History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 248

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

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The headquarters of the shop are on the North ranch, Springer and Berry roads, Mountain View, Cal., which has been the home of Milo J. North for a number of years. He was born in San Francisco, January 7, 1899, the son of John G. and Josephine (Hansen) North, natives, respectively, of San Fran- cisco and Virginia, their marriage taking place in the Bay City. The father is the proprietor of the North Machine Company at 324 Main Street, San Fran- cisco. Milo J. North was reared in San Francisco until 1908, when he came with his parents to their twenty-acre ranch at Mountain View, and this has since been the family home. His only brother, John G., Jr., is an engineer in the Matson service and was in the U. S. Navy during the late war.

Milo J. North attended the grammar school at San Francisco and Mountain View and also the high school at the latter place, and then learned the ma- chinist's trade in his father's shop. In 1920 he was married to Miss Lillian Cassady, and since their marriage they have resided on the North ranch.

Sydney Cassady, who is a brother of Mrs. Milo J. North, is the son of Robert and Catherine (Wei-

Tardetoy

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

land) Cassady. The father, a native of Toronto, Canada, operates a garage at Mohawk, Plumas County, while the mother is a native daughter, born at Gilroy, Cal. Of their five children, Sydney Cas- sady, of this review, was born in San Francisco, November 23, 1899, and there he was reared, attend- ing the grammar schools and taking a three years' course in the Humboldt high school. After his school days were over he started in to learn the machinist's trade and he, too, gained his experience at the shop of the North Machine Company in San Francisco. Thus well equipped by training and ex- perience, both of these young men have shown a laudable spirit in pioneering in a new field.

JOHN E. McCARTY .- As a member of a well- known family, John E. McCarty is fast making his way to the fore as a prominent surveyor and civil engineer and is now serving as city engineer of Mountain View where his excellent work has put him in the line of preferment for positions of even greater public trust. A native of Mountain View, he was born May 1, 1887, the son of Luke and Bridget (Clark) McCarty. Both parents were born and reared in Ireland, the father in County Roscommon and the mother in County Cavan. The father camc to America at the age of seventeen and settled in South Carolina, but soon joined the ranks of the Argonauts and for several years was actively en- gaged in gold mining. He went on several prospect- ing trips, one being to the Kootenay, B. C., country. Later in life, however, he became a prominent con- tractor and builder. The mother came to New York City and thence to San Francisco, sailing with the family of General Conley, a retired Union general, who was appointed consul to Honolulu under Pres- ident Arthur. In Honolulu she met Luke McCarty, who was engaged in the contracting and building business for the Hawaiian government and was en- gaged by King Kalakua to build his palace. They were married in Honolulu in 1882 and remained there until 1884, when they returned to San Francisco and the following year located at Mountain View. He worked at Jack Wright's Mills for a time and then purchased seven acres of the Castro-Calderon Sub- division of Mountain View, later acquiring thirteen acres more. He passed away at the age of sixty-four in July, 1901, and seven months later the mother died at the age of forty-eight. They were the par- ents of three children: Thomas, born in Honolulu; John E., of this sketch; and Clara M., deceased.

John E. McCarty attended the public schools of Mountain View, later took a course in the com- mercial high school of San Francisco, graduating with the class of 1905. He became associated with a civil engineering firm in San Francisco and was there during the great earthquake and fire and was active in the rebuilding of greater San Francisco, resurveying streets, etc. In 1910 he successfully passed the civil service examination and was assigned to the board of public works under Marsden Man- son, city engincer, and served under him and his successor, M. M. O'Shaughnessy, continuing in the city engineer's office until 1919, when he resigned. Among the notable surveys he helped to make the

preliminary survey for the Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor water supply.

In October, 1918, Mr. McCarty was married to Miss Eldora L. Freeman, a daughter of George and Emma (Perrins) Freeman, both living in Palo Alto. retired farmer, well known and estcemed in the community. The father came to California in 1852, locating at Tomales, Marin County, later removing to San Luis Obispo County and in 1900 settled in Mountain View. Mr. McCarthy is an active member of Mountain View Parlor, N. S. G. W., and formerly was a member of Twin Peaks Parlor of San Fran- cisco. Mrs. McCarty is past president of the El Monte Parlor, N. D. G. W., at Mountain View. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty are the parents of two children, John E., Jr. and Robert Clarke.

CHARLES C. SKINNER .- Through persever- ance that knows no discouragement, Charles C. Skinner is winning his way to the front as an ex- cellent mechanic and business man, and as the senior partner in the firm of Skinner and Pearson, garage owners, has built up the business until they operate the leading automobile repair shop in Mountain View. A native of Illinois, he was born August 21, 1881, at Rockford, the son of George R. and Eva (Watson) Skinner, the former a native of Indiana, and the mother a native of New Melford, Ill. Before removing to California the family were prominent farmers at New Melford, Ill., and they now own and operate a ranch in the Santa Clara Valley. The paternal grandfather, John Skinner, was a native of Indiana, who settled in Illinois after the Civil War. He enlisted in the Indiana Light Artillery and served throughout the war. Charles C. Skinner was edu- cated in the district schools of New Melford, Ill., and grew up on the farm. Being of a mechanical turn of mind, as he grew into young manhood, he sought employment and worked in some of the lead- ing factories and machine shops at Rockford and was later employed as chauffeur by Dr. Green, one of the leading physicians of Rockford.

The marriage of Mr. Skinner occurred at New Melford, Ill., and united him with Miss Ferena Holden, a resident of that place. They removed to Mountain View in 1912 and purchased a home on the corner of Mountain View Avenue and Mercy Street. They are the parents of two children, Florence and Harold. Mr. Skinner started in business in a small way in the Junction Garage on the State Highway, and as his business grew and prospered, he sold a half-interest to his present partner, Charles A. Pear- son. These farsighted business men soon realized the need of a bigger, better equipped and more cen- trally located garage and they soon entered into an agreement with Mr. Platt to build the present up-to- date building for them which they have occupied since 1919. They deal in the Chandler, Cleveland and Packard cars, are fully equipped for repairing all makes of automobiles, trucks and tractors, and employ from six to twelve men. Mr. Skinner is justly popular and his agreeable manner has won for him a host of patrons and friends, and the commer- cial life of Mountain View has been greatly benefit- ted by his industry and uprightness.

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MICHAEL McKENZIE .- Born in the state of Vermont, of Irish parents, Michael Mckenzie pos- sesses those characteristics which have won him popularity, and his success as a rancher has been won by hard and honest toil. He has witnessed the marvelous growth and prosperity of his locality and has, at all times, taken an active interest in neighbor- hood affairs. He was born January 27, 1864, at Shel- burne, Vt., a son of John and Bridget (Hart) Mc- Kenzie, both natives of Ireland, but born and reared in different counties in the western part of Ireland. They were the parents of a large family and passed away in Vermont. Michael made good use of his limited educational advantages, but most of his boy- hood days were occupied with hard work, working out by the month on Vermont farms. He gradually worked his way to California and after arrival here worked on different ranches.

Mr. Mckenzie's marriage united him with Miss Mary Byrne, a daughter of Patrick and Ellen (O'- Brien) Byrne, born in County Tipperary, Ireland. Her parents were farmers and passed away in their native land. She grew to womanhood in Ireland and when she was twenty-five came to the United States and settled in San Franciso. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie was solemnized at San Rafael in 1896 and their wedding trip was made to Vermont, where they remained for two months. Upon returning to California, they settled in Santa Clara County and they first purchased ten acres ncar Lyola Station. This place was sold to the University of Santa Clara. In 1904 they bought fifteen acres of the present place and have added to it by four sub- sequent purchases until they now own thirty-six acres. It is a part of the Emerson and Bubb tracts, both owned by early pioneers. It is in a beautiful location on Permanente Creek with never failing water supply, with an orchard of full-bearing prune and apricot trees. Mr. Mckenzie has his own dry- ing yards and his products are famed for quality. Their home is one-half mile from Lyola Station on the electric line and two and a half miles from Moun- tain View. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie are the parents of four children: John looks after Frank Bacon's ranch; Bridget, a sister at Notre Dame, is a teacher in that institution; Ellen is a student at Notre Dame College; Robert is a student in St. Joseph's High School. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie have by hard and constant work, and good management, built up and paid for one of the finest fruit ranches in Santa Clara County. They and their children are highly respect- ed and adhere to the Catholic faith in which they were born and reared.

JOHN TAYLOR .- A successful and prosperous tailor, in whom may be found a satisfactory repre- sentative of the English expert designer and maker of high-grade clothing, is John Taylor, now so well known throughout San Jose and much of Santa Clara County, especially as the proprietor of the Crown Tailors, 35 East Santa Clara Street. He was born at Leeds, England, in 1884, the son of A. and Lea Taylor, devoted and worthy parents who are still living at Blackpool, the famous summer bathing resort.

John was educated in the excellent public schools of England, and when he was through with school- masters and books, he learned the tailoring trade. While he sat at the bench, the lure of the New World seized hold of him; and in 1907 he crossed the ocean to the United States. He recognized the attractions of New York and the East; but he was far-sighted enough to see in San Francisco much greater oppor- tunity, and hither he came. It was soon after the earthquake, and John Taylor, fresh from the land acknowledged to lead in tailoring, was one of the few then in San Francisco who could cater to the elite; and so he had no difficulty in establishing there a successful business which he continued to conduct until 1920, to the satisfaction of everybody.

On May 22 of that year, Mr. Taylor came to San Jose and opened one of the best tailor shops the city has ever seen, which soon brought him into pleasant relations with the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and kindred organizations; and as his patronage rapidly increased, he became still more interested in the country round about. He had joined the Repub- lican party years before, and he continued to do what he could to raise the standard of citizenship. About the same time that he set himself up in business here he married Miss Betty Niman, a woman of ac- complishments who shares his love of music. Mr. Taylor belongs to the B'nai B'rith.

WILLIAM J. SANOR .- As a native son of Cali- fornia and a representative of a pioneer family, W. J. Sanor has proved himself a worthy descendant of one of the most respected pioneers of California. Born September 8, 1888, in San Jose, he is a son of J. E. and Sarah (Higgins) Sanor, both natives of Cali- fornia, and reared in Santa Clara County. The grand- father, Michael Sanor, was an Ohioan by birth, his father and mother being among the early settlers of Columbiana County. He came of a family of farmers, and when they left Ohio in the spring of 1839 and journeyed to Ray County, Mo., they settled on a farm, but Michael was not content with farming, so learned wool-carding and the cabinet-maker's trade. He was employed at these occupations until the gold excitement of 1849, when with his father and two of his brothers he crossed the plains with ox teams, reaching Carson Valley early in September, 1849, after a little more than four months. Only a short time was spent in the mines, when Mr. Sanor settled on a farm in Santa Clara County, commencing the improvement of a farm of 148 acres in the vicinity of Santa Clara. There the family lived until 1887, when he disposed of his ranch and purchased a home on Delmas Avenue, and while residing there, the mother passed away. The father of our subject, J. E. Sanor, was for many years a business man of Santa Clara, but he is now living a retired life.

W. J. Sanor was educated in the schools of Santa Clara. After graduating from the high school, he went on the road as a wholesale cigar salesman and followed it for ten years; later he entered business for himself, and this has steadily increased in volume from year to year. Mr. Sanor's marriage united him with Miss Janie Murray and they are the parents of five children: William J., Jr., George H., Sadie Mae, Frances, and Janie. Mr. Sanor is a member of the Observatory Parlor, N. S. G. W., San Jose.

lehas Stevens

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CHARLES STEVENS .- A well-known and enter- prising rancher of Santa Clara County, who is also a native son, is Charles Stevens, born near Coyote, Santa Clara County, March 3, 1868. His father, Orvis Stevens, was born in Chittenden County, Vermont, on November 11, 1830. In 1852, at the age of twenty- one, he came to California via Panama, and proceeded at once to the mines on the Yuba River, remaining there for one year; then he went to Camptonville, and from there to Sacramento, then to the mines in Sierra County; two years later he removed to Nevada County and conducted a dairy for one year, then he engaged in stockraising in Solano County; he then returned to Sierra County and resided there for a year and a half, when he made a visit to the eastern states, returning in three months to Sierra County, where for several years he conducted a meat business. 1n 1868 he came to Burnett township, Santa Clara County, and engaged in farming until 1875, when he rented the "Twelve-Mile House," where he had a store, blacksmith's shop and hotel, and he served as postmaster and school trustee. On December 7, 1866, he married Miss Louisa Leonard and they had ten children: The first child died in infancy; Charles, the subject of this review; Lee died when he was three years old; Orvis died when two years old; Frank is an orchardist at Coyote; Bert is a rancher at Coyote; Jim is a rancher and resides at Coyote; Warren re- sides in Alaska; Patti is an artist in San Jose; and Sam, an auto-machinist living in Cleveland, Ohio. The mother was a native of Illinois and was born in 1842. She crossed the plains with her parents in 1852 and her father mined in Sierra County, after which he came to Santa Clara County and bought a farm at Coyote. Orvis Stevens passed away in 1916 and Mrs. Stevens in 1920.

Charles grew up in Santa Clara County and ob- tained what education he could in the district schools; and has been intimately connected with orcharding from its very beginning in Santa Clara County, as forty years ago he helped his father plant and culti- vate a large family and commercial orchard.

Mr. Stevens' marriage occurred in 1892 and united him with Miss Fannie Fisher, who was born on the old Fisher ranch at Coyote, being a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Hanks) Fisher, pioneer farmers and stockraisers of this county. After his marriage Mr. Stevens engaged in farming and orcharding on his wife's twenty-acre ranch at Coyote. In 1919 they sold it and bought the present place of ten acres, on Pastoria Avenue, near Sunnyvale. Mr. and Mrs. Ste- vens are the parents of one son, Lawrence O., who as- sists his father on the ranch. At the outbreak of the World War, Lawrence volunteered in the service of his country and served for two years in France as a mechanic in the aviation corps, being among the first to go to France. He married Miss Ceda Evans of San Francisco. Mr. Stevens is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Prune and Apri- cot Growers, Inc., and cooperates in every measure for the good of the community.

NICHOLAS H. RUSSO .- In studying the record of the life of Nicholas H. Russo, one cannot but be convinced that there is no such word as failure to the man who is determined to succeed. Mr. Russo is the sole owner of the Russo Sheet Metal Works, the successor to C. L. Meisterheim, the oldest sheet- metal works in the county, located at 370 South 66

Market Street. Born in Virginia City, Nev., in 1883, he is the son of Peter and Isabella Russo, who settled in Virginia City during the year of 1872. In 1896 they removed to California, settling in San Jose, where they engaged in the grocery business. The father is still living and in comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Russo died March 31, 1921.

Nicholas attended school in San Jose, and after leaving school learned the sheet metal trade and for twenty years was engaged in this line of work, being employed by his predecessor, Mr. Meisterheim, the entire period. He purchased the business in 1919, and it has steadily increased until he employs six men doing all kinds of sheet metal and well pipe work, and using only the most modern machinery and equipment to take care of their growing patronage.

The marriage of Mr. Russo on August 14, 1910, united him with Miss Annie Gogga, a daughter of Steve and Pauline Gogga, a pioneer family. Mrs. Russo is a native daughter of California. They are the parents of one son, Clarence. In his political views, Mr. Russo is a Republican, the principles of which party he warmly advocates, and in all matters intended to advance the public welfare he is generally found lending a helping hand.

HARRY SILVER .- It may be said that to ad- verse conditions Harry Silver owes all that his years have brought him, for they have served to bring out the strong and salient points in his character and have imbued him with the energy and determination which grows from opposition, so in the truest sense of the word he is a self-made man. Born in the city of New York, January 15, 1881 the son of Julius and Caroline Silver, Harry was educated in the public schools of his native city, and at an early age, he began working for himself. His first position was in a department store; then for three years he did farm work; then was employed by a shoe house, all of which experi- ence served as a practical education which was of great benefit in after years. In 1913 he migrated to California and remained in Oakland until in June, 1918, when he went to San Jose. With a well-directed intelligence and a determination to succeed, he estab- lished a business of his own at 38 South Market Street known as the Cut Price Shoe Store and his efforts are being richly rewarded.

Politically, Mr. Silver is a stanch Republican, and in fraternal circles, a member of the Odd Fellows, the Moose and Woodmen of the World. He enjoys hunting and fishing for a recreation from the busy cares of life. He is, at all times, interested in the welfare of his community and always ready to lend a helping hand to all worthy objects, and rightly enjoys the respect and esteem of his business asso- ciates. His untiring energy and integrity have won him a prominent place in San Jose business life.

JAMES BROWN .- A native of Greece, James Brown was born in Xanges, October 20, 1881. He is the son of N. and Margaret Buzas, both natives of Greece, and he too was christened N. Buzas at his birth. On coming to the United States, however, he decided to complete his Americanization by chang- ing his name to James Brown. His father's occupa- tion was that of a farmer and the son spent his boy- hood and early manhood on the farm with his parents, and was educated in the common schools of Xanges. Upon reaching his twenty-first birthday, James con- cluded to sail for America. He only remained in

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New York one week, coming on to St. Louis, Mo .. where he worked for two years for the Wabash Rail- road Company. Being attracted by the wonderful climate of California, he came on to Oakland and was employed by the Southern Pacific Company for four years. Having accumulated a sufficient sum of money, Mr. Brown removed to San Jose and in 1910, he opened the Superior Restaurant at 60 North First Street, where he is now located. For four years he owned a place on South First Street which he ran in connection with the Superior.

Mr. Brown was married in San Jose, Cal., July 16, 1918 to Mrs. Margaret Locoto, a native of New York. Mrs. Brown is the daughter of John Locoto, who removed here from New York, and is in the grocery and butcher business on West San Carlos Street. One child, Nicholas, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. With a true, progressive spirit, Mr. Brown has made extensive improvements in his restaurant, building a new front and redecorating the interior, and now has one of the best equipped restaurants in San Jose. He is a member of the Moose Lodge and the Chamber of Commerce.

JOSEPH V. SIMON .- Well known in business circles of San Jose, Joseph V. Simon, for many years has been foreman of the distillery operated by the Western Industries Company at Agnew, and his capable work in this connection has made his services very valuable to his employers. He is a native of Texas, his birth having occurred at San Antonio on April 14, 1884. His father, Louis Alipe Simon, was born in France in 1854 and when twenty-eight years of age he arrived in America and became an American citizen, settling at San Antonio, Texas, where he married Miss Teressa Mary Waltz. In 1885 the family came to California, locating in San Jose, where the father won prominence as a builder and contractor. They continued to reside in this city until September, 1901, when they removed to Healdsburg, Sonoma County, Cal., where the father conducted a distillery for a time. His next removal took him to Berkeley, in Alameda County, where he continued his activities along that line, distilling al- cohol for commercial and medical purposes. His plant was known as the "Golden Gate," and he was very successful in the conduct of the business. He is now living retired in Berkeley, Mrs. Simon having died on October 18, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Simon be- came the parents of five sons, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest; then came Louis, now deceased; Leo, in Berkeley; Eugene, of San Raphael; and Harry, of San Jose.

In the public schools of San Jose J. V. Simon acquired his education, accompanying his parents on their removal to Sonoma County and later becom- ing a resident of Berkeley. In 1905 he returned to San Jose to assume the position of foreman of the distillery operated by the Western Industries Com- pany at Agnew for the manufacture of commercial and medical alcohol. He is well qualified to dis- charge the duties of this responsible position, for long experience has made him thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, and he is proving most capable and trustworthy in promoting the in- terests of the company.

On May 11, 1907, Mr. Simon was united in mar- riage with Miss Helene V. Prudhomme, a daughter of Phillip and Marie Helen (Pellier) Prudhomme, the

latter of whom passed away on August 6, 1905. The father was formerly the owner of a large vineyard and is now numbered among the leading citizens of San Jose. Her grandfather, Pierre Pellier, brought the first French prune trees from France and was a brother of Louis Pellier, who had the first nursery, establishing the business in 1856 at San Jose. Mrs. Simon acquired her education in the schools of San Jose, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Fernande T., Estelle Marie, and Bernice Eleanor, who are attending the Horace Mann school. The family residence is at 295 North Tenth Street, and Mr. Simon also owns some very desirable real estate at Carmel. In the management of his business affairs he has been progressive, energetic, and capable and in the discharge of his duties as a citizen he has at all times been actuated by a regard for the public welfare.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 248

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