Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 100

Author: Foote, Horace S., ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 844

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ATHAN L. ROSS, residing on the corner of Hamilton Avenue and the Meridian road, is the owner of one of the most thrifty orchards in the Hamilton District. He commenced the im- provement of his sixteen acres, which at the time of his purchase were part of a grain field, in 1881. The leading products of his orchard are apricots, prunes, and peaches. The orchard is in full bearing, and the following estimate of a part of the crop of 1887 will give a fair idea of its condition. In that year, from 400 apricot trees (then five years old) were gathered seventeen tons of fruit, which was sold for $540. The residence was built in the autumn of 1881.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

Mr. Ross was born in Lee County, Iowa, on the sixth of October, 1848. He is the son of John E. and Sarah (Page) Ross, who now live in Union Dis- trict, of this county. The family came to California from Lee County at quite an early day, in 1853. After a few months' residence in Sacramento, they removed to Redwood City, in the spring of 1854, and from that place changed their residence to this county in 1856.

Nathan L. Ross married Miss Arabella Harmon, in this county, on the first of October, 1870. They have one child living, Ada. Another daughter, Hat- tie, died at the age of ten months.

Mr. Ross was appointed by the Board of Supervis- ors, in 1885, as Roadmaster, and thus has charge of part of the roads in District No. 4. Politically he is an adherent of the Republican party. He is thoroughly identified with the agricultural and horticultural in- terests of the county, as he has been engaged in these occupations in this county ever since reaching man- hood. Experience has taught him his business thor- oughly, as his own fruit interests attest.

CHARLES E. WADE is one of the most pros- perous land owners of the county, his magnificent ranch of 395 acres lying in the Midway School District. It is about four miles north of San Jose, on the San Jose and Alviso road, and extending to Guadaloupe Creek. Forty acres are used for the cultivation of strawberries of the Sharpless and Long- worth varieties, blackberries, and raspberries. Thirty acres produce onion seed, and the remainder of this large farm is devoted to hay, grain, and stock, the latter including a dairy of twenty-five cows. Mr. Wade is also quite extensively engaged in raising common breeds of work horses. Three artesian wells are to be found on this place, one of which is worthy of special mention. It is 346 feet in depth, and has an eight-inch pipe, and the water will rise twelve feet above the surface, furnishing nearly 300,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. One of the others flows four inches over an eight-inch pipe.

The subject of our sketch was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in 1838. He is the son of Henry and Mary (Lynch) Wade. Henry Wade was born in England, in 1801, and came to the United States in 1835, taking up his residence in Tioga County. There the family made their home for nine years, removing in 1844 to Will County, Illinois, In

1849 they left Illinois for California. The party came by the Southern route, and spent over eleven months on the tedious journey. After a short stay in the mines, the father brought his family to Santa Clara County, where he engaged in farm work for about a year. He then took up his residence in Alviso, and engaged in the work of teaming. He spent many years in this vocation, leaving it only to retire from active business in 1865. He was granted many years of rest and quiet after an active, busy life. His death occurred in 1885.

The youth of our subject, after twelve years of age, was spent in Alviso, where he received his education. After reaching an age suitable for the work of earning his living, he engaged in various pursuits, among them teaming and freighting. Since purchasing the farm which he now owns he has devoted his entire at- tention to its cultivation.

Of his brothers and sisters who came to California, there are Henry G., living in Alviso; Richard A., married and living in San Jose; and Elmira, the wife of J. J. Ortley, now residing in Alviso. Mr. Wade was united in marriage, in 1863, with Miss Eslefana Alviso, the daughter of Domingo Alviso. They have had fourteen children, eleven of whom are now (1888) living. Their names are: Andrew Jackson, Daniel B., Stephen B., Augusta, William W., Mary, Charles L., Lottie, John A., Lizzie, and Walter A. D.

Having lived in the county from his youth, Mr. Wade is widely known, and much respected by a large circle of acquaintances. His interests are most thor- oughly those of the section where he lives, and he is greatly interested in all that concerns the public wel- fare. In politics he is thoroughly a Republican.

ULIAN JOHNSON. Among those who figured in Gilroy when it was a mere hamlet, is to be found the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is, however, a native of Sonora, Mexico, having been born .at Oposura, in that State, May 6, 1838. His father, John Johnson, was a native of Kentucky, and came of one of the best-known fami- lies of that State. The Indian race never presented a firmer or stronger front in opposition to the en- croachments of civilization than in the pioneer days of Kentucky, and there the name of Johnson oc- cupied a place as conspicuous and honorable as that of Boone. Col. Richard M. Johnson, Vice-President

Grecige Cross.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of the United States, 1837-41, to whom history has accorded the fame of being the slayer of Tecumseh, was a member of the family. Coming of such stock, John Johnson could not be otherwise than the man of iron nerve and will his subsequent career proved him to be. When he was young his parents removed to Missouri, and there he lived until 1835, in which year he went to Mexico, though then hardly past the age of boyhood. Finally, locating at Oposura, the ancient capital of the Opota Indians, he met and married a Spanish lady, Delfina Gutierrez, who was born in San Miguel, and educated at Oposura. He at once became a leader in the community, and his business as a trader grew to large proportions. The ravages of the Apache Indians, ever an important element in restraining the progress of that portion of Mexico, were then at their worst, and they were not only a constant source of menace to the trading trains of Mr. Johnson, on their way to and from the States, but were also the cause of great dread and consternation among the people during his absence. He decided to strike a blow at the Apaches which should be an effectual check on their operations in that vicinity, and for this purpose set about forming an expedition against them, with seventeen American trappers and hunters in his employ as a nucleus.

Starting out with this object in view, it became evident that his force would not be augmented, as all regarded the expedition as foolhardy in the ex- treme. Their progress was telegraphed from band to band of the Indians by means of signal fires on the hills, and on the afternoon of the third day out they were surrounded at the foot of the Sierra by a large party of warriors, under the leadership of the cele- brated Juan Jose, who demanded the reason of their presence there. Mr. Johnson gave the plausible ex- cuse that his party were on their way to the States, on account of the impending trouble between Texas and Mexico. He also asked for guides, promising at a given point to present the Indians with a part of the pack, consisting of trinkets, etc., on the next day. Before separating temporarily from the Indians, John- son noticed a Mexican girl among them, and learning that she was a captive he purchased her release. She soon repaid the favor by informing her deliverers that the Indians had a plan to massacre the entire party. The distribution of presents was to be al- lowed to take place on the following morning, and the guide then furnished was to lead the Americans into an ambush. Swift runners had been sent out to gather a force of Indians for this purpose.

On learning of this, Johnson determined to meet cunning with cunning. He selected for the transfer of the presents a little valley, with an opening sur- rounded by a grove of oak timber and clusters of underbrush. Some large flat stones formed natural tables on which the trinkets were artfully displayed by the hunters. A howitzer, which had been packed on the back of a mule, was loaded with double charges of grape and canister, and carefully concealed in a clump of underbrush close at hand. Carefully cov- ered by the pack-saddles, blankets, etc., the artillery- man in charge had carefully trained it upon the narrow place where the Indians must assemble to receive the presents. The little band of Americans were to be apparently carelessly distributed about the ground, but in reality each was to have his Kentucky rifle, carefully loaded, within reach, and every detail in readiness for a sudden fight.

Juan Jose was promptly on hand with a large band, and some of his most renowned subalterns. The artilleryman partially uncovered his howitzer, and when the Indians became huddled together, he fired his piece. Almost simultaneously sixteen Kentucky rifles cracked, and a large proportion of the Indian band was almost in a twinkling literally mowed away. Each rifleman had selected for his victim a chief or noted warrior, and after the first volley no one was left to lead the bewildered red men remaining, who immediately took to their heels, followed by volleys from the riflemen, who had so outwitted a party su- perior to them in number many times to one! This remarkable victory, with all its attendant circum- stances, made such an impression on the Apaches that their outrages in Johnson's region were thereafter effectually checked.

John Johnson was an educated man, and by pro- fession a physician. He practiced for some time after going to Mexico. In 1849 he came to Gilroy with his son Richard, and in the following year his son Julian, whose name commences this article, and who was at that time a lad of but ten years, came to Gilroy also, with an uncle. He worked first as a farm boy, but at the age of fourteen he entered the store of Mr. Everett as a clerk, and while there studied at nights, thus obtaining his education. He followed the fortunes of this store long after the original pro- prietor had left it, and while there he filled the posi- tion of expressman, telegraph operator, and Post- master. In the spring of 1863 he went to Mexico to engage in mining, but in January, 1864, he returned to Gilroy, and re-entered the store of Wagenheim,

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Loupe, Levy & Co. With them he remained until September, 1865, when he returned to Mexico, and his interests there have so grown that they require his presence most of the time. In one ranch he has 100,000 acres. He has, however, chosen Gilroy as a home for his family, and here, in 1874, he purchased a handsome residence property, which is kept up with a high regard for care and taste.

His wife, to whom he was married September 24, 1862, was formerly Miss Mary H. Hinman, a native of Mannsville, Jefferson County, New York, and daughter of Joel and Eunice (Wheeler) Hinman. Her father died in 1849, but her mother, who survives, a lady of culture and refinement, is sprightly and active, and has her home with Mrs. Johnson. She has a number of times made the trip from New York to the Pacific, and return, and thoroughly enjoyed it. She is of an old New York family. Her uncle, David Wheeler, by whom she was raised after her father's death, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Her grand- father also served in the patriotic army. Mr. and Mrs. Julian Johnson are the parents of five children, namely: Charles Hinman, William Hinman, Julian Manuel, Frances Eunice, and John Everett.

P. STOCKTON, the proprietor of the Gravel Vineyards, resides on Brenham Lane, in Union District. He purchased the residence portion of his property, consisting of seventy-nine acres, in 1860, and at once took possession of it. He paid $8.00 per acre for the land, it being in the state of nature known as "oak openings." Two years after his acquisition of the property, twelve acres had been prepared and planted with vines, and year by year the owner has added to the original setting, as his means would admit, without incurring indebtedness, until now (in 1888) the whole tract is comprised in a thrifty vineyard. In addition to this, Mr. Stockton bought, in 1882, an adjoining tract of 100 acres, it then being a grain-field. During that year and the one following, thirty-five acres were set to vines. The leading varieties of grapes in the two tracts com- posing this large vineyard are the Matero, Grenache, Zinfandel, and Charbano, and the yield is the best proof of the excellent care given to the industry. In 1887 these vines furnished 300 tons of grapes. Dur- ing the present year, twenty acres of the last purchase were set with prune-trees, and the remainder of the

tract has been devoted to the raising of hay and grain for the use of the ranch.

Mr. Stockton was born in Lawrence County, Ala- bama, July 16, 1829. His mother died when he was young, and he early left the old home. He drifted westward to Mississippi, and later made his home in Tennessee and Arkansas, living in the latter State in 1850. In 1852 he became a resident of this State, first locating in Santa Cruz. Thence he went, in 1854, to Monterey, where he went to farming on his own account, pre-empting 160 acres of land. He re- mained there but a short time, entering the mines in Mariposa County in the following year. Later, Mr. Stockton, in partnership with P. O. McFadden, became engaged in stock-raising in San Luis Obispo County. He retained his interest in this business for several years, but after 1859 left it in charge of his partner. As before stated, in 1860 he commenced building up his present large interests. His success as a viticult- urist is assured by an experience of twenty-eight years, as well as by the careful attention which he gives to all the details of his work. As would nat- urally be expected, he is greatly interested in the Santa Clara Viticultural Society.

In 1869 Mr. Stockton was united in marriage with Miss Susie Welch, formerly from Missouri, but a resi- dent of this State since 1852. Three children have blessed this union: Paul, Frankie, and Herbert.

In his political views Mr. Stockton sympathizes with the principles of the Democratic party.

BEORGE A. FLEMING COMPANY, fruit-driers and dealers in dried fruit. At the Willows, in 1877, George A. Fleming commenced, in an ex- perimental way, the drying of fruit. The dis- couragements of the first years were many; much had to be learned, the people being slow to believe that the American prune or apricot could equal imported fruit. In fact, the often unsatisfactory condition of the first fruits sent from this State to the Eastern markets did much to confirm the prevalent prejudice against all Am rican dried fruits. There were those who believed that patience and care could remedy all existing deficiencies, and in time create a demand for California fruits that would make their production a source of great profit, and build up an industry that would employ thousands, and bring wealth to Santa Clara Valley. Among these was George A. Fleming.

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Holding steadily to that faith, he gained each year in experimental knowledge. With the increased pro- duction, his business steadily increased, until it has grown to its present magnificent proportions.

Associated with him is his brother, Charles F. Flem- ing. Their interests becoming too large for personal supervision, the George A. Fleming Company was or- ganized, under the State laws of Illinois, in Decem- ber, 1887, with a capital stock of $250,000. Of this stock the Flemings own three-fourths. The incor- porators are as follows: George A. Fleming, President ; Charles F. Fleming, Treasurer and Vice-President; Thomas Cadwallader, of Chicago, Secretary; and R. D. Shaw and George T. Mclaughlin, of San Jose. The last-named gentlemen had been in the employ of the Flemings several years, and are now the superin- tendents of the two drying establishments, one at the Willows, and the other at Campbell Station. The latter establishment was erected in 1887. The com- pany own, at Rock Island, Illinois, their own dis- tributing depot, handling all of their own goods. There sixty hands are employed, under the superin- tendence of Charles F. Fleming. The business office of the company is in Chicago, under the charge of Mr. Cadwallader, the secretary of the corporation. The management of the driers, and the purchase of stock, are under the superintendence of George A. Fleming, who resides at the Willows. During the active drying season of 1887, about 700 employes composed the force, and 1,800 tons of apricots (green fruit), and over 2,500 tons of other fruit were handled. The company deal largely in fruits cured by others. They shipped, of the crop of 1887, about 120 car loads of dried fruit, about two-thirds of which was cured by themselves. Their Black Diamond brand, and Fleming's raisin-cured prunes, are favorites in the market.

HOMAS JEFFERSON MAXEY. Among the fine farms in the Berryessa District is that of Mr. Maxey. He is the owner of 123 acres, bounded on the north by the Maxey and Ables road, on the east by the Rice and Randall road. Excepting a small orchard, this land is devoted to the produc- tion of hay and grain and stock-raising; of the latter Mr. Maxey has some splendid specimens of Nor- man horses, of which he is justly proud. Among the horses is his stallion "Prince." He also owns 160 acres of land located about two and one-half miles north,

and near the summit, of Mount Hamilton. This land is used for stock purposes. The subject of this sketch is the son of Robert and Ridley Ann (Nixon) Maxey, and dates his birth in Buckingham County, Virginia, October 8, 1828. His parents were natives of Vir- ginia. In 1831 his father moved to Cumberland County, Kentucky, and in 1838 moved to Knox County, Illinois. His father was a farmer, to which occupation Mr. Maxey was rcared. His education was limited, and only such as was afforded by the frontier schools. He remained on his father's farm until 1852, in which year he started overland with ox teams for California. The Indians were somewhat troublesome that year, but the train proceeded safely, and was only stopped once. They were surrounded by the Indians, who became very demonstrative in their actions. The emigrant force was small, and Mr. Maxey volunteered to ride back on the trail and seek a relief force from other trains. It was a hazardous undertaking, but, mounted upon a fleet horse, he burst through the cordon of the Indians, and, before they had fairly recovered from their surprise at his dar- ing, he was beyond their reach and dashing along the trail. The Indians knew too well what this movement meant, and soon after moved off and left the train to proceed on its way. Mr. Maxey arrived at Stockton in September, and worked at brick-making for about two months. He then came to Santa Clara County, and for nearly three years was engaged in various pur- suits. He worked for Dr. Jones, near Evergreen, and helped to build the first house ever erected in that section. He also worked for Edward Doty for nearly two years at farm labor. In the fall of 1855 he rented 250 acres of land from Mrs. White, which he devoted to raising grain.

In 1856 Mr. Maxey married Miss Theresa J. Ogan, daughter of James S. and Elizabeth B. (Harris) Ogan, residents of Santa Clara County. (Mrs. Ogan's father and mother were natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively.) Mr. Maxey continued his work upon this and other rented farms until 1858, when he pur- chased his present residence and farm. He at once began its cultivation and improvement, which he has so successfully accomplished. He purchased his hill farm in 1882. Mr. Maxey is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is well-known throughout the section in which he resides-a man industrious, energetic, and of progressive views. His success in life is due more to these qualities than to any advantages he received from education in early life. Mr. and Mrs. Maxey have three children, viz .: Alice J., Clayborn, and

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Millie F. In addition they have an adopted son, Frank Maxey, the son of W. H. and Margaret J. (Cockburn) McKillip. Frank Maxey married Ella J. Hollister, daughter of Page Hollister, of San Jose. They are residing near Hollister, San Benito County.

LEXANDER KAMMERER is a native of Santa Clara County, born in San Jose Town- ship, August 12, 1861. He is the son of Peter and Marian (Hoffman) Kammerer. His father was a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States, and came to California in 1851. After engag- ing in mining and other occupations, in different parts of the State, he located in Santa Clara County in 1855. Soon after his arrival he took up his residence upon 200 acres of land situated on what is now the King road, in the Jackson School District, about two and one-half miles east of the business center of San Jose. Here he commenced the cultivation and im- provement of the place, which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1865. The death of Mrs. Kammerer occurred the year before. The subject of this sketch was thus left an orphan at the age of four years. He was then taken into the family of his guardian, J. D. White, whose farm adjoined that of his father's, and was there reared and schooled, re- ceiving the same care and attention that were given to members of Mr. White's family. He was given the advantages of an education in the excellent public schools of San Jose, and is also a graduate of the Gar- den City Commercial College. At the same time he was reared to farm life. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Kammerer came into possession of one-half of the old homestead before mentioned, since which time he has successfully cultivated and improved the same. This land is rich and productive. Mr. Kammerer has not as yet extended his fruit cultivation beyond a

family orchard, but devotes his land to hay, grain, and stock. In the latter line he is breeding horses from "Percheron" and "Nutwood" strains, and has reason to be proud of his success in this enterprise. A fine artesian well furnishes all the water required for stock and domestic use, the surplus being used for irrigation.

Mr. Kammerer is a strong Republican in politics. He is a firm believer in the future prosperity and growth of the section in which he resides, and takes a deep interest in all public improvements tending to advance the welfare of the county.

He was united in marriage, October 17, 1883, with Miss May Catherine Holland, daughter of Simeon and Hannah (Broadbent) Holland, natives of En- gland, but residents of Santa Clara County. They have had three children, viz .: Urban A., Lester Oakley, and Marian Hannah. Mr. Kammerer has one sister liv- ing, Lena, who married George C. Hunt, and now re- sides in Oakland, Alameda County.

FREDERICK THEUERKAUF is one of the earliest settlers of Santa Clara County, having come to this beautiful valley in 1852, in which year he bought a claim of 160 acres, on the Quito Ranch, seven miles west of San Jose. He made great improvements on his real estate, erecting a fine residence and planting a good orchard and vineyard. In 1875 he sold the property to Peter Hillebrant, for $30,000. It is now known as the " Evergreen Avenue Farm."

During the three years following the sale of his ranch, Mr. Theuerkauf lived in East San Jose. He then purchased 180 acres of improved land, and sold 100 acres of it, reserving the remainder for his fine home residence. It is located in the Willow District, between Plummer Avenue and the Almaden road, three miles from the city limits of San Jose. Mr. Theuerkauf also owns a ranch of 254 acres, among the hills, six miles southeast of the city. This he devotes to grain-raising, pasturing and fruit-growing, making the production of grain a specialty.

Mr. Theuerkauf was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, January 29, 1822. He is the son of Matthias and Catharine Theuerkauf. In 1837 the parents, with their children, came to America. Land- ing at New Orleans, they proceeded directly to Cin- cinnati, Ohio. There Frederick, the subject of this sketch, on the twenty-ninth of September, 1845, mar- ried Miss Catharine Weyh, who was born in Baden, Bavaria, July 29, 1824. Their two children were born in Cincinnati. Caroline, the elder, is now the wife of George W. Henning, who has charge of the hill farm, spoken of above, owned by Mrs. Henning's father. George W., the younger, is a farmer in Monterey, of this State. Mr. Theuerkauf's father died at New Orleans, in 1844, at the age of fifty-five years, and his mother, in Santa Clara County, in 1863, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Theuerkauf and their children are members of the Methodist

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 100

Author: Foote, Horace S., ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 844

Author: Foote, Horace S., ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 844