History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 252

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

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The marriage of Mr. Heymann united him with Miss Jeanne Eche, a resident of San Francisco, who has lived in California since 1903. Her mother, Mrs. J. Morcel, is now a resident of St. Helena, Cal. "Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hey-

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mann: Andre, Armand H., and Flore Albertine. Mr. Heymann is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce; also of the French Club of San Jose since 1915. The success which he enjoys is merited by his long and industrious career, his close devotion to his enterprises, and the wise judgment he has exer- cised in investments.

ALOYSIUS W. NUTTMAN .- The science and art of Twentieth Century undertaking, with its wise provisions for all that is sanitary, and its thoughtful consideration for the deep sentiments of those most immediately concerned, could hardly find a better ex- position than in the painstaking and faithful work of "Al" W. Nuttman, as he is popularly known, a Santa Clara boy of excellent family and good education, wlio has more than made good in the home field. He was born here on Christmas Day, 1891, and attended the Santa Clara College, after which he went to the State of Washington, and studied at St. Martin's College at Lacy, where he pursued a business course. His fa- ther is J. H. Nuttman, an extensive casket manufac- turer in San Francisco; and this fact doubtless condi- tioned the future of the ambitious young man.

He was married in 1913 to Miss Lillian Reineger, a native of San Francisco, and five years later he built the new and elegant two-story stucco building, 40x80 feet in size, at 807 Washington Street, in Santa Clara. The entire first floor is devoted to the undertaking business. The chapel, a double room connected by slid- ing doors, is so arranged as to accommodate either large or small funeral parties. There is also an office, a stockroom, an operating room and a morgue, and in every possible detail necessary, there is provision for the proper care of the dead and the equally proper reception of the living. Mr. Nuttman is a professional embalmer regularly licensed under the state laws, and known for his thoroughness; and some of the qual- ities which have made him eminently qualified for the responsibilities entrusted to him, he probably inher- ited, from his father, a wealthy gentleman and a suc- cessful manufacturer, who was superintendent of the local cemetery while he lived in Santa Clara. On leaving Santa Clara he began to manufacture on a small scale in San Francisco and his establishment at 321 Valencia Street, San Francisco, is now the second largest of its kind in that city. In 1919 he put up a four-story steel and concrete building at a cost of $100,000. Mr. Nuttman's brothers, who were in the Aviation Corps during the late war, are also under- takers and manage first-class establishments at Red- ding and Pittsburg, California.

Mr. Nuttman is a member of the National Funeral Directors' Association at San Francisco and his un- dertaking establishment is one of the finest in Santa Clara County; only two others, both in San Jose, are superior to his. He has a first-class auto-hearse and a limousine ambulance, and a new Essex closed car for office use, all of which are operated in connec- tion with his business. Mr. Nuttman was a director of the Chamber of Commerce for a year, and has just been reelected for another year. He has also served as deputy marshal.

Mr. and Mrs. Nuttman have one child, Ruth, and Mrs. Nuttman acts as lady attendant and embalmer. They reside in up-to-date apartments on the second story of his building at 807 Washingon Street, where they hospitably receive their friends, especially the

fellow-members of the Sodality Club of Santa Clara. Mr. Nuttman belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Elks at San Jose; and also to the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Columbus.

WILLIAN HINSDALE, A. B .- A young woman of high intellectual attainments, Willian Hinsdale is well known in educational circles of California as director of the School of Expression and the head of the Public Speaking department of the College of the Pacific at San Jose and is meeting with splendid suc- cess in the conduct of this department. She was born near Onawa, Iowa, a daughter of William P. and Elizabeth (Barnett) Hinsdale, also natives of that state. In 1905 the family came to California and the father purchased land near Los Angeles, on which he engaged in growing grain. Mr. and Mrs. Hinsdale are now living in Santa Barbara County.

Willian Hinsdale, the eldest of three daughters, has been accorded liberal educational advantages, having been a pupil of Mrs. Hunnewell, of the Los Angeles State Normal School, Miss Neely Dickson, director of the Hollywood Community Theater, and of Miss Elizabeth Yoder, dean of the College of Oratory of the University of Southern California, which con- ferred upon her the A. B. degree in 1916, while in the following year she won high school credentials and a member of the Summer Art Colony of Pasadena, working under Frayne Williams, formerly director of the Literary Theatre of London. From September, 1917, until February, 1918, she was teacher of reading at the Hawthorne grade school, teacher of oral expres- sion and debating at the Calexico Union high school from February, 1918, until June, 1919, since which time she has been director of the School of Expres- sion of the College of the Pacific. She is exception- ally well qualified for the work in which she is en- gaged through broad training and experience and as an instructor she has been very successful, imparting clearly and readily as others the knowledge that she has acquired. She is a member of the Kappa Delta, the American Association of University Women, for- merly the Association of Collegiate Alumni, and the National Drama League. Her innate talent and ac- quired ability have brought her to a prominent posi- tion in her profession, and she is recognized as a young woman of strong mentality, while her attrac- tive personality has won for her a host of warm and admiring friends.

HOMER EON FLINDT .- Born in Albany, Oregon, on September 9, 1888, the anniversary of California's admission day, and a resident of the Golden State ever since he was old enough to walk, the subject of this sketch can fairly claim to be at least a foster brother of a Native Son. Also, as his career indicates, he possesses all the mental earmarks of the typical Californian. His mother was Emma L. Burkhart before her marriage to Henry Flindt, and she was the daughter of a pioneer family that crossed the plains by ox team in 1850. From her, Homer inherited a stout constitution, an abiding practicality and a sound sense of moral values. His father was a shoemaker, himself the son of a pounder of the last. Like most shoemakers he was a philosopher, but he was a self-educated man to boot, and a highly original one. From him, Homer inherited a thoughful dis- position and highly developed power of creation (Flindt, Sr., is an inventor in his spare moments).

au nuttman

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Homer's early education consisted of a term in kindergarten, in the old Peabody school in San Jose, followed by a few months in the Horace Mann primary school. The family then moved to Porter- ville for four years. Upon the return, Homer re- entered Horace Mann, completing his secondary grade education at the Mckinley grammar school where the high school now stands. Afterwards he became delivery boy for a dry goods store. He says that he was fired from this place; whereupon he became office boy for an insurance agent. Here he became interested in architecture and took up a course in a correspondence school. Presently he was occupying a draftsman's stool in the office of William Klinkert, later changing to that of Theodore Lenzen. When the great earthquake and fire of 1906 gave occupation to so many workers in his line, Homer found employment in San Francisco with Bliss and Faville and two or three other firms. He "commuted it" daily from San Jose during this time.

It was then that Homer developed the power of intensive study. He has always been an omniverous reader of romantic fiction, such as the works of Rider Haggard, H. G. Wells (early books), Jules Verne and Conan Doyle. Finding that he was not cut out to be an architect, he decided to try journalism. For a year he reported on the now defunct San Jose Morning Times, spending a few months of his spare time at the local high school. His formal education came to an end at that point. He says that he was discharged from the paper. He had no idea, as yet, that he was to become a writer. He began to learn shoemaking in the shop on Second Street, owned by his brother Charles.

In 1907 he met and wooed and won Mabel E. Wil- liams of Nevada City, a native of Nevada. She was educated in the Nevada City grammar and high schools, and in the San Jose Normal. She taught three years in Truckee before their marriage, on July 30, 1911. She saw the latent originality in her husband and urged him to attempt fiction. The begin- ning was in motion picture scenarios, of which nine were sold in 1914 and 1915. During the early years of the war the market for scenarios went to pieces, and Mr. Flindt turned to straight fiction. His first piece of work was "The Planeteer," a short romance of the future. It was printed in the All Story Weekly as a complete novelette in March, 1918.

Like all writers he had a great amount of unac- cepted material. However, "The Planeteer" was followed by a sequel, "The King of Conserve Island," in the same magazine, the next October. After this there came a rapid succession of stories, some short, but mostly novelettes and serials; about twenty, up to the present writing, with a total of nearly a million words. Among them was one collaboration, "The Blind Spot," a serial that was partly the work of Austin Hall. Except for his more recent work, these stories are all highly imaginative, "their style a blend of Wells, Haggard, and Doyle," as one critic put it. The later stories come closer to earth, approaching nearer and nearer the true novel type. Probably the best known are "Sugar Coated," "Automatic Ad- venture," and "The Three Riskyteers," and "On the Stroke of 71," all of which are serials.

Mr. and Mrs. Flindt have three children: Max Hugh, Bonnie Mabel, and Vella Francis. Mr. Flindt is still employed in his brother's shoe shop on Second

Street, part of the working day; the rest of the time is spent at the desk. He has already been elected the first president of "The Plotwrights," an organization of fiction writers and playwrights. He is a member of Boot and Shoe Workers Union, Local No. 493.

His church relations are with the Congregational Church, but, as may be supposed, his religion is highly eclectic, insisting upon no one creed above all others. Similarly his politics, while essentially pro- gressive, are opportunistic and flexible. He calls him- self just as much of a Socialist as a Republican, some- times registering as one and sometimes as the other. He believes in the universal brotherhood of man and in the ultimate co-operation of mankind to solve the economic problems of the world. His chief ambition is to add what he can to the world's preparation for the future. His idea, in his fiction writing, is always to educate; sometimes it is only a very little point that can be brought out, but "it all helps," he says, "to make folks willing to change their minds, and in that way pave the way for the new order of things. Meanwhile, however, we must not fail to hold fast to that which is good."

LEROY H. KAMMERER .- An expert machinist whose experience and untiring industry are much appreciated in the local automobile world, is LeRoy H. Kammerer, superintendent of the machine repair department of Siefert's Garage on South Market Street, San Jose, where he has been in charge since October, 1920. He was born December 24, 1893, at San Jose, the son of Alexander Kammerer, also a native of Santa Clara County, born in San Jose town- ship on August 12, 1861, the son of Peter and Marian (Hoffman) Kammerer. Peter Kammerer, who was a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States and came out to California in 1851. After trying his luck at mining he located in Santa Clara County in 1855; and soon after arriving here, he took up his residence upon 200 acres of land situated upon what is now the King Road, about two and a half miles from San Jose. He kept cultivating and improving the place until his death in 1865, a year after he had lost his devoted wife, and when Alexander was only four years of age.

Alexander Kammerer was taken into the home of his guardian, J. D. White, a next-door farmer, and brought up with the same affection and regard for the educational and other interests of the child as were Mr. White's own family. He attended the public schools in San Jose, and he became a graduate of the Garden City Commercial College, while he was also trained to ranch work. On attaining his major- ity, Mr. Kammerer came into possession of one-half of the estate left by his parents, and this he developed to a still higher degree, having a fine artesian well, and raising thoroughbred horses. The other half of the estate went to a sister, Lena, who married George C. Hunt of Oakland. Alexander Kammerer was united in marriage on October 17, 1883, with Miss May Catherine Holland, the daughter of Simeon and Hannah (Broadbent) Holland, natives of Eng- land, but residents of Santa Clara County.

Reared on the home ranch, LeRoy Kammerer attended the Jackson district school and remained at home until he was sixteen years of age. Then, under instruction from his father, he took up the training of horses and became an expert rider, so much so that at a competitive horse-riding show held at Salinas

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in 1911, he came into prominence when he scored third prize for skill and mount. He next signed up with the Dick Stanley Western Show Company, and for three years toured the Pacific and Central West- ern States. Three years later, he joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for one season, and made a success riding bucking horses in the ring. This proved to be Buffalo Bill's last tour.

At Salinas, in 1917, Mr. Kammerer was married to Miss Agnes Joiner, a native daughter, who was born at San Francisco, and they have one child, Virginia May. They make their home at 234 West Ninteenth Street, San Jose. In national political af- fairs, Mr. Kammerer is an independent Republican, and in local movements he is nonpartisan, supporting the best men and the best measures.

MILTON G. MOENNING .- Among the promis- ing business men of San Jose who has attained and is still climbing further toward great success is Milton G. Moenning, who, in partnership with Doug- las Howard, is owner and proprietor of the firm known as Moenning and Howard, dealers in pumps, engines, electric motors, and all allied apparatus for transmission and control of water, steam, gas, air and electricity. They are successors to C. L. Meis- terheim, whose business they purchased in 1919.

Mr. Moenning was born on May 2, 1885, and is a native son of California, having been born in San Francisco, a son of Emil and Minnie S. (Harms) Moenning, the latter a native of San Francisco. The father came to California in 1857, Grandfather Moen- ning having come to California in 1851, traveling by way of the Horn and his maternal grandfather came the same route, but made the trip a year earlier. Mrs. Emil Moenning now resides in San Jose.

Mr. Moenning received his education in the public schools of San Francisco and later, having to make his own livelihood at a very early age, he attended night school where he took a practical business course in one of the business colleges of the Metrop- olis of the Bay. At the age of thirteen years he joined the ranks of the Crane Company of San Francisco and was employed with them for a period of twenty years, working in the capacity of sales- man. He came to San Jose in the interests of the Crane Company in the year of 1907.

Their place of business is at 365-69 South First Street and 369 South Market Street, the building extending from First to Market streets, and here they employ as many as thirty expert workmen, giv- ing at all times the very best of service, materials and workmanship.

Mr. Moenning's marriage united him with Miss Mabel Ball, a native of Chicago, Ill., and they are the parents of two daughters, Winifred May and Glenna Bell. Mr. Moenning is very active in busi- ness circles and fraternities. He is a Knights Tem- plar Mason and also a member of Islam Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., San Francisco, and is also af- filiated with the San Jose Lodge No. 522, B. P. O. Elks. His good citizenship is attested by the inter- est he takes in public affairs and his devotion to the public weal. He is a Republican in politics.

ANTHONY SCHUTTE .- A recent addition to the field of electrical supplies in San Jose is Schutte Bros. Electrical Supply House, one of the founders and partners being Anthony Schutte, the place of business being at 19 South Second Street. Mr. Schutte is a native son of California, having been born in San Jose, on December 12, 1883, a son of John and Isabell Schutte. The parents were among the early settlers, having settled in California in the early sixties; the father passed away some years ago. They were the parents of twelve children, all are living except Max, who passed away in 1919, at the age of fifty.

Anthony Schutte received his education in the public schools of San Jose and early in life went to work. He learned the trade of an electrician and worked for the Peninsular Railroad for a period of seventeen years, then was with Henry Guilbert in his electrical business for about two years. In December, 1919, in partnership with his brother, Joseph, he estab- lished the concern in which they are now doing such a splendid business. They have done the electrical installations on many buildings here, among them the Murison Label Company, the John Christian Manufacturing Company, Dr. Edward's house, and have contracted all of the new houses in the Naglee Terrace, and they are also contractors for the Cole Realty Company, and do all of their work. They not only do installation work, but have a full line of electrical supplies and fixtures.

Mr. Schutte's marriage united him with Ethel Roelling, who is also a native of California, having been born in San Jose. Mr. Schutte is a member of Observatory Parlor No. 22 N. S. G. W. He is fond of outdoor life and spends much of his leisure time in the open, fishing, hunting, or tramping.

WAGNER BROTHERS .- Among the most pros- perous and successful establishments of San Jose is to be counted the firm of Wagner Brothers, who have one of the finest electrical fixture houses between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This firm is com- posed of two brothers, A. C. and L. L. Wagner, both natives of Ohio, who have spent the last ten years in San Jose, Cal. A. C. Wagner was previously connected with the Consolidated Garage, while L. L. Wagner was the local representative of the Willard battery, until he disposed of those interests to George Parkinson. Their place of business is located at 161-5 South Second Street. Wagner Brothers company was formed in the month of August, 1919, when they became successors to Blake Brothers, and since that time they have greatly enlarged the scope of their business. They have ten employees in the various departments and they specialize in electrical appli- ances and fixtures, carrying a very complete line. They both manufacture and install these fixtures and their excellent service has made them in demand.

A. C. Wagner's marriage united him with Miss Flora M. Clark, and L. L. Wagner married Miss Jeannette Bookmyer. Both of the brothers and their wives are favorites in San Jose's social circles. Being very much interested in Santa Clara County, both Wagner brothers belong to the Chamber of Com- merce. L. L. Wagner is also a member of the Rotary Club and the B. P. O. Elks, and each belongs to the Commercial Club.

M. G. MoEnning.

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CLARENCE HENRY WATERMAN .- Conspic- uous among the prominent business men of San Jose is Clarence Henry Waterman, who has been actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business since 1911. He was born on a farm near Vandalia, 111., April 18, 1865, the son of Henry C. and Mar- garet (Llewelyn) Waterman, who removed to Pay- ette, ldaho, in 1882. His father was prominent in the affairs of the county in which he resided; both par- ents have passed away.

Clarence Henry Waterman was educated in the public schools of his native state; later graduated from Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Ill. Not being content with farming as an occupation, he mi- grated to Missouri in 1882 and engaged in the mer- cantile business for ten years; thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was employed as the manager of the Cin- cinnati branch house of the Buckeye Reaper and Mower Company, remaining in this capacity until the business was sold to the International Harvester Company in 1896. He then entered the employ of a life insurance company in Columbus, Ohio, and was thus employed until the fall of 1898, when he journeyed to Portland, Ore., where he remained for eight years as state supervisor of agents for the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Realizing his capa- bilities, this company sent him to San Jose, Decem- ber 25, 1905, as their district manager, and in 1910 he spent one year in the Hawaiian Islands in the interests of the company. In 1911 he established his present real estate and insurance business and is suc- ceeding beyond his expectations. He is a member of the San Jose Realty Board and has served his community as county probation officer for two years; is also a member of the board of directors of the San Jose Y. M. C. A.

Mr. Waterman's marriage, September 13, 1887, united him with Miss Sara Harrison, a native of Ken- tucky, where she was married at Carrollton, and to them have been born two children: Gladys, now Mrs. Charles Parsons, has a daughter, Helen M., and they reside in San Jose; Frank L. teaches in the Oakland schools and has four children, Hazel R , Jeanne C., Frances A., and Virginia V. Mr. Waterman is a very active member of the Christian Church of San Jose. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and the Pomona Grange. He is a broad-minded, public- spirited man and citizen, and lends his cooperation to all movements for the betterment of the community.

FRED H. HORSTMANN .- Early recognizing the fact that determination and energy are salient factors in the attainment of success, Fred H. Horstmann, has so directed his labors that he is now classed with the leading business men of Santa Clara County. Born in Talmadge, Nebr., May 2, 1887, he is a son of J. William and C. Henrietta (Pahde) Hortsmann, both born and reared in Missouri. The father has always been engaged in farming pursuits and was also a successful merchant, now living retired from active business cares in Talmage, Nebr.

Mr. Horstmann acquired his early education in the grammar and high schools of Talmage, graduating with the class of 1905 from the high school. The years of his boyhood and young manhood were spent in South Dakota and early in 1909, he removed to Portland, Ore., remaining there but a short time, when he removed to Texas, settling in Buena Vista., He became connected with a cotton raising project, 67

but on account of not being able to secure water for irrigation, crops were a failure, reverses of fortune came and Mr. Horstmann was forced to dispose of his holdings. He removed to Salinas, Cal., where he engaged in searching records and making ab- stracts, being affiliated with the Salinas Abstract Company. At the outbreak of the war, he entered the service of his country, and after the armistice was declared he received his honorable discharge at Fort McDowell, December 12, 1918. He then returned to Salinas; later removing to San Jose and purchased an interest in the San Jose Abstract Company, where he has proven his worth and counts his friends by the score. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks; also of the Country Club. In politics he votes with the Republican party. His activities are concen- trated upon his business affairs, which have been wisely and intelligently directed and have brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity.

STEVE PATTERSON .- Since 1917 a resident of San Jose. Steve Patterson is a well known restaur- ateur of the city and a successful orchardist of Santa Clara County. He was born in Constantinople, Turkey, in September, 1876, a son of F. and Carna- tion Thimus, but since coming to this country has adopted an American name. His father was con- nected with the priesthood in Turkey, and the family numbered two children, a son and a daughter. He was accorded good educational edvantages, attend- ing the graded schools and later completing a course in the National College of Constantinople. After laying aside his textbooks he learned the trade of a jeweler, becoming an expert craftsman in gold and silver. He continued to follow his trade in Turkey until 1903, when he came to the United States, arriv- ing at Philadelphia, Pa., in August, 1903. He was unable to obtain work at his trade and was variously employed until his removal to New York City, where he secured a position as cook in a restaurant. At the end of a year he left the eastern metropolis and went to Nashville, Tenn., where for two years he was similarly engaged. From that city he journeyed to New Orleans, La., but remained there for only six months and then went on to Texas, opening a res- taurant in Dallas, that state, and later establishing a second eating establishment in that city. Sub- sequently he disposed of his interests there and made his way to Denver, Colo., where he was employed in a hotel for a year.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 252

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