Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 62

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 62

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Mr. Emlay is a member of N. S. G. W., Gilroy Parlor, No. 81. He was married in Gilroy July 3, 1884, to Miss Mamie B. Strickland, a native of San

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Francisco, but reared in Chicago. Politically, Mr. Emlay is a Republican. It is but justice to him to say that since he has been agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Gilroy, there has never been a com- plaint against the office, and he has the esteem and good-will both of the company and their patrons.

CALDERON, of Fremont Township, is a native of Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic, South America; born in November, 1828, and is a son of Jose Maria and Petrona Calderon. He was reared to manhood at his native place, and there lost both his parents by death, in 1849. The same year he took passage on a sailing vessel bound for California, landing at San Francisco. Two weeks later he went into the mines of Stanislaus County, where he was engaged for eighteen months. H then returned to San Francisco and entered into busi- ness. He made that city his headquarters until 1855, and operated a schooner in the bay and coast trade. He then came to Santa Clara County, and engaged in farming, where he now resides. One year later he went to Alameda County, and after farming one year engaged in the mercantile business. This claimed his attention until 1863, when he returned to his present location, and for many years farmed 1,500 acres of land. He yet retains 182 acres of this tract, and has besides thirty-three acres at another place. His principal crop is hay, and he cuts from two to two and one-half tons to the acre, on an average. On this place he has made all the improvements, and has handsome resident buildings. Mr. Calderon was married in 1856 to Miss Matsada Castro, who came of one of the old families of California. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

ON. THOS. REA, capitalist; post-office Gilroy. But few of those men who came to Gilroy when it was a mere stage station yet remain to note the great development which has been shown by the little hamlet of that day, and by the country sur- rounding. Perhaps no other name has been so inti- mately associated with that progress from the first as that of Thomas Rea.

Mr. Rea is a native of Gallia County, Ohio, where he was born November 22, 1820. His father, James Rea, was born in Greenbriar County, Virginia, of

Welsh-Irish extraction. He was reared in his native State, and there married Hannah Hutsinpiller, whosc parents were Pennsylvanians. He served his country in the war with Mexico, being in the command of Col. E. D. Baker, afterward Senator from Oregon. In his politics, he was identified with the old Whig party, and became a Republican when the political lines were re-drawn and that party formed. He was a man of remarkable memory, which he retained un- impaired until his death, in 1879, after he had reached his eightieth year. Even in the latter years of his life, he could vividly recall the lessons from the history of his country learned in early youth, while the hap- penings of later days and the movements in battles, campaigns, and marches, during the Mexican War were indelibly imprinted on his mind. His wife pre- ceded him to the grave, her death having occurred in 1871. They rest side by side in the cemetery at San Jose.

Thomas Rea, whose name heads this sketch, was the second in order of birth of their twelve children. He grew up amid the primitive surroundings of his native county in Ohio, and in Hancock County in the same State, whither the family removed in 1833. He received the usual education afforded by a pioneer community, which was, of course, limited. In 1838 the family removed to Macon County, Illinois, and there he continued his studies, having for a tutor an uncle of his father, a well-educated man. Attaining his majority, Mr. Rea, filled with the spirit of ad- venture, was not at all satisfied with the idea of set- tling down to the quiet life of an Illinois farmer. Accordingly, in 1842, he went to Grant County, Wis- consin, where he engaged in lead mining, continuing in that occupation until November, 1849. At that time stories of the new El Dorado led him to become one of the gold seekers of California. En route, he passed down the Mississippi to New Orleans, thence via stcamer and Isthmus route to Panama, where he embarked on the old whale-ship Norman, which had been converted into a passenger boat by the necessi- tics of emigration. He reached San Francisco Feb- ruary 22, 1850, thence, a few days later, passed on to Sacramento, and directly to the placer mines at Au- burn. There and at other points the season was spent in mining and in prospecting. Before winter set in, he was engaged in mining operations at Dow- nieville, where he remained until March, 1852. On the fifteenth of the next month, Mr. Rca embarked for Panama, and returned to Illinois. Looking after his interests in the lead mines and visiting friends,

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occupied a few months. Meantime he arranged for his return to California, in which State he had deter- mined to establish his future home. The important preliminary preparations were consummated April II, 1853, the day he wedded Miss Mary Ann Jones. Mr. Rea, with his wife, his brother-in-law, Mr. G. B. Mont- gomery, and others, left Illinois the same month, and, crossing the plains, deserts, and mountains, made the overland trip to California. Late in August, in com- pany with his brother-in-law, he reached San Jose. Resting a few days, they reached Gilroy September 3. But little promise of the present was then to be seen. One store, conducted by L. C. Everitt, three residences, and a school-house made the Gilroy of that date. The post-office and hotel were in the same building, which is yet standing near the present resi- dence of Mr. A. Lewis.

Mr. Rea first settled on the Solis Ranch, and estab- lished a dairy business, thus becoming one of the pioneers of the county in that industry. He expended about $2,000 in improving that property, but in June, 1857, not being fully satisfied with his location, he bought 160 acres out of the Los Animas Ranch. Year by year he added to his purchase until he owned and yet owns about 935 acres of the Los Animas Ranch. His residence was about three miles from Gilroy, although the boundary of his land was but a little more than a mile from the city. Constantly increasing, his dairy industry was successfully prose- cuted, until 1871, when, desiring a life more retired, Mr. Rea removed to Gilroy. His present fine resi- dence, on commodious shaded grounds, was erected by himself with regard to comfort and convenience, rather than to cost, and was taken possession of in June, 1873.

Mr. Rea was one of the incorporators and principal stockholders of the Gilroy Bank, and until January, 1874, when he sold out his interests, he was one of the Board of Directory and President of that institu- tion. Upon his retirement, he was presented by the stockholders with a handsome clock, as a testimonial of their respect and esteem.

Mr. Rea is prominent in political as well as in bus- iness and social circles. A Whig until the organiza- tion of the Republican party, he needed no schooling to fit him for leading in the new organization. Under the teaching of Henry Clay, he had learned to oppose the extension of slavery, and had adopted the doc- trine of protection to American industries. In the General Assembly of the State, he represented his district in 1873 and '74, serving with credit on the

Committees on Corporations and Counties, County Boundaries, and several special committees. From 1872 to 1876 he served Gilroy in its City Council, and from 1886 to 1888 as its Mayor. Although a member of no religious organization, Mr. Rea recog- nizes the power exerted by all for good, and while devoting more of his means to the upbuilding of the Congregational Church, of which he is one of the Trustees, he helps all denominations.

Mrs Rea was born in Palestine, in Vermillion County, Illinois. Her father, Wm. A. Jones, died in 1854, and her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Rea are the parents of the following chil- dren: James W., who resides on the Alameda road between San Jose and Santa Clara, and is one of the State Railroad Commissioners of California; Addie, who is the wife of E. W. Strange, of San Francisco; Emma, who is the wife of Louis Loupe, of Gilroy; Carrie, who has her home with her parents; Clara, who is the wife of Jacob Hanna, of Livermore; and George Elmer, who lives on his father's ranch; and one adopted daughter, Mary, is now the wife of D. M. Pyle, of Bakersfield.

The parents of Mr. Rea naturally followed him to California, coming one year later, in 1854. They lived near the Seven Mile House, on the road from San Jose to Gilroy, until about 1865, when they re- moved to Gilroy Township, where they spent the rest of their lives.

W. Childs was born in Livingston, County, New York, of one of the old New York fami- lies of Scotch extraction. He was reared in his native county, to a farm life, and married there, in 1841, Miss Nancy M. Putney. In 1850 they removed to Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and there made their home for eleven years, Mr. Childs being engaged in agriculture. After spending the winter of 1861-62 in Clark County, Missouri, they came to Cal- ifornia and settled in El Dorado County. The larger part of his life in that county Mr. Childs devoted to mining interests, meanwhile improving a vineyard and orchard property from a state of nature. The ranch consisted of 100 acres, about 40 acres of which was devoted to vineyard and orchard, and the re- mainder to general farming. Three or four years before leaving the county, he disposed of his mining interests, and then devoted his entire time to the cul- tivation of his farm.

His son, Prof. C. W. Childs, having become a resi-

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dent of Santa Clara County, he concluded to pur- chase property in his neighborhood, and make it his home. This he accomplished in 1883, when he be- came the owner of a ten-acre orchard tract, situated on the Almaden road, four miles from the business center of San Jose. The orchard comprises prune- trees chiefly, although it also contains quite a num- ber of peach-trees, which are highly productive. In 1887 from sixty peach-trees five years old were gath- ered seven tons of fruit. There is also a general fam- ily orchard, and in it are to be seen two very rare trees, of the species "strawberry tree." They were brought from Italy, at a cost of $200 for fifty trees, the two specimens being the only ones which lived. The fruit, in size, flavor, and color, resembles the culti- vated strawberry.

Mr. and Mrs. Childs have five children, of whom Prof. Charles W. Childs is the eldest. Nellie is the wife of J. L. Mosher; Frank is a resident of EI Do- rado County; Warren is a member of his father's household; and Fred lives near his parents.

Mr. Childs was formerly on old-line Whig, and when that party became the Republican party of to- day, he still adhered to it, and has ever been true to its principles.

ROF. C. W. CHILDS. The subject of this sketch has a fine orchard home on the Almaden road, four miles from the city of San Jose. In 1882, in connection with his brother-in-law, J. L. Mosher, he bought 100 acres of stubble ground, of which he retained 50 acres, later parting with ten acres, which his father, W. W. Childs, has planted with trees, and upon which he now resides. The Pro- fessor is an enthusiastic horticulturist, and finds the work of caring for an orchard a pleasant and profitable relaxation from his professional labor. His forty acres of land, aside from what is occupied by his cot- tage residence and other buildings, is all in orchard. There are in all over 4,250 trees, nearly all of which were planted in the season of 1883. About one-half of his trees are French prunes, and one-quarter silver prunes, and the remainder apricots. The last season (1887) the orchard was too young for general results, but from a small portion (three acres of apricots, which he himself dried) a net amount of $1,200 was realized.

Mr. Childs also owns, on Stevens Creek, in the Lin- coln District, a fine orchard property of twenty-five

acres, the trees now (1888) being six years old and in splendid condition. Two-thirds of that orchard is in prunes and one-third in peaches. The Professor also engages in fruit-drying. Of the crop of 1887, he cured about 120 tons, and expects this year (1888) to handle about 250 tons.

Long and thoroughly identified with the State and its best interests, and one of its leading and ablest educators, 'tis fitting that more than a passing men- tion should be made personally of Professor Childs. He was born in Genesee, Livingston County, New York, August 24, 1844. He is the son of W. W. and Nancy H. (Putney) Childs, both of whom are now living in his immediate neighborhood. In 1850 the family moved westward to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Professor received his rudimentary education and finished a course in the High School. In the autumn of 1860 the family again moved westward, making their temporary home in Clark County, Missouri This was the winter of great excitement, following the election of Lincoln to the presidency, and before the firing upon Fort Sumter the subject of this sketch had enlisted in a company of home guards. A few weeks later he joined a company of Missouri Volun- teers detailed for the protection of emigrants across the plains and mountains to this State. This com- pany was informally disbanded before the journey began, but Mr. Childs came with a volunteer com- pany across the plains and reached Placerville in November, 1861. Later, he helped to organize a com- pany of home guards, of which he was made First Lieutenant. The company was assigned to the Second Infantry Battalion, Fourth Brigade, California Militia, and Lieutenant Childs was appointed Quartermaster.

Professor Childs commenced his career as an edu- cator soon after coming to California, and has uninter- ruptedly continued in the practice of his profession up to the present time, with the exception of a portion of 1866 and 1867, which was given to attendance as a student at the State Normal School at San Fran- cisco, and at Heald's Business College. He resumed teaching at Placerville in 1868, and later had charge of the High Schools at Suisun City, Solano County, where he also served two terms as County Superin- tendent of Schools. From that county, in 1878, he removed to San Jose, where he accepted a position on the staff of teachers in the State Normal School, taking charge of the History, Civil Government, and Book-keeping departments. For the past two years he has occupied the position of Vice-Principal in the school. He is the author of a work on Book-keeping,

C. It. Childs.

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a work on Civil Government, and one on the History of the United States, the superiority of which is attested by the fact that they have been adopted as text-books by the State Normal Board.

In 1871, at Placerville, Professor Childs was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Hardie, who was born in the State of Illinois, but was reared in El Dorado County, this State. She was a teacher in the public schools at Placerville, when married. She is the mother of six children, viz .: Florence, Lloyd, Beatrice, Blanche, Wallace, and Harold. The eldest two, at this writing, are pupils at the State Normal School, and the others, except the youngest, attend the Wil- lows District School. Professor Childs resided from 1878 to 1882 at the Willows, where he owned an orchard home.

He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, affiliated with Suisun Lodge, No. 78, with Encamp- ment No. 63, and with the Grand Lodge of California. He is also connected with Mount Hamilton Lodge, No. 43, A. O. U. W. In politics, he is fully in accord with the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Childs may well feel proud of the eminent position which he has won in his profession, in that he has worked his way to the top entirely by his own efforts. By his energy and application he has reached the goal which his ambition fixed, without the aid of favorable circumstances. And not only has he been successful in his own profession, but also in other lines, as his profitable horticultural interests bear witness.

HELPS BROTHERS have a ranch of 224 acres four miles northwest from Gilroy, on the Day road. Of this land 160 acres is level, and is devoted every year to grain or hay. They sow alternately to wheat and barley for grain. The crop runs from seven to twenty centals per acre of wheat, and barley runs higher. They raise some horses, and only cattle enough for their own use. They have about 100 fruit trees-apples, plums, apricots, peaches, and pears-all bearing well. They also have fifty-two grape-vines that are twenty years old and in good condition. The building improvements on the ranch were made by Thomas Hawkins, now President of the Hollister Bank.

Robert M. and W. S. Phelps, the owners of the ranch, were both born and reared in Washington County, Missouri, and started in life by chopping cord-wood at the Iron Mountain. Robert M. came

across the plains in 1852 with a drove of cattle, and spent the winter in the mines of Calaveras County. The following year W. S. Phelps came to California, and located in Santa Clara County, in the vicinity of San Jose. Both went to the mines in 1856, and after a few years spent in different mines in Butte and Ne- vada Counties, they returned to San Jose-W. S. in 1858 and Robert M. in 1862. They purchased the place where they now reside, in 1867, and moved upon it in November of that year. The Phelps brothers are both Democrats, and both active, in- telligent gentlemen, enjoying the good-will and re- spect of the community in which they live.

OHN P. McCURRIE. Among the beautiful and attractive vine and fruit ranches in the vicinity of Gilroy, may be named the Rose Marie farm, owned by Mrs. John P. McCurrie, comprising sixty and three-quarter acres. This ranch contains 2,000 vines of assorted varieties, 1,000 planted in 1887, and 1,000 in 1888. In selecting a variety of fruit-trees, 500 of which have been. planted, the owner of this ranch has wisely chosen a large variety of the most desirable fruits, among which may be seen the orange, quince, apricot, pear, peach, Russian apricot, Japanese plum, olive, etc. The efforts put forth by the owner have been rewarded by the most gratifying results, with every variety of fruit planted, and vegetables grown. This goes to establish the fact that this cli- mate and soil are capable of producing a very wide range of both citrus and deciduous fruits. The Mc- Currie farm is abundantly watered by three creeks that flow into the Uvas. These creeks contain springs that flow from the first rains in winter until July. There is also on the land an artesian well ninety-six feet deep and seven inches in diameter, supplying a 6,000-gallon tank, and producing an inexhaustible supply of water.

John P. McCurrie came of a good old English stock, having been born at Portsmouth, England, on the thirtieth day of December, 1821. Reared and educated at his native place, he later went to Man- chester, where he had, for sixteen years, charge of a post-office department of that place. While thus em- ployed, Mr. McCurrie was seized with a desire to visit the New World, and sailed for America; went to Detroit, Michigan, 1856, where his sister, eighty-four years old, is yet residing, and remained until 1860. He came to California in 1861, and may therefore be

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classed among the early settlers of the Golden State. Mr. McCurrie was Secretary of the British Benevo- lent Society, and had served in that capacity from June, 1867, until June 10, 1888, when he retired, after receiving a framed testimonial for long, faithful service, and at a farewell dinner a silver tankard from the society.

Mrs. McCurrie, like her husband, is a native of Exeter, England. She is a daughter of Matthew and Mary Delaney, and came with her parents, when a child, to San Francisco, where her father, who was a veterinary surgeon, died. Her mother is yet a resi- dent of that city. Though Mrs. McCurrie has re- sided at her present delightful home only since Octo- ber, 1887, she has a large circle of friends, and her home is visited and her hospitality enjoyed by many. Mr. and Mrs. McCurrie have been blessed with four children : Matthew, Arthur, Edward, and Hugh Con- sterdine. Their only daughter, Rose Marie, died in 1880, aged two years. The eldest son, Matthew, at- tained his majority May 8, 1888.

Gatos M. WELBURN. The works of the Gilroy Fruit Packing Company are situated at the in- tersection of Monterey and Leavesley roads, ad- joining Gilroy. This company was organized in December, and incorporated under the State law, with officers as follows: President, O. M. Welburn; Vice-President, J. C. Zuck; Secretary and Treasurer, L. A. Whitehurst. The Board of Directors com- prise the same, with Thomas Rea and William Buck. The building is 36x40, with two floors and an addi- tion 22x40. They have an engine with a fifty-horse- power boiler. Additions will be immediately made. The present season from fifty to sixty hands will be employed. Their machinery is all of the latest and most approved patterns. The capacity at present is about 25,000 cases. The principal market is in Texas and Chicago. To Captain Welburn's energy and cap- ital is due the establishment of the canning factory, he owning two-thirds of the stock.

O. M. Welburn, the President of the company, is a native of Macon, Georgia, born near that place Oc- tober 27, 1855, his parents being G. T. and R. B. (Bedell) Welburn. His father is deceased. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared and educated at Macon, and graduated at Mercer University in 1871, taking first honor in the literary course, and medal in ora- tory. Immediately after completing his education

he went to Texas and engaged in the mercantile bus- iness at Hillsboro, in Hill County, building up a business of $70,000 sales per annum. There he re- mained until October, 1887, when he removed to California, coming here in January, 1888.

He was married in Texas, in 1876, to Miss M. E. Harris, a native of that State. They have three children: B. C., Blanch, and Irene. Mr. Welburn is a Mason, and was Deacon in the Baptist Church at Hillsboro, and Moderator of the Baptist Association. Captain Welburn also represented his county in the Legislature, but relinquished politics on account of business; was Captain of one of the best drilled mil- itary companies of the State.

C MOS ROBINSON was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio, February 6, 1833. His parents were Kinsey and Hannah (March) Robinson, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. His father came from Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, Jonah Robinson, a resi- dent of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, and a soldier in the army, received wounds from which he subsequently died. His wife was Johanna Daniels, and while her three brothers were in the Revolution- ary War she had the entire care of their families.

Amos Robinson was reared in his native town until seventeen years of age, when he went to Pomeroy, Ohio, and learned the tinner's trade. After remain- ing there three years he started for California across the plains, being 131 days on the trip, and a rough trip it was. He went at once into the mines at Camp- tonville, where he remained eight years, working at Camptonville, Indian Hill, and Jamison Creek. He worked two years at Timbuctoo, and two years at Marysville, and for two years had a shop at La Porte. He then sold out and went East. Upon his return to California, in the fall of 1867, he located in Gilroy and engaged in the hardware business. After being alone one year he took in a partner, the firm being Robinson & Hitchcock. Four years later Mr. Rob- inson bought out his partner's interest, and has since continued in the business alone. He erected his present building in 1868, the dimensions being 21X 100 feet, with a two-story warehouse in the rear, 30x20 feet. Mr. Robinson carries a stock valued at about $6,500; does a general hardware and stove bus- iness, and makes a specialty of the manufacture of dairy work and dairy supplies, well casings, etc., his

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trade, in some lines, extending as far south as Bakers- field, and sends well casings to all the towns and cities within reach of Gilroy. He made up over thirty tons of iron in this line in 1887.

He was married in Wisconsin, October 21, 1869, to Miss Matilda Cline, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has one child, Herbert. Mr. Robinson is a charter member of No. 54, I. O. O. F., and of A. O. U. W., No. 26. He has passed through the chairs in the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. Lodges, and has represented both in the Grand Lodge. He is also a charter member of the Vigilant Engine Company, and the only charter member left. He has been Foreman three years, and First Assistant six years, which office he holds at present. In politics he is a Republican.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 62

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