Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 107

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 107

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A progressive, public-spirited citizen, and a careful, painstaking horticulturist, he is thoroughly in earnest in pushing forward to a successful issue every under- taking in which he engages. Politically a believer in the protection of American industries, he is in full accord with the distinctive principles of the Republi- can party.

JOSEPH W. BRIGGS, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in New York in 1832. He was the son of Thomas Briggs, of New York. In his childhood his father removed to Medina County, Ohio, where our subject was reared and schooled, ob- taining such education as the schools of that date afforded. He early learned the details of the work on his father's farm in assisting in its management.

He made the overland journey to California, and upon his arrival joined his brother, who resided near Marysville, the two entering into extensive fruit-cul- tivation, thus becoming pioneers of that industry in this State. He continued in this work until 1854, when he returned to Ohio, and there married, in that year, Miss Mary J. Oldes, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Bennett) Oldes, who resided in Medina County, Ohio. After a two years' stay in Ohio, he went to Franklin County, Kansas, where he pur- chased land and established himself as a farmer and stock-raiser. There he made his home for several years, in fact until, in 1862, he returned to this State, and, with his brother, John G., and his brother-in-law, Edward Haskell, entered largely into fruit-culture. His family joined him in his new home in 1863. Mr. Briggs eventually bought out the interests of his partners, and for a time managed these orchards, of hundreds of acres in extent, without other assistance than that of hired help. In 1873 he sold out these interests and came to Santa Clara County, where he bought a tract of 120 acres on the Trimble road, on Coyote Creek, in the Midway School District. He immediately began the work of planting extensive orchards and small-fruit vines, and succeeded before

his death in producing a splendid farm, upon which his widow now resides. Fifty acres were devoted to the raising of plums and prunes, twenty acres to pears, ten acres to apples, twelve acres to cherries, and the remainder to pasturage. Six acres of raspberries, and five of strawberries, were cultivated among the fruit-trees. Plenty of water is supplied by five arte- sian wells, each of which furnishes an average flow of water. These lands, being in a high state of cultiva- tion and very productive, testify to Mr. Briggs' skill in horticulture. In addition to the supervision of this large farm, Mr. Briggs engaged largely in fruit- raising near Visalia, purchasing in 1881.200 acres of land. His son, Frank T., bought 160 acres near this property, and in 1885 Mr. Briggs also acquired that tract by purchase. His design was the conversion of the whole into orchards, but his plans were destroyed by the hand of death, which occurred April 19, 1887.

He left three children: Frank T., married and liv- ing in San Francisco; John G., who married Miss Lizzie Adams, of Alviso, now a resident of San Jose; and Albert L., residing on the old homestead. He also left, besides a devoted family, a host of friends, by whom his loss was deeply felt. He was a man of great strength of character, of untiring energy, as the magnitude of his enterprises proves. He was well versed in the business affairs of life, and was thus able to bring to a successful issue his many plans.

His worth in social circles was thoroughly appre- ciated, and by his death many secret organizations mourned the loss of a most useful member. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar, and was also connected with the American Legion of Honor, Chosen Friends, Knights of Honor, and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

OHN G. BRIGGS was born in Franklin County, Kansas, December 3, 1858. He is the son of Joseph W. Briggs (whose sketch appears in this connection) and Mary J. (Oldes) Briggs, a native of Ohio. When but five years of age he was brought by his parents to this State. During his youthful days, when not in school, he was employed in his father's large orchards, and thus at an early age he had become familiar with all the details of orchard culture. In his boyhood, his father had the care of extensive fruit interests near Marysville, but in 1873 he came to this county and purchased 120 acres of land near the Trimble road. He eventually im-

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proved 100 acres of this tract, setting that portion to fruit-trees. In this work he was most ably assisted by our subject, who, as young as he was, managed this extensive property, and in time came to have sole control of it, as for many years previous to his death, in 1887, his father was occupied in the care of his large interests near Visalia.

This magnificent orchard contains about 10,000 trees, and is known far and wide as one of the finest and most productive in the county. This is due to Mr. Briggs' thorough, practical knowledge of the business to which he was trained, and the care and attention which he has devoted to the production of these telling results. Mr. Briggs is now living at San Jose, where he is engaged in settling the affairs of his father's extensive estate.

In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Adams, the daughter of William Francis and Mary Ann Adams, who were natives and residents of England. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have one daughter, Edith Violet.

RANK BRIDGES resides on the San Francicso road, in the Millikin School District, about four miles west of Santa Clara, where he owns twenty acres of productive land. He devotes his entire tract, with the exception of three acres in fruit-trees, to the cultivation of grapes for wine and table use. Of the former, he has ten acres of the following kinds: Matero, Zinfandel, Grenache, and Charbano. Of the table grapes, he has seven acres of the Muscat, Mal- vasie, and Rose of Peru varieties. Mr. Bridges pays careful attention to the details of his business, and has his reward in the large yield and the excellent quality of his products.

The subject of this sketch dates his birth in Glouces- ter County, England, February 19, 1843. His father, Frank Bridges, and his mother, Martha (Servis) Bridges, were natives of Greenwich, Middlesex County, England. His schooling was limited to that received before he reached twelve years of age, for at that period he entered upon an apprenticeship of three years in the carving and gilding trade. At its expira- tion, although but fifteen years of age, he enlisted in the English army in the East India service, in 1858, and his experience was somewhat out of the common run, in that almost all of his military service was in that far-off country. There he spent seven years principally in garrison duties, but engaging in several skirmishes with scattered bands of mutineers.

In 1865 he returned to his native country, still re- maining in the service as a musician. During the fol- lowing year he received an honorable discharge, having spent eight years in the service of his country, in the faithful and conscientious discharge of every duty. In the same year (1866) he left England for the United States. Landing at New York, he soon ex- tended his journeying as far west as Knoxville, Ten- nessee, making that city his home for several years. While there he was engaged in the teaching of music, and, on his departure, in April, 1875, came to Califor- nia. He located in San Francisco, and followed the profession of music teaching. He made that city his home for about eight years, and then visited Santa Clara County, purchasing the property upon which he now resides. Since that time he has devoted his ener- gies and time entirely to the cultivation of his vines and orchard. Although reared to a far different life, the qualities of careful attention to every duty and intel- ligent direction of business, which made him success- ful in other occupations, have made him a successful horticulturist.

Mr. Bridges married, in 1872, Miss Edwina Hodg- son, daughter of Edwin Hodgson, of Manchester, England. They have had three children: Bertha, aged at present writing (1888) fifteen years; Herbert, aged thirteen years; and Frank, aged nine years.

L. CHAPMAN owns a fine orchard property of fifteen acres on the Homestead road, about one mile west of Santa Clara. This orchard is in a high state of cultivation and shows great care and constant attention on the part of its owner. It comprises apricot, pear, prune, peach, plum, and cherry trees. There is also a small vineyard on the place, which furnishes a choice variety of table grapes, such as the Verdal, Black Hamburg, Mission, and Tokay.

Mr. Chapman dates his birth in Cumberland County, Kentucky, August 23, 1814. He is the son of Asa and Sallie (Gosney) Chapman. He was reared to a farm life, leaving the old home at the age of eighteen years. He received such an education as was afforded by the common schools, which were con- ducted in the typical log-cabin school-house of that period. As before stated, he left home when eighteen years of age, and went to Fayette County, Kentucky, where he entered upon an apprenticeship as a black- smith. He remained there until 1833, when he went

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to Monroe County, Missouri, where he worked at his trade as a journeyman for four years, establishing a shop of his own in 1837. This business he success- fully conducted until 1850, when he caught the con- tagious gold fever, which caused him to sell out his shop and start overland for California. The journey was made with ox teams, which was the prescribed mode of overland travel in that day. Upon reach- ing California, he stopped at the mines for a short time, but, not meeting with the success for which he had hoped, he went to Stockton, and there established a blacksmith shop, in which venture he was successful. In the fall of 1851 he left his shop in the charge of a competent man, and returned East, by the steamship line, and joined his family in Missouri. With his family, in the following year, he again made the over- land trip. Upon his arrival at Stockton he continued the business of blacksmithing, and also established a freighting line of teams to the mines. These enter- prises were conducted with success until 1855, in which year he established a general merchandise store in Volcano, Amador County, continuing in the mercan- tile business until 1858, when he made Solano County his home. There he entered into the combined occu- pations of farming and blacksmithing, following them until 1884, when he took possession of his Santa Clara estate.

Mr. Chapman is an intelligent and energetic man, one who, for more than fifty years, has been engaged in active mechanical and business pursuits, which justly entitle him to the rest and quiet to be obtained at the comfortable home in which he is settled. He is a member of the Christian Church Society of San Jose, and is also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Master, Royal Arch, and Knight Templar.

In 1837 Mr. Chapman wedded Miss Catharine Dooley, a daughter of Job Dooley, a native of Ken- tucky, but a resident of Monroe County, Missouri. From this marriage two children were born: Sarah Frances and Lucy I. The former is the wife of Charles Horn, a native of Vermont, but now a resident of California, and the latter is the wife of Thomas Laine, an attorney at law and a resident of San Jose. Mr. Chapman's second marriage was in wedding Mrs. Eliza Ann (Forman) Burris, a former resident of Missouri. From this marriage two children are liv- ing: Martha Amanda, the wife of Thomas Proctor, of Los Gatos, and Susan D., the wife of Henry Lamp- kin, an attorney at law of San Jose.

ENRY LILLICK, of the Braley District, resides on a productive farm which is located on the Saratoga and Alviso road, about three miles west of Santa Clara. His property originally comprised seventy-one acres, thirty acres of which was devoted to fruit culture, comprising peaches, prunes, apples, pears, almonds, and walnuts. This orchard tract Mr. Lillick sold to F. J. Chambers, in 1887, retaining the remainder, forty-one acres, which he devotes to the growing of hay and grain and to stock-raising. Upon this latter tract he is now erecting a fine cottage home.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, in 1824. He is the son of Andrew and Catharine (Lenk) Lillick, both natives of Ger- many. In 1833 his parents came to the United States and made Holmes County, Ohio, their home, becom- ing carly settlers of that section. After about seven years' residence at that place, they removed to Van Wert County, of the same State, and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1847, and the mother in 1872, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. Mr. Lillick was brought up as a farmer, and was early inured to the hardships attendant upon the life of the early settler. His opportunities for gaining an education were limited to those presented by the primitive schools of the pioneer settlement.

In 1846 he went to La Fayette County, Wisconsin, where he worked as a farm laborer until 1849, when he started across the plains for the Golden State. Of his overland journey it may be said that he suffered the hardships common to travel of that date and mode, and until the train reached the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains nothing unusual hap- pened. But here seven of the party (among them a Mr. Roundtree, of New York) left the train to go into the mountains in search of cattle which had strayed away from their herds. None of this party were ever afterward seen or heard from, and it is supposed that they were ambushed and killed by the Indians.

Upon arriving at Sacramento, Mr. Lillick left his party and went to the mines in Trinity County, where he worked until the autumn of 1850, when, not having met with the success which he had hoped for, he de- termined to return to the more congenial occupation of farming. With this in view he came to Santa Clara County, and expended all his small means in the purchase of the farm upon which he now resides. There commenced his struggle to redeem, unassisted, the bountiful land from its wild state. In 1851 he returned to the mines, being obliged to borrow the

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money with which to buy provisions and mining tools. This second adventure was attended with consider- able success, and with the money thus earned he was enabled to purchase a yoke of cattle, provision, seed, clothes, etc., and thus to enter into his farming opera- tions with a better chance of achieving success. This success is now assured, as his farm is in a high state of cultivation, and it is worthy of note, as indicative of the wonderful fertility of the soil, that in 1853 he harvested and sold $300 worth of grain, besides re- serving 1,400 pounds for seed purposes.

In 1867 Mr. Lillick visited his old Ohio home, re- turning to California the same year. He again went to Ohio in January, 1868, remaining there until the autumn of the same year, when he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Schell, the daughter of Henry and Mary Schell, pioneer residents of Van Wert County, Ohio. Immediately after his marriage he returned with his bride to California, by the Panama route. Upon their arrival they at once took up their residence on their farm, which their united efforts have placed in the front rank. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lillick: Walter Faye, aged nineteen years; Harry C., aged seventeen years; and Ira S., aged twelve years.

By his untiring industry, thrifty habits, and prac- tical knowledge of his business, Mr. Lillick has ad- vanced rapidly in his chosen vocation, and now ranks with the many prosperous and successful pioneer far- mers of Santa Clara County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Master and Royal Arch Mason.

OBERT GRANT came to California in 1870, and located in Old Gilroy, where he resided for a short time, then went into the mountains and engaged in dairying and stock-raising. After remaining there ten years he went upon a ranch, where he remained six months; then went to Tulare County, and six months later returned to Santa Clara County, and again engaged in stock-raising, on the Coyote Creek. There he remained until locating in Gilroy, in October, 1882. He bought out, the feed- yard of W. N. Shepherd, and added to it a livery department. He usually keeps about eight or ten horses for use in his livery business.

Mr. Grant is a native of Toronto, Canada, born there September 5, 1843. His parents removed, when he was a child, to Oxford, Canada, and there he re-

sided until coming to California. His father, John Grant, was a farmer, and resides still at Oxford.

When first coming to this State, Mr. Grant re- mained but a few months. However, on returning to Canada, he soon decided to come back to California. He was married, in this county, to Mrs. E. A. Hinch, and to them have been born three children: Maude, Samuel, and Ida. Politically Mr. Grant is a Demo- crat.

GAMES ENRIGHT was born in Limerick County, Ireland, in 1826. His parents, James and Mary (Mann) Enright, emigrated to Canada in 1830, and purchased and conducted quite an extensive farm near Quebec. There they resided until the son was fourteen years of age, removing in 1840 to Atchi- son County, Missouri, where they continued the oc- cupation of farming. Thus Mr. Enright was thor- oughly trained in youth to the business which he has made his life-work. In Missouri his parents spent the remainder of their lives, both dying in 1845. The home was thus broken up, and in the following year Mr. Enright, accompanied by his brother Thomas and his sister Mary, crossed the plains to California. He reached the end of his journey in the Sacramento Valley, October 3, 1846, and went to the old Mission of San Jose. There he spent a few months, not in idleness, for, after manufacturing his plows himself, he seeded about thirty acres with wheat, which he eventually sold to James Reed. He also seeded and sold to Samuel Brannan thirty acres. These lands belonged to the mission, but Mr. Enright obtained permission to cultivate them.

In the spring of 1847, he left the mission for San Francisco, where he engaged in teaming, taking gov- ernment transportation contracts. He transferred the stores and baggage of the famous Stevenson Regiment from the landing to the Presidio of San Francisco. He sustained a severe loss in the death of both the brother and sister who came to this State with him, his sister Mary (who had married Patrick Doyle, of San Francisco) dying at the Mis- sion of San Juan in 1848, while his brother Thomas,' who was an invalid, followed her two years later, his death occurring at the Mission of San Jose. His sister Bridget, who came to California at a later date, and who married Patrick Farrell, of Mitchell County, Canada, is now a resident of San Jose.

In 1847 the subject of our sketch purchased the

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

lands which he now occupies, a magnificent farm of 600 acres, situated on the Saratoga and Alviso road, at Lawrence Station, about three miles west of Santa Clara. Eight acres is in fruit-trees of different varie- ties, and fourteen acres in a vineyard, which furnishes a choice selection of table and wine grapes. But by far the larger part of this vast estate is given to the pro- duction of grain and hay, for which the results show the soil is well fitted. Mr. Enright also engages quite extensively in the raising of stock, principally work horses. He built a house on the land in the year that he made the purchase, it being the first one built on the farming lands of the county. In the year follow- ing his purchase (1848) he went to the mines on the American River, near the present site of Folsom, be- ing among the very first who engaged in mining in the State. He was quite successful in this venture and spent four or five months there. During the dis- turbed state of the country during these exciting times, he was compelled to use the greatest care, and he slept with a loaded rifle by his bed for months. Such volunteer forces as were in this county were of the most reckless character, disregarding all show of courtesy or fair dealing.

In 1850 Mr. Enright took up a permanent resi- dence on his property, thus becoming one of the pioneer farmers of the county, as he had been a pio- neer of the State and of mining; for it must be re- membered that his coming to the State antedated the discovery of gold, and even the acquisition of the country by the. United States Government. He has carried to a successful issue all his business undertak- ings, and has achieved a goodly amount of this world's goods. Without the advantage of education, he has supplied the lack by native shrewdness and thorough understanding of his business. He is well known throughout the county as one of its most suc- cessful and enterprising pioneer farmers.

Mr. Enright was united in marriage, in 1850, to Miss Margaret Duncan, the daughter of Robert and Ann Duncan, natives of Scotland, but residents of San Francisco. They came to this State in 1846, by way of Cape Horn. From this marriage eleven chil- dren were born, nine being now living. Mary Ann, the wife of John G. Robertson, lives at Santa Cruz; Frances is the wife of Dr. James Murphy, of San Francisco; Charles is a physician in San Francisco; James E., Margaret, Joseph D., John B., Nellie, and Louisa G. make their home with their parents. Robert D. died in 1881, at the age of twenty-five years.

OHN KLEE is the owner of a fine ranch of 150 acres in the Cambrian District, on the Kirk road, five miles a little west of south of San Jose. He bought the property in the autumn of 1868, it having been somewhat improved prior to his purchase, but much in need of repair. Mr. Klee has removed all appearance of neglect, and has added many building improvements. The fences, with the exception of 500 yards, have been rebuilt, a barn 62×80 feet has been erected, while the house has been almost entirely reconstructed. The ranch is successfully devoted to general farming and stock-raising.

The subject of our sketch was born in Germany, June 24, 1832. He was orphaned in his youth, and when nineteen years of age he left his native home, to follow many of his countrymen to the United States, the hope of the poor man of many a far-off land. From the spring of 1852 to that of 1856 he lived in Rochester, New York. He then came to California, and made the Sacramento Valley his home for twelve years or more, with the exception of one year, which he spent in New York.

On the nineteenth of April, 1868, Mr. Klee was united in marriage with Miss Mary Vollmer, daughter of George and Margaret (Hilbert) Vollmer, both of whom are natives of Germany. Mrs. Klee was born in Rochester, New York, June 15, 1843, coming to California in 1866. Her father is deceased, but her mother yet lives in her old home, Rochester.

Mr. and Mrs. Klee are consistent members of the Catholic Church. They commenced their married life with but little capital, except strong hands and willing hearts, with a determination to merit success by industry and frugality. That success they have won by well-directed effort. They may well feel that they have gained not only a fair share of temporal prosperity, but also the confidence and esteem of their neighbors and acquaintances.

ATHAN L. LESTER, of whose fine fruit orchard mention must be made, lives on the corner of Lincoln and Curtner Avenues, in the Willow Glen District. This orchard, of thirty-one and two-fifths acres, he bought of F. A. Taylor, in January, 1884, paying $13,000 for it. Several kinds of cherries, French and Silver prunes, egg-plums, pears, apricots, and peaches are among the varieties. Owing to good care, the orchard has been productive and profitable.

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C. J. Settle.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mr. Lester was born in Ledyard, New London County, Connecticut, January 1, 1843, the son of Isaac A. and Mary (Chapman) Lester, both of whom are natives of the same town. His mother died at the old home- stead, where his father still lives. Nathan L. is the eldest of three brothers living in this district. Their names are: William I. and Samuel W. The names of the other members of his father's family are as fol- lows: Amos, living in Connecticut, but having spent seven years in this State; Mary Jane, also a resident of Connecticut; Henry Clay, who died in Connecti- cut, at the age of six years; Jonathan F., who spent six years in California, but now resides in Connecti- cut; Frank L., who came West in 1869, and died in November, 1876, at Salt Lake City; Walter, who died in infancy; Sarah Emma, also deceased; and Edward E., a resident of Connecticut.

Nathan was reared to a farm life, receiving a good common-school education. On the twenty-fourth of May, 1872, he married, in his native town, Miss Sarah E. Spicer, daughter of Judge Edmund Spicer. She was born in the neighborhood in which her husband was reared. Mr. Lester came to California in 1861, and engaged in wheat raising in Napa County. He lived here six or seven years, and then returned East, where he remained until 1883. In September of that year he became a resident of Santa Clara County, where he bought his present home in the January following.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 107

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