History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 92

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

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Dr. Osborne is an able physician and public-spirited citizen of peculiarly genial and attractive personality, and leads a life of great usefulness for the world, jus- tifying the conception of him by many of his admir- ing friends and neighbors, that he is one of the first citizens of the Golden State. Recently Dr. Osborne has removed to Los Gatos and has taken up his residence at 121 Glen Ridge Avenue, where he and his good wife continue to dispense a whole-hearted hospitality to their many friends.

ALBERT EDWARD WILLIAMS-AUGUS- TUS CLAIR WILLIAMS .- Among the enterpris- ing orchardists of Santa Clara County mention should be made of Albert E. and Augustus C. Wil- liams, who own and operate fine orchards in the Cupertino district. The father, Samnel R. Williams, settled on this ranch during the year of 1870, when it was wild land with a growth of timber and brush. Samuel R. was a native of Canada West and was born June 25, 1828. The paternal grandparents were James and Anna (Weise) Williams and they were both natives of Canada. Samuel grew up on his father's farm and was able to attend the public schools. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, when, in April, 1852, he was married to Jane Hume. also a native of Canada. He bought 100 acres of land in the same township, and began farming for himself and lived there for three years. During the year 1855 he sold his property and removed to California. He went into the mines

in Nevada County and worked there for three years, but he met with only nominal success. He then re- turned to Canada and engaged in the tannery busi- ness in the township of Camden, remaining there until 1866, when he sold his business and again came to California. He then spent two years in the mines at Virginia City, Nev .; then settled in Yolo County, Cal., and followed farming for two years. In 1870 he removed with his family to Santa Clara County and located in the Cupertino district, where he cleared 100 acres of land and set it to grapes. He

worked the land for three years and received for his services a deed to fifty acres; later he took two of his sons into partnership with him and together they conducted the ranch, which was mostly set to vines, which yielded them handsome returns each year. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had five children.

Albert Edward was born in Canada, June 27, 1861, and was nine years old when his parents removed to Santa Clara County, where he attended the public schools and the College of the Pacific; later took a business course in Seattle. After finishing school he returned to the ranch and assumed his share of the work. In national politics he is a Socialist; fraternally he belongs to Cupertino lodge, I. O. O. F.

Augustus C. is also a native of Canada and was born December 23, 1863. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of Santa Clara County. He was interested with his father in the home place and in 1886 received his deed to his property from his father, which was set to grapes; later the vines were removed and all planted to orchard, which has been carefully cultivated and is now bringing good profits for his labor. He married Miss Ada Mabel White, born in Canada, and they are the parents of one child, Mabel Hume. In politics he is independ- ent, supporting and voting for the candidate best fitted for the office; fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He has served his district as school trustee. Both brothers are "boosters" for Santa Clara County and can be depended upon to support all progressive measures.

ROBERT R. SYER .- Perseverance, energy and ambition are the keynotes to the success of Robert R. Syer, an influential and successful lawyer of San Jose. He was born in Baltimore, Md., November 16, 1870, a son of Robert and Martha V. (Reay) Syer. Before removing to California, the father was a clothing merchant and hatter in Porismonth, Va. In 1874 he migrated to California with his family, settling in the Santa Clara Valley, purchasing 107 acres in the Milpitas Road. By wise and judicious management, coupled with energy and well-directed efforts, he became very successful as an orchardist. He was among the first agriculturists to raise ber- ries in Santa Clara County, and raised raspberries and strawberries in such quantities that a daily ship- ment to San Francisco was necessary. He passed away in 1914 and his wife died in 1916. Besides their son Robert R., they are survived by two daugh- ters, Mrs. Miriam S. Richmond and Mrs. E. Pauline Howard, both of San Jose.

Robert R. Syer was educated in the public schools of Santa Clara County, attending the Orchard dis- trict school and for a time attended the Normal Training School; later he attended Santa Clara Uni- versity, graduating in 1888 and receiving the B. S. degree; the next year he returned for a post-gradu- ate course receiving the degree of A. M .; within the next year he began the study of law with the firm of Archer and Bowden, San Jose, and here he remained two years. In the year 1892 he entered Hastings Law School at San Francisco, remaining there for two years, graduating with the degree of LL.B., June 14, 1894. He established offices in San Jose and has practiced his profession continuously, be- coming exceptionally influential in this community. For five years he served on the board of trustees of the Public Library; also served for two years on the Civil Service Commission of San Jose under the

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

new charron wurd was one of the active members of the board of mr cholders who drafted the new char- ter for the commission form of city government. Ever since the organization of the Merchants' Asso- cition, in November, 1901, he has capably served as the attorney and secretary for the association. In his political conviction, Mr. Syer is a Republican. He has served as president of San Jose Golf and Country Club for three terms and is extremely fond of golf as a recreation from his strenuous life.

Mr. Syer's marriage December 19, 1905, united him with Miss May L. D'Oyly, a daughter of Cap- tain Nigel D'Oyly, a native of Fontainebleau, France. Early in life, Captain D'Oyly developed a fondness for the sea and his ability very soon won for him responsible positions as commander of ocean ships sailing out of New York harbor, which positions he continued to fill until the outbreak of the Civil War. July 18, 1861. he entered the volunteer navy as act- ing master and was assigned to duty as navigating officer of the U. S. S. Lancaster, Pacific Squadron. where he remained until 1862, when he was ordered to New York and placed in command of the W. G. Anderson, West Gulf Squadron, under Farragut. In 1863, he was ordered by Admiral Farragut to com- mand the United States side-wheel steamer Jackson. He was actively engaged until his retirement from the sea in 1874, and lived in Oakland until 1880, when he removed with his family to San Jose, Cal .. where he resided until the time of his death, in 1894, and where he was universally respected as a public- spirited citizen. The widow, Mrs. D'Oyly, resides in Los Angeles. One son, Robert D'Oyly Syer. has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Syer, and is a pupil in the San Jose High School. No greater encomium can be passed upon the life and work of Mr. Syer than to say that he is best appreciated where best known. He is a member of the County and State Bar Associations; also an enthusiastic member of the newly organized Commercial Club of Santa Clara County. He is a supporter of all local charities and churches, as well as all civic improvements.

ELIAS H. FREELYN .- A pioneer of the Cuper- tino district, the late Elias H. Freelyn was one of the county's publie-spirited citizens, and his passing removed from the community one of its worthy and honored citizens. Mr. Freelyn was a native of Denmark and 1843 marks the year of his birth. His parents, both natives of that country, passed their entire lives there. America was the goal of Mr. Freelyn's ambitions, and a few years after he had completed his education in the schools of his native land, he crossed the ocean in his early twenties. l'or some years he remained in New York, moving westward as far as Michigan, where he was em- ployed for a time, and then terminating his journey- ings when he reached the garden spot of the West. Santa Clara Valley, in 1887.

Purchasing his ranch of fifteen acres on Prospect Road, Mr. Freelyn immediately became actively identified with the life of the community, and devel- oped a fine orchard place, meeting with a financial success that gave abundant reward for his unflag- ging interest. Besides his own place he set out various orchards for others. He erected a beautiful home on Prospect Road, and here he made his home until his passing away on November 20, 1911. He also owned twenty-five aeres which he improved and later sold. His marriage united him with Mrs.

Cornelia DeKay, and she made her nome on the ranch until her death on December 26, 1921. For the past nine years, however, she had been an in- valid, and a niece, Miss Senia Freelyn, is devoting her time to the management of the ranch, a task she is filling with unusual capability. During his lifetime Mr. Freelyn was active in Grange circles and also in the local affairs of the Democratic party, and an active member of the Saratoga Christian Church, and he left behind him a name justly honored by his fellow-citizens.

ROBERT A. COSTIGAN .- A rancher whose steady success and increasing prosperity will always be a source of gratification to his friends is Robert A. Costigan, a native of San Jose, where he was born on August 17, 1867. His father, John Costigan, hailed from Quiney, Ill., and his mother, who was Mary Jane McIlroy before her marriage, was born in Missouri. Her people came to California in 1852. and she herself passed away when she was a com- paratively young woman, having attained only her forty-second year. John Costigan also came to Cali- 'ornia in pioneer days.

In the Rhoads district near Gilroy on March 30, 1889, Robert A. Costigan was married to Mrs. Sarah L. Menasco, widow of the late Daniel William Menasco, to whom she was married June 13, 1883, and by whom she had two children, Ralph Orval Menasco and Zoe Eva Menasco, who died. Mrs. Costigan's maiden name was Sarah L. House, and she was a daughter of Ezekiel and Caroline (Patter- son) House, both natives of Edgar County, 111. Ezekiel House and his five cousins, namely, Dan, William, Henry, George and Isaac Rhoads, were the first white people to settle permanent in the Canada Canyon. Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel House were married on June 13, 1858, and on June 24, of that year, they settled in the Gilroy neighborhood, which became known as the Rhoads District and there Mrs. Costigan was brought up and attended that district's public schools. Her maternal grandparents were Jonathan and Christine (Foster) Patterson, who were both natives of Virginia. They were among the very first of white people from east of the Rocky Mountains to seek a home in the far-off California, which then belonged to Mexico. They crossed the plains in immigrant wagons and were members of the ill-fated Donner party as far as the divide in the Sierra Mountains, where Jonathan Pat- terson died and was buried, in 1846. The widow and children came on to California. Mrs. Costigan's father, Ezekiel House, came from Illinois to Cali- fornia in 1850 and settled at Gilroy. Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel House had twelve children, eight girls and four boys. Emma is Mrs. Gentry of Hercules; Sarah Louisa is now the wife of Robert A. Costigan, the subject of this sketch; Margaret Ellen has be- come Mrs. Bradford of Kingsburg; Robert Francis of Los Banos is the fourth child; Georgia Virginia died in 1919; Martha Melvina is Mrs. House of Gil- roy, and her next younger brother is Edward E. House; Nellie passed away in 1913; Caroline Chris- tine is the wife of Robert Thomas Heslin of Gilroy; Mr. Heslin was born in New York City and is a nephew of the late Father Patrick Hesiin, the mur- dered priest of Colma; John Thomas, Lucy Honora and James Emanuel are the three remaining children. Mr. and Mrs. Costigan have two children, Robert Edward and Leo John Costigan. Robert Edward married his cousin, Vivian H. Costigan, and they

Hubbard Nelle

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

have four children, James Edward, Dorothy Vivian, Henry Merle and Donald Lloyd. Leo John mar- ried Miss Emma L. Meyers of the pioneer Meyers family of Alviso, and to them has been born a daughter named Cleo Jane.

. Mr. Costigan worked for the Spreckels Sugar Company at Spreckles, Cal., until 1907, when he re- moved to Milpitas and took a position with the Cali- fornia Fruit Canners' Association, and when that was taken over by the C. P. C. he still remained with them and is still employed on the California Packing Corporation pea ranch at Milpitas, where he makes his home on a part of the ranch. A Demo- crat in matters of national political import, Mr. Cos- tigau has been a school director of the Spreckels school district, and in the discharge of his duties has always been as broadminded and nonpartisan as the necessities of his locality demanded.

HUBBARD McKEE .- A worthy representative of a pioneer family, Hubbard McKee (familiarly called Hubb McKee) was a steady, clean-cut and enterpris- ing business man, who was born in San Jose on Feb- ruary 28, 1873, a son of George B. and Mary McKee, pioneers of Santa Clara County. His father was born at Ottawa, 111., on July 27. 1838, the son of Lyman McKee, who was married in Watertown, N. Y., to Miss Melinda Butterfield. His maternal great-grand- father, Zacharia Butterfield, was a New Englander, who came out to New York State and was one of three that took up the land now the site of Water- town, hence was one of the founders of that thriving city. He was engaged in stock raising and dairying. George B. McKee was educated in the public schools of Watertown, N. Y., and in 1853 removed to Mil- waukee, Wis., and the following spring joined the Moody-Winchel train destined for California, arriving in San Jose in October, 1854; he has always been most prominent in civic and business circles and has aided greatly in the steady development and prog- ress of his locality.

Hubbard McKee was reared in San Jose and edu- cated in the public schools of San Jose and Santa Clara College. After graduation he entered his father's store, beginning at the bottom and working up through the various departments in both the paint factory and the store. He was greatly interested in the business and in time was able to relieve his father of much of its care and oversight. When his father made a seven months trip to the Orient, he had charge of the business, and it was soon after his father's return that he met with the accident which resulted in his death on July 19, 1914. A description of the accident which caused his death was printed in the San Jose Mercury of July 22, 1914: "There is something ineffably pathetic in the tragic end of the late Hubbard McKee. He was known as a man of unusual tenderness, and his friends were not surprised to learn that he had given his seat to an injured man picked up by the roadside and that he himself had stood behind while the driver rushed with all speed to the hospital. It was at a sudden curve of the road. that the unselfish MeKee was thrown from his pre- carious hold to his death, and that he, in the prosecu- tion of an act noble in the highest degree, should forfeit his own life, distinguishes this from the aver- age automobile accident. Those who knew the late Hubbard McKee knew a true man; his impulses were generous, his sympathies tender, indeed, since his

untimely passing many stories are told showing the genuineness of his manhood, his thoughtfulness for others, his willingness to sacrifice, when that was necessary. To the men in his employ he was a friend rather than master, while in his dealings with the public, he erred only to his own disadvantage. There was nothing petty in the man; indeed it was foreign to his nature, and yet he was a quiet, unobtrusive citizen, devoted to his home, his parents and his city. Hubbard McKee could not be other than brave and generous, for he came of that splendid old pioneer stock which adorned the early history of California and the surviving members of which command such universal respect today. The name of George B. Mc- Kee is a synonym for integrity in business, for ag- gressiveness on the side of right and for love of state and country. The son was a replica of the father, a · quiet citizen immersed in his own affairs, but ever ready to contribute his means and ability to a deserv- ing cause. What a contrast is presented in the heroic act of this man in picking up a stranger by the way- side to the speed-fiend striking down the innocent pedestrian and passing on without even learning his name or the extent of his injuries."

The marriage of Mr. McKee occurred in San Jose on January 31, 1899, and united him with Miss Mary Grimley, a native of Port Jervis, N. Y., a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Drennen) Grimley, who brought her to Santa Clara County when she was five years of age and here she attended school at Mayfield, as well as Notre Dame College. Their union, a very happy one, was blessed with three children: George Butterfield, second, educated at Washburn School, San Jose, is now secretary of the Geo. B. McKee Co .; Margaret Mary, a graduate of San Jose high school, is also with the Geo. B. Mc- Kee Co .; Frank Hubbard is at present a student at the William Warren Military Academy, Menlo Park. Mrs. McKee was a true and loving wife, and since her husband's untimely end has been very zealous in her care of their children, being unselfishly devoted to their comfort and pleasures. Hubbard McKee was liberal, brave and kindhearted, always ready to de a good turn to any deserving person and every- one who knew him loved him, for he was always helping those in need, for he never found a man down, but he would render him timely aid.

C. A. CARLSON .- The good people of Sunny- vale may well be congratulated upon their grocery service, furnished by C. A. Carlson, the "square dealer," who has done his best to standarize that trade, and in endeavoring to furnish the community only . the best at the lowest price, has easily built up a dependable patronage. Carlson's Cash Grocery is known far and wide; and wherever it is known, one speaks only good of the enterprise.

Mr. Carlson was born at Falun, Sweden, on July 25, 1874, and in his native land he grew up. His first work for a living was in the employ of the pulp and paper mills at Grigsbo; but when he was only seven- teen, he crossed the ocean to America. He took pas- sage on the White Star Line, sailed from Gothen- burg, and landed at New York. Without stopping long in the great metropolis, young Carlson came west to Monona County, Iowa, and there he started to work out by the month.

In 1900, Mr. Carlson was married to Miss May Wickersham, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

George Wickersham, of Monona County, and to this union two children, Laura and Violet, have been born. Taking up agriculture in Iowa, Mr. Carlson at first rented, then bought land; but the eighty acres he soon sold to engage in the grocery trade at Ticonic, in Monona County, lowa. At the end of two years, however, Mr. Carlson decided to come out to the Coast; and on reaching the Golden State. he came to Sunnyvale, where Mrs. Carlson's uncle, Lee Wickersham, was then, and is still, living. For awhile Mr. Carlson clerked in a grocery, and then he bought the store. His past experience, foresight and careful attention to the details of the trade have enabled him to anticipate the wants of his patrons, and he has been prosperous ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson have a fine residence on Murphy Ave- nue, and they belong to the Congregational Church. Mr. Carlson deals in staple and fancy groceries, and. inore than ever the public have come to appreciate the dependable service. His place of business is scrupulously clean and orderly, and his many pa- trons are sure to get the best of wholesome goods, gentlemanly attention and a square deal at all times.

F. A. SCHILLING .- Numbered among the active and highly-esteemed residents of the county is F. A. Schilling, auditor of Santa Clara County. Born in San Jose August 31, 1870, Mr. Schilling entered pub- lic service in January, 1893, and has since been con- tinuously in the service of the county as court clerk, clerk of the board of supervisors and as county au- ditor. Long years of experience, coupled with natural adaptability, enable him to render efficient public service, which has always received the highest com- mendation from his constituents.

He is a son of Frank Schilling, now deceased, the pioneer gunsmith of Santa Clara County, who in the year 1861 opened the sporting goods store now con- ducted by Raymond Schilling, another son, on Post Street, in San Jose. Beside Raymond, Mr. Schilling is a brother to Herbert E. Schilling, formerly mayor of San Jose, and to Mrs. Lena Stewart, who resides with his mother, Mrs. Margaret Schilling. All are residents of San Jose.

Mr. Schilling is married and has two daughters; Mrs. Marjorie Cathcart, the mother of a son, and Miss Dorothy Schilling. He makes his home in the beautiful college town of Palo Alto.

DR. H. F. CARPENTER .- A learned practi- tioner of medical science who is a master of re- search and controversy, and has accomplished much good by his masterly contributions to polemical lit- erature, is Dr. H. F. Carpenter, a minister of the Advent Christian Church, residing at 806 Jackson Street, Santa Clara. He is profoundly versed in the Bible, and as a fine old gentleman draws and holds a large circle of immediate admirers and support- ers, while through his trenchant, inspiring pen, he reaches, influences and guides a still wider coterie.

He was born at Douglas, Mass., on October 24, far back in 1833, the son of Seba Carpenter, who was a shoe manufacturer and made brogans out of "kip" leather. or heavy work shoes for the slaves "down South." and kept so busy that he had as many as sixty shoemakers working for him. He was born at Douglas, and his father was Nathaniel Carpenter, a native of the same place, where he first saw the light on the old Carpenter homestead. The Carpenters came from England; and as in the usual

story of the pioneer, three brothers crossed the ocean and settled in Vermont, and two brothers settled in the other colonies. Our subject is prob- ably descended from the Vermont line; at any rate, his is a Colonial family, and his ancestors were in the thick of the Revolutionary War, and some of them also fought in the War of 1812. Seba Car- penter was originally a Massachusetts farmer, and he married Melinda Learned, also a native of Massa- chusetts. They had five children, all boys; and H. F. Carpenter was the second.

He was sent to the district school, and from school days he had to work, generally in his father's shoe factory; so it came to pass that he sewed up thou- sands of pairs of brogans, for shoemaking in those days was all by hand. He had a desire, however, to study medicine; and having moved with his parents to Worcester, Mass., he went to the high school there, and in due time graduated from that excellent institution.

During this time, in 1854, he was converted and immediately took up preaching. The miraculous change was effected in him in the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Worcester; and in that church he remained for two years. His first sermon, however, was preached in the Adventist Church at Worcester. now known as the Advent Christian Church; it was delivered in the spring of 1856, and he has been preaching ever since. He has also practiced forty- five years-practiced medicine and healing; for he is a "natural born" healer. He has been able to look deep into such difficult, oft-puzzling diseases as diphtheria and appendicitis, and he has cured nu- merous cases of the latter disease, and never lost a case-and never used a knife. He studied medi- cine under Dr. Porter, at Vallejo, Cal., in 1876, and he was admitted to practice after lue examina- tion before the California State Board of Examiners,

In Connecticut he had a pastorate, and he had several similar congregational charges in Vermont. He became pastor of the church at Fitchburg, and from there he migrated to California in 1875, settling at Vallejo. Then, in 1879, he removed to Santa Clara. At first, he was an evangelist, and he held tent meetings; but he has preached intermittently in the Advent Christian Church at Santa Clara ever since 1879. He has never lost a case of diphtheria in Santa Clara, although while at Vallejo, when he went through an epidemic of diphtheria and had seventy-five cases, he lost two. He is getting stronger in his faith every day, and believes that the second coming of Christ is at hand. As an author dealing with religious themes, Dr. Carpenter has written, with exceptional clearness and vigor, a number of tracts. He wrote one on "Christian Science: Both Un-Christian and Unscientific," an- other on "The Three Hells," another on "The Well- Sealed Book," a fourth on "The Two Horned Beast of Rev. 13 not the United States," a fifth on "Man's Need-God's Supply," and a sixth on "God's Esti- mate of the Human Body."

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 92

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