History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 158

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 158

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).

On November 16, 1878, at Santa Barbara, Mr. Carteri was married to Miss Matilda Foxen, a native of Santa Barbara and the daughter of William Ben- jamin Foxen. The latter was born in Norwich, Eng- land, and had the distinction of being the first Eng- lish or American settler of Santa Barbara County. At Goleta he built the first schooner used for mail service between Monterey and old San Diego; and having established himself as a merchant in Santa Barbara County, he had seven stores there in full operation, and in addition extensively followed agri- cultural pursuits, having a fine stock ranch. He proved of great aid to General Fremont, who had a camp on his farm and received from Mr. Foxen his

needed supplies. Mr. Foxen married Edwarda Osuna. who was born in San Diego of Spanish ancestry, her parents, descendants of the Spanish nobility, having emigrated from Castile, Spain, to California, to act as administrators of churches along the Pacific Coast. and to help organize and build new churches through- out California. Mrs. Foxen lived to be eighty-three years of age, passing away at Santa Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Foxen had fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and Matilda was the young- est child. She was brought up in Santa Barbara and attended St. Vincent's College. A lady of exceptional refinement and culture, she is an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mrs. Bourguignon has a family of six children, Desirée, Elise, Frank Emile Jr., Leon, Bertrand and André. Mr. Bour- guignon is a protectionist and holds strongly to the platforms of the Republican Party.

CARL CAMPBELL .- A native of Pennsylvania, "Carl Campbell was born at West Sunbury, Butler County, April 3, 1881, the son of Allen and Katherine ( Meckling) Campbell. The father, born in Butler County of Scotch descent, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served two enlistments. He enlisted the first time August 7, 1862, under Capt. John F. White in Company C of the One Hundred Thirty- fourth Pennsylvania Infantry and served nine months, and was discharged May 27, 1863, at Harris- burg, Pa. He enlisted a second time as corporal under Capt. W. R. Hutchinson in Company A of the Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Field Artillery, which was known as the Two Hundred Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers, enlisting on August 30, 1864. He was honorably discharged June 13, 1865, at Fort Ethan Allen, Va., after the close of the war. After his dis- charge he returned to his occupation of farming and also owned and operated a grist mill at West Sun- bury, Pa., in partnership with his brother, James. Allen Campbell was married at Butler, Pa., in 1876. and the young couple began housekeeping at West Sunbury, Pa., where the bride was born, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Martha (Muntz) Meckling, Mrs. Campbell being one of a family of seven children.

In 1892 the family removed to California, where the father purchased a ranch of sixteen acres on the Porter Road, just east of San Jose, which is now devoted to prunes and apricots. Allen Campbell was a strong supporter of the Prohibition party and was a popular member of Sherman-Dix Post, G. A. R .. in San Jose, and with his wife was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. This Civil War vet- cran passed to the Great Beyond on December 21. 1919, His widow still resides on the home place with her son, Carl, who looks after her interests. thus shielding her from needless care and worry. This worthy couple had five children. Blanche is a teacher in the Los Angeles schools; Bessie is the wife of William Holland of Evergreen; Carl, the subject of this review; Homer Ward is principal of the Elmhurst school in Oakland, while Joseph died when sixteen years of age.

Carl Campbell attended the Hauck school in his district, and after his school days were over he assisted his father on the ranch until he assumed charge of the place. From a boy he has had much experience in orchard work, and being a close ob- server as well as a student of tree life, he has be- come well informed as an horticulturist, so aside

1008

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

from caring for his own orchard he is caring for several other orchards in the vicinity of his home, having a complete farming outfit for the purpose. He is also leasing lands and raising grain and hay. Mr. Campbell is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc., and fraternally is a mem- ber of Garden City Lodge of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, while politically he is a strong protectionist and Republican. A generous and big-hearted man, Mr. Campbell with his pleas- ing personality is highly esteemed and appreciated and can always be depended on to assist as far as he is able worthy and laudable enterprises for the improvement of the valley and enhancing the happiness of its people.

MRS. WILLIAM H. CARMICHAEL-Among those who are successfully following the profession of teaching in San Jose is Mrs. William H. Car- michael, whose many estimable qualities have won for her the respect and admiration of an extensive circle of friends. Mary Pierce, as she was known in maidenhood, is a native daughter of California, born in San Francisco, her parents being Patrick and Mary (Culligan) Pierce. In the late '50s her father came to California by the Isthmus of Panama route, first engaging in mining in Placer County, after which he went to San Francisco. He assisted in the construc- tion and became yard foreman for the Southern Pa- cific Railroad Company, occupying that position until his hand was crushed in an accident, when he acted as helper in the yard. After thirty years of faithful and efficient service he was pensioned by the com- pany and he passed when seventy years of age, con- tinuing active until the last. The mother died dur- ing the infancy of the subject of this review.

The youngest in a family of five children, Mamie P. Carmichael, as she is familiarly known by her many friends and particularly by the Native Daugh- ters all over the state, pursued her education in Notre Dame College of San Francisco and after her grad- uation she entered the San Jose State Normal, from which she was graduated with the class of 1892. She then took up educational work, teaching for the first two years at Guadalupe and afterward at San Jose, being thus engaged until September 15, 1898, when she was married in this city to William H. Car- michael, a native of San Jose, born March 6, 1869, and a son of Jacob and Mary (Comons) Carmichael. Jacob Carmichael was born in Ohio, and coming to the Coast became a pioneer business man of San Jose, being engaged in general merchandising at the corner of Market and Post streets for many years, and became well and favorably known. The Car- michael family trace their ancestry back to Penn- sylvania and Virginia. Some of the ancestors served in the Revolutionary War, three of Jacob's brothers served in the Civil War, two of them being wounded. Jacob Carmichael passed away in 1881, his widow surviving · him till 1914. They reared a family of four children, William H., Dr. Thos. Carmichael, Emeline, Mrs. A. J. Henry, of San Jose; and Cecelia, who is an instructor in the Grant School.

William H. Carmichael was born in the same house in which his widow now resides, at 312 West San Fernando Street, and on entering business life he secured a position in Spring's clothing store, grad- ually working his way upward until he became head salesman. For fifteen years he continued in this

responsible position, during which period he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the trade, and he then embarked in the clothing business on his own account as a member of the Carmichael-Belaris Company. At the end of ten years, in 1910, he disposed of his interest in that enterprise and became one of the founders of The Adler, Inc., Mr. Carmichael being vice-president and secretary, and established two stores in San Jose, one in San Francisco and one in Sacramento, with which he remained until his demise, March 15, 1912.

Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael became the parents of seven children: Jacob and Pierce, both graduates of San Jose High, now attending Junior College; William H., also a graduate of San Jose High, who is now connected with the Moorehead-Fleming Drug Company; Arthur and Merritt, who are attending high school; and Keith and Mary, who are pupils in the grammar schools.

When national issues were at stake, Mr. Carmichael cast his ballot in favor of the candidates of the Dem- ocratic party, but at local elections he voted for the man who in his estimation was best fitted for the office, regardless of political affiliation. His fellow- citizens recognized his worth and ability, and from 1894 until 1898 he served as police and fire commis- sioner. He discharged the duties of those offices with faithfulness and efficiency, being actuated at all times by a public-spirited devotion to the general good. He was a member of Palo Alto Parlor, now San Jose Parlor, N. S. G. W., and was past president, and served as district deputy several terms. He was also a member of the Independent Order of For- esters. He took a most active and helpful part in the work of public progress and improvement and his integrity in business affairs, his fidelity in friend- ship and his devotion to home and family were char- acteristics which won for him the high and enduring regard of all with whom he was associated.

Mrs. Carmichael is a member of Vendome Parlor, N. D. G. W., No. 100, San Jose, and has taken a prom- inent part in the activities of that order, having served as president of the local parlor, and was grand president of the Grand Parlor in 1916 and 1917, and as such visited every parlor in the state. After her husband's death Mrs. Carmichael continued her in- terest in the The Adler, Inc., being elected a director and vice-president of the company and she gave her undivided attention to the business until 1915, when she disposed of her interest in the company. Soon she found she was not content with inactivity and so turned to her old profession and again took up edu- cational work and is now in charge of the sixth grade at the Grant School. She has been very successful as an instructor, her thorough training and natural qualifications well fitting her for work of this char- acter. She is a member of the city, county, and state teachers' associations. The home in which she now resides was erected in 1865 by Mr. Carmichael's father and as a member of one of the pioneer families of San Jose she well merits the respect in which she is universally held.

JOHN ROBERT ROESSLER .- Determination to succeed is inherent in John Robert Roessler, and this brief sketch will show where this characteristic will lead, if coupled with industry and thrift. A native of Portland County, Wis., he was born six miles from Waterloo, September 3, 1880, the son of Thomas

Manu T Carmichael

1011

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Roessler, a tinner and sheet metal worker, who came from Australia to Wisconsin. Mrs. Roessler passed away when John Roessler was a young lad. He is the oldest of a family of four, the next being Lewis, a resident of Rochester, Minn .; Mary, now Mrs. Kelly, residing in St. Paul, Minn., and Laura, who passed away at the age of twelve.

John Roessler attended the public schools of Water- loo, but had very little time for education, as he was obliged to make his own way when very young, working on dairy and cattle farms in Wisconsin until he removed to California. Having worked as a blacksmith and wagon maker in Wisconsin, his natural inclination was toward the mechanical, and when he arrived in San Jose in 1901 he was em- ployed with the Osen Motor Company, very soon becoming the head mechanic. He remained with them until 1918, having charge of all the service work, unloading new cars and getting them into shape for selling. During 1918 he secured a lease on a lot at the corner of Capitol and Alum Rock avenues and built a garage, and here he does first-class repair work on all makes of cars.

On August 18, 1906, Mr. Roessler was married to Miss Adelaide Schroeder, a native of California, born in San Francisco, a daughter of Clark and Kath- erine Schroeder. When Mrs. Roessler was a girl of twelve, her father purchased a ranch in the San An- tonio Valley east of San Jose, which consisted of about 400 acres of land, and engaged in the stock business, the family making their home in San Jose, where Mrs. Roessler was educated. Mr. Schroeder was a general contractor and did a great deal of work on the construction of the San Francisco roads and streets. He passed away in 1903 and the cattle ranch was sold. Mrs. Schroeder later became Mrs. Nash and resides in Oakland.

In 1910 Mr. Roessler bought a lot and built a home on Alum Rock Avenue not far from his place of business, and here the family have continuously re- sided. They are the parents of four children, Loal, Jack, Vernon and Clark, all attending private school. in San Jose. An expert mechanic, Mr. Roessler has built up a splendid business and has all the work he can handle. In politics he is a Republican.

HONORABLE JOSEPH R. WELLER .- A dis- tinguished citizen of Santa Clara County, Joseph Rush Weller was born near Washington, Warren County, N. J., on October 10, 1819, the son of Peter Rush and Elizabeth (Smock) Weller, both of whom were of colonial ancestry. The paternal grandfather, William Weller, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Two brothers of William Weller, Phillip and Peter, were also soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Philip was with Washington at Braddock's defeat in 1755. All three brothers fought at the battle of Monmouth.

Born with a patriot's heritage, Joseph Rush Weller loved his country as those do who are willing to sacrifice for it. When he was five years old his parents moved to Livingston County, N. Y., where he was reared on a farm in the Geneseo Valley. He re- ceived his early education at Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo. N. Y., under the tutorship of Horatio N. Robinson, author of the celebrated mathematical text-books. He afterwards taught in the public schools and attended the Ithaca Academy. While a student at the academy he was appointed to attend the State Normal School at Albany, from which in-

stitution he was graduated in 1846. He was imme- diately engaged by Col. W. W. Wadsworth to take charge of the agricultural department of a college in the Geneseo Valley, where he remained until Col- onel Wadsworth's health failed and the college enter- prise was discontinued. While superintendent at the college Mr. Weller was able to devote consid- erable time to the study of law. In the spring of 1849 he went to Staten Island, N. Y., and accepted a position as teacher in the private seminary of Prof. H. M. Boehm. In May, 1850, he left New York 011 the brig John French, for California and after a stormy passage of thirty-three days reached the mouth of the Chagres River where he, with six companions, took a small boat and rowed up the river to the town of Cruces. Thence they went over the Bolivar trail on pack mules to Panama where, with several thousand others, six weeks were passed waiting for a steamer. Passage was finally secured on the Co- lumbus and landing was made at San Francisco, August 7, 1850.

Mr. Weller did not remain long in San Fran- cisco, but went to the mines at Coloma, El Dorado County. At the end of a month he returned to San Francisco ill with Panama fever. In the following spring, still suffering from its effects, he came to Santa Clara Valley and located on the Charles Weber ranch, twenty miles from San Jose, where he remained until his health was fully restored. He again went to the mines, remaining only a short time. In the spring of 1853 he bought a large tract of land in the Tularcitos Rancho adjoining Milpitas, where he made his residence and was identified with agricultural interests until the time of his death. There were no roads, fences or bridges. With the spirit of the true pioneer, "the future is purchased by the present," he spent much time in developing the country. He organ- ized the Milpitas school district in 1855 and was one of its trustees until 1879. From 1856 until 1878 he hold the office of justice of the peace and for a num- ber of years he was an associate judge of Santa Clara County. In 1878 he was elected a member of the State Constitutional Convention and assisted in framing the present constitution of the State of California. In poli- tics, Mr. Weller was a Republican with progressive tendencies and decided character, taking a deep inter- est in all matters affecting the prosperity of county, state and nation. Possessed of a genial disposition and a firm Christian faith he was ever ready to act for "right as it respected his God, his country and him- self." He was a member and supporter of the Pres- byterian denomination, occupying the position of elder, which took him to the larger councils and assemblys of the church which he ever keenly enjoyed and where his opinions were received with respect and confidence.

In 1861 Mr. Weller was united in marriage to Mrs. Marion W. (Hart) Battey, the widow of Jonathan Battey, a native of New York. A woman of rare courage and faith, Mrs. Weller was a true helpmate. Her ancestral history was also mingled with the early history of the United Setates. The first representa- tives of her family came from England and settled in Massachusetts in 1628. Her great-grandfathers were in the war of the Revolution. She was an early pioneer of California, having crossed the plains in 1852 with her first husband, Jonathan Battey. To Mr. and Mrs. Weller, two children were born: Ma-

1012

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

rion Elizabeth and May Lucinda, now Mrs. Will- iam M. Curtner, the daughters becoming step-sisters to Henry Grey Battey, Mrs. Weller's child by her first marriage. Retaining his virile mental faculties to the last, Judge Weller passed away March 4, 1915, at the age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Weller, the beneficence of her character radiating her deelin- ing years, breathed her last on May 14, 1916, at the age of eighty-eight.

FRANCIS C. BATES-A distinguished member of the Grand Army of the Republic, active for years in the East, who has cast his fortune in with Cali- fornia and, like so many Easterners of foresight and enterprise, has met with such pronounced success that he has found the state truly "golden." is Francis C. Bates, who was born at Jersey City, N. J., on March 1, 1847, the son of Perry G. and Amy Ann Frances (Carpenter) Bates, both natives of Rhode Island, whose families were among the earliest settlers there. Mrs. Bates died when Francis was only eleven days old, and while he was still a lad, his father removed with him to Troy, N. Y., and there they were living, our subjeet attending the Troy high school, when the war over secession and slavery broke out. He made ammunition for the the three-months soldiers, and on June 16, 1863, he enlisted in defense of the Union, and served with credit until he was discharged on May 25, 1865. He joined Company C of the Eigh- teenth New York Cavalry and served under General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks in the campaign to Red River. He went through seventeen general engage- ments, among them Pleasant Hill, Sabine Cross- roads, Cane River, Big Prairie, Moore's Plantation, Alexandria, Morganzi Bend and Port Hudson, all in Louisiana, and the capture of Mobile, Ala. He sus- tained seven wounds, and from one which he re- ceived at Pleasant Hill in May, 1864, he is still suf- fering today. This wound was made when he was struck in the right knee by a bullet which lifted the knee-cap and then passed on through the horse he was riding, killing the faithful animal, and finally grazing his left leg. Because of the miserable sani- tary conditions in those days, the patient suffered from gangrene before the wound healed. Col. Wil- liam H. Burns went through the same seventeen en- gagements without a scratch, and was later killed in the Custer massaere.

Francis Bates was so young at first that he was able to enlist only as a bugler. He relates an inci- dent of the third day's fighting at Pleasant Hill, when the color-bearer, retreating, was shot and killed. The colors lay on the ground, some five hundred yards in the rear, and Col. Burns called for a volunteer to bring them in. Our subject was off in a jiffy, reached the sacred standards, picked them up, and returned with them safely, untouched, amid a hurricane of whistling bullets. When really wounded, however, he did not recover for two or more years.

While learning the machinist's trade in Massachu- setts, and awaiting reenperation, Mr. Bates also studied law at the night school. He became such a first-class millwright that he was able to take a po- sition with the Lowell Machine Works. He then in- vented the first rotary veneer entting machine, per- fected his patent. and moved to Northern Vermont, about two miles from Newport. He started a veneer factory, and as a result the town of Batesville was

founded, now a place of about 5,000 population. This rotary veneer cutting plant supplied veneer ma- terial for car ceilings, depot ceilings, chair-bottoms and all work in which veneer is used, and proved so popular that Mr. Bates was encouraged to build a second and then a third plant. In 1896, on account of impaired health, Mr. Bates sold his factories and his patent rights to a firm from Sheboygan, Wis., and the new company enlarged the veneer works to twenty mills, now the largest in the world. When at Newport, Mr. Bates, who is a Republican, served as one of the county seleetmen for seven years.

Still in pursuit of health, Mr. Bates came to Cali- fornia in 1896 and settled at San Jose, and having in- vented the Bates-Holley automatic signal mail box for rural delivery service, he turned his attention to its manufacture on a large scale. The box had been approved hy the postmaster-general, but he soon found that the same could not be made in California for the price necessary to meet the government de- mands. He therefore set out to find a firm which could make them cheaper, and in Joliet, Ill., he suc- ceeded. For nine years this firm turned out some 10,000 boxes a month, and then the demand was greater than they could meet, and after three years more, the firm gave up the manufacture of the util- ity altogether. Mr. Bates also invented a semi-anto- matic signal box for city mail service, which is still being manufactured.

In 1908 Mr. Bates became a patent attorney and opened an office in the Ryland Building at San Jose ; but in 1918, on account of his knee and the bother it gave him, he had to give up active work, and since that time he has lived retired. In 1897 he took the lead in organizing the New York Social Union of San Jose, and for a long period he was its president, running it up from 13 to 500 members. In Brooklyn he joined the Anthon Lodge No. 769, A. F. & A. M .. and he was also an active member of Grant Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Brooklyn. He joined the Grand Army at Newport, Vt., and was the commander of Baxter Post No. 51, G. A. R., at that place; and on coming to San Jose, he joined John Dix Post, and when it was merged with Sheridan Post No. 7 he continued there a year; since then has been affiliated with Col. A. G. Bennett Post No. 186.

Mr. Bates was twice married. At Lowell, Mass .. on January 16, 1867, he took for his wife Miss Emma C. Smith, a native of Newport, Vt., and the daughter of Jonas G. and Lucretia Smith. Six children sprang from this happy union. Amy Ann Frances died three days after birth, and Perry G. passed away when three years old. Hattie Frances has become Mrs. Henry F. Sander, and lives at Somerville, Mass. Lenor C. died when six months old. Elsie May reached her ninth month. Henry F. was graduated with all the honors of old Harvard, and also came to California with his father for his health; but he passed away at the age of twenty-three. Mrs. Bates died at Newport, Vt., on March 5, 1890; and two years later, in New York City, Mr. Bates married a second time. choosing for his wife Miss Sloma M. Baker. She was born at Newport, Vt., June 25, 1866, the daughter of Peter Baker, a lumber merchant, who had married Phoebe Baker, and with Mr. Bates she shares the rewards of a long and useful career.

Francis la. Bates

1015

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

PIERRE MONTMAYEUR-Among the many French-Americans who have found their way to California, and to whom Santa Clara County has held out large inducements, may be mentioned Pierre Montmayeur, proprictor of the Lamolle Grill, located at 36 North First Street, San Jose.

In a typical home in Grenoble, France, Mr. Mont- mayeur was born October 25, 1865, the son of Noel and Euphrasia Montmayeur, and there he was edu- cated in the public schools of his native land. Upon his graduation, he determined to become proficient in the art of cooking, taking up the profession of chef. In the year 1891 he migrated to the United States, coming directly to San Francisco, where he engaged in business for himself. In 1903 he came to San Jose, where in partnership with Mrs. La- molle he established the first grill in the city. In de- ciding upon a name for their establishment Mr. Montmayeur said to his partner, who was an old pioneer, they would call it the Lamolle Grill. The business proved lucrative and brought to its owners gratifying profits, and the partnership continued until Mrs. Lamolle died. Then Mr. Montmayeur bought her interest, and his thorough knowledge of his business and many years of training in catering to the public taste has made his restaurant a favorite dining place for many.

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 158

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