History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 153

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 153

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).

About 1890 Mr. Tompkins opened up his law of- fice in the building where the Madsen Furniture Company store now stands, but kept his night school position to pay his expenses while waiting for busi- ness to come. Needless to say, it did come, and as the years have gone by, Mr. Tompkins has taken his place among the leaders of the bar of Santa Clara County. In reply to the query as to what he attri- buted his success, Mr. Tomkins once said, "I attribute it to making up my mind to do a thing-and stick- ing to it. It is not so much brilliancy that counts, but energy and fair dealing. I suppose that every man at some time in his life thinks that when he has accomplished certain things that he will quit busi- ness, but some year ago something occurred to me that was enlightening. A successful man whom I knew well decided to retire from business, visioning long years of enjoyment and ease. Some months

afterwards I saw him standing on a corner, just looking up and down the street. After greeting him I said, 'What are you waiting for?' I will never for- get the tragedy of his reply, 'Sam, I'm just waiting to die.' As I walked away I changed my mind about ever giving up work. I wanted to be a lawyer. I am a lawyer; and I shall continue to practice law. One can rust out quickly, but it takes a long time to wear out." Mr. Tompkins is a great lover of music and has been for many years an artistic performer on the flute. He says, "The history of my flute playing goes back to Colusa County, when I was fourteen years old. I attended a concert and heard a boy play a piccolo-an octave flute-and for years I carried that tune in my head, until I located it in Von Web- er's Oberon. When I left the concert that night I wanted to learn to play. I hustled around and got a subscriber for the Youth's Companion. The prize was a fife; it came and I welcomed it, but it wasn't a flute. Finally I found an eight-keyed flute and now I own a Boehm flute for which I paid $185. Music is my recreation and my pleasure. There is something about, especially flute music, that is soul satisfying. Somehow I thing that what I did with the flute is just what we have to do in life with a chosen line of work. We have to select something and then make ourselves master of it-whether it's a flute or a profession."

DALLAS E. WOOD .- Among the progressive and active citizens of Palo Alto, whose influence is felt along all lines, is Dallas E. Wood, the editor and joint publisher of the Daily Palo Alto Times. A native of California, he was born in Merced, on January 27, 1886. His father, Mirabeau Dallas Wood, was a native of Florida, while his mother, Maron L. Wood, was a native of Missouri. His maternal and paternal grandparents were from Vir- ginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Dallas E. began his education in the grammar school of Mer- ced and was graduated from the grammar school in June, 1900; and from the Merced high school in June, 1904; he immediately entered the Stanford Univers- ity and was a student from 1904 to 1908. After his graduation his first work was as advertising writer in San Francisco, and he was thus engaged for seven years. In 1915 he became the city editor of the Merced Sun and was thus occupied until July 1, 1919, when he became editor and joint publisher of the Daily Palo Alto Times in partnership with George F. Morell and William F. Henry.

Mr. Wood's marriage occurred in Stockton, Cal., August 24, 1921, and united him with Miss Elizabeth A. Wright, a daughter of the late Judge E. G. Wright of Putnam, Conn., and Mrs. Wright, now of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Wood is a native of Connecticut and her education was begun in that state; later she was a student and was graduated from the Stanford Uni- versity with the class of 1908. Mr. Wood is the owner of a fig orchard in Merced County. Political- ly he is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias. During his residence in Palo Alto he has entered enthusiastically into the civic life of the community and is ever ready to put his shoulder to the wheel to help its progress.

Frank & Ornell

975

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

FRANK J. O'CONNELL .- Already securely es- tablished in the business life of the community, Frank J. O'Connell, the vice-president of O'Connell Bros., Inc., and manager of their extensive cattle ranch, is greatly interested in the growth and devel- opment of Santa Clara County along broad and com- prehensive lines and zealous in his work towards making it one of the banner counties of the state in agricultural and horticultural resources. The sec- ond eldest of a family of six living children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Connell, pioneers whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book, he was born at Hollister, San Benito County on October 23, 1881, where his early education was gained. In 1895, when · a lad of thirteen years, he accompanied the family when they removed to San Jose, and there he con- tinued in school for another year, when he left the classroom to give all his time in assisting his father, who was engaged in the fuel and feed business.

In 1902, Mr. O'Connell, with his brother Charles, took over their father's business and continuing in partnership until July 9, 1906, when the five O'Connell boys incorporated the business as O'Con- nell Bros., Inc., in which he has since been a direc- tor and vice-president. They then enlarged the busi- ness, establishing a grocery department, as well as a wholesale and retail butcher business, and finding a great need for a large supply of cattle, in 1911 they launched out into cattle raising. This end of the business has grown to great proportions and they now own 15,000 acres near Madrone, and control another 17,000 by lease at Pacheco Pass, a descrip- tion of their holdings being found in the article on O'Connell Bros., Inc. In 1911 Mr. O'Connell took charge of the cattle and ranch interests and has since superintended that part of the business. A. close student of the stock industry, he has become exceptionally well informed and is considered one of the best judges of cattle in this part of the state, buying cattle from Mexico to Oregon, as well as east to Nevada.

In San Jose, on June 17, 1911, Mr. O'Connell was married to Miss Rhea Fenton, a native of Iowa, and they have three children, Fenton Frank, James W. and Ruth Irma. Mr. O'Connell is a popular mem- ber of the Woodmen of the World and Ancient Order of Foresters. He is a straight-out Republican and protectionist, progressive in his ideas, and al- ways ready to boost for the great commonwealth of his birth. Widely known throughout this part of the country, his genial manner has made him a host of friends over the state.

GEORGE B. CALL .- A representative citizen of San Martin whose years of application to business have brought him affluence in .this world's goods, George B. Call is the son of worthy pioneers of the Golden State, who came here in the '50s. A native son, he was born at Tehama City, Tehama County, on November 5, 1863, the son of John and Sarah (Shortridge) Call. In the early '70s the family re- moved to Sonoma County, where the father was en- gaged in ranching, and there George B. was reared, receiving his education in the schools there.

Mr. Call's marriage united him with Miss Ida Bandfield, a native daughter of San Francisco, her parents being John and Mary Bandfield, who were residents of Santa Rosa until their demise. John

Bandfield is numbered among California's pioneers, having come to San Francisco in 1849, where he was in the employ of the Government. In 1890 Mr. Call located near Forestville, Sonoma County, and there followed general farming and fruit raising until 1900, when he removed to Santa Ana, Orange County, where he farmed on the famous San Joaquin Rancho, owned by James Irvine, and comprising thousands of acres devoted largely to growing lima beans. In 1903 he came to San Martin and located on a ranch which he developed into one of the most profitable orchard and vineyard properties in this district. His holdings now consist of fifty acres, located on Church Avenue, and while he has retired from active work on the ranch, it is being cared for under his capable supervision and brings him a handsome income each year. A Republican in politics, Mr. Call has always taken a public-spirited interest in whatever concerned the welfare of the community and for eight years served as road supervisor during the term of H. S. Hersman. He joined the Odd Fellows lodge in Sonoma County and has always retained his affilia- tion with this order. A firm believer in co-operation, he was one of the charter members of the California Prune & Apricot Association.

MRS. OLLIE M. WILKES .- A woman who has nobly done her part to build up and improve the hotel business in Palo Alto, and who, as proprietress of Hotel Palo Alto, has displayed much business acumen in her efforts to give satisfaction and enjoy- ment to her patrons, such a woman is Mrs. Ollie M. Wilkes, who is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Milwaukee. Early in life she was deprived of both parents and was adopted by Peter R. and Mar- garet Wolf. Her foster-father has passed away, but Mrs. Wolf resides with her at the Palo Alto Hotel, now eight-five years old.

In 1896 she married Albert Balentine Wilkes, a native of Clinton, Iowa, and that year they removed to Seattle, Wash. Several years later they settled in Sonoma County, Cal., and remained for four years; then came to Palo Alto in 1915 and rented the Palo Alto Hotel. Mr. Wilkes is at present engaged in business in Texas, and Mrs. Wilkes manages the hotel with the help of her son. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes are the parents of two children; Evan C. was in the U. S. Navy as gunner's mate; Merna M. is the wife of J. F. Van Druten, who is engaged in newspaper circulation and movie promotion enterprises in Cal- ifornia cities. They reside in Palo Alto and are the parents of one child, Margaret. Mrs. Wilkes was brought up in the Episcopalian faith and takes an ac- tive interest in philanthropic and patriotic work, being past president of the Woman's Relief Corps of Palo Alto. Before her marriage Mrs. Wilkes was the effi- cient auditor for the A. W. Rich Company, large mer- chants in Milwaukee, and this experience has enabled her to carry forward her hotel business with thorough- ness and faithfulness which have been the principal elements of her success. The Palo Alto is the principal commercial hotel in the city and under her efficient management is proving a decided success. Mrs. Wilkes is a good example of what an American wo- man can accomplish. Bright, interesting, and public- spirited, she never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for Palo Alto.

976

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

TOM CARDOZA .- A prominent and influential resident of Santa Clara County is Tom Cardoza, vice-president of the Palo Alto Dairy Company, of 314 University Avenue, once active in the build- ing world, hauling over one-half of the materials required for the Stanford University structures. For the past eight years he has been a leader in the local dairy world, and in that role has done much to advance California agricultural interests. He has lived for thirty-six years in Palo Alto; and although he himself had little or no opportunity to go to school, he is affording his children the best of edu- cational advantages, determined that they shall not be handicapped as he has been. He was born in the Island of Pico, in the Azores group, on De- cember 23, 1863, the son of John Cardoza, a farmer, who owned his farm, and Laura (Silva) Cardoza. There were four children-three sons and a daugh- ter-in the family; and Tom was the second in the order of birth. He stayed at home until he was seventeen, and then, setting sail from the balmy islands, he landed at old Castle Garden on June 14, 1880. He came by rail to San Francisco, when he was fourteen days in crossing the continent; and for five years he worked as a teamster in Contra Costa County.

He then came, as a young unmarried man, to what is now Palo Alto, and for two years he worked for Henry Seale, and thirty-five years ago he was married to Miss Mary Silva, who passed away after four years of felicitous wedded life. Two children had died within eleven months, and it was their death that caused the demise, from a broken heart, of the devoted mother. Thereafter Mr. Cardoza took up contracting for teaming, and hauled gravel, rock and sand-gravel for building purposes in Palo Alto. He also supplied road-building gravel. He attended strictly to business, and it grew until he had twenty-two teams. He also hauled furniture for the boys' dormitory, for Encina Hall, also the old Robley Hall, from the railway cars; and as he was more than dependable, he never lacked for work.

Mr. Cardoza first became interested in dairying at Palo Alto. He became financially interested in the Palo Alto Creamery Company, now known as the Palo Alto Dairy Company, of which he is the prin- cipal stockholder and vice-president, George Will- iams of Manteca being the president. Among val- uable city property, he owns two residences and sev- eral lots; and he is also stockholder in the Palo Alto Bank. The Palo Alto Dairy Company employs five workmen and a bookkeeper, and in its field it is one of the most desirable of local enterprises.

Mr. Cordoza was married a second time on Feb- ruary 29, 1892, when he chose for his wife Miss Anne Andrade in San Leandro, Cal. They have had eleven children, nine of whom are living. Alfred is a student at Stanford University, and the others, Harry, Louisa, Annie, Laura, Josie, Eva, Effie and Elsie (twins), all attractive and highly creditable children. Laura mar- ried Charles Ross, and resides at Palo Alto. Louisa married Tom Oates, resides in Bakersfield where he is engaged in the laundry business. Mr. Cardoza resides with his family at 760 Homer Avenue. He is a mem- ber of the U. P. E. C. Society, of which he was treas- urer for many years, and he also belongs to the In- dependent Order of Foresters. He prefers the plat- forms of the Republican party, but he never allows

partisan politics to interfere with his doing what- ever he can to endorse and forward the most com- mendable local movements.

GEORGE F. MORELL .- A successful man who always finds time to lend a hand, and generally a very helpful one, to advance every worthy movement in local affairs is George F. Morell, the genial man- ager of the Palo Alto Times. Born at South Am- herst, Mass., September 24, 1886, he is the son of John Fowler Morell, born in Lenox, Mass., and Alice (Goodrich) Morell, a native of Stockbridge, Mass. Both paternal and maternal grandparents re- sided in Massachusetts. Prior to 1800 his maternal ancestors were prominent in the life of Connecticut . settling there as early as 1630. His paternal ances- tors were from Pennsylvania, locating there in 1756. George Morell began his education in the grammar schools of South Amherst and then entered the Flushing high school in New York City, and was graduated with the class of 1904; he then came out to California and was a student of the Stanford Uni- versity from 1905 to 1910. Upon completion of his course at Stanford he became the advertising man- ager of the Co-operative Land Company of San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley, and in August, 1912, he was sent to Merced in the interest of this company, in 1915 being made manager of their Mad- era and Merced county colonization projects. He also became interested in cattle raising and remained in Merced until 1917.

The marriage of Mr. Morell occurred on August 19, 1911, and united him with Miss Athene Frances Bates, a daughter of Dr. Walter E. and Eudora (Hart) Bates, and a resident of Davis, Cal., the young people meeting at the Stanford University where they were both students. Mr. Morell was a resident of Merced at the beginning of the late war and organized a company of volunteers in April, 1917; he enlisted at the Presidio in San Francisco in August, 1917, in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. On November 27, 1917, he was commissioned first lieutenant and was assigned to the Twentieth In- fantry, and in August, 1918, he was commissioned captain in the same regiment. During the time of his residence in Merced he served as trustee of the Union high school, was secretary of the Merced County Board of Forestry, and took a leading part in many other civic enterprises. In June, 1919, he purchased a controlling interest in the Times Pub- lishing Company of Palo Alto and is now manager of that company and the Times. The Times has been a daily at three different periods. Once for four months, in 1895, under the direction of Tom Kemp; next in 1902 for five months, and thirdly, since 1905 to the present time. In October, 1920, Mr. Morell became a member of the executive staff of the Bank of Palo Alto, and during 1920, 1921 and 1922 he served as vice-president of the Chamber of Com- merce of Palo Alto. Mr. Morell was the organizer and first commander of Fremont Post No. 52, Amer- ican Legion, at Palo Alto, and in 1920 was the chair- man of the American Legion committee for the Eighth congressional district, also chairman of the Welfare Fund committee of the American Legion for Palo Alto Public Health Hospital. He is the owner of ranch property in Monterey, San Benito,

TOM CARDOZA

ANNE ANDRADE CARDOZA

981

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Madera, and Merced counties. A consistent worker for higher civic standards, better citizenship and community advancement of every sort, Mr. Morell was organizing chairman of the Palo Alto Rotary Club and the first vice-president of that organiza- tion. He holds a commission in the Reserve Corps of the U. S. Army and is now captain, commanding Company F of the 363rd Infantry, 91st Division.

ANTONIO RIANDA .- Among the successful dairymen of the Gilroy district is Antonio Rianda, who by hard work and a determination to succeed has achieved his ambition and has become well-to-do. He was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, Sep- tember 25, 1865, the son of Antonio Rianda, also a native of the same canton. His mother was Agnes Leoni before her marriage, and she passed away when her son Antonio was seven years old. The father left his home and went to South America and from there came to California in 1849 and engaged in mining, and finally returned to Switzerland and spent the remainder of his days in his native canton. In 1881, Antonio Rianda, Jr., came to America, and California, and located near Watsonville, where he remained for five years and later engaged in farming near Salinas and Soledad. In 1886, he removed to the James H. Ellis' place, near Gilroy, and conducted a dairy business on shares successfully for eight years. He manufactured butter and cheese at Fac- tory No. 15 on this ranch.

The marriage of Mr. Rianda united him with Miss Ellen Watson, born January 22, 1872, the daughter of that early pioneer, Alexander Watson, a native of Scotland, who was born October 6, 1834. When he was a babe in arms he was brought by his parents to the United States, and they first located in South Carolina, then went to New York where Alexander was reared and educated in Herkimer County. He lived on a farm until 1859 when he started for Cali- fornia via the Isthmus, and on his arrival here went to work in the mines. In 1860 he came to Santa Clara County and was employed as a dairyman for several years; in 1868 he purchased an interest in a ranch, but this was subdivided in 1871. He married Lavina Bryan, a native of California, and they were the parents of three children: Ellen, Mrs. Rianda; Martha, Mrs. Linderleaf; and Alexander.

Mr. and Mrs. Rianda are the parents of four child- ren: Roy, served twenty-two months in the U. S. Army overseas in the engineers corps, and is now a rancher near Gilroy; George, enlisted in the army during the late war and served three months at a training camp; Harry, was ready to go when the armistice was signed, and is at home; and Elsie G., a stenographer at Gilroy. These children were born, reared and educated in Gilroy township. Mr. Rianda became a citizen of the United States in 1887, receiv- ing his papers in Judge Lorigan's court. In politics he is a liberal Republican. He has been a member of the Swiss Benevolent Society since 1887, and an Odd Fellow since 1888. In 1894 he purchased forty- eight acres of land in the Watson subdivision. His home place now consists of ninety acres, making a fine, highly cultivated ranch and dairy farm. He also owns 195 acres of range and hill land. With the help of his sons he has conducted a dairy since 1894. He was one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Gilroy, now known as the Gilroy

Branch of Garden City Bank and Trust Company, and he is also a stockholder in the Bank of Italy, Gil- roy Branch.

ROBERT WALKER .- In the passing of Robert Walker, Santa Clara County lost one of her most progressive citizens who, during his long residence here, did his full share in bringing about the won- derful transformation that has made the Santa Clara Valley one of the garden spots of the United States. Mr. Walker was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Can., September 15, 1842, the son of John and Ann (Me- Intosh) Walker, the former born in Edinburgh, while Mrs. Walker was a native of the Highlands of Scotland. When a young man he crossed the ocean to America, locating at Montreal, Canada, where he was married, and from there removed to Ancaster Township, near Hamilton, being one of the pioneers of that district. He passed away in 1885, his widow surviving him several years, passing away at the age of ninety years.

One of a family of eight children, Robert Walker remained at home until he was twenty years old, and in 1862 he left on the long journey to California via the Isthmus of Panama. On reaching San Fran- cisco he left by the next steamer for Victoria, British Columbia, and in 1863 he went inland to the Caribou gold mines, near the Fraser river, and nearly 400 miles from Victoria. Here he remained until the fall of 1865, when he returned to San Francisco, and in the following spring he made another trip to British Columbia, this time engaging in mining at Big Bend, on the Columbia River. Not finding the mines profit- able, however, he returned to California and settled in Monterey County, where he farmed for three years. In 1871 Mr. Walker came to Santa Clara County and purchased land on the Los Gatos and San Jose road, and there he built a country home that was one of the well-known landmarks of that part of the country. He added to his holdings until he had over 400 acres, and through his capable super- vision it became a very valuable property. A leader in the financial life of the community, he was a director of the Bank of Los Gatos and of the Los Gatos Fruit Packing Company.

While living in Monterey County, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Eliza Jane Parr, a native of Santa Clara County and the daughter of Jonathan and Eliza (Lowe) Parr, both born in England and pio- neers of California coming across the plains in 1846. Jonathan Parr became owner of 3000 acres on both sides of Los Gatos creek, and here they both died. Mrs. Eliza (Parr) Walker died in October, 1893, the mother of three children, Leslie R., deceased, Myrtle, and Vivian C., deceased. Myrtle Walker, the only child living, became the wife of Frank A. Johnson, and two children were born to them: Robert P., who was in the U. S. service for eighteen months during the World War, and Alice A. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1900 and Mrs. Jolinson still makes her home on her ranch near Los Gatos. Prominent in the fraternal circles of his days, Robert Walker became a member of the Odd Fellows in 1888, and he was for many years a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He passed away in October, 1900, closing a life full of kindly deeds, and in which success had come as a reward of his integ- rity and upright spirit.

982

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

FRANK ALLEN CUSHING .- Business inter- ests in Los Gatos find an enterprising representative in Frank Allen Cushing, who for the past fourteen years has here engaged in contracting teaming and he is also the owner of a blacksmith shop, display- ing sound judgment and capability in the conduct of his affairs. A native of Iowa, he was born at Red- ding, March 1, 1876, and his parents were Benjamin and Addie (Allen) Cushing. The father became the owner of a stock ranch in South Dakota and in 1890 he came to California, where he continued to follow his chosen occupation on a ranch at the Summit in Santa Cruz County until his demise, which occurred on July 4, 1917, while the mother had passed away in 1880 in Illinois. Of their three children, two girls and one boy, Frank Allen is the second oldest.

Frank Allen Cushing acquired a public school education in South Dakota and at Austin Corners district school in Santa Clara County, but quit school to assist his father in the operation of the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he started out in the world on his own account. He began work for Mr. Sabin on the Tip Top Ranch driving a team; then with R. R. Bell of Los Gatos in the same work; then for others until 1903 when he bought a six-mule team and outfit at Boulder Creek and teamed for one year. In August, 1904, he came to Los Gatos, where he engaged in teaming, purchasing more teams, which he used in hauling lumber and other commodities from the mountains. His busi- ness has developed with the passing years and he now uses thirty-two head of horses and furnishes employment to from four to ten men. He takes contracts for hauling and does all kinds of excavating, road building, etc., in addition to which he is the owner of a blacksmith shop, and in both lines of activity success has rewarded his efforts. He owns a residence at 120 Santa Cruz Avenue where he re- sides with his family. He still owns the old ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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 153

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