History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 231

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

father's ranch at Madrone, which Doctor Guglieri had purchased in 1902. This consisted of ninety acres of land which he converted into a fine vineyard, and he also was the owner of other valuable prop- erty at Madrone as well as in San Francisco, Oak- land, Morgan Hill and Redwood City. On the death of his father, on November 29, 1919, Gregory Guglieri took over the management of this great vineyard, and he has handled it most capably, giving it his constant care and attention.

Mr. Guglieri's marriage, which took place at Madrone, united him with Miss Beulah Draper, and they make their home on the ranch at Madrone. A Republican in politics, Mr. Guglieri is a public- spirited citizen, and he has always contributed gener- ously toward every public enterprise and thus greatly helped in building up this section.

MRS. KASPAR LENER-Well known in mer- cantile circles of San Jose as a capable business woman, Mrs. Kaspar Lener has demonstrated her ability to successfully manage the enterprise estab- lished by her husband, who was for many years pro- minently identified with business interests of the city. She was born in the Austrian Tyrol, March 16, 1856, her parents being Joseph and Marie Hofer. The youngest of six children, she is today the sole surviving member of the family. When she was but a year old her mother died and upon the father devolved the task of rearing the children, so that Mrs. Lener has never known a mother's tender care. Her paternal grandfather, Andreas Hofer, was a son of Andreas Hofer, the noted patriot, reformer and military leader of Austria. In the struggle of 1809 which ended in victory for the French nation, he was called upon to surrender, but refused, and the order was then given for his execution. It is re- lated that the firing squad directed nine shots at him but all went astray. He was then ordered to kneel, but refused, saying: "I will die as I have lived-standing straight up," and with those words bravely met death. In 1909, 100 years afterward, Mrs. Lener returned to Austria for the purpose of participating in the commemoration of that event.

In September, 1878, in Innsbruck, Austria, was solemnized the marriage of Kaspar Lener and Mag- dalena Hofer. Mr. Lener was born January 20, 1848, and was also a native of the Austrian Tyrol. His parents were Andreas and Marie (Hofer) Lener, the latter's father being a second cousin of his wife's grandfather. The father became promin- ent as a building contractor, erecting many large public buildings throughout Germany. Kaspar Lener attended the same school in the Tyrol in which Magdalena Hofer was a pupil and they were com- panions from childhood. When but thirteen years of age he started out in life for himself, serving a three years' apprenticeship to the locksmith's trade, and also acquiring a thorough knowledge of the hardware business. He worked for others along that line until his twenty-fifth year, when he returned to the Aus- trian Tyrol and opened an establishment of his own as a hardware merchant and locksmith. A couple of days after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lener be- gan their journey to this country, and upon their ar- rival went to Minnesota and purchased a home in Minneapolis, and for several years he worked in machine shops of that city. They then removed to

Tacoma, Wash., where Mr. Lener entered the meat business, conducting a retail shop. This he disposed of after a short time and left Tacoma for Seattle, Wash., where he again took up the machinist's trade, which he there followed for two years.

In 1886 he came to San Jose and here was em- ployed at the carpenter's trade for a year, afterward becoming a mechanic at the Fredericks Brewery, where he remained until about 1900, when he pur- chased a building at the corner of Josefa and San Salvador Streets. There he conducted a hotel, in connection with which he operated a delicatessen shop, continuing at that location until September 20, 1916, when he moved across the street, opening a grocery and general provision shop, of which he remained the proprietor until his death on January 24, 1920. His industry, enterprise and close applica- tion resulted in the attainment of a substantial measure of success, while his sterling worth gained for him the high regard of all with whom he was associated. Since his demise Mrs. Lener has had charge of the store and in its management she dis- played marked business ability and foresight, main- taining the same high standards of excellence that her husband had established.

Mr. and Mrs. Lener became the parents of four children: Marie, is now the wife of A. Epstein, a druggist in San Francisco. Jacob is a mechanic in the employ of the Anderson-Barngrover Company of San Jose. He married Margaret Wenner and they are parents of two children-Vera and Marjorie. David Kaspar is a leading attorney of Ranger, Texas. He married Mrs. Bertlow Fuller, of San Jose. Fred, the youngest of the family, married Gladys Walter, and is connected with the San Jose branch of the Standard Oil Company. During the thirty-five years in which she has made her home in San Jose, Mrs. Lener has made many sincere friends and she is deeply interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and advancement of the city with which she has allied her interests. When Mr. and Mrs. Lener first came to this district to settle there were very few houses and fruit trees of many varieties grew where now stand hundreds of homes, and their home was among the first erected here.

JUSTINO MEDERIOS .- An experienced and practical dairyman who owns his large dairy farm is Justino Mederios, living a mile and a half northwest of Mountain View. He was born on the Island of Pico on October 16, 1867, and when sixteen years of age came out to America and California. He worked for a while faithfully as a farm hand, and then went to Nevada, where he secured employment as a sheep herder. He was married May 11, 1898, at Half Moon Bay, to Miss Minnie Dutra, a daughter of Anton and Ella Phillips Dutra, both of whom, it is pleasant to relate, are living well-to-do and retired at Half Moon Bay. They were born and married on the Island of Fayal, and they have eight living children: Anton, Manuel, Frank, Mary, Ella, Minnie, Rosa and Carrie.

Mr. Mederios is an honest, hard-working man, and is well-liked. He bought his present farm two years ago. Mrs. Mederios was born at Half Moon Bay, and comes from a prominent and wealthy family at Half Moon Bay of Portuguese-Americans who, like Mr. Mederios, have succeeded through their integrity and intelligent industry. He keeps 150 head of cows,

Karper Lener Magdalena Lenen

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and 120 of these are milch cows; he also keeps regis- tered sires, and has a high-grade herd. One child has blessed the union of this worthy couple, Adeline.

Sad to relate, on October 28, 1921, Mr. Mederios met with a very serious accident. He was driving in his car on Embarcadero Street, in Palo Alto, when he was struck by the engine of the Southern Pacific "Flyer," but miraculously escaped death. He was seriously hurt, and was three weeks in the Palo Alto Hospital, but has now fully recovered.

ANDREW HERMLE .- A successful orchardist of Santa Clara County is Andrew Hermle, who by hard work and economical methods has brought his orchard to a high state of cultivation and productive- ness. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 19, 1879, the son of Columben and Ida (Grimm) Hermle, both of whom were born, reared and died in the old country. While still a very small child his parents both passed away and he was left to the care of strangers; however, he was fortunate to go to the grammar schools in his native land, and so re- ceived a fair education. He had heard glowing tales of the prosperous country of America and after fin- ishing the grammar grades set out for the new world, where he had a sister living in Santa Clara County. He was just past sixteen years of age when he ar- rived in Santa Clara County and for the next fifteen years was occupied with ranch work on the ranch of John Klee, who took an interest in the lad and treated him as his own son. The privations of his younger years taught lessons of economy and thrift, and he was then able to purchase his own place of twenty-three acres from Mr. Klee on the Foxworthy Road. Twelve and a half acres were already set to orchard and he went to work and set the remainder and built a modern residence, outbuildings, and to have plenty of water for irrigating he drilled a 300- foot well, installed a fine pumping plant and is amply supplied with water so that he irrigates some 200 acres for others, and he is one of the most prosper- ous orchardists in that locality.

Mr. Hermle's marriage in January, 1901, in San Jose, united him with Miss Margaret Volmer, and they are the parents of two children, Marcell and John. Mr. Hermle is a good example of what indus- try and faithfulness will accomplish toward ultimate success. He took out his citizenship papers in 1908, and since then has loyally supported Republican poli- cies. He is a strong supporter of all movements for the development of Santa Clara County and the benefitting of all its citizens.

ARTHUR MILLS .- In thoroughness and the mas- tery of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon him lies the secret of the success which has brought Arthur Mills to the prominent position ac- corded him in business circles of San Jose. He is a native son of Santa Clara County and a member of one of the old families of this part of the state, and was born a mile south of Campbell on the 27th of July, 1877, a son of Owen and Susan (Moreland) Mills. In the early days the parents started across the plains from Missouri with California as their destination and the father secured a homestead of 160 acres in the vicinity of Campbell, this being be- fore the advent of the narrow-gauge railroad in the state. The mother's brother, Henry Moreland, be- came a prominent rancher of this section, the More-

land school being named in his honor. Mr. and Mrs. Mills were the parents of sixteen children, of whom five are now living.

In the acquirement of an education Arthur Mills attended the Hester School and when fourteen years of age started out in life for himself, securing work as a ranch hand. For eight years he was in the employ of Mayfield Smith and then went to King City, in Monterey County, and subsequently to Sa- linas, remaining in that county for one and a half years. He then returned to San Jose, where he worked as a teaming contractor until 1905, when he secured the position of salesman with the Union Oil Company, which he represented in Santa Clara County for seven years. In 1913 he became identi- fied with the Balfour Guthrie Company of San Fran- cisco, Cal., and was operating their oil plant at the time it was taken over by the Shell interests, then for over six years he was manager at San Jose for the Shell Oil Company and his previous experience well qualified him for the discharge of the responsible duties of this position. He is now connected with the Ventura Oil Company and being thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business is ably representing the interests of the company.

At Salinas, Cal., on the 26th of July, 1899, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kel- logg, a native of Stockton, this state. Her father was one of the early farmers of California and in 1897 he became a resident of Salinas. Six children have been born to this union: Ida, Vinnie, Minnie, Violet, Mabel and Melvin, all of whom are attend- ing the local public schools. Mr. Mills gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He is numbered among those self-made men who owe their advancement and prosperity directly to their own efforts, for he started out in life for himself when fourteen years of age and by perseverance and diligence has worked his way steadily upward until he now ranks with the representative business men and highly-esteemed citizens of San Jose.

GEORGE W. FIEGER .- The health of a city de- pends primarily upon the purity of its water supply and a most effective method of purification is fur- nished by the Duplex Percolator, of which George W. Fieger is the distributor for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. A native of Maryland, he was born in Baltimore, October 2, 1882, his parents being Jo- seph and Mary E. (Schantz) Fieger. The father was a successful merchant of Baltimore, operating a chain of stores in that city, and his demise oc- curred in 1912, while the mother died in 1904.

In the pursuit of an education George W. Fieger attended the grammar and high schools of Baltimore and the Eaton & Burnett and the Saddler-Bryant Business colleges of that city. Having passed the civil service examination, in 1905 he was appointed clerk in the postoffice at Baltimore, where he worked for two years, and was then transferred to San Francisco, Cal. He remained in that city until 1913. when he was sent to San Diego, being employed in the postoffice there during the exposition. In 1918 he was transferred to the Long Beach postoffice and was sent from there to San Jose. He then severed his connection with the service and became distribu- tor for Santa Clara County of the Duplex percolator and water cooler, his headquarters being in San Jose. Although this business was established in the southern part of California, it was practically un-

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known in this county until the aggressive advertising campaign and expert salesmanship of Mr. Fieger brought it before the public. He has succeeded in creating a large demand for the percolator, which is one of the most perfect appliances on the market for removing all micro-organism and foreign sub- stances from ordinary city water, rendering it abso- lutely safe for domestic purposes. It has the in- dorsement of the leading physicians and chemists of the state and its value as a means of preserving health cannot be overestimated. Mr. Fieger is the owner and controller of the patent rights of the Duplex Germ-proof Percolator and Water Cooler for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties and con- ducts his business under the firm name of "Duplex Percolator Company" in these counties. He is also connected with the new corporation known as the "Duplex Percolator Company of San Francisco, Inc."

At Sacramento, Cal., in 1910, Mr. Fieger mar- ried Miss Teresa Ellen Hain, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and a daughter of George and Mary (Lee) Hain, the former of whom came to San Jose a number of years ago and entered mercantile circles, in which he attained a position of prominence. To this union has been born a daughter, Ruth Audrey, who is a grammar school pupil. In his political views Mr. Fieger is a Republican and fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, belong- ing to the Mira Mar Camp at San Diego.

CHARLES R. SMITH .- The enterprising spirit and business ability of Charles R. Smith have brought him to a position of prominence in com- mercial circles of San Jose and he has become well known as an expert well-borer, in which connection he has built up a large business. He was born in Bates County, Mo., February 8, 1868, a son of James Oliver Smith. His mother died at his birth and he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Jeffries, who carefully looked after his welfare and happi- ness. His father and Mr. Jeffries both followed the occupation of farming.

In the public schools of Bates County, Charles R. Smith pursued his cducation. He continued to live with his foster parents until his marriage and in 1890 came with his bride to California, settling at Los Gatos, and subsequently had charge of the F. F. Britton ranch of 115 acres at Gilroy. Upon this property he set out an orchard of prunes, apri- cots and peaches, continuing its cultivation for four years, when he came to San Jose, in 1894, and pur- chased a fifteen-acre tract of undeveloped land near the old Agnew stock farm. He engaged in the raising of fruit and made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of a good home. While improving this land to a prune and apricot orchard he also turned his attention to well drill- ing. in which line he has been active for twenty- seven years. He has two sets of hand tools and one gasoline power rotary machine and has built up a large business in the Santa Clara Valley, also operating in the San Joaquin Valley. Owing to the excellence of his work his services are in constant demand and he has drilled the 300-foot, ten-inch well for the St. James Hotel and he also bored a deep well for the Twohy Building, this be- coming a flowing well when completed.

In Cedar County, Mo., on February 28, 1889, Mr. Smith married Miss Minnie Sellers, a native of Kan-

sas and a daughter of William Sellers, a farmer by occupation. She accompanied her parents on their removal to Bates County, Mo., where she was reared and educated, and previous to her marriage she en- gaged in teaching school in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of three sons: Harry R. and James Oliver, who are associated with their father in business; and Roy M., who is connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany. All three of the sons served in the World War and Roy M. served overseas in the Second Ammunition Train.

Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the Re- publican party and is well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. His career has been marked by steady advancement, due to his close application to his study of the business to which he has turned his attention and his unquestioned re- liability and integrity.

LELAND J. SQUIRES .- Prominent among the experienced railroad men of the Pacific Coast to whom the public owes so much for the safe- ty and conveniences of modern travel, is Le- land J. Squires, the efficient and popular train de- spatcher of the Peninsular Railroad Company. A native son in more or less natural touch with Cali- fornia conditions from his childhood, he was born at Oakland on December 13, 1884, the son of George D. Squires, who first came to California in 1872. In the beginning he was employed in the U. S. Mint in San Francisco and then for years he was a re- porter on the chief papers of San Francisco, the Bulletin, Call and Chronicle, so that he remained a newspaperman until 1895. Later, he studied law, and he is still a practicing attorney in San Fran- cisco and has been active as a Republican. He had married Miss Minnie Gabrell, a woman of enviable accomplishments, but she is now deceased.

Leland attended the public school of Woodside, and then he learned the printer's trade. In 1909 he came to San Jose, entering the employ of the Peninsular Railroad and he has been with this company for eleven years. He worked for three years as a con- ductor, and then he was advanced to his present po- sition, that of train despatcher. Since identifying himself with railroad work, he has sought to mas- ter every detail, and with the result that his knowl- edge and its conscientious application, his fidelity and unselfish service have given satisfaction alike to the patrons and officials of the road.

At Pacific Grove, on October 26, 1910, Mr. Squires was married to Miss Lenora Mosher, a native of Palo Alto, and a fit companion for so busy and am- bitious a man. Mr. and Mrs. Squires attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Squires belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, in which he is very ac- tive and he is a district deputy. There is but one court here, with a membership of about 300, and it will not be Mr. Squires' fault if that member- ship is not soon increased to 500. Both Mr. and Mrs. Squires are public-spirited, deeply interested in Santa Clara County and its future, and both did good war work. Mr. Squires was active as a commit- tee man on the War Work Council for Santa Clara County, and he is just as busy and efficient, when his services are demanded, in boosting the programs of the Chamber of Commerce.

J.E. Partimos

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JAMES ELWIN PERKINS-Broad experience as a builder has well qualified James Elwin Perkins for the conduct of his present business as a building contractor and his thorough knowledge of the trade, combined with his reliable and progressive business methods, have won for him a large share of the pat- ronage of the public. He was born at Stetson, near Bangor, Maine, April 22, 1871, a son of Joseph H. and Emma (Randall) Perkins, the former also a native of the Pine Tree State, while the latter was born in New Hampshire, both being representatives of old and prominent New England families. The father followed the sea for many years, acting as second mate on an ocean-going vessel. He passed away at the age of sixty-six years and the mother afterward removed to Lynn, Mass., and in the gram- mar schools of that city her son, James E. Perkins, acquired his education. In 1888 he removed with his mother and stepfather, Henry Damon, to San Jose, Cal., learning the carpenter trade under Mr. Damon. He then followed his trade, working ten years for Mrs. Winchester, after which he became foreman for Z. O. Field, a prominent Santa Clara County con- tractor, being in charge of the construction of the Y. M. C. A. building, the Alum Rock Natatorium. the Horace Mann School building, the Christian and Methodist Churches and other public edifices. After seven years as foreman, he severed his connection with Mr. Field to enter the building field on his own account and is now specializing in the construction of first-class bungalows. Long experience enables him to intelligently direct the labors of those whom he employs and he uses none but the best of mater- ials, erecting substantial as well as attractive dwell- ings. He displays sound judgment in the manage- ment of his interests and his business has enjoyed a rapid growth, so that he now ranks with the leading building contractors of San Jose. His operations are not alone confined to San Jose and vicinity, but he has also constructed residences in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz and Hollister.

Mr. Perkins resides with his mother, who is still vigorous and active at the age of seventy-eight years. They own two residences on Thirty-fourth and Santa Clara Streets, where they make their home. Mr. Perkins built one of the first houses in this district, being one of the first to purchase lots on Alum Rock Avenue. A Republican in politics, he is identified with the Good Fellow's Lodge, No. 1, of San Jose. He is a member of the Builders Exchange and the Cham- ber of Commerce also receives his support. Through- out his career he has closely applied himself to the work in hand and as the years have passed has gained that expert knowledge which makes him an authority in his line of work.

FLOYD A. PARTON .- Prominent among the most interesting, because most promising young men of important business affairs in Santa Clara County may well be mentioned Floyd A. Parton, hond and investment broker, associated with Mitchum, Tully & Company, the well-known investment firm of San Francisco, who are correspondents of Kidder, Pea- body & Company of New York; himself identified with Santa Clara County and San Jose since 1895. He was born in Waitsburg, Wash., on March 25. 1886, the son of Frank Parton, a flour miller, presi- dent of the Preston, Parton Milling Company of

Walla Walla, which had a branch at Waitsburg and catered to both that state and the entire Northwest. He passed away in 1893, while he was mayor of Waitsburg, especially honored in Masonic circles. He had married Miss Lucy Morgan, an accomplished lady who belonged to one of the most highly-es- teemed families in Washington, and when he died she took their three children and moved to California, settling in 1895 at San Jose. She was a good mother, and our subject passed a boyhood brightened through a happy home and numerous educational advantages.

At San Jose, Floyd commenced his schooling in the grammar grades, after which he went through the high school, from which he graduated in 1905. Naturally studious, and able to both hold his own and assume leadership among students, he next matriculated at Stanford University, which became his Alma Mater when he bade adieu to the halls of learning with the class of '09, and once shoulder to shoulder with the world, he entered the employ of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, in whose service he remained for over seven years, leaving them only when he had attained to the dis- trict traffic superintendency of the San Jose division.

For a while Mr. Parton was vice-president of the Wilson Candy Company, a wholesale manufacturing concern of Palo Alto and Fresno, which served both Santa Clara and San Joaquin valleys; but in the spring of 1919 he established himself in the general insurance and investment brokerage. The activities of Mitchum, Tully & Company, already referred to, embrace the Pacific Coast states in the distribution of conservative investment securities, providing for the public an investment service of the most con- structive character. They are correspondents and representatives of Messrs. Kidder, Peabody & Com- pany of Boston and New York, and on the Pacific Coast they reflect the conservative character of that long-established concern in the New England and Empire states. The policies of these two companies are identical, and are always conceived along lines of high ideals and conservativeness, for Kidder, Pea- body & Company's position in the financial world is the result of long, honest and industrious effort on the part of men endowed with keen foresight and, all in all, pronounced ability. Mitchum, Tully & Company are made up of California men, promi- nently identified for years with financial and invest- ment circles, and Mr. Parton's part in extending the connections of the firm is highly creditable.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 231

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