History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 195

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

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 195

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FLOYD A. HANSON .- One of the important commercial enterprises of San Jose is the Bean Spray Pump Company, of which Floyd A. Hanson is the general sales manager, and the fact that he has been chosen to fill this important position is indisputable proof of his executive ability, business acumen and enterprise. He was born at Waukon, Ia., March 30, 1881, the only child of H. Thomas and Lelia (Peck) Hanson, the former also a native of the Hawkeye State, while the latter was born in Beaver Dam, Wis. The father followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in business as grain dealer, winning a substantial measure of success through the capable management of his affairs and becoming a prominent and highly respected resident of his community. The paternal grandfather, Ole Hanson, emigrated to the United States from Norway in 1845 and became a resident of Round Prairie, near Waukon, Ia., where he continued to make his home until his demise, when sixty-eight years of age. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the state and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

In 1898 Floyd A. Hanson was graduated from the Waukon high school, and responded to the second call of the government for troops to aid in the Spanish-American War. He enlisted in the Forty- ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, reaching Des Moines, Ia., in May, 1898. From there he was sent to Jack- sonville, Fla., and in October, 1898, was in camp at Savannah, Ga. His command became a part of the Seventh Army Corps, which landed at Havana, Cuba, on December 23, 1898, there remaining until the following April. As a private he had a most interesting and commendable military carcer, receiv- ing his honorable discharge from the service at Savannah, May 13, 1899.

After spending some time on the Atlantic Coast Mr. Hanson returned to Iowa, but after a short time sought the opportunities of the Northwest and spent two and a half years in Spokane, Wash., and Mon- tana. In 1903 he arrived in Sacramento, Cal., going from there to San Jose and thence to Los Gatos, where he obtained steady employment on a large fruit ranch. Early in 1907 he became connected with the Bean Spray Pump Company, which was at that time located in a small shop on South First Street. He at first worked in the machine shop, after which he became an assemblyman in their new factory. Later he received an offer to represent the firm upon the road, but at first refused the position, which.

1262

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

however, he accepted three years later. As state representative he was very successful, being popular with the trade and building up a large business for the firm. He was thus active for six years and was then made manager of the Fresno branch, of which he had charge until December, 1918, when he was appointed manager of the sales department of the home plant at San Jose. He has advanced with the growth of the business and long experience has made him thoroughly familiar with every phase of the work, and owing to his progressive business methods and capable direction the sales of the company are constantly increasing in volume and importance.

In San Jose, on June 6, 1906, Mr. Hanson was married to Miss Mabel Root, a native of Santa Cruz County, Cal., and a daughter of Mrs. Ella Root, who was also born in that locality. Mr. Hanson gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and fra- ternally is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Los Gatos. He is also a Mason, be- longing to San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., and San Jose Consistory, also a member of Islam Tem- ple, at San Francisco. Throughout his life he has completely mastered cach task assigned him and his close application and earnest study of the business with which he is connected have brought him to the front in commercial circles of San Jose.

MRS. ELIZABETH A. DOIDGE .- An old-time resident of the Saratoga district who has done her part in the building up of this favored fruit section of the world is Mrs. Elizabeth A. Doidge, a native of New Jersey, born at Dover. She was in maiden- hood Elizabeth A. Mitchell, a daughter of John Mit- chell who was born in Carharroc, England, when he married Elizabeth Trabilcox, after which they emi- grated to Pennsylvania and later to New Jersey. Mr. Mitchell was a contractor in the iron mines. Later he removed to Mineral Point, Wis., where he was engaged in lead mining. In 1852 he brought his family to California via Panama and was engaged in mining until his death, 1857. The mother with her family then returned to England, but in time she brought the family out to Dover, N. J., when the mother died when forty-five years of age. Two of their four children are living, Elizabeth A. being the oldest. She was educated in the public schools in Dover, and there too she was married in 1866, being united with William Stile, who was also born in England. He was a miner in New Jersey, was a kind and considerate man, much esteemed by his family and friends when he passed away seven years after their marriage, leaving her three children: Thomas, who lives in Chico; Ernest, manages his mother's ranches; May, is the wife of Ralph Blabon.

In 1876 Mrs. Stiles married a second time, being united with Robert Doidge, born in Devonshire, England, who came to New Jersey and followed mining. He had made several trips to California before his marriage, so he came out again in 1877 and was mining at the Reed mine in the Capay Val- ley, Yolo County, when Mrs. Doidge joined him in 1878 with her three children. Two years later they settled at Saratoga and for a time owned a ranch on Fruitvale Avenue, but soon sold the place and pur- chased twenty-five acres on Pierce Road. They be-

gan setting out an orchard when Mr. Doidge was called to the Great Beyond in 1884. To this union were born three children: Florence, is the wife of Joseph Spenker of Burlingame; Harry and Edna, died at ten and six years, respectively. After his death, Mrs. Doidge continued orcharding, caring for and improving it until it is now fullbearing. In 1915 she purchased eight acres on the Mountain View Road, near Cupertino. She is a member of the Cali- fornia Prune and Apricot Growers' Association. Mrs. Doidge is very enterprising and well deserves the competence she has won. She is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and of the Foothill Club.

HORACE WILSON .- Horace Wilson was born in Dublin, Ind., August 7, 1850, the next to the youngest of eight children born to John W. and Mar- garet (White) Wilson, natives of North Carolina, of Scotch and English descent. Grandfather Chris- toph C. Wilson was born in Scotland, settling in North Carolina. John W. Wilson removed to Wayne County, Ind., in 1834, where he was an extensive farmer and stockman, and also had three packing houses on the canal. During the war he bought horses for the army. Selling his holdings he removed to Kansas, his sons having previously located at Glasco, Kans., and there he resided until his death. He was a Quaker in religious belief. The mother was a graduate of a college in Virginia and was a minister in the Society of Friends. She was a talented and gifted speaker and an extraordinary woman of nobleness of purpose and heart, having a fine influence for good in the community. She passed away in Indiana.

Horace Wilson, after completing his education in the public schools, assisted his father in the stock busi- ness. In fact, as early as twelve years of age his father sent him out to buy stock. In 1872 Mr. Wilson re- moved to Kansas and located a homestead of 160 acres at Glasco. This he improved, breaking the virgin soil with ox teams, and was a pioneer grower of wheat and corn in that county, as well as buying and feeding cattle, and as he prospered he purchased lands until he acquired about 2,000 acres. He bred Short Horn Durham cattle and in time had the finest herd in that region, demonstrated by the fact that he sold one bull for $2,000. He also served as town- ship assessor and school trustee. In 1900 he sold and removed to Los Angeles and with his son, N. F. Wilson, engaged in the brokerage business. In 1913 he came to Santa Clara County, purchasing an or- chard of thirteen and one-half acres on the Summit; having since added to it he now owns a twenty acre orchard of full bearing prunes, pears and cherries.

While he and Mrs. Wilson were driving in their auto on Park Avenue, San Jose, November 14, 1918, they were run into by the street car and Mrs. Wilson was killed and he was picked up for dead, but re- covered after six weeks in the hospital. Mrs. Wilson was in maidenhood Viola Shafer, and was born at Assumption, where their marriage occurred. She was a cultured woman and their union proved a very happy one until he was bereaved of her by the un- fortunate accident. By a former marriage Mr. Wil- son had two children: Nicholas Field Wilson, who is engaged in the brokerage business in London,

V.b. Qouent.

1263

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

England, and Dora Sylvia, now Mrs. Daniels, resid- ing in Palo Alto. Mr. Wilson's political preference has always been with the Republican party.

A. C. COVERT .- One of the interesting men who shows a remarkable energy and ambition in his ad- vanced age is A. C. Covert of Los Gatos, who was born in Johnson County, Ind., December 1, 1833. His father, Jacob S. Covert, was born in Mercer County, Ky., October 10, 1810, and was married in that state to Martha Overstreet, who was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb. 14, 1811. They moved to Johnson County, Ind., and then to Effingham County, Il1. A. C. was the oldest of twelve children, only two of whom are living. He was reared on the home farm and attended the local school which was held in a log house with puncheon floors and the pupils sat on slab benches. He displayed a natural talent for music and was a choir leader; he had a splendid voice and frequently favored audiences with solos. In 1856 he removed to Vinton, Iowa, but a year later located at Effingham, Ill., whither his father had moved.

On November 18, 1860, at Mason, Il1., Mr. Covert v. as married to Harriet E. Deneen, a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, January 4, 1835, who had come to Mason, Ill., with her mother. After his marriage, Mr. Covert bought a farm, but after the Civil War be- gan, on August 15, 1862, although they had a little child, Mr. Covert showed his patriotism and re- sponded to the call and enlisted in Company H, Eighty-eighth Illinois Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, taking part in the Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, Murfreesboro, on December 30-31, 1862, and January 1, 1863, and Chickamauga, August 20, 1863, where he was shot through the body and left on the battlefield in the hands of the enemy and taken pris- oner. However, as soon as arrangements could be made, there was an exchange of prisoners that could not walk, by Generals Rosecrans and Bragg and he was exchanged September 11, 1863. After he had re- covered he remained in service at Camp Butler, Springfield, Il1., until he was honorably discharged June 30, 1865. Returning to his home, he had lost his farm as he could not meet the payments while in the service. Soon after his return from the war, he removed to Stewartville, Mo., but a year later moved on to Kansas and purchased a farm which he operated for seven years and then removed to Rosita, Custer County, Colo., where he followed mining and cattle raising for seven and one-half years.

On November 25, 1882, Mr. Covert arrived in San Jose, Cal., and a month later purchased a ranch above Lexington where he farmed for two and one-half years and then located in Los Gatos and engaged in teaming for eight years, most of the time hauling lumber and wood, when he turned the business over to his son, Arthur W., since which time he has en- gaged in the real estate business and is now asso- ciated with Barker & Barker. He owns a comfort- alle residence on Massol Avenue as well as other residence property in Los Gatos.

Mr. Covert was bereaved of his faithful life com- panion on October 18, 1881, after a very happy mar- ried life. They were blessed with nine children: Al- mira J., Mrs. William Davison, died at Rosita, Colo .; Chas. E. lives at Morgan Hill; Mary E. died at the age of fourteen; Effie B., Mrs. Matheson of Los Gatos; Carrie E, Mrs. Pelton of San Jose; Nellie D. is a graduate nurse, San Francisco City and County

Hospital, and now presides over her father's home, caring for him and ministering to his comfort; Ar- thur W. of Ceres, Cal .; Harriette E., Mrs. Tozier of Corvallis, Ore .; Raymond died when a few months old. Mr. Covert was married a second time in Los Gatos to Miss Nannie Mitchell, born in Spiceland, Ind., and she passed away February, 1916, after they had been married twenty-four years.

Mr. Covert served as school treasurer while on the farm. He is a member of E. O. C. Ord Post. No. 82, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander and is a member and deacon in the Presbyterian Church.

MRS. LOUISE MCLELLAN-FINLEY .- An en- terprising woman who is endowed with much busi- ness ability is Mrs. Louise Mclellan-Finley who has been a resident of Santa Clara County since 1879. She was born in St. Paul, Minn, a daughter of Rob- ert G. and Catherine (Garrett) Aldrich, natives, respectively, of England and Natchez, Miss., the latter being a member of a prominent old Southern family, Grandfather Garrett being a large planter. Robert G. Aldrich was in the Merchant Marine ser- vice as a second mate in the Queen's Navy. Decid- ing to leave the sea he located in New York and there met and married Miss Garrett and soon after- wards removed to St. Paul, Minn., where he built up a resort on Lake Como. Later he removed to Port- land, Ore., and seeing the great possibilities in the salmon industry he established a salmon packing plant on the Columbia River, twenty miles above Astona, a place known since that time as Aldrich Point. In time he became the largest salmon packer on the coast in his day, shipping his product all over the United States, as well as Europe and to the Islands of the Pacific. Having sailed extensively he knew merchants in important ports of the world and had no difficulty in introducing his goods. After his death his widow continued the business for a year when she disposed of it, after which she spent twenty years of her life with Mrs. Finley in California, but was in Portland, Ore., at the time of her death.

Louise Garrett had the advantage of the excellent public schools of Portland and in that city she was married to Edward F. Mclellan, who was born in Santa Clara County. They immediately came to Mr. Mclellan's ranch on Monterey Road, this county, where they engaged in general farming. Some years ago she became Mrs. Finley, and about eighteen years ago she purchased the present ranch of forty- five acres. It was a run-down place, but she im- mediately began improvements, setting it to prunes, doing everything about the place but plow. The result has been most satisfactory as it is now a valuable orchard place, yielding a good income. "Bon Air" (Good Air) as she has named the place is located fourteen miles west of San Jose, is a beauti- ful place, well watered by springs and has splendid soil and a delightful climate. Thus Mrs. Finley nat- urally takes much pride in her accomplishment. Being a good judge of values and experienced in orcharding she finds time aside from her ranching enterprise to engage as a real estate dealer, her head- quarters being at 34 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, where she is associated with Frank E. Quilty. By her first union Mrs. Finley had three children, two of whom grew up: Harry, was educated at San

1264

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Jose high, later becoming a professional nurse at the County Hospital; he died in Medford, Ore .; Ralph M., is a talented singer and professionally he is well known on the stage as Geo. W. Stanley. Mrs. Finley is a member of the Neighborly Club of San Jose and in religious views is an Episcopalean. She is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Growers' Association.

MANUEL J. ALLEMAO .- Another Portuguese- American who has fully justified his wisdom in re- solving to bid adieu to the familiar associations of the Old World and seek his fortune in the New, is Manuel J. Allemao, who was born on the Island of Pico, Azores Group, Portugal, on September 8, 1856, the son of Antonio Jose and Rosa (Cosacio) Allemao, both natives of the same island. His father was a prosperous farmer and a devout Christian, who exerted an enviable influence on account of his ex- emplary way of living, and this influence extended to the end of his allotted sixty years. Mrs. Allemao died at the age of forty-five. Manuel J. is the oldest of their eight children; of the others, Antonio re- sides on the old home place; Marie was married. came to the United States, and passed away in the East; Violante is married and lives in the East: Jo- seph is a farmer at Clarksburg, Yolo County; Mrs. Rosa Souza lives at Sacramento; Mariana was mar- ried and died at the old home; and John is a farmer in their native land.

Manuel was reared on the old home farm and at- tended the local day schools, but being the oldest of the family it was necessary for him to assist with the work, hence his school advantages were very limited. When about eighteen years of age, he had a desire to come to California, having heard of the great op- portunities that awaited young men of energy who were not afraid to work, so he planned, as soon as he was able, to come hither. On October 15, 1888, he reached the United States, and pushing westward, located at San Francisco, where a younger brother had settled some four years before. Later, he located near Los Banos, where he worked on a grain ranch for four years; and then he removed to Sacramento. but remained only a short time, when he sold his place and came into the Santa Clara Valley about 1893. He bought thirty acres and set out an orchard, later selling seven acres and retaining the twenty- three acres located on Senter Road, five miles from San Jose. Here he built a residence and other build- ings and has an orchard of apricots and prunes; and he still owns this fine ranch, which is well equipped for handling the fruit.

Mr. Allemao now resides in a beautiful residence at 906 South Tenth Street, in San Jose, in which city, about twenty-six years ago, he was married to Miss Mariana Constance Rives, the daughter of Man- uel Bernardo and Marie Constance Rives, natives of Portugal, where the father passed away. They had four children; Manuel died at the age of twenty- four years; Maria C. is Mrs. Silva of Livingston, Cal .; Antonio Teixiera lives in San Jose and is a fine portrait painter and architect; Mrs. Allemao came to California when twenty-seven years old with her mother to join her brother, Antonio, who had been here some years. The mother died afterwards in Flagstaff, Ariz. It was in San Jose she met Mr. Allemao and they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Al-

lemao were the parents of a daughter, Maria Constan- cia, who died when sixteen months old.

Mr. and Mrs. Allemao have always been warm supporters of religion and religious work; and to their generosity is due the two wonderful bells in the Church of the Five Wounds, East San Jose, costing over $1,500, besides contributing liberally to the building of the church, and when the cornerstone services were held Mr. and Mrs. Allemao furnished the marble cornerstone at a cost of $150. They are very kind-hearted and generous and many a poor and needy family have been made happier by their aid.

JOHN S. WILLIAMS .- A man who has ac- quired success in the mercantile line as well as tak- ing an active part in the building up of San Jose and Santa Clara County is John S. Williams, a native son, born at Hayward, on Christmas Day, 1871, the son of John P. and Anna Williams, who were among the pioneer settlers of this great commonwealth, the father having come to this state when he was but a lad. In time he became a farmer in Santa Clara County, continuing to follow the line of agriculture for forty-five years, passing away in 1919, his esti- mable wife having preceded him several years.

John S. Williams attended the public schools of San Jose, but his acquirement of knowledge did not end then, for he has been a student all of his life. As a boy he assisted his father on the home farm, but having a keen desire for a business career, he was not content to remain on the farm. In his six- teenth year, in 1886, he obtained a position in the store of G. R. Silva, one of the leading clothiers in San Jose, and there he began to learn the busi- ness he had selected as his life work. After five years of valuable experience he began business on his own account, and in 1891 he opened a store, which was destined to be the nucleus of his present large clothing establishment, in a building adjoining his present store. It was not long until he outgrew it and from time to time he sought larger locations, all being in this block. In 1911 he purchased the present site and building which he remodeled for his purpose, being located at 44-48 North Market Street. The fixtures and equipment in the store are most modern and of latest design, thus making a most up-to-date clothing establishment in a building 50x137 feet, so that now he has the largest exclusive clothing store in the city of San Jose. After having become firmly established in San Jose Mr. Williams began to reach out into other communities and he now has six branch stores named in the order they were acquired or started: Livermore, Watsonville. Modesto, Hanford, and Turlock. For some years he had a store at Hollister, which he removed to Merced in 1922. All the stores are exclusive clothing and men's furnishing goods stores. This vast business has all been built up from a little store started thirty- one years ago by a youth with a very small capital. His success has come through the same source that success alone comes, such assets as perseverance, honesty of purpose, hard and dilligent work. Mr. Williams has in his employ about sixty persons. However, these large affairs are not the limit of Mr. Williams' capability, for he is intensely interested in agriculture: he owns a twenty acre orchard on Wil- liams Road, near Campbell, devoted to prunes, and

Manuel Jose allemano

1265

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

also owns a 175 acre alfalfa ranch near Tracy. This acreage he has improved from a stubblefield. It is Mr. Williams' intention to convert the place into three dairy ranches. He is connected with various financial institutions, being a director in the Secur- ity State Bank of San Jose and a stockholder in the Bank of Italy, and the Growers' Bank of San Josc, being one of the original stockholders of the latter institution. He is also a stockholder in the New Commercial Club Building.

In San Jose occurred the marriage of Mr. Wil- liams when he was united with Miss Antoinette Du- buis, who was born in San Jose of French parents, a daughter of a pioneer family of this county. Their union has been blessed with the birth of two chil- dren, Adeline and John S., Jr. Mr. Williams has served on both police and fire commissions, being chairman of the board for four years. In fraternal organizations, he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Foresters, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Druids, Modern Woodmen of the America, Wood- men of the World, and the Elks. He is also a mem- her of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he has been a director for years, and is also a director of the Merchants' Association, serving as its president for two terms, and is a trustee of the California Prune and Apricot Association. He is a charter member of the San Jose Commercial Club, as well as the Rotary Club, and is a stanch Republican.

GEORGE S. KIDDER .- A native son born near Santa Clara, Cal., February 25, 1874, George S. Kidder is the son of Charles S. Kidder, born in Norridgewock, Maine. Arriving at young manhood he crossed the plains to California in 1856, and after mining for a short time he settled in Santa Clara County. He was a natural mechanic, having learned seven different trades. He followed ornamental painting, designing and painting some of the early signs in this city, and is well remembered. He died on the old Owen ranch on Stevens Creek road in 1886. He was married in this county to Sarah F. Owens, a native of Indiana, the daughter of Rev. Isaac Owens, who brought his family across the plains in 1849 at the head of an ox-team emigrant train. He was the first superintendent of California mis- sions sent out by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Arriving in California he gave his time and labored faithfully, founding churches in different sections of the state. He was presiding elder for many years and devoted his life to the Methodist Church and its insti- tutions. He was one of the founders of the University of the Pacific, and trustce for many years. He owned a farm on the corner of Stevens Creek and the Los Gatos and Santa Clara roads. His death occurred in San Francisco; four of his five children grew up: John, Sarah F., William, and Hiram, now all de- veased. Mrs. Kidder later married C. J. McHugh, and she purchased a ranch in San Felipe Val- ley beyond Evergreen, where she reared and cdu- cated her family. She spent her last days with her son, George S., passing away in 1917, aged seventy- three years. Of her union with Mr. Kidder there were seven children, five living: Mary L., was Mrs. Albert, who died in the spring of 1922; Elizabeth, was the wife of Frank Lee, and she died in 1920; Mrs. Lorena S. Nichols, resides in Shasta County; Charles

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 195

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