History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 189

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

he is independent in his views, being influenced in his choice by the character of the candidates for office and the good measures they represent instead of being controlled merely by party ties.

WILFRED A. McDANIEL .- The younger gen- eration of business men of San Jose includes none more energetic and promising than Wilfred A. Mc- Daniel, general contractor and builder, who was born in that city on August 15, 1874, the son of J. J. and Amanda (Fine) McDaniel, born in Ken- tucky and Missouri, respectively. His father came to Montana in 1866 and followed mining there un- til about 1868, when he came to Santa Clara County, Cal., and here he married Amanda Fine, who came to California across the plains with her parents in 1849, when a babe of six months. Mr. McDaniel became interested in contracting and building here and died in 1918. Mrs. McDaniel is still living.

Wilfred A. McDaniel was educated in the Hester School and the San Jose State Normal and after finishing his schooling he studied dentistry under Dr. DeCrow for several years, but was obliged to give it up on account of failing eyesight. In 1900 he inade a trip to Nome, Alaska, where with his brother, E. J. McDaniel, he followed mining, re- maining in that region for eight years, and making a trip to Siberia in 1905. On returning to San Jose he engaged in contracting and building, and has erected some of the finest residences on the Alameda at Hester Park and Hanchett Park, among them being the three Singletary residences, and built the Growers Bank. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange.

In San Jose, in 1914, Mr. McDaniel was married to Miss Ada L. Bayley of San Jose, a native of New York, and they have two children, Wilfred A., Jr., and Dorothy Irene. Mr. McDaniel is a highly re- spected member of the community, deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his native country, and he finds great pleasure in all out-of- door sports. The son of a Confederate soldier who served throughout the great conflict between the North and the South, Mr. McDaniel is likewise a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

ERNEST O. PIEPER .- Prominent among the ex- perienced, far-seeing and thoroughly up-to-date men of pronounced enterprise to whom Santa Clara County has come to look for a progressive leader- ship such as a fast-developing state demands in order to keep pace with the swift-moving twentieth century, may well be mentioned Ernest O. Pieper, the president and popular manager of the Braslan Seed Growers' Company, Inc. He is not only a native son, but he first saw the light at San Jose, on May 13, 1875, when he entered the family of John Henry and Adele (Hoffman) Pieper, natives of Germany, but who came to California in the early '60s and here married.

Ernest finished the courses of the grammar school, and then spent two years at the high school, after which he entered the office of the dentist, Dr. J. L. Asay, where he remained for a year, resigning to go to Astoria, Ore., and there associated himself with Dr. W. C. Logan, another dental expert. In 1897 he passed the required examinations and became a licensed dentist, and then he returned to San Fran- cisco and became the traveling representative of the J. W. Edwards Dental Supply Company, one of the

leading houses in the United States. He next en- tered the dental department of the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in San Francisco, for extended study and was graduated therefrom in 1900. Two dentists in turn offered him lucrative engagements, and with one he worked successfully for three years.

In 1902 Doctor Pieper returned to San Jose and opened an office of his own; and until 1911 he con- tinued to be one of the leading exponents of modern dentistry in Santa Clara County. Then he joined the Braslan Seed Growers Company, Inc., and be- came the efficient president and manager, and much of the success of the concern in rendering a service highly appreciated by its patrons is undoubtedly due to the conscientious attention of Doctor Pieper to every detail in the daily routine.

At San Jose, on July 5, 1909, Dr. Pieper was mar- ried to Miss Rae G. Gagliardo, a native daughter, born in Amador County, and the daughter of John Henry Gagliardo; one child, a son named Ernest O. Pieper, Jr., has blessed this union. Dr. Pieper be- longs to the Elks, the Country Club, the Rotary Club, the Sainte Claire Club, the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce, serving as president 1921-22; while in national political affairs he pulls a long steady stroke for the principles enunciated by the Republican party.

CEDRIC RAE RICHMOND .- A rising young man who is taking his place among the representatvie citizens of San Jose is Cedric Rae Richmond, one of the stockholders and a plant superintendent of the Richmond-Chase Company. A native of San Jose, he was born on December 11, 1888, the son ot George and Rosalie (McPhail) Richmond, who came to California in 1865, and settled in the Sacra- mento Valley, where Mr. Richmond engaged in farming. Later he came to San Jose, where he be- came interested in the fruit packing industry, taking charge of the dry fruit department of the J. K. Armsby Fruit Company and holding this responsible position until he retired. Mr. Richmond passed away 111 December, 1918, while the mother is still a resi- dent of San Jose.

Cedric Rae Richmond attended the grammar school and also the high school at San Jose, and upon completing his training, he started out to make his own way. Engaging in the same work in which his father had been so successful, he first took a posi- tion with the J. K. Armsby Company and was with them for a period of fifteen years, learning all the different branches of the packing business. He then became identified with the Richmond-Chase Company of San Jose, but when the United States became involved in the world conflict, he showed his patriotism by leaving his business and enlisting on August 5, 1917, in the U. S. Army. Detailed to the field artillery, he trained at Camp Kearney, Cal., and later at Fort Sill, Okla. He sailed with the U. S. troops in July, 1918, from Hoboken, N. J., to Liverpool, thence to Southampton and across to Havre, serving with several different outfits in the field artillery. After attending the officers' training camp, he was commissioned second lieutenant, and in France his capability was given recognition by his promotion to the rank of captain in the field artillery. After six months' overseas service, he re- turned from Bordeaux, France, and on January 29,

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1919, he received his honorable discharge from the service at the Presidio at San Francisco. On his re- turn to San Jose, he became a member of the Rich- mond-Chase Company.

On December 21, 1920, Mr. Richmond was mar- ried in San Jose to Miss Josephine Dunne, also a native of San Jose and a daughter of Peter J. Dunne. Mrs. Richmond is a graduate of the University of California. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are popular in the social circles of San Jose and take an interested part in all of its affairs. Mr. Richmond is a mem- ber of the Olympic Club of San Francisco, the Sainte Claire Club of San Jose and of the San Jose Country Club. He shows a public-spirited interest in the civic life of the community and politically, is inde- pendent in his views.

ADOLPH V. SCHUBERT .- Prominent in fra. ternal circles, Adolph V. Schubert has been engaged as the secretary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of San Jose since 1915. He is a native of Illinois, having been born in Chicago, on June 15, 1871, a son of Frank and Antonia Schubert; the family came to San Jose in 1890 and still make their home here.

Adolph Schubert received his education in the public schools of Illinois, also attending a private school, where he gained a good training and when he became a young man, he engaged in the jewelry business for some time. Having decided musical talents, he engaged as a musical director and directed theatrical orchestras, where he enjoyed a large degree of success and popularity.

In 1915 Mr. Schubert was selected as secretary of the local Elks lodge and has been in this position since that time, having complete charge of all of the business that has to be transacted and all details of the building; in fact, he attends to all the im- portant business affairs that come up, a position of no small responsibility, since the membership is now more than 1,000. Mr. Schubert is also a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, taking active part in all the affairs of these organizations in which he is also very popular. He gave freely of his time during the various war drives, especially in the Salvation Army drive, and helped to put it "over the top." Mr. Schubert is very fond of all outdoor sports and spends his leisure moments in fishing and mountain trips. In national politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS E. SMITH .- A public-spirited citizen of Saratoga who is succeeding in the general mer- chandise business is Thomas E. Smith. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1876, the son of John and Eliza (Bilton) Smith. When but ten years old he came to America with his family, who later returned to England for his family, and on coming back to California resumed ranching at Saratoga, in which he has since been engaged. Thomas E. Smith's early education began in the schools of Saratoga and meantime helped his father on the farm and thus became well equipped for his life work. He then began clerking in a store and in 1908 he purchased the store and built up the business until it is a model establishment.

The marriage of Mr. Smith united him with Miss Laura Cloud, a daughter of Samuel Cloud, who came here in the '80s. They are the parents of two children, Charles Herbert and Elsie Gertrude. He is a stanch Republican and fraternally is an Odd

Fellow, in which order he is a past grand; also a member of the Encampment, and with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. He also belongs to the Foresters of America. He is serving his locality as a school trustee and is a member and trustee of the Congregational Church in Saratoga. He is active in civic affairs as a member of the Sara- toga Improvement Club and the Men's Club. His best efforts are always cast on the side of progress and he is constantly seeking out new methods to develop and enlarge his business.

MANUEL MONTOYA .- The spirit of Western enterprise finds exemplification in Manuel Montoya, who has steadily worked his way upward through application to his cement contracting business until he now ranks with the leading cement contractors of San Jose. He is a native son of California, his birth having occurred on the Almaden Road about two miles from San Jose, February 10, 1862. His father was Peter Montoya, a native of Sonora, Mex- ico, who became one of the early settlers of Santa Clara County, taking up his residence near San Jose in 1830. He married Miss Guadalupe Podia, and of their large family there are six living children.

Manuel Montoya attended the Guadalupe Mines public school for only a short time, and when but nine years of age was riding a horse and helping care for stock. About 1884 he came to San Jose and was employed as a teamster; a year later he pur- chased a couple of good teams and began hauling sand and gravel for building and street work in the city, and doing contract teaming. In the early days he paid his employees a dollar and a half per day and sold his gravel for fifty and seventy cents a load -a marked contrast to present-day conditions, gravel now selling at two dollars a yard, while his employees receive from six and one-half to nine dollars per day. For the past fourteen years Mr. Montoya has been doing cement contracting and he has done a large amount of work for some of the leading people of the county who know his reliabil- ity and progressive methods, and these have enabled him to build up an extensive business. He spent about ten years on a ranch at San Mateo for Alvinza Hayward from 1895 to 1905.

In San Jose, Mr. Montoya was united in marriage with Mrs. Antonia (Carlos) Patrone, who was born November 26, 1860. Her father, Peter Carlos, emigrated from Germany to the United States, be- coming a resident of San Jose in 1850. Here he became well known as a barber, conducting one of the early shops in the city. Antonia was the eldest of their family. She first married Phillip De Soto, and has three living children by that marriage. Her second union was with Fred Patrone and she had one child by that marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Montoya are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and he is serving as financial director for the Mexican Society of San Jose. He is also a member of the Order of Good Fellows. He owns his residence at 351 Keyes Street and also has other valuable real estate in San Jose. In his busi- ness affairs he has displayed keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise and the years have marked his progress along the lines which lead to success. In the commercial circles of San Jose his standing is of the highest and in all matters of citizenship his influence is on the side of progress and improvement.

I ex Fecham .

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JEFFERSON F. TATHAM-An energetic, pro- gressive business man who has done much to solve various problems pertaining to the health, comfort and general welfare of the public in Santa Clara County is Jefferson F. Tatham, the efficient and popu- lar manager of the San Jose Ice Company. He was born a native son, proud of his association with the great California commonwealth, at Casper, in Mendo- cino County, on December 15, 1880, the son of John and Sonoma-so called from the county where she was born-(Pendergrast) Tatham, both of whom were also natives of California. The family came to Santa Clara County in 1898, and there John Tatham passed away. His devoted wife, the mother of our subject, is still living in San Jose.

Jefferson attended the schools of San Benito County, and was graduated from the Hollister high school in 1898. Then he profited by the courses in Heald's Business College in San Jose, having pre- viously clerked in a grocery store. He was book- keeper for the Edenvale Fruit Company for two years, and he had charge of the Hayes plant there. Then he went to the New Almaden mine as book- keeper and cashier for three years, and then was ap- pointed general manager of all their California prop- erties, the concern being a New York corporation; later he became a stockholder and was elected direc- tor and treasurer of the corporation and was assistant to the president of the corporation, continuing with them for eight years. A brief history of the magni- tude of the New Almaden mine is interesting and in- structive. The Indians first discovered the deposits and for many years used the cinnabar ore (a bright red) for war paint. When the Mexican government obtained control, they granted it to an American, who opened the mine and ran it for many years until a New York corporation was formed. The Quick- silver Mining Company that took over the property developed it until it became the second largest quick- silver mine in the world, being only exceeded in rich- ness by the Almaden mine in Spain-though this mine had a greater output because the Almaden mine in Spain was limited by Spain, in its work and output. A record of the workings and production of the New Almaden mine have been kept since 1848. The richness of the mine can best be shown by stat- ing the fact that one year the ore ran over 76.4%. The property comprises 8800 acres in the southwest- ern part of Santa Clara County; of this 1500 acres is tillable land and the balance grazing land, though all is mineral bearing land. In 1913 the New York company leased the mine for twenty-five years and it is now being operated under this lease. During Mr. Tat- ham's management, he started new development, blocking out a new ore body that has since proven very rich and valuable and now forms the active workings of the mine. There are over 125 miles of underground work with tunnels, shafts, drifts, etc. and the deepest portion is 2550 feet, but the great- est depth at which ore has been found is 2400 feet; however, the best ore seems to lie between 800 and 1500 feet. The property is well improved with fences, roads, dwellings and they have employed as high as 2500 men at one time.

Still progressing from various angles, Mr. Tat- ham ranched for two years, after that was with the California Peach Growers, Inc., for a while at Fresno, and from there came to his present posi- 52

tion five years ago, or July 1, 1917. The San Jose Ice Company produces only the finest grade of ice, and to such an extent is its up-to-date organization appreciated that it requires twelve trucks to accom- modate all of their regular retail and wholesale cus- tomers. The plant of the company is at San Augus- tine and Center streets.

The marriage of Mr. Tatham occurred at Modesto and united him with Mrs. Celia Walker Simpson, a native of Santa Monica, but educated in the schools of Santa Cruz. In national politics a Democrat, yet decidedly above party when it comes to working for what he knows to be best, Mr. Tatham neglects no opportunity to help every approved local movement, especially those seeking to upbuild as well as to build up the city and environs; and he is equally in- fluential and helpful in the fraternal circles of the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the San Jose parlor of the N. S. G. W.

HARLEY B. MILLER. - Many of the con- veniences of life which tend to make San Jose al- ways one of the most desirable of home cities not merely in California but in America are undoubtedly due to the experience, progressiveness and enterprise of such far-seeing men of industry as Harley B. Miller, the well-known plumbing contractor, whose establishment is at 348 East Santa Clara Street. He was born at Rochester. Ind., on April 12, 1889, the son of Henry Miller, who came to San Jose in 1890 and who was for twenty years a wholesale dealer in paper here. He is now living retired with his wife, who was Miss Mary Sanders before her marriage. Highly esteemed for both what they were and what they have tried to be in relation to the communities in which they have lived, labored and thrived, Mr. and Mrs. Miller may look back with considerable satisfaction upon the past, and an equal confidence toward the future.

Harley Miller enjoyed the advantages of a com- mon school education, but when still a lad went to work, to establish the foundation for a living. He learned the plumbing trade with Moltzen and Keaton. worked at it in San Jose for a time, then followed it for three years in the State of Washington, where he had his own shop at Spokane. In 1915 he came back to San Jose and at once opened up a business for himself. From the beginning he found that the San Jose public could fully appreciate good work, at whatever reasonable cost; and it is not surprising that he has been called upon to do some of the best work required in the city. His contracts have in- cluded the Gilman Apartments, the Robinson Groc- ery and apartment block, and many fine residences such as those of Nicora, Tarmain, Dr. Kress and others, his business being confined to his private trade. He employs five men, and since he came to California first from Rochester, Ind., in 1890, has wit- nessed the marvelous development of building, to which he himself has contributed not a little. Be- sides plumbing, he also does expert sheet-metal work.

At Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1910, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Grace Sullivan, a native of Canada, and the daughter of John Sullivan, a millwright, in Canada. Three children, Herbert Wilfred, Mary Elizabeth and Robert Stanley, have come to bless the Miller home, and a happy family circle is there. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and is indepen- dent in politics, and believes that through such broad-

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er nonpartisanship he is able to exercise a far more salutary influence on civic and social life, helping all the better and quicker in the great work of up- building the city.

PATRICK EUGENE VAUGHAN .- An enter- prising business man whose foresight, up-to-date methods and optimism as to the future of Santa Clara County have made him a leader sought by many, is Patrick Eugene Vaughan, the president of the Western Well Works at San Jose. He was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., December 2, 1882, the son of George Vaughan, the railroad con- tractor long so widely known, and his good wife, who was Mary Thompson before her marriage. They were devoted parents, and Patrick enjoyed the ad- vantages of the best Virginia public schools.

At the age of sixteen, however, he left home, and for several years he engaged in railroad, oil well or waterworks labor, following successive oil booms. In 1906 he came to San Francisco, and from there pushed inland to Bakersfield and later San Jose; and in 1915, when the Western Well Works was established, he became its president. He has re- mained at the head of the notable organization ever since, and much of its flourishing condition is un- doubtedly due to his ability to study the past and to forecast the future, as few among his contempo- raries have a better knowledge of this field.

Mr. Vaughan belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce, and also to the B. P. O. Elks; and in na- tional politics he is a Republican. Those knowing the whole-heartedness with which he supports every worth-while movement likely to benefit the com- munity need not be told that in all local affairs he casts partisanship to the winds, and works hard and unremittingly to attain success.

JOHN P. FITZGERALD .- A distinguished rep- resentative of the legal profession in California of whom Santa Clara County in particular is natural- ly proud, is John P. Fitzgerald, the scholarly, ef- ficient and popular assistant district attorney, who was born at the New Almaden Mines, Santa Clara County, Cal., on April 18, 1875, so that he is for- tunately a native son. His father, Thomas Fitz- gerald, came to California by way of Panama in 1853, and his mother, Miss Mary Cullen in maiden- hood, also crossed the Isthmus, in the latter '50s, and they were married here. They first settled at Gilroy, but in time they removed to the New Al- maden Mines where they conducted a dairy. Re- turning to Gilroy, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald con- tinued to reside there until his death in 1888. The devoted and honored mother is still living. They had five children, all living.

John went to the grammar and high schools at Gilroy, and when he was given an opportunity, studied law in private law offices, his studies being affected by the responsibility thrust upon him, at his father's death, of having to care for the home ranch. But he persevered, as might be expected of one bearing his time-honored family name, and in 1897 was admitted to the Bar in California. He practiced for a while at Gilroy, and then removed to San Jose, where he was a deputy under James H. Campbell. He also sat on the Superior Court Bench, to fill out an unexpired term, and then he returned to private practice. In 1919, Judge Fitzgerald entered the office of the district attor-

ney for Santa Clara County, and here he has been, to everybody's satisfaction, ever since, an able, fear- less, but broadminded and sympathetic prosecutor. In matters of national politics a Democrat, Mr. Fitzgerald still finds it possible and agreeable, as a nonpartisan citizen and neighbor, to put his shoulder to the wheel with others, and work for whatever is best for the community at large, thus stimulating the rapid and permanent growth of the city, and helping along its sound development.

At Los Angeles, in November, 1915, Mr. Fitz- gerald was married to Miss Edith M. Barge, born in Canada, at Niagara Falls, and they had a son, Edward Victor, who died, aged three years. Mr. Fitzgerald is past exalted ruler of the Elks, past state president Y. M. I., member of the Hibernians, in which he has served as state grand vice-president, the Foresters, the N. S. G. W., the Modern Wood- men and the Lions Club. He is fond of outdoor life, and has a special liking for baseball.

ELTON RANDALL SHAW .- An eminently use- ful and esteemed citizen of Santa Clara County, Elton Randall Shaw, has been an important factor in advancing the dried and canned fruit industry of this section of tlie state. Born in San Francisco, August 8, 1867, he is the son of the famous portrait painter, Stephen William Shaw, and Mary Frances ( Meacham), both natives of New England. Stephen William Shaw came across the Isthmus in 1849, and reached California on the ship Humboldt. His father, Seth Shaw, a farmer, was a native of Wind- sor, Vt., and his mother was Elizabeth Barrett of Massachusetts, whose ancestors came over from England in the Mayflower. Many heirlooms have been handed down to the present generation, and are prized very highly. Mary Frances Meacham, a native of New England, was the daughter of General Meacham, a famous hero of the Modoc wars. Her family came to California in the early days, and Mary Frances is said to have the distinction of being the first white female child to cross the plains to the Pacific Coast. Many were the hardships encoun- tered, but with true pioneer fortitude, they reached their destination without serious mishap.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 189

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