History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 188

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

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In San Jose, in 1906, Mr. Baker married Miss Anna Bell Holman, a native of San Jose and the daughter of James Holman; and their married life has been made the happier through the birth of a son, Richard E. Baker. Mr. Baker is a Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Shriner, and is a charter member of the Commercial Club.

LAURENCE GEORGE CASALETTO .- Among those of Italian birth who have profited by the ex- cellent opportunities for advancement presented in the Santa Clara Valley is Laurence George Casaletto, who is successfully conducting a blacksmith shop at 140 East Main Street, Los Gatos. He was born in the province of Naples, Italy, September 4, 1888, and is a son of Salvador and Lena Casaletto, who came with their family to Virginia City, Nev., in 1892, making their way to Santa Clara County in 1901, and they are still residents of this section.

After completing his studies in the public schools, Laurence G. Casaletto started out in the business world, serving an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade under John Crosetti in San Jose, and then worked at his trade for various firms here and in other parts of California. Following the entrance of the United States into the World War, he en- listed for service in the army and was assigned to Train Company, Three Hundred Nineteenth En- gineers, as farrier, being sent with that command

overseas and served in England and France for seven months. He was discharged at Camp Kearney, April 17, 1919, at the end of fourteen months' serv- ice, and on October 20 of the same year opened a blacksmith shop at Austin Corners, and in 1921 moved to his present place in Los Gatos. He has an expert knowledge of his trade and owing to the excellence of his work and his thorough reliability has secured a large share of the public patronage in the line in which he specializes.

Mr. Casaletto was united in marriage to Miss Ada Marshall, born in Watsonville, Cal., and they have adopted Mrs. Casaletto's niece, Naomi Anderson, whom they are rearing and educating as if she were their own daughter. Mr. Casaletto supports the platform and candidates of the Republican party and is a member of the American Legion. Frater- nally he is identified with the Eagles and with Poca- hontas Tribe of the Redmen order, and when leisure permits, spends as much time as possible in the open, being appreciative of the beauties of nature. He has given unmistakable proof of his loyalty and devo- tion to his adopted country and is recognized as an energetic and progressive young business man and a public-spirited citizen whose influence is at all times on the side of advancement and improvement.

HUGO W. OTTER .- On November 25, 1920, Hugo W. Otter passed away mourned by the whole county of Santa Clara, where he had spent his en- tire life and was greatly loved and esteemed by all. He was a man of exceptional business ability, honest in all dealings, and although of a quiet and retiring disposition, maintained the business prestige of his native county. He was born in Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, on February 22, 1861, a son of Charles and Bertha (Knoche) Otter. His father migrated to California, by way of the Horn, in the year 1848; six months were consumed in the journey, beset by many dangers and hardships. For about eight years he was employed in the mines throughout the state, then removed to San Jose, where he engaged in the real estate and insurance business; then for a time the hotel business engaged his attention. He served the city of his adoption as councilman for a number of years, and passed away in 1899, honored and re- spected by all who knew him; his wife surviving him until 1901.

Hugo W. Otter attended the public schools of San Jose and supplemented his education by a six- year course in the schools and universities of Ger- many and France. After completing his education, he learned the plumbing and tinning trade, working in this line for ten years. It was in the year of 1888 that the firm of Mangrum & Otter was established; stores were also opened at Palo Alto and San Fran- cisco, and the business grew steadily from its incep- tion. All the stores were later disposed of, with the exception of the one in San Francisco. Mr. Otter resided in San Jose for many years, and here he was the most interested.

The first marriage of Mr. Otter united him with Miss Julia Stegman, who passed away in 1910, leav- ing two daughters: Mrs. Estella Benn of Oakland, who has two children, and Mrs. Gladys Switzer of Coalinga, who has one child. Mr. Otter was married the second time in Oakland to Miss Regula Knoble, born in Glarus, Switzerland, coming to America with her parents, David and Martie (Wahlburg)

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Knoble, who located in San Jose, and she was reared and educated in that fair city. Her father passed away May 20, 1906, but her mother is still living. In his political affiliation, Mr. Otter was a stanch Republican, and served his community as council- man. Fraternally he was well known and popular, and was associated with the Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs, and was for eighteen years treasurer of the Garden City Lodge; he was also a member of the Elks and a Knights Templar and Mason and Shriner. In local affairs he was prominent in the Chamber of Commerce and the One Hundred Per Cent Club of San Jose. Mrs. Otter is a member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Mr. Otter was buried at Oak Hill Ceme- tery with Masonic and Odd Fellow honors. He was actuated in all that he did by high ideals and his life work has been far-reaching and beneficial.

WALTER M. ELMER .- A native son who has risen to a high degree of success in the nursery busi- ness is Walter M. Elmer, born in Santa Clara on No- vember 11, 1891, a son of A. J. and Lovisa (Avery) Elmer, natives of New York and Michigan, respec- tively, who came out to California in 1890 and started, in a small nursery on Sixteenth Street, the nucleus of the present large nurseries of Elmer Bros.

Walter M. is the fourth eldest in a family of eight children and was educated in the Horace Mann school, San Jose high school, after which he was graduated from Heald's Business College in San Jose in 1912. From a small boy he worked in his father's nursery, learning to graft and propagate trees and shrubbery. While still in the grammar school, with his older brother, Leon H., he started in the nursery business, taking over their father's nur- sery when he retired. The nursery was originally on Sixteenth Street, then on Twenty-fourth Street, East San Jose, and it was there they took it over and started the present firm of Elmer Bros. Nursery. They outgrew this location and leased land until they had three ranches under lease in this valley and then outgrew them and took still larger leases of land. They now have 400 acres of land in this valley devoted to their nurscry and experimental orchards, where they are raising all kinds of fruit trees and rose bushes. They have ninety acres devoted to raising rose bushes in which they are specializing, and now have over 3,000,000 rose bushes, which are sold in the eastern market. During the shipping season they employ from 200 to 250 men to dig, pack and deliver them. They ship, during the rose season, a carload of rose bushes per day. Their rose business has become so large that they grow more roses than any other one nursery in the world. They began specializing in growing roses six years ago and the business has been exceedingly prosperous, growing by leaps and bounds. They import roses from France and Eng- land, and have as many as 300 different varieties from those countries, only the buds from these plants be- ing used for budding and propagating rose bushes. In all they now grow over 1,500 different varieties. The shipping season for rose bushes starts October 1 and continues until December 15; then starts the shipping of fruit trees which continues until April 1, requiring about 100 men.

During 1917, they leased land near Loomis, Placer County, where they are raising much of their fruit stock. Their headquarters are at 78 South Market

Street, San Jose, on a valuable lot which they own, while their packing sheds are on Twenty-fourth and William streets. They own 110 acres near Evergreen, which they have set out to prunes, peaches and apri- cots, and also lease a number of prune orchards. Leon Elmer manages the business end of the com- pany, while Walter M. looks after the growing, pack- ing and shipping of their products. The work is thoroughly systematized, with an experienced fore- man on each ranch. Great care is exercised in experi- menting on any new variety of fruit tree before it is allowed to go on the market, and their patrons know that they do not put a tree out until it has been tried out and found satisfactory.

Six years ago Mr. Elmer purchased a lot in Han- chett Park, where he erected a comfortable home. He was married in San Jose to Miss Ruby Taylor, a native of Petaluma, Cal. Fraternally he is a member of the San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. Elks, and he was one of the charter members of the San Jose Com- mercial Club, a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, the California Nurserymen's Association and the Pacific Coast Nursery Association. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer are members of the Trinity Episcopal Church of San Jose.

FRANK T. LANNIN .- A wide-awake exponent of the twentieth century methods of successful sales- manship is Frank T. Lannin, of San Jose, dealer in real estate, investments, bonds, loans and insurance, with offices in the First National Bank Building. He was born in Elk County, Pa., on May 6, 1891, his parents being John and Agnes (Weitoff) Lan- nin, and he is the third of seven sons. In 1905 his mother, with all his brothers, moved to Ashland, Va., where they acquired the remaining portion of the John Mallory plantation and at the early age of sixteen Frank became the manager and respon- sible head of the ranch, the brothers preferring to follow other lines of activity. In December, 1909, the family came to California, so that while still in his 'teens Frank became identified with the state.

Mr. Lannin's first position in San Jose, was that of a proud delivery boy for the compensation of three dollars per week. Upon hearing that the Farmers' Union paid more money as well as giving a month's pay at the end of each successful year, Frank jour- neyed to the manager, W. C. Andrews, who was finally convinced that the store would go broke un- less Lannin was given a job. After three years' hard work, having been promoted to a bookkeeper, he de- cided his education was insufficient and entered San Jose high school, in 1911. While there he always took an interest in athletics and other activities and became known as the "high school politician," in fact, he visited the principal's office several times on account of his "political" manenvers. He was grad- uated in 1915. Upon graduation he became asso- ciated with the Rucker Realty Company, and later with J. R. Chace. Almost immediately upon the declaration of war, Mr. Lannin enlisted in the army. He was sent to Camp Kearney for training in May, 1917, and did not return to civilian occupations un- til March, 1919. He again associated himself with J. R. Chace and upon whose advice he entered the real estate business, and has since been so engaged.

An active Republican, with progressive ideas, he believes governments are instituted for the welfare and happiness of all of the people. He exerts an

26. JH Calmer

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

enviable influence on behalf of good government and higher civic pride in local affairs. Active in the American Legion from the beginning, he is a charter member of San Jose Post No. 89, of that patriotic order. He is a past commander of his own post and as representative from the eighth congressional district to the first national conference at Minneap- olis, he helped give impetus to the Legion's idcal of providing amply for the disabled, regardless of con- sequences to that order. He is a member of the Elks, San Jose Commercial Club, the San Jose Coun- try Club, and the Progressive Business Men's Club.

RALPH ALLEN HUSTED. - A prominent orchardist of Santa Clara County and one who is keenly interested in the prosperity of the community especially along educational lines is Ralph Allen Husted. A native of Illinois, he was born at Galva, a son of L. B. and Frances (Brown) Husted, born in Virginia and Illinois, respectively. His father was a veteran. Ralph A. came to California in 1888 and was educated in the public schools, the College of the Pacific and Stanford University. After leav- ing school he engaged in farming on a part of the old homestead established by Grandfather Husted, who was an early pioneer of Santa Clara County. This ranch he afterwards purchased of the estate and it consists of forty-eight acres, well-improved to orchard, and besides providing a home of com- fort, is proving a most profitable source of income.

The marriage of Mr. Husted in Santa Clara County united him with Miss Ada Goodrich; she was born in La Crosse, Wis., a daughter of B. S. Good- rich, a grain merchant. Mr. Husted was one of the organizers of the Saratoga Mutual Telephone Com- pany and served as its president from its organiza- tion for ten years, and as manager saw to its con- struction. The company later sold out to the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company. Politically he is a Republican and has served the community as a member of the school board of the district. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a Shriner and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He is deeply interested in the growth of the county and gives his aid to progressive measures and takes pride in advancing the affairs of county and state.

HERMAN B. KRAUSE .- Early recognizing the fact that determination and energy are salient fea- tures in the attainment of success, Herman B. Krause has so directed his labors that he is now classed with the leading business men of his sec- tion of the state. A native son, he was born in San Jose, Cal., January 29, 1892, his parents, Otto and Eleanor (Volheim) Krause having migrated to California in the year 1890. The father was, for a number of years a successful manufacturer of sur- gical instruments, but now engaged in the manufac- ture of brass goods, his foundry being located on River Street near Santa Clara Street.

The oldest of their three children, Herman B. Krause, gained his education in the San Jose gram- mar and high schools and later supplemented his training by special courses in his profession, thus becoming very proficient in his chosen work of de- signing and decorating. He was first employed by Mr. H. Lewis remaining with him for eleven years. In the year 1920, however, he established his own business, that of architectural designer and in- terior decorator; he has designed many of the store fronts in the city, and is an authority on the interior

decoration of homes, displaying an artistry that has won for him unqualified praise and an increasing clientele. He maintains offices in the Bank of San Jose Building, and devotes himself steadily to his business, as he is greatly interested in his profes- sion, and prides himself on doing first-class work.

Mr. Krause's marriage united him with Miss Iva Jenny, born in Idalio. Fraternally he is a member of San Jose Lodge No. 522, Elks; he is a past presi- dent of San Jose Parlor N. S. G. W .; also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Progressive Business Men's Club. He concentrates upon the work at hand, accomplishes his purposes by unfal- tering determination and well-defined methods, and while active in connection with public interests, he has gained for himself a most creditable position as a representative in his profession, his knowledge being comprehensive and exact.

CAPT. WALTER A. PAGE,-For the past four- teen years Capt. Walter A. Page has been identified with the fire department of San Jose, having first entered this work as tillerman of truck No. 1 and in 1909 he was made captain of Chemical No. 1; he was then transferred to Chemical No. 5 and has since been employed in that capacity. He was born in San Jose, Cal., on March 11, 1871, and was the son of Samuel S. and Bridget (McGovern) Page; the father was a native of Yorkshire, England, and the mother was born in County Meath, Ireland. When a young man of twenty-five, the father came to California, settled in San Jose and took a position under Sam Bishop in the street car company and remained with this company for a number of years, then became a watchman for the Pacific Manufac- turing Company, located at Santa Clara, later going into the express and transfer business in San Jose, in which he was engaged when he retired. He passed away in San Jose at the age of seventy- seven, while the mother lived to be seventy-two years old. Samuel S. Page was very active for a number of years in New York in railroad work before com- ing to San Jose, being connected with the New York Central lines until coming to California. He was a strong adherent of the views and policies of the Democratic party, and active in its affairs.

Walter received his education in the old St. Joseph School on the corner of San Pedro and San Fer- nando streets, where the business of Benson and Weaver now stands. After he finished his school- ing there, he took a course in the Garden City Busi- ness College under H. B. Wooster, who was the head of the college at that time, and at the age of seventeen he became employed for awhile with George B. McKee and Company, paint manufac- turers and dealers in painters' supplies, located at Second and San Fernando streets. In 1907 he took a position with the San Jose Fire Department as tillerman of Truck No. 1, then in 1909 was made captain of Chemical No. 1, and later was transferred to Chemical No. 5, and has been in this station since that time. This branch covers all of the southwest portion of San Jose and has facilities for recharging chemicals while at a fire, having two sets of fire fighting apparatus, so that while one is in use, the other can be recharged. Chemical No. 5 responds to fire calls outside of San Jose, both to the south and to the west and for the splendid services ren- dered a fee of fifty dollars is charged, this being

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turned over to the city fire department. During the last year Chemical No. 5 earned $1,200 for San Jose in fighting fires outside of the city.

Mr. Page's marriage, which occurred on April 11, 1894, at San Jose, united him with Miss Bessie Newman, who was born in San Jose, a daughter of Owen and Catherine (Murphy) Newman. Her father was born in Germany and her mother was born in San Jose, Mr. Newman being a cigar manu- facturer and a merchant. Mrs. Page received her education in the Convent of Notre Dame. Mr. and Mrs. Page are the parents of two children: Har- riet M. is the wife of Joseph A. Maissoneuve, and Albert Joseph is assistant manager of the advertising department of the Mercury-Herald at San Jose. Mr. Page is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, and also is a member of the Degree of Honor.

THEODORE JOHN MORRIS .- Among the cit- izens of Santa Clara County who, by his culture, education and extensive travel before locating in this favored section of the globe, did much to build up, improve and make the valley more beautiful, was the late Theodore John Morris, who was born at Harrison, Ohio, July 21, 1849, and was educated in the schools of his native city. Mr. Morris had an interesting and somewhat unusual career. For thirty-four years he was in mercantile life in Yoko- hama, Japan, and for the greater portion of that time was connected with the China-Japan Trading Company. This concern was for many years the oldest and largest trading company in the far East. Mr. Morris went to Japan at the age of nineteen, and upon his arrival met some of the great states- men of the country, and some of these were included in classes which were formed to study English and for which he was tutor. During the first three years of his residence in Japan he was instructor of Eng- lish in some of the most prominent Japanese families. He had a rich fund of Japanese stories which he re- lated at one time to Edward Greey, a New York writer, who published them in narrative form; all but one of the stories contained in these publica- tions were gathered by Mr. Morris.

In 1901, Mr. Morris came to California and, look- ing over the state for a home, he finally bought the old Miller place, two miles from Los Gatos, and started the resort known as the Nippon Mura Inn. Tourists from all parts of the world who visit this valley include Nippon Mura Inn in their itinerary. The site is a very beautiful one and the owner fre- quently stated that it reminded him of Japan. Not the least of the attractions of the beautiful resort was the personality of the genial and lovable host. Mr. Morris passed away at his home place, Crescent Dell, on November 21, 1914, leaving his widow in possession of the entire estate.

Mrs. Morris was born in the pilgrim town of Duxbury, Mass., and is eighth lineal descendant of Governor William Bradford, the second governor of Plymouth Colony. She is the second daughter of Capt. George F. and Lucy (Bradford) Nickerson, born in Boston and Duxbury, Mass., respectively, Capt. Nickerson having had one of the most re- markable careers of any of the deep-sea captains on the Atlantic coast. As owner and master of his vessel he sailed for many years into the different important foreign ports of the world. During one of Capt. Nickerson's voyages. Lucy Nickerson ac-

companied her father and mother on a trip around the world, and in Yokohama she met Mr. Morris and the acquaintance resulted in their marriage five years later. Mr. Morris lived long enough to see the fulfillment of his ambition for Nippon Mura, and his life was no doubt prolonged by his having lived in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley. In all their plans for the improvement and beautifying of Nippon Mura, Mr. and Mrs. Morris were ably as- sisted by Mrs. Morris' sister, Miss Helen Frances Nickerson, who lived with them in Japan and came here with them, and has been active in the work for the entire twenty-one years.

THE NIPPON MURA INN .- A picturesque spot in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains is the site of the Nippon Mura Inn, fifty-two miles south of San Francisco and ten miles from San Jose on the San Jose-Los Gatos Interurban Railroad, halfway between Saratoga and Los Gatos. It is on the fam- ous Twenty-Seven Mile Drive through the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains. The Nippon Mura Inn was given this name by its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Morris, who had spent many years in Japan. The first unit of the Inn was laid out in 1901 in semi-Japanese style, and steadily the plant has grown until there are twelve buildings and sev- eral cottages. The plant is surrounded by thirty acres of grounds and is open all the year. Tourists and people in general are attracted to this spot on account of the equable climate and many who stop there locate permanently in the beautiful Santa Clara valley. Everything has been done to preserve the beauty of the natural scenery, and here may be found the quiet, comforts and luxuries of country life; the climate is unsurpassed, and there are de- lightful drives and walks in the vicinity to give re- creation and enjoyment to the guests.

HERMAN ISAACSON .- A business man of many years residence here, Herman Isaacson, is one of the partners of the Farmers Grain and Poultry Supply, which was established in the year of 1892, and although Mr. Isaacson has changed partners, he has stayed at his post, giving the good service that has given this firm its enviable reputation.

Herman Isaacson was born in Finland, in 1870, and was educated in the schools of his native land. At the age of nineteen, came to the United States and locating in Pennsylvania, he worked there for about a year, and then went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he spent a short time. Spending another year in Santa Cruz County, he came on to Santa Clara County, arriving in San Jose in 1892. Here he went into business with a Mr. Gaynor, engaging in the sale of grain and poultry supplies, where they continued for some time. Then Mr. Gaynor sold out to a F. A. Linquist.

Mr. Isaacson's marriage united him with Miss Emma C. Linquist, who was a native of New York State, though a resident of San Jose. Her father is C. A. Linquist of San Jose. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac- son are the parents of a son, Raymond Melville. Mr. Isaacson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Druids. He is a loyal sup- porter of all those interests which make for the development and the upbuilding of the community, giving his aid and influence at all times on the side of progress and improvement. In national politics,

Theodore& Morris

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 188

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