Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 61

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 61

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After engaging in farming and some other pioneer enterprises in Alameda County, Mr. Wilcox, in 1856, located in San Francisco, where, in connection with E. J. Loomis, he opened a commission produce busi- ness. The Fraser River mining excitement of 1858 caused such general depression in the business of that city that he, with many of the leading business men, was induced to embark in business enterprises in British Columbia, and, in connection with Loomis & Harper and Parker & Greenwood, he established stores in Victoria, Vancouver's Island. But the fail- ure of the mines, and the collapse of the latter town, brought about his return to this State. He then commenced the business of fruit culture in Fruit Vale, and conducted it with success until 1867, when he came to Santa Clara County and took possession of the estate heretofore described.

In 1859 Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage with Miss Mary Frances Abbott, daughter of Stephen Abbott, of Fruit Vale, a pioneer of the State of Cali- fornia. To them have been born the following named children: Frank A., who with his wife (formerly Miss Mary Ortley, of Alviso) resides on the old homestead; Harry W., now a resident of San Jose; Walter I., Emily A., and Irving A., who are members of their parents' household.

The subject of this sketch is one of the best known men in this district. An active, well-informed, and public-spirited citizen, he is always to be found at the head of such movements as tend to advance the pros- perity of the county. In 1884, while a member of 'the State Horticultural Society, he was chosen to at- tend the World's Industrial Exhibition at New Or- leans, and did more to advertise California and her wonderful products than any other representative from the Pacific Coast. While in attendance at this fair, Mr. Wilcox assisted in organizing the American Horticultural Society. He was one of the founders of the Horticultural Hall Association of San Jose, and one of its first Directors. Mr. Wilcox is a

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

strong Republican, and was elected by his district to represent it in the present State Legislature of 1887- 88, a position which his education and business knowl- edge enable him to fill to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has held several positions of . trust, having been an early Director in the Bank of Santa Clara County ; one of the founders and organ- izers of the Grangers' Bank of California, and also a stockholder in the Farmers' Union Store in San Jose ; was also one of the founders and stockholders in the Santa Clara Cheese Factory, and Lawrence Hall As- sociation, both institutions being in his immediate neighborhood. He is connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Santa Clara Lodge, No. 52. He was one of the char- ter members of Santa Clara Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, which he twice represented in the State Grange of California. He afterward assisted in re- organizing the San Jose Grange, and was elected the first Worthy Master under the new organization. It has been the height of Mr. Wilcox's ambition, during the last half of his life, to build up a comfortable home in the country, and enjoy rural life, and he has fully realized his hopes in the beautiful and productive Santa Clara Valley, where lie expects to spend the remainder of his days under his own vine and fig-tree.

CHARLES M. WEBER is the worthy son of an illustrious sire. His father was one of the early settlers of California, and to his efforts is due much of the commercial and industrial prosper- ity of the State.

Charles M. Weber, Sr., was born in Homburg, Rhinish-Bavaria, when that city was under the domin- ion of the first Napoleon. His parents were German, and his father a Presbyterian clergyman. He received a good education, aid embarked in business at an carly age. He came to America in 1836, stopping at New Orleans, where he contracted the yellow fever, and after recovering went to Texas, where he served under the Lone Star in the hostilities with the Mexi- cans. He returned to New Orleans in 1840, and went to St. Louis in 1841, and in the same year came to California as one of a large party. The trip was made overland, and the party contained many men who afterward became prominent in the State; among them we mention Josiah Belden and John Bid- well. Mr. Weber settled in San Jose, engaging in commercial and industrial enterprises, and soon came

to be the leading man of the pueblo, respected alike by natives and foreigners. He established the first store, and embarked largely in agriculture, acquiring the grant of many acres of land from the Mexican Government. When Commodore Sloat's proclamation forced the Mexican General Castro to evacuate San Jose, Weber was arrested in his store on account of his prominence, and loyalty to the United States, and taken a prisoner to Los Angeles. Only the personal friendship of General Castro saved him from assassi- nation, and he was released. Returning to San Jose, he raised a company, and was a leading spirit in sub- sequent hostilities. Soon after the close of the war he reinoved to the San Joaquin Valley, where he founded the city of Stockton, to the prosperity of which he devoted the remainder of his life. His death occurred May 4, 1881.

He married, in California, Miss Ellen Murphy, daughter of Martin Murphy, Sr., and one of the fa- mous Murphy party, whose adventures are related elsewhere in these pages.

The subject of this sketch, Charles M. Weber, Jr., was born at Stockton, September 22, 1851. He was educated at Santa Clara College, and at St. Mary's College, San Francisco, graduating at the latter insti- tution in 1873, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was engaged extensively in the grain trade at Stockton and the tributary company for about five years after leaving college, and then turned his atten- tion to stock-raising. Since 1881 he has given much of his time to the supervision of what is known as the Weber Ranch, lying to the south and east of San Jose. This is a noted rancho, containing between 12,000 and 13,000 acres and comprising some of the most picturesque as well as the most valuable land in the county. It is partly in the foot-hills and is inter- spersed with fertile valleys, watered by fine streams and abounding in beautiful and never-failing springs, while numerous groves of several varieties of oak, box elder, and sycamore give tone to a landscape unsur- passed for beauty. About 1,000 acres of this ranch is cultivated for grain and hay, and the remainder is devoted to pasturage for Mr. Weber's large herds of cattle, among which are many of noble blood. He has planted vines extensively, choosing the most valu- able varieties for wine and the table. He has made valuable experiments in horticulture, which have been of great public use in demonstrating to the people on that side of the valley the varieties of fruit that thrive in that locality and the proper method of cultivation. The ranch is a principality in itself, and Mr. Weber is

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conducting it in a manner that will not only return a profit to himself but will also be of great advantage to the community.

At the general election of 1886 Mr. Weber was elected a Member of the Assembly on the Republican ticket, to represent Santa Clara County in the State Legislature. He was made chairman of the Commit- tee on Mileage and was appointed a member of the Committee on Hospitals, on Rules, on Viticulture, and on Municipal Corporations, on all of which he did work that commanded favorable comment both from his own party and the opposition. He married, No- vember 21, 1886, Miss Grace Mary Simmott, a charm- ing young lady, a native of Illinois. Mr. Weber, in connection with his mother, his brother, Thomas J., and his sister, Julia H., has large interests in the estate of his father, including valuable city property in the city of Stockton, and some of the best farming lands in San Joaquin County.

APT. JAMES VARCOE, shift boss of the Quicksilver Mining Company, New Almaden, e is a native of Cornwall, England, born July 31, 1837. His father, George Varcoe, was a miner by occupation. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Matthews. The subject of this sketch was reared in Cornwall to the age of twenty years, at the age of fourteen commenced work in the mines, and in 1857 emigrated to America, landing at New York in August, 1857. He engaged in mining in New Jer- sey, but three months later went to the copper mines of Lake Superior, where he was engaged for three years, and then returned to England. Two years later he came again to the United States, and after a brief time in the Lake Superior region, came to Cali- fornia. His first location was in the Grass Valley diggings, but from there he went to Virginia City, Nevada, and thence to Fresno County, California. He came to New Almaden as a miner in 1867, and in 1876 was promoted to his present position.

He was married in New Almaden, December 25, 1870, to Miss Louisa Rowe, a native of England. They have one child, Anna, the wife of Charles Ton- kin, of New Almaden.

Captain Varcoe is a member of San Jose Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., and of Mt. Hamilton Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is also identified with the Benevolent Society of New Almaden, of which he is a Trustee, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal

Church. In politics Captain Varcoe is a Republican. He is acquainted with every detail of his business, and is a man of excellent standing in the community.

C. HODGES. It is always a pleasure to men- tion in an honorable way the name of one who, while steadily and substantially prospering in the financial affairs of life, has at the same time re- tained the highest respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, in whatever capacity. Such a man is P. C. Hodges, of Gilroy. He is a native of North Carolina, born in Surry County, July 19, 1825. His parents were William and Dorcas (Cunningham) Hodges, and the former is yet living in Surry County. The subject of this sketch resided in North Carolina until 1848, when he went to Mis- souri, and resided one year in Jackson County, then returning to his native State.

In the fall of 1851 he again located in Missouri, and while there prepared to come to California. Starting in the spring of 1852, he made the trip overland across the plains and mountains, and it was full six months before he reached the golden coast. The first year in California he spent in Napa County, engaged in farm work, and then came to Santa Clara County, locating in the vicinity of San Jose. Soon afterward he bought an ox team and engaged in the hauling of lumber for a livelihood. This he followed for fourteen years, but during two years of that time he was engaged in log- ging for a firm on the coast above Santa Cruz. From there he came to Gilroy in the spring of 1868, and contracted with William Hanna to do his logging. The next year he formed his partnership with Mr. Whitehurst, and thus started the business of the firm which is mentioned in detail elsewhere.

Mr. Hodges purchased his present country residence in 1875. The place is a handsome one, situated about one and a half miles east from Gilroy, on the old Gilroy road, and commands much attention from passers-by on that road. He has made most of the improvements about the place since purchasing. Mr. Hodges was united in marriage, December 4, 1870, to Miss Judith Franklin, a native of North Carolina.

Politically, Mr. Hodges is a Democrat. He is a Christian in his every-day life and a gentleman in all his dealings. He affiliates with the Christian Church, and is Deacon of the Gilroy congregation of that de- nomination. He has banking interests in Gilroy and other points.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AMUEL REA. Among the substantial men of South Santa Clara County is Samuel Rea, who has been a citizen of the county since 1859, at which time his total capital consisted of $70. For four years he was engaged in business with his brother, Thomas Rea, then bought where he now re- sides, on the county road leading from Gilroy to Hol- lister, and commenced operations independently, in the line of stock-raising and dairying. The ranch consists of 322 acres, with three flowing wells, one of which is worthy of special mention, as it throws four and a half inches of water over a seven-inch pipe. He has for many years been earnestly engaged in the work of breeding superior stock,-in fact was among the first to give this subject attention. The excellent reputation of the " Rea's Nutwood " horses is a suffi- cient testimonial to his success in this matter. "Plu- tarch," son of his "Rea's Nutwood," recently sold for $2,000.

Mr. Ra has also an extensive dairy, usually milk- ing about one hundred cows. At present, however, he is milking but eighty-five to ninety, and is turning out an average of 225 pounds of cheese per day, which is shipped to the city market. He is quite a chicken fancier too, and has some game cocks that have made good records.

Mr. Rea was born in Gallia County, Ohio, May 4, 1830. The Reas were of Irish descent, and the pa- rental grandfather of the subject of this sketch, on leaving his native country, a young man, settled in Virginia. The father of our subject, James Rea, was born and reared in Virginia, and went, when a young man, to Ohio. There he married Hannah Hutsinpil- ler, also of Virginian birth and parentage. In 1838 the family removed from Hancock County, Ohio, to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, and there Samuel Rea was reared. In 1852 he joined the throng of emigration to California, making the then tedious journey via New Orleans and Panama. After cross- ing the Isthmus, he took a sailing vessel for San Francisco. This latter part of the trip constituted an epoch in his history never to be forgotten. Six months were require.I to make the voyage from the Isthmus to the Golden Gate, the vessel being becalmed most of the time. Provisions were exhausted, water became scarce, and after cnduring untold hardships and privations, the crew and passengers arrived in San Francisco July 28, 1852, in an almost famishing con- dition. The unpleasant incidents of the trip were soon forgotten for the time, in the haste to reach the mines, which characterized all new-comers to the

golden coast, and Mr. Rea was soon at Downieville, in Sierra County, engaged in mining. For several years he followed the fortunes of the camp, part of the time working for others and the remainder pros- pecting on claims of his own. In 1859 he determined to give up mining as a means of livelihood, and then turned his attention to Santa Clara County, with which he has ever since been identified.

Mr. Rea was united in marriage, May 20, 1869, in Jefferson County, New York, to Miss Frances M. Powell, a native of that county, and a daughter of E. and Mary Powell. Two children have been born to them,-Florence V. and Lillian Etta. Mr. Rea was elected Supervisor in 1879, serving three years. His influence in county and local affairs is a potent factor, and his opinions are always sought and respected in the councils of his party, the Republican. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Lodge at Gilroy, No. 187, and of the R. A. M., No. 41, at Watsonville, and of San Jose Commandery, No. 10, K. T., and also of the A. O. U. W. Lodge at Gilroy.

cet R. BERRYMAN BRYANT, of Gilroy, is a native of Spartanburg District, South Carolina, and son of Reuben and Sarah (Whitby) Bryant. Both parents came of old Virginia families. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native district, and received the best advantages offered by its schools. He decided to adopt medicine as his profession, and going to Memphis, Tennessee, com- menced attendance at the Botanical Medical College, at which institution he graduated in 1848. He com- menced practice at Camden, Alabama. On the breaking out of the California gold excitement he determined to risk his fortunes in this new but already far-famed region. Leaving Camden on the second of February, he started for his destination, taking the Gulf route to Matamoras, thence by government wagon to Durango, by pack mules to Massacland, and from there by sailing vessel to San Francisco, which port he reached June 12, 1849. He had brought with him five trunks of selected medicines, and going to Sacramento he erected a hospital. This he conducted for a time, then sold out and went to Marysville. From there he came to Gilroy in the fall of 1852, when the place was a mere attempt at a settlement. He practiced his profession in Gilroy until 1866, during which time he was the only repre- sentative of the profession there. He then removed

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

to San Jose, but did not resume his practice until he returned to Gilroy to live, in 1878. He had made large purchases of land in 1853, and gone extensively into the sheep business, and at times had as many as 30,000 sheep. He now has 3,000 acres of land in Kern County, and 640 acres in Tulare County; also valuable property in Monterey, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County.

The Doctor has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy Whitby. They were married in Memphis, and her death occurred in Gilroy. By this marriage there were four children: Perry, who resides in Fresno County; David, whose home is in San Jose; William, who lives in San Francisco; and George, a resident of San Diego. Dr. Bryant married his present wife in Gilroy. Her maiden name was Henrietta Reeve. They have two children: Calhoun, a lawyer of San Francisco; and Edgar R., who will graduate from Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, class of 1889. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic Order. In politics he is a Democrat. He ranks among the pioneer physicians of this county, and among its ablest and most successful practitioners.

ARREN COTTLE, one of the enterprising citizens of San Jose Township, is a native of Lincoln County, Missouri, born June 5, 1838, and a son of Edward Cottle, one of the old settlers elsewhere mentioned in this volume. He was but sixteen when the family crossed the plains to California. February 17, 1862, he went with his brother William to Portland, Oregon, and thence up the Willamette River to Polk County. Thomas Cottle was already there, and the three brothers bought cattle in partnership and took them up east of the Cascade Mountains, on the line of Oregon and Idaho. There he remained four years, engaged in farming and mining. He took up land in the Grand Round Valley, put up a butcher shop, kept livery stable, and farmed for some time. Closing out his interests there he returned to San Jose. Soon after- ward, however, he went to Alameda County, near Hayward's, where he and his brothers had a ranch, and conducted it for a time. From there he returned to Santa Clara County, and engaged in farming, where he now resides.

The ranch of Mr. Cottle adjoins the Monterey and Snell roads, and is nearly five miles from San Jose. He is engaged in general farming and cuts

about 175 acres for hay and grain, the latter crop being principally barley, which he prefers for his land, and which here averages over fifteen centals to the acre. The lowland especially always produces a good crop. He has a small orchard of old trees, principally apples and pears, the latter being strong bearers. His beautiful residence was erected in 1878 at a cost of about $3,000. He has another tract of ninety acres, three miles farther from San Jose, which is particularly adapted to fruit culture, the soil being sandy, rich, and productive. Mr. Cottle is an active man and takes a considerable interest in public affairs. In politics he is a Republican.

He was married in San Francisco to Miss Catherine Brophy, a native of California, and daughter of John Brophy. Her father is deceased, but her mother is yet living and resides at Pleasanton, Alameda County. Mr. and Mrs. Cottle have four children, viz .: Celia, Albert, Theodore, and Leo.

COWARD WILLEY came to Gilroy in 1875, and engaged as a clerk for the firm of Briggs & Co., where he remained until its purchase by S. T. Moore. In 1882 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has been re-elected twice, and each year he has been re-appointed Police Judge by the Mayor and Council.

Mr. Willey was born in Geneseo, New York, De- cember 7, 1834. He was reared there and then spent two years on the ocean, being connected with a whal- ing vessel. He removed to Davis County, Iowa, where he farmed for a number of years, and served two years as County Recorder. From Davis County he moved to California and located in Gilroy. He was married in Iowa to Sarah Ramage, by whom he has two children: Grace and Minnie. He is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W. and Masonic Lodges.

EDGAR A. HOLLOWAY was born in Gilroy, California, April 2, 1864, his parents being Laban and Mary Esther (Howell) Holloway. David Holloway, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the first settlers in Gilroy, and built and operated the first hotel there, which was known as the Exchange, and which has since been converted into a residence. About 1866 he was killed by a runaway near Sacramento. Laban Hol-

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loway, now retired from business, resides in Gilroy, where he was formerly engaged in wagon-making with his father. After the death of his father he con- tinued the business alone. Edgar A. was reared in Gilroy and educated in the public schools. He learned the machinists' trade under the directions of his uncle, H. C. Holloway, and had charge of the gas works at that time. During his school life he served two years at the printing business, in the Gilroy office. In later years he has experimented much in the direction of the improvement of the system of gas manufacture, and has succeeded in perfecting a system for the manufacture of gas from bituminous deposit, which has been introduced in the works in Gilroy. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and N. S. G. W .; has been Past President twice and is now incumbent in this position.

6950 APT. JAMES HARRY, who holds the position of mining captain in the employ of the Quick- silver Mining Company, New Almaden, is a native of England, born in Cornwall on the twenty-ninth of July, 1833. His father, Charles Harry, who was a miner, accidentally lost his life in 1846, in one of the Cornish mines. Mr. Harry's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Dunn. At the age of ten years he engaged in work at the mines, and when seventeen years old was a miner in the tin and copper mines of Cornwall. In 1869 he emigrated to America, landing at New York, and thence came by way of Aspinwall and. Panama to California. Land- ing at San Francisco in June, he went into the quartz mines of Nevada County, and there remained until January, 1872, when he came to New Almaden and engaged in contracting. In 1873 he became timber- man, from that was promoted to pumpman, after- wards to shaft boss, and in 1881 to his present posi- tion of mining captain.

Captain Harry was married in Cornwall, England, in February, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Carlyon. They have six children living: Allie, Elizabeth Jane, John C., James, Charles, and Willie. Those that have died were: James, Edith, and Willie.

Captain Harry is Class-leader, Steward, and Trus- tee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., at San Jose, and of the New Almaden Benevolent Association, of which he has been President for two terms. He is a member of the local Board of Trustees of Public Schools. Politically, he is a Republican.

OBERT R. BULMORE, chief accountant of the Quicksilver Mining Company, New Alma- den, is a native of London, Middlesex, England, born July 22, 1840, his parents being Robert and Ann (Bennett) Bulmore. When he was a child he accompanied his parents to India, and there his father was one of those who constructed the first In- dian telegraph system, and he laid the first line to Calcutta. Returning to England, the subject of this sketch was educated at Wimbly House Academy, Fulham. After completing his literary and technical education, he went as an assayer to Her Majesty's mints in India. He served as an officer through the Indian mutiny, and was connected with the East India Company until 1862, when he was sent by the Commercial Bank of India in its service to China, and subsequently transferred to the California branch of this bank in 1866, as accountant. After the failure of the bank he was engaged in the North Point bonded warehouse, which was destroyed by fire. In 1878 he came to New Almaden, where he holds the position of chief accountant and foreman of the yard. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Chosen Friends, the Masonic fraternity, and the order of Foresters.

SOPARRY FARLEY EMLAY is a son of Eli and Helen C. (Farley) Emlay, with whom he came to Gilroy in the fall of 1869. He was born in Alvarado, Alameda County, California, January 19, 1864, and was reared and educated in Gilroy, graduating there in the class of 1881. He entered the Southern Pacific Railroad office at Gilroy in 1881, as clerk and apprentice to railroad business. In 1882 he went to Menlo Park as assistant in the Southern Pacific office, where he remained six months, and was then appointed relief agent, serving in that capacity more than one year. In September, 1883, he received an appointment as agent at Mountain View for the Southern Pacific Railroad Co., remaining until June 25, 1884, when he was transferred to Menlo Park. He represented the company there until September 9, that year, when he was sent to Santa Cruz and re- mained in charge there until August 15, 1886, when he was placed in charge of the company's business and interests at Gilroy.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 61

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