence are attending school. The two eldest sons enlisted for service in the U. S. Navy for service during the World War. from Stanislaus County and after their discharges

returned to that county and are ranching near Mo- desto. In his national political convictions W. F. Hoque is a Democrat, but locally he is broadminded and supports the men and measures he considers best suited for the interests of the county and the people. He is always ready and willing to do his part to promote the greatest good to the greatest number and stands high in the community.

FRANK W. COOMBS .- The standing of Frank W. Coombs is vouched for from the fact that for thirty-two years he has occupied the position of chief engineer at the State Hospital at Agnew. A native son, he was born at Stockton, Cal., January 7. 1862, the son of William L. Coombs, an early settler of California, who came via the Isthmus of Panama in 1852. His grandfather, Samuel Coombs, was born September 1, 1832 at Waldo, Maine. Frank W. is the descendant of a Massachusetts family of dis- tinction, his great-great-grandfather on the paternal side having served in a Massachusetts regiment dur- ing the Revolutionary War. The grandfather, Sam- nel Coomhs, was born in Maine and brought up on a farm. He later embarked in the lumber business and located at Bangor, Maine, where he resided un- til his death at a comparatively early age. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Mayhew, born in Maine, the daugh- ter of a soldier of the War of 1812. She survived her husband, came to California with her son Wil- liam L. Coombs, and passed away in Stockton in her eighty-first year.

William L. Coombs was brought up and educated in Bangor, Maine, and from early boyhood worked in the lumber yard and mill. Starting for California in the spring of 1852, they arrived in San Francisco the same year and went directly to Stockton. For a time he was engaged in mining in the southern mines, but later accepted a position in a store in Stockton. He located in San Jose in 1868, engaging first in the laundry business but later assumed the responsible position of chief engineer of the San Jose high school. In Stockton, Cal., Mr. Coombs married Miss Emma E. Griswold, a native of New York State, and they are the parents of two children, Ed- ward and Frank W., of this review. Mr. Coombs died in San Jose in 1916, aged eighty-four, his widow survives at the age of eighty, hale and hearty and in full possession of all her faculties

Frank W. attended the Horace Mann school in San Jose. When about seventeen years of age he was employed as fireman by the Southern Pacific Railway Company and remained with them for six years. He then spent two years in Washington, and in October, 1888, he became an engineer at the State Hospital at Agnew and has creditably filled this position for thirty-two years, working his way to his present position as chief engineer. On April 16. 1890, at Stockton, he was married to Miss Frances Boehm, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Haas) Boehm. born and reared in Oregon City, Ore. They are the parents of one son, Leonard Tracy, who saw service in the heavy artillery during the late war, and after his discharge became traffic engineer for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company at San Fran- cisco and is now maintenance engineer for that com- pany. He graduated from the University of Cali- fornia in 1913 in mechanics and electricity.

Mr. Coombs has been a member of Garden City Lodge I. O. O. F., since 1880. Politically he is a stanch Republican. The family reside at 98 North

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Fifth Street, San Jose, in a house which was erected forty years ago. He has always been interested in all movements that pertain to the general welfare of the community and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any measures for the public good.

HAMILTON C. WHITNEY-Prominent among the substantial representative citizens of Santa Clara County whose fortunes have come to them as the reward of their own perseverance and indomitable energy is Hamilton C. Whitney, who is now living in retirement at his home in San Jose. A study of the record of his long and useful life doubtless will prove a source of profit and inspiration to many young men of today who embark upon self-supporting careers no better equipped than he. Mr. Whitney was born in Wellsville, N. Y., October 13, 1834, a son of H. C. Whitney, also a native of New York. Remov- ing from New York State to Ohio his father was en- gaged in farming, and there he passed away; his mother having died when he was but a babe in arms. In 1847 he accompanied the family of William Whitney, although no relation, to Michigan, where he engaged in work on farms.

The marriage of Mr. Whitney occurred on May 21, 1854, and united him with Miss Olive Whitney, the daughter of Eli Whitney, a native of New York. She was born in Seneca County, Ohio, June 12, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney removed to Warren, Ill., and were farming at the outbreak of the Civil War. In July, 1862, Mr. Whitney volunteered and enlisted in Company B, Ninety-sixth Illinois infantry. During the great Battle of Chickamauga, he was wounded by a ball which penetrated his left lung, passing en- tirely through his body; he lay on the battlefield from the afternoon of September 20 to the evening of the 28th, when he was picked up by Confederate sol- diers. It seems almost impossible that a human be- ing could survive the terrible agony and suffering he endured those eight days. He was paroled on the battlefield and spent three months in the field hos- pital, when he was well enough to return home. Two months later he was sent to the hospital at Chi- cago, and on July 28, 1864, he was honorably dis- charged. Immediately he returned to his home in Illinois, but was never able thereafter to engage in farming.

In 1877 he came to Greenville, Plumas County, California, and engaged in butchering, then he re- moved to Utah for a short time and conducted a store at Park City. During the year of 1886, Mr. Whit- ney removed to Templeton, San Luis Obispo County, California, where he became postmaster from 1892 to 1900; then he migrated to Oakland, and it was here that he retired from active life, purchasing a home in the beautiful residential district of Piedmont. The charms of the beautiful Santa Clara Valley ap- pealed to him as a more restful place to spend his declining years, and in the fall of 1914 he removed, with his family to Los Gatos, where he resided for a number of years; recently he purchased a fine resi- dence property at 357 North Nineteenth Street, San Jose, and is enjoying the comforts of a modern home, content to spend his remaining days in the Garden City of California. Mrs. Whitney is a direct descend- ant of the Whitney family of colonial days; her father served in the War of 1812; her grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and other members of her family were prominent in early American history. On

May 21, 1904, Mr. and Mrs. Whitney celebrated their golden wedding anniversary; fifty friends enjoyed the hospitality of their beautiful home in the Piedmont hills. Mr. Whitney is a staunch Republican in his national politics, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Mrs. Whitney cast her first ballot while a resident of Utah, although it was for local offi- cers only. Fraternally, Mr. Whitney is a Knights Templar Mason; also a member of the Sheridan Dix Post No. 7, G. A. R., San Jose, with his wife he is a member of O. E. S. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitney; Frank E., an invalid since 1856, passed away in 1897; Clarence Eugene was married to Miss Luela May Beebe, and they now reside in Campbell, California.

Following is a poem written by Mrs. Olive Whit- ney, and dedicated to her husband May 21, 1904, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, and entitled, "Reminiscence of Life's Journey":

Fond memories come crowding around, As I sit and muse today, On the joys and sorrows I have found Along life's checkered way.

My thoughts will backward turn to you, And the far, far distant past,

And I wonder if it can be true, That time has flown so fast.

"Twas fifty years ago, dear heart, Just fifty years ago, When you and I first made the start For Life, come weal or woe.

And well we knew that we must meet, As we journeyed on together, Somewhere on life's crooked street, Storms as well as sunny weather.

We did not mind the hardships Nor were the long days sad,

For we were toiling for each other, And this made our young hearts glad.

We were very, very young, then, dear, Scarce eighteen years and twenty,

Of earthly cares we had no fears, For we had love in plenty.

With us time glided swiftly, fleet, For two short years and more, Then we thought our joy complete, With a gift from heaven's shore,

Of a wee, tiny, little bud, While we were scarce in life's flower,

But we thought God was very good, And we blessed him every hour.

Thus time sped sweetly, swiftly by, And we had just begun,

To think all was sunshine in our sky, Then came the cloud of '61.

Aye, the dark, dark cloud of war had rolled All o'er our own fair land

When every loyal man was called To meet the rebel band.

A. C Whitney Olive Whitney .

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Then came the darkest shadow That we had ever known, When you were called to go, And we were left alone.

Those times tried men's souls, dear heart,

And women's, too, as well, When with you we were forced to part And in suspense to dwell.

But we weathered the storm and you returned All bent, and maimed, and sore, But the lesson that yon in the war had learned Made you appreciate home the more.

Oh, that was a sad, sad time, dear, I could not stay the falling tear, When the little boy you loved, dear, Fled from you in fear.

But the time flew quickly by, dear, And then to us was given Another precious bud, dear, Fresh from the gates of Heaven.

While our first born lived we were ne'er alone, He was with us many years, And when the angels called him home, We wept most bitter tears.

But our baby boy is with us yet, And although to manhood grown, My mother's heart cannot forget And I claim him still my own.

Another now on him has claim, And I am very glad he sought her;

I do not lose my son, but gain A darling little daughter.

Yes time has sped on dear, And come storms or sunny weather, We'll stand up for the right And face our lot together.

And when the time shall come at last, That we are called away, For the time between us, to be quickly past I most earnestly pray.

And when we meet on the other shore, Where earthly toils are done, We'll take up life and start once more On a journey well begun.

And when we gain that happy land In truth we'll strive to grow Still united in heart and hand As fifty years ago.

Now in the sunset of life, with many years of ac- tivity behind them, one may safely predict for Mr. and Mrs. Whitney years of peace and prosperity, which accompany their success and prestige which they so richly deserve.

CHAUNCEY H. WHITMAN .- For twenty- seven years Chauncey H. Whitman has been engaged in the hardware business at Campbell, and during that period he has built up a reputation as one of the most reliable and enterprising merchants of the town. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Win- nebago County, near Omro, April 6, 1861, a son of Benjamin H. and Martha (Ross) Whitman, both now deceased. After graduating from the schools of his state, he engaged in the hardware business, which he followed in Wisconsin, Ortonville, Minn., and Centerville, S. D., until he decided to make California his future home. In 1895 he arrived in San Jose, and purchased an orchard near Campbell, and on March first of that year opened his present estab- lishment at Campbell, which he has since success- fully conducted. He carries a large and well-assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware, also handles paints and oils, and conducts a complete plumbing business. With the passing years his business has enjoyed a continuous growth, having now assumed large proportions.

Mr. Whitman married Mrs. Mary (Ayres) Davis, of Illinois, and they have a large circle of friends in Campbell. He is a Knight Templar and a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., San Fran- cisco. Mr. Whitman is now the pioneer merchant in Campbell, which has given him the well-merited title as dean of the business men. He is an ac- tive member of the Campbell Improvement Club and a charter member of the San Jose Com- mercial Club, and in matters of citizenship he is loyal, progressive, and public-spirited.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 116

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934