History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 240

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

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LUIGI POLI .- A hard-working, well-deserving citizen who both merits and enjoys the esteem and good-will of his neighbors is Luigi Poli, a native of the Province of Lucca, Italy, where he was born on April 11, 1867, the son of Francisco Poli and his wife, Miss Delnastia Rovay, before her marriage, and they were blessed withi a large family. Both parents, kindly remembered by all who ever knew them, are now deceased. In 1889, after a youth spent in his native land, where he worked at various kinds of industrial labor, and was taught to do whatever he undertook to the best of his ability, Luigi Poli came to America, and soon after arriving in the East, pushed on to California and Gilroy. He worked in vineyards and later began making wine of superior quality, continuing until 1918. Mr. Poli owns a few acres of vineyard and has recently planted an orchard upon his small ranch, and in time is certain to pro- duce fruit of a high order. He also owns a residence in East Gilroy. He has given the most careful study to the agricultural conditions in California, and has become particularly well posted on horticulture.

At Gilroy in 1894, Mr. Poli was married to Miss Sarafina Bolcca, also a native of Lucca, where she first saw the light on September 11, 1871. When twenty-one years of age she came out to America, and good fortune directed her to Gilroy. Mr. and Mrs. Poli have five children, each of whom has done creditably. Edward, now living at home, served in the U. S. Army overseas; and Albert, who is also at home, did his duty by his country in service under the standards of the U. S. Navy. Eva, Nesta and Marguerite are attending school. Mr. Poli was made a citizen at San Jose in 1895, and since then has been a Republican in his political affiliations.

JOHN W. EDWARD HEYDE .- A native of Ger- many the late John W. Edward Heyde was born in Kassel, December 26, 1842. His grandfather Heyde was a Scotchman who was sent to Germany as a rep- resentative of the English government and the family remained in Germany. Mr. Heyde's father was a manufacturer of extracts and perfumes. John W. Edward Heyde was a graduate of the School of Me- chanical Engineering, after which he came to the United States and became head draftsman for Fraser & Chalmers in Chicago, Ill, after which he removed to Saginaw, Mich., where he was superintendent of Wicks Bros. Machine and Boiler Shops, continuing with them for a period of thirty-five years. In April, 1902, he removed to Billings, Mont., where he pur- chased a stock ranch to start his son Oscar in the cattle business, but, unfortunately, his son was acci- dentally killed in September of that year by the pre- mature discharge of a gun. Soon after his son's death, Mr. Heyde sold the ranch and moved into Billings, where he resided until 1914, when he re- moved to Boise City, Idaho, and two years later, in 1916, he came to Los Gatos, Cal., with his wife, and they built their beautiful residence on Ellenwood Ave- nue, and here he passed away, September 20, 1921.

Mr. Heyde was a Mason and had been master of his lodge in Saginaw, Mich. He was also a meni- ber of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the San Jose Chess Club and was an excellent chess player, having played and won many games by mail.

Mr. Heyde was twice married; first to Miss Martha Eilen of Chicago. She died soon after the birth of their daughter Martha, who is now the wife of Dr. R. C. McDonald of Alameda. Mr. Heyde was mar- ried again in Saginaw, Mich., in 1877, to Miss Emelia Asbeck, born in Stillwater, Minn. Her father, Ru- dolph Asbeck, who was born in Maine, was a baker and confectioner. He came to Minnesota and saw service in the Civil War in a Minnesota regiment; later he moved to Saginaw, Mich., where he was a baker and confectioner. He died in 1915. Mrs. Heyde's mother was Louise Wightman, a native of Holland, who passed on in 1909. Mrs. Heyde is the oldest of two living children of their union and she was educated in the public schools in Saginaw, and at a private school in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Heyde were blessed with two children: Walter is a gradu- ate of the Michigan School of Mines, Houghton, Mich., and is now with the state engineer's office in Boise City, Idaho. Oscar, as before stated, died in his twenty-first year. Mrs. Heyde is a member of the Eastern Star, and in religious circles belongs to the Congregational Church.

INTERURBAN SANITARIUM

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INTERURBAN SANITARIUM .- The County of Santa Clara is liberally endowed with institutions calculated to relieve suffering humanity, and one which is filling a long-felt want is the Interurban Sanitarium, owned and conducted by Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Sobey. This institution was founded by the mother of Mrs. Sobey, Mrs. Clara A. Geer, who is a graduate nurse, and she conducted it until August, 1920, when she turned it over to her daughter and son-in-law. It is exclusively for the care of old people and conva- lescents, and no contagious or infectious diseases are accepted. The institution can now accommodate fifteen people, and since Mr. and Mrs. Sobey assumed charge they are planning on enlarging it so as to take care of more people. This sanitarium is lo- cated on the Meridian Road; and as Mrs. Sobey is a graduate nurse, the old people that are so fortunate as to be at the home are well cared for. It is beau- tifully located at Fairfield Station on the Peninsular Railroad, and the scenery and country air, with the excellent care that Mrs. Sobey and a corps of help- ers give the patients, they are nursed back to health and vigor. An institution of this nature is a great factor in the progress and prosperity of the county, for the general good health of its inhabitants is the best advertisement that a locality can have, and thousands have experienced the beneficent effects of the climate of the famous Santa Clara Valley.

MRS. CLARA A. GEER .- A very interesting and estimable woman is Mrs. Clara A. Geer, who was in maidenhood Clara A. Davison, a native of Fort At- kinson, lowa, but was reared and educated at New Hampton, lowa, and there she married C. F. Geer and came to Santa Clara County, Cal., in 1897. Her father, L. B. Davison, was a New Yorker, who moved to lowa, where he engaged in farming, and there he married Miss Esther Annabel, also a native of New York, and though he had one child, their daughter Clara, when the Civil War came, he responded to his country's call and enlisted in the Thirty-eighth lowa Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He migrated to Santa Clara County about thirty years ago and purchased the farm on Meridian Road that Mrs. Geer and Mrs. Sobey now own. He passed away in August, 1918. His widow survives him and resides in San Jose. Mrs. Geer was a graduate nurse, as is her daughter, Mrs. Esther Sobey. They saw the possibilities of establishing an old people's home and purchased the home ranch of Grandfather Da- vison, with its commodious residence, which they re- modeled and opened as the Interurban Sanitarium. This they conducted together until Mrs. Geer, wish- ing to retire, turned the entire management over to her daughter, Mrs. Sobey. Mrs. Esther Geer Sobey was born in New Hampton, lowa, and coming to California with her parents, she completed her edu- cation at Pacific Union College at Healdsburg, where she was graduated in 1908 with the degree of A. B. After teaching for two years, as she was also a graduate nurse, she took up the profession of nurs- ing. Thus these years of experience qualify her well for the important position as head of the Interurban Sanitarium. She was married in San Jose in 1914 to Edward J. Sobey, who was born in London, Eng- land. Coming to California, he engaged in ranch- ing until his marriage, and now gives his attention 61

to looking after the management of the orchards and farm on Meridian Road, as well as their ranch at Morgan Hill.

JOHN RODONI .- A native son of California, John Rodoni was born in Mountain View, Santa Clara County, Cal., in July, 1869. His father, Alexan- der Rodoni, was born in the Alps region of Switzer- land and came to San Francisco when he was a boy of fourteen years, and immediately made his way to the mines, engaging in mining in Eldorado and Placer counties. Some years later he came to Moun- tain View, where he located a claim on Adobe Creek and improved it. While out hunting deer in the mountains his boy brought home a pretty colored rock they had picked up. He sent it to be assayed and it yielded $5.00. This stirred his enthusiasm to again seek for the elusive gold and he drove two tunnels and lost all he had made. He again mined in Eldorado County but without success. Returning to Mayfield, he dug two tunnels on Stanford Uni- versity place, then he located at Saratoga where he resided until his death, in 1916. He was one of the organizers and trustees of Booker school district for many years and helped build the first school house in the district. He was a well-educated man and could read and write five different languages. John Ro- doni's mother was Sarah Sheridan, a native of New York state, who now resides in Saratoga.

Of their eleven children six are living, John being the oldest; he attended school at Mayfield and in the Booker school district, after which he engaged in teaming for himself eight years, then for Hubbard & Carmichael Brothers for ten years, using seven horses; and it was during this time he hauled the largest load of lumber on two wagons over to San Jose pulled over the mountains with seven horses; the load contained 18,250 feet of lumber. In 1906 he quit teaming and began general contracting, and has made a specialty of building fine residences and business buildings. He built the Hogg Block, Tele- phone Office, Bank Building, garage and addition to the garage in Saratoga, and many of the finest homes in Saratoga, designing and drawing his own building plans, and also does general contracting, road build- ing and cement and concrete work. Mr. Rodoni is also engaged in agriculture, owning a 120-acre farm five miles north of Santa Cruz, sixteen acres of which is devoted to apple orchard, in the growing of which Mr. and Mrs. Rodoni are greatly interested.

In Los Gatos, April 9, 1898, Mr. Rodoni was mar- ried to Miss Estella Nickell, born in Jefferson County, Kans. Her father, William Hayden Nickell, was born in Virginia and came when a young man with his parents to Jefferson County, Kans., and there he married Mary Howard, a native of that county. In 1887 Mr. Nickell brought his family to California. However, he made eight round trips back and forth, one trip overland with mule teams. He finally settled at Saratoga, engaging in teaming. He passed away in San Jose, May 30, 1922, being survived by his widow and four children of whom Mrs. Rodoni is the second oldest and had the ad- vantages of the excellent public schools in Saratoga. Mr. and Mrs. Rodoni have been blessed with three children: Willis and Lloyd are assisting their father in his contracting business, while Rita assists her

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mother to preside over the home. Mrs. Rodoni is a member of the Rebekahs and Fraternal Aid Union, Saratoga. Mr. Rodoni is a member of Odd Fellows, the American Order of Foresters, of which he is a past officer, and the Saratoga Improvement Club.

JOHN J. BREITWIESER-Into what ever por- tion of the world the German people have gone they have exemplified in their hves the traits of industry and thrift and in no respect have the members of the Breitwieser family proved themselves exceptions to the traditions of their countrymen. Such an enter- prising, loyal and public-spirited man is John J. Breitwieser, proprietor of the Breitwieser Baking Company, one of San Jose's leading and progressive citizens. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, Oct. 25, 1869, a son of John and Elizabeth (Held) Breitweiser, both native Darmstadters, where they made their home until they came to America, locating in Alleghany City, Pa., and there the mother died about thirty years ago. The elder Breitwieser was a carpenter and at first followed the building business, but later was a merchant in Alleghany City.

This worthy couple had one child, John J., the subject of this biographical sketch, who had first the advantages of the excellent schools of his native place until later he accompanied his parents to Al- leghany City, where he attended public school, after which he apprenticed to the bakers' trade under his uncle, Martin Breitwieser, continuing with him until he decided to cast in his lot on the Pacific Coast. He had two uncles, George and Ernest Held, who were pioneers of San Francisco, having come hither in 1850, and from their letters to his mother and by reading of the advantages of California, John J. de- cided to come. He arrived at San Francisco in June, 1887, and immediately went to work, having obtained a place in Whelan's Bakery, where he remained for one year and then made his way to Sacramento, where he was employed in the Pioneer Bakery, be- coming foreman of a bakery when twenty-two.

While thus engaged he was married August 14, 1891, the ceremony occuring in Madera County, unit- ing him with Miss Mary Flynn, a native daughter of San Jose, whose parents came to the Garden City in 1857. Her father, Matt Flynn, was a pioneer of Santa Clara County, owning a farm near Alum Rock Park. Mr. Breitwieser returned to San Francisco, but after several years' stay in the metropolis he again went to Sacramento, where he accepted a posi- tion as foreman of O'Brien's Bakery, a place he filled acceptably and well until 1909, when he resigned to locate in Santa Jose. Here he was for nearly three years manager of the San Jose Baking Company, on Vine Street, until Nov. 13, 1912, when he established his present business, which is steadily growing and now requires the services of fourteen men and two girls, his payroll amounting to about $600 a week.

He owns a building 40x90 feet and rents an adjoin- ing building, making him a 60-foot frontage. His equipment is the most modern obtainable, particular attention being paid to sanitation. He has two Peter Glasser ovens and one Peterson oven with a com- bined capacity of 25,000 loves a day. The machinery, such as sifters, mixers, monlders, rounders and scales, are all antomatic and are electrically driven. Be- sides bread he also makes all kinds of cakes and pastries, and the business is conducted under the name of Breitwieser Baking Company, and is cen-

trally located at 288-90 Sonth Market Street. The rapid growth of the business is shown when one com- pares his first day's sales, Nov. 13, 1912, of $3.80 with the business for 1920, which amounted to $200,000, and over $35,000 of it paid ont for wages. Four motor trucks are required to handle the wholesale and retail business. His earnings have all been put back into the business and property used for the purpose, so he is demonstrating his faith in the future growth of San Jose by investing his profits in building up the city of his adoption.

Mr. and Mrs. Breitwieser are the parents of three children: J. H. assists his father in business; M. H. during the World War was in the aviation section of the U.S. Army, going overseas, serving sixteen months in France, and is now with the San Jose Rubber Works; Mrs. Eleanor Metzger, also of San Jose. Politically Mr. Breitwieser gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of the Eagles and Red Men. He is interested in civic matters and is enthusiastic in his membership with the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and the Mer- chants Association, as well as a charter member of the San Jose Commercial Club.

When he can find time from his busy cares of busi- ness life, he thoroughly enjoys sports of outdoor life. Mr. Breitwieser has worked hard and applied himself diligently in the upbuilding of his business, and with the aid of his study of applied economics he has been very successful and become a substantial and pros- perous man. He is naturally much interested in the growth and development of this favored section of the Land of the Stars and Stripes and all movements for progress and advancement receive his hearty co- operation. Thus he can always be counted upon to give of his time and means to aid the best interests, and he has never regretted that he cast in his lot with Santa Clara County.

CLARK W. HAIGHT .- A native of the Empire State, Clark W. Haight was born in Rochester, N. Y., September 30, 1842. His father, Edward W. Haight, brought his family to Barry County, Mich , in 1854, where Clark W. was educated in the public schools. On September 6, 1861, before Clark had reached his nineteenth year, he volunteered and en- listed in Company F, Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, taking part in thirty different engagements, among them being Second Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Weldon R. R. At Vicksburg, Mr. Haight was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio; afterward at Camp Dennison, Ohio, until he rejoined his regiment then stationed at Knoxville. On September 23, 1864, he was mustered out at Petersburg, Va., by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. He returned home and a year later he apprenticed as a blacksmith at Gull Corners, Mich. Completing the trade, he was married to Miss Olive Wood. Owing to his wife's health, he came to Los Gatos, Cal., in 1889, but business was dull so he removed to Eugene, Ore., where he followed car- pentering and building, and there he was bereaved of his wife, who left him three children: Edward G. resides in San Francisco; Alice, Mrs. Gibson of Los Gatos; Bertha E., Mrs. Browning of Marshfield, Ore.

Mr. Haight's second marriage occurred at Oakland in 1911, when he was united with Mrs. Mary E.

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(Johnston) Flynn, a native of Ontario. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stewart) Johnston, who were born in County Armagh, Ireland, of Scotch descent, and later came to Canada. By her first mar- riage to Gilbert Flynn, who passed away in Canada, she had eight children, five of whom are living: Wm. H., Thomas, John, Mrs. Thomas Bullis and Mrs. Ben Hoag. They continued residing in Oregon until 1918, when they came to Los Gatos, purchasing the present residence at 310 Nicholson Avenue, and here they take much pleasure and comfort, Mrs. Haight being engaged in raising beautiful canary songsters, of which she has a fine selection. She is intensely interested in her singers, giving them most excellent care. They are both interested in local civie and social circles, particularly in their member- ship in E. O. C. Ord. Post No. 82. G. A. R., and the E. O. C. Ord. Post, W. R. C., and Mrs. Haight is a consistent member of the Christian Church.

DOMENICO DI FIORE .- A brief story of the progress and success of Domenico Di Fiore shows what may be done by steady application, industry and well-directed energy. Early in 1874 Salvadore and Emma Di Fiore migrated to California, and there on September 21, 1886, Domenico was born. Salva- dore Di Fiore early became interested in ranching, and purchased ten acres on the Stevens Creek road, on which Domenico's cannery is now situated. He developed his place by planting cherry trees, and later he set out peach, prune and walnut trees in his orchard. He still looks after his business affairs, and is part owner in the cannery. Mrs. Di Fiore dicd in 1911, leaving five children, four of whom are now living-Stefana, Mrs. John Burke; Domenico; Car- melita, Mrs. Ed. Murphy, of Monterey, and Emilio, who is associated in business with his brother. Joseph died in 1916, at the age of twenty-five.

Domenico Di Fiore received his early education in the public schools of San Jose, but it was by actual experience in the world that he gained the most valuable information. At the age of nineteen he became a foreman in the large plant of the Cali- fornia Packing Corporation, where for six years he labored; and having from 1,500 to 2,000 people to look after, he received a valuable training, which served him well when, in 1913, he established his own business, known as the Di Fiore Cannery. When this first venture was undertaken by Mr. Di Fiore and his father, the structure was only 30x60 feet in size; and Domenico assisted in building the plant, and in installing the machinery, and then acted as manager of the plant. In 1915, when the plant was burned down, it was only twenty-one days later that the new cannery was in full operation, built on more modern lines and upon a larger scale. From a force of from fifteen to eighteen employes, when the busi- ness was started, to from 200 to 250 in the new plant is something of a jump, and their growth in annual output has increased in proportion, being at present from 80,000 to 100,000 cases annually. As the years pass, improvements are constantly being made to keep pace with the times, and the effect of these ad- vances is apparent in the strengthening of trade and patronage, as well as reputation for the quality of the output. Domenico Di Fiore acts as the general manager of the cannery, and the entire business de- pends upon his efforts. The new plant covers some

54,000 square feet of space. Mr. Di Fiore packs four standard brands of fruit-the Di Fiore, El Mar- ino, Dominetta, and Cupertino, and he ships his pro- ducts to all parts of the United States and to Eng- land; and since he uses only modern machinery, he accomplishes a vast amount of work.

Mr. Di Fiore's marriage at San Jose in 1917 united him with Miss Maida Cornwell, a native daughter, whose birthplace was Hollister; and in 1920 he erected a modern and up-to-date residence adjacent to his place of business, the dwelling costing about $20,000. He is a member of Fraternity Lodge No. 399, F. & A. M., and San Jose Pyramid No. 9, A. E. O. S., and he is also a member of Garden City Lodge No. 142, I. O. O. F., and Encampment No. 77. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the National Canners' League of San Francisco, and the Commercial Club of San Jose. He is vitally inter- ested in all matters relating to the growth and pros- perity of the community in which he resides, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

OSEA PERRONE .- An enterprising and inter- esting gentleman who is enthusiastic in his admira- tion of the Montebello section in Santa Clara Coun- ty is Osea Perrone, who was born in Mattarana, Italy, where he was reared and educated. His fa- ther, Joseph Perrone, though he has visited Santa Clara County, still makes his home at Mattarana. An uncle of our subject, also named Osea Perrone, was a physician, coming to San Francisco in 1881, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine. He became interested in viticulture, purchased a large ranch on Black Mountain, Santa Clara County, and here began the improvements which have resulted in the Montebello vineyards.

Osea Perrone grew up in Italy, attending the local school, where he received a good education, which he has supplemented with reading, and being a keen observer, he has become a well informed man. From 1894 to 1898 he served in the Italian army as a ser- geant in a regiment of cavalry, and on receiving his honorable discharge, he immediately made prepara- tions to emigrate to California, arriving in San Fran- cisco in 1898. The first three years were spent on his uncle's ranch, when he entered the employ of LaNorman's winery in San Francisco, where he be- came foreman, remaining with them for a period of twelve years. In 1910 he started in business for him- self on Twenty-ninth and Mission streets, but two years later removed to Twenty-fourth and Folsom, where he was in business many years. His uncle, Dr. Perrone, died January 2, 1912, and as he was un- married, the Montebello vineyards became the prop- erty of Joseph Perrone, the father of our subject, who made a trip to Santa Clara County, but not wishing to leave his old home, he returned to Italy, after making his son the manager of the property, a trust Osea has faithfully filled. Since he has discontinued his business in San Francisco he is able to give the ranch more time and has brought it to a high state of cultivation and productivity. When Dr. Perrone first started improving the ranch there was not even a trail, but he built one and sledded supplies in. The lumber was hauled on sleds from the foot of the mountain to a place as near as they could get to the place selected for their first shack and was carried the balance of the way by the men on their shoulders.

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Later on the Montebello road was built by the coun- ty. Montebello vineyard comprised about 500 acres of vines in a tract of 1,500 acres on the top of Black Mountain, extending down to Stevens Creek at an al- titude of 3,000 feet. At this altitude there is a splendid spring with an abundance of pure water that is piped to the house, which is modern and pleasantly located. Along the creek there is an abundance of redwood, ma- drone and oak, making a most delightful and pleasant place. From the higher elevation of the ranch there is obtained a magnificent view of the Santa Clara Valley and at night can be seen the lights in Palo Alto, Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, Los Gatos, Gilroy and Mt. Hamilton. Towards the south can be seen the Pacific Ocean, Pescadero and La Honda. Mr. Perrone is delighted with this region and is very optimistic for the future greatness of this wonderful valley, showing a readiness and willingness to aid as far as he is able all movements that have for their aim the upbuilding of the county. Mr. Perrone ex- ercises his citizenship under the banner of the Repub- lican party.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 240

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