History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 205

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

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He attended the grammar schools of Farmington, Iowa, until he was in his tenth year, and then coming to San Jose, he attended the schools of that city. Naturally a mechanic, he took up lathing, working on the homes his father plastered, and continued with him in this business until he was about eighteen years of age. In 1880, he went to work for L. Lion, at that time engaged in the furniture business, and Mr. Bonar was placed in the carpet department, in which capacity he proved very successful, continuing in Mr. Lion's employ for twenty years.

In 1900, Mr. Bonar opened an upholstering, awning and tent business, in a building at 378-80 South First Street, and he was in this line for seventeen years, disposing of it when he sold it to Bell and Greenley, the business later becoming the property of the San Jose Awning and Tent Company. He also had a carpet-cleaning plant that proved very remunerative. He sold out his business in the fall of 1917. He stored all of his machinery, but was frequently impor- tuned by his old customers to go back into business, so in 1922, having a complete equipment, he opened a new business place, where he is engaged in manu- facturing tents and awnings and also in the uphol- stering business, at 386 South First Street.

In the spring of 1880, in San Jose, Mr. Bonar was married to Miss Kate Bell Macaulay, a native of Nova Scotia; her parents being John and Margaret Macau- lay. She came to California with her parents at the early age of two years, and was reared at Santa Cruz, where she received her education in the grammar school of that district, and her mother passed away in Los Angeles about ten years ago, her father hav- ing passed away shortly after coming to California. Mr. and Mrs. Bonar were the parents of four chil- dren: Pearl became the wife of J. H. Bennett, who is engaged in the automobile business in San Fran- cisco; Edgar Ray is with W. A. Plummer & Com- pany of San Francisco; Ruby is the wife of H. D. Melvin of Melvin, Roberts & Haworth of San Jose;

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Mildred passed away in the year 1919. Mr. Bonar was a trustee of the Gardner school in San Jose for fifteen years and president of the board for ten years. He has lived in San Jose for fifty-one years and has resided at his present home, 448 Auzerais, for the past fifteen years. Mr. Bonar is a member of the Woodmen of the World and a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

DR. GEORGE H. WORRALL .- Prominent among the distinguished professional men of Santa Clara County who have contributed much, by their advanced, ripe scholarship, scientific training, un- impeachable character and influential lives, to make California one of the greatest Meccas in the world to home-seekers, may well be mentioned Dr. George H. Worrall, the well-known dentist of 1085 Santa Clara Street, Santa Clara. He has built up an en- viable practice, while finding time to follow his pub- lic-spirited tendencies and do something for the general weal; and such has been his particular in- terest in the public schools of Santa Clara that it is largely due to his enthusiasm that the Santa Clara high school occupies a foremost place among the accredited high schools, both at Stanford and the University of California.

He was born at Media, Delaware County, twelve miles west of Philadelphia, on May 10, 1859, the son of Isaac Worrall, a contractor and builder of Welsh origin, and a member of an early Pennsyl- vania family, all stanch Episcopalians. As the re- sult of his intelligent industry and high principles governing all of his work, he met with such suc- cess that he retired with a competency, when only forty-five. He married Miss Susanna Broughton, a native of Manchester, England, in which country she was brought up, and they had eight children, our subject being the only one in California. He was educated in Pennsylvania, and while there be- came well acquainted with Dr. A. E. Osborne, his preceptor in Media, and through him he came to matriculate in the Dental Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which he was gradu- ated in 1881. For ten years he practiced in Media; then came to California and settled in Santa Clara.

At Santa Clara, in 1891, Dr. Worrall was married to Miss Ella Eves, a native of Chester, Delaware County, Pa., where she was reared; and soon after he bought the residence on Santa Clara Street in Santa Clara in which he has lived for the last twenty years. It is historic, for it belonged to Don Luis Arguello, whose residence, also an historic edifice, adjoining Dr. Worrall's is now being wrecked, after the stately affair has been kept up mainly by the doctor. Four chil- dren were born to Dr. and Mrs. Worrall, and three are still living. Eoline graduated from both the high school and the State Normal School at San Jose, and is now the wife of Chauncey D. Kent; she resides at Saratoga with her husband, who is an internal revenue agent at San Jose. George Os- borne Worrall died when he was ten years old. Lorraine graduated from the Santa Clara high school, and is now attending the State Normal School at San Jose; Aletha is in the Santa Clara high school.

Dr. Worrall belongs to the State Dental Associa- tion, and he is among its most active and progres- sive members, ever seeking to advance the important science to which he has devoted his life. For

twelve years past he has served on the school boards governing the grammar and the high schools of Santa Clara, and during that period, for six years, he was president of the board of education, and never neglected an opportunity to discharge his sacred trust in such a way that the public might derive the greatest benefit from every dollar ex- pended. A pronounced and steadfast friend of both pupil and teacher, Dr. Worrall has been able to carry through to successful completion all that he ever proposed, fortunate always in having a united public behind his movements.

EDWIN P. GAMBLE .- A gentleman of large ex- perience in the affairs of life, whose days of retire- ment are brightened by the possession of a large circle of devoted friends, is Edwin P. Gamble, of 1431 Waverly Street, Palo Alto. He was born in Cincinnati on December 18, 1852, and his father was James Gamble, a native of the North of Ireland, who came to the United States in far-away 1818. They located in Cincinnati, where Mr. Gamble engaged in the manufacture of soap. He formed a partner- ship with William Procter, a candle manufacturer, and together they founded a company, in 1836, which later became the firm of Procter & Gamble, makers of Ivory Soap. Mr. Gamble married Miss Elizabeth Morris, and she was also born in Ireland.

Edwin Gamble finished his formal education at Cornell University, and never having been active in his business, he spent thirty years on his stock farm near Paris, Kentucky. He married Miss Lawder, a native of Ireland, and they have four children: Dr. James Gamble, George E., Elizabeth F., and Launce- lot J. Gamble. In 1901 Mr. Gamble came to Cali- fornia and the next year he built his home at Palo Alto, where he has for years spent most of his time. He was among the founders of, and is still active as a director in, the Palo Alto First National Bank, of Palo Alto. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and he and his devoted family live at 1431 Waverly Street, where they dispense a generous hospitality. California, and especially Santa Clara County, wel- comes such estimable citizens as Edwin P. Gamble.

FRANCISCO PASSANTINO .- Retired from ac- tive labor, and now enjoying the fruits of his many years of toil, Francisco Passantino makes his home at his ranch near Coyote. He was born in the province of Palermo, Italy, on May 24, 1851. His father died when Francisco was but eleven years old, and as the eldest son of the family he was obliged to go to work early in life to help support the mother and younger children. For many years he worked at any employment he could get, and then determined to cross the water where he could find a chance to become independent. Arriving at San Jose, Cal., in 1882, Mr. Passantino worked out on fruit farms in this vicinity, meanwhile saving his money, so that in 1889 he was able to send for his wife and four children and a brother to join him. He later sent for his mother who came to Cali- fornia. She lived to the ripe old age of ninety-nine years and six months, passing away at his home at Coyote. In 1898 Mr. Passantino purchased a ranch of ten acres at Mountain View, and on sell- ing that at a good advantage in 1914, he removed to Coyote, where he purchased fifty-three and one- half acres of fine land. There were no improve-

Georle Morrall ,

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ments on the place at the time, but he has built it up into a comfortable home place, considerable of the acreage being devoted to fruit, cherries, peaches, apricots and prunes.

While still a resident of Italy, Mr. Passantino was married to Miss Antonia Balestreri, and nine children were born to them: Frank resides at Sunnyvale with his wife and nine children; Lena married S. Taran- tino and they reside at San Francisco with their seven children; Ignacius, who owns thirty-nine acres near Coyote, resides at San Francisco with his wife and six children; Jensy, married P. Arito and died, survived by a son, Muzio Arito; Joseph resides at Coyote with his wife and seven children, he is the owner of a twenty-acre ranch and also manages his father's place; Antonitta, Mrs. I. Balestreri, has one child and resides at San Francisco; Charles lives at Coyote; Rosie is the wife of N. Alioto, and they reside at San Francisco with their two children; Catherine married Antonio Balestreri, they live at San Francisco and have one child. Mrs. Passantino passed away July 13, 1912, deeply mourned by her family, to whom she had been a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Passantino received his citizenship pa- pers at San Jose in 1891, and he have ever been a loyal citizen of his adopted land, appreciating the prosperity he has attained since coming here, which has come through his years of perseverance and in- dustry. He has for many years been an adherent of the Republican party, and takes an interest in all that will aid in the community's upbuilding.

JOHN F. DUNCAN .- A California financier, in the front rank of those to whom so much credit is due for various forward movements through which the state has in reality become one of the great commonwealths of the Union, is John F. Duncan, the far-sighted vice-president of the Garden City Bank & Trust Company of San Jose. He was born at Schoolcraft, Mich., that interesting little town named after the explorer of the Mississippi River's sources, on December 20, 1855, the son of Delamore and Mary H. (Field) Duncan, both of whom, as substantial Michigan folk, lived and died there.

John F. Duncan attended the elementary and then the high school of his town, and afterward en- joyed the stimulating courses of a first-class business college, growing up on a farm, and doing most of his studying in the winter. In April, 1892, he came to California and located at Campbell, where he helped to organize the Campbell Fruit Growers' Union. He entered the office as bookkeeper and as- sistant manager, and made himself so invaluable that he remained there for four years. Then, in 1896, he organized the Bank of Campbell, and became its cashier; and when, in 1918, after years of exceptional ·prosperity for an institution of its proportions, the bank was amalgamated with the Garden City Bank of San Jose, he continued in the service, placing at the stockholders' disposal all the valuable experi- ence of years. On March 15, 1920, having attained an enviable position among the bankers of Santa Clara County, he became the vice-president of the Garden City Bank, which position, to the satisfac- tion of its large body of progressive patrons, he is still filling with signal ability.

At Schoolcraft, on October 17, 1888, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Elizabeth Parker, an accom- plished lady of Michigan; and their fortunate union

has been blessed with the birth of five children. Mildred, the eldest, has become Mrs. J. E. Carter; then come Marion, Alice and Elizabeth; while the youngest in the family is John Parker. The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Duncan belongs to the Republican party, but he is ever ready to cast aside partisanship, when by so doing he can accomplish more good, and put his shoulder to the wheel for any local or other advancement. He helped to organize the Union high school, and was its clerk for fifteen years. He is a Knights Templar Mason, and a Shriner, and he also belongs to the Grange, the National Progress Club and the Com- mercial Club. He is fond of outdoor life and sport, especially enthusiastic about camping, and favors the same devotion by others to the real pleasures of life as one of the surest roads toward helpful prosperity and a satisfying happiness.

LEVI W. WOLFE .- A worthy citizen of this locality who has made his influence felt in the build- ing up and the upbuilding of the Gilroy district into one of the most prosperous fruit sections of Santa Clara County, is Levi W. Wolfe, now residing in the vicinity of Watsonville, Cal. He was born in Taylor County, West Virginia, July 28, 1874, and is the eldest son of the late Henry M. Wolfe, whose sketch is found in another part of this history in connection with that of George C. Wolfe.

Levi W. Wolfe attended the public schools in Ne- braska and also after coming to California with the family in 1893. He grew up on the farm in Nebraska, and also after coming to California assisted in mak- ing the old Wolfe ranch one of the most productive in the San Ysidro district. His marriage united him with Miss Emma Bales, a native of Iowa, and they are the parents of three children: Harold C. served during the World War in the Ninety-seventh Cali- fornia aviation unit, and is an expert gunman; he is married and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; Kenneth Floyd, and Dorette Bernice. For a number of years the ranch known as the Wolfe Place was conducted by his father and himself, who were quite extensively engaged in buying and selling fruit. In 1914 they disposed of their holdings and the partnership was dissolved; the ranch is now operated by the Rich- mond-Chase Fruit Packing Company of San Jose. Mr. Wolfe then conducted the Highway Garage at Gilroy for some months, and looked after his real estate holdings in Oakland and San Francisco. He at one time owned the entire location where China- town now stands in Oakland. Recently he purchased a ranch of sixty acres near Watsonville and the family are now residing on it, which they are im- proving. He is a stockholder in the Corralios Fruit Growers' Association of Watsonville; also a member of the Pacific Cooperative League and the local Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally is a member of the Fraternal Aid Union. During his residence of twenty-five years near Gilroy he was the efficient superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School in Gilroy for twelve years. His activities have always been con- structive and in whatever community he lives, is found ready to aid all progressive matters, and is especially interested in the betterment of the schools of the community.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ANDREW P. LEPESH .- Having heard of the wonderful opportunities in California afforded to any man who was willing to work, Andrew P. Lepesh left his native home in far-away Dalmatia to see what America had to offer, and he has not been disappointed, for he came to this country a poor boy and has attained the success for which he has worked. He was born in Smokavliani, Dal- matia, on December 11, 1865, and was the son of Peter and Kate Lepesh, natives of that country, who have both passed away.

Mr. Lepesh attended the schools of his native land, but gained most of his knowledge from the se- vere school of experience which, though sometimes a dear teacher, yet is a good one. He started to work at the early age of twelve years, and at the age of seventeen he made the trip to the United States, coming direet to San Jose, in 1883, where he had a cousin living, John N. Lepesh, who had come here twenty years before and who died in 1888. He began to work for fruit ranchers and was in this line of employment for a period of two years, when he engaged in restaurant work and continued in this occupation for about a year and a half. In 1888 he bought the grocery and fruit store, located in the Rea Building from his cousin's widow, and in 1910, he and J. S. Mise formed a partnership under the firm name of Lepesh- Mise Company and moved to their present location, at Market and St. Augustine streets, where they are operating a wholesale and retail grocery business which has proved most successful.

Mr. Lepesh is an enthusiastic and energetic work- er in the interest of his people and in this work also he has made great progress. His activities during the war in the various loan drives as a member and captain of the Slavonian committee, were very eom- mendable, so much so that he received thanks from the state and received a medal from the Federal Government for the good which he had accom- plished. He is considered the leader among the Slavonian people, having been president of the Sla- vonian-American Benevolent Society, and was a member of the committee from San Jose that made the Slavonian day, September 20, 1915, such a suc- cess at the San Francisco Exposition. He is a member of the Red Men, the Chamber of Com- merce and is a member of the advisory board of the Bank of Italy. In national politics he is a Democrat, and in all charitable movements he has been a liberal supporter.

JOSEPH S. DESIMONE .- The success achieved by Joseph S. Desimone in business and the high standing he enjoys as a citizen indicate the possession on his part of superior qualifications and furnish for the rising generation an example of what may be accomplished by a man of judgment, perseverance and energy. Born in New Orleans, La., January 27, 1882, he is the son of Frank and Conchetta (Alaimo) Desimone, both natives of Sicily, Italy. When but a young man of twenty, the father came to New Orleans and by hard and persistent work became a man of considerable wealth. He was extensively in- terested in the fishing business, owning and operat- ing a fleet of boats on the Gulf of Mexico. During the year 1891, he removed with his family to San Jose, where he resided until the time of his death, December 22, 1922, at the age of eighty-two.

Coming with his parents to California when a small lad, Joseph S. Desimone obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools, and afterwards graduated from the San Jose Business College during the year 1900. Following his graduation he accepted a po- sition as delivery boy for the Chapman & Johnson Company, and while serving in this capacity he de- termined to purchase an interest in the business. When he had accumulated $200 he purchased an in- terest in the grocery business, and from this time his sneeess was assured, so that within twelve years he had accumulated enough capital to purchase the entire business known as the Enterprise Grocery Company. Mr. Desimone takes an active interest in all municipal affairs, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the San Jose Merchants' Asso- ciation. Fraternally he is connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Although still a young man, his is a strong and self-reliant personality, full of optimism and hope, enjoying the respect and con- fidenee of his associates.

WILLIAM RICHARD COUPLAND .- Many na- tions have contributed to California's citizenship, and among those of English birth who have profited by the superior advantages for horticultural development that have made the Santa Clara Valley famous throughout the country is William Richard Coupland, who for thirty-four years has been a resident of the Golden State. He was born at Hull, England, Au- gust 4, 1864, a son of Thomas and Mary Jane (Cressey) Coupland, and in 1883, when nineteen years of age, he sought the opportunities offered in the United States, first settling in Antelope County, Nebr., where he resided for five years. In 1898 he came to Santa Clara County, and has since been iden- tified with horticultural interests. He has set out, developed and sold several orchards and has made a success of orcharding, while for the past ten years he has acted as manager of the Ainsley orehard, and is most capably looking after the interests of which he has charge. He has made a close study of the science of horticulture and his labors have been ef- feetive and resultant.

In Los Gatos Mr. Coupland married Miss Ada Shermantine, a native daughter of California, born in Los Gatos, and they have become the parents of five children: Mary Jane, the wife of A. T. Larson of Westwood, Lassen County; Frank W. enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Field Artillery in the World War, trained at Camp Kearny, was sent overseas to Brest, France, then was transferred to the Ninety-second Field Artillery and took part in all of the five battles in which the Americans were engaged; after the armistice he served nine months with the Army of Ocenpation at Cologne; returning to San Francisco, he was honorably discharged in July, 1919, after serving over two years, and wears the emblem of five stars; he is now assisting his father; the other children are Gertrude, Mrs. D. W. Pabst of Sisson; Gladys, and Grace. Mr. Coupland is a Republican in his political views, and for twenty- two years has been connected with Morning Light Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., at Campbell, having passed through all the chairs in that organization, and with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. He is also a member of the Orchard City Grange, at Campbell,

a &Lepesh

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

of which he is now serving as master, and is repre- sentative to the State Grange. He keeps well in- formed on all modern developments along horticul- tural lines and his labors have at all times been of a constructive nature.

VINCENT AZZARELLO .- An orchardist of Santa Clara County, whose early training was received in his native land of Italy, is Vincent Azzarello, an energetic and industrious rancher residing on Pom- eroy Avenue in the suburbs of San Jose. He was born in the Province of Palermo, Italy, March 18, 1870, the son of Antonio and Anna (Cormella) Azzarello, the father being an orchardist and vineyardist there. Vin- cent was the third oldest in a family of twelve chil- dren: Antonio, Frances, Vincent, Joseph, Ignatia, Virginia (deceased), Samuel, Anna, Rosie, Mary, Au- gust, and Josephine. Vincent had little time for schooling, most of his time being spent in helping his father; this he did until he was twenty-five years old, then came to the United States and worked in Chi- cago, Il1., for four years at various kinds of lahor. In 1899 he came to California and was engaged in ranch work throughout Santa Clara County until he bought twenty acres on Pomeroy Avenne. This orchard was purchased in 1919 and is set to prunes and apricots and is well irrigated.

Mr. Azzarello was married at his home in Italy in 1898, to Miss Mary Spagnola, the daughter of Charles and Saveria Spagnola. They are the parents of seven children; Anthony A., Charles, Mary, Joseph, Samuel, Cosmino, and August. All the children have had the advantages of the grammar and high schools of Santa Clara County. Before coming to America Mr. Azzarello was a soldier in the Italian army for three years. Upon his arrival in America he lost no time in taking out his naturalization papers, and in his political affiliations he is a Republican, and a member of the Italian-American Benevolent Society.

ALBERT S. BROWN .- Among the horticultur- ists of the Santa Clara Valley who have achieved success is Albert S. Brown, who is being amply re- warded for his enterprising activities. He is a native son of California, born near Stockton, January 26, 1870, a son of B. E. and Lucy (Dean) Brown, and he grew up and was educated in the public schools of the district. He was engaged in farming pursuits until he was twenty-six years of age; then for twenty-five years followed railroading as engineer and fireman. In March of 1919 he left the road to take care of the ranch, which came to Mrs. Brown as her part of the Stockton estate. Mr. Brown married Miss Frankie Stockton, and they have one child, Hazel. Her father, S. P. Stockton, was a pioneer of 1852, and his first purchase of land consisted of seventy-nine acres in Branham Lane, it being cov- ered with brush and timber. In two years he had cleared twelve acres and planted it to vines, and year by year more land was cleared and planted without additional expense until in 1888 the whole tract of land was set to vines. In 1882 an additional tract of 100 acres was purchased and set to vines.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 205

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