Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 103

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 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Besides the usual dangers incident to overland travel, the party met with a very sad experience, two of their number, a Mr. Spaulding, of New York, and a Mr. Kingsley, of Charlestown, Massaschusetts, being killed by Indians on the Colorado River. Mr. Norwood reached California in September, 1849, and spent the two years previous to becoming a resident of this county, in San Francisco, engaged in cabinet-making and later in carpenter work. While working at the former trade, he received at one time as much as $16 per day. As before stated, he made this county his home in 1851, and has since been a useful and honored citizen of it. His family joined him two years later. He had married, in his native State, Miss Elizabeth Prior, daughter of Matthew Prior, a sea captain of Bath, Maine. From this marriage four children were born, two dying in youth. George J., born in 1836, now lives with his father on the old homestead. Sarah Elizabeth, born in 1839, married James Houston, and is a resident of Fresno County.

Long residence has enabled Mr. Norwood to wit- ness and to aid in the remarkable development of the county. His integrity of character has won from all the respect due the useful member of society. He retains his physical strength to a great degree, and, although over eighty years of age, is still able to as- sist his son in the farm work.

SAMUEL Q. BROUGHTON, one of the brave men who braved the perils of an overland jour- ney to California, when it was yet a Mexican Province, resides on the Alviso road, three miles north of San Jose, on the site of the home which he established in the pioneer days of 1850. Mr. Brough- ton dates his birth in Bourbon County, Kentucky, February 7, 1824. He is the son of Job and Eliza- beth (Cartwright) Broughton, the former of whom, of English extraction, was reared in Virginia, and the latter in Kentucky. In 1830 the family removed to Callaway County, Missouri, and there, when the sub- ject of our sketch was but ten years of age, his par- ents died. He was taken into the home of the late Isaac Branham, and was by him taken care of, as by a father. He left that home when eighteen years of age, to engage in lead-mining in Southwestern Wis- consin, and that vocation he followed for about three years. Hearing from Mr. Branham that he intended to go to California, he returned to Missouri to bid

552

PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

him and his family good-by. Upon being invited to join them, he could not resist the inclination to avail himself of so good an opportunity for entirely new experiences. Early in April, 1846, the party com- menced the long journey, ex-Governor Boggs being a member. At first the train was composed of several parties, but gradually it disintegrated, on account of the overcrowding of the camping and grazing grounds. During the early portion of the journey, the doomed Donner party were in the train. No untoward event delayed the emigrants, and Mr. Branham and his family, of which Mr. Broughton was a member, in good health and good spirits, reached Sutter's Fort in October, 1846, thus enrolling their names among those of Cal- ifornia's earliest American settlers. After a brief rest, they proceeded directly to Santa Clara Valley, and spent the winter following at the Mission of Santa Clara. (The reader is referred to the biography of Isaac Branham for further particulars in this connec- tion.)

The country was in the tumult of war, and Mr. Broughton entered heart and soul into the work of wresting the land of flowers from Mexican domina tion. He enlisted at Monterey, and the command, numbering 400, marched to Los Angeles. Two or three skirmishes, but no general engagement, occurred on the route. In March, 1847, Mr. Broughton was one of a detail of sixteen men, under Wm. H. Ru ·sell, to carry dispatches to Washington. They passed over the Southern trail, by way of Santa Fe, to Independ- ence, Missouri, thence to Boone County, of the same State. There the party wintered and cared for their stock, Mr. Broughton spending most of the winter among his relatives and friends in Callaway County. The detail returned under the command of Major Hensley, in the season of 1848, by the Northern route to Fort Sutter, where Mr. Broughton received an honorable discharge from further duty.

He then engaged in placer mining in mines that had been discovered only that year (1848). The following winter he spent in San Jose, returning early in the spring to the mines. At the present site of Sonora, he struck the first tent that had ever been raised there. This season of mining proved a profitable one, but, upon his return to Santa Clara Valley, he determined to become an agriculturist, and accordingly, in the fol- lowing year (1850), purchased the homestead where he has ever since lived. In December, 1852, Mr. Broughton returned by the Isthmus route to Missouri, and in the spring following, in company with John Trimble, made his third overland journey to this State.

They drove 300 head of cattle, and were fortunate enough to sustain no unusual loss of stock.

On the twenty-second of July, 1856, Mr. Broughton married Miss Mary Ann Stewart, who was born and reared in the State of New York, and who came to this State during the year of her marriage. This union was severed only a short time since, Mrs. Broughton's death occurring February 4, 1888, at the age of sixty- six years. She was the mother of two children: Samuel Stewart and Mary Elizabeth, both of whom are yet under the parental roof.

The family homestead is surrounded by grounds shaded by trees which were planted by Mr. Brough- ton's own hands. The homestead contains seventy acres of choice land under a high state of cultivation, and devoted to the culture of orchard, small-fruits, and vegetables. Three artesian wells furnish an abundance of water for irrigation.

As one of the earliest settlers of the State, Mr. Broughton has had a rich experience, and one from which he may draw much pleasure and profit for others as well as for himself. All the work of his manhood has been done in this State-by far the larger part in this county-and thus his interests are entirely those of the community in which he has so long made his home. As is most fitting, he is a member of the California Pioneer Association. In politics Mr. Broughton is identified with the Democratic party.

CANNIBAL PULLAN, residing on the Williams River road, one-half mile west of the Santa Clara and Los Gatos road, bought his property in 1876, paying $100 per acre for 120 acres, and later buying sixty acres of adjoining land. He dates his birth in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, February 8, 1826. He is the son of Abraham and Cynthia Pullan, who emigrated to St. Francis County, Mis- souri, in 1843. There the father died, and there the mother is yet living, at the advanced age of ninety years.

The subject of this sketch followed agricultural pursuits until the gold excitement of 1849 determined him to visit this State. With his brother, William, he left home in March, 1849, and with ox teams started on the overland trip to California. Their journey was attended by even more than the usual amount of hardship and privation, for, being misled by reports of a newer and shorter trail, many days and many miles were lost after they reached Hum-

Joseph aram

553

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

boldt River. However, they reached in safety the Feather River mining district, October 27. There Mr. Pullan and his brother engaged in mining, and soon made a goodly fortune, only to lose it shortly after in attempting to develop new and richer mines elsewhere. In the autumn of 1852, Mr. Pullan abandoned placer mining, and commenced farming in Napa County, where, on the sixteenth of September, 1853, he married Miss Mary Bollinger, whose father, Christian Bollinger, now lives in Santa Clara, and whose sketch is given elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Pullan was born in Bollinger County, Missouri.

In the year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pullan came to Santa Clara County, and located on land on the Stevens Creek road, not far from his present home. After three successive years of poor crops, they re- moved to San Mateo County, purchased a large prop- erty, and engaged in general farming and stock- raising. There they made their home until, as before stated, they returned to Santa Clara County in 1876 to make their permanent home. The homestead which he now occupies tradition says was once the site of an Indian village. It was first improved about 1850 by the pioneer, William Campbell, and has al- ways been noted for its productiveness. Mr. Pullan has subdivided the farm, and recorded it as "Pullan's Subdivision." He has placed the property upon the market, and has sold, in tracts, about one-half, at a very large advance over its cost.

His worth as a citizen and the estimation in which he was held was shown when, in 1871, he was elected County Assessor, in San Mateo County, on the Demo- cratic ticket by 150 majority, a great compliment when it is understood that the county gave adverse majorities at the same election ranging as high as 600 votes.

Mr. and Mrs. Pullan have nine children living. The names of the five daughters are: Mrs. Mary Yount, Mrs. Joan Van Arsdale, Mrs. Sarah Sherman- tine, Mrs. Alice Statler, and Mrs. Emma Hamm. The names of the four sons are: Columbus, William, George, and Ernest. Elizabeth, their sixth child, died at ten months of age.

TAPT. JOSEPH ARAM. This gentleman is well known to the people of Santa Clara County. No man living to-day within its limits had more to do with clearing Northern Califor- nia from Mexican domination, or of laying, broad and deep, the foundations of the new State, born of war

amid the turmoil of sectional strife, and admitted into the constellation of States, to become its brightest jewel. As a Captain in the war that led to the acqui- sition of the State, as a member of the first Consti- tutional Convention, and as a member of the first State Legislature, Captain Aram is well known to all early men, and indeed to all familiar with the history of the State.

A brief history of his life gives the following facts; He was born in Oneida County, New York, March 24, 1810. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and his education was received in the common schools, supplemented by instruction received at the Lima (New York) Seminary. He was married, in 1835, to Miss Mahala Birdsall. She died about a year afterward, leaving an infant daughter, Sarah M., who is now Mrs. S. M. Cool, of Los Angeles. In 1836 he wedded Miss Sarah Ann Wright. For the next four years he lived the quiet life of a New York farmer. The tales of a life in the then far Western State of Illinois, of the ease with which the prairie soil was worked, and of its bountiful returns, induced him to leave the familiar scenes of his youth. On reaching Illinois, the Captain settled in Jo Daviess County, and there, with his family, lived from 1840 to 1846, engaged in farming and lead-mining. But the soil produced ague and malarial disease as well as good crops of cereals, and failing health induced the Captain to join an overland train and come to the then Mexican Province of California. At that early day it needed brave, hardy men-men strong both physically and mentally-to undertake the long jour- ney, and still more to make a successful career in the new country in its unsettled, turbulent condition. All these requisite qualifications Captain Aram pos- sessed in a large degree.

Of the incidents connected with the journey made by this party of about twelve families, with as many wagons, across the plains, deserts, and mountains, we will not speak, except to say that no untoward event -trouble with the Indians, or sickness-delayed or interrupted them. Leaving Illinois about the middle of April, 1846, and reaching Johnson's Ranch, on Bear River, on the first of October, they did not spend more time en route than was usual in that early day, with its primitive mode of traveling. Having deter- mined, before leaving home, that he would settle in Santa Clara Valley, Captain Aram, after the briefest of rests, proceeded on his way. Where Sacramento now stands he met Colonel Fremont. The country was in the tumult of war, and with heart and soul our

554

PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

subject entered into the cause. Receiving instructions and advice from Colonel Fremont, he pushed on with the party, and reached Santa Clara safely. In the operations which followed in Santa Clara Valley (and here were enacted the closing scenes of the war in Northern California) Captain Aram played well his part-how well let the history of the war in this val- ley tell.

When Fremont left the valley to sweep the south- ern part of the province clear of Mexican soldiery, Captain Aram, with his company, was left in com- mand of the fortified camp at Santa Clara Mission. There many families, occupying the old mission buildings with their ground floors, were gathered for protection. Much sickness followed during the winter, and among other deaths was that of one of Captain Aram's children.

The spring opening, the unorganized condition of the country left great responsibility upon its leading men, and in all efforts in this direction Captain Aram bore an active part. War had passed away, but preparation for its renewal at any time was part of the business of the day. The Captain removed his family to Monterey, and there helped to build a fort. He was also engaged in furnishing supplies to the troops and navy. Two years later, in 1849, he re- turned to the Santa Clara Valley and established his home at San Jose. As before stated, he was a mem- ber of the first Constitutional Convention, and of the first Legislature, which convened at San Jose, in De- cember, 1849.

The pioneer nursery of the county was established by the subject of this sketch. Commencing in 1853, with stock brought from Ohio, on ground now occu- pied by the Woolen Mills at San Jose, he built up what was in those days an enterprise of great impor- tance. Until 1862 Mr. Aram was one of the active, public-spirited citizens of San Jose. Never idle, never uninterested in public good, never laggard in duty as a citizen, never unwilling to do any work assigned him, he served several years in the City Council.

In 1862 his present residence, situated on the west bank of the Coyote River, near the crossing of the Milpitas road, and about three miles north of the San Jose Court House, was established. His nursery stock was removed to the homestead, which contains about fifty acres, of which forty acres are devoted to tree culture. The fine residence which Mr. Aram now occupies was erected in 1882, and here, in his large, well-appointed, well-furnished home, shaded and em- bowered with flowers, ornamental trees, and rare

plants, enjoying the respect, confidence, and esteem of all who know him (and their name is legion), the Captain, in hale, hearty old age, still resides. Many a man, possessed of health, and who has passed but two-thirds of the mile-stones of the Captain's life, looks older than the Captain, and if obliged to come to a test of strength, would feel that he was more advanced in age.

Captain Aram did not bring large means to this valley, and what he had was exhausted before the close of the war. He has never given his life merely to money-getting or to money-saving. His home has always been the abode of hospitality, and we are happy to add that he has plenty of this world's goods to provide every comfort for advancing years. The good wife, who shared the dangers of the overland journey and the hardships of pioneer life in this val- ley, died in 1873, at the age of sixty years. Of her four children but one is now living, Eugene W., of Woodland, Yolo County, this State. In 1876 Cap- tain Aram married Mrs. Grace Gray, who came to this State from Michigan in 1871.

It is natural and appropriate that the Captain should be an honored member, as he is, of the Pio- neer Association, and also of the society of the Mexi- can Veterans. In religious affairs he is connected with the Methodist Church. He is a strong Repub- lican, thoroughly in accord with the principles of the party.

MICHAEL RYAN, one of the representative far- mers of Irish birth in Santa Clara County, is the owner of a fine property on the Almaden road, three miles south of the city limits of San Jose. His estate, of sixty-four acres, also fronts on the Foxworthy road.

Mr. Ryan was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1843, but his youth from four years of age was spent in England. He was orphaned at an early age by the death of both parents. When but seven years of age he commenced work in a silk factory, and con- tinued in the work for fifteen years, adding not a lit- tle toward the support of the family. He was thus deprived of the educational advantages which are en- joyed by more fortunate children. Soon after reach- ing manhood, he came to the United States, the land of promise to so many of the poor in the old country. He landed in New York in 1865, with only $10 in his possession. He is the only representative of his fam-

555

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ily in America. In 1868 he came to California, in company with Thomas Kelty, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume. Since then he has been a resident of Santa Clara County. Mr. Ryan was by no means well supplied with worldly goods when he reached this State. He was at first in the employ of Thomas Kell, and afterward a cultivator of rented lands. The estate which he now owns he purchased about thirteen years ago. He devotes his farm to the production of grain, and since the autumn of 1877 he has resided upon leased property, the estate, of 1 IO acres, belonging to the heirs of C. Columbet.

On the fifteenth of June, 1878, Mr. Ryan was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Sullivan, a native of Ireland. Three children were born to them: William P., Joseph H., and Daniel V.

Mr. Ryan is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a Democrat in politics. He is one of the leading men of his nationality in the county, and is a living example of what may be accomplished by a determi- nation to succeed, even under the most adverse circum- stances. His advancement, the result of his energy and enterprise, from a penniless stranger in a strange land, through the positions of farm laborer and worker of rented lands to the position which he now holds, that of a responsible, influential land owner, he may well be proud of.

010 UCIEN W. POLLARD is the owner of 120 acres of choice land in the Collins School Dis- trict, situated on the Boyter road, about four miles west of Santa Clara. He devotes his farm to horticulture and viticulture, twenty-six acres being in orchard, furnishing principally prunes and apricots, but also producing peaches, cherries, pears, plums, figs, almonds, and walnuts. The remainder of the land is in vineyard, which furnishes the following va- rieties of wine grapes: Zinfandel, Matero, Charbano, and Grenache; also such table grapes as the Muscat, Rose of Peru, Black Hamburg, Sweetwater, and Tokay. The products of this large vineyard he con- verts into wine in a winery of 50,000 gallons capacity. This vineyard is young, none of the vines being more than seven years old, and some of them being but two years old, yet it is very productive, and promises the best of results for the future.

Mr. Pollard was born in Franklin County, Vermont, in 1823. He is the son of Thomas M. and Fanny (Waterman) Pollard, the former being a native of

Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut. When he was ten years of age his parents removed to Cooper County, Missouri, then considered in the far West. After a residence of four years there, they made their home in Camden County, of the same State, spending seven years in that place. They again removed to Jackson County, which was the home of the parents until their death.

The subject of this sketch was reared to the labor of the farm receiving such schooling as could be obtained before reaching thirteen years of age. He became to a certain degree a self-educated man, having spent con- siderable time in study after reaching manhood. He followed the great overland emigration of 1849 to this State, and engaged in mining in Butte County. This work, with various other pursuits, occupied his time and attention until 1856, when he returned East by steamer. In 1858 he entered into mercantile business in Kansas City, establishing, in connection with a partner, a wholesale stove and tinware store. This enterprise was conducted with success and profit for fifteen years.

During this time Mr. Pollard was united in marriage with Miss Carrie O. Daggett, the daughter of George and Susan (Harrington) Daggett, natives of New York, but now residents of Santa Clara County. In 1872 Mr. Pollard visited California for the second time, and purchased a paper mill in Mendocino County, commencing at once the manufacture of paper. He sold this business to a stock company in 1876, and from that time until he became a resident of Santa Clara County, in 1880, he was engaged in various enterprises. In that year he purchased the property which he now owns, and which we described at the beginning of our sketch. The last eight years have been devoted, with good results, to its cultivation and improvement. Mr. Pollard is a man of energy and good business habits, and these qualifications have been the means of winning success in his chosen work. In politics he is a strong and consistent Re- publican.

A. Z. EDWARDS, Supervisor of the Third District of Santa Clara County, resides in a beautiful cottage home on the Alviso road, two miles from the city limits of San Jose. Mr. Edwards has been identified with the county since 1857, and with the State since 1853, he having arrived

556

PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

at San Francisco on the nineteenth of February of that year. He dates his birth in Shropshire, England, August 31, 1823. He spent the time until his thir- teenth year on his father's farm, and at that time became engaged in selling goods, which occupation he followed until, upon the attainment of his majority, he came to the United States. Landing at New York city April 19, 1844, he settled in Oneida County, New York. There various pursuits occupied his attention until he came to this State, as before men- tioned, in 1853.

The first four years of his residence in California were spent in placer mining in Tuolumne and Plumas Counties. His life in this county, which has extended over a period of thirty-one years, has been devoted to agriculture, horticulture, and the growing of veg- etables and small fruits. In all of these branches, a long experience and practical knowledge have in- sured his success. The improvement from a state of nature of the property which he now occupies, Mr. Edwards commenced in 1864. The homestead con- tains forty acres, and is almost entirely devoted to orchard and small-fruit culture, although ten acres are used for the cultivation of asparagus. The residence grounds are thickly shaded by pine, locust, pepper, chestnut, and almond trees, in addition to two of the grandest of weeping willows and several noble speci- mens of the redwood (Sequoia). An actual meas- urement of the ground sheltered by one weeping willow (grown from a slip planted by Mr. Edwards in 1865), shows a circumference of over sixty yards, this beautiful tree having in its foliage a circumference of about 200 feet. The ground underneath is used as a workshop and storage room, and is as completely sheltered as though under a roof.

Mr. Edwards also owns, on the Brokaw road, a tract of twenty acres, which he devotes to pasturage and the production of hay. He also has real-estate interests in East San Jose, in the University tract, and at Santa Cruz.

The subject of our sketch is in full sympathy with, and an active supporter of, the Republican party. During the Civil War the South had many sympa- thizers in this State, and many who hoped and plot- ted for Rebel success, even hoping to carry California into the Confederacy. When it became necessary for the Union men to organize, the Alviso Rifles were recruited in May, 1863, and became Company C, Fifth Regiment California State Militia. Mr. Ed- wards was among the first enrolled. After the close of the war, the company became an independent or-

ganization, building and owning an armory at Alviso. They disbanded only December 25, 1886, and from July 27, 1869, to the date of disbandment, Mr. Ed- wards was their Captain. The company was armed with Spencer Rifles. The Regimental Prize Target Medal, costing over $100, contested for October 18, 1864, and November 13, 1865, was won by Company C. This medal the company, at its disbandment, by vote presented to Mr. Edwards as a testimonial of their respect and esteem for him as a man and as an officer. He has had much to do with public affairs wherever he has lived. In Plumas County he served as Magistrate, and under Lincoln's administration as Deputy Assessor and Collector. To his present po- sition as Supervisor of the Third District, he was elected in 1884.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 103

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