History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 185

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

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At the early age of fifteen, Albert De Forest went to work to earn a living in the steel and wire mills in Cleveland, and in time became secretary of the H. P. Nail Company, makers of wire nails, which concern later became part of the American Steel and Wire Company of Cleveland, when Mr. De Forest was dis- trict manager for the Cleveland district. At Cleve- land, in 1888, Mr. De Forest was married to Miss Lettie West, a daughter of Henry B. West, well known hotel man of Cleveland and Put-in-Bay Island, and in 1903, with his wife and daughter, and his mother, he came out to San Francisco to take charge of the sales of the subsidiary companies of the U. S. Steel Corporation. The next year, 1904, he came to Palo Alto and became interested in the build- ing of the Peninsular Railway from Palo Alto to Alum Rock Park, an electric line, now a part of the Southern Pacific Railroad System. John F. Parkin- son was the main projector of this road, but Mr. De Forest acquired an active interest. Now' he has an office in the Rialto Building in San Francisco, and being associated with the U. S. Steel Products Com- pany, he has charge of their sales for the states of Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, California, Washington and Northern Idaho. In 1907, he built for himself an elegant residence, and he owns a valuable ranch property south of Mayfield, which he manages as a dairy and fruit farm, taking a live interest, as a true country gentleman, in the details of its operation. Mr. De Forest is a member of the Blue Lodge

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Masons, the Chapter in Palo Alto, and the Com- mandery, and to the Council and the Scottish Rites bodies at San Francisco. He was chairman of the Salvage Bureau of the Red Cross during the late war, and his jurisdiction included the entire state.

ARTHUR H. WASHBURN, A. B .- A man of letters who left a deep impress on educational circles in San Jose was the late Arthur H. Washburn, a native of New York, born at Fredonia, in 1856. In his youth he came with his widowed mother and her family to San Jose, where had lived since pioneer days his uncles, the late E. P. and Elliott Reed. His father was a physician and surgeon of high repute, who gave his life for his country during the Civil War. A year and a half and more Arthur Washburn spent as a deep-sea sailor, twice doubling Cape Horn and seeing much of the world. Returning to San Jose he attended for a time the Normal School, and then entered the Polytechnic Institute of Wor- cester, Mass., where he graduated with distinction as a mechanical engineer. Following his profession for a time, he came back to San Jose, where he made his home and engaged in business for some years. In 1888 he married Miss Jessica Thompson of San Jose, who survives him, together with two sons, Henry and Lowell, and a sister, Miss Lucy M. Washburn. Their marriage occurred in San Jose, January 22, 1889. Mrs. Washburn was born in Lacon, Ill., a daughter of Samnel and Emneline (Hubbard) Thomp- son, born respectively in Maine and Connecticut, the Thompson family being an old and prominent family of Parsonsfield, Maine. Mrs. Washburn attended the San Jose State Normal and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, after which she was head of the English department at the San Jose State Normal for six years. Then entering Stanford Uni- versity she was graduated with the first class in 1892 with the A. B. degree. Mr. Washburn also took a degree from Stanford.

In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Washburn established the Washburn School, which quickly proved to be a high- ly successful and useful institution. During the eighteen years it was under their control a large number of young people were fitted for Stanford and the university at Berkeley, and another large number were trained for active life. The ill health of Mr. Washburn compelled their retirement from this work and they settled on their fruit ranch near the foothills east of San Jose. Two or three years ago, in hope of getting relief from asthma, they pur- chased a lovely home in Los Gatos, but he passed away in April, 1921. He was a very modest, unob- trusive man, without any craving for publicity, thor- oughly honest and honorable in all the relations of life, deeply devoted to his family, a faithful and affec- tionate friend, a good and public spirited citizen, an humble and consistent Christian. His moral ideals were high, and these he songht to realize in conduct. All the memories and influences he leaves are parc, wholesome and uplifting. For many years he was a communicant in the First Presbyter- ian Church of San Jose, and up till his removal to Los Gatos, he was a highly respected and influential office-bearer in that congregation. The memory of this modest, quiet, faithful and affectionate man will

be long and tenderly cherished by great numbers of those who survive him. His life was a testimony to the enduring value of simple goodness.

THOMAS J. WOODWORTH .- A leading bnsi- ness man of Los Altos is found in Thomas J. Wood- worth, who carries a full line of wood, coal, hay, grain, roofing cement, lime, etc. He is a native of Kansas and was born near Walnut on March 24, 1874, the son of E. R. Woodworth, a native of Han- cock County, Ill. The father walked across the plains in 1855 and entered the mines at Placerville; later he bought a ranch near Marysville, then re- turned via Panama to New York City, then to Il- linois where he was married to Miss Helen Glas- gow. The young people moved to Kansas and were among the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- worth were the parents of five children, Thomas J. being the oldest and only one in California. The father passed away in Kansas in 1920, at the age of eighty-four years, while the mother still lives there. Thomas J. grew np on his father's 200-acre stock farm and was educated in the public schools of Walnut, Kans., and was graduated from the high school of Walnut in 1896; then went to the State Normal school at Emporia, Kans., for one year; and the next year entered the Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kans. Upon finishing school he entered into partnership with his father and they farmed, raised stock, bonght and shipped cattle and hogs to the Kansas City markets. In the spring of 1906 the stock was sold and his father retired to live in Walnut, Kans., and Thomas J. came west and set- tled at Stratford, Kings County. He was a time- keeper for the California Door Company for one season and in 1907 bonght fifty-five acres of the Empire ranch and within a few years made a first class dairy farm ont of it. He now leases it as a dairy farm. In May, 1920, he removed to Los Altos and finding the business he now owns for sale, he purchased it from S. McCormick, and also purchased Mr. McCormick's residence on First Street.

In 1908 Mr. Woodworth returned to Kansas and at Walnnt was married to Miss Edna Balla, born at that place, a daughter of John Balla, a pioneer of Kansas and a Civil War veteran. While resid- ing in Kings County, Mr. Woodworth served as director of the Chamber of Commerce; and was also the clerk of the school board; Mrs. Woodworth also served a term as clerk of the school board. They are the parents of two children, Jane, and Edwin B. Mr. Woodworth and his family are at- tendants of the Union Church of Los Altos.

C. E. BERRY .- Perhaps the earliest settler of Los Altos is C. E. Berry, who came there before the railroad was built, when it was a part of a cattle range. He was born in Maine on June 16, 1864, the son of David R. and Ann R. (Knapp) Berry, both natives of Maine. The father first came to Califor- nia in early days with his brother-in-law, Charles Knapp, a well-known and prominent citizen of Santa Cruz, and in 1876 Mr. Berry brought his family to California. The Knapp family were among the earliest settlers at Massachusetts Bay Colony and were of Scotch-English ancestry, and on both sides were pre-Revolutionary stock. Several families from Maine came to California with the Berrys and settled at Watsonville, Santa Cruz County. Until he- was twelve years old, C. E. Berry lived most of the time

Arthur Washburn

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

with an aunt in Boston, Mass., and went to school there; when his family removed to California, he at- tended the schools at Watsonville. He remained at home and helped on the ranch until he was twenty; the family removed to San Jose about 1896.

Mr. Berry was married in San Jose to Miss Eva- line Blois, a daughter of James Blois and a sister of J. B. Blois of Palo Alto, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume. Soon after settling in San Jose he engaged in building fruit cars for the rail- road; then for six years he was with the Van Dorn Ice & Cold Storage Company five years with H. Hart & Company in the ice business in San Jose; meantime he had purchased a fifteen-acre ranch near Los Altos, a portion of the Taaffe ranch, and im- mediately took up the task of planting it to fruit; he also engaged in planting orchards for others. He then started in the livery business and built a fine barn, which he now uses for his transfer business. When antos and trucks replaced horses, his barn was changed to a commercial garage; he carries pas- sengers and freight throughout the northern part of California. For eight years he was deputy sheriff under Mr. Langford. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are the parents of two children; C. Austin, married Miss Grace Reid, resides in Palo Alto and works for Los Altos Grocery Company; Homer G. is with the Stanford Laundry Company at Palo Alto. He mar- ried Miss Genevieve Meeker and resides at May- field, and has one child, Beatrice Betty Berry. Mr. Berry is a Republican in his politics and he and his family are highly respected citizens of Los Altos.

THOMAS J. BURROWS .- Located on the mag- nificent Toyon Farm on the Moody Road east of Los Altos, Thomas J. Burrows is a thoroughly experi- enced farmer and horticulturist, a hard worker and a good manager, and enters heartily into his work of tilling, planting and beautifying the great Toyon Farm, owned by Horace L. Hill, Jr., of Los Altos. He was born in Surrey, England, November 2, 1883, where he grew up, enjoying common school advan- tages. On January 4, 1909, he was married to Miss Esther Elizabeth Devenish, who was born and reared in London. Mr. Burrows desiring to better his con- dition emigrated to the United States, arriving the latter part of 1909, and first settled in New Jersey where he found work on a farm, also was employed in a nursery for a time. He worked in various nurseries throughout the East, and in March, 1912, was joined by his wife in Connecticut, where he was then employed. Desiring to see the Pacific Coast, he, with his family, came to California that same year. They went to San Mateo County where he worked in the McRorie and McClarins nurseries at San Mateo. While residing there their three children were born, Esther Dorothy, Douglas Malcomb and Margery Alice. By careful and industrious work he rose to be foreman and was occupied in the capacity until 1921, when he came to the Toyon Farm. He has charge of all the agricultural and horticultural work on said ranch, which is one of the most beauti- ful farms in all California, its owner spending money freely to make it beautiful and productive. It is situated in the Los Altos hills and is a natural beauty spot, enhanced by expert landscape work and culti- vation. Mr. Burrows has already set out two acres of the celebrated Renaree raspberries, which are a favorite in this section of the county. Though an 51

Englishman by birth, Mr. Burrows enters heartily into the affairs of the United States, being a natural- ized American citizen and a stanch Republican.

JOHN SCHULZ .- Coming to San Martin October 24, 1901, John Schulz located on South Street in a beautiful grove of live oaks, the land, however, being uncultivated, so that he had a long, hard task to bring it to its present state of development. He set out twenty-six acres to a vineyard in 1902, it being one of the first in this section, and after it came into bear- ing the California Wine Association contracted with him for its yield for ten years. In the early days the grapes brought only eighteen dollars a ton, and in 1921 the price was $140 per ton. Mr. Schulz also farmed part of his ranch to hay and grain, and on ten acres he has harvested as high as thirty-seven and a half tons, an excellent yield. He has added to his holdings until he now owns ninety-two and a half acres of choice land near San Martin.

Mr. Schulz was born near Kiel, Germany, the scene of the famous naval parade in pre-war days, May 16, 1842, being the date of his birth. His parents were Henry and Catherine (Reese) Schulz, both native of Kiel and farmers of that vicinity, while the father was a bridge contractor as well; as the eldest son of their large family, John received a fine education and started out for himself early in life. He became prominent in political life and for twelve years served as a government jurist in his district. Bordesholm was the county seat of his district. In 1867 there was a severe strain on the small land holder because the large holder of land had so many more votes accord- ing to his acres and he could defeat measures that gave the small farmer equal rights, and those who had nothing could not vote at all. Mr. Schulz took up the fight for equal rights for all and carried it to head- quarters of the government and eventually won out.

When the German government officials noted that this particular district wanted to be free from this levy tax that was voted by the rich men, it was granted and the same opportunity was then given the whole country to take advantage of it, but not another province took it up. Thirty-seven years later those who rejected that first offer came to see what advantages were to be gained and made applica- tion, but did not get it. On November 1, 1886, Mr. Schulz married Miss Christina Hansen, born on the Isle of Fohr on August 22, 1864, the daughter of George and Flora (Martin) Hansen, and she was reared and educated on her native isle. Soon after their marriage they came to America, and journeyed on to Davenport, Iowa, to visit Mr. Schulz's uncle, . Detlef Schlofeldt. Later they located at Pomeroy, Garfield County, Wash., where they developed a farm from the virgin soil and remained for fifteen years, coming from there to San Martin in 1901, which has since been their home. They have assisted in the de- velopment of this section whenever called upon, having backed every movement for progress.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schulz: Carl is a newspaper man in San Francisco; Kurt W. is a rancher at San Martin; Elfreda is the wife of J. A. Swanson and they reside at San Francisco; Her- bert married Miss Elizabeth McFee and they live at Berkeley; Vigo married Miss Verdie Bradshaw and they make their home at Stockton, and Bruno lives in Stockton. Walter, the fourth child, died at ten

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years of age. All five sons of Mr. Schulz gave their services to their country during the World War, Vigo and Kurt going overseas, a family to be proud of, and he also had a long military record before coming to this country, serving in 1857, 1864, 1866 and 1870 in his native land. His brother, Johan Schulz, came to this country many years before him, and fell at the siege of Vicksburg in 1864, during the Civil War. While living at Pomeroy Wash., Mr. Schulz received his final citizenship papers, and since then he has performed his patriotic civic duties under the leadership of the Republican party. He was one ot the organizers of the San Martin Company that built the winery at San Martin.

VICTOR STANQUIST .- Having made a success as a cement contractor and builder in San Francisco, and having acquired a sufficient amount of money, Victor Stanquist is making a decided success of the orchard business and is using the same thorough- ness and faithfulness in this line that he did in the other lines of work. He was born at Wisby, Got- land, Sweden, July 25, 1868, the son of Lars Nich- olas and Maria Christina (Jungman) Stanquist. The father was a ship's carpenter, while the paternal grandfather was a well-known locksmith, machinist and blacksmith in Sweden.

Victor began his schooling in the common schools of Sweden; then studied navigation, and passing all required examinations successfully was duly licen- sed as a navigator. He sailed for several years on Swedish, American and English ships and visited France, England, Italy, Spain, South America and North America ports. At the end of seven years he removed to America and settled in Illinois and sailed the Great Lakes for one year. He was quarter- master on the first "whaleback" freight boat on the Great Lakes; and made Chicago his headquarters. In 1890 he married Miss Hanna Christine Peterson, horn at Slite, Sweden. While living in Chicago, he worked in a hardware store and thus had his first business experience. He removed to California in 1893 and settled in Alameda, where his brother Ed- ward lived. Mr. Stanquist bought a home in Ala- meda and resided there until 1901. While resid- ing in Alameda he worked for Gray Brothers, gen- eral contractors in cement work, until 1898, when he started in business for himself; two years later he went to Nome, Alaska, but only made expenses; returning to San Francisco he again opened a ce- ment contracting business. While he met with many discouragements, he won his way to the front, hav- ing 100 men and seven teams on his payroll. He constructed the first large reinforced concrete busi- ness block in San Francisco after the fire, namely the Flannery Building: he also put in the founda- tion of the Lincoln building; St. Ignatius Church; St. Paul's and St. Peter's, and also built several large concrete garages.

During 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Stanquist made a trip to Sweden to visit their old homes. Her parents are still living, but his have now passed away. In 1904 Mr. Stanquist became a member of the Golden Gate Lodge No. 30, F. & A. M., of San Francisco and is a member of the Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of San Francisco. He is a charter member of the Swedish-American Balder Lodge. Mr. and

Mrs. Stanquist reside on their ranch of thirteen acres known as the "Lone Oak" ranch on Dale Avenue one mile southeast of Mountain View, which is devoted to apricots, cherries and peaches. In 1922 Mr. Stan- quist helped organize the Growers Ice and Pre-Cool- ing Plant at Mountain View. This organization has just completed a $60,000 plant at Mountain View, and is the best thing for the growers of the vicinity that has ever been started.

ALDEN E. BRADFORD .- A direct descendant of one of New England's finest old families, A. E. Bradford traces his ancestry back to Governor Brad- ford of Massachusetts, whose name is indelibly linked with the history of Colonial days. His parents were Levi and Francene Malindy (Gill) Bradford, the latter a native of New York. Levi Bradford was born in the historic old town of Plymouth, Mass., and was given an education in the best schools of his time. Like many of the family, his inclinations were toward the professional life, and he practiced law in New York, moving to Kenosha County, Wis. He practiced at Perris and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He passed away in 1880 at the age of sixty-six in St. Croix County, Wis., and his wife died there aged eighty-six.

A. E. Bradford was born at Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., January 1, 1853, and in 1854 the family removed from there to Kenosha County, Wis. In 1860 they went to Northern Wisconsin, locating in St. Croix County, and there A. E. was reared and educated, the youngest son of a family of four sons and four daughters, and he with his sisters are the members of the family now surviving. When a lad of sixteen he was thrown on his own resources, and he went to work in the lumber camps of North- ern Wisconsin, being employed there in the winter and on the rivers in the summer time. In 1894 he took up the work of building contractor and has fol- lowed this business ever since. Seeking a milder climate he came with his family to Morgan Hill, Cal., on December 4, 1906, and here he purchased ten acres of bare land on San Pedro Avenue. This he has developed into a nice orchard of French prunes and peaches, and it is well repaying his efforts. In the meantime he has continued his work as a contractor, and he has found plenty to do in his line in the new district of Morgan Hill.

In 1889 Mr. Bradford was married to Miss Jose- phine Cheal, who was born and reared in Wisconsin, and they are the parents of two children, Josephine lone, residing at home and Mary Caecil, widow of Guy Barrett, and the mother of two children-Har- ry B. and Alden B. Mr. Barrett had a record to be proud of during the late war, serving as a machine gunner from March, 1918, to July, 1919. He passed through many perilous times, three men being killed at his side while in action. He died on May 1, 1922, from the effects of being gassed while in action. Mr. Bradford is a stanch Republican and a strong admirer of Roosevelt. He has for years been a member of the Odd Fellows, being a past officer, and as early as 1878 was a delegate to the Grand Lodge. His favorite recreation is trapping and hunt- ing, and these sports he indulges in today the same as when a boy on the rivers of Wisconsin.

F. Mn & arwell

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

FRANKLIN M. FARWELL .- A man of high standing who had much to do with shaping the civic affairs of Saratoga and did much to improve and build up Santa Clara County, was the late Franklin M. Farwell who was born in Morrisville, N. Y., August 8, 1834. His father, John W. Farwell, was born in Mansfield, Conn., November 14, 1809, and when a young man removed to Madison County, N. Y., where he married Nancy M. Morris. John W. Farwell was a well-educated man, was a fine penman and taught penmanship. He served as county clerk of Madison County, N. Y. Later he moved his family to Brooklyn, N. Y., while he was associated in business with Kinnear & Company. In 1849, leaving his family comfortably domiciled in Brooklyn, he came via Panama to San Francisco, where he engaged in business. In 1852 his wife and four children joined him; having made the journey via the Isthmus, they arrived in San Francisco De- cember 31 of that year. In 1856 he located with his family at Saratoga on 160 acres of government land. This was when Saratoga was called McCartysville. They cleared and improved the place, which neces- sitated cutting down giant oaks. John W. Farwell died in 1866, his widow surviving him. There were four children as follows: Franklin M., of this sketch; Charles, died in 1859; William, died here in 1877; Jennie M., the only one now living, resides in a comfortable residence on a part of the old Farwell ranch in the environs of Saratoga.

Franklin M. went to the California mines in Neva- da and Sierra Counties in 1856 and mined for about five years, when he returned home and assisted on the home ranch until 1871. He then went to San Francisco and engaged in business until 1878, when he returned to the ranch. He engaged in orcharding in which he met with success, being principally en- gaged in raising prunes. He sold a portion of the estate, retaining seventy acres. He found horticul- ture interesting and enjoyable and was content to continue it until his demise in November, 1905. For many years he was school trustee of Saratoga dis- trict, and he was also a member and trustee of the Congregational Church. Mr. Farwell was an origi- nal member and secretary of the board of trustees of the Cemetery. Association, and always took a prom- inent part in civic and social affairs.

Jennie M. Farwell, the only surviving member of the family, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., but reared in California, completing her education at the San Francisco State Normal. After her brother Franklin M. passed away, she sold the old Farwell place to Mr. and Mrs. Blaney, retaining only a homesite where she built a residence wherein she makes her home, surrounded by her many friends and the scenes of her childhood now so dear to her. Here she is content to enjoy life, being a member of the Foothill Study Club, as well as the Congregational Church and its societies.

ROBERT S. ROBINSON .- A leading citizen of San Martin who has taken advantage of his oppor- tunities for travel and profited thereby, and is now one of the best-informed men of the vicinity, Robert S. Robinson left his home in Ulster, Ireland, when he was nineteen to cross the ocean to America. He was born in County Antrim, April 9, 1875, and there

attended the public schools from his sixth year until finishing the course of the Model Academy in 1891. In 1894 he came to Canada, joining his brother, James Robinson, among the earliest settlers of Mani- toba and very prominent in its development. The first cooperative marketing association was built up by James Robinson, who is now vice-president and managing director of the Saskatchewan Cooperative Elevator Company, one of the largest organizations in the world handling bulk grain. For one year the brothers were in partnership, growing grain, but in 1896 Robert S. Robinson withdrew and conducted his farming operations alone. He became the owner of 320 acres of land there and produced fine crops of wheat there for a number of years, the yield being as high as forty bushels to the acre.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 185

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