History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 187

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

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In July, 1917, Mr. Cross was again inspired for patriotic duty and organized the first unofficial citizens training camp at Fort Lawton, near Seattle.

Although a civilian, he was, in recognition of his ser- vices in connection therewith, given command, the camp being of sufficient size and equipment to per- mit of the training of from 250 to 300 men. At the conclusion of this camp for officers he organized a similar one for corporals and sergeants located in the center of Seattle. This unofficial non-commissioned officers training camp, the first of its kind in the United States, was later taken over by the University of Washington and continued to function during the entire war. For his work in connection with these camps, Mr. Cross was highly commended by the War Department and by high army officers of the Northwest. In August, 1917, Mr. Cross retired from command of the camp and entered the Second Of- ficers' Training Camp at the presidio of San Fran- cisco from which he was commissioned as a first lieutenant and assigned to the Eighth Infantry of the Regular Army, stationed at Camp Fremont, Cali- fornia. He was soon promoted to a captaincy and made adjutant of the regiment, having later recom- mended for promotion to major, which rank he still holds in the Officers' Reserve Corps of the U. S. Army. He has been instrumental in organizing the San Jose Acro Squadron, a unit of the U. S. Reserve Corps, an organization devoted to the advancement of military and commercial aviation, and of which he is commanding officer.

On June 29, 1918, while still an officer in the Army, Mr. Cross was married to Miss Huanna Leigh, daughter of Hugh A. and Barbara Leigh, of Camp- bell, one of the old families of Santa Clara County. Her father passed away in 1916, but her mother still resides at the family home on Leigh Avenue in Camp- bell. Their one child, named Leighann, died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cross reside at Hanchett Park, San Jose, where they are both active members of the Hester District Improvement Club which Mr. Cross assisted in organizing and of which he is a director and secretary. He is also an active member of the American Legion. Not the least of his civic activities has been his activity in promoting the San Jose Commercial Club, having been a member of its first board of directors and serving as its first secre- tary. In politics, Mr. Cross is an independent Re- publican and the family attend the Episcopal Church. He is a "booster" of the Santa Clara Valley, and has extensive real estate and mining interests there. He maintains offices at 408 First National Bank Building at San Jose.

CHARLES SAVSTROM. - An enterprising orchardist of Santa Clara County who has made good in his chosen line of work is Charles Savstrom, owning an orchard of fifteen acres on Plummer Ave- nue, which he has brought to a state of productive- ness and which brings him a good income. He was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, December 23, 1868, a son of August and Charlotte Savstrom, both of whom were born, reared and died in that country.

Charles was educated in the public schools of Sweden, finishing the grammar grades there. He remained at home until he was fourteen, then he went to sea, which he followed until he was twenty- one years of age, touching at nearly all the principal ports of the world during that time. He set out for the new world of greater opportunities and set- tled in Santa Clara County in 1889 and worked as

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a ranch hand on the ranch of Socrates Kirk and was thus occupied until his marriage in 1896 to Miss Anna Buck, a native of Germany. After his mar- riage he leased part of the Kirk ranch for a num- ber of years and then in 1904 bought his place of fifteen acres on Plummer Avenue, which has been set to peaches, apricots and prunes, which has been well cared for and is yielding a good profit. Mr. and Mrs. Savstrom are the parents of five children: William, Frank, Herbert, Isabella and Helen. Their son William served in the U. S. Navy three years during the recent war, carrying troops across the Atlantic on transports. In national politics, Mr. Savstrom is a Republican; and fraternally is an Odd Fellow. He is one of the substantial citizens of his community, and takes pride in advancing meas- ures for the general good of his locality.

BEN ANZINI .- As the proprietor of the Junc- tion House on the state highway at the junction of El Monte Avenue and the highway, Ben Anzini contributes very materially to the comfort and con- venience of the thousands who traverse the state highway. The house was built in 1906 by his brother, Victor Anzini, and the ten acres surrounding it planted to prunes and apricots. This summer and winter resort is well built and up-to-date and is conveniently and beautifully located. A native of Switzerland, Ben Anzini was born at Menzoni, Can- ton Ticino, January 6, 1874, the son of Pietro and Lucia (Grandi) Anzini. The parents were married in Switzerland and in 1865 the father left alone for America and settled first in Marin County and re- mained there until 1870. They were the parents of three children: Victor, Ben and Luisa. The parents owned the home in Switzerland and there it was that the father died at the age of seventy-four; the mother still lives at the old home, aged eighty-nine. Ben Anzini grew up and attended the schools of Switzerland and learned to speak the Italian lan- guage. His brother Victor preceded him to Cali- fornia, arriving in 1882, and on November 10, 1891, Ben landed at San Francisco. He worked around on dairy farms for ten years for wages and in 1901 went into the dairy business with a partner for two years; then for the next three years he became the sole proprietor, milking from 250 to 260 cows, be- sides operating a creamery.

On October 12, 1903 he was married to Miss Clelia Berri, a daughter of Victor and Angelina Berri. She was born and reared in Marin County, Cal., and was the youngest of a family of five chil- dren. Her mother died when she was only two years old, and later her father married Mrs. Ma- rianna Silacci. He immigrated to California in an early day, and became a large dairy farmer and well- to-do, his dairy supporting 250 cows, which he ran forty-four years; then retired to Petaluma, Sonoma County, where he died. The dairy farm which Mr. Anzini rented contained 2,003 acres; known as the Tomasini ranch in Marin County. After disposing of his dairy business he removed to Petaluma, Cal., and engaged in business for the next five months when he sold out and in 1907 took his wife for a trip through Switzerland, also visiting France and Italy. Upon their return, he bought back his busi- ness in Petaluma and operated it until 1915. He invested some of his earnings in city property in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, which he still owns. On May 13, 1913, he purchased the Junction House

from his brother and rented it out at first, but for the past five years he and his wife have conducted it. He was naturalized in San Francisco in 1901, and in national politics he is a Republican. He be- longs to the Eagles No. 333 of Petaluma, and he and Mrs. Anzini are members of the Catholic Church at Mountain View.

GEORGE ALBERT KELLY .- An expert in the use of tools of all kinds, George Albert Kelly has been for many years actively identified with the up- building of San Jose as a general contractor. His parents, John and Winifred (Connelly) Kelly, both deceased, came to California in 1880, settling on a farm near San Jose, and during their residence there George Albert was born on May 12, 1888, next to the youngest of a family of four boys and two girls. Mr. Kelly was educated in the public schools of his community and from boyhood on has followed the building trade. In 1911 he and his brother Charles formed the firm of Kelly Brothers, house movers and general contractors, and this partner- ship continued for eight years or until 1919, when George Albert Kelly bought out his brother's in- terest and since that time he has conducted the business alone, confining his work to moving heavy weights exclusively. He employs about eighteen men during the busy season.

On August 12, 1914, he was married to Miss Mar- garet Morovanni, also a native of San Jose, and three children have been born of this marriage: Albert, Genevieve and Howard. Enthusiastic and public-spirited Mr. Kelly has the best interests of Santa Clara County at heart and for a diversion seeks out-of-door sports and games, being especially fond of hunting. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Eagles and of the Chamber of Commerce.

E. C. HAMLIN .- A resident of Santa Clara for more than twenty years, it has been the privilege of E. C. Hamlin to witness the many changes that have taken place during these decades. A native of Min- nesota, he was born in Blue Earth County on August 13, 1866, the son of Andrew S. and Lucinda (Dur- kee) Hamlin. His early years had been spent on the Minnesota 'farm of his parents, where he re- mained until he was seventeen, and then was four years with a lumber company of that locality. En- gaging in the hardware business at Lake Crystal. Minn., he remained there for twelve years, when he decided to avail himself of the more varied op- portunities of the Pacific Coast.

Arriving in California in 1901, Mr. Hamlin spent his first eighteen months at Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, and then came to San Jose, where he entered the employ of the Santa Clara Valley Mill and Lumber Company, remaining with them from July, 1903, until April 1, 1910, when he resigned. In October. 1910, he became the secretary and man- ager of the Pacific Coast Pottery and Terra Cotta Company, in which he was a stockholder, and it was largely due to his energy and successful meth- ods that the company was enabled to prosper as it did, until they sold out and disincorporated in 1920. In September, 1921, Mr. Hamlin bought the local branch of Earl C. Anthony, Inc., and continued the business, having the agency for the Packard and Reo cars. In connection he has a modern, up-to-date repair shop and garage, his quarters at 361 South First Street extending from First Street to Mar-

Ben anzini

Clelia L. angini

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ket and he is associated with his son, Howard G. Hamlin, the firm being E. C. Hamlin & Son.

Mr. Hamlin's marriage on June 12, 1888, united him with Miss Elva M. Coonley, and two sons have been born to them: Homer C. is manager of plant No. 4, California Prune & Apricot Growers, Inc., and Howard G., in partnership with his father. On entering the service of his country during the World War, Howard G. Hamlin was assigned to an officers training camp and was on a cruise when the armis- tice brought a cessation of hostilities. In his politi- cal affiliations E. C. Hamlin is a Republican and he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a member of San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., and the Sciots, and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. A man of excellent business ability and experience, he is well- informed on the questions of the day and takes a lively interest in all community affairs, where he is held in high regard.

JAMES T. BAKER-HERBERT C. BAKER .- Prominent among the contractors and builders of San Jose, especially in the field of brick and tile work, are J. T. Baker and Herbert C. Baker, and who have been steadily engaged in this work at San Jose since coming here in 1904.

A native of Wales, J. T. Baker came to the United States when he was only seven years old, the family settling at Pittsburgh, Pa. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of Pittsburgh, and when he became a young man he was employed in the steel works of that city, and proved himself so very capable that it was not long before he became a foreman there. He made a specialty of brick work and when he came to San Jose, he gave his time to this work. Having had so much practical experi- ence along this line, the people of San Jose soon learned of his reliability, and gladly turned their work over to a man whom they knew understood his business and could relieve them of any responsibil- ity, knowing the work would be well done. When his son Herbert grew to manhood he took him in as a partner and they are now handling the work together. They have built many of the larger build- ings, such as the Potash Furnaces, one of the largest structures in the county, and the Linquist and Isaac- son Feed House, the first tile buildings in San Jose, and they erected the Growers' National Bank build- ing of Campbell, Cal. Mr. Baker and his son spe- cialize in fire brick construction and are consulted by some of the engineers on the coast in regard to this work. In the busy season they have as many as twenty-five men in their employ. H. C. Baker has taken up the manufacture of concrete irrigation pipe, the plant being located on Stockton and Ala- meda avenues, operating under the name of the Santa Clara Valley Concrete Pipe Company, Inc., and doing a growing business throughout Santa Clara County, with H. C. Baker as manager.

J. T. Baker's marriage, which occurred while he was a resident of Wilkesbarre, Pa., united him with Miss Elizabeth Powell. They have had three chil- Gren: Lillie, wife of G. A. Conant; Herbert C., and William J. Herbert C. Baker was educated in the public schools of San Jose and later graduated from the Santa Clara high school and then attendcd Stan- ford University, where he took up civil engineering. He then joined his father in his work and stands

among the popular builders of San Jose. When the World War broke out Herbert enlisted in the in- fantry on May 6, 1917, just one month after war v.as declared, but he did not get to go abroad. He was honorably discharged with the commission of second lieutenant. Both father and son belong to the Odd Fellows lodge of San Jose, and Herbert Baker is also a member of the Masons and of the Zeta Psi fraternity of Stanford University. They are very popular among the business men of San Jose. Pub- lic-spirited and deeply interested in Santa Clara County and although stanch Republicans, they throw aside their national politics, when it concerns local affairs, and give their influence to the candidate who seems best qualified for public office.

R. E. HENKLE .- Determined to make the most of his opportunities, R. E. Henkle is being rewarded for his perseverance and industry, and these charac- teristics make him a valuable asset to the locality in which he resides. A native of Oregon, he was born in Corvallis, May 9, 1880, the son of G. W. and Columbia (Butler) Henkle. The father fol- lowed the mercantile business for many years. Both parents are still living and enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Educated in the excellent schools of Oregon, R. E. Henkle completed the grammar and high school courses and then entered the Agricultural College at Corvallis, later graduating from Columbia Uni- versity as a pharmacist. He then located at San Francisco and for two years worked at his profes- sion; then went to San Jose where he purchased an interest in a business known as Curtis & Henkle and was thus occupied for fifteen years, when the business was sold to the Owl Company and he removed to Sacramento, remaining there for a year. During November, 1919, he removed to Saratoga and purchased the business which he operates very suc- cessfully. He has revolutionized the drug business in Saratoga and his store is modern and up-to-date in every particular.

The marriage of Mr. Henkle united him with Miss Nan Shivley of Astoria, Ore., and they are the parents of two daughters, Betty Jane and Pa- tricia Anne. Loyal to his locality, he votes for the best man for office rather than adhering to strict party lines. Fraternally he is an Elk and an Odd Fellow. He gives his hearty cooperation to all measures that stand for progress and prosperity for county and state.

ARTHUR P. BACIGALUPI .- Commercial activ- ity in San Jose finds a worthy representative in Arthur P. Bacigalupi, a native son, born in San Jose, March 15, 1877, a son of John and Ellen (Sbar- boro) Bacigalupi. The father, John Bacigalupi, mi- grated to California in the sixties, settling first in Sar Francisco and later removed to Santa Clara County. where he died in 1900; one year later his wife passed away. Arthur is the oldest of a family of nine boys, seven of whom are living, and after the death of his parents, he supported and educated the family of six brothers until they were established.

Arthur was educated in the grammar and high schools of San Jose; later taking a course in St. Joseph's College, however, the school of practical experience proved the most beneficial, and when but a boy of thirteen he entered the employ of the Lick Market, where he learned the ins and outs of the

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butcher business under G. Nocentelli, and in 1899. when he purchased an interest in the business. The partnership with G. Nocentelli was continued for for four years, when it was dissolved, J. E. Williston becoming the business associate of Mr. Bacigalupi, and for eighteen years the congenial partnership has continued at 59 North Market Street.

The marriage of Mr. Bacigalupi in San Bernardino united him with Miss Caroline Pollock, also a native of San Jose. Mr. Bacigalupi adheres to the princi- ples of the Republican party. Fraternally he is a :nember of the San Jose Parlor, N. S. G. W .; San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. E .; is past sachem of Gowonga Tribe No. 252, Redmen, and is presi- dent of the local Journeynien Butchers' Protective and Benevolent Association; also a member of the Merchants' Association and the Progressive Club.

GEORGE B. SEELY .- The accomplishments of one of the interesting American pioneer families of enviable association with the development of the West is recalled in the life-stories of George B. Seely, of 1651 South First Street, San Jose, and his highly-esteemed father, the late Charles R. Seely, who crossed the plains twice before settling in San Jose, after which he became one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Santa Clara County. He was born in New York State on December 29, 1830, and when twelve years of age accompanied his par- ents to Jones County, Iowa. Subsequently, he chose for his life companion Miss Salena Southern, and they were married on September 1, 1849; and when, in 1854, he found himself the father of two sons and the lure of California beckoning him west- ward, he left his loved ones in the hands of friends and sailed for the Isthmus of Panama, and hurried north by water. In 1857, he returned to the East and rejoined his family.

Two years later, in the spring of 1859, Mr. and Mrs. Seely and family, together with one or two other families, started on the long and dangerous journey across the plains, and they took nearly half of the year to make the trip. There were nine in the little company, and when at Goose Creek, they were attacked by Indians, but through the cool- ness and courage of Mr. Seely, who had been elected captain, the lives of the party were saved, and the Redskins forced to retreat. Immediately on arriv- ing in California, Mr. Seely engaged actively in agriculture; and this occupation he followed success- fully until 1869, when he concluded that he had ac- quired sufficient of this world's goods to permit the spending of declining years in comfort.

Accordingly, he sold his farm and took passage with his family on board a steamer bound for New York harbor, and from there he came west by rail to Chicago, and then went to Cambridge, Ill., where they visited for a short time their relatives. In Cambridge Mr. Seely purchased a family carriage and a beautiful span of bay horses, and with his family drove over into Iowa, to the little town of Olin, where his father had resided ever since he first settled in the state; and supposing that their roam- ing was at an end, Mr. Seely purchased his father's farm and built a beautiful residence. Two winters there, however, made him sigh for the more con- genial climate of California, and he once more out- fitted to cross the plains.

In the spring of 1871, Mr. Seely started out on the old emigrant trail accompanied by his father, Norman B. Seely, and a younger brother, M. J. Seely, who later successfully entered the medical profession. Mr. Seely once more took up his old occupation in the production of California's natural and most staple product, wheat, cultivating thousands of acres in different sections of the country until 1880, when he again retired and settled on Tenth Street, San Jose, where he resided with his family until 1884. when he purchased one of the finest orchard and residence properties in Santa Clara County, known as the McAlister place, on Bascom Avenne. There he again took upon himself the cares of an active business career, and engaged in horticulture, and remained until 1894. Then death took away Mrs. Salena Seely, his estimable companion through all of his wanderings and varied successes, and the mother of thirteen children. In 1895 Mr. Seely took to himself a second wife, Eliza Judson before her marriage, and by her he had another son and daughter. He left a valuable estate, although he spent thousands of dollars in giving financial as- sistance to his more unfortunate fellowmen. He was liberal-minded, sympathetic and tender-hearted. a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly all of his life, and withal a stanch, true Christian of the genuinely old-fashioned and practical type.

George B. Seely was born near Dixon in Solano County, on February 28, 1864, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Seely, and a nephew of G. W. Seely, who became well known in California. Idaho and Oregon for his mining operations, and lived to retire on his farm near Aromas. George was reared on the home farm, sent to the local public schools, and then, for a term or two, at- tended the Garden City Business College. For seven years, 1874 to 1881, he was engaged as an extensive grain farmer near Waterford, in Stanislaus County, the Seelys being the first to engage in wheat rais- ing in that section of the San Joaquin Valley. Oak- dale was then the market-center, as the railroad from Stockton ran only to Oakdale.

In 1889 Mr. Seely was married to Miss Margaret Turner of San Jose, a native of Alleghany, Pa., who came with her parents, Joseph and Anna Mcclellan Turner, via the Nicaragua ronte to California in 1867. She attended the San Jose State Normal School in 1886-87, where she further acquired a liberal educa- tion. and has since participated ideally in all of Mr. Seely's ambitious plans and in the social life of their circle. Since 1889 Mr. Seely has been active as a rancher in Santa Clara County, and he has also been a leader in dairying. In partnership with his brother, Charles Seeley and George Graft, he founded the Garden City Creamery of San Jose, ran it four years and sold it and continued dairying. He has also been a pioneer in the wholesale and retail dis- tribution of milk and creamery products in Santa Clara Valley, and for many years he has been a very successful hay-farmer and dealer in hay, at times operating as many as 2,000 acres, some years handling as high as 5000 tons of hay. His ranches lie several miles from San Jose and his home, off the State Highway toward Gilroy. He owns 500 acres in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico; devoted to grow- ing rice, and with associates owns 6,000 acres in

GBSuly Margaret &. Serly.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Sinaloa, Mexico. Mr. and Mrs. Seely reside at 1651 South First Street, San Jose, and are loyal members and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEWIS ' E. BAKER .- Prominent among the splendidly-organized and equally well-maintained establishments which have contributed to make San Jose famous as a commercial and an industrial cen- ter may well be mentioned that of Messrs. T. E. Baker & Son, now exclusively dealers in electrical appliances, one of the finest stores of its kind in the West. Its president is Lewis E. Baker, a native son, who was born in Los Angeles on January 28, 1880, the son of Terry E. Baker, who died in May, 1912. He was reared in San Francisco from four years of age. When sixteen years old removed to Los Angeles, where he was with the Southern Pacific Railroad for about twenty years. There he married Miss Margaret E. Wilson, a native of Illinois, and with her and their family came to San Jose in 1903.

Lewis attended the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, and then he learned the trade of the electrician. On August 15, 1909, Terry Baker had established a business for his four sons, and had it duly incorporated, and one of these sons was William T Baker, the noted athlete, who was killed in a motorcycle race in 1910. Mr. Baker was presi- dent, and at his demise, he was succeeded in office by the subject of our review. Under the latter's expert management, the firm has found it necessary to employ fifteen men in the busy season to meet their trade's demands; and since they carry a very complete line of everything likely to be needed, they have come to be the leaders in their important line, and to have a very close and enviable relation to the development of not only San Jose but also Santa Clara County. Mr. Baker is a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and it goes without saying that he performs his full share of its work. He is a Republican, and believes in laws and law- makers who favor stabilizing industry and trade.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 187

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