History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 184

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

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson lived on the Anderson Ranch of 252 acres on the Sierra Road, in the hills, for about twenty years; but in 1915 moved down to the old Ogan ranch, at the corner of the Sierra and Piedmont roads, and have lived there ever since. They have been favored with six children. Nevada has become Mrs. C. W. Haag of Bakersfield; Bessie A. is a graduate of the County Hospital in San Jose; Warren is at home; and so are Esther, Zella and Alice. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are Republicans; and they are "boosters" of the ideal kind, ready to work for Santa Clara County and California.

T. A. GOODRICK .- Prominent among the live- liest and most efficient "boosters" that have ever come to Santa Clara must be rated T. A. Goodrick, the wide-awake, accommodating and pop- ular station agent of the Southern Pacific. He has been very alert in looking to the industrial welfare of the city, and has heartily joined the citizens as well as the railroad company's industrial agent in studying the best interests of the rising municipality.

A native son, Mr. Goodrick was born at Salinas on November 26, 1891, and in 1913 he was graduated from the Monterey high school. He then matricu- lated at the Oakland Polytechnic, and was graduated from that excellent institution with the class of '15. His progressive career as a student was such as might have been expected from a son of J. A. Good- rick, who was a native of Thorpe Bank, England, came out to California and married, at Salinas, Rufina Cantua, the granddaughter of General Castro, erstwhile Governor of California. Both of Mr. Good- rick's parents are living; and he has four brothers, he being the youngest of the family.

Our subject continued at Monterey as cashier for the Southern Pacific for two years, and then worked at relieving other agents at various stations along the line in the Coast division between Los Angeles and San Francisco. In October, 1919, Mr. Goodrick came to Santa Clara from Watsonville, and soon as- sociated himself with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, in which he became vice-president and secretary of the industrial committee. A personal friend of A. K. Frye, the industrial agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, having head- quarters at San Francisco, Mr. Goodrick was able to be of special service in inducing the Homer Knowles Pottery Company to locate at Santa Clara : and when the corner-stone of the building was laid with impressive ceremonies on June 9, 1921, he took an active part in the fitting celebration. On March 8, 1922, Mr. Goodrick was promoted to the responsi- ble post of freight and traffic agent of the Southern Pacific Railway at San Jose, this being the most im- portant freight agency on the Coast division out- side of San Francisco. He was chosen for his effi- ciency over competitors many years his senior, a fact in which he can well take pride.

HON. HUGH STEEL HERSMAN .- A thor- oughly representative man of Santa Clara County who has won his recognition entirely on his own merits is the Hon. Hugh Steel Hersman, former member of Congress from Santa Clara County. He was born at Port Deposit, Md., on July 8, 1872, the son of Rev. William Mathew and Mary Harvey (Steel) Hersman, well-known orchardists and ranch-

ers of the Coast counties. Reverend Hersman was a Presbyterian minister and both he and his wife be- longed to families who had been identified with the United States of America for more than two con- turies, names of both families being found in the annals of those prominent in public affairs Reverend Hersman and his family came to California from Maryland in 1880, and upon their arrival here were so well satisfied with conditions that Mr. Hersman at once identified himself with the communities where he lived as a Presbyterian preacher and continued during his entire life. He later bought property, first in San Luis Obispo County and later in Santa Clara County, dying on the ranch at San Martin in 1904. Mrs. Hersman makes her home in San Jose.

Hugh S. Hersman was educated in the Southwest- ern Presbyterian University of Tennessee, graduating with the class of '93, and receiving his A. B. degree. He then did post-graduate work at the University of California, and after finishing his schooling became identified with business and ranching interests with his father, and later on his own responsibility. He always took a decided interest in politics and was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Santa Clara County and served for two terms. In 1918 he was the choice of the people to represent his district in Washington as a member of Congress, and served one term. Mr. Hersman has important finan- cial interests and served as president of the First National Bank of Gilroy, and is now a director of the Garden City Bank & Trust Company of San Jose, since the merger of the two banks. With C. C. Lester he acquired 120 acres of fine orchard property south of Gilroy, said to be the finest prune orchard in that section of the county.

As a citizen, Mr. Hersman has endeavored to do his part to elevate the standards of citizenship under the banners of the Democratic party and adheres to the tenets of the Presbyterian Church. He is a public spirited and popular man, a man of sound judgment and financial acumen, and has a large circle of friends in this county and environs.

LEWIS B. EBINGER .- A skilful and progressive blacksmith is Lewis B. Ebinger, whose shop on Ber- ryessa Road, about three miles east of San Jose, has become the much-frequented headquarters for resi- dents of that section. He was born on Maple Avenue, between Seventh and Eighth streets, in Los Angeles, , on June 4, 1888, the son of Louis Ebinger, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when a young man. He crossed the great plains as a veritable '49er, and in time married Miss Minnie Boshard, a native of Switzerland. He started busi- ness in Los Angeles in a small way, and eventually became one of the notable bakers of the Southland. So successful and important was he that Harris New- mark, the famous pioneer in the City of the Angels, pays him a marked and highly complimentary tribute in his historic autobiography, "Sixty Years in South- ern California," where he says:

"Hail fellow well met and always in favor with a large circle, was my Teutonic friend, Lewis Ebinger, who, after coming to Los Angeles in 1868, turned clay into bricks. Perhaps this also recalled the days of his childhood when he made pies of the same material; but be that as it may, Lewis in the early

This a Goodrick

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

seventies made his first venture in the bakery busi- ness, opening a shop on North Spring Street. In the bustling boom days when real estate men saw naught but the sugar-coating, Ebinger, who had moved to elaborate quarters in a building at the southwest corner of Spring and Third streets, was dispensing cream puffs and other baked delicacies to an en- thusiastic and unusually large clientele. But since everybody then had money, or thought that he had, one such place was not enough to satisfy the raven- ous speculators; with the result that John Koster was soon conducting a similar establishment on Spring Street near Second, while farther north, on Spring Street near First, the Vienna Bakery ran both Lewis and John a merry race." Lewis Ebinger con- tinued active as a baker until about eight years ago; and since then he and his wife have been living, re- tired, in Los Angeles. Six children were born to this worthy couple: Minnie, is Mrs. Burkhardt of Los Angeles, and Oscar and Arnold live in the same city; Lewis B., is the subject of our review; Estella and Erwin are also residents of the southern metropolis.

Lewis B. Ebinger attended the grammar school of his locality in Los Angeles, and when thirteen years of age started to learn the blacksmith trade in a three-year apprenticeship under his cousin, Fred Ebinger of that city. Then, for three years, he worked as a journeyman shoeing horses for the Los Angeles Jockey Club, and there he continued until the small tractors began to supplant the horse in agri- cultural industries. He then went to Sacramento, where he worked at his trade one and one-half years, after which he went to San Francisco, where he fol- lowed his trade for another year until he went back to Los Angeles, where he was married in 1913. After his marriage he went to Orange City, where he plied his trade for three years. Selling out his establish- ment, he went to Kern County, and at Taft put in a year and a half in the Southern Pacific Railroad shops, and being transferred to Maricopa, he contin- ued there for another year and a half in the employ of that company. He came to Santa Clara County in 1919, and here he opened a shop for himself near Berryessa, about three miles from San Jose From the beginning he gave the community first-class serv- ice, and he has prospered steadily.

At Los Angeles, on July 15, 1913, Lewis B. Ebinger and Miss Lucy Harris, a native of Texas, were joined in matrimony, and they have three children: Erwin, Lynette and Vivian. The bride's father was a build- ing contractor, who moved into California when Lucy was eight years old. He located at Burbank, in the San Fernando Valley, and there made his home until he was killed, at Los Angeles, being struck by a motorcycle. Broadminded in political views and actions, Mr. Ebinger gives his hearty support to the best men and the best measures in the locality in which he lives and prospers.

C. LANFRI-The business standing attained by C. Lanfri is the result of years of practical experience, coupled with unfailing perseverance and as president of the Golden West and National Cleaners, located at 25-29 South Third Street, San Jose, has won the esteem and respect of his business associates of the Garden City. A native of Lucca, Italy, he was born March 13, 1885, a son of Thomas and Mistica (Bioc-

chi) Lanfri. The father was engaged in the marble quarries of Italy for a number of years, later passing away in his native city. The mother still resides in the country of her nativity. Seven children were born to them, of whom five are living; two are still resi- dents of Italy, the other three living in San Jose. C. Lanfri came to America soon after reaching the age of twenty-one, settling in San Jose. For eight months he worked in a macaroni factory. At the end of this time he entered the employ of Mr. Moody, of the Parisian Cleaners of San Jose, working for him three years. Following this the business known as the Golden West Cleaners was established, with a capital of $15,000, in partnership with the Landucci brothers, also employees of Mr. Moody. About the same time the National Cleaners was established by Peter Steffani. In November, 1914, the two compa- nies consolidated and was incorporated under the name of the Golden West and National Cleaners, Mr. Lanfri being president and manager.

The marriage of Mr. Lanfri occurred in 1911, unit- ing him with Miss Ella Pera, and they are the parents of three children: Frola, Thomas and Emma. The family home is at 320 Grant Street, San Jose. Fraternally, Mr. Lanfri is a member of the Druids. The success of the business of which he is president owes much to his business ability, and today ranks among the first of its kind in the city.

Peter Steffani, a stockholder and the efficient assist- ant manager of the company, is also a native of Lucca, Italy, born August 20, 1887, a son of Pietro and An- gelena Steffani, parents of five children, four of whom are still living. The father was a tradesman in his native city of Lucca, owning a grocery store. Three brothers embarked for America at the same time, arriving in San Francisco in 1901, later coming to San Jose. During the World War two of his broth- ers returned to Italy and became soldiers under their native flag, and there they still reside. After arriv- ing in San Jose in 1903, Mr. Steffani worked for a time in the vineyards as a laborer, later entering the employ of his uncle, Mr. Gussioni, who operated a macaroni factory, then becoming an employee of Mr. Moody. With two companions, Mr. Arbor and Mr. Lee, they established the National Cleaners, and when this business was consolidated with the Golden West Cleaners, Mr. Steffani became one of the partners and fills the position of assistant manager with capa- bility. His marriage united him with Miss Esta Bellocci, born and reared in Italy. They are the par- ents of one child, Geno, and reside at 271 Santa Teresa Street. Fraternally, Mr. Steffani is a member of the Druids and of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

F. Landucci, the capable secretary of the Golden West and National Cleaners, was born November 17, 1879, in Lucca, Italy, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Graziana) Landucci. The father was a vegetable farmer in his native land and passed away when fifty-three. The mother still lives in Italy and is now seventy years of age. A daughter, Jenna, also resides in Italy. Mr. Landucci was married in Italy to Mrs. Alvira Ellenducci, also born and reared in Lucca, Italy. They are the parents of four children: Viola, the wife of Dorio Zapelli, a groceryman on Market Street; they are the parents of three children- Frankie, Adolpho and Gemaldo; Albert is in the San

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Jose high school; Mario, and Alfred. The family belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Fraternally, Mr. Landucci is a member of the Druids and For- esters. In 1907 a home was built at 831 State Street in San Jose, and here the family reside. He has the oversight of all the dyeing work of the firm.

Hugo Landucci is a stockholder and superintends the pressing department. He was born in Lucca, Italy, March 29, 1878, coming to San Jose in 1901. After arriving in San Jose, he was employed by Mr. Moody and worked for him for six years, becoming proficient in his chosen line of work. His marriage, in Italy, united him with Miss Caroline Branchini, also born in Lucca. They are the parents of five children: Pete, Joe, Garibaldi, Frank and Anita. In 1914 the family residence was erected at 131 Vir- ginia Street in San Jose. Mr. Landucci is a member of the Foresters, and has taken out his first papers for American citizenship.

ADRIEN BONNET .- A pioneer who has lived in Santa Clara County for fifty-five years, Adrien Bonnet was born near Gap, Hautes-Alps, France, December 22, 140, where his father, Pierre Bonnet, was a large farmer. His mother was named Frances Tex, and both died in their native place. Adrien was the third youngest of their twelve children and the only one now living, being educated in private schools until eighteen years of age, when he went to Algeria, Africa, and spent eighteen months, when he returned. His father had died during his ab- sence and he leased the home place and operated it until 1867, when he decided to come to San Fran- cisco, Cal. After three months he located at Alviso, then a flourishing town, being an important shipping point. He worked on farms and in vineyards for three years, and then spent a year in San Jose, after which he came to Saratoga and leased Wildwood Park from Mrs. Springer, which he farmed for four years. When he first came to Saratoga it was a lively town and then named McCartysville, with a paper mill owned by King Bros. & Pfister, and a flour mill run by Senator McClay, and with the mills in the mountains there was much teaming and travel. The name was later changed to Saratoga. At the termination of his lease on Wildwood Park, Mr. Bonnet purchased land in the mountains above Saratoga, which he cleared and planted to orchard and vineyard, and in time came to own 600 acres three miles above Saratoga on the Summit or Turn- pike road. In clearing the land he cut wood, which was sold in the valley, and he got out over 7000 cords of wood. After selling this ranch he pur- chased a small place of twenty-three acres on the Saratoga road, which he also cleared and set to vine- yard and orchard. This, too, he in time sold, and he now makes his home in Saratoga.

Mr. Bonnet was twice married, first to Mary Corpstein, a native daughter, who died many years ago, leaving four children, two of whom are living, Louis J., on an orchard at Azule Springs, and John, of Coalinga. Mr. Bonnet's second marriage occurred in Saratoga August 1, 1901, when he was united with Caroline Nusebaum, who was born in Neufchatel, Switzerland, a daughter of August and Emile (Hut- ter) Nusebaum and the third oldest of their six children. Coming to California twenty-three years ago on a visit, she met Mr. Bonnet and the acquaint-

ance resulted in their marriage. Mrs. Bonnet is in- terested in Red Cross work and is a member of the Ladies' Aid of the Methodist Church. Mr. Bonnet naturally takes great pride in the growth of the Santa Clara Valley, having seen it improved from wild range land to a garden spot of orchards and vineyards, in the transformation of which he has well performed his part.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LOS ALTOS .- The history of the finance and the financial insti- tutions of a community are an index to its growth and development as a whole, and the First National Bank of Los Altos, whose doors were opened for business on December 1, 1919, has been manifestly successful since its establishment. Organized with a capital of $25,000, its volume of business has grown from its inception to a marked degree; its resources are $200,000, with deposits amounting to $150,000. R. M. Tooker was the first president of the insti- tution and W. T. Clements its first cashier, and .M. O. Adams, vice-president. Its board of directors consists of the following well-known citizens: Paul Shoup, Frank J. Costello, R. M. Tooker, M. O. Adams, S. F. Oliver, George N. Herbert, W. T. Clements, and Guy Shoup, attorney for the bank.

W. T. Clements, cashier of the bank, has dis- played a wide knowledge of the banking business in his important position. He is a native of Kansas City, Mo., and in 1919, having disposed of a bank in his native state, removed to California. Much of the credit of this splendid bank is due to the untiring energy, ability and boosting spirit of Mr. Clements, who keeps in close touch with the money, bond and stock markets of the country; he is the adviser of many in this section as regards financial matters, and is a consistent, constructive upbuilder who believes strongly in the present and future of Los Altos and the richly productive agricultural and development sections for which Los Altos is the financial center. The officers and directors of this institution are among the most widely known and able men of this section of the State of Califor- nia, successful leaders who have achieved results, men who have the confidence of the bank's de- positors and of the people of this rapidly growing community. The First National Bank of Los Altos owns its own buildings, and Los Altos is proud of her First National Bank; and the bank looks proudly toward the city of Los Altos of tomorrow.

HENRY C. STAU .- Coming to the Santa Clara Valley nearly forty years ago, Henry C. Stau is now one of the old residents of the San Martin district, where he owns a fine ranch of thirty acres on Center Avenue. He is a native of Denmark and was born on December 23, 1868, and reared by his uncle. Charles Kromlin, now of San Mateo County, and in 1881 accompanied this uncle to this country. In 1885 our subject entered the employ of Miller & Lux, the pioneer grain and stock raisers of Central California, and for several years was engaged on their ranches at Bloomfield and Soap Lake, and he also conducted a freighting train over Pacheco Pass to Los Banos and as far south in the San Joaquin Valley as the Button Willow ranch.

In the early '90s Mr. Stau entered the employ of William Hersman and for ten years was employed on his ranch on Foothill Road, San Martin. At the same time he acquired six acres of choice ranch

Caroline Bonnet Arien, Bonnet

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land near by and began to put it under cultivation. From time to time he added to it and he now has a fine home place of thirty acres, a valuable piece of property which has been developed under his capable care and supervision. In addition to this Mr. Stau conducted the San Martin rural route from its establishment, being in the United States mail serv- ice for eleven and a half years, retiring in 1916.

At Gilroy, Cal., Mr. Stau was married to Miss Olive R. Mathus, the daughter of Mrs. A. L. Mathus, who now resides at Morgan Hill. Four children have been born to them: Lena H. married E. S. Mundy, they have one son and reside at San Jose; Clarence served during the World War in the U. S. Navy, being on board a submarine chaser on the Pacific Coast; Mildred is deceased; Elbert was in the Aviation Corps during the war, stationed at Ellington Field, Texas. He is married and resides at San Jose; all the children were born and reared at San Martin. Mr. Stau became a citizen of the United States in 1890, and he is a true patriot of his adopted country, politically giving his preference to the Republican party. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church at San Martin and for twelve years was treasurer, but resigned this office in 1917, and for six years was a trustee of this school district.

W. T. CLEMENTS .- One of the leading bankers of Santa Clara County is W. T. Clements, the able and efficient cashier of the First National Bank of Los Altos. He was born in Platt County, Mo., September 15, 1867, a son of John R. and Eliza Jane (Moore) Clements, both natives of Kentucky, the father a successful farmer and stockman who enlisted in the Union army from Missouri and served for the duration of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Clements are the parents of nine children, eight boys and one girl, and W. T. Clements is the only one in California.

W. T. Clements began his education in the public schools of Missouri and then entered the William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo., taking a four year classical course and was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1891; then he entered the University of Missouri at Columbia and in 1896 was graduated with the degree of L.L. B. After leaving school he entered politics and was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley at Platte City, Mo., and served throughout his administration and that of Roosevelt. Taft and a part of the Wilson adminis- tration; he then removed to Raytown, a suburb of Kansas City, and purchased a controlling interest and took charge of the Raytown Bank in 1915. He remained there until 1919 when he sold his interest in the bank and removed to California; he traveled from place to place throughout California and de- cided to settle in Los Altos. At the earnest solici- tation of Mr. Paul Shoup, the prominent railroad man, the First National Bank of Los Altos was or- ganized with a capital of $25,000, with a surplus of $5,000; a building was obtained and converted into a modern banking house and the doors were thrown oper, ready for business on December 1, 1919.

Mr. Clements' marriage united him with Miss Laura M. Valliant, a native of Kansas City. Mo., and was educated at the Gaylord Institute in Platte City, Mo .; then went to Bishop Robertson Hall, an Epis- copal school in St. Louis, and is a graduate of that Ilistitution. Mr. and Mrs. Clements are the parents

of one child, Louise Elizabeth, now Mrs. S. C. Garrett. Mr. Garrett is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Los Altos and as such is associated very closely in a business way with Mr. Clements. Politically Mr. Clements is a Re- publican; and fraternally is a Mason, a member of Platte City Lodge. Since the organization of the First National Bank of Los Altos, Mr. Clements has been the efficient and popular cashier, and he can always be counted upon to give of his best for the advancement of the locality he has chosen for his permanent home.

ALBERT T. DE FOREST .- A remarkable man, qualified, through native ability, special training and exceptionally fortunate business and social connec- tions, to handle enterprises and responsibilities of the first magnitude, is Albert T. De Forest, who resides at 950 University Avenue, Palo Alto. He was born in Cleveland, on June 4, 1863, and in that city grew up and was active in business circles until 1903. Owing to his father's early death, he passed through a boyhood and youth darkened through many hard- ships, and received at best only a partial high school training. There were three children in the family, but he was the only one that lived to maturity. His father was Lewis Germain De Forest, and he was also a native of Cleveland. The grandfather, Tracy Robinson De Forest, was a native of New York State, and came to Cleveland in 1832, where he was a United States steamboat inspector for several years. Lewis G. De Forest was a dealer in jewelry at Cleveland. He married Teressa Suydam, who was born and married in Cleveland, and she lived to be seventy-six years old, and passed peacefully away in May, 1919, at the home of her son in Palo Alto, beloved and respected by all who knew her.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 184

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