History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 120

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

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 120

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).

The purpose of Castilleja School is to give an edu- cation that is broad, not merely academic, and though essentially a university preparatory school, a general course is arranged for pupils not wishing to enter college, and in every case an effort is made to develop systematic and scholarly habits of thought. Gradu- ates are admitted without examination to Stanford University, the University of California, and Mills College, and the school is accredited by Wellesley, Smith, Vassar, and Mt. Holyoke colleges. Adequate time and attention are given to English, and there are courses in Latin, French, Spanish, History, Mathe- matics, Science, Home Economics, Art, and Music. Believing that every girl should be taught to manage a bank account and to live within a specified income, the school instituted a bank of its own; each girl is furnished a check book and required to pay her bills for books, school supplies, sewing materials, chap- eroning, concerts, incidental expense, etc., by check, and she is graded in this work as in any other school subject. Special attention is given to the physical condition of the girls, and it is the desire of the school to have the pupils realize that future happiness and efficiency depend on cultivating habits of health. The school is non-sectarian, but gives definite training in ethics and religious principles. Social service is em-

763

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

phasized, and each pupil is led to assume responsi- bility for some particular branch of relief work.

Castilleja is situated in the best residence portion of Palo Alto, and has an unbroken view of the beautiful and fertile Santa Clara Valley extending on one side to San Francisco Bay and the Mount Diablo Range, and on the other to the Santa Cruz Mountains be- yond which lies the Pacific Ocean. The cquable, de- lightful climate makes out-of-door life possible throughout the year and invites frequent excursions to the picturesque country about. On the other hand, its nearness to San Francisco (thirty miles) and to Stanford University (one mile) gives opportunity for instruction and pleasure through lectures, con- certs, and dramatic entertainments; thus the pupils of the school have the unusual advantage of both town and country life

REV. GEORGE HENRY WHISLER .- With nearly 400 communicants, the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto is one of the important charges of this denomination in the State of California, and fortunate indeed is it to have as its spiritual leader a man of the ability of Rev. George Henry Whisler, who has already endeared himself, in the early days of his pastorate, to his congregation, by his sym- pathy, wisdom and fine comprehension of the pro- blems of the modern-day church. Descended from a fine old New York family, George Henry Whisler was born at Albany, N. Y., on July 10, 1893, the son of Berthold and Elizabeth (Eisele) Whisler. The father was engaged in lumbering in partnership with his brother, David Whisler. Berthold Whisler passed away when his son was only ten years old, but the mother is still living. For many years after her husband's death she kept up the old family home at Albany, but she now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Davis, the wife of Rev. E. E. Davis, the pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at Athens- on-the-Hudson.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bert- hold Whisler, and four are now living, George Henry Whisler being the youngest. His early education began in the public schools at Albany, N. Y., and while yet a student in the Newark, N. J., high school, he chose the ministry for his life work. Graduating from this institution in 1912, he then entered Rutgers College at New Brunswick, N. J., taking the classical course and graduating in 1916 with the A. B. degree. Next he attended the Dutch Reformed Theological Seminary for one year, giving up his studies to enter the army Y. M. C. A. work. For a short time he attended an officers' training camp at Fort Niagara, N. Y., and was commissioned a first lientenant in the Field Artillery, but was later transferred to the bal- loon division of the air service, with the rank of first lieutenant, being stationed at varions places, begin- ning at Camp Devens, Mass., and ending at Ross Field, Cal., where he resigned his commission June 1, 1919. He now holds the rank of captain in the re- serve corps, receiving this commission the day after his resignation. Entering the San Francisco Theo- logical Seminary at San Anselmo, Cal., he graduated there in April, 1921, and was ordained on May 18 of that year, becoming pastor of the large parish of the First Presbyterian Church at Palo Alto, this ap- pointment in itself being a tribute to his unusual qualifications for leadership in the religious world.

In 1918, at Pasadena, Rev. Whisler was married to Miss Helen Bell Ledyard of Pasadena, a graduate

of the Pasadena high school and of Stanford Uni- versity, class of '17, and she also holds a master's degree from Columbia University, New York. A devoted Christian, with her training and culture she is a true helpmate to her husband. They are the parents of two children, George Henry, Jr., and Francis K. Ledyard Whisler. Justly popular with all classes, Rev. Whisler has entered heartily into the life of the community, taking an aggressive part in all its forward movements. Prominent in the American Legion, he is the chaplain of the local post and is very active in the establishment of a new home for this patriotic organization. He is a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America.

MRS. MARY WEST THOMPSON .- Coming from a line of distinguished forbears, famous in the days of the Revolution and the early history of colon- ial days, Mrs. Mary West Thompson, the widow of the late Frank P. Thompson, is one of Palo Alto's highly honored citizens. Gracions, cultured and pub- lic spirited, she resides at her comfortable home at 909 Alma Street, surrounded by many of her child- ren, who enjoy with her the high regard of the com- munity. A native of the Old Dominion, Mrs. Thomp- son was born September 6, 1842, at Norfolk, Va., the daughter of Capt. John Wharton West, U. S. N., born in Philadelphia, Pa., who had married Miss Mary Holt of Norfolk, Va. The West family are intimately connected with the early history of Penn- sylvania and are descended from Col. John Nixon of Revolutionary fame, to whom belongs the honor of first reading the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. Another relative was Robert Morris, who so ably guided the financial affairs of the Colonial government and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Mrs. Thompson was reared in Norfolk, Va., and there received her education in Catherine Baylor's private school, one of the select educational institu- tions of that day. Her father died when she was ten years old, and a few years later her mother brought her family to San Francisco, Cal., sailing via the Isthmus on the Atlantic and reaching here in Jann- ary, 1860. The same year her marriage occurred, when she was united with Frank P. Thompson and they became the parents of nine children: Mary M., is Mrs. John L. Meares of Seattle, Wash .; Page Ed- loe, is the widow of Dr. W. J. Baker, late of Fresno, and she resides with Mrs. Thompson; Thomas Lar- kin, a locomotive engineer, resides at Palo Alto; Sallie H., is deceased; Frank, passed away in in- fancy; Helen C., is the wife of George B. Huil of San Francisco; John West, is a graduate of Stan- ford University and now an electrical engineer at Pueblo, Mexico; Robert A., is a newspaper man at San Francisco, while his twin sister, Roberta, is the wife of George B. LaFarge of Seattle, Wash.

For many years prominent in the newspaper world, Frank P. Thompson was born in May, 1841, at Ka- nawha, W. Va., then Virginia. His father, Robert A. Thompson, a prominent lawyer, was sent by Pres- ident Polk to settle the land grant controversy in California; he settled a great many of the Spanish grant claims and it is worthy of note that none of his decisions have ever been reversed. A historic family, the Thompsons came to Virginia from Eng- land before the days of the Revolution and helped to establish this Government, and many of its mem- bers have been prominent as congressmen, diplomats

764

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

and customs house officials. A brother of Frank P. Thompson, Thomas L., was at one time secretary of state of California and later served as ambassador to Brazil during President Cleveland's administration. Another brother, Robert A., whose picture adorns the State Capitol at Sacramento, wrote a history of California, but suffered the complete loss of his manuscript during the earthquake and fire of 1906. These three brothers were associated together as editors and publishers of the Santa Rosa Democrat. and later Frank P. Thompson established the Hum- boldt Standard, and subsequently the Redwood City Democrat. In 1898, Mr. Thompson went to San Salvador, Central America, where he was sent to organize and establish the San Salvadorian Peni- tentiary after American plans and ideals. After three months he succumbed to the yellow fever and passed away there in December of that year, his remains being interred there. The Thompsons have been devout Episcopalians for generations and one of their ancestors, Rev. John Thompson, was prominent in the early annals of the Episcopal Church in America. Politically they have always given their allegiance to the Democratic party.

DR. ARTHUR B. MAYHEW .- Modern Amer- ican dentistry owes much to such scientifically- trained specialists as Dr. Arthur B. Mayhew, who is identified with Palo Alto as one of the eminent and most popular practitioners here. A native son, naturally proud of his association with the great California commonwealth, he was born at Red Bluff in 1870, the son of Charles R. Mayhew, a native of St. Louis, Mo., who, a year before the famous Ar- gonauts, ventured overland in 1848 by means of ox- team and prairie schooner. He married Miss Mary A. Kearns, a native of Ohio, who grew up in Shasta County, Cal., where her step-father, J. J. Bell, was an extensive stockraiser and ran the toll-bridge across Clear Creek. Dr. Mayhew's father died sev- enteen years ago; his mother lives at Oakland and is seventy-three years old. The founders of the Mayhew family in America came out to the Colonies from England in the famous ship Mayflower.

Arthur B. Mayhew attended the common schools in Red Bluff and continued his schooling in San Francisco, and in course of time he was graduated with honors from the San Francisco College of Physicians and Surgeons. Since then, for thirty years he has practiced dental surgery in San Fran- cisco, Sacramento and Palo Alto. When yet a stu- dent in the San Francisco College of Physicians and Surgeons he began to practice dentistry; and from 1893 until 1899 was thus engaged in San Francisco. In 1899 he came to Palo Alto, opened up a dental office and lost no time in building his residence at 639 University avenue. and he has owned this house ever since. He was honored with an appointment to the State Board of Dental Examiners in 1902 and served creditably for eight years. He left Palo Alto the year of the earthquake and maintained an office at Sacramento from 1906 until 1911, and from 1911 to 1914 he lived and practiced dentistry at Yreka. Siskiyou County. In 1917, in order to give his children the educational advantages afforded by the Stanford University, he resumed his home at Palo Alto and is therefore with one exception the dentist of seniority in Palo Alto. His continually growing patronage is sufficient attestation of the high esteem in which he is held both professionally, and as a

citizen, neighbor and friend. A Republican in nation- al politics, Dr. Mayhew never lets pass an opportun- ity to contribute what he is able to give toward the elevation of civic standards. Naturally, he belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West.

At San Francisco, in 1898, Dr. Mayhew was mar- ried to Miss Florence Hackley, a native of Indiana, and their fortunate union has been further blessed with the birth of three children: Gladys E., the wife of R. S. Miesse, a broker at Los Angeles, residing at 5301 Aldama street, Highland Park, they have one child, Jacquelyn; Lauretta C., is the wife of H. Mal- colm Hay, with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., and resides in Palo Alto; Elizabeth, is a student in the San Jose State Teacher's College.

MISS HARKER'S SCHOOL .- Few wide-awake, progressive communities conveniently situated with reference to neighboring cities of importance, and the mountain and the sea, have been equally fortu- nate with Palo Alto in attracting educational institu- tions such as give strength and grace to this great university town, and few educational institutions of the rank and fame of Miss Harker's School, one of the sources of pardonable pride to Palo Alto's ambi- tious citizens, enjoy such an inspiring environment, lying as it does in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley with the sequoia-clad hills rising beyond on the one hand, and, on the other, the blue Coast Range beyond a silver line of San Francisco Bay-the whole afford- ing the student the quiet atmosphere conducive to serious work, while living in the refining influence of quietly beautiful surroundings. The School was founded in 1902 by Miss Catherine Harker, a native of Oregon, who is a graduate of Vassar, where she received the A. B. degree. It was incorporated in 1915 and is housed in a main building erected in 1907, two cottages-one for the Lower School, the other for the Domestic Science Department, and a building especially adapted for the Kindergarten. In 1921 a new gymnasium was built, costing $16,000. The school property embraces about seven acres laid out in gardens, playgrounds and courts for tennis, basket- ball and baseball, and the proximity to Stanford University and the accessibility of San Francisco offer the exceptional advantages, without the dis- tractions, of a metropolis.

The aim of the school, to build up vigorous physical health, to achieve the best possible intellectual ad- vancement, and to secure for each pupil the moral and spiritual development which will enable her to take her place among intellectual and cultured people. and to live a rounded and useful life, is evidenced in the artistic and thoroughly modern school home. The first floor contains the reception hall, the library, music room, recitation rooms and study hall, and the dining room and kitchen, and second floor is made up of the large, sunny bedrooms of the resident pupils, although many use the screened sleeping porches. Only such rules are insisted upon as are necessary to the comfort of all the household, and from cach girl is expected a cheerful and ready response. One re- sult is that Miss Harker's School has become widely famous through its pupils, who are always known as true gentlewomen. The School is also enviably re- nowned through its excellent faculty, some eighteen or twenty thoroughly trained women of the highest academic credentials. These conduct a kindergarten department, primary school, an intermediate school, a high school department, and a post-gradu-

765

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ate department, and also departments for the study of music, Biblical literature and history, and drawing and applied art, as well as cooking and sewing. The value of the kindergarten as the logical foundation for the whole structure of education is more than ever widely recognized; the folk and nature story stimulates interest, and the games and handiwork develop respect for the rights of others. In the pri- mary school, the children are trained in the habits of concentration, independent thinking, thoroughness, accuracy, and consideration for each other. The aim of the intermediate school is the development of in- dependent thought and expression, and this is ac- complished by discussion of topics of the day, de- bates, individual reports, and a class paper, all con- tributing to train for good citizenship. It speaks for itself that the high school department is accredited both to Stanford University and the University of California, and that the regular college preparatory course prepares pupils also for Vassar, Smith, Wel- lesley, Mt. Holyoke, and Bryn Mawr. For those who do not desire to enter college, there is another regular course of four years leading to graduation. A systematic course of Bible study is given, ex- tending from the primary grades through the high school; there is a two-years' course in free-hand drawing, with modelling in clay; special designs are made and executed on wood, leather, brass, copper, silver and textiles; there are both theoretic teaching, in leetures, and practical work in cooking; elementary and advanced sewing are provided for, and the de- partment of physical training is conducted with spe- cial care for the individual needs of the pupils. Each year the senior elass presents a play out-doors.

In order, for example, that the girls may have a practical knowledge of business methods such as becomes those who are some day to have more or less business to transact on their own account, par- ents are requested to send direct to the School a stated monthly allowance to be deposited in the School Bank; and this will be subject to the pupil's personal check to be used only for personal ex- penses that require actual cash payments, on which account no money will be advanced to pupils. Check books and pass hooks are furnished to each pupil, and parents are requested to cooperate in instilling increased care in the expenditure of money.

WILLIAM FISKE HENRY .- A native sou of whom the Northland may well be proud is William Fiske Henry, the able superintendent of the Palo Alto "Times", and among the best known citizens of Palo Alto, Cal. He was born in Oakland, Alameda County, Cal., December 10, 1875, a son of Charles Everett and Juliette (Fiske) Henry, both natives of New England. On both paternal and maternal sides his lineage is traceable to two historical characters in American development-to Patrick Henry on his father's side and to John Fiske, historian, on his mother's side. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Dixon, Cal., then entered Stanford University, taking the English course, and was grad- uated with degree of A. B. in 1900. For ten years forc- man of the Tribune Publishing Company at Dixon, Cal., he terminated his service in that capacity in 1895, when he removed to Palo Alto and became fore- man of the University Press at Stanford University; he was thus engaged for ten years when he entered ' the employ of the Times Publishing Company as

foreman and served efficiently until 1919, when he be- came a part owner and assumed the superintendeney of the Times Publishing Company.

On January 7, 1903, Mr. Henry was married in Palo Alto to Miss Evelyn Henrietta Benoit, a daugh- ter of Louis Benoit, a native of France and a partici- pant in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870; on her mother's side she is a descendant of the St. Louis family, for whom the city of St. Louis, Mo., was named; her mother's family were pioneers of Cali- fornia. Her education was begun in the grammar schools of Palo Alto and finished at the Notre Dame Convent at Redwood City, Cal. They are the par- ents of four children: Wilma Cecelia; Wilbur Vin- cent; Louise Margaret, and Arthur John. In his political views Mr. Henry is a Democrat and frater- nally belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors of America, and the Elks. From 1905 to 1920 he served as president of the Palo Alto Typographical Union, and from 1909 to 1919 served the city of Palo Alto as councilman. Mr. Henry has been active iu many ways in furthering the development of Santa Clara County, and is a well-known and highly es- teemed citizen of the college city.

HENRY A. ALDERTON, M. D .- After a sue- cessful career in the medical profession, as a special- ist in diseases of the ear, nose and throat, Dr. Henry A. Alderton retired and has since devoted himself to the study of painting. Born in New York City, December 28, 1863, he attended the public schools of his native city and the Brooklyn Polytechnic and Col- legiate Institute, where he prepared to enter the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgons, this being the medical department of Columbia University. He graduated in 1885 and then spent a year as an interne at St. Jo- seph's Hospital in Paterson, N. J.

Taking up the general practice of medicine at Brooklyn, N. Y., Dr. Alderton later went abroad to study, taking special work on the ear, nose and throat at the University of Berlin in 1890-91, and ou luis return to Brooklyn, he specialized in these sub- jects, continuing there until 1912. He taught in the earlier years at the New York Post-Graduate Col- lege and the New York Polyclinic and later at the Long Island Medical College; was aural surgeon to the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, Kingston Ave- nue (contagious disease) Hospital, Kings County Hospital, Bushwick and East Brooklyn Hospital, and the Nassau County Hospital. He was formerly a member of the Hamilton Crescent, and Church Club in Brooklyn. Also of the American Otological, Amer- ican Otological, Rhinological and Laryngological and of the New York Otological Societies; and is, at pres- ent, an honorary member of the New York Otolog- ical Society. Since coming to California in 1912, he has studied painting under C. P. Townsley, Richard Miller, Mannheim and Armin Hansen, after prelim- inary work at the San Francisco Institute of Art. The year 1920-21 was spent in Spain and Portugal and Dr. Alderton returned with many original sketches from which he is now working.

In 1885 Dr. Alderton was married to Miss Marion S. Decker in Brooklyn, N. Y., a native of that state and a descendant of families of that state on both paternal and maternal sides. Dr. Alderton's father, Henry Alderton, was a native of Sussex, England, and his mother, Mary Amelia Gibbins, was born in

766

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

New York of English and French ancestry. In the Alderton family there are three children: Dorothy M., married to Herbert A. Kellar, director of the Mc- Cormick Agricultural Library in Chicago: Barbara, an assistant at the Stanford University Library; and Henry A., Jr., at present engaged in civil engineer- ing and formerly second lieutenant in the late war. All are graduates of Stanford University. The fan- ily make their home at 915 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, where Dr. Alderton has also his studio.

GEORGE M. CURTIS .- The son of pioneer par- ents who crossed the plains in 1850, George M. Cur- tis can well take pride in the state of his birth, the development of which has come about through sturdy settlers, such as his forbears were. He was born at Bodega Corners, Sonoma County, October 6, 1868, the son of Benjamin A. and Rebecca (Humphrey) Curtis, who left their Pennsylvania home to pioneer in the Far West more than seventy years ago, set- tling in Sonoma County on their arrival here, where they engaged in farming.

In 1872 the family removed to Mendocino County, where they took up their home in the pine and red- wood district, and here George M. attended school. entering the sawmills as soon as he was large enough to do the work. He soon became the head planer for the Gualala Lumber Company, and he followed this responsible line of work until 1908, when he re- signed to take up his residence at San Martin on the ranch which he had purchased in 1893, when his par- ents had come to San Martin to make their home. The San Martin district was surveyed and sold off in small tracts, beginning in 1892, so that the Curtis family are among the earliest settlers there. This was a stubblefield and now is a fine prune orchard of thirteen acres, which was among the first to be planted. Benjamin A. Curtis lived to be seventy- eight years old, passing away in June, 1914, at San Martin, survived by his widow, who makes her home with George M. Curtis at the comfortable fam- ily residence on Church Avenue.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin A. Curtis, as follows: George M., of this sketch; Lillie married F. W. Briones; they have four chil- dren and reside in San Francisco; William resides at Albin, Mendocino County; Charles is a well driller and resides at San Martin with his wife and two chil- dren; Cora died aged two years; and Edna when she was eighteen. A fine type of public spirited citizen, Mr. Curtis can well look back with satisfaction on his years of hard, honest work that have brought him a competence he may now enjoy, knowing that it has come about entirely through his own efforts. He is a charter member of the California Prune and Apricot Association. Well liked and esteemed by his many friends and neighbors, he performs his civic duties under the hanner of the Republican party.

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, Part 120

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