History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 121

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

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LAZARD LION .- A California pioneer of extra- ordinary force of character and intellect, whose busy life of work and care leading on to success for him- self and all associated with him, well illustrates that characteristic in thousands of men, the will to do. to continue to do, despite all odds, and finally to tri- umph over seemingly impossible obstacles, was Laz- ard Lion, who closed his eyes to the scenes of this world on February 26, 1911. He was born at For- bach, Alsace-Lorraine, France, October 29, 1829, and there received a good education and training that en-

abled him to accomplish much as he went through the many years granted him.

When a young man of twenty-three he came to America, arriving in New York in 1852, and after a short sojourn in the East he went to Indiana and for a short time was engaged in business at Marshall. We next find him in New Orleans, where he also car- ried on a business for a short period of time; then he crossed the Isthmus and arrived in San Francisco in 1853. Soon after his arrival there, he, with others. founded the City of Paris dry goods house, and from a small beginning the business grew with the years until it ranked with the largest in the western metrop- olis. Mr. Lion retained his interest in that establish- ment for many years. On account of ill health, Mr. Lion decided he would leave the Bay section and he came to San Jose in 1855, secured employment in a store on Market Street, and the following year, 1856. embarked in a general merchandise business at the corner of Post and Market streets for himself. While he was living in San Francisco he had become very well known to some of the largest merchants in the state for whom he bought goods-at a time when all goods were sold at auction in San Francisco-and being a shrewd buyer he gave his patrons every sat- isfaction. After he became established in business here he went through the pioncer experiences of all pioneers of those early days, but he was one of those progressive men and forged ahead, never letting him- self become discouraged, whatever the obstacles. He continued in business on Market Street until the cen- ter of trade shifted over to First Street and he easily adapted himself to conditions and moved to the old Music Hall building where he had four stores. His business kept growing apace and he began manufac- turing gloves in one of his stores. That business grew to such proportions that he had from seventy- five to eighty people in his employ and later the in- crease for the California tanned buckskin gloves be- came so great that he had to send the goods to the East to have them made, then returned to California and the customers' wants supplied from here. He imported hides from Alaska, and later built a tannery here to cure his own hides; also imported fine kid hides from France for fine goods. He even supplied large manufacturers in the East with the California buckskin gloves. The first year the sales of the San Jose Glove Company amounted to over $200,000.

As the city expanded Mr. Lion opened an exclusive carpet house in a store building in the Knox Block, opposite the Music Hall building. He was also inter- ested in a store in Santa Clara, maintaining that in- terest for many years. It was due to his business acumen that the City of Lions store was established in Sacramento-one of the most extensive dry goods stores in the entire valley. He was one of the organ- izers of the Commercial and Savings Bank of San Jose and for many years was its president. This bank came into possession of extensive land holdings in Mexico, and these were looked after by one of his sons, Gustave Lion. He was one of the promoters of the Vendome Hotel; was a stockholder in the San Jose Woolen Mills, the San Jose Gas Company, the San Jose Fruit Packing Company, and other enter- prises that he thought might benefit the city of his adoption. He also owned a large tract of land near Gilroy, near Paradise Valley, some 5585 acres of fine land that was purchased in 1890, but which has since passed out of the possession of the family. Mr. Lion

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took an active part in local politics, always to clevate the standard of the seeker after office, and he was appointed by Governor Bartlett one of the trustees of Agnew. He was a Mason of many years standing.

In 1857 Lazard Lion was united in marriage with Miss Zulema Martin, born in Bordeaux, France, the daughter of Mary Martin, who came to America and California in 1847 in a sailing vessel with her daugh- ter and conducted a hotel in San Francisco, where all the old-time miners used to hold forth when in that city, spending their gold dust. She also carried on a hotel in San Jose for many years. There were five sons and one daughter granted to Mr. and Mrs. Lion, one of whom. Charles, died in boyhood. The others are Gustave F., president of L. Lion and Sons Company; Ernest P., vice-president; Henry J., treas- urer, and Emile M., secretary. The only daughter, Estelle, is the wife of Charles Fay, of San Francisco. These children were all educated in San Jose. Mrs. Lion passed away in 1898.

Lazard Lion had a wide acquaintance in the state and when the news of his death was printed it was a severe shock to all who had known him. When he came to this county there were no railroads -- stages were the means of transportation north and south; the quicksilver mines were at the height of their pro- duction during his business career; the evolution of the county from stock to grain and later to fruits and intensive farming were all watched with interest by this farsighted merchant prince. The present estab- lishment of L. Lion and Sons Company of San Jose is the outcome of the little store started on Market and Post streets in 1856, and represents the oldest concern in the state that never has been out of the family control. Mr. Lion was successful in all his business undertakings; was modest in manner and always had a cheery greeting for everybody. He was public spirited, always giving with the thought that it was for the best interests of the county. He was a man of splendid business judgment and was popu- lar in social circles in his younger days. At his pass- ing on February 26, 1911, the county lost one of her most loyal citizens.

GUSTAVE F. LION .- A family, historic in its way, of successful merchants and land owners is rep- resented by Gustave F. Lion, president of L. Lion and Sons Company of San Jose, where the family has heen continuously represented since 1855. He was born in San Jose. December 13, 1859, son of Lazard and Zulema ( Martin) Lion, mentioned at length elsewhere in this work.

Gustave attended the Gates private school in San Jose and then Santa Clara College until he was four- teen. He then left his books to assist his father in his business and went to San Francisco, where he had full charge of his office there and bought goods for his seven stores; and was also selling agent for the San Jose Glove Company in San Francisco; this concern was also owned by his father. The lad went to night school while he was in the city and also at- tended Heald's Business College to further perfect himself in being able to manage affairs. In 1880 he came back to San Jose and established a dry goods business, which he later sold to Stull and Sonniksen. In 1886 Gustave Lion went to Los Angeles to visit and he saw the great opportunities of the southern city, as it was at the time of its first real boom, and he opened an exclusive carpet store and continued there for almost four years, then sold out and came

back to San Jose to identify himself with the L. Lion and Sons concern. That same year it was incorpo- rated as L. Lion and Sons Company, with Gustave F. as its president, and that office he has held ever since. The famous San Martin ranch of 5585 acres also came under his control and he managed that until it was sold for subdivision into small farms in 1921. He had been looking after the extensive land holdings for his father-or in reality the Commercial and Savings Bank-some years previous to this time. Mr. Lion has given his entire time to the development of the concern of which he is the head, but not to the exclu- sion of his duties as a public spirited citizen.

The marriage of Gustave F. Lion with Miss Mary Jobson of San Jose was celebrated in 1880, and they have become the parents of three children: Clara Z. married W. E. Blauer, manager of the San Jose branch of the Bank of Italy; Morrell G. is a grower and wholesaler of seeds in Santa Clara County; and Hortense is at home. The daughters were born in San Jose and the son in Los Angeles. The family home is at 1275 Alameda. Mr. Lion is one of the popular citizens of the county as well as one of the most publie spirited. He is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce, the Country Club, the Commercial Club, the B. P. O. Elks, a director of the San Jose branch of the Bank of Italy and a member of its ad- visory board. He was vice-president of the Commer- cial and Savings Bank for several years and until it was sold, was president of the Salsina Canning and Packing Company. Always interested in politics, thought not a seeker for office, he has sought to do what he could under the banners of the Republican party, although he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago in 1896. Of kindly disposition, keen business discernment, Mr. Lion has a host of friends through the state who gladly acknowledge his success and consider his word as good as his bond.

PROF. ELMER E. BROWNELL .- California has been particularly fortunate in her exceptional staff of educators who have done yeoman service in helping to lay broad and deep the foundations of the great commonwealth, and prominent among those contributing to these great aims and results is Prof. Elmer E. Brownell, the popular supervising principal of the Gilroy public schools, and a leader in the edu- cational work of Santa Clara County. A native Ver- monter, Elmer E. Brownell was born at Essex June- tion, in the Green Mountain State, on June 1, 1865. the son of Lyman A. Brownell, also a Vermonter. a stonemason who migrated west to California in 1871, and settled at San Jose, where he died in 1902. Mrs. Brownell, who was Eliza A. Cook, before her mar- riage and a native of New York, died January 23, 1921, highly esteemed as was her husband, and the center of a circle of steadfast friends. The Brown- ells came to America before the Revolutionary War. three brothers hailing from England, and settled in Vermont, while the Cook family migrated from Scot- land to New York in early Colonial days.

Elmer Brownell passed through the elementary schools of San Jose and was graduated from the State Normal in this city in 1884, after which he spent one year at Stanford University, and in 1887 he was in charge of the Lone Tree district school, in Contra Costa County. The following year he removed to Monterey County, and then he taught at Warm Springs and next at Decoto, in Alameda County, be-

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coming there the acting principal of schools. He was principal of the Mountain View schools from 1890 o 1899, and was assistant teacher of the San Jose high school from 1899 to 1904. Since 1904 he has had charge of the Gilroy schools. From 1896 to 1906 he was president of the board of education of Santa ('lara County. In national political affairs a Repub- lican, Professor Brownell has always been an enthusi- astic, non-partisan worker for local movements and men properly endorsed.

At Irvington, in Alameda County, on July 25, 1890, Mr. Brownell was married to Miss Lizzie Valpey C'raycroft, the daughter of J. W. Craycroft of Mo- desto. She passed away in 1903, lamented by all who had come to appreciate her personality and gifts, and survived by four sons: R. E. Brownell is a graduate of the University of California, class of '11. from which he received the D. D. S. degree; he is married and the father of two children, and resides at Fresno. John R. is in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, is married and has one child, and served for twelve months in France, during the World War. Dr. H. L Brownell is also a graduate of the Physicians and Surgeons College of San Francisco, having been a member of the class of '14; he is mar- ried and lives at Fresno, and was a lieutenant in the L. S. Navy during the war. Herbert W. Brownell, another ex-service man, is attending the Dental Col- lege of the University of Southern California. Pro- iessor Brownell was married for the second time on Christmas Day, 1909, to Miss Sarah Annette White- hurst, the daughter of L. A. Whitehurst, the well- known pioneer, now deceased. The family now reside at the old Whitehurst home on South Church Street. Gilroy. Professor Brownell is a Republican, a Scot- tish Rite Mason and a Knight Templar and a mem- ber of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Fran- cisco, and belongs to the Watsonville lodge of Elks, and to the Mountain View lodge of Odd Fellows, the Gilroy I. O. F., and is secretary and treasurer of Gil- roy Golf and Country Club.

STEPHEN HEILMANN .- A successful orchard- ist, who has made valuable contributions toward the advancement of California husbandry, is Stephen Heilmann, who came to Gilroy on August, 1, 1886, and since Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1886, has resided on Bodfish Road. He was born near Raude- sacker, near Wurzburg, on the River Main in Bava- ria, on April 10, 1861, the eldest son of Franz and Barbara (Feuerer) Heilmann, and he attended school in his own home district. In time, he spent three years in the German army, doing his full duty by the land of his birth, and having thus kept his rec- ord clear, so that he might at any time return to the Fatherland if he wished, he set out for America. On July 11, 1892, he was admitted to citizenship by Judge Lorigan at San Jose, and since then, becoming more and more American, he has steadily made good. He worked on the Lewis place when he first came to this section and after Mr. Lewis died he served Henry Miller faithfully until April, 1905. While in the em- ploy of Miller he acquired 185 acres of very desir- able orchard and hill land, and this he has been devel- oping into an orchard and a vineyard. A Republican in matters of national import, Mr. Heilmann has been broadminded and non-partisan in local affairs, and is at present a school trustee in the Live Oaks district.

He was also roadmaster of the Bodfish district for many years.

At Gilroy, in 1898, Mr. Heilmann was married to Miss Barbara Bumm, a native of the same part of Bavaria as her husband, where she was born on April 7, 1861, and she came to California in 1888. Five children made up their family: Lizzie, Mrs. Evans, resides with her two children at Woodland; Augusta, wife of Chief Engineer Satler, of the Union Iron Works at San Francisco, is at home; Herman is as- sisting with the work on the ranch, is married and resides on the home place. Mary resides with her hus- band, Joe Gubser, and her three daughters at Old Gil- roy. Sarah, Mrs. George Brem, resides near Gilroy; she is a graduate of the San Francisco State Normal School, and the mother of a son. Mrs. Heilmann was a general favorite, and when she passed away, in June, 1905, at the Fisher Place, she was deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends.

Many interesting events have helped to fill the fruitful life of our subject, but in none has he taken more pride than in his relation to the Nemo Prune, the story of which may be had in his own narrative. "For many years," he says, "I was working upon Henry Miller's fruit ranch, known as the Lewis Place, where there were some green-gage plum trees, whose fruit we could not very well use. Mr. Miller thereupon ordered me to graft the trees to Imp. prunes, and he sent me the scions. The grafting was a success, and after a couple of years, the branches bore well. I noticed on one tree a French- prune graft, which was accidentally joined to the Imp. prune scions, and this gave me the idea of im- proving the French prune by means of the Imp. prune, which is tender and gets soft very quickly. 1 took about half a dozen of the Imp. prunes which were close to the French prune limbs and planted the pits of the former, and only one was growing. I carefully attended to this one little tree, eager to see what kind of fruit it would produce. I made grafts of this little tree to older trees, and they are now bearing an exceptionally good prune. I call it "Nemo." This prune is large, of good color, sweet, firm in flesh, and it does not get soft like the Imp. prune when lying on the ground. This prune tree may be grown on poor land, and yet will grow large -much larger than the French prune of neighbors growing in the same kind of soil, and about thirty- four grown on poor soil will make a pound."

S. G. RODECK .- A native son, S. G. Rodeck was born in Sonoma County, November 1, 1856, and re- ceived a good education in the schools of Petaluma; he is a son of John and Letitia Rodeck, born in Germany and Ireland, respectively, who settled in the East and later emigrated to California via Pan- ama and followed farming near Petaluma. S. G. Rodeck was engaged in dairying in Sonoma County, then spent two years in San Luis Obispo County and then came to Santa Clara County in the '70s. He purchased an orchard near Campbell, and here he was married in 1876 to Miss Laura Campbell, who was born in the town of Campbell, a daughter of Benj. Campbell, the founder of the town. They have engaged in orcharding ever since, and Mr. Rodeck was a director in the Bank of Campbell until it was sold to the Garden City Bank & Trust Co .. He is now a member of its finance committee and a man

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of much influence and public spirit. Mr. and Mrs. Rodeck have three children: Mrs Cora Antrin, of Fresno; Mary L, and Geo. Benjamin. They are members of the Methodist Church in Campbell.

DAVID BACON MOODY .- Success has attended the efforts of David Bacon Moody, and though re- tired from active duties, he is still alert and interested in all measures that tend to the advancement and de- velopment of his community. Born in Michigan City, Ind., March 14, 1837, his parents, Ransom G. and Elmira (Bacon) Moody, removed, in 1840, to Mil- waukee, Wis. There he attended the public schools until early in the year 1849, when the family crossed the plains with ox teams to California, coming by the southern route and the Cajon Pass, their wagons being among the first to come by that route. Their progress was slow, accompanied by perils and hard- ships, but they finally reached San Bernardino about Christmas time, 18449, coming on to San Jose in May, 1850, where Mr. Moody attended school until nine- teen years of age. When he was twenty-one he cm- barked in the flour-milling business with his father and two brothers, Charles and Volney D. Moody, and continued in that business until his retirement from active life. Their mills were known as the Moody Mills, and afterwards as the Central Milling Company, composed of eleven units in all, and dis- tributed their products throughout the state. Later these mills were combined with other mills and be- came known as the Sperry Flour Company, and for eighteen years he was secretary and auditor for this company. For fourteen years, or until the liquidation of the business, Mr. Moody was president of the San Jose Woolen Mills, and he was also one of the pro- moters of the Vendome Hotel. Since 1910 his pri- vate interests have been demanding his full time.

Mr. Moody is a public-spirited citizen, who has the fullest confidence of the community, and served as city treasurer in 1862, which office he held for tv. years. In 1867, at a time of great public agitation, he was called upon to act as county treasurer by the board of supervisors. The incumbent of the office had absconded with $23,000 of the county funds. Great excitement was the result, but Mr. Moody took hold of matters and carried them safely through the critical time, finding no difficulty in giving at once bonds of the heaviest nature. From 1867 to 1871 Mr. Moody was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and September 27, 1886, he was a prime mover in the organization of the Board of Trade, which afterwards became the Chamber of Commerce, which has done a vast deal of good for this valley in advertising its advantages and resources and in disseminating accurate and reliable informa- tion. Mr. Moody was elected president at the first and held that important office until going to San Francisco for the Sperry Flour Company; he also served on the board of education four years. In addition to his business interests, he is the owner of considerable real estate.

The marriage of Mr. Moody, June 27, 1861, united him with Miss Jeannette B. Wright, a native of New York. They have two children, Nettie, a graduate of the College of the Pacific, and Anna L., both resid- ing with their parents.

Mr. Moody, from his majority until 1900, was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has the honor of having voted for Presi- dent Lincoln twice, and twice for President Grant; however, he now votes the Democratic ticket. He is 36

a great lover of good music, and in this he finds his recreation. He is a member of the Loring Club of San Francisco and attends rehearsal every Monday night; he has been an active member of this club for over twenty-five years. He is a composer of some distinction, having begun when eighteen years of age, and several of his songs have met with popular ap- proval. For twelve years he was the tenor of St. Joseph's quartet choir of San Jose. Mr. Moody was a member of the board of freeholders, elected for the purpose of framing a new charter for city govern- ment, and was also a member of the committee of re- vision, a responsible office requiring the highest qual- ities. This board succeeded in establishing the com- mission form of government in San Jose. Mr. Moody was a volunteer fireman in the early days, and for his service of six years received an exemption certifi- cate, which relieves him from jury duty. Although advanced in years, Mr. Moody is still active and re- tains the energy and ability which have always dis- tinguished him.

JOE HAGEMAN .- Among the prominent and outstanding figures in realty circles of San Jose, and a name that is familiar to home builders and inves- tors is Joe Hageman. To him belongs the credit of introducing the modern, high-class residence apart- ments, which have become so popular with investors and tenants alike. He was born in Franklin, Ind., on July 26, 1875, a son of Simon P. and Annie (McCol- lough) Hageman. The family removed to California during the year of 1884, and settled in San Jose, where the father was well known as an orchardist; both parents have passed away.

Mr. Hageman received his education in the public schools and high school of San Jose and spent his spare time in helping his father on the home place, where he secured a training that was of much help when he started to make his own way. He first en- gaged in ranching; then entered the drug business, became a licensed druggist and followed that line for the next six years. He again entered the ranks of the ranchers and continued for eight years. During 1906 he quit ranching and went to San Francisco and was engaged in the wrecking business in which he met with success, helping to clean up the debris of the big fire of April, 1906, which was the initial step in the building of greater San Francisco. Upon his return to San Jose, in 1909, Mr. Hageman built the first resi- dence apartment house in San Jose, located at 330 South Third Street; since then has built another at the corner of Third and Julian streets. When he first commenced the plan and carried it into execution, it was considered impractical and unprofitable, but the success of the venture has proven so practicable and this style of apartment so popular, that many have followed his example and dozens have been con- structed, aiding very materially in the housing prob- lems of San Jose. In 1919, Mr. Hageman was the moving spirit in the organization of the United Realty Company, his business associates being Arthur L. Grey and Joseph V. Cardoza, with offices at 61 West Santa Clara Street. From the time of its establish- ment, the United Realty Company has had its share of the business and the volume and importance of their transactions are growing month by month; in connection with the realty business, they conduct a general insurance business.

The marriage of Mr. Hageman occurred in San Jose, June 24, 1901, and united him with Miss Jane

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Trader, a native of Jersey City, N. J., later removing with her parents to Kansas City, Mo. They are the parents of one child, Bruce. Mr. Hageman is very popular in the San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. Elks and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the San Jose realty board. His leis- ure time is spent in the open, and he is particularly fond of camping trips in the mountains, a recreation he enjoys as much as his busy life will permit.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 121

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