Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 119

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 119

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Ganso ICTOR BASSIGNANO, dealer in cigars and tobacco in Gilroy, was born in France, Septem- ber, 1840, his parents being August and Eliza- beth Bassignano. When nine years of age his parents came to America and located at Sonoma, California, in 1850, and thence to Napa in 1853. Upon the breaking out of the late Civil War he en- listed in Company E, First California Infantry, and was elected Quartermaster Sergeant. The regiment went to Oregon and was there engaged in fighting In- dians, after which they were sent to Arizona, and there he entered the First California Cavalry and was again engaged in fighting Indians until the close of the war. He acquired the English language while in the army. Upon being mustered out he returned to California and located at Napa, where he remained until 1871, when he came to Gilroy and was employed by Henry Miller for about three years on his ranch. He then

located in Gilroy and engaged in the grocery business, which he subsequently abandoned and began the manufacture of cigars. He has now given up the manufacturing department, but still carries on the sale of tobacco and cigars. He was married, in Gilroy, in 1875, and has one child, Florence. He is a promi- nent inember of the Knights of Pythias and the pres- ent Treasurer of Bloomfield Lodge, No. 10; a member of San Jose Division, No. 8, Uniform Rank, K. of P .; member of A. O. U. W .; the Financier of Gilroy Lodge, No. 26, and a member of the Guarantee Fund, A. O. U. W. Was a charter member to all the Lodges to which he belongs.

ALEXANDER COIL, born in Oneida County, New York, June 2, 1830. His parents, Mar- maduke and Mary (Winlock) Coil, were of Scotch descent, both of whom died before Alex- ander was more than ten years old. This left a family of four children to do the best they could for them- selves. Alexander lived in the neighborhood until he was fifteen years old, when he went into Herkimer County, where he stayed two years and a half, and from there he went into Alleghany County, and at- tended the Alfred Academy for two years and a half. In 1849 he, with another man, took a threshing- machine from New York into Wisconsin, and followed the business there until fall, when they moved it into Illinois and worked at threshing in that State for a while. In the spring of 1850 he started across the plains for Oregon. He joined a party of about thirty wagons at Des Moines, Iowa, who started together with their families, but before the journey was completed they dropped off and scattered in different directions, so that only about five wagons went into Oregon, after being on the road about five months. Mr. Coil remained in Oregon that winter, and the next spring struck out for the mines on the Klamath River, where Yreka now stands. He remained in that locality until the winter of 1852-53, when he started from the Sailor Diggings, in Jackson County, to the coast. A party of twelve persons was made up, which was the first company that made the trip successfully, on ac- count of the Indians being so troublesome. After a severe trip, meeting with many hardships, eleven of the party got safely through, where seven of them stayed that winter, while the others went down the coast to Humboldt Bay. Mr. Coil remained with those who stayed, and while spending their time there that winter their provisions gave out, and for six weeks

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they had to live on elk meat. They were also short of ammunition, which they had to keep in reserve to protect themselves from the Indians who were molest- ing them at different intervals. Finally a schooner landed where they were, and left them with provisions, and thus relieved them of their monotonous diet of elk meat. This encampment was the first starting of the town of Crescent City, Del Norte County, Oregon. Mr. Coil remained in that locality about five years, trying to get the country settled up. He was doing a little of everything, part of the time farming, together with fighting Indians. From there he went to the Sacramento Valley, California, where he had a brother, and stayed there two years in the stock business. He then went to the Nevada and Reise Rivers, in Nevada County, and spent two years prospecting, mining, and teaming. From there he went back to Humboldt Bay, and went into the mountains, where he bought about 2,900 acres, on Eel River, and went into the sheep business. He had an average of 3,000 sheep dur- ing his residence there of twelve years, which proved to be a profitable business. He sold his ranch in the mountains, moved to this valley, and bought his pres- ent place in 1884, consisting of fifty acres of choice land. It was at that time nearly all grain land, with only five acres set out in trees. At the present time he has twenty-five acres in orchard, of which 500 trees are five years old, and 2,000 four years old. In 1885 he built his fine residence, which, together with other improvements put on the place, makes it one of the finest in the valley.

Mr. Coil was married, February 26, 1871, to Pris- cilla W. Grant, a native of New York, who, with her parents, in 1851 came across the plains to California when she was five months old. Her father's name was Bunnel P. Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Coil have one daughter, Olive L. Coil, who was born in Humboldt, September 16, 1876.

DOLPH GREENINGER, proprietor of the Globe Carriage Factory, 32 to 36 San Fernando Street, San Jose, has been a resident of Califor- nia since 1864, and of San Jose since 1865. He was born in 1842, in Wirtemburg, Germany, of which place his parents, Joachim and Katrina (Heim) Green- inger, were also natives. His father died in Germany in 1876, and his mother in Philadelphia in 1880. His brother, Matheus Greeninger, is one of the professors of the gymnasium in Reutlingen, and has been identi-

fied, since his graduation at the University of Heidel- berg, with the cause of education, having taught since that time in the schools and colleges of various cities of Germany. The subject of this sketch attended the schools in Reutlingen, and also the gymnasium. He then learned the trade of carriage painting in Reut- lingen, and left home for America in 1859. He worked at his trade in Baltimore two years, in Wash- ington eighteen months, and in New York for one year, with Park & Brewster, the celebrated buggy and carriage manufacturers. In 1864 he came to Califor- nia, working for one year at his trade in San Fran- cisco. In 1865 he established himself in business in San Jose, where he added to his branch that of car- riage and wagon-making, blacksmithing, and all the requisites of a first-class establishment of that kind. For about sixteen years he was associated in the car- riage business with Hugh Young, purchasing Mr. Young's interest in 1887. He owns the property on which his business is carried on, as well as his home and other real estate. He at one time associated himself with his brother, Frederick W., in the tanning business, but that not proving a financial success he closed it. He is now interested in the stock business, and a ranch in Tulare County. Mr. Greeninger has always been a consistent Republican, but a man of very liberal and broad-gauge views. The esteem in which he is held is evidenced by the fact that he now represents a Democratic district, and has done so several times in the City Council, receiving a large majority over the others on the ticket. Coming to San Jose practically without means, he has by hard work, untiring energy, perseverance, and strictly square dealing, achieved an enviable position finan- cially, politically, and socially.

On his arrival in San Jose he joined the fire de- partment and remained as long as the force was a volunteer one, occupying the different positions up to that of President of the Board of Delegates. Has been a member of the City Council for six years, having been re-elected three times. He was elected in 1884 a member of the County Board of Super- visors, which place he still holds. He is a member and Past Master of Mount Hamilton Lodge, of A. O. U. W., and member of the San Jose Turn Verein, of which organization he has been several times Presi- dent.

He was married, in 1866, to Miss Maggie Noonan, a native of Pennsylvania. They have five living children: Adolph, Katie, Minnie, Lewis, and Reuben. An elder daughter, Ellen, died in 1886.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

P. TAYLOR, deceased, came to Santa Clara County in 1853, then in the possession of that vigorous health that belongs to young manhood; with laudable ambition he commenced the work of improvement and building up, which was contin- ued through a life devoted to the best interests of his neighborhood and the country at large.

A brief review of his personal history gives the following facts: He was born at Greenburg, Green County, Kentucky, May 4, 1826, and there resided until he was about twelve years of age. The family then removed to Jackson County, Missouri, and sev- eral years later to Pleasant Hill, Cass County, same State. From that place, on the fourteenth of April, 1853, Mr. Taylor started on the overland trip to Cal- ifornia, coming directly to Santa Clara County. A few months later he could have been found employed in the redwoods of San Mateo County, whence he returned, after about one year devoted to that labor, to this county, and spent several years in farming on Adobe Creek, in Fremont Township. In 1860 he established himself at Mountain View, and there be- gan an active business career. He was soon interested in several branches, conducting a general merchandise store, besides engaging in farming and butchering. He afterwards sold his farm property, and purchased the Mountain View Hotel, which is yet owned and conducted by the family. The merchandise business was successfully conducted by him the rest of his life, and was closed out after his death. For ten years he was the village Postmaster, served some years as No- tary Public, and for several years was the agent for the Wells, Fargo & Co. Express.

In Missouri, about thirteen months before coming to this State, he wedded Miss Letitia Kifer. The date of this marriage was March 2, 1852. Six children were born of this union, viz .: Mary A., born in Missouri, December 27, 1852; Samuel A., May 23, 1855; Clara E., September 25, 1857; John A., No- vember 1, 1860; Lucy B., September 12, 1863; and George G., September 5, 1867. Death has taken out of the circle two of the brightest jewels-Clara E., who died June 3, 1886, and Mary A., January 16, 1888. The latter was a graduate of the University of the Pacific and of the Normal School at San Jose. She was a thorough, practical educator. She taught for twelve years, uninterruptedly and very success- fully, in her home district school. Her death was mourned by the whole community, and by none more sincerely than by her loved pupils. John A. Taylor married Miss Flora E. Hadley, and makes his home

in San Francisco. The other members of the family are residing at the old home, the Mountain View Hotel.

In the death of Mr. S. P. Taylor, which occurred December 14, 1877, the community lost one of its most valued members. In all the relations of life, as husband, father, neighbor, and citizen, he was the true man-in all dealings just, in all worthy enterprises among those at the front, in all good work liberal with time and money. He was politically a strong Union man, and stalwart in his devotion to the Re- publican party. Attached to the principles of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Odd Fellows, he was one of the charter members of Mountain View Lodge, No. 244.

Under the present management of Mrs. S. P. Tay- lor and her son, Samuel A. Taylor, the Mountain View Hotel is held up to its old-time standard of ex- cellence. The main building was erected in 1869, and in 1885 an addition was built, giving in all to the hotel twenty-five sleeping-rooms. The office, dining- hall and parlor are large, airy, and comfortable rooms, and the general appearance of the property is quite attractive, while the accommodations are first-class.

Samuel A. Taylor, the genial host and manager, was born on his father's farm in this county, and was educated in the Mountain View school. He entered his father's mercantile establishment at seventeen years of age, and there acquired a good business education, which thoroughly qualified him for his present posi- tion. Like his father, he is much interested in public affairs, and like him, a strong advocate of the princi- ples of the Republican party. Was initiated into Mountain View Lodge, No. 244, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, June 2, 1876, upon the institution of the Lodge; is a Past Grand, and has represented his Lodge at three sessions of the Grand Lodge of the State. In May, 1887, at the session of Grand Lodge, was elected District Deputy Grand Master of his district for the space of one year, which office he filled in a creditable manner.

JOHN WESLEY BOULWARE has a ranch of 100 acres, in Fremont Township, which shows the capabilities of the land in this vicinity when intelligently managed. It is located about three miles from Mayfield by the roads, though the actual dis- tance is considerably less. Much the greater portion of the acreage is cut for hay, which is made from

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wheat, barley, and wild oats, and an average crop is about three tons to the acre. He formerly manu- factured butter quite extensively, but went out of dairying in 1885. In 1887 Mr. Boulware planted ten acres of strawberries, putting onions between the rows. He had the honor of getting the first straw- berries into the San Francisco market in 1888, send- ing them in on the twenty-seventh of March. The strawberries yielded the first year $45 per acre, while the onions on the same ground turned out between $50 and $75 worth per acre. He found a ready local market for all his berries except the first pickings. It is his intention to add between five and six acres of strawberries per year. In 1889 he will probably plant also twenty acres of fruit trees, principally prunes, with some apricots and peaches. Water for irrigation is supplied by an artesian well 160 feet deep, with seven-inch casing, which forces the water three inches above the top of the pipe, and flows be- tween 200 and 300 gallons per minute. When bored, in November, 1887, the artesian measure was but two and one-half inches, from which it has gradually in- creased to its present force.

Mr. Boulware usually has from eight to twelve head of horses, all fine stock. His stallion, " Elmo, Jr.," is by Henry Seal's famous " Elmo." As long ago as 1852 he brought here a thoroughbred Kentucky mare, and he has been breeding from that stock ever since.

Mr. Boulware was born in Estill County, Kentucky, at Red River Iron Works, June 5, 1830, where he re- sided until he attained the age of fifteen years, when he accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Mis- souri, there receiving his education, first in the com- mon schools, and afterward one term in the Pleasant Hill Academy, Cass County. His scholastic training ended, Mr. Boulware entered the lumber trade, and continued in it until he started for California. May 4, 1852, he commenced the weary journey across the plains with ox teams and a herd of cattle, in com- pany with Lindsey Lewis, his father-in-law, and ar- rived in Santa Clara County October 2 of the same year, locating on the precise spot on which he now resides, but did not settle there then, for after two months he removed to Mountain View; at the end of two years he proceded to Calaveras Valley, where he farmed until 1861, and then came to his present place, where he has since dwelt. He is one of the many successful farmers of the Santa Clara Valley, while as a proof of his sterling worth it is sufficient to re- mark that besides being a School Trustee for many years, he was elected, in 1872, to serve four years on

the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County. He was married, in Jackson County, Missouri, Jan- uary I, 1852, to Louisa Lewis, and has: J. A., born April 24, 1853; M. A., February 22, 1856; Permelia R., January 31, 1858; and Louisa Jane, October 5, 1860.

ARON DENNIS, residing on Curtner Avenue, between Lincoln and Plummer Avenues, owns ten acres of land, all of which is devoted to fruit culture, all but two acres being in full bear- ing. The orchard furnishes cherries, peaches, prunes, and plums. Mr. Dennis bought the property in 1879, and commenced its improvement from a state of nature the following year. He gathered the first fruits of his labors in 1884. In August of that year he erected the residence which he has since made his home.

Mr. Dennis was born in Knox County, Ohio, Jan- uary 10, 1845, the son of Allen and Catharine Dennis. His father wes a native of New York, and his mother of Pennsylvania. Allen Dennis was an old Jackson Democrat, and a man whose sterling worth was his chief characteristic. Both father and mother died at a ripe old age, on the farni in Knox County where Aaron spent his boyhood years. He is the eldest of four children now living. His sisters are both resi- dents of Illinois, Mrs. Abbie Atkinson making her home in the southern part of the State, while Mrs. Annie Nichols lives in Kankakee. Mr. Dennis' brother William is engaged in railroad business in Idaho.

But to return to Mr. Dennis' early life. Although but a youth, he served four months in the War of the Rebellion, in Company H, 142d Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He first visited California in November, 1872. He remained but a few months, and, after spending a short time in Nevada, returned to Illinois, where he had been engaged for several years on the Illinois Central Railroad, but having seen California he was conquered, and, with a view of making it his future home, he returned in the autumn of 1874. He spent some months in Southern California, on a ranch which was located between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, twelve miles from the former city. He came to San Jose in July, 1875, and during that season he held the responsible position of station agent and operator at Black's Station, in Yolo County. As stated at the be- ginning of the sketch, he bought property in Santa Clara County, in 1879, and has since made the Wil- lows his home.

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While on his first visit to California he married, February 25, 1873, Frances E. Dent, daughter of R. E. Dent, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Dennis is a native of Marshall County, Illinois, where she was born March 18, 1847. She came to this county with her parents two years pre- vious to her marriage.

Mr. Dennis' reputation for honesty and fair dealing is well deserved, as is his success in horticulture, which is insured by his careful, painstaking cultivation of his land. As in other work in which he has engaged, he has won success by attention to detail. True to the teachings of his father, Mr. Dennis adheres to the Democratic party.

ULES MERCIER, one of the enterprising men of Fremont Township, is a native of France, born near Bordeaux, February 12, 1833, his parents being Francois and Pauline (Léfon) Mercier. He was reared at his native place until he arrived at an age suitable to shift for himself. When in his eleventh year, he shipped aboard one of the coast fishing ves- sels, and thus commenced a nautical career. He followed sea life until 1849, when, attracted by the wonderful discoveries of gold on the Pacific Coast of North America, he decided to come to California and try his fortune in the New El Dorado. He sailed from Bordeaux in the ship Success, made the long voyage around Cape Horn, and arrived in San Fran- cisco after the winter season had commenced. He remained in the city about six months, then returned to France. In 1852, however, he came back to San Francisco, and six months after his arrival went into the mines at Calaveras, San Andreas (now Stockton). He followed mining for six months, then returned to San Francisco, and for eight years commanded a vessel in the bay and coast trade. In 1864 he bought land where he now resides, moved upon it in July, and set about making improvements. Everything about the place is the result of his labors in this direc- tion, as the tract was mostly covered with chaparral when he took possession of it. His present handsome residence was erected in 1880. With the buildings adjoining, it cost more than $6,000. Many orna- mental trees, set out by Mr. Mercier, add to the nat- ural beauty of the place. He has IO1 acres of land, of which 68 acres are rented out, and this produces 120 tons of hay on an average. He has about half an acre of old grapes, and about 250 vines set out in 1886, and the two succeeding years.

Mr. Mercier was married, at San Francisco, in 1858, to Miss Adelina Ponce, a native of France. He is a member of the French Hospital Association of San Francisco. In politics he is an Independent.

ANIEL MURFHY was born in Ireland Septem- ber 29, 1824. He lived there until he was twenty-five years old, when he emigrated to the United States, landing in Boston on the eight- eenth of June, 1849. He was in the neighborhood of Fall River, and worked in a brick yard at Potterville, making brick and crockery. In 1853 he came to Cal- ifornia and landed in San Francisco in October of that year. He went up into the mines on Fraser River, in British Columbia, where he remained until 1858, until the gold excitement abated. He remained around there until Christmas, and left Victoria on New Year's day for San Francisco. He was married there to Mrs. Mary (Farley) Sullivan, a native of Ireland, and made his home in the city until the spring of 1866. He then went to Banix City, Idaho, where he worked in the mines. In September, 1867, he re- turned to San Francisco, and in the latter part of January, 1868, came to Santa Clara County. He went on the farm where he now lives, first hired out to Mr. Sullivan, who owned the property, and later rented over two hundred acres of it, where he has lived for more than twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have four children : Mary, Dennis, Jerry, and Dan. They have also lost one daughter, who died in infancy.

ILLIAM ERKSON, dealer in groceries and provisions, and commission merchant, Nos. 68 and 70 Santa Clara Street, San Jose, has been a resident of California, and the Santa Clara Valley, since 1852. Born in New York State, in Bovina, Delaware County, in 1829, he was there educated, graduating at the Hobart Seminary in 1847; followed the profession of school-teaching for several years; then went to Schenectady, devoting two years to an apprenticeship in mercantile life, after which he started West, intending to reach St. Louis, but stopped in Paris, Illinois, where he taught school for one year- In the spring of 1852 he started with a party for Cali- fornia, crossing the plains in the orthodox way, with this addition: that while they had ox teams and wagons for transportation, they used saddle-horses to

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carry themselves. After reaching a distance out on the plains, they were joined by a number of small parties, forming one large emigrant train, of which Mr. Erkson was elected captain. After the usual incidents of such a trip they arrived in Sacramento in September. He had some mining experience that fall, as well as about two years later, with the usual varying success of miners and mining operations, meanwhile making his home in Santa Clara Valley. In 1857 he purchased a farm of 200 acres, five miles from San Jose, of which he still holds 140 acres. He has now planted on this place ten acres of prunes, in partial bearing. Mr. Erkson has devoted much of this place, and his time, to growing strawberries and other small fruits, cultivating at one time as high as forty acres of strawberries. He is still in that line of cultivation to some extent, having now about ten acres in strawberries, ten acres in asparagus, and four acres in raspberries.

Mr. Erkson's son, William L., attends to the ranch. Mr. Erkson has always taken an active interest in the various political questions which have agitated the country, especially those occurring between 1856 and 1870. He was originally a Whig, but took an active part in organizing the Republican party in California, and has been prominent in its councils in this State. He was elected a delegate to the first Republican State Convention in California, which met in Sacramento in the spring of 1856, and voiced the sentiment of the men and women on this coast who would put a limit to the spread of human chattel- holding in the United States, and sent delegates to the National Convention which flung the banner of Fremont, free soil, and free speech to the winds. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1863, taking part in the work of the fifteenth session. In 1874, up to which time his occupation had been exclusively farming, he was active in the organization of the corporation known as the Farmers' Union, and be- came its President, retaining that position for four years. Soon after resigning this position, he, in 1878, opened the grocery and produce business in the same location in which he now conducts it, in the Pfister Block. Mr. Erkson owns a very handsome property on the corner of Julian and Third Streets, in improv- ing which he has expended much time and money. He has recently been re-elected School Trustee, a position he has held for eight consecutive years, most of which time he has been President of the Board. Previous to his coming to reside permanently in San Jose, in 1878, he occupied the same position at Alviso

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 119

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