History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 211

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

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The three boys are native sons of the county where they were educated. They are able, energetic, paying strict attention to their steadily-growing busi- ness, and success is crowning their well-directed ef- forts and their popularity is well deserved. C. F. Mangnin was born in Boulder Creek, April 21, 1890; T. J. Mangnin was born in San Jose on May 17, 1892, and W. J. Mangnin was born February, 1894. They are the sons of T. J. Mangnin, Sr., an honored and well-known citizen of San Jose, who settled in Cali- fornia in early pioneer days. He still resides in San Jose, where, for many years, he was in the laundry business, but is at present assisting in the Mangnin Bros.' Garage. All three of the Magnin boys grad- uated from the San Jose high school. The two younger boys are good plumbers and mechanics and have charge of the mechanical department of the company, while C. F. Mangnin has charge of the office work. The three brothers are excellent co- workers, and by such cooperation the business is as- suming large proportions.

All three of the boys began working in a cannery when only ten years of age and by careful economy they were able to save a sufficient amount of money, which they invested in a number of milch cows. They rented the old Colonel Young ranch on the Alviso Road and successfully carried on a dairy business for ten years. After selling out their business, C. F. Mangnin became a railroad man and was promoted to the position of conductor on the Sacramento North- ern Railroad. He spent five years in this line of work; meanwhile the two younger brothers were learning their trades of plumbing and mechanics, all in training for the business in which they are now engaged. C. F. Mangnin worker for three years in the largest department store in Chicago and later went into the garage business there, giving it the unique name of "Neal's Grease Spot." This busi- ness proved very prosperous, and in 1920 he dis- posed of it and returning to San Jose, entered into partnership with his brothers.

The marriage of C. F. Mangnin united him with Miss Isabelle Grant, a daughter of Roderick Grant, born in San Diego, but reared and educated in San Jose. They are the parents of two children, Eugene Cornelius and Dorothy May.

T. J. Mangnin was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Guthrie, a daughter of Frank Guthrie, pro- prietor of the Expert Dyeing and Cleaning Works. They are the parents of one child, Catherine Hazel.

The marriage of W. J. Mangnin occurred in San Jose and united him with Miss Alice Richardson, a daughter of Charles Richardson, and they are the parents of one child, Aileen.

The brothers are all active in fraternal circles, af- filiating with the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, and the Native Sons. They are popular mem- bers of the Pastime Social Club of San Jose. Politic- ally, they cast their votes in favor of the Republican candidates. Their business is conducted along pro- gressive lines, modern machinery is being installed, and everything that tends to an equipment that will adequately serve the public needs. They are all hard workers, generous contributors to worthy causes and friends on whom one can invariably rely.

martin C. Ball.

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MARTIN CHARLES BALL .- A native son of California and a successful horticulturist of Santa Clara County is Martin Charles Ball, who also con- ducts a nursery in connection with his orchard. He was born on the old home place on the Mountain View Road. July 10, 1873, the son of Peter Ball, who was born August 17, 1844, in La Salle County, Ill. Peter Ball's father was Martin Ball, a native of Ire- land and he was born about 1807; he married there and immigrated to Canada, where he resided for a few years, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y .; later he removed to La Salle County, Ill. and in 1850 left there bound for California. The journey was made overland to Sacramento, where they located, and he engaged in the hotel business until the big fire of 1852, which destroyed all he had. The following spring of 1853 he settled in Santa Clara County and took up 370 acres supposed to be Government land, but which afterwards proved to be a Spanish grant and he was obliged to purchase the land. He resided there until about 1875 when he removed to Santa Clara, where he died, his wife passing away in 1878. Peter Ball purchased 265 acres from his father, and a large part of the acreage he set to vineyard, kept in a fine state of cultivation. In 1882 Mr. Ball was appointed deputy assessor of Santa Clara County, which position he held for five years. He was mar- ried in 1868 to Miss Mary E. Plunkett, a native of Australia, a daughter of Richard Plunkett, a pioneer of Santa Clara County, and they were the parents of five children. Peter Ball passed away June 3, 1901, and Mrs. Ball on August 11, 1911.

Martin C. Ball received his education in the public schools and Santa Clara College, and after finishing school he returned to his father's ranch. During the year 1900 they suffered the loss of their vineyard, and immediately the task of planting the land to fruit trees was hegun, 114 acres being set to orchard. In connection with this orchard, he has a fine nur- sery of popular varieties of fruit trees. It is con- ducted as is the orchard under the firm name of Ball Bros., and they have met with splendid success. As a nurseryman, Mr. Ball's years of experience in orcharding have gained him much knowledge, so his advice being frequently sought by other horticultur- ists. He makes a specialty of the improved or double-x prunes, apricots, and pears. None but selected buds are used for grafting, so he grows a quality of tree that has a record for production. His business is not alone confined to the Santa Clara Valley but shipments are made to different points along the coast as well as into the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. He is progressive and enter- prising, aiding as far as he is able, movements for improving and building up the county, and is a mem- her of the California Prune & Apricot Association.

ROBERT JUDSON STULL .- A careful student of electrical engineering and radio work, who has al- ready demonstrated an enviable theoretical knowledge and has also accomplished much in practical, scientific experiment, is Robert Judson Stull, today one of the most promising young men in the California world of science. He has the distinction of having been the first student of Prof. Charles D. Herrold, the widely- krown expert on radio and one of the first to intro- duce wireless telephony to California civilization as narrated in his own life-story given elsewhere in this work. A fine specimen of physical manhood, Mr. Stull has an intellect to go with it, and it is fair to

assume that he will more and more lay science under tribute and make humanity his debtor.

Robert Stull was born at San Jose, on January 23, 1893, the son of the late Judson Leroy Stull, founder of the drygoods firm of Stull & Sonniksen, San Jose. He attended both the grammar and high schools of San Jose finishing the courses of study in the latter institution in 1912, and he put in one year in the theory and practice of wireless at the Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless, and having studied elec- trical engineering, he was graduated in 1917 from the University of California with the degree of B. S., topping his work by a thesis on wireless telephony, considered a masterly work, considering that wireless telephony was in its infancy. Then he spent some time in the department of automatics of the Western Union Telegraph Co. at San Francisco, returning to San Jose to join Professor Herold.

At San Francisco, in October, 1817, Mr. Stull was married to Miss Lucille Marie Hughes, the daughter of Mrs. Sabina F. Hughes; and they have two sons, Robert Judson Stull, Jr., and Charles Leroy Stull. Mr. Stull, when at the University, joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and he is a Royal Arch Mason and a past-secretary of the Society of American Ma- gicians, at San Francisco.

JACOBI POULSEN-By industry and honorable dealing, Jacobi Poulsen has gained many friends, who, remembering the good service he has given them, send him new patrons, which in turn do the same. He deals in hay, grain, wood and coal, and is located at 73 Orchard Street, San Jose. He was born in Denmark, September 21, 1862, the son of Christian and Ingeborg Mana Poulsen, who spent their entire lives there. They were the parents of eight children, most of whom have settled remote from the old home and are now widely scattered; three of the girls settled in Brazil; two girls came to California, where one of them died; two died in infancy. Jacobi was the youngest and was educated in public schools and was employed at farming till in 1880, when he sailed from Isberg, Denmark, as a stowaway to escape the compulsory military training, his native land. Schleswig, having become a posses- sion of Germany. Reaching America, he soon came to California, and for the first year, he located in Alameda County, where he worked on farms around Oakland and Alameda. In 1883, he came to Santa Clara County, and worked on the ranch of Frank Buxton, near Saratoga, until the spring of 1886, when he moved to San Luis Obispo County and took up land at Paso Robles. Here he proved up on a home- stead of 160 acres in the Union district, and leasing land he farmed for twenty-two years or until 1908. when he came to San Jose and became proprietor of the Peacock Livery Stable, at 59 North San Pedro Street. The automobile industry finally made . such a difference in his business that in 1913 he had a public auction and sold all of his stock and spent a year free from the responsibility of business. He then engaged in hay, grain, and fuel business, locat- ing at the corner of Julian and San Pedro Streets. His partner, H. A. Hansen, a brother-in-law, suffer- ing a stroke of paralysis, they sold out that business and Mr. Poulsen opened up his present place of busi- ness in the fall of 1915.

Mr. Poulsen's marriage. which occurred in San Francisco in 1883, united him with Miss Catherine

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M. Jorgensen, who was also born in Schleswig, and came to California in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Poulsen own a residence at 479 East Julian Street, where they have been living since 1908. They are the par- ents of four children, two of whom grew up; Chris- tian, who married Virginia Gerse, is a fireman on the Southern Pacific Railway and resides at 415 East Julian Street; Alfred lives at Owensmouth, and is the proprietor of an ice business. He mar- ried Mamie Penman and they became parents of two children, Alfred and Althea.

Mr. Poulsen is a member of Observatory Lodge No. 23, San Jose, and has filled every office in the subordinate lodge, including that of district deputy grand master and so is a member of the Grand Lodge of California. Mr. Poulsen joined Paso Robles Lodge No. 286, F. & A. M., in 1906, and demitting he is now a member of Fraternity Lodge, No. 399, F. & A. M., San Jose. In 1910 he joined the Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection No. 10, San Jose, and has since become a full 32 degree Mason, a member of San Jose Consistory. Interested in civic matters, Mr. Poulsen is always helpful in movements that have for their aim the building up of the city and county, as well as advancing the comfort and happiness of its peoples.

WILLIAM TAYLOR RAMBO-Among the highly esteemed citizens of San Jose whose record of usefulness and substantial success may well be incorporated in the annals of Santa Clara County, is William Taylor Rambo, who was born at Chicago on May 6, 1876. His father, Edward B. Rambo, who had married Miss Mary Taylor, came to Cali- fornia with his family in 1883, as Pacific Coast man- ager of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and located in San Francisco. Soon after settling there he bought a ranch in Santa Clara County, where the family spent about two months of each year; both he and his devoted wife died in San Fran- cisco, the former in 1897, his wife having preceded him in 1887.

After graduating from both the grammar and high schools of San Francisco, William Taylor Rambo at- tended Stanford University, and later went to New York City, where he was a student at Columbia Uni- versity. Leaving college, he spent some time in Eu- rope, and on his return to the United States he was employed for three years in fruit jobbing in New York and Chicago. Impaired health led him to come out to California again, and he secured a posi- tion with a leading insurance brokerage firm in San Francisco, where he remained for several years.

In the meantime, he had bought a ranch at Law- rence Station in Santa Clara County, and after the claims in which he was interested had been settled in San Francisco, following the great fire of 1896, re- moved to his farm property. In 1910, however, he joined a Mr. Hall in forming the firm of Hall & Rambo and opened an insurance office in San Jose; and soon after that acquired Mr. Hall's interest. Now he carries on a general insurance business, and being a man of wide and valuable experience in that field, and invariably attentive to the best interests of his patrons, he is naturally meeting with success. He is vice-president of the California State Association of Insurance Agents, and that speaks for itself. He is also a live wire in the San Jose Chamber of Com- merce, where he is a director, and in the Commercial Club of San Jose.

Mr. Rambo married in October, 1910 to Miss Ma- rietta B. Hall, a native of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Marietta H. Rambo. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rambo are popular in their social circle, and have a wide acquaintance both in San Jose and in San Francisco. He was one of the originators of the San Jose Chapter of the American Red Cross, and has been secretary ever since; and is a member of the Sainte Claire Commercial and Country Clubs of San Jose, and the Bohemian and Old Colony Clubs in San Francisco; also of the B. P. O. Elks.

PAUL L. CAVALA-Among the citizens of Santa Clara County who are known for their public spirit and integrity is Paul L. Cavala, successful realty dealer, with offices at 79 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose. He was born near Naples, Italy, October 17, 1873, the son of Andrew and Carmella (Guidina) Cavala. Andrew Cavala came to Califor- nia from his native land in 1873, locating in Merced County. After he had established himself on the West Side he sent for his wife and son, Paul L., who joined the husband and father in the new home. The family remained in that county until the year 1910, when they were induced to come to Santa Clara County by their son, Paul, who had preceded them, and both are still honored citizens of this county at the present time.

Paul L. Cavala was reared from infancy to young manhood in Merced County, where his parents were among the pioneers of the Los Banos section. He attended the public schools there and later took a course at Heald's Business College in San Francisco, then started out in the world to make his own way. His first position was in the general store operated by the firm of Miller & Lux at Los Banos, and after one year there he entered upon a mercantile career in that city and carried on business with increasing success until 1899, when he disposed of his interests there to come to Santa Clara County. It is interest- ing to note that Mr. Cavala served as a member of the board of trustees of the school district where he first attended school at Los Banos; also that he took an active part in local politics and was deputy as- sessor of Merced County three years; he was also secretary of the board of trustees of the Los Banos high school for some time. In fact, he became one of the leading citizens of the West Side in Merced County through his strict integrity of purpose and square dealings with all with whom he came in con- tact and when he decided to remove to Santa Clara County it was a distinct loss to that community that had known him for so many years.

Immediately upon coming here Mr. Cavala en- gaged in a wholesale bottling business and for ten years carried on an ever increasing and prosperous business. The real estate field engaged his atten- tion in 1910 and he began making a scientific study of orchards and soils, so that today there is no one more familiar with land and land values than Mr. Cavala. He specializes in orchard properties, and it is conceded that he is an authority on that kind of property in Santa Clara County and has handled some of the finest class of properties sold during the past ten years. His word is considered as good as his bond and hence his success is assured.

On July 20, 1900, in San Jose, occurred the mar- riage of Paul L. Cavala with Miss Grace M. Spinelli, and they have two children: Louis A. and Evelyn G., both reared and educated in Santa Clara County.

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Fraternally, Mr. Cavala is a Mason and an Odd Fel- low, and is a member of the Pastime Club, the Mer- chants Association and the Chamber of Commerce; and he is treasurer of the Italo-American Club of San Jose. In national politics he is a Republican. There is no better "booster" for Santa Clara County than Mr. Cavala, and for all movements for the ad- vancement of the general welfare of the people or the county he is ready and willing to give of his time and means to accomplish the end in view. The family home is located on a fine orchard property on Lincoln Avenue, San Jose.

CHARLES HENRY SQUIRE .- A prominent and successful merchant in Santa Clara County who has been in business at Wrights for many years, and is also highly esteemed as the popular postmaster, Chas. Henry Squire is a New Yorker, born in Johns- town, August 2, 1882, a son of William B. and Eliza- beth J. Squire, natives of England, who settled in Johnstown, N. Y. Mr. Squire was a glove manu- facturer, and later came to San Francisco, when he followed the same line until his death at the age of fifty years. The mother died in New York when eighty-three years old. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. Chas. Henry, the youngest member of the family, received a good education in the public schools of Johnstown. In 1890 he removed to Tacoma, Wash., where he spent two years and then came to San Francisco. He was a great sufferer of asthma, so came to Wrights, Santa Clara County, and fortunate- ly found immediate relief and decided to remain in a locality where he could obtain such comfort. He be- gan clerking in the local general merchandise store and two months later his brother, James A. Squire, purchased the store and Chas. H. continued with him for eight years, except a short period spent in Los Angeles, in the same line of work. In about 1901 his brother disposed of the business to H. H. Gar- rity and Charles H. was placed in charge of the store, a position he held five years, when he bought ont his employer April 1, 1906. He was just start- ing in on his own account when the earthquake wrecked the place, the shelving being shaken down and the goods piled in heaps. Saving a few things from the wreck, he put in a new stock and fixtures and continued business ever since. The railroad tunnel was closed up by the quake and it was more than eighteen months before it was opened again. However, he stuck to his business and has made a substantial success. He tried ranching on the side for a short time, but decided to give all of his time to his business. As early as 1893 he was made assist- ant postmaster, serving until September, 1906, when he was appointed postmaster, a commission he has held ever since.

The marriage of Mr. Squire occurred in Los An- geles uniting him Miss Elizabeth Mattern, a native daughter, born in San Francisco, and they have a child named Edith E. Mr. Squire is also serving as a trustee of Wright's school district, to which he gives the necessary attention, for he believes in hav- ing good schools for the rising generation. Frater- nally he is a member of San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. E., Ridgely Lodge No. 294, 1. O. O. F., Los Gatos, and he was made a Mason in Los Gatos Lodge No. 292, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Re-

publican. Mr. Squire's honorable business career and faithfulness to his public is much appreciated by the citizens of the community.

I. J. KOEHLE .- Well known in Santa Clara County, I. J. Koehle is prominent and popular in lodge circles of the Garden City and is well and favorably known for the excellent quality of his cement work. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born at Cambria City, Westmoreland County, November 1, 1863, a son of Ignatius and Catherine (Schenk) Koehle, both parents being na- tives of Wurtemburg, Germany. Ignatius Koehle came to the United States and settled for a short time in Chicago; later going to Pennsylvania, he worked in the rolling mill of the Wood-Morrell Company at Johnstown, Pa. In 1874, he removed to California and worked for two years for Peguil- lan Bros., wholesale butchers of San Francisco, then on July 5, 1876, came to San Jose and worked for the Martin-Schroeder Brick Company. While work- ing on St. Joseph's Church he was injured and was forced to lay off for a time; then began working for the Eberhard Tannery at Santa Clara and worked there for thirty years. Both parents lived to be eighty years old, and during 1913 passed away with- in two weeks of each other. They were the parents of four children, the subject of this review being the eldest child.

I. J. Koehle attended the public school at Cam- bria City; then St. Vincent's School of the St. Bene- dictine order, at Trobe, Pa., and is still an active member of the alumni of this institution. Since the age of sixteen he has made his own way in the world; he first worked for three years and ten months for the Eberhard Tannery; then was with the Pacific Manufacturing Company, later taking charge of Dr. Breyfogle's place on Third and Santa Clara streets. On June 25, 1885, he returned to Santa Clara and for sixteen years worked as a mechanic for the Pacific Manufacturing Company. Following this he became the superintendent of the Catholic Cemetery and for nineteen years gave faith- ful and efficient service. In 1918, on December 1, he leased a twenty-two acre prune orchard on the Los Gatos Road, operating it for three years, and in connection with his ranching duties, he has taken up cement contracting, specializing on family vaults, many of the substantial and artistic vaults in the various cemeteries throughout the county attesting his superior workmanship. He does not, however, confine himself wholly to this kind of work, but does general cement contracting.

The marriage of Mr. Koehle occurred on May 27, 1892, in Santa Clara, and united him with Miss Emma Mary Zipf, a daughter of early settlers of Santa Clara County, and a relative of the Oswald family, pioneers of the county, prominent in the meat business. Mrs. Koehle came to California with her parents in 1877 and was educated in the schools of Santa Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Koehle are the parents of five children: George, Otilia, Josephine, Ruth and Naomi, who are twins. In 1884 Mr. Koehle cast his first vote in San Jose as a Democrat. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, is a member of the Santa Clara lodge of Foresters, and has the honor of being the first chief ranger of this lodge; he is also a member of the Red- men and is at present the chief recorder of the

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Santa Clara lodge, having passed through all the chairs; he was the first man to make application for membership to the Santa Clara charter of the Woodmen of the World, and has passed through all the chairs of this order. His son, George, entered the U. S. Army in June, 1918, and was with the One Hundred Twenty-fifth Field Artillery, Thirty- fourth Division, and trained at Camp Corvallis, Ore- gon. He took a special course of two months in the auto-mechanics school, and on completing the course was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma; then to Camp Upton, N. Y. He went to France via Liverpool, Winchester, Southampton, England, then to Cher- bourg, France. He was sent to a camp near Bor- deaux, France, and at Christmas time was at St. Nazaire when he left for America, landing at New- port News, Camp Stewart, then sent to El Paso, Texas, where he was discharged and returned home to Santa Clara.

OWEN DALE RICHARDSON .- Among the many capable lawyers of Santa Clara County, Owen Dale Richardson, of San Jose, holds a noteworthy position. A man of versatile talents, energetic, ex- perienced and progressive, he has met with excel- lent success in his professional career, and is recog- 1,ized as a citizen of worth and integrity. He was born December 18, 1868, in Evansville, Ind, a son of Robert Dale and Mary E. (Bollman) Richardson. His father before him was an able lawyer and for a number of years judge of the Circuit Court of Van- derburg County, Ind. Both parents are deceased.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 211

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