Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 110

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 110

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ERMAN SUND, son of Herman and Margaret Sund, was born in the northeastern part of Swe- den, December 14, 1845. His mother died when he was an infant. Herman, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until fifteen years of age, when he left home and learned the carpenter's trade. When twenty-three years old he went on board of sea vessels as a ship carpenter, and has followed his trade

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at sea and in the different countries of Europe, the West Indies, and in North and South America. He came to America and traveled all over the United States, when, in 1873, he located in San Fran- cisco, where he worked at his trade. He came to Los Gatos in 1881, where he has resided since. He is the oldest contractor in Los Gatos, and has built four wincries, one cannery, the Los Gatos gas works, two fruit dryers, and a great many business and dwelling houses, having from four to twelve men in his employ. He is one of the stockholders in the Los Gatos and Saratoga Wine Company, and in the Los Gatos Gas Company. When Los Gatos was incorporated, in 1887, he was elected a Town Trustee, and re-elected April 9, 1888. Mr. Sund has had a lumber-yard in Los Gatos since 1884, and sells from 3,000,000 to 4,- 000,000 feet per year. He also has a ranch of thirty acres in the eastern part of town, twenty acres of which were laid out into town lots last winter, and placed on the market this spring.

He was married in 1873 to Josephine Peterson, a native of Leavenworth Kansas. She died in 1882, leaving one son and two daughters. Mr. Sund was again married, in 1884, to Louisa Schrepfer, a native of the Alps, in Switzerland, who came to California in 1880, and by her had three children,-two sons and one daughter,-of whom one son and one daughter are now living.

JOSEPH DICKENSON, engineer at the Palo Alto trotting ranch, is a native of New York, born in Orleans County, June 24, 1834, his parents being Hosea and Sophronia (Stockwell) Dickenson. He was reared in Niagara County, New York, from the age of four years, and when he was twenty he commenced to learn the trade of engineer. At the age of twenty-two he became second engineer of a propeller plying on the lakes, and was so engaged during the season of navigation for about five years. He then went to Illinois, and soon afterward located with his brother in Bureau County, with whom he remained about four and a half years. In 1859 he crossed the plains to California, coming with a party made up of Illinois and Wisconsin people. Five months later they arrived at Carson Valley. The party split up, and those with whom he remained went to Dogtown Creek, a small mining camp, and wintered there in four feet of snow. That season the Mono diggings were discovered, and there he mined the next

summer. About this time the celebrated Esmeralda mine was discovered, and he went there. He engaged in prospecting and mining, but during the most of the four and a half years that he remained there he was engaged in running the quartz-mill engines. At this camp a good band had been organized, of which he was a member, and when the Reese River mine ex- citement started the entire organization went to the new camp. He was engineer there for four and a half years, but was compelled to leave on account of his health. He came to Santa Clara County in 1868, and operated a threshing-machine each season-until he came to the Palo Alto Ranch, and during three sea- sons also conducted a saw-mill. He assumed the duties of his present position on the 28th of Septem- ber, 1882.

Mr. Dickenson was married, in 1883, to Miss Flor- ence Smith. They have two children, viz .: Roxie Maud, and an infant, unnamed. Politically Mr. Dick- enson is a stanch Republican.

OBERT DEWAR, forcman of stone-masons and stone-cutters on the construction of the Leland Stanford, Jr., University buildings, was born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, March 3, 1843, and was reared there to the age of eighteen years. He commenced his trade there, but went to Boston, where he completed his apprenticeship, and then went to work as a journeyman. He eventually went into business for himself as a contractor on stone work, cutting and furnishing. Twelve years after his arrival in the city he left Boston for Prince Edward's Island, where he continued his career as a contractor in the same business, remaining three years. From there he went to Manitoba, and thence came to California in 1886. On the tenth of July, 1887, he was chosen for his present position, and in the construction of such a building as the University his great experience and thorough knowledge of the crafts of stone-cutting and stone-masonry stands him in good stead. Some sixty men are employed in his department of the work alone.

ARREN DE CROW, dentist, room 12, Phelan Building, corner First and El Dorado Streets, San Jose, has practiced his profession in San Jose for the past three years. He was born in New- ark, Licking County, Ohio, in 1841, and received his education at Dennison University at Granville, Ohio,

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about eight miles from his father's farm, receiving his preliminary as well as classical education in the dif- ferent departments of that school, the leading Baptist educational institution in Ohio. After leaving this College he studied dentistry in Newark, Ohio, and after having become an expert in his profession he removed to Quiney, Illinois, in the winter of 1865-66, and there engaged in the practice of his profession. Remaining there until the summer of 1882, he came to California and settled in Hollister, where he remained until November, 1884, and then removed to San Jose.

He was married in Newark, Ohio, in 1865, to Miss Hattie C. Stone, a native of the same neighborhood, who also received her education at Granville, Ohio. He is President of the California Dental Association, a member of Garden City Lodge and of San Jose Encampment, I. O. O. F., of San Jose, in the latter of which he is a Past Chief Patriarch and a member of Mt. Hamilton Lodge A. O. U. W. His parents were Samuel G. and Sarah E. (Woodworth) De Crow, long residents of Ohio, near Newark, where they owned and lived on a farm they purchased in 1838. The subject of this sketch is a member of the First Pres- byterian Church of San Jose, active in the Sunday- school and Young Men's Christian Association work, and for a year has had charge of the Union Sunday- school teachers' meetings of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association; also has a class of young ladies and gentlemen in the Sunday-school of his church.

ELLIOTT C. CUMMINGS, the senior partner of the undertaking firm of Cummings & Faulk- ner, came from his birthplace, Oneida County, New York, to California in 1861. The first two years he lived in San Francisco, then went north into the mines, where he spent six years, enduring the hardships, experiencing conflicts with the Indians, and the other excitements and vicissitudes incident to mining life, his efforts being fairly successful in the end. Upon leaving the mines, Mr. Cummings went to Oregon for a year, then settled in Humboldt County, California, in 1869, and was employed nine years in school work, five years as teacher, and four years as County Superintendent of the schools of that county. Failing health compelled him to abandon the vocation of pedagogue; and he next engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, in which he continued until 1886, when he sold out and came to San Jose. He purchased a fine place in the Willow

Glen District, half a mile south of the city limit, com- prising seven acres of choice bearing fruit-trees- apricots, French prunes, peaches, and pears. In July, 1887, the partnership with Mr. Faulkner was entered into to engage in the undertaking business; and their present office and warerooms, at 28 South Market Street, were opened. They keep in stock the best lines of undertaker's goods, and are always ready to attend to the wants of customers at any hour of the day or night.

Mr. Cummings was educated for a teacher, and applied himself several years to that profession in New York before coming West.

Becoming acquainted with Miss Hill while mining in Boise Basin, their friendship ripened into love, and in 1868 he went to Washington Territory, where she resided, and married her.

GAMES CROWLEY, deceased, was born in Kil- brittin Parish, County Cork, in Ireland, in 1831. His father, Michael, died there. His widow was Mary (McCarty) Crowley. They were both natives of the same parish. After her husband's death she emigrated to and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where she died. There were seven children in her family, three sons and four daughters, of whom Julia Desmond resides in Boston, Catharine Sullivan in San Francisco, Mrs. Mary James at Elmira, California, Timothy Crowley at Murphy's Ranch, Santa Clara County, and Con. Crowley, who resides at the same place. The other children are James and Johanna.

James lived with his parents while in Ireland, and was raised on a farm. In 1849 he came to New York city, where he remained until 1852, when he came to California, by way of Panama. He came at once to Martin Murphy's ranch, where his sister, Mrs. Sulli- van, was living. He lived and made his home with Murphy until 1867, when he went to farming. He rented about 600 acres from Mr. Murphy and lived on it for seven years. During his residence on the Murphy ranch he bought sixty-five aeres at Oak Grove. He died October 3, 1873. He was married in 1866, to Margaret Collins. She was born in the Parish of Baleno, County Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1836, and when eighteen years of age came to the United States, and in 1864 to California, after a resi- dence of ten years in New York. After the death of her husband she moved to the farm at Oak Grove, where she lived until 1883, when she sold out and

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moved into Mountain View, where she bought prop- erty and has since been dealing in real estate to some extent. She has been very fortunate in her invest- ments, and now owns some of the best business prop- erty in Mountain View.

Mr. Crowley was interested in raising stock, and when he married had but one cow; but he kept add- ing to his stock until at the time of his death he possessed forty horses and eighty cows and calves. It was his habit to buy up his neighbors' calves and raise them. He was well liked by his neighbors, and was an honest, hard-working man, and successful in his dealings. Mrs. Crowley is a stockholder in the Mount- ain View Cannery, and in the Olympic Hall of Mountain View.

LACE & MINTO. This well-known firm is one of the leading business houses in Los Gatos. It consists of Elvert E. Place and John Minto, un- dertakers and dealers in furniture, wall-paper, and bedding. The business was first organized Sep- tember 15, 1884, by A. F. Place & Son, who ran it for three years, when A. F. Place retired, his interest being bought by John Minto. This change placed the son, E. E. Place, at the head of the firm.

Elvert E. Place was born at Burns, Shiawassee County, Michigan, November 5, 1864. He received his education at Laingsburg, in the same county. His father, A. F. Place, was the owner of large flouring- mills in Shiawassee County, and Elvert, having a natural taste for tools and machinery, entered the employ of his father, and was soon afterward able to take charge of important duties in the millwright de- partment in connection with the mills. In May, 1884, he came to Santa Cruz, California, and in the follow- ing September opened in the furniture business with his father at Los Gatos.

He was married, March 10, 1887, to Emma A. Beardslee, a native of Laingsburg, Michigan.

HARLES BRUCH. Among the successful or- chardists of this county is counted Mr. Charles Bruch. He owns the block bounded by Eighth, Ninth, Martha, and Bestor Streets, where he re- sides, all of which is planted in bearing fruit-trees. Originally he owned ten acres, which he purchased in 1860. In 1862 he planted it in fruit-trees, chiefly

apples, but also peaches, plums, prunes, and apricots. At first he planted out strawberries between the trees over the whole ten acres of the place. For a time he made a deal of money, receiving as much as $2,000 to $3,000 a year during the first years for the fruit npon the trees. Later the trees became diseased, and had to be dug out. The strawberries, too, became un- profitable on account of the competition of the Chinese strawberry gardens. For several years he cultivated his place in wheat in order to rid the ground of the insect pests, and then planted it again in strawberries for some three years. Now a new orchard has been planted, which is just coming into good bearing. In 1887 a part of the place was sold for town lots, leaving about five acres, all in orchard. In 1861 Mr. Bruch sank an artesian well, which at first gave sufficient water to irrigate the whole tract. The sinking of other wells in the neighborhood, however, so reduced the flow that he was obliged to sink others until he had seven in all.

Mr. Bruch was one of the first to engage in fruit- raising in this valley, and aided effectually in proving the wonderful adaptability of our soil and climate to horticulture. When the transcontinental railroad was completed a complimentary present of the choicest California fruits was sent to Queen Victoria. The committee, to whom was intrusted the selection of the fruit, chose the apples from those raised in Mr. Bruch's orchard on account of their fine qualities and beautiful appearance. These results come from the assiduous attention always given by him in the selec- tion of choice varieties, the watchful trimming, and the careful shaping of the fruit during growth.

Mr. Bruch was born in Prussia, in 1819. He at- tended school in his native place, while at the same time working on his father's farm. He then learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked until his thirtieth year, having a shop of his own, and employ- ing about ten men. In 1853 he came to America, stopping a short time in New York State, and coming out to California by the Nicaragua route, reaching San Francisco in the fall. He remained there for one year, working at his trade. In 1854 he came to San Jose and established a blacksmith shop, which he con- ducted successfully for about three years. He then bought the land he still owns, and engaged in fruit- growing, at first obtaining his water for irrigation by artesian wells, then by horse-power, and finally by steam pumps. He was married, in 1846, in Germany, to Miss Charlotte Bogart, of his native village. They have four children. Charles is the superintendent of

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John Rock's celebrated nurseries near San Jose; Louis is teaching school near San Jose; Louisa is doing the same in San Jose, and Otto is clerking in Arizona.

- REDERICK BROWN. In the list of promi- nent citizens of San Jose is found the name of Mr. Frederick Brown, a member of the firm of Wood & Brown, commission merchants, grain and fruit-buyers and warehousemen, Nos. 145-159 North Market Street. He has now been identified with the active business interests of San Jose for two years, and a resident here for five years. Born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, in 1851, his parents removed in 1853 to California, crossing the plains in ox wagons and arriving at Placerville in the fall of that year. His parents are Adam and Letitia (McLean) Brown, his father being a native of England and his mother of Ireland. They settled in Placer County, where his fa- ther followed mining until 1871. He then removed to Monterey County, and engaged in farming, an occupa- tion he continued until he retired from active work about five years ago. The family now reside in a lovely home situated on the Alameda near the Hester School.

Mr. Frederick Brown, the subject of this sketch, at- tended school in Placer County, up to the age of seventeen years, when he went to Brighton Academy, at Oakland. There he remained nine months, later attending for one year the City College in San Fran- cisco, finally graduating at Heald's Business College in 1871. From this time until 1882 he managed his father's farm in Monterey, when, his father selling the farm, the family removed to San Jose, where they pur- chased their present residence on the Alameda.

The firm of Wood & Brown have built up a very large business since they set out in 1886, and it is steadily growing and expanding. They deal whole- sale and retail in flour, wheat, barley, ground feed, potatoes, onions, beans, etc., as well as in California dried fruits and nuts. They have lately been forced by increasing business to move into their present quarters, which extend through from Market to San Pedro Streets, and where they are situated to meet fully the requirements of their trade. They have also a feed mill on the Alameda, have leased the Narrow Gauge Railroad Warehouses, and own one at the Broad Gauge depot, running them in connection with their business. The aggregate capacity of these warehouses is 8,000 tons. They are also agents for

Sperry & Co.'s flour mills at Stockton, and are doing good work in opposing the efforts of the flour ring of this county to increase the price of that necessary. Their business is conducted upon true American prin- ciples, and its success is deserved.

There have been three children born to Adam and Letitia Brown: Frederick, Lillie, and William S. The latter died in 1880. The two former still live with their parents at their home in San Jose.

UTHBERT BURRELL. The pride of Cali- fornia is in her pioneer citizens, men who braved the toils and dangers of the early days, and out of their labors and sufferings builded on a foundation broad and deep the unparalleled prosperity of the State. One of these is Cuthbert Burrell, who resides on the corner of Third and William Streets, in this city, San Jose. He crossed the plains at the early date of 1846, from Joliet, Illinois, and has led a stir- ring and eventful life.

Born in Clyde, Wayne County, New York, in 1824, he was raised on his father's farm, in that settlement, until eleven years old. In 1835, after the close of the Sauk (Indian) War, his father removed to Illinois, and purchased a farm in Will County, near Plainfield. There Mr. Burrell remained until 1842, attending school and performing the various duties of a pros- perous farmer's son, when, at eighteen years of age, he rented the farm from his father, worked it for him- self for two years, and then purchased a farm which, after working it for one year, he sold, in 1846, to his father. Previously to this, a pamphlet describing California, written by a Mr. Hastings, who had visited the State two years previously, fell into his hands, and being dissatisfied with Illinois, on account of the prevalence of malarial fevers, he decided to make a trip to the Pacific Coast. Proceeding to Peru, Illi- nois, at the foot of the Illinois Canal, he shipped his wagon and outfit upon a steamboat, and went down to St. Louis, and thence up the Missouri River to Weston, Missouri. There they bought oxen, and, organizing a wagon train, over which they elected Stephen A. Cooper captain, started to cross the conti- nent. Soon after leaving the Missouri River, while passing through the Pawnee country, they were in great danger of a conflict with the Indians. One of their company, named Matthews (the father of Carolan Matthews, both of whom have lived in San Jose), had lived amongst the Indians previously, and had killed

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one of their chiefs. His surrender was demanded. The company decided not to give him up, however, and prepared for a fight. When the Indians found that the company were determined not to give up Matthews, and that a fight was imminent, and as the people of the train were quite numerous, they re- linquished their purpose, and the train passed through their country unmolested.

At the Green River, in Utah, Mr. Burrell, with their captain and a number of others, separated from the party and came to California, by way of Fort Hall and the Humboldt River, reaching this State in Octo- ber. War had been declared between the United States and Mexico while the party were crossing the plains, and Mr. Burrell, with many others who had just come, enlisted under General Fremont. Under him Mr. Burrell served on the expedition to Santa Barbara in search of horses, and made the over- land trip from Monterey to Los Angeles, seeing six months' service there, and then receiving his discharge. Returning to Sutter's Fort he found only his wagon and oxen remaining of his outfit. He carried one of the orphaned Donner children (her who afterward married S. O. Houghton, of San Jose) to Napa, where he left her with the Yountz family, and sought em- ployment in building, under contract, for Salvador Vallejo, and later cutting hay for Stevenson's regiment in the Suisun Valley. In 1848, on the outbreak of the gold excitement, he started for the mines with his companions so hastily as even to leave their imple- ments in the hay-field. For three years he was en- gaged in mining, quitting it, in 1852, with about $3,000 on hand. He squatted on a piece of land in Solano County, believing it to be government land, but after- ward purchased it from General Vallejo, the owner. In 1860 he engaged in farming and stock-raising with Matt. Harbin and W. P. Durbin, purchasing 640 acres of land. This interest he shortly after sold to John Stilts, a brother-in-law of his partners, receiving cattle in payment. With his cattle he moved to Fresno County, making his headquarters at Elkhorn, a stage station between Gilroy and Visalia. There he had unlimited range, and held his cattle until 1869, when he sold out for $103,000. During this time he pur- chased 18,000 acres of swamp and overflow lands, and also a ranch of 2,000 acres near Visalia, all of which he still owns. In 1872 he returned to the stock business, intrusting his interests now to a nephew. Mr. Burrell is also a large stockholder and a director in the First National Bank of San Jose, and of the Bank of Visalia.

He was married in 1874 to Mrs. Addie Adams, the widow of Frank Adams, of San Jose. They have three children living, Varena J., May, and Luella. Mrs. Burrell is a native of Three Rivers, Canada, and a member of a prominent and highly respected family. Mr. Burrell's parents were both natives of Northum- berland County, England. His father died in Illinois, and his mother in California.

Mr. Burrell is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active part as a politician, his time having been fully occupied in looking after his various interests.

ELLSWORTH BROTHERS. John H. and Sim- eon Ellsworth own a place of fifty-seven acres, purchased by the first-mentioned in 1878. The next year the latter came from England with his wife. The two brothers share equally in the products of the ranch, as they have a common interest. When they purchased it the land was rough and uncultivated, although twenty-eight acres were partly cleared at the time. They now have forty-eight acres cleared, and have about one acre in family orchard, consist- ing of a mixed lot of apples, pears, prunes, peaches, figs, etc., most of them seven years old and in good bearing. They also have a young apricot orchard of fifty trees, and about seventy-five pear-trees mixed through their vineyard, which are six years old and bore splendidly last year. Of their fifteen acres of vines, seven acres are three-years old, five acres four years old, and three acres six years old, of mixed varieties. The others are Zinfandel and Matero. In 1887 the seven-acre vineyard of three-year-old vines produced over fifteen tons of grapes, and the five acres of four-year-old nearly thirty tons, or nearly six tons to the acre. The six-year vineyard of three acres or more produced in the neighborhood of twenty tons. In 1882 they had about three-fourths of an acre of old Mission vines, which were on the place when they bought it. That year they commenced making wine, and made about 100 gallons, although they had never had any experience in that line. They began in a primitive way, and have made more each succeeding year, adding or improving their facilities for doing so. The quality of their wine is considered to be of the finest. They have a wine cellar capable of holding 12,000 gallons. In 1887 they made nearly 10,000 gallons.

John H. Ellsworth was born in England, October 7,

VIEWS OF THE EXTENSIVE PRUNE ORCHARD OF A. P. CHRISMAN.

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1833, and came to Summit County, Ohio, in 1857, and became employed as clerk in a store in Akron, where he continued for over two years. He came to California in 1859, by way of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco in January, 1860, with less than $10 in his pocket. He went first to Sacramento and re- mained a month, working at anything he could find to do, and then proceeded to El Dorado County and was engaged in mining there and in Placer County till 1874, with varied success. He then went to the Comstock Mines, in Virginia City, and remained there eight years, when he came to Santa Clara County and bought his present property.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 110

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