History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 70

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

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408

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

YGNACIO BERNAL .- One of the best loved men in Santa Clara County, Ygnacio Bernal, was born on February 25, 1841, in the same adobe house on the Santa Teresa Rancho where his father, Don Bruno Bernal first saw the light, and he died on April 22, 1906. Between these dates he helped materially to develop his native county and to uphold the traditions of the Spanish Dons of the earlier period.

His grandfather, Joaquin Bernal, was sent to Mex- ico and California in 1769 by Carlos III of Spain, to investigate the mineral wealth of the country as a mining engineer and assayer and for the valuable services he gave his sovereign he was granted favors and had his pick of land grants in California. He selected Santa Teresa, which consisted of 10,000 acres, and part of this is still in the possession of the Bernal heirs. When Joaquin Bernal petitioned the Mexican government in 1834 to have the title confirmed he stated that he was ninety-four years old, had a "pos- terity of seventy-eight children," had "2,100 head of cattle, 1,200 sheep, three mares and fifty tame horses." This is one of the very few grants in the state that has not passed entirely out of the family to which it was first granted, there still being 374 acres of the most valuable land in the county owned by the Ygnacio Bernal family. Joaquin Bernal had been educated at Barcelona, Spain, and was a very brilliant man of parts. He married Josefa Sanchez, who lived to be 110 years old and at that age she was able to thread needles for her grandchildren.

Among the children of Joaquin Bernal and his wife, we mention Bruno Bernal, grandfather of the present generation of Bernals now living on the ranch. He was born there in an adobe house in 1800 and in his time was one of the prominent men of the locality and entertained with the true Spanish hospitality. He succeeded to part of the Santa Teresa acres and de- voted much of his time to raising horses. At the time when General Fremont made his expedition through California he and Captain Weber took 300 broken horses, some of the best in the state, for their soldiers and forgot to pay for them. Bruno Bernal married Antonio Maria Ortega, one of the heirs of eleven leagues of land known as the San Ysidro Grant, part upon which the city of Gilroy was built, but through neglect she never got any part of her inheritance. Over the Santa Teresa hills is situated the San Vin- cente Rancho, granted to Jose Berryessa, who mar- ried one of Joaquin Bernal's daughters. This is one of the richest grants in the state, for upon it is located the Almaden mines that have been producing quick- silver for ninety years and the total in dollars runs into the millions. It was once abandoned by Antonio Sunol after he had spent $400 in trying to develop it. Mrs. Berryessa sold it for $60,000 to the Almaden Mining Company, which now owns a great part of the land Upon the Bernal ranch is situated the Santa Teresa Spring, noted for its medicinal qualities and for the fact that it never ceased to flow its usual amount, no matter what period of the year. These springs are visited by many each year.

Ygnacio Bernal attended the Santa Clara College in 1854-5-6, and was among the first students there after it was established. He was one of the gold medal students for his standing in classes and high grade upon completing his courses there. Returning to the ranch he acted as secretary to his father and virtually

managed the affairs of the ranch, as he was quick at figures and an expert linguist, speaking fluently four languages. At the age of nineteen he was united in marriage with Miss Jesusita Patron, born in Lower California and who came here with her brother. Dur- ing their trip they were lost for about three months, but arrived in safety at Monterey. At the time of her marriage she was sixteen years old. They were par- ents of nine children, five of whom are still living: Pedro A., the discoverer of the marl deposits on the home ranch; Ynez, widow of S. F. Agraz and the mother of a son, Urbano; Salvador F., is married and has a daughter Jane, he is a resident of this county; Miss Jacoba P., is at home with her mother; Antonio A., is married and resides at Madrone and has a son, Antonio A., Jr. The following children have passed away: Ygnacio, Dionicio and Anita C. Mrs. Bernal resides at the home place and to her is given great credit for rearing her family and keeping the ranch ownership in the Bernal family. Mr. Bernal was devoted to his wife and family, and in their forty-five years of married life he was only separated from her about a month, when he went to Mexico as an inter- preter. He was a man of imposing appearance, kindly disposition, lovable nature and was a friend of every one who knew him. He planted the first orchard in this section, had the foresight to see that the fruit industry must become the largest branch of industry in this county and had implicit confidence in it.

The Bernal family are prominently associated with the present day development of the county, they be- lieve in progress and are public spirited and sup- porters of all worthy projects for the general advance- ment of the county, where they hold an honored posi- tion. They are devout Catholics. The family have many relics of the days of Spanish occupation which have been plowed up on the ranch and which are valued very highly by them, among them a sweet- toned bell that the herd mare wore, also old Spanish spurs used in breaking wild horses, house keys, etc.

As a matter of interest and romance there is sup- posed to be buried on the Santa Teresa ranch a treas- ure of $10,000. This money belonged to an old French saddle maker, Changarra by name, who came to the ranch in the '30s and Don Bruno Bernal gave the man a place in an adobe where he could carry on his work. Not only did he make saddles for Mr. Bernal but many which he sold. As he would get some forty or fifty made up he would start out and dispose of them, going as far south as Santa Barbara. He made serviceable saddles, not the ornate gold and silver mounted kind that the Spanish Dons used for their trips and visits. The Frenchman made considerable money and as there were no banks Changarra buried his cash, changing its hiding place every time he added to the hoard. He was known to have accumu- lated $10,000 when he made his last journey to dispose of his wares. On his way back from Santa Barbara, between Paso Robles and Bakersfield, he camped for the night, sleeping under an oak tree. In the morning he was found dead and the buried treasure on the Bernal ranch at once became an object of search, but to this day it has not been recovered and people have been searching for it ever since the death of "Old Changarra." Seers, mediums, occult persons have been sought in hopes of disclosing the hiding place but it still remains "buried treasure."

Jesusito P. Bernal.

Ignacio Bernal

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ROYAL COTTLE, Sr .- A sturdy pioneer of high ideals and plenty of inspiring confidence in the region of his adoption was the late Royal Cottle, whose good works will long continue their uplifting influ- ence. A native of Missouri, and of St. Charles County, he was born on March 27, 1810, the son of Oliver Cottle, who had married Miss Charity Lowe, a native of Vermont. Grandfather Cottle, also a Ver- monter, had pitched his tent in Missouri so early that it yet belonged to the Province of Louisiana, and built a mill on Garden Creek, in St. Charles County. Charity Lowe was a belle of Tennessee, and she and Oliver Cottle were married, according to primitive documents, in Missouri. They had twelve children, and Royal was the eldest, and when his father died of yellow fever while on a trip through the South, he led the way, with his mother and the rest of the family, in 1833, into Des Moines County, Iowa, where they became some of the earliest pioneers of the Hawkeye State.

There, too, on October 12, 1841, he and Miss Sarah Parker, a daughter of Ohio, were united in marriage, and two children were born to them- Frank and Charles. In 1847, the Cottles joined 100 or more emigrants and crossed the great plains to the Oregon Territory, and in that state Mr. Cottle continued agricultural pursuits, and he also devoted part of his time to a small grist and saw mill, in which he had a partnership interest. A daughter, Sarah Cordelia Cottle, who later married Chas. Hight, was born during these pioneer days in Ore- gon, and there Mrs. Cottle passed away on the eight- eenth of December, 1848.

The discovery of gold in California brought Mr. Cottle south with the rest of the Argonauts; and having joined John S. David in partnership, they built and opened a store in Sacramento. They paid $700 per thousand for lumber, and gave the day laborer ten dollars for his help. After a short time, however, Mr. Cottle sold out his interest to his part- ner, and in the fall of 1849 made his way back to Oregon, where he believed the more stable conditions superior to those of the panicky gold regions. In 1857, however, he came once more to California and settled in San Jose, this time bringing his family. Before leaving the Beaver State, however, he had taken his second wife, Miss Mary Bryant before her marriage; and among their four children, Mrs. An- nette Weatherford, Royal, Jr., and Mrs. Alice Erick, were the three to grow to maturity. The former is the only one to survive.

Mr. Cottle did not remain long in San Jose, but went to Gilroy, and from there to San Benito, where he bought a stock ranch; and having sold this, he purchased 140 acres of land in the Willow district, and there set up his hearth. He paid only $15 per acre for his tract, which has become of such appre- ciated value by his improvements, that in the late '80s it was assessed at $1,200 per acre. He later bought additional land, and became one of the pio- neer grain-growers of the neighborhood, and he was also one of the first hereabouts to grow successfully and extensively various kinds of fruit, and to have an orchard that was a show-place.

Leading an active industrial and business life, Mr. Cottle became prominent in public affairs, and as early as 1853 he was elected to the Oregon Legisla- ture. He was a Whig of the Henry Clay school until the great movement began for a new organiza-

tion, and then he naturally became one of the found- ers of the Republican party. Having staked his all in the last section of his choice for a home, he do- nated the site for the first public school in Willow Glen district; and for many years he served as one of the school trustees of the local institution, in whose ele- mentary classes all of his younger sons and daugh- ter, and also his grandchildren, were educated. Sad enough is it to relate, therefore, of one whose life was so exemplary and fruitful for others, that Royal Cottle met with an accident in the summer of 1891 which terminated his useful career. He was driving near his home in The Willows when his horses ran away, and the result of the injuries which he re- ceived was fatal. He was laid to rest in the Oak Hill Cemetery, mourned by hundreds, and his mem- ory will be kept green, particularly by the Santa Clara Pioneer Association, of which he was an hon- ored member.

ANTONIO MONTOYA .- A worthy pioneer of Santa Clara County who settled in the vicinity of Morgan Hill in 1873 was Antonio Montoya, whose activities as a rancher added much to the prosperity and advancement of his locality. He was a na- tive of Old Mexico born near the frontier of the State of Sonora on January 17, 1837. He was the son of Ygnacio Montoya, who was an extensive land owner and stockraiser, who lost his life in defense of his family and property in one of the Indian raids in 1847. In 1849 Antonio made a trip to California and the Santa Clara Valley; but the following year he returned to Mexico to get a sister but was de- layed returning to California on account of the chol- era. In 1851 he returned to San Jose and worked as a farm hand; he was also engaged in hauling lum- ber from the mills in the Santa Cruz mountains to San Jose and to the New Almaden mines.

Mr. Montoya's marriage occurred on March 31, 1869, and united him with Miss Maria Pelar Placida Zepada, a native of San Jose, born October 6, 1853, in an adobe house at the corner of Market and Pierce streets. She is the daughter of Peter Zepada, a native of Mexico City, who had removed to Northern Cali- fornia in the early '40s; he finally located in San Jose and in time became a large landowner in the county. He married Miss Carmen Martinez, who died in San Jose, as did her husband. Mrs. Montoya was reared and schooled in San Jose grammar school and the College of Notre Dame. Mr. and Mrs. Montoya were the parents of twelve children: Antonio, at home; Charles, at home; William is married and has two children and they reside at Coalinga; Margaret is the wife of John Juarez and they have three chil- dren and reside in Los Gatos; Alfred is at home; Al- bert served six months in the U. S. Army in the World War, and is at home; Alexander served in the U. S. Army six months, and is at home; Virginia lives at home and is a devoted attendant to her aged mother. Daniel, David, Amelia and Charles all died in infancy. The sons all work together at ranching and running a hay press.

In 1873 the family removed to the Uvas Canyon near Morgan Hill, where Mr. Montoya acquired 197 acres in the forest of the Uvas, among the redwoods and madrone trees. The work of clearing and de- veloping the land was gradually accomplished and thirty acres were planted to vineyard; a fine prune orchard has been planted and within a few years

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

will be a profitable venture. In 1900 the residence was erected and has been the scene of many joyful gatherings of relatives and friends. Mr. Montoya passed away at the age of seventy-nine, February 13, 1916, an esteemed and respected citizen, a resident of this county for nearly half a century.

JOHN H. PIEPER .- It is interesting to chronicle the life history of the educated and accomplished man who willingly gives his whole time, coupled with his ability, knowledge and experience, to the permanent upbuilding of the city of his adoption, and whose every effort is to enhance the comfort and happiness of the people. Such a man was the late John H. Pieper, city engineer and surveyor of San Jose up to the time of his death in 1888.

He was born in Hanover, Germany, May 3, 1824, where he attended the grammar and high schools, subsequently graduating from the Polytechnic College in Hanover, where he finished the course in civil and mining engineering. After completing his military services in the royal forces, he emigrated to the United States, first taking up his residence in New York City. He was a farsighted and sagacious busi- ness man, and it was largely through his efforts that Central Park was secured for that city. As a civil engineer he suggested and pointed out to the author- ities the advantage to the Metropolis of such a pro- ject and assisted in laying out the park, now one of the most noted recreation centers in the United States. Soon after completing his work in connec- tion with Central Park he accepted a position as mining engineer in Mariposa County, Cal., and came hither, arriving in the state in 1865. He remained in Mariposa County until 1867, when he came to San Jose, where his ability was soon recognized and he was made city engineer and surveyor, continuing to act in that capacity until his demise, rendering valu- able service to the city. He erected the old electric tower, also constructed the sewer system and did everything in his power to improve and develop the city of San Jose, and he stood out prominently for progress anu enterprise.

in San Jose Mr. Pieper formed the acquaintance ot Miss Adele Enzabeth Hoffman, a native of Hesse- Cassel, Germany, a lady of muen culture and renne- ment, who had also come to San Jose in 1807. 1 he friendship was mutual and resulted in their marriage in 1000, a umon that proved very nappy. At Mr. Pieper s passing in 1808 he was survived by his widow and six chudren, who are all mentioned in the biography of Mrs. Adete Elizabeth Pieper im- mediately following in this work.

Aside from his profession Mr. Pieper found time to enter into horticulture, in which he was intensely interested, owning a thirteen-acre ranch in the Santa Clara valley devoted to prunes, apricots and peaches, and he did his part to build up the horticultural in- terests of the county. He was a stanch Republican in his political views, and fraternally he was a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows and Legion of Honor in San Jose. Throughout the entire period of his residence in San Jose he took a most active and helpful part in the work of progress and improvement and left the impress of his individuality for good upon many lines of the city's development. He was a man of

pleasing personality and much business acumen, who would have been an acquisition to any community, his irreproachable character and integrity no less than his achievements giving him a commanding position and compelling his recognition as one destined to lead in anything he undertook. He was charitable and kind and everyone who knew this refined and cultured gentleman loved and esteemed him.

MRS. ADELE ELIZABETH PIEPER .- Among the well-known and highly respected residents of San Jose was numbered Mrs. Adele Elizabeth Pieper, who for over half a century had made her home in this city, with whose development and upbuilding the family name is inseparably associated. She was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, a daughter of Lud- wig Hoffman, a prominent merchant of that city, and received every possible educational advantage, becoming an accomplished linguist and pianist. Tak- ing up the profession of teaching, she became promi- nent as an educator in the capitals of Europe, leaving Paris for London, where she became a tutor among the families of the nobility. She was most success- ful in her educational work, standing at the top of her profession. About 1867 she came to the United States, making the journey to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and located in San Jose. In 1868 she was married here to John H. Pieper, who was born in Hanover, Germany, May 3, 1824, coming to California in 1865 and to San Jose in 1867, and as a surveyor he gave faithful service as city engineer until his death, which occurred in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Pieper were the parents of six chil- dren: The eldest son, Charles, was graduated from the School of Engineering in San Francisco, and a few years after his father's death he was made city engineer and surveyor, retaining this position until his death, October 1, 1910, proving a worthy successor to his father; he was a member of the San Jose lodge of Masons and was a Republican. He had married Miss Minnie Blakemore and they be- came the parents of one child, Marciele E. Oscar H. is engaged in the manufacturing of dental sup- plies at Rochester, N. Y. Tecla attended the San Jose State Normal, but was never engaged in teach- ing, her time being spent presiding over her home, caring for her mother until the latter's demise; Al- phonse is associated with his brother, Oscar, in the manufacturing business in Rochester, N. Y. He is married and has a son, Arthur O. Ernest is a grad- nate from a dental college in San Francisco and was a prominent dentist in San Jose until he accepted the management of the Braslan Seed Growers Com- pany, Inc., of San Jose. He married Miss Ray Gag- liardo, and they have a son, Ernest O. Olga became Mrs. Chas. P. Braslan and the mother of a daughter, Olga. Mr. Braslan passed away in 1910.

Mrs. Adele Pieper passed away in November 13, 1919, and her memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew her. The spirit of helpfulness seemed to find embodiment in her and no task seemed too difficult when it would alleviate suffering or add to the happiness of those about her. The name of Pieper is one of long and close association with the development and upbuilding of San Jose and it will remain an honored one in the annals of the city.

C& A Hilary

Sarah m. wilcox.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ELBERT JOSEPH WILCOX .- A member of a family that has been closely identified with the history of San Jose for almost seventy years, Elbert Joseph Wilcox was born in San Jose, February 12, 1873, and has continuously resided in this section of the country. He is a son of the late Elbert Joseph Wilcox, Sr., a California pioneer of 1853, who was born in Middletown, Conn., July 19, 1829, and re- mained in his native state until he was twenty-three. In October, 1852, accompanied by his bride, he took passage on the Flying Dutchman and sailed around the Horn, arriving in San Francisco January 29, 1853, after a voyage of 100 days. Upon arrival he immediately joined his wife's brother, J. O. McKee, in San Jose. During the year of 1856 he purchased an interest in a grocery business, but two years later sold out and became one of the proprietors of the Morgan House on the northwest corner First and San Fernando, well known as the stopping place of the stage on its way to and from San Francisco. After a time he purchased his partner's interest and bought the site, and in 1867 he replaced the build- ing with a portion of the present brick structure. In 1871 he erected the Wilcox block, on the same site, and the same year he bought the shoe stock of Mc- Gowen and Company, and moved it to his new build- ing, where he conducted a shoe business until his retirement in September, 1899. Elbert J. Wilcox's marriage occurred in Middletown, Conn, in 1852, united him with Miss Sarah Maria McKee, a native of Middletown, and during girlhood a student in Meriden Female Seminary. Her father, Capt. Jo- seph O. McKee, a seafaring man, brought the barque Isabella around the Horn in 1849, and with him came his son, J. O. McKee. He liked the country and sent for his family to join him and they also came out on the Flying Dutchman.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were the parents of six chil- dren, three of whom are living. Anna K., a grad- uate of Gates Institute; Edith, the wife of Judge W. A. Beasly of San Jose; and Elbert Joseph, Jr., the subject of this sketch. Formerly Mr. Wilcox, Sr., was a member of the Board of Trade, later ac- tively connected with the Chamber of Commerce. In national politics a pronounced Republican, he was elected to represent the fourth ward in the city council. On the organization of the free library. he became a member of the board of trustees and continued in that position for fifteen years. He was always keenly interested in the meetings of the Santa Clara County Pioneer Association and was an hon- ored member. Mrs. Wilcox passed away in June, 1904, followed by her husband in April, 1918.

Elbert Joseph Wilcox, of this review, was edu- cated in the grammar and high schools, later attend- ing the University of the Pacific, and in 1901 he graduated from the school of Mechanical Arts of San Francisco. After his graduation he entered the employ of the American Can Company in San Fran- cisco as draftsman, and remained with them for nine years; since then, the management of his father's estate has demanded his full attention, and large- ly through his energy and industry, the property is becoming more valuable each succeeding year. Po- litically he is a strong Republican and is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce. He is treas- urer of the First Presbyterian Church of San Jose. Always taking an active part in all public measures. 24

Mr. Wilcox has sought in every way to advance the interests of his native city.

HENRY J. B. WRIGHT, M. D .- Prominent among the eminent representatives of the medical profession in California whose influence has been felt, to the blessing of many, beyond the confines of the state and also outside of their own immediate field of activity, was the late Dr. Henry J. B. Wright. whose illuminating publications relative to the ad- vantages of Santa Clara County have proven of such help in the vigorous campaigning by the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. A wide-awake Hoosier, he was born in Rush County. Ind., on March 18, 1851, the son of the Rev. Ephraim Wright, a faithful and scholarly clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who had married Miss Polly Buckley. They had five children, and the subject of our sketch was the youngest in the family. He attended the local public schools and Moore's Hill College, in Indiana. Later he was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery as M. D., and in 1880 con- tinued studying at the Jefferson Medical College in Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1881. In 1911 he received the de- gree of B. S. from Moore's Hill College.

For fourteen years Dr. Wright practiced in Olney, Southern Illinois, and then, in 1889, soon after the "boom" which brought so many good folks from the East, he came to San Jose, and here he em- barked on that uninterrupted career which made him. most probably, the oldest practicing physician in the county. In Illinois he was on the board of examin- ing surgeons for pensions, and he held a similar office in California for several years. He was a member of the board of health for many years, and was health officer of San Jose for two years. He be- longed to the Santa Clara County Medical Society, in which he held all the offices possible, at some time or other; and for forty years he was a member of the American Medical Association. For twenty-six years he was financial secretary and treasurer of the First Methodist Church of San Jose.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 70

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