Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 101

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

USA > California > Santa Clara County > Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California > Part 101

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541

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Church. Mr. Theuerkauf has been a Republican ever since the candidacy of John C. Fremont.

Mr. Theuerkauf commenced life in poor circum- stances, paying but $300 for 160 acres, which, as stated above, he sold for $30,000. He is a man of means, which he has accumulated by the pursuit of his life work, agriculture. He may justly look with pride on his beautiful home, surrounded by its fine grove, and approached by gravel walks, lined with flowers. The home shows taste and love of order, and gives ample evidence of the care bestowed upon it by himself and his wife. Mr. Thcuerkauf prizes knowledge, and therefore his children have been well educated.

ATTHEW TANTAU, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in North Germany in 1815. Of his youthful days no more is known than that at fifteen years of age he became a sailor boy, and that he followed the seas until he reached manhood. After leaving the ocean life, he wedded Miss Catharine Theuerkauf, a sister of Frederick Theuerkauf, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where their eldest child, Mary, was born. She is now the wife of Charles Silent, an attorney at law, residing at Los Angeles. Later, Mr. Tantau made his home in New Orleans, and there his two sons, George F., now a business man of San Francisco, and Frederick, were born. Later still, Mr. Tantau again became a resi- dent of Cincinnati, where he engaged in different oc- cupations, making in each stcady progress toward a competence. At one time he was engaged in grocery trade in that city. During the time that he lived there his son August was born.

Mr. Tantau, finding that his health was giving way, by the advice of physicians concluded to come to California. In company with Frederick Theuer- kauf, an old friend and a neighbor both in New Orleans and Cincinnati, he came to this valley by the Isthmus route, in 1852. On the west bank of Campbell's Creek, on what is now the Bollinger road, in the Doyle District, they bought, out of a Spanish grant, 200 acres of land. Mrs. Tantau and the children, coming by the same route, joined the family in 1853.

In company with Mr. Theuerkauf, the subject of our sketch worked the property until 1862, at which time they owned about 500 acres. Mr. Tantau's family residence, on the Bollinger road, a little west of the crossing of Campbell's Creek, was established in

1858, and four years later his partnership with Mr. Theuerkauf was dissolved, and their interests divided. Mr. Tantau, who had come to the valley with a good working cash capital for those years, by industry and economy added to his estate, until at his death his real and personal property amounted to $65,000.

His youngest children, Emma and Flora, were born in this county. The former is now the wife of John Plauer, of San Jose.

Mr. Tantau was possessed of a vigorous vitality and a strong intellect. He helped many a poor worthy man, but never gave assistance to the un- worthy. His last years were filled with suffering, which was born with Christian fortitude. His useful and honorable life was closed in April, 1881, his widow surviving until July 25, 1886. The lives of both Mr. and Mrs. Tantau exemplified the religion which they professed.

FREDERICK W. TANTAU is the son of Mat- thew and Catharine Tantau. He dates his birth in New Orleans, April 23, 1849. He was a child of four years when his parents crossed the plains and established their residence in the immediate neighbor- hood of the place where he now lives. The property which he now owns and occupies, consisting of 246 acres, comprises a portion of his father's estate, and includes the old family homestead, which was estab- lished in 1858. It is situated in the Doyle District, on the Bollinger road, west of Campbell's Creek. His education was that received in the district school, sup- plemented by an attendance of two years at the University of the Pacific. In October, 1877, he married Miss Josephine Miller, the daughter of Fred Miller, of San Francisco. Their first-born, Freddic, died in 1881, in his third year. They have two daughters, Evelyn and Minnie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tantau are members of the German American Church. Mr. Tantau has grown up with Santa Clara County, and has kept pace with the steady, onward march of progress which has carried the county for- ward to the front. He is thoroughly identified with all the interests of his community and neighborhood, and rejoices in the fulfillment of every enterprise which tends to advance the prosperity of the county. He is a Republican, as was his father, but has strong Prohibitionist tendencies.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

t ILLIAM SUTHERLAND resides on the Sara- toga and Alviso road, about two miles north of Lawrence, in the Braley School District. His farm contains eighty acres of choice land, and with the exception of a small portion reserved for or- chard culture, it is used exclusively for the production of hay and grain, and the raising of stock. A plenti- ful supply of water is furnished by two fine artesian wells, one being 300 feet in depth and flowing five inches over a seven-inch pipe, and the other 425 feet in depth and flowing two and one-half inches over a seven-inch pipe.

The subject of our sketch was born in Durham County, England, in 1821. He is the son of James and Jane (Richerson) Sutherland, his father being a native of Scotland, and his mother of England. His father was a gardener, but William was brought up as a collier, being put to work in the coal mines when but ten years of age. Naturally his opportunities for gaining an education were extremely limited, and the fulfillment of the plans which he has made in his life- work has been due to his natural ability and persever- ance.

Mr. Sutherland was united in marriage, in 1844, with Miss Ann Dawson, the daughter of Robert Dawson, a resident of his native county. Five years after his marriage, he came with his family to the United States, with the hope of bettering his fortunes in this land of promise: Landing at New Orleans, he proceeded directly to St. Louis. Several months were spent in the coal mines of Missouri and Illinois, and in 1850 he crossed the plains to this State. On his arrival he went into the mines in Placer County, but left them in 1851, to start out in a new venture, --- that of agriculture. He purchased a farm in Sacra- mento County, and conducted it for five years. He then removed to Fresno County, and, settling upon Kings River, spent the next three years in stock- raising. From Fresno County he removed to his pres- ent home in 1868. Two years later he crossed the ocean to visit his old English home, but returned to the new home in this lovely valley well content. Mr. Suth- erland is a member of the Southern Methodist Church, and his daily walk is such as has gained for him the respect and confidence of his neighbors and associates. Politically he is a Democrat, with liberal views.

Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Suther- land, but three are living, viz .: James, who married Miss Eliza Esrey, of Fresno County, and is now a resident of Santa Clara County; Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Elbert C. Apperson, of Santa Clara

County, where they now reside; and Clara, who makes her home with her parents.

GARLAN TILLOTSON resides on the Berryessa and Milpitas road, in the Berryessa District, about six miles north of San Jose, and one and one-half south of Milpitas; there he owns thirty- seven acres of an original tract of eighty-eight acres. His land is highly cultivated, twenty-four acres being in orchard, the products of which are peaches, prunes, apricots, and pears. Six acres raise corn and pota- toes, and the rest of the farm produces hay. The or- chard proves a profitable investment, the crop of 1887 yielding over $200 per acre.

Mr. Tillotson dates his birth in Sandusky, Ohio, December 21, 1827. He is the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Miller) Tillotson, natives of New York. His parents removed from Ohio to Branch County, Michi- gan, in 1829, and thence in 1834 to Fremont, Steuben County, Indiana. In these frontier settlements, the father was engaged in agriculture, and to that indus- try Mr. Tillotson was early trained. Naturally, in such new sections, his educational facilities were limited. He remained with his parents until twenty- two years of age, when he married and established himself as a farmer near his old home. His wife was formerly Miss Emmeline Fessenden, the daughter of Jonathan Fessenden, a native of Maine and a resident of Indiana.

In 1852 he followed in the trail of the thousands who had crossed the plains to California, and located in Yuba County, where he engaged in mining. He afterwards took up the occupation of a packer, giving it up in the fall of 1853, when he opened a hotel at Cantonville, Yuba County. After spending two years in the hotel, he followed teaming for a few months, and then bought a mine, in the working of which he spent a year or more. In 1857 he went to Sutter County, and there engaged in grain farming, with profitable results, for eleven years. When he left Sutter County, in 1868, it was to purchase the property where he now lives.

The subject of our sketch is possessed of the indus- try, sound common sense, and acquired business talents which are necessary to win success in any employ- ment. He is a strong Republican, and has been called upon by his fellow-citizens, as a sure token of their confidence, to fill public offices of trust. In 1867 he was elected as County Assessor of Sutter County, and

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

in 1884 as one of the Supervisors of Santa Clara County. He has also served as School Trustee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson, but three are now living, viz .: Sarah Jane, the wife of A. M. Ogan, of San Jose; Alvin H., who married Catharine Mahoney, a native of Michigan and a resi- dent of San Jose; and Nettie, who resides with her parents.

ICHFORD A. THOMAS is quite largely inter- ested in horticulture, producing, on his twenty acres of fruit land, apricots, peaches, prunes, and cherries. His land is located, ten acres on the east, and ten acres on the west, of Hicks Avenue, with his residence on the west half. Mr. Thomas bought the residence portion, in 1877, for $225 per acre. It was then covered with willows, and had on it nine large sycamore trees, but, under Mr. Thomas' care, was soon converted into an orchard. In 1882, for the tract east of the avenue, which was then part of a barley field, he paid $333 per acre. Here he started a nursery, and in two years' time he realized from it $1,000 more than he had paid for that portion of the land. It is now a full-bearing orchard.

Mr. Thomas was born in Belmont County, Ohio, January 17, 1831. He is the son of Camm and Rachel (Barnes) Thomas. His father is deceased, but his mother still survives and lives at the old homestead with her son, Capt. A. C. Thomas. Mr. Thomas came to California in 1854, and for about twelve years followed mining in Placer County. He had married, in Ohio, during the year preceding his removal to California, Miss Ann Jane Brock. She joined him in this State in 1855, but lived to enjoy her new home but two years. She left one son, Jay, now a resident of Ohio.

Mr. Thomas returned to Ohio in 1861, and on the twenty-seventh of June of that year marricd Miss Eliza Cator. He returned immediately with his wife to California. In 1866 he left the mines and engaged in farming in Napa Valley for two years. Selling this farm, he bought another neal Sacramento City, where he lived for two years. Then selling again, he re- turned to the mines, where he remained for about two years, when he again engaged in farming in the upper part of Napa Valley. In 1873 he returned to Ohio, but after a residence of so many years in the mild climate of the Golden State, he found that the win-

ters were too severe for his health, and he again re- turned to California, and made his permanent home at the Willows.

Mr. Thomas, by his second wife, has five children: Judge D., now in the mines in Placer County; Edward E., a teacher in this county; Ida M., also a teacher ; Laura L., now attending Normal School, preparatory to teaching ; and Nettie, the youngest.

Mr. Thomas is a strong Republican, fully in syn- pathy with its principles. After spending much of liis life in California, in various occupations, Mr. Thomas is satisfied with his pleasant home, with its thrifty or- chards and pleasing surroundings in the lovely Santa Clara Valley.

ILLIAM SCOTT, deceased, was born in Ayr- shire, Kilmarnock County, Scotland, in 1824. He was the son of William and Martha (David- son) Scott, both of whom were natives of Scotland, and residents of the place of his birth. His early youth was spent in attendance upon the common schools of his native place, but when fifteen years of age he went to sea, and many succeeding years were passed in following a seafaring life as a profession. In 1853 he came to California, where he found his brother, Captain James Scott. Soon after his arrival in San Francisco, he accompanied his brother to the mines, and successfully followed the occupation of a miner for a year or more. Upon giving up that work, in 1854, he came to Santa Clara County, and acquired the property which he afterwards made his home, and upon which his widow and family now reside. The estate comprises eighty acres, located on the south- west corner of Scott Lane and the Kifer road, in the Jefferson School District, about one and a half miles west from the business center of Santa Clara. At the time of Mr. Scott's purchase of this tract, it was in a wild and uncultivated state, but with characteristic energy he immediately went to work to cultivate and improve it. Sixteen busy years he spent in this work, his active, useful life being ended September 13, 1870.

His death left the care of the farm and the rearing of their children to his wife, formerly Miss Mary Brady, the daughter of Bartel Brady, a native of Longford County, Ireland, who came to California in 1853, and who, at the time of his daughter's marriage to Mr. Scott, in 1859, was a resident of San Francisco. Five children blessed this marriage, viz .: Kate, born March 27, 1860; William Walter, November 1, 1861;

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

Elizabeth J., May 6, 1864; Ann, January 29, 1866; and John Joseph, April 29, 1870.

Mrs. Scott, ably assisted by her sons and daughters, has been most successful in carrying on the work to which her husband devoted so many years of his life, and has brought the land to its present productive state. Twelve acres are utilized in the production of strawberries of the Longworth and Seth Boyden va- rieties. The remainder of the farm, with the excep- tion of such orchard land as is required for the grow- ing of trees to furnish fruit for family use, is devoted to hay and grain fields, and to stock. Artesian wells furnish plenty of water for irrigation, stock, and do- mestic purposes.

OHN JOHNSTON, deceased. The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneers of California, who was led here by the gold emigration of 1849. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1805. Although reared to a farm life, he acquired the trade of stone mason. He left the State of Penn- sylvania soon after reaching manhood, and worked at his trade in Baltimore, Maryland, and later in Ohio. Thence he went to Arkansas, becoming a farmer and cotton grower, and also a slave owner. Leaving his property in Arkansas in charge of Bob Johnston, his trusty slave, Mr. Johnston came to this State. After spending two years in mining, he came to Santa Clara Valley, and bought 240 acres on the Alviso road, two and one-half miles north of San Jose.

A few years later he sold 140 acres to J. Q. A. Ballou, who still owns the property. The remaining 100 acres Mr. Johnston improved, and later became associated in its ownership with W. W. Cowan and Thomas Scott. The property is now (1888) in the possession of Dr. M. M. Chipman, of San Francisco. After settling upon his land, Mr Johnston sent to Arkansas for his slave, Bob, and his family. Not long afterward he freed him and his family, and they now live at Watsonville, the former slave having be- come quite well off.

Mr. Johnston's sister, Mrs. Margaret Scott, joined him in this county about 1871. She now has her home with Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Cowan. Mr. Johnston never married. His death occurred April 18, 1884. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and one of the founders of the first church of that denomination in San Jose,

G G

Cel ILLIAM W. COWAN, residing on the John -. ston property, two and one-half miles north of San Jose, on the Alviso road, was born in

1 Chester County, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1836. He is the son of John Cowan, a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania families of Irish extraction. He was early trained in the duties .of a farmer's life, and has received the benefit of that early training, as he has made agriculture the principal business of his life

On the thirty-first of December, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Scott, who is the daughter of Philip Scott, and was born May 19, 1839, in Chester County. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Cowan removed to Newport, Delaware, where Mr. Cowan spent three years in the butcher's business, supplying the Wilmington market. At the urgent request of John Johnston (whose sketch appears in this connec- tion) he joined him in Santa Clara County, and be- came associated with him in the management of the property, upon which they have ever since resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Cowan are among the many worthy, industrious people of Santa Clara County, and their many excellent qualities have won for them the re- spect of all who know them. Mrs. Cowan is a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church at San Jose. Mr. Cowan is interested in the Order of the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Triumph Lodge, No. 47, K. of P., and of the Uniform Rank, K. of P., No. 8. He is also connected with Mount Hamilton Lodge, A. O. U. W., of San Jose. In pol- itics, he is identified with the Democratic party.

ILLIAM ZANKER, of the Alviso District, re- sides on 120 acres, situated north of the Alviso and Milpitas road, about midway between those two places. The larger part of his farm is used for the production of hay and grain, and for stock. He has a small orchard, which furnishes a variety of fruit for family use, eight acres in strawberries of the Cheney and Sharpless varieties, and about six acres in asparagus. Two good flowing artesian wells furnish all the water needed for stock, irrigation, and domestic purposes.

Mr. Zanker is a native of Germany, in which coun- try he dates his birth, in 1831. His parents were Frederick and Eva (Koch) Zanker, natives of the place of his birth. He lived at home, receiving a rather limited education, and engaging in such work

a. B. Cash.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

as his parents directed, until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he came to the United States. He followed various pursuits in the States of New York, Louisiana, Missouri, and other sections of the East, until, in 1855, he came to this State by the Nicaragua route. He went into the mines of EI Dorado County, but, not liking the life, soon left to engage in farming in Santa Cruz County. He also worked for some time in a saw-mill in that county. In 1857 he came to Santa Clara County, and took up what he supposed was government land, near Alviso, only to find that it was claimed, under a previous grant, by Governor Burnett. After two years of liti- gation, Mr. Zanker and his partners were defeated. He rented this same land until about 1863, when he purchased the land upon which he now lives, and to the cultivation of which he has since successfully de- voted his time.

In 1861 Mr. Zanker was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Watters, the daughter of Louis and Catharine Watters, residents of Santa Clara County, but natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Zanker are the parents of eight children. Their names are: Emma, who married Christ. Roelling, residing in Santa Clara County; Minnie, the wife of Rudolph Binder, lives in San Jose; Lena, the wife of E. Glatto, makes her home in San Jose; Lizzie, who married Cyrus Shupe, lives in Shasta County, this State; and William, Frank, Douglass, and Adolph, who are members of their father's household.

Mr. Zanker commenced his life in this county with nothing, but his industry and strict attention to busi- ness have led him to the possession of a comfortable home and a desirable property. He now holds the position of one of the substantial citizens of the county, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large circle of neighbors and acquaintances. He is in- terested in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, with which order he is connected. In politics he is a Republican, but, being liberal in his views, supports the man rather than the party.

LBERT B. CASH, of the Hamilton District, on Moorpark Avenue, is in charge of extended horticultural interests. Tiring of city life, Cap- tain Cash, in connection with friends in San Francisco, determined to seek a home where pure air and water and equable temperature could be found in conjunction with a bountiful soil, adapted to success-

ful fruit-growing. With this purpose in view, he vis- ited different parts of the State, and finally decided that Santa Clara County represented all the condi- tions that he desired. He selected 125 acres of con- tiguous land (then part of a grain farm) in the immedi- ate neighborhood of his present residence. In 1883 this land was purchased for $200 per acre, and subdivided into eight nearly equal parts. The original purchas- ers were A. B. Cash, C. F. Wyman, H. C. Neff, S. H. Wagener, L. P. Smith, A. S. Pierson, and Wm. M. Kincaid. One or two changes in ownership have since been made. Except Mr. Wagener, the pres- ent Postmaster of San Jose, the purchasers were San Franciscans. As soon as possible, Captain Cash erected a fine cottage residence, and commenced im- proving not only his own, but also all of the other, divisions. April 1, 1884, tree-planting was com- menced, and was concluded two weeks later, each tract being planted two-thirds in prunes and one-third in apricots, reserving on each place a space for a small family orchard of a general variety of fruit. In 1887 the apricots were in partial bearing, an average of sixty pounds to the tree being gathered. All the or- chards have been well cared for, under the superintend- ency of Captain Cash, and are thrifty and promising.

He is as yet the only one of the purchasers living in the district, but as soon as the orchards come into full bearing it is expected that all the places will be occupied, adding largely to the social interests of the neighborhood.

Mr. Cash dates his birth at Leroy, Genesee County, New York, May 20, 1844. He is the son of Reuben and Louisa (Drury) Cash. In 1858 the family re- moved to Detroit, Michigan. There the subject of this sketch finished his youthful education, and, while yet too young to be called into service, patriotically volunteered his services in defense of the Union. Enlisting in September, 1861, his first service was in General Custer's Brigade, in the Army of the Potomac. After General Sheridan was transferred from the West to the East, Captain Cash served under him until the close of the war. Veteranizing, he witnessed the closing scenes of the great drama, near Five Forks. He participated in many historic engagements, among them the battles of Second Bull Run, South Mount- ain, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Winches- ter, and others in the Shenandoah Valley. Except when suffering from wounds or temporary sickness, he was always with his regiment, which participated in over eighty engagements-battles and skirmishes. He was wounded at South Mountain and at Gettys-

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

burg. After the close of the war, with the regiment, he made a campaign in Northwestern Dakota, on Powder River, Little Big Horn River, etc. On the twentieth of December, 1865, he received an honor- able discharge. In his service he passed through all grades, from private to captain, and in each case did his duty, like a true soldier.

At Utica, New York, October 1, 1873, Captain Cash was married to Miss Mary Kincaid, daughter of George and Elizabeth Kincaid. She is a native of Utica, where she was born October 27, 1848. Her mother died in 1871. Her father was one of the pio- neers of California-one of the '49 men. He followed mining in this State successfully for six or seven 'years, but finally returned to Utica, New York, where he now resides.

Captain Cash is identified with the Republican party. He is prominent in Mason'c circles, being a member of Friendship Lodge, F. & A. M., of San Jose; Blanchard Chapter, Bay City, Michigan; Cap- tain-General of the San Jose Commandery; and honorary member of Detroit (Michigan) Commandery, and of Golden Gate (San Francisco) Commandery. He has conferred upon him the thirty-second degree of Scottish-rite Masonry.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 101

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