History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 156

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

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After his schooldays were over, Bert O'Connell. as he is familiarly called, continued to assist his father in the business until July, 1906, when with his four brothers they incorporated it as O'Connell Bros., Inc., after which they branched out into the wholesale and retail butcher business, as well as establishing a grocery store. They also began cattle raising on an extensive scale and in time came to own a ranch of 15,000 acres at Madrone, a descrip- tion of which is given in the sketch of O'Connell Bros., Inc. Giving his time to the new firm, Mr. O'Connell became very proficient in all the details of the grocery and meat business, contributing much toward its success. In September. 1918, he entered the U. S. service, being assigned to the Signal Corps, and was stationed at Camp Kearny until after the signing of the armistice. He was honorably dis- charged December 12, 1918, when he returned home and again took up the duties of civil life, giving his time and attention to their cattle and ranch interests, as assistant to his brother, Frank J. O'Connell. He continued there until October 1. 1921, when his ser- vices were required in the office and he now has charge of the books of the corporation. He is a director and secretary of the company, having held this office since 1915.

At San Jose, on September 21, 1921, Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage with Miss Grace Marie Clark.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

She was born in Colorado, but reared and educated in Kansas City, Mo., where she was a graduate nurse. Coming to San Jose, in. 1913, she became head nurse at the O'Connor Sanitarium, and it was in this city that the young people met, the acquaintance result- ing in their fortunate marriage. Mr. O'Connell is a firm believer in protection and hence is a stanch Republican. He is a member of San Jose Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, belongs to the Eagles and is a popular member of the Pastime Club, and his patriotism is shown by membership in and support of San Jose Post No. 89, American Legion.

G. DANIEL O'CONNELL .- Accounted one of San Jose's progressive young business men, G. Da- niel O'Connell has achieved a marked success as a member of the enterprising firm of O'Connell Bros., Inc., who conduct a large wholesale and retail busi- ness in the sale of meats, groceries, feed and fuel at Sixth and St. James streets, and are also owners of a large cattle ranch, stretching out 15,000 acres beyond Madrone. Mr. O'Connell is a native son of Cali- fornia, born at Hollister, San Benito County, Feb- ruary 21, 1883, a son of Thomas and Julia (O'Brien) O'Connell, pioneer settlers represented on another page of this history. Dan O'Connell, as he is known by all his friends, received his primary education in the Hollister schools, and later in San Jose, where the family removed in 1895, the father engaging in the feed and fuel business there. Thomas O'Connell passed away at the age of sixty-four, but the mother still makes her home in San Jose, and the family are well known and highly respected throughout the community. At the age of fifteen Dan O'Connell started out to make his own way, working in the butcher shop of J. W. Borchers for five years and thoroughly learning this business. In 1906 five of the O'Connell brothers, succeeding to their father's business, incorporated the firm of O'Connell Bros., establishing a wholesale and retail business in meats, groceries, feed and fuel, and Dan O'Connell became one of the firm. In addition to this thriving business they own and operate a great rauch of 15,000 acres east of Madrone, which is largely devoted to raising cattle and feed, a description of the ranch being found in the sketch of O'Connell Bros. By industry, energy and integrity on the part of all the partners the business is steadily growing, and the proprietors enjoy the respect and confidence of a large and in- creasing patronage.

On October 18, 1908, Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage with Miss Mary McMurray, a native of Butte, Mont., a daughter of John and Mary Agnes (Casey) McMurray. The father was for many years coroner and public administrator of Butte, Mont., where the family was well known, but both parents have now passed away. Mrs. O'Connell was educated in the grammar and high schools of Campbell and Heald's Business College at San Jose, and she is the mother of two children, Irwin Thomas and Kenneth Daniel O'Connell. Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the San Jose Par- lor, N. S. G. W. Politically he votes the Republican ticket, and progressive in his ideas, he can be de- pended upon to give of his time and means to all movements calculated to secure substantial progress.

GEORGE E. NICHOLSON .- The associations of a life-time bind George E. Nicholson to Santa Clara County, where he has become one of its influential citizens through years of intelligent and unremitting industry. He is the owner of a very valuable ranch in the excellent pear section of Santa Clara Valley which lies on the San Jose-Alviso road, about seven miles north of San Jose. To the place where he is now living he came as a boy of ten years, with his parents and two sisters. He was born in Syracuse, N. Y., December 24, 1859, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Kelly) Nicholson, both emigrants from Ireland, though married in the state of New York. Soon after his marriage and before the birth of his son, the elder Nicholson determined to try his fortune in the storied Eldorado of the West, left his bride in the care of friends and set out for California via the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in San Fran- cisco he immediately boarded one of the steamers navigating the sloughs to Alviso. After a few months in the employ of Richard Fox, pioneer nurseryman of California, he sent for the bride and the son he had never seen. The family arrived in San Jose in 1859, resided there a few years and then took up their abode on a ranch rented by the father, where with the aid of all hands sufficient means were ac- cumulated to make a first payment on the present homestead in October, 1868. Three children were born to this worthy pioneer couple: George E. of this sketch; Elizabeth, who passed away some time ago; Mary F., now Mrs. L. E. Appleton of San Jose. Mrs. Nicholson passed away in 1894, but the father survived until 1918, passing away at the exceptional age of ninety-seven years and six months.

After the death of the mother in 1894, George E. Nicholson succeeded to the home place which the father deeded to him, one consideration being that a stated sum should be paid to the surviving sister. Since then Mr. Nicholson has purchased an adjoin- ing twenty acres and has made many valuable im- provements on the place, splendid irrigation being furnished by wells and pumping plants. He has a fine orchard and devotes quite an acreage to market gardening; thirty-five acres are in pears and twenty acres in various kinds of apples.

Mr. Nicholson's first marriage, which took place at San Jose, united him with Miss Minnie Lorigan, a sister of the late Charles M. Lorigan, prominent attorney and pioneer citizen of San Jose, and of W. G. Lorigan, Justice for many years of the Supreme Court of the State of California. Two sons were born to them: George A. and Edward L. Nicholson, both graduates of the University of Santa Clara, and now rising young attorneys, occupying the office in San Jose long used by their uncle, C. M. Lorigan. While they succeeded to much of his practice, they have forged ahead upon their own merits and are creditable acquisitions to the bar of Santa Clara County. Mrs. Minnie Nicholson passed away on February 8, 1898, and Mr. Nicholson was married in 1905 a second time to Miss Anna Baumgartner. One son has been born to them, Wilmot J. Charitable and public spirited, Mr. Nicholson can be depended upon to help in every good movement. For twenty- six years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Alviso school district, having served as clerk of said board for more than a quarter of a

F.V. Page.

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century, and during the late war contributed much in time and money to the local success of drives and bond issues. He was the drive leader for the Alviso, Midway and Agnew districts in conjunction with Dr. Stocking, superintendent of the State Hospital at Agnew, while Mrs. Nicholson served as head of the Red Cross in the Alviso district. Mr. Nicholson helped to organize the Pear Growers' Association and lends his best efforts to its success. Faithful to his early teachings, he is a member of St. John's Cath- olic Church at Milpitas.

GEORGE W. PAGE .- A public-spirited citizen of the Campbell district, well known in the Santa Clara Valley . through his efforts in promoting the improved water system in and around Campbell, George W. Page has made a fine success as a hor- ticulturist since settling here. He was born at Elsie, Clinton County, Mich., October 9, 1868, the son of James and Mary Ann (Snyder) Page. Both parents are now deceased, the mother passing away at San Jose in 1905, while Mr. Page's death occurred at Fresno in 1912.

George W. Page's early years were spent at Ga- lena, Ohio, where he attended the grammar and high schools, then learned telegraphy. Leaving his Ohio home, he went to Kansas City seeking em- ployment, but unable to find anything in his line of work he took a position on the street railroad of Kansas City. Conditions did not look encourag- ing there, however, so borrowing a few dollars, he set out for California, landing at San Jose with just twenty-five cents in his pocket, on April 21, 1889. He went to work in the orchards near here, shortly becoming foreman for R. D. Shaw. That fall he took charge of the Fleming warehouses at a salary of sixty-five dollars a month, giving good service here for a year, and then started on his independent career as an orchardist by purchasing five acres on the San Jose-Los Gatos Road. Later his mother and brother, C. R. Page, came out to California and his mother became interested with him in this orchard and with his brother, C. R. Page, Mr. Page also bought the old Lovelady estate of forty acres on the Los Gatos-Santa Clara Road, and here he gave his best efforts to developing a fine orchard, meeting with most gratifying results.

At San Jose, October 23, 1895, Mr. Page was married to Miss Bertha P. Williams, who grad- uated in the same class with her husband at Galena, Ohio, and spent several years teaching in Nebraska before her marriage. Three children have been born to them: lone Marie is a graduate of the College of the Pacific with the degree of A. B., after which she did graduate work at Stanford University, major- ing in economics. She is a talented musician, pos- sessing a splendid mezzo-soprano voice. She is now in New York and while teaching economics is con- tinuing her studies in voice culture. Earl Virgil is attending the State Teachers College at San Jose and Edwina is at the University of California. The family are members of the Methodist Church and active in its benevolences, Mr. Page being one of the trustees. Mr. Page possesses much ability as an engineer and is regarded as an authority on irri- gation and flood control. To him is due the credit for the excellent irrigation system the orchardists in and about Campbell now enjoy as through his in- fluence the system was combined and developed to

take care of a vast acreage. Mr. Page has always worked for and promoted those things that would be of permanent value to the people, but has stood firm on the other hand, against projects that his sound judgment told him would not give the public an adequate return on their investments. Cultured and refined and a very capable woman, Mrs. Page has been a true helpmate to her husband and is taking an active part in community affairs, being the first woman elected as trustee of the Campbell school district, and it was largely through her ef- forts that the bond issue providing for the present grammar school was put through. They reside in their ' beautiful country home on the Los Gatos- Santa Clara Road, just outside of Campbell, where they extend a genuine hospitality to their friends.

BERNARD D. MURPHY .- Eminent among the particularly estimable pioneers to whom their friends, neighbors and fellow-citizens were devotely attached, and in whom posterity ought always to feel an af- fectionate interest, was undoubtedly Bernard D. Mur- phy, popularly known as Barney Murphy, who died on December 28, 1911, a grandson of the intrepid pioneer, Martin Murphy, Sr., and son of Martin Mur- phy, Jr., who braved the dangers of continental migration, reaching California in 1844. With 100 or more wagons, numerous oxen, mules, and the first American cattle brought into California, the party started from St. Joseph, Mo., and traversed such a route, at such a path-breaking period that the Donner party, trailing along two years later, were able to use cabins erected by Martin Murphy, and so, through his previous enterprise and hardship, ameliorate to some extent their own sufferings .. A sister of our subject is Mrs. Mary Ann Carroll.

Bernard Murphy was born at Quebec, Canada, on March 1, 1841, the son of Martin and Mary (Bulger) Murphy, and having come to California, attended Santa Clara College, as did all the other Murphy boys. At the Mission Dolores in San Francisco, in 1869, Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Annie Lucy McGeoghegan, daughter of Thomas J. McGeoghe- gan, who had married Miss Evelyn Green; and they became parents of nine children: Mary G. Murphy, Evelyn A., Martin, Elizabeth G., Gertrude J., Helena D., Patrick W., Bernard D., and Thomas, the last three of whom are deceased. The family were stanch Roman Catholics, ready and eager for religious and all other uplift work. Mrs. Murphy died on Febru- ary 17, 1901, in her fifieth year, esteemed and beloved by all who knew her.

Proud of the fact that he was a member of the first white family to settle permanently in California, Barney Murphy grew up to become an active and patriotic citizen ready to labor for the rapid de- velopment of the Golden State, and as an influential Democrat was constantly sought in the councils of the party. He was thrice elected mayor of San Jose and twice chosen as state senator; and he was trustee of both the Lick Estate and the Lick Observatory. He was intimately acquainted with nearly all of Cali- fornia's leading public men and politicians. His life spanned much of the period of California's most wonderful development, in which he had such an active, influential and enviable part. Public-spirited, far-seeing and optimistic, he effected much that was to have its own salutary influence in a succeeding

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generation, and for the blessing of posterity, rather than for the benefit of himself or his family; and genial, sympathetic and loyal, Barney Murphy proved the best of friends, and was idolized by neighbors. He was a tower of strength politically, and was honored as few men have ever been by the great rank and file of his fellow-citizens. Santa Clara County may well be congratulated that it was her broad and fertile acres that induced the settlement of and be- came the home of such a devoted, broad-minded and large-hearted group as that of the Murphy family.

GEORGE S. McMURTRY .- A wide-awake rep- resentative of important California realty interests, who has done much to advance the growth of Santa Clara County, is George S. McMurtry of Los Gatos. He is a native son and was born near Los Gatos, at Lexington, on June 5, 1865. His father, W. S. Mc- Murtry, was a genuine '49er and reared at Grass Valley, after which he located in Santa Clara County. He was one of the first settlers of Los Gatos and with J. Y. McMillin established the first saw mill on Los Gatos Creek, above Lexington. The product of the mill was used to build the early residences and farm buildings in the Santa Clara valley. He made his home in Los Gatos and was elected a member of the State Senate, where he served acceptably for one term. He married Miss Olivia A. McMillin who was born in Rockville, Ind., and he passed away in 1908 at the age of 86 years, leaving behind a splendid record of accomplishment, his widow surviving him eight years, passing away April 30, 1916.

Of their family of four children, Geo. S. is the eldest and was reared in Los Gatos, where he enjoyed both grammar and high school advantages, attending the Los Gatos and San Jose schools and then enter- ing the University of the Pacific. After his school days were over he was employed in the Los Gatos Flour Mills about two years when he formed a part- nership with T. S. Cleland and engaged in general merchandising under the firm name of Cleland & McMurtry. The business was successful and later Mr. McMurtry absorbed Mr. Cleland's interest and continued the business alone until 1891, when his store was completely destroyed by fire entailing a big loss. Soon after this he entered the Bank of San Jose as a teller, a position he filled ably and satisfactory until 1898, when he resigned to make the trip to Cook's Inlet, Alaska, where a year was spent in prospecting and mining after which he returned from the frozen North and resumed his old position in the Bank of San Jose which had been tendered him on his return. Two years later he resigned to accept the position of assistant cashier of the Com- mercial & Savings Bank of San Jose, a place he filled to the entire satisfaction of the officers of the bank as well as the people for several years, when he resigned, and now for the past eighteen years he has conducted a real estate and insurance business in Los Gatos, being now the oldest man in that line of business in this city. His many years of exper- ience enables him to judge property values accurate- ly, so he naturally has a large clientele, his advice being frequently sought in real estate transactions. He is a director of the Bank of Los Gatos.

Mr. McMurtry was married in Los Gatos July 4, 1913, to Mrs. Estelle B. Harwood, a native of New

York state, reared in Charles City, la., a woman of charming personality who presides gracefully over her husband's home. Interested in civics he is active in projects that have for their aim the upbuilding of this beautiful mountain city, has served acceptably as city treasurer for some years and is a library trustee as well as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Los Gatos Lodge No. 292, F. & A. M., as well as the Elks.

ANDREW I. LOYST .- Coming to California about fifty-four years ago, Andrew 1. Loyst has had a variety of experiences, and is one of the highly respected and worthy citizens of San Jose. The greater part of his career has been devoted to agri- cultural pursuits, but he has also found an outlet for his energies in many other enterprises linked with the life of the Western coast. He was born at Kingston, Ont., Can., on March 29, 1848, his father, Isaiah Loyst, also a native of Canada. Grandfather Loyst was born in Holland and settled in Canada in an early day and served through the seven years of the Revolutionary War. The father, Isaiah Loyst, was both a farmer and a logging, lumbering and road contractor, and built many government roads. He married Miss Comfort McKim, born near Napanee, Ontario. Grandfather McKim was of Scotch des- cent, while Grandmother McKim was born in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Loyst were the parents of three boys, of whom our subject is the youngest. The parents passed away in Canada.

Andrew 1. Loyst received his education in the public schools of Ontario and at the age of seventeen struck out for himself, going to the oil fields at Franklin, Pa., where he was engaged as a driller and engineer for three years, when he returned to Canada on a visit and while there became greatly interested in the reports from California. On January 8, 1868. he arrived in San Francisco and immediately went to San Jose where he found employment as a farm hand; later he and his brother, J. W. Loyst, pur- chased a threshing outfit and engaged in threshing throughout the Santa Clara valley, and then they bought a ranch on the Pierce Road, containing 164 acres of choice land. This ranch they set to grapes, but the vines died, so they set out an orchard. Mr. Loyst still owns fifty-four acres of this tract, and is now devoted to raising prunes and hay. Mr. Loyst improved, cultivated and operated this ranch until 1918, when he rented it and bought his present place, an orchard home located on Mountain View road, which he has improved with a comfortable residence and a fine prune orchard.

Mr. Loyst has been married twice. His first mar- riage occurred in the Saratoga district and united him with Miss Maria Cox, born in the old Cox home. a daughter of William Cox, an old pioneer of that district. Mrs. Loyst passed away in 1892, leaving three children, Mrs. Mabel Breeding, W. W. and G. G., all of this county. His second marriage in San Jose in 1906 united him with Miss Clara Karst, a native daughter of California, born at Michigan Flat, a daughter of John Karst, a native of Germany, who came to California in early days and was engaged in mining, where he spent his last days. He had married Miss Emma Bauer, also born in Germany, who came when a child to Philadelphia, then to Cali-

BERNARD D. MURPHY

Lilliany Peterson

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fornia. Both parents passed away when Mrs. Loyst was a small child, and she is one of a family of seven. She attended school in Eldorado County until she was fifteen years old, then removed to San Francisco and later to San Jose. Mr. Loyst is a stockhokler in the Home Union at San Jose, one of the organ- izers and a member of the California Prune & Apri- cot Growers' Association, a charter member of the Grange in Saratoga, and a member of the Santa Clara County Pioneer Society. In politics he is a Republican and he has been a liberal contributor in the erection of church buildings and school houses. Mr. and Mrs. Loyst's interests are thoroughly iden- tified with those of the West, and at all times they are ready to cooperate in any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country.

MRS. LILLIAN J. PETERSON .- The fitness and capability of women to hold public office and dis- charge the duties with efficiency is amply demon- strated in the case of Lillian J. Peterson, who is the capable city treasurer of Mountain View. A native of Tennessee, she was born near Nashville, the daughter of Alfred and Emma (Stotts) Martin, both parents being natives of Tennessee. The father owned a sugar plantation and was engaged in the manufacture of syrup. There were eight children in the family, our subject being the second child; her parents removed to California when she was a very small child; later they moved back to Tennes- see, but again returned to California, settling in Mountain View when Mrs. Peterson was six years old. The parents live on a ranch at Fairmead, Cal. Her education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of Mountain View, and she always showed great aptitude for mathematics and pen- manship, both of which are requisite in her present position. On November 14, 1898, she was united in marriage with Fred L. Peterson, the owner of a plumbing establishment and an ex-fire chief of Mountain View. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Fred H., Marjorie and Georgie Mae.

Mrs. Peterson is the first woman to be elected to a city office in Mountain View, her first election being in 1914 for a two-year term. So capably did she perform the duties of the office that she was re-elected in 1916 by a handsome majority and again in 1918, when she had no opposition. She was again re-elected in 1920 and under the new law will hold office for four years. She is the custodian of all the city's funds and has attended to all the bond issues. The last bond issue was for $20,000 for pumping water mains, road machinery and street improvements. She has demonstrated what a woman can do and the excellent services she has rendered her community puts her in line for higher public responsibilities. She is the secretary of the Woman's Club of Mountain View and during the war was ap- pointed by W. J. McAdoo, the Secretary of the Treasury, the authorized agent for the treasury de- partment for the year ending September 31, 1918, to receive and issue the cost prices on war savings stamps and thrift stamps. She is a prominent mem- ber of the Eastern Star of Mountain View, and served as worthy matron of lodge No. 141, Mountain View, in 1912. She belongs to the Past Matrons and Past Patrons Association of Santa Clara County

and also of San Francisco, and is a consistent mem- ber of the Christian Science Church of Mountain View. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are both members of the Mountain View Grange, and the oldest son, Fred H., is a member of the Order of De Molay of San Jose. Mrs. Peterson attends to her household duties besides the duties of her public office, and assists her husband in the office work connected with his plumbing business, and she is the local agent for the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn. She has the capacity for hard and respon- sible work, but never loses sight of her home duties. A woman of gracious and kindly manner and of many admirable personal characteristics, she enjoys the high regard and esteem of all who know her.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 156

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