History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 196

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 196

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).

L., lives in Shasta County; Geneva F., Mrs. Kricker- berg, lives at the old home in San Felipe; George S., is the subject of this sketch; Gertrude J., is Mrs. B. Ingram of Escalon. There was one child born of the second marriage, Cornelius J. McHugh, a mining man in Plumas County.

George Kidder grew up on the San Felipe Valley ranch, receiving his education in the Highland school. He assisted his mother on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in mining in Plumas County. At the first tap of the drum for the Spanish-American War he immediately respond- ed and enlisted in May, 1898, in Company C. First California Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at the Presidio, and was sent on the first expedition to the Philippines, following Admiral Dewey's victory at Manila, it being conceded it was the first ex- pedition of the army sent from the United States to a foreign port. Leaving San Francisco on the trans- port City of Pekin, they sailed into the harbor of Guam. Ladrone Group, and took possession for the United States, leaving a small detachment of troops and came on to the Philippine Islands, landing at Cavite, July 3, 1898. They moved on to Paranaque, where they had several engagements, and were in the final assault on Manila before its capture, August 13, 1898. Being stationed there for several months he was taken with typhoid fever and nearly died. When convalescent he was mustered out at Manila, De- cember 25, 1898, and came home via Hongkong. On his return he engaged in the transfer business in San Jose under the name of Garden City Transfer & Stor- age Company for several years, after which he again mined in Plumas County. Returning to San Jose at the time of the earthquake, in 1906, he did special police duty, during which time he was accidentally shot through the leg, which laid him up for over a year. He then had a private detective agency for nearly a year, with offices in the Ryland Block, afterwards serving two years as a patrolman. In 1910 he was appointed chief of police of San Jose by the Fire & Police Commission, under Mayor Charles W. Davi- son, and continued during the two years of his second term. Since that time he has been engaged as a real estate dealer, being associated with Cooper- Challen Realty Company. Mr. Kidder is still inter- ested in mining in Plumas County, being one of the owners of the Rich Bar Mining Company. Rich Bar is a historic spot, being the place where the first white child was born and the first postoffice cstab- lished in California after American occupancy. The mines there were very rich, millions of dollars worth of gold having been taken from the bar. The Rich Bar Mining Company is now engaged in tunneling for the old mine bed on the east branch of the North Fork of the Feather River, with a fine showing for a coarse gold property.

Mr. Kidder's marriage occurred in San Jose in 1907, where he was united with Miss Mabel M. Moyer, who was born near Ames, Ia., coming with his parents to California, who were early settlers at Dos Palos. Their union has been blessed with three children, Donald, Marion and Lois. After his re- turn from the Philippines Mr. Kidder joined the National Guard, serving a year in Company B, Fifth Regiment, until he went to the mines, when he ob-

1266

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

tained his discharge on account of his removal. He belongs to the Spanish-American War Veterans and of the Red Men, and San Jose Chamber of Com- merce, and is an active member of the First Christian Church in San Jose.

ARTHUR W. BOGART .- A man of exceptional business qualifications, with broad and liberal views in commercial affairs, was the late Arthur W. Bo- gart, a native of Nova Scotia, who was a shoe manu- facturer until he came to San Francisco in 1871, where he became one of the early shoe manufacturers in that city, being associated with Messrs. Earl and Sawyer of the firm of Earl & Company, the business growing to large proportions. When Mr. Bogart's oldest son reached the age of twenty-one he sold his interest in Earl & Company and started the hard- ware business on Market Street, the firm being A. W. Bogart & Son, and they built up a large and profitable business. Mr. Bogart's years of very active life had hnally worn on him and his health became impaired and he retired from business, choosing Los Gatos as his home, but it was not long he could remain idle, however, so he purchased frontage on Santa Cruz Avenue and built the Bogart Building, and there he started a hardware store. He also built other busi- ness property in Los Gatos.

Mr. Bogart was married in Lynn, Mass., to Jemima A. Templeman, a native of Massachusetts, the daughter of Andrew and Patience (Beardsley) Tem- pleman, born in Maine and Nova Scotia, respectively. Her grandfather, John Templeman, was a native of England, a seafaring man, and as captain sailed to the various foreign ports of the world. He married Miss Avis Graham, who travelled with him until he met an accidental death at St. Johns, New Brunswick, his widow being left with four children. Mrs. Temple- man, a woman of remarkable personality, then sold her husband's shipping interests and engaged in the niereantile business and thus reared and educated her children. Andrew Templeman was the eldest child and ably assisted his mother until he became inter- ested in shipping, becoming a vessel owner and cap- tain sailing into different ports. He was largely in- terested in fishing at the Grand Banks, the headquar- ters for his dozen fishing vessels being Pt. Lorne He was a splendid man and one of the best of husbands and fathers. He passed away at the age of fifty-one years, the father of fifteen children, Mrs. Bogart be- ing the eighth. Only five of the children are now liv- ing. After her husband's death, Mrs. Templeman continued the business, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Bogart was deeply inter- ested in her husband's success and his passing away at their San Francisco residence on February 13, 1916, left a deep void and sorrow in her life. They had eight children, four of whom grew to maturity: Sewall was associated with his father in San Fran- cisco until he moved to San Jose, where he became a very successful business man. He passed away, aged thirty-one, leaving a widow and two children-Sewall Jr. and Edith. He was a prominent Knight Templar and Shriner. Frank is a violinist, is located in Oak- land; he is a member of the hardware firm of Bogart Mercantile Sales Company, is married and has two children. Mrs. Florence Brooks is the only daughter. Harry Andrew Templeman, a graduate of Brewer's Military Academy, studied music in Italy, has a fine baritone voice and sang in opera in Europe, as well

as the United States; he is located in Fresno as a teacher of voice, is married and has a daughter, Bar- bara Adeline, who studied piano and toured Europe. She is now the wife of Adrian Rogers Moreland of San Francisco.

After her husband's death, Mrs. Bogart took up business affairs and is looking after their large in- terests and being possessed of much business ability is giving a good account of her stewardship. She has travelled extensively throughout the States and Can- ada, as well as in Europe, and every year or two makes a visit back to Massachusetts. In 1919 Mrs. Bogart completed a beautiful colonial residence on Glenridge Avenue, Los Gatos, where she makes her home and dispenses a generous hospitality to her num- erous friends. She is a member of the Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bogart was a mat ef exceptional business ability and his enterprise and publie spirit had much to do with the building up of Los Gatos where his memory is revered.

WILLIAM ORLANDO POST .- A successful orchardist on Castle Rock Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the proprietor of Lakeview Farm is Wil- liam Orlando Post, born in Saybrook, Conn., Sep- tember 23, 1850. His father, Selden Post, a farmer in Saybrook, died in 1871, aged forty-eight years. His mother, Harriett Louise Tiley, spent her last days in California with her son, William O., coming out to this state when seventy-five years of age, and she lived to be ninety-one years old.

William O. was the only child of the union and grew up on the Connecticut farm, having the advan- tages of the publie schools and also Essex Academy. But his education did not stop there, for he has been a student all his life by reading along various scientific lines. When a boy of twelve years it devolved upon him to run the Connecticut farm, his father having died, so he took up the duties that had fallen on his young shoulders. He was married in Ohio, in 1876, to Miss Sarah Augusta Worcester who was born in Pittsfield, Ohio, a daughter of James Worcester, a native of Vermont who moved to Ohio, where he was a farmer and contractor. Mrs. Post was edu- cated at Oberlin College, majoring in music.

After his marriage Mr. Post moved back to Connec- ticut and for a time followed farming, afterwards en- gaging in the clothing business at Deep River, Conn., for six years, until, on account of throat trouble he was advised by his physician to seek the climate of California. In 1887 he came to Pomona, where he resided for seven years, and then removed to Beau- mont, Cal., as manager of a large ranch, a position he filled for four years, when he removed to Red- lands, and there he resided until 1904, when he came to Los Gatos and purchased his present ranch of 43 acres. He has named it very appropriately Lake View ranch, lying at an elevation of 1800 feet, and here he has orchards of prunes, cherries and pears which yield him a good income. He ran a summer resort on the ranch until 1918 when he gave it up, wishing that he and his wife be relieved of the extra work and care. Mr. and Mrs. Post have three chil- dren: Vernon R., residing in Patterson, N. J .; Emma, Mrs. Byrdine Jones, resides in Modesto; Ezra James, is assisting his father on the ranch, a beautiful place overlooking the gentle slope of the mountain and valley. Mr. Post is a member of the Universal Es-

A. W. Bogart

1269

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

peranto Association, the California Prune and Apri- cot Association. As a boy he carried a torch in the Abe Lincoln procession; however, of late years he is an independent in politics.

MONTEZUMA MOUNTAIN SCHOOL FOR BOYS .- Eleven years ago, Ernest A. Rogers and William J. Meredith, both teachers in the schools of California, became dissatisfied with the restrictions imposed, by the methods of instruction employed in the average school, upon the initiative and oppor- tunity for the expression of personal convictions by teachers. Through years of teaching and studying methods of instruction and the results accomplished they saw a great gap between what the public school is equipped to do and what is demanded of it. They had reached the point where their ex- perience pointed to a better way of doing things intimately related to the very foundation of human education. Since they did not have the opportunity for putting their ideas into practice while teaching in the public schools nor the natural environment conducive to natural education, at their own expense and by making sacrifices, they established the Montezuma Mountain School for boys in its pres- ent ideal location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, high above Los Gatos and the Santa Clara Valley. In 1912 they were joined by Homer J. Lloyd, who was not only deeply in sympathy with the idea, but also possessed keen business ability. Largely through his sacrifice, his untiring efforts, and his sound fin- ancial judgment, the school was able to maintain it- self until public recognition was assured its founders that the experiment was entirely sound and practical. It was an experiment and they found defects in their system, corrected them and experimented further un- til their method became more nearly perfect. The sum total is that the method now employed at Monte- zuma is conducive to the highest degree of three-fold development of boys-physical, mental and moral. The aim is to promote, by expert guidance, the change of disposition, the choosing of attitude, the formation of habits that will fit a man to function at his best in a democratic society. It is meant to give a boy such instruction and training that he will choose to do the right thing unhesitatingly because he knows it is right and sees that it is best for his community, state, nation and the world. It includes actual living in a self-governing com- munity, until good citizenship becomes habitual and, in a sense, instinctive.

The student body is an actual democratic state in miniature, self-governing through a mayor and board of commissioners, acting under a simple con- stitution and elected by ballot, holding office sub- ject to recall on petition at the pleasure of the elec- torate. Legislation and administration are actually subject to review, of course, by the faculty, which functions in this respect as a court of appeals. Con- stitutional amendment and by-laws are initiated from time to time by the commissioners, or petition, as ex- perience shows the need. The personnel of the school is world-wide. A large proportion of the boys come from outside of California, east to New York and New England, north to Alaska and Canada, and south to Ecuador and South Africa. There have been boys from England, France and a number whose parents, though American, are living in the Orient, Hawaii, and

the Far East. The boys lead an outdoor, pioneer life, in keeping with the principles of the school. They sleep on the open porches of the school dormi- tories, where they are constantly under the super- vision of directors. The open air gymnasium, the library, the assembly hall, the swimming hole, the pond with its boats and slides, the teeters and the merry-go-round add varied interest to the day's program of events after school hours.

The school is equipped with electricity, modern kitchen and dining-hall, sanitary plumbing with tubs and showers. The drinking water is piped from mountain springs on the place, insuring a pure and constant supply. Boys are not admitted without evidence of good health, as well as good character and good mental ability. A well-equipped infirmary, however, with an efficient nurse in charge, provides for emergencies. The Aztec style of architecture is being used for all the new buildings. Recent addi- tions bring the school holdings of land up to about two hundred acres of orchard and forest. The board of directors of the school corporation are Ernest A. Rogers, president; Charles B. Rogers, vice-presi- dent; Homer J. Lloyd, secretary and treasurer and Dora C. Rogers, Dorathee R. Lloyd.

GEORGE E. BOOKER .- A native son interested in advancing the horticulturist interests of this fav- ored valley is George E. Booker, born near Los Gatos, December 6, 1872. His father, William Wade Booker, was born in Morgan County, Ala., in 1834, of an old Southern family. He came out to Texas where he was a plainsman and frontierman and while in Texas he was a member of the Texas Rangers. In about 1859 he crossed the plains in an ox-team train to San Bernardino County, but soon drifted north to the Santa Clara Valley, locating a homestead of 160 acres on Campbell Creek, which is still in the possession of his children. He was for a time in the wood business, cutting wood for the paper mill. After clearing the land he set it out to orchards of apples and pears. He organized the first school in the district, which was called Booker district, saw to the building of the school house and was a trustee from the beginning up till the time of his death, December 6, 1893. Mr. Booker was mar- ried in this county to Margaret Nelson, who was a native daughter, her father having been a pioneer of Santa Clara County. Mrs. Booker survived her husband till December 28, 1915, leaving five chil- dren: George E., our subject; Mrs. Mary McIntyre of Salinas; William S. and A. C. reside on the old Booker homestead; Mrs. Edith Marshall of Belmont.

George E. Booker was educated in the Booker public school and from a lad he had assisted his father and became familiar with the science of or- charding. In 1902 he started a wood and fuel busi- ness in Sunnyvale, calling it the Sunnyvale Fuel Company, and had built up a substantial business when he sold out in 1910. Next he located in Indian Valley, Monterey County, being engaged in cattle raising until 1915, when he sold his cattle interests and returned to Santa Clara County, leasing a ranch near San Felipe, being engaged in dairying for three years, when he sold out and for almost a year was at Watsonville. In 1919 he returned to his old home, leased the old Booker ranch from the estate and also the Marengo Ranch of 200 acres, devot-

1270

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ing his time to the cultivation of the orchards and caring for the trees. Besides this he also cultivates Mrs. Morris' orchard.

In Sunnyvale, Mr. Booker was married to Miss Etta Russell, who was born in Oregon, their union having resulted in the birth of four children: Pearl is Mrs. Brooks of Watsonville; Elton is a plumber in the same town; Vera and Russell are still under the parental roof. While living in Indian Valley, Mr. Booker was a school trustee and is deeply interested in the cause of education as was his father before him. He is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Association.

WILLIAM WARD PITMAN-A man of unques- tioned integrity of character and one who was held in high esteem in his locality was William Ward Pitman, whose passing away is mourned by his many friends and his devoted family, to whom he was father, friend and counselor. He was born in Cottle- ville, Mo., May 29, 1852, the son of Prof. Richard H. and Ella Virginia (Ward) Pitman, the father a native of Missouri and his mother of old Virginia stock.

William Ward began his education in the public schools of Missouri and then entered the university at Fayette. After finishing school he was married at O'Fallon, Mo., Nov. 26, 1884, to Miss Ellen O. Kerr, and after marriage engaged in farming in Mis- souri six years; then came to California, stopped a short time in Tulare County, then settled in San Jose in the fall of 1890. In 1891 he purchased thirty-five acres in the Ware tract on the Ross Road and planted it to orchard, and also set ont fifteen acres for a nephew. All of this land was a grain field, and the work of planting and cultivating and setting to orchard was no small task, but with his usual patience and thoroughness it was successfully accomplished. Mr. Pitman resided on his ranch until his death, January 12, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Pitman were the parents of six children; D. K .; Richard, an architect of Santa Barbara; Augusta, Mary, Nellie, and William Ward. Mrs. Pitman is active in educational affairs and is now president for the second time of the Cambrian Parent- Teachers' Association; and also served as secretary of this organization. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high esteem by the citizens of the county.

Mrs. Pitman's father, Thomas Kerr, was a native of Scotland who came to America when a lad and set- tled in Virginia, where he lived until the news of the discovery of gold in California. He joined a com- pan of men who came across the plains in 1849, and upon his arrival here, went to the mines in the northern part of the state, and was among the suc- cessful searchers of the precious metal. After he had acquired sufficient for his needs he returned to Vir- ginia and invested in coal mines, and here again he met with financial success. When he sold his hold- ings in Virginia he went to St. Louis, Mo., with his family and engaged in the commission business at the Eads Bridge. In time he became what was re- garded at that time, a wealthy man. His death was due to an accident. He was the father of nine chil- dren, three of them living. The eldest, Mrs. Carrie Hall, lives in the City of Mexico; Mrs. Louise Far- row resides in Virginia, in the same locality where her father amassed part of his fortune; and Mrs. Ellen O. Pitman is a resident of California, the state

where her father made his first money as a gold- seeker in the days of '49.

Since the death of Mr. Pitman, his widow has car- ried on the work at the ranch, doing a considerable portion of it herself and overseeing the balance. She is an experienced rancher and has helped to develop the place she now owns. Besides her ranch work she takes care of her house and looks after the welfare of her family; at the same time that she takes an active part in local civic affairs. She has had an in- teresting career from her early girlhood and there is no more highly respected citizen of the county.

ELOI POURROY .- A native of France, Eloi Pourroy was born near Gap, Hautes-Alps, December 4, 1868, a son of Pierre Pourroy, a worthy gentle- man of an old and highly respected family. Eloi Pourroy was reared on his father's farm, mean- while attending the public schools of his locality. He assisted his father on the home farm until 1891, when he was employed on other farms in the vicinity for two years, during which time he saved sufficient funds to pay his expenses to California, where he desired to try his fortune in this land of opportunity. In January, 1893, he arrived in the Golden State and after spending three months in Bakersfield, he came to Santa Clara County, where he immediately found employment on the ranch of Mr. Aubrey. In 1895 he purchased a portion of the Adrien Bonnet ranch from a Mr. Jordan, who then owned it, and began farming; he set ont orchards of prunes and also a vineyard and his trees and vines are full bearing and are cared for and cultivated in the most modern and up to date methods. His 240-acre ranch above Saratoga presents a beautiful appearance with its numerous springs and woodland dells.

Mr. Pourroy was married in Saratoga to Mathilda Boisscranc, who was born in Saratoga, a daughter of Jacob Boisseranc, a pioneer and honored early settler of Saratoga. Mr. Pourroy was bereaved of his faithful companion August 19, 1912, leaving him seven children: Helen, Mrs. G. Legalls of Wrights; Elizabeth presides over her father's home; then there are Henry, Robert, Mathilda, Mary and Ger- maine. As a fruit grower, Mr. Pourroy is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Association.

AUGUST BOISSERANC .- A native son of Santa Clara County, August Boisseranc was born in San Jose, November 28, 1874. His father, Jacques Bois- seranc, a native of Hautes-Alps, France, came to Santa Clara County, Cal., in 1869, and married Vic- toria Nicholas, also a native of France. He was a well-known and highly respected citizen of the Sara- toga section, passing away in 1919, aged eighty-one years. He was one of God's noblemen, liberal and kind-hearted and was everybody's friend. This worthy pioneer couple had two children: August, our subject and Mathilda, who became the wife of Eloi Pourroy, but died in 1912. August was reared at Saratoga and educated in the public schools, after which he attended Santa Clara College until he began farming. He purchased twenty-five acres in the Saratoga district which he improved to orchard and vineyard. In 1903, he made a trip to his father's old home in France where he spent four months, during which time he became acquainted with the lady that afterwards became his wife, their marriage occurring in San Jose August 13, 1903, the bride being Miss Mary Galleron, who was born near Gap,

U. UU. Pilman

1273

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Hautes-Alps, France, a daughter of Joseph and Philipine (Lozier) Galleron, who were substantial farmers. To Mr. and Mrs. Boisseranc have been born eight children: Eugenia and Clementine are in Notre Dame high school; Adelle, Nathalie, Au- gust, Joseph, Marguerite and John. Mr. Boisseranc is greatly interested in the improvement of the San- to Clara Valley, whose development he has watched from the time he was a lad. Thus he has only the highest praises for this region that is showing itself the garden spot of the world. Politically he is a Republican and in religion he and his family are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

FIRMIN LADARRE .- A farmer in the Saratoga section of Santa Clara County, Firmin Ladarre was born in Basses Pyrenees, France, September 2. 1882, a son of Peter and Mary Ladarre, farmer folk who are now both deceased, the father passing away at the age of ninety-one, while the mother died in 1887. Firmin was reared a farmer's boy and re- ceived a good education in the local schools. He served as a soldier in the French Artillery for three ycars when he was honorably discharged and could emigrate to any country he wished. He had heard flattering reports of California and the opportunities here, so he determined to cast in his lot with the country on the great Pacific Ocean. On Septem- ber 14, 1912, he arrived in San Jose, and immediately found employment on the ranch of Mr. Pourroy. Saving his money, he was soon able to purchase the present ranch of thirty-seven and a half acres, which is devoted to orchards of prunes and cherries and a vineyard. Mr. Ladarre was married in the city of San Jose in January, 1918, to Mrs. Cecelia (Dorch) Eichom, who was born in Algeria, Africa, of French parents. She had one child by her first marriage- Eugene Eichom. Mr. and Mrs. Ladarre have one child-Henry. Mr. Ladarre is a stanch Republican and is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Association.

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 196

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