History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 203

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

a charter member of the California Prune and Ap- ricot Association, and for thirty-seven years has be- longed to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. A Democrat in politics, he has always taken a public- spirited interest in community affairs, and while liv- ing in Dakota, served as director of the district school.

V. T. McCURDY .- Among the successful orchard- ists of Santa Clara County worthy of special notice is V. T. McCurdy, who is located upon a fine property of fifty-five acres in the vicinity of San Jose, where he is engaged in intelligent and practical agricultural efforts. A native of Sedalia, Pettis County, Mo., he was born December 20, 1870, a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) McCurdy. The father, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, emigrated to America, settling first in Kentucky, where he was married, later removing to Missouri in 1860. He was an ex- tensive farmer, owning a large acreage. The mother was born in Kentucky, the third generation back com- ing from Holland. The Miller family were promi- nent in the upbuilding of the Blue Grass State, Mil- lersburg being named after one of its members, and the maternal grandfather was for years extensively engaged in farming south of Lexington.

The boyhood of Mr. McCurdy was spent on the farm, and after finishing the common country schools, he attended the Normal school at Warrensburg, Mo., and in 1888 received a teacher's certificate. However, he did not wish to follow teaching, but was inclined toward the study of law, but his strong physique made his services an asset on the farm. He was the ninth son of a family of ten children, and everyone who was strong was pressed into service on the farm. The McCurdys bent their energies to the raising and fat- tening of hogs and cattle for market, and in the course of twenty years, they became prominent stock men of that locality. They marketed exclusively in Chicago, and at one time farmied 1,000 acres, never selling a bushel of grain, all being used for feeding their large herds of cattle.

The marriage of V. T. McCurdy in June, 1902, united him with Miss Estelle Blanchard, a daughter of George and Emeline (Payne) Blanchard, natives of Warsaw, Ky., but who resided in Santa Clara County at the time of the marriage. Mrs. McCurdy, who is a graduate of the San Jose State Normal, followed the teacher's profession for three years, teaching at the Hester School, near her home on the Alameda. She is a member of the Arden Art League and active in Eastern Star circles.

On September 12, 1912, Mr. McCurdy purchased the present McCurdy ranch of fifty-five acres of the tract known to early settlers as the "Capt. Senate Rancho," who had purchased it from the Bascom estate. Twenty acres of this ranch are in forty-five year old pear trees, the balance are in trees from two to eleven years old, all fancy stock of the following

At St. Paul, Minn., in 1884, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Belle Menzies, a native of St. Louis, Mo., but a teacher in St. Paul for several years, and four children have been born to them: J. Charles., at home; Thomas B. enlisted for service in the World War on December 12, 1917, in the Thirty-fifth Aero Squadron, trained at Waco, Texas, and was over- varieties: Bartlett, Feralls, East Berren, Winter Nel- . seas for ten months, serving with the Royal Air lis, Golutmorcan (a delicious French pear), B. Hardy, D. Comice, B. Bosc; nine acres are in apple trees of the following varities: Astrakans, Alexanders, Skinner seedlings, the latter variety being developed in this Valley. Mr. McCurdy has made many improve- ments upon his property, among them being a fine packing house, where all the fruit is packed by ex- perts, labeled with the McCurdy label and shipped from Bascom station. He maintains a standard of excellence in the choice of the fruit and the manner of packing, which enables him to command the best

of prices for his products. Through wise manage- ment and strict attention to details, he has so estab- lished his shipping as to distribute his fruit to all the principal markets in the United States, and also sup- plies the export trade to Cuba, England, New Zea- land, South America and Canada. His habits of thrift and industry have made him independent, and he has always given his support to all measures of advancement for his particular locality, and believes in the future of Santa Clara County. Fraternally Mr. McCurdy is a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He is a director in the Garden City Bank, Richmond-Chase Company, Bean Spray Company, the Y. M. C. A. and the Cham- ber of Commerce and a member of the Grange, Fed- erated Farmers, Rotary Club and Commercial Club. Politically he is a Democrat in national affairs, but locally he is an independent, supporting the best men and measures. He is a man of intense vitality, of conserved energy and great resourcefulness, an ac- tive, helpful force in the business and social life of town and county. His high general standing, his genial and cordial manners, and above all the noble aims of his life have made him many friends and secured the confidence and respect of the entire community.

THOMAS B. BECK .- The owner of a fine ranch of forty-five acres in the San Martin district, Thomas B. Beck has rounded out a service of nearly twenty- four years with the Pullman Company, and expects soon to retire from his position with this corpora- tion so that he can give all his time to the develop- ment of his ranch property. Mr. Beck was born at Plattsville, Ontario, Canada, February 17, 1858, and spent the years of his boyhood in this vicinity. In 1884 he came to Northern Minnesota and there entered the employ of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad, and later was with the Northern Pacific, with which system he continued until 1893, when he removed to Chicago and entered the service of the Pullman Company, becoming a conductor in 1898. He took one of the western routes and in 1912 was transferred to the San Francisco division. In 1901 he had purchased ten acres of land at San Martin, and in 1912 the family took up their resi- dence there. They gradually added to their holdings until they now own forty-five acres, devoted to French prunes and walnuts, and a vineyard, which has been producing for a number of years.

Force; he received his honorable discharge at San Diego, March 25, 1919, and has since managed the home ranch; Nellie Grace is engaged in teaching at San Martin; Evan F. is also engaged in ranching; he was also in the U. S. service, entering the S. A. T. C. at the College of the Pacific. Enterprising and public-spirited, the Beck family are among the pop- ular residents of San Martin. Mr. Beck is a mem- ber of the California Prune and Apricot Association, the Pullman Conductors' Association and the Odd Fellows, and in politics he votes with the Democrats.

Semale B Nogait.

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SEWALL B. BOGART .- A man who for many years took a prominent part in the business life of San Jose and was greatly interested in the growth of the community was the late Sewall B. Bogart, a son of A. W. Bogart, represented on another page in this work. Sewall B. Bogart was born in Lynn, Mass., June 11, 1872, but came to San Francisco when a small boy with his parents. After completing the public schools he chose the hardware business for his field of action, learning the business in all of its de- tails with Huntington, Hopkins & Company of San Francisco, after which he started a hardware store on Market Street of that city, continuing until he came to San Jose, and with Arthur Holmes was owner of the San Jose Hardware Company. After a number of years of successful business Mr. Bogart sold his interest and established the S. B. Bogart Hardware Company on South First Street, San Jose, where his straightforward method in his dealings enabled him to build up a large business. He even- tually sold out his business and returned to San Fran- cisco, becoming a member of the firm of Brittain & Company, hardware merchants, having charge of the general hardware department. He was rated as one of the best men in his line in the city. He was not permitted, however, to enjoy the fruits of his labors, nor to carry out his plans, for only a short time after their opening he was stricken by death, dropping dead in front of the Emporium on Market Street as he was hastening to take a train, May 9, 1909.

Mr. Bogart was married in San Francisco, October 13, 1894, to Miss Fannie Kennedy, who was born in San Francisco a daughter of James Kennedy, a pioneer dry goods merchant on Post Street, in the metropolis. Mrs. Bogart was reared in San Fran- cisco and completed her education at Irving Insti- tute. They were blessed with two children: Edith Adeline, a graduate of Washburn School, San Jose, studied music, specializing in piano and organ; she is now the wife of Thos. Alton, Jr., of San Mateo, and they have a child named Margery; Sewall B., is a graduate of San Jose high school and resides with his mother. Mr. Bogart was a Knights Templar, Mason and Shriner, being a member of California Commandery No. 1 and Islam Temple of San Fran- cisco, and was also a member of the San Jose Lodge of Elks. He was a talented musician, excelling on piano and organ, and from the age of nineteen he was organist in churches. While residing in San Jose he was the organist at the Second Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. He was buried with Masonic honors. After her husband's death Mrs. Bogart made hier home in the family residence in San Jose, caring for and looking after the educa- tion of their two children. In 1920, with her son, she took up her residence in San Mateo. Like her hus- band, she too is a Presbyterian.

MANUEL ANDRADA .- A native of the far-away Azores, Manuel Andrada was born at Ponta Delgada, the island port well known to thousands of tourists on their way to the Mediterranean, the date of his birth being August 15, 1870. Like thousands of other lads of his race, he desired to see more of the world than his island home, so in 1886, when he was six- teen, he sailed to the Hawaiian Islands, where for ten years he was employed on a great sugar planta- tion. In 1896 Mr. Andrada came to California and

located at Morgan Hill, where he acquired six acres of land on Hills Avenue, which he at once set out to develop, and in 1910 he purchased an additional tract of eleven acres on Llagas Avenue, where he and his family make their home.

In 1889 Mr. Andrada was united in marriage with Miss Mary Manisee, a native of Portugal, and eight children have come to bless their home: The two eldest, Mary and John, have passed away; Manuel is married and is living at Hollister; Rosie, Susie and George are at home, and Minnie and Antone are attending school. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, attending the church at Morgan Hill. Mr. Andrada can well take satis- faction in the success he has made here, as his well- kept ranch is now entirely free from incumbrance, due to his thrift and willingness to work.

LEWIS H. BRITTON .- An educator of high standing in Santa Clara County who has had a long experience of unusual interest in the military service of his country is Lewis H. Britton, now principal of the Live Oak Union high school at Morgan Hill. Mr. Britton is a native of Santa Clara County and was born at San Jose Jannary 14, 1881. His parents were Ephraim and Mary Jane (Montgomery) Brit- ton, the father a native of Ireland who came from County Donegal, in Ulster, to America when a boy of twelve years. He located on a stock farm near Philadelphia, Pa., where he grew up, and after his marriage came to California, arriving here in the early '60s, locating at Murphy station, now Sunny- vale, where he acquired a large farm and continued to prosper until his death in November, 1914, Mrs. Britton having passed away in 1904.

Lewis H. Britton attended the Braly district school and later the Santa Clara high school. While a student there, at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the U. S. Army during the Spanish-American War, serving for twelve months and receiving his honorable discharge in February, 1899, at San Fran- cisco. On receiving his diploma from the San Jose high school he entered the Washburn Preparatory School and upon completing the courses there matric- ulated at Stanford University in 1901, receiving his A. B. degree in 1905. He then entered the U. S. Army, was commissioned a second lieutenant and immediately dispatched to Manila, and remained in the Philippine Islands from 1905 to 1908.

On his return to civilian life, Mr. Britton was in- strumental in organizing the high school at Gonzales, one of the first Union high schools in Monterey County, and he remained there for two years. From 1910 to 1913 he was head of the history department of the Stockton high school, and in the latter year came to Santa Clara County, where he became the head of the Morgan Hill schools. In 1916 he was given a leave of absence and again entered the mili- tary service of his country as first lieutenant in the Fifth California Infantry. Accompanying the ex- peditionary forces to Mexico; he was in that country for eight months, returning in March, 1917. He be- came a member of General Funston's staff, and while on duty guarding the bridges and tunnels of the Northern division of the Southern Pacific Rail- road, he received orders to report at Camp Kearny, where he reorganized and named the One Hundred Fifty-ninth Infantry. He was promoted to a cap-

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

taincy and went overseas, being attached to the Second Army in France, and he spent twenty-six months in the service there, a period filled with inter- esting experiences, during which time he was able to travel over a goodly portion of France. On his return to the United States he received his honorable discharge in April, 1919.

On December 17, 1910, Mr. Britton was married to Miss Mabel L. Lopeman of San Jose, the daughter of Rev. A. S. and Amanda Lopeman, now residents of Imperial Valley. One daughter, Nellie Jane, has been born to them. Mr. Britton stands high in fra- ternal circles, being a Scottish Ritc Mason and a Shriner, a member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at San Francisco, a member of the Elks at San Jose, and of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Politically he is a Republican. In addition to his professional work, Mr. Britton has important horticultural interests, being a half owner of the holdings of Britton Brothers, fancy pear and prune growers, of Sunnyvale, Cal., an enterprise that has proven very successful.

LIVE OAK UNION HIGH SCHOOL .- After considerable effort on the part of several public-spir- ited citizens, the Live Oak Union high school opened at Morgan Hill in September, 1904, with a small en- rollment. Montgomery Hall was used to house the pupils for the first term, for although bonds had been voted, the construction of the high school building, now known as the administration building of the present group, was not completed until 1905. Pro- fessor Petitt had charge of the first term of school, and he was succeeded by Prof. Franklin H. Talbert, who remained with the school until 1910. He was followed by Prof. C. C. Childress, and three years later, in 1913, Prof. Lewis H. Britton took the prin- cipalship, and with the exception of the years, 1915- 1916 and 1917-1918, has been in charge of this grow- ing educational institution and the leading figure in the marvelous development in the Morgan Hill schools. In 1915-1916 Professor Abbott, now dean of the College of the Pacific, succeeded Mr. Britton temporarily, and in 1917-1918, H. C. Tillman, now of the faculty of the San Jose high school, occupied this responsible post. On hoth occasions Mr. Britton was called into the military service of his country, and gladly gave up his chosen vocation to accompany the U. S. Army to Mexico, as a first lieutenant under General Funston, later being promoted to captain and seeing over two years' service overseas during the World War. Needless to say, he received a warm welcome on his return, both from his pupils and the patrons of the school.

At the organization of the Live Oak Union high school, the following rural districts were included: Highland, Burnett, San Martin, Machado and Mor- gan Hill, and in August, 1921, the addition of . the Coyote, Llagas and Uvas districts added greatly to the enrollment. In April, 1921, the $45,000 bond is- sue carried, this sum to be used for the construction of three additional buildings, making a fine group, and also for the purchase of ten acres in the town of Morgan Hill. The departments of chemistry, science, home economics and physical training are now well cared for, with modern equipment through- out the entire courses, and the machine shop and

woodworking department deserves special mention. The Smith-Hughes agricultural work is carried on under the close supervision of Prof. S. H. Davidson and has been given high and well-deserved com- mendation by the federal inspectors.

The fact that a great number of the students who attend the high school live at some distance from Morgan Hill made the problem of transportation quite a difficult one to cope with, but a fleet of motor busses are now operated by the school, and so far this has proved very successful. In 1921 the first kindergarten was established and this was temporari- ly housed at the high school on account of the con- gestion in the grammar school. The trustees are Robert Britton, president; C. D. Robertson, clerk; Mrs. A. F. Cochrane, E. E. Worcester, and Charles Kellogg, and the high school faculty consists of Lewis H. Britton, principal; Sidney H. Davidson, vice-principal; Mrs. B. G. Bevier, Arthur G. Van Gorder, Will Jessup, Miss Florence I. Yesberg, Miss Agnes Corcoran, Charles A. Pihl, Miss Genevieve Barlow, and Miss Myrtle L. Shafer. The district is very fortunate in having a representative board of trustees and a splendid spirit of cooperation exists between them and the faculty and student body, this harmonious relationship being manifested in the activity and progress of the pupils.

ROBERT BRITTON .- Among the successful property owners of Santa Clara County, who have contributed much to the prosperity and advancement of the community, is Robert Britton of Paradise Valley. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland. March 16, 1870, and was reared and schooled there, finishing the grammar grades at the age of thirteen. His father, William Britton, died when he was four years old leaving the mother, Margaret Britton, with four children to rear and educate. Robert attended night school one winter in Manchester, England, and then came to America. His mother still resides in County Donegal, Ireland, and has reached the age of ninety years, a woman of a fine Christian charac- ter. Robert remained with his mother until 1893, when he left home to make his own way. Arriving in California he secured a position with the Western Meat Company at South City, having complete charge of their refrigerating plant, and remained with them for thirteen years. He had bought fifty-two acres of the Machado Tract in Paradise Valley, Santa Clara County, and while employed with the Western Meat Company was developing his ranch. From time to time he purchased more land until he now owns 200 acres, forty of which is in full bearing prune trees; the remaining acres are devoted to gen- eral farming, the hill land being used for grazing purposes. Mr. Britton completed his U. S. citizen- ship in Judge Welch's court in San Jose. Mr. Brit- ton is a charter member of the California Prune and Apricot Association.

The marriage of Mr. Britton occurred at South City in 1904 and united him with Miss Mary Jane Young, a native of Liverpool, England, where she was reared and educated, and they are the parents of four children: William Y., George, Margaret, and Charlotte. Politically, Mr. Britton is a Republican and fraternally a member of the Keith Lodge of Masons in Gilroy. For twelve years Mr. Britton

Elise Renaud

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

served his community wisely and well as president of the board of trustees of the Live Oak Union High School of Morgan Hill and his work is outstanding for its progressiveness and stableness. He is high- minded and generous, loyal to friends, to his work, and the community in which he makes his home, and he has never regretted settling in Santa Clara County. In 1901 his brother, W. H. Britton, came from Ire- land and settled in Paradise Valley and is engaged in the orchard business also.

MRS. ELISE RENAUD .- A worthy representa- tive of an old and interesting family is found in Mrs. Elise Renaud, the widow of Leon Renaud, a French- man who came to California in the early '80s, and the daughter of that distinguished pioneer, Pierre Pellier. Elise Pellier was born in Santa Clara County on her father's ranch, known as the Yerba Buena ranch, east of Evergreen in the foothills. The father was born in Santa Pauliet, France, was reared and schooled there, and as he grew up, worked hard on his father's place. After he had served seven years in the army of France, he and his brother, Louis, decided to come to America, and in 1849 they left their native land and journeyed, by way of the Horn, to America, arriving in San Francisco six months later. He made three trips to California before he married Miss Henrietta E. Octeau, bringing her to California about thirty years ago, one trip to Cali- fornia being made via the Isthmus of Panama. Locating in Santa Clara County, he established his home on the 315-acre Yerba Buena ranch, east of Evergreen. The last time that Pierre Pellier came to America he brought with him cuttings and seeds of many varieties of fruits from his native country, among others the first French prune trees set out in the Santa Clara Valley. There were also wine and fancy table grapes; and in 1855 the brothers en- gaged in the nursery business at San Jose. In 1880, Pierre Pellier, accompanied by his two daughters, Helene and Elise, returned to France for a visit, and in 1895 he died at Evergreen, on the home place, where his wife had passed away fifteen years before. Pierre Pellier and his wife were the parents of five children. Louis died at the age of sixteen; Henrietta is the wife of Thomas Casalegno; Helene is deceased; Elsie is Mrs. Renaud; Josephine is Mrs. Mitchell Casalegno, the mother of six children, and the family reside at Morgan Hill.

Elise began her education in the Evergreen schools, finishing at the convent of Notre Dame in San Jose, and on June 2, 1883, she was united in marriage with Leon Renaud, a native of France, born near La Valle. Mr. Renaud came to California in 1882, locating in the Santa Clara Valley on a ranch of eighty-seven acres near the Pellier home. This tract of land was in its virgin state and he set to work to clear it of the thick undergrowth and planted one-half of it to vineyard, later setting out an orchard of thirty-five acres to apricots. Mr. and Mrs. Renaud were the parents of eight children; Theophile L., rancher in Evergreen; Virginia is the wife of John Claverie, a baker, and they reside in San Jose; Clementine married John Caillou, a baker, of San Jose; Leon T. assists his mother on the ranch; Henrietta is a graduate nurse of the O'Connor Sani- tarium; Victoria, Martin and Adelaide, the latter a graduate of San Jose high school and Heald's Busi- ness College. Mr. Renaud was a member of the

Franco-Italian lodge of the Odd Fellows of San Jose. He was accidentally killed by being thrown from a wagon and passed away September 16, 1900. In 1906 Mrs. Renaud built a commodious residence upon her ranch of seventy-eight acres, which is devoted to vineyard, prunes and apricots. The place has a most beautiful situation, overlooking the Santa Clara Val- ley; it lies high and is above the frost belt; is very productive, and is especially adapted for early vege- tables. Mrs. Renaud's home life is ideal; she is loved by her family and respected by all who know her.

HARRY H. FITCH .- An enterprising, successful business man, whose wide experience is evidenced in his happy anticipation of the public's wants, is Harry H. Fitch, the president and manager of the San Jose Auto Supply Company, located at 248 North First Street, San Jose. He was born at Augusta, Maine, on June 25, 1865, the son of Horace W. and Emily (Nason) Fitch; but his parents died when he was a mere baby. When seventeen years of age, he migrated to Minnesota, and for six years labored hard there on a wheat farm; and then went to Montana and for ten years was manager of a cattle ranch. From the spring of 1898 to the fall of 1908 he was in Alaska, going in over the Valdez glacier at the head of Prince William's Sound, traveling on foot and by raft 450 miles to Dawson. He prospected and mined on Forty-Mile and located a claim; later mined at the head of the Chitina River and remained there for several years, meeting with success in gold and cop- per mining, particularly the latter. He was one of the original locaters of the Kennicott mines at the head of the Kennicott River, now owned by the Gug- genheims. In 1908 he disposed of his holdings and came to San Francisco, after spending ten years in the frozen north. As early as 1900 he located his family in San Jose, and made ten round trips between San Jose and Alaska. Following his location in San Jose, he became associated with the Osen Auto Com- pany, and in February, 1912, he organized the San Jose Auto Supply Company and established it at 248 North First Street. From a small beginning the busi- ness has grown until it is now the largest establish- ment of its kind in the county. In 1919, Mr. Fitch purchased the Campbell-Collins Company, wholesale auto accessories and appliances and moved it to 248 South First Street, and it is now the wholesale de- partment of the Auto Supply Company. Mr. Fitch is the president of the Auto Supply Company, man- ager of the Campbell-Collins Company, and secretary- treasurer of the Osen Motor Sales Company. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants Association and the One Hundred Per Cent Club, and there is no more welcome member of those flour- ishing organizations.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 203

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