History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 173

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

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Monarchs maintain and pass, forsooth The exiled kings, unsceptered czars; But who adds one cosmic truth, He shall be deathless as the stars.

At Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1884, Mr. Barns was mar- ried to Miss Mabel E. Balston, the daughter of James P. Balston, a native of Fredricksburg, N. S .. and their union has been blessed with three children: Cornelia has become the wife of Arthur Garbett, the composer and writer, for several years associated with the title department of the Victor Phonograph. they have one child, Charles Richard; Fred B., who is an electrical engineer and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, served in1 the United States Army during the late war, and while in France for two years was commissioned first lieutenant, he is married, and resides in New York City; and Miss Anne Barns was formerly of the traffic department of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. Barns is a Blue Lodge Mason.

HERMAN W. HOBSON .- San Jose is indeed fortunate in having the life and property of its citi- zens safeguarded by one so trustworthy as the pres- ent chief of the fire department, Herman W. Hob- son. A man of great energy, intensity of purpose and strong convictions, he was born December 17, 1872, a native son of San Jose. He is the son of Thomas M. and Sarah (Calaway) Hobson, who came to the Golden West in early pioneer days. The father was first engaged in brick making, but later was engaged in farming and was for many years a successful orchardist; in later years he retired from active life. He passed away several years ago, but his wife is still living, and makes her home with her son in San Jose.

Herman W. Hohson was educated in the public schools of San Jose. After leaving school he entered the' employ of the Santa Clara Valley Lumber Com- pany and became an efficient workman in the sash and door department. In the year 1908 he entered the service of the city fire department as lieutenant on Engine No. 1 and in 1910 he was advanced to the position of captain. In 1915 he became assist- ant chief and three years later. in 1918, he became chief of the San Jose Fire Department.

Mr. Hobson's marriage in 1898 united him with Miss Mary J. Boyer, who passed away in 1914. One daughter, Marion, survives her mother. He is an upright, agreeable, and generous man, contribu- ting to worthy causes, and making his influence felt in Republican circles, and general city government. having taken an active interest in his community's welfare. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Moose, Eagles, and Garden City Parlor No. 22, N. S. G. W. He is a member of the National Association of Fire Chiefs and the Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Association. When enabled to do so, he spends his leisure hours in the mountains or at the seashro.e

PETER NELSEN .- An energetic and industrious rancher is found in Peter Nelsen, who came to America in early manhood. He was born and grew to manhood in Skane, Sweden, his birth occurring at Christianstad, February 28, 1846, and was the son of Nels and Carste Pearson, farmers in Sweden. He is next to the youngest in a family of five children, namely, Edna, Hans, Bettie, Peter, and Batilda. The father lived to be an old man. Peter attended the public schools of his native land until he was eight years old; then he started to work on a farm; as soon as he was old enough, he learned the plasterer's and bricklayer's trade and worked at it for three years in Sweden before leaving for America. In 1869 he started on his long journey for America and go- ing directly to Chicago, he worked for four years there at his trade; and was there at the time of the big fire in 1871 and helped rebuild many of the buildings. In 1875 he removed to Oakland, Cal., and followed his trade until he began contracting plaster- ing and continued there until 1909.

The marriage of Mr. Nelsen occurred in Oakland, in the spring of 1892 and united him with Miss Hilda E. Samuelsen, also a native of Sweden, a daughter of Charles Samuelsen. She was educated in the schools of her native district, and on reaching young womanhood came to America and for a few years lived in the Eastern States before coming to Cali- fornia. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsen have two children liv- ing, Charles Albert, living on a ranch on the Home-

aeg Campbell

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

stead Road, and Lolo, now Mrs. Frostholm. who lives at home most of the time, her husband being a me- chanical erecting engineer on ships. During the year of 1909, Mr. Nelsen removed to Santa Clara County, and purchased an eight-acre ranch on the corner of Fremont and Hollenbeck Avenue. This ranch was devoted to the growing of prunes and was in fine shape when he disposed of it after keeping it three years. In 1912, Mr. Nelsen bought a twenty-acre ranch on the Saratoga and Mountain View Road about three quarters of a mile from Cupertino. This place is well irrigated and is set to prunes, and the build- ings are substantial and attractive. Fraternally he belongs to Berkeley Lodge No. 270, I. O. O. F.

ANDREW J. CAMPBELL .- A native son of Cal- ifornia, Andrew J. Campbell was born on the sum- mit of the Santa Cruz Mountains, October 16, 1865 His father, Wm. J. Campbell, was born in Ohio of Scotch descent. He married Miss Celinda Braffett, also a native of the Buckeye State, who was of French descent. In 1851 they started across the plains for California, making the journey of six months in an ox-team train to Placer County, where Mr. Campbell followed mining until about 1857, when he located on government land which he cleared, improved and engaged in stockraising; later he set out orchards and vineyard. In time he sold this place and purchased another which he also sold and in this way he owned several ranches. He died on his ranch in Highland district at the age of forty-eight years, leaving his widow and nine children. The mother sold the ranch and purchased another in the Summit district, where she reared the family, giving them the best school advantages within her reach. She was a splendid woman of strong character and when she passed away in 1915 at the age of seventy- eight years, she was deeply mourned by her family.

Andrew J, the sixth oldest of the family, attended the local schools and assisted on the home farm. After his father died he continued to aid his mother until he was twenty-one, when he began for himself. engaging in teaming, hauling lumber and wood from the mountains to Los Gatos, using a six-horse team. He continued in this line for about fifteen years. when he quit to engage in orcharding, being employed on the Burrell place since 1907, and he has lately leased this place. The fifty-five acres is devoted to raising prunes, pears, plums, cherries and grapes, and with the care he gives it, is an excellent producer. He is a member of the California Prune & Apricot Association. In his political views he gives his sup- port to the Republican party.

THEODORE C. LUNDIN .- Businesslike, alert. energetic and genial, Theodore C. Lundin is engaged in the lucrative business of merchant tailor, with attractive rooms in the Bank of San Jose building. He thoroughly understands his business. having had many years of practice in his chosen line of work. He was horn in Alameda County, near Fruitvale, a son of Theodore C. and Anna C. Lundin, and at- tended the grammar and high schools of San Fran- cisco. In 1886 he took up the tailoring trade at the John J. Mitchell Cutting school in New York City, and ten years later he removed to San Jose and entered the employ of Springs, Inc., having charge of their tailoring department until 1907. He then took a post graduate course with John J. Mitchell in New York, after which he returned to

San Jose and opened up for himself, his business steadily increasing year after year.

The marriage of Mr. Lundin occurred in San Francisco, February 22, 1894, uniting him with Miss Kitty Roberts, a daughter of William and Sarah Roberts. Her father was a native of England. coming to California and settling in San Francisco in an early day. He was also a merchant tailor and was for years located in the Palace Hotel. Mrs. Roberts is deceased while Mr. Roberts is still liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Lundin are the parents of two children, Almer Roberts, and Dorothy Kitty. Almer Roberts enlisted for service in the World War. March, 1917, training at Camp Kearney and Fort Scott in the Fortieth Division of a sanitary train, going to France. For three months he served with the English forces. While in France he served in the One Hundred Fifty-ninth Infantry under Col- onel Farrell, seeing thirteen days of heavy fighting on the Somme. He returned to America by the way of Saint Nazaire arriving at Hoboken, N. J .. he was sent to the Presidio, San Francisco, and was discharged in May, 1919. He then took a course at the University of California agricultural school at Davis and on completion of his course in 1920 took charge of the twenty-one acre property in the Almaden district adjacent to San Jose, planted to apricots and walnuts.

Fraternally, Mr. Lundin is a charter member of the Elks of San Jose: also a member of the Ma- sons, being a Knight Templar. He is active in the Rotary Club of San Jose. Politically he is a stal- wart Republican. He works for the best interest of the commonwealth with the same thoroughness that he manifests in the conduct of his business affairs and in both has made substantial progress.

TOM D. ANDERSON .- One of the well-known business enterprises of San Jose, Santa Clara County, is that conducted under the firm name of T. D. An- derson, manufacturers of awnings and tents. Mr. Anderson is well known as the originator of the collapsible auto-tent and bed, called the Campo Comfy Camp, which has become so popular with tourists and campers, and has made a specialty of catering to the needs of campers. He manufac- tures a tent that can be attached to an auto by straps which pass over the top; also manufactures beds and mattresses and many different styles of tents used by campers on vacation trips. These camping articles have become so popular that Mr. Anderson ships them to all parts of the United States, Canada and even to the Orient. He maintains his factory at 246 West Santa Clara street and enjoys a very lucrative business.

Tom D. Anderson was born July 28. 1887, at Devils Lake, N. D., a son of H. D. and Amalia B. (Peterson) Anderson, who came to California in the year of 1900; hoth parents reside in Los Angeles at the present time. Mr. Anderson received his education in the grammar and high schools; upon leaving school he was taken into the business of his father, that of manufacturing awnings and tents. His inventive mind has revolutionized the vacation problem and through his invention, campers may now enjoy many of the comforts of home. His great love of the outdoors led him to manufacture those things which make life in the open even more de- sirable and pleasurable.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mr. Anderson's marriage April 8, 1906, united him with Miss Ethel M. Bradly of San Jose. To them have been born two children, Maurine and Leola. Politically he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and is active in all affairs pertain- ing thereto. His course has been directed and gov- erned by a public-spirited and unselfish policy, and he has never hesitated to condemn reprehensible schemes in municipal life or to encourage movements whose tendency has been toward the elevation of the moral and industrial status of the community.

WILLIAM E. AUSTIN .- An experienced, wide- awake leader in the musical world who has been working hard and successfully, with stimulating fore- sight, to help bring San Jose into the forefront of California musical centers and to raise the standard of music in Santa Clara County, is William E. Aus- tin, the efficient manager of the Wiley B. Allen Company, dealers in musical instruments. He was born in Tennessee on February 24, 1881, and first came to California in his thirty-sixth year.

He attended the common schools of his locality. then pursued the high school courses, and for three years was a student at Holly Spring College. Next he busied himself in various fields of activity in West Virginia, and in the Western, Middlewestern and Northwestern states, and after that sailed on coastwise boats. This varied occupation added ma- terially to his experience, especially with human na- ture, and experience that is always an asset. In 1907, Mr. Austin came to California, and for nine months he was with the Columbia Phonograph Com- pany in San Francisco. Then he made three trips on the transport Sheridan to Manila and back, and at the end of that engagement received the highest credentials from the captains of the vessels.

On returning to Oakland in 1909, Mr. Austin en- tered the service of Messrs. Eilers in that city, with whom he remained for two years. In 1911 he became connected with Wiley B. Allen Company and in 1913 he was rewarded by advancement to his present responsible position. He employs eighteen people to discharge the ever-growing business of the firm, and in the shop alone he has supervision of five expert workmen. The local store enjoys an enviable patronage in Alameda, San Mateo, San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz. San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties, and bids fair to extend even this extensive territory, so great is the demand for their goods, and so well satisfied are most folks with their painstaking efforts to please as well as serve. In this great work the Wiley B. Allen Company and Mr. Austin are constantly effecting an educa- tional influence of the highest order and the most lasting, as well as far-reaching, in the great work of upbuilding and uplift in new communities. Mr. Austin's honesty and frankness have commended him to strangers, who soon come to place implicit confidence in both his judgment and his integrity. and often allow him carte blanche in the selection of the musical instruments they need.

At Thanksgiving, 1909, in San Francisco Mr. Aus- tin was married to Miss Louise Glasson, a most at- tractive lady, a native of Michigan, who has lived in California since she was one year old. She has entered heartily into Mr. Austin's ambitions, with her talents and companionability, and also enjoys with him the great outdoors. Mr. Austin belongs to the Lions Club, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce,

and is a Mason of the Eighteenth degree. During the World War, both Mr. and Mrs. Austin were active and helpful in all the war drives.

FREDERICK LEE HIATT .- A member of one of the prominent families of the Union district, Fred- erick Lee Hiatt is well know in Santa Clara County as an enterprising horticulturist. He was born in San Francisco, July 21, 1896, and is a son of Levi and Marie (Edwards) Hiatt. The father is also an orchardist and for the past thirty-two years has en- gaged in raising prunes, cultivating a tract of sixty- five acres in this locality. In the acquirement of an education Frederick L. Hiatt attended the grammar schools of Santa Clara County and high school at Campbell, but owing to illness was obliged to discon- tinue his studies before completing his course. On choosing an occupation he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and has also proven his ability as an orchardist, cultivating choice varieties of prunes and apricots on his eighteen-acre ranch in the Union district. He carries on his operations along the most modern and progressive lines and success is reward- ing his efforts.

Mr. Hiatt was united in marriage to Miss Glee Hageman, of San Jose, Cal., a member of one of the pioneer families of Santa Clara County, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Jean. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he finds diversion in hunting. He is a represen- tative of a family that for over thirty-two years has contributed to the prestige of Santa Clara County along horticultural lines and in the development of his talents he has already won a well established position among the progressive orchardists of this part of the state.

JOSE C. ANGELO .- Without any one to assist him in securing a start in the business world, and without the aid of fortuitous circumstances, com- monly known as "good luck," but by persistent labor and the constant exercise of frugality, Jose C. Angelo has brought himself to the position where he possessed the means necessary for the purchasing of land. He now resides on the place of ten acres, near Cupertino on the Doyle Road, which he pur- chased twenty-eight years ago and set to orchard. Mr. Angelo was born in the Azores Islands, in the year of 1861, and was the son of John and Mary Angelo, who were also natives of Azores, and com- ing to the United States, they were for many years engaged in farming near Half Moon Bay, Cal. Mr. Angelo's father lived to be eighty years of age, his demise occurring in 1918, his wife's death occurring some years before.

Jose C. Angelo came to the United States at the age of sixteen and landed at New Bedford, Mass., in 1877, and for the next six years followed the life of a sailor. After returning from a trip back to his native land, he came to California and settled in Santa Clara County in 1883, bringing with him his bride, whom he had married while he was in his homeland. Mrs. Angelo's maiden name was Mary Vieria and she was also born in the Azores Islands. Mr. and Mrs. Angelo became the parents of a family of twelve children: Joseph served in the One Hundred Fifty-eighth U. S. Infantry; after training at Camp Lewis and Camp Kearny was sent overseas and served in France during the late war; he is now a rancher at Sunnyvale; Mary is Mrs. Martin of Santa

Con Roeleffe

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Clara; Anna is Mrs. Adrian of San Jose; Antonio aided the cause of the Allies by giving his services to the U. S. Navy; Manuel, Frank, Rose, Peter, Enos, Carl, Phillip, and Jesse are all at home. Politically, Mr. Angelo is a Republican.

CHAS. ROBERT ROCLIFFE .- A resident of Santa Clara County since 1893, and owner of the Giant Oak ranch in Saratoga district, Charles Robert Rocliffe was born in Easingwold, Yorkshire, England, January 24, 1860, a son of John and Kate Jepson, farmer folk in Yorkshire, where they spent their entire lives. There were five children in their family of seven that grew to maturity, two of whom reside in California, Thomas Clough Rocliffe of Orosi and our subject, who is the eldest living child. He was brought up on the Yorkshire farm where he received a good education in the public and private schools.

When eighteen years of age, Mr. Rocliffe migrated to Canada, where he became messenger for the Can- adian Express Company, running out of Montreal to Quebec and Toronto, from 1878 until 1893, when he came to the States, stopping in Chicago for the World's Fair, thence on to Denver, Colo., for a short time and in the fall of 1893 came to San Francisco. His brother was living in Santa Clara County, so he took up his abode here. He was employed on the Simons & Chipman ranch for about a year and he then purchased his present place of twenty acres and named it Giant Oak ranch because it has a majestic white oak spreading its giant limbs over his residence, probably the largest tree of its species in California, measuring twenty-two feet in circumference. Mr. Rocliffe improved the ranch, getting the soil in con- dition and set out an orchard of prunes and apricots which he has faithfully cared for until now they are full bearing and yielding a satisfactory income.

Mr. Rocliffe is a member of the California Prune & Apricot Association. He joined the Odd Fellows in Montreal and was a member of the order for many years and is a member of the American For- esters at Saratoga. He has a great love for the out- doors and spends much time hunting with his pack of fox hounds he keeps especially for the chase. He has the finest bred hounds in the country, being of the same splendid stock that Isaac Branham had- and it is a great pleasure to enjoy this interesting gentleman's description of the chase. Mr. Rocliffe is a life-long Republican and he did his bit during the World War in supporting the various drives.

FRANCIS JAMES HAMBLY. - Prominent among the attorneys of Santa Clara County whose scholarly knowledge of law and ethical practice have reflected distinction upon the California Bar may well be mentioned Francis James Hambly, who was born at Belleville, Canada, on April 21, 1874, and who there received his early education in the excellent schools for which the great Dominion is noted. His father was James Hele Hambly, a distinguished chemist, who married Miss Emma L. Roblin, a daugh- ter of David Roblin, M.P.P., of Napanee, for many years the representative of the Counties of Lennox and Addington in the Dominion Parliament, known throughout Canada as one of her ablest men prior to Confederation. Mr. Hambly's father died in. Can- ada in 1880, but his mother, a gifted and accom- plished lady, is living and resides with our subject. After coming to California in 1891, Mr. Hambly stud- ied law in the offices of Messrs. Morehouse & Tut-

tle, at San Jose, being admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of California in April, 1895. He im- mediately entered upon the practice of his profession in the office of Senator Morehouse, the firm of More- house & Hambly coming into existence in 1897, and continuing until 1900, when the senior partner moved to San Francisco and later to Nevada. Since that time Mr. Hambly has been actively engaged in prac- tice on his own account, and he has a large and rep- resentative clientage. A Republican in matters of national political moment, but broadly nonpartisan in his support of whatever seems to him best for the community, Mr. Hambly served his fellow-citizens as Police and Fire Commissioner for terms under Mayors George D. Worswick and Henry D. Mat- thews, and while in that office made an enviable rec- ord. Decidedly a progressive thinker, he has never failed to participate in all that might make for the advancement of the community.

RONALD G. STEWART .- Among the young progressive, and successful lawyers of Santa Clara county is Ronald G. Stewart, a native son of San Jose, born October 24, 1896, a son of William R. and Magdalena (Schilling) Stewart. His mother is a daughter of the old pioneer family of Schillings, prominent in the early history of California.

His preliminary education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of Oakland, where he graduated in 1913; he then entered Santa Clara College, where he obtained his A. B. degree in 1917; in 1918 he returned for a post-graduate course and received his J. D. degree, and the same year was admitted to the bar. He spent a short time in San Francisco, and in the year 1919 he established his law business in San Jose. He now occupies the po- sition of professor of law in Santa Clara College, a signal honor for one of his years, and a recog- nition of his grasp on matters of jurisprudence.

Politically Mr. Stewart is not a member of any party, preferring to support the man he deems best fitted for office. He is ever ready to assist in any- thing that tends for the betterment of his commun- ity, and is regarded as a man of strong character and sterling worth, a good citizen and a successful man in his profession.

CHARLES EDWARD HOWES .- Among the active, successful men of important business affairs in San Jose today is the well-known realtor, Charles Edward Howes; and none, it is safe for those to say who are familiar with his common-sense, dry humor and skill as a raconteur, can prove more entertaining in the narrative of a life-story. He was born at Downieville, Cal., on August 23, 1859, the son of Sam P. and Laura B. Howes, and the latter is still living. His father, now deceased, was a searcher of records, nor was there one more expert, in this day. in all the state.

After Charles declared himself graduated from the grammar schools of Downieville he got to work, not at all ambitious for college and losing no sleep about degree. He put in four days at carriage painting. when he was declared N. G .; then he worked for a month as a printer, or until the foreman passed upon him the same eulogy; after that he dried fruit for a night, but did not stop to learn what the fruit owner though of his incapability, and eventually he searched records for ten years, abstracting from them every-

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

thing that any wight could expect to find. More eventually he got into real estate, and there he has been ever since, so that today he and his family are in comfortable circumstances, and he doesn't owe a farthing to anyone. He still works hard, enjoys the leisure hour when it rolls around, and never wor- ries about an ancient past and a genealogical record with crests and coats of arms, being mighty thank- ful-and why shouldn't he, in the light of modern events-that he is "just here."

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 173

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