Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 64

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 64

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he sold off the greater portion of the tract at good prices. He yet retains 128 acres of the old home- stead, adjoining Lucretia Avenue. He has large interests in Alameda County, where he possesses a tract of 1,180 acres of land, devoted to stock-raising, farming, and dairying. He has 200 head of thorough- bred and graded Durham cattle. Mr. Quinn is one of the county's active, go-ahead men, and has been for many years a Director of the Santa Clara County Agricultural Association.

Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom one-William-died at the age of twelve years. Those living are: Maggie, Nellie, Daniel O., Dollie, Lizzie, and Winnifred. The family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Quinn is a Democrat.

H. GAY, Superintendent of Oak Hill Ceme- tery, is a native of Illinois, born at Payson, Adams County, April 10, 1842. His father, Milus Gay, was a native of North Carolina, born in Iredell County, in 1811, and reared there. In 1833 he removed to Illinois, and engaged in merchandising in Adams County. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, and went into the mines at Drytown; go- ing back to Illinois in 1852, he returned to California with his family, the journey to Sacramento occupying the time from the third of April to September 6. He also shipped out several hundred fanning-mills, and he occupied about one year in disposing of these, making San Jose his residence and headquarters. In 1853 he bought an interest in a ranch, on a portion of which the subject of this sketch now resides, and afterward effected the purchase of a 500-acre lot, from which was withheld a forty-acre tract,-the site of the ceme- tery. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife had preceded him to the grave, her death occurring in December, 1873. She was a mem- ber of the First Methodist Church. In politics, he was a Whig and afterward a Republican.

M. H. Gay, the subject of this sketch, was reared from early boyhood in this State, and here received his education. He graduated at the University of the Pacific in 1865, and afterward was an instructor there for a time. Thence he went to Los Gatos, but after teaching one term was called to the chair of languages in his alma mater, which he filled for four years. He read law in the office of the firm of Silent & Herrington, and entered the District Clerk's office as

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deputy, serving in that capacity with Messrs. Belden and Finley. In 1874 he went to San Buenaventura, and established the Bank of Ventura. With that institution he was connected for four and a half years, acting as its cashier and manager. On the death of his father he returned to the home ranch and took charge of it. He was nominated by the Republican Convention of 1880 for Representative from this dis- trict in the General Assembly of California, and at the ensuing election was chosen by the electors of the district to the position. In the session of 1881 he served on the Committees on Public Buildings, and Roads and Highways. He has served Franklin School District as Trustce since 1878, and in Janu- ary, 1883, was chosen Superintendent of Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Gay was married October 23, 1872, to Miss Ella Sinex, a native of Indiana, reared in Michigan, and daughter of Dr. T. H. Sinex. Dr. Sinex was educated at t e celebrated institution at Greencastle, Indiana, now known as De Pauw University. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Simpson. In 1864 he came to Santa Clara, and preached here three years. He was made President of the University of the Pacific, and devoted his great energy and ability to the upbuilding of the institution, being connected with it altogether about twelve years. He preached at Bush Street Church, San Francisco, and since 1886 has filled the pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pacific Grove. His wife was formerly Mary E. Ward, a na- tive of Bloomfield, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs Gay have one child, Henry Milus.

OHN S. PHIPPEN, foreman of trotting stable, Palo Alto Ranch, is a native of New York State, born at Borodino, Onondaga County, January 16, 1859, his parents being George and Margaret (Nicholson) Phippen. His father was a soldier of the Union, and fought for the flag in the late Civil War. He gave his life in the country's service, his death occurring near City Point, Virginia. In 1868 the family came to California, by the Isthmus route, and located at San Jose, where John S. Phippen was reared. At an early age he became accustomed to the care of horses, and was engaged in that business for Cal. Martin for over six years. In 1879 he came to Palo Alto Ranch, with which he has ever since been connected. He has been in charge of his de-

partment since 1883, and has had charge, in that time, of some of the best trotters this coast has produced.

Mr. Phippen was married at Mayfield, January I, 1887, to Miss Georgiana Spaulding, a native of Scars- ville, California, and daughter of Joseph S. Spaulding, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. Phippen is a Republican, politically.

DISTEL, the well-known viticulturist of Fre- mont Township, is a native of France, born in Alsace, March 11, 1846, his parents being Nor- bart and Anna (Scheben) Distel. His father was a distiller, and the subject of this sketch was reared to that business, and when only twelve years of age was able to make brandy. In 1864 he went to Savarn, and from there to the port of Havre, whence he crossed the ocean to New York. From there he went to Aspinwall, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, came to California, and located at Mayfield. He was employed at farm work for a time, and also at grape-growing. He has a ranch of 108 acres, three miles from Mayfield, on the San Jose and San Fran- cisco road, which he purchased in 1881. It was then a wild place, covered with timber and brush, but is now a garden-spot. He set to work clearing it off, and in 1883 put out twenty acres of vines, all French varieties. He has added thereto until he now has fifty acres of choice grapes, of which thirty-two acres are in bearing, and all have done splendidly, owing to his perfect knowledge of vine-growing. In 1883 he erected a commodious winery, and the same year commenced the manufacture of wine and brandies. In 1886 he made 30,000 gallons of wine alone, and in 1887, 14,000 gallons, besides the sweet wines. The goods of his manufacture are fully equal to the im- ported articles, and are acquiring a world-wide repu- tation. He has sent packages to France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and other foreign countries. His success shows what a thorough knowledge of the bus- iness, coupled with strict business integrity, will accomplish in this vicinity. Mr. Distel and two other gentlemen are the owners of thirty-five acres in the Stanford ranch. This is fine fruit and vine land, and has improvements consisting of good house, barn, and well. He planted seventy-five acres adjoining this place in grapes, and they have done finely.

He was married, in Mayfield, to Miss Caroline Kleinclaus, a native of Alsace. They have three children: Victor, Alice, and Eugene.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

RANK BOHLMANN, of New Almaden, is a native of that place, born October 26, 1854, his parents being John and Edna (Parr) Bohlmann, the former a native of Germany and the latter of England. John Bohlmann, father of Frank, came to California in 1849, locating at New Almaden, where he engaged in teaming. He afterwards went to San Luis Obispo County, and engaged in stock-raising, etc. From there he returned to New Almaden, where he and his wife yet reside. Mr. Bohlmann engaged in teaming in 1872, and has ever since followed that business. He does all the teaming of the Quicksilver Mining Company, on contract, and uses about eighty head of horses in their services. He has 130 horses, and among them some good roadsters. He com- menced the livery trade in 1886, and in this branch of his business employs eight horses. He runs the stage line between Almaden Hill and Almaden Sta- tion, the round trip requiring eight miles' travel, and utilizing eight head of horses for this purpose. He also farms 1,250 acres of the company's land, and in that connection employs a great many horses.

Mr. Bohlmann was married, in New Almaden, De- cember 26, 1876, to Miss Laura Fiedler, a native of California. They have two children, viz .: Eugenia and Laura.

ORACE LITTLE, San Jose Township, is one of the early settlers of Santa Clara County, hav_ ing come here in 1853. He is a native of New York, born in Cayuga County, October 6, 1828, his parents being Asa and Esther (Willis) Little. George Little, of Scotch birth, was the founder of the family in America. He settled in the Massachusetts Colony in the year of 1640. In 1798 Moses Little, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, leaving his home in New Hampshire, emigrated to Cayuga County, New York, and established the family there. Some members of the family have taken part in every war of this country, including that of the Revolution, and in the Civil War two hundred and fifty-one of its representatives fought in the Union ranks, and not one in the Confederate Army!

When Horace Little was eight years of age his parents removed to Michigan, and located in Hills- dale County, where both afterward died. He was reared there, and in 1852 left home for California, coming by the Isthmus route, and arriving in San Francisco January 18, 1853. He went into the mines

of Amador County, and afterward to Georgetown, El Dorado County. In May, 1853, he came to Santa Clara County, and went to work by the month farm- ing and dairying. His first location was near Ever- green, but in 1863 he bought where he now resides, and has made all the improvements there. He has three hundred and six acres, adjoining the Monterey road, eight and a half miles from San Jose. He was engaged in dairying until 1887. Mr. Little has had but one failure of crops, and that was in 1864. He expects a yield of forty-five bushels to the acre of barley in a good year, and has cut as high as sixty bushels. Hay averages from two to two and a half tons per acre, and the ground has yielded four tons. An avenue a quarter of a mile long leads from the roadway to the house, and is bordered with Lombardy poplar, which are very handsome trees for this pur- pose. He has a small family orchard, set out in 1883, in a variety of fruit, and all kinds have done excel- lently without irrigation. In 1888 he set out 2,000 fruit-trees,-Muir peaches, Nonpareil and I XL al- monds. He will set out thirty acres more of almonds soon, and will each year add to the acreage of fruit. He has a pump-house, supplied with a forty-horse- power engine capable of irrigating the entire tract, if necessary, as it has a capacity of throwing 90,000 gal- lons per hour. His bored wells are a hundred feet deep, though water has to be raised only twenty-five feet. These works were put in to irrigate his alfalfa land. He has about a hundred rods of irrigating ditch, and eighty rods of flume. Everything on the place was put there by Mr. Little, who has made his start in the world since coming to this county.

He was married, in this county, to Miss Lovina Fisk, a native of Ontario, Canada, who came to Cali- fornia from Canada about 1868.

Mr. Little is a Republican, politically. He was one of the founders of the Farmers' Union, San Jose, and has been a Director since its organization. He has a mountain ranch of 400 acres near San Felipe, where he raises horses and colts, principally Norman.

G. McMILLAN, civil engineer, residence May- field, is a native of Rhode Island, born at Bristol, July II, 1851, his parents being W. W. and Sarah (McCaughey) McMillan. His father, who was a na- tive of Scotland, emigrated to America, and in 1852 came to California by the Isthmus of Panama. He engaged in the mines of Butte County, and in 1856,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

having decided to locate permanently in the State, his family came out by the Isthmus route, and joined him in Butte County. J. G. McMillan spent his boy- hood days in Butte County, and received his educa- tion there and at San Jose. At the age of sixteen years he commenced teaching school, improving his time during the summer by studying civil engineering. He was made County Surveyor of Sutter County in 1877, and held the office continuously until 1882. In the latter year his services were engaged by the Cen- tral Pacific Railroad Company, on locating work. In 1884 he went to Central America in the capacity of civil engineer on the construction of the Guatemala Central Railroad, which engaged his attention for about a year. Returning to California, he spent the following year in Fresno County, laying out and superintending the construction of large canals for mining purposes. In 1886 he came to Mayfield to take charge of the engineering work connected with the building and grounds of the great Leland Stan- ford, Jr., University. This now employs a great por- tion of his time, though he does a large amount of surveying and other engineering work for outside par- ties.

He was married in this county, in 1887, to Miss Lizzie D. Weisshaar, a native of San Francisco, and daughter of the Postmaster of Mayfield. Mr. Mc- Millan is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. A. M. In politics he is a Republican.

JAMES M. QUIVEY, a member of one of the pioneer families of California, is a native of Inde- pendence, Missouri, born June 19, 1837, and a son of Peter and Sarah (McConnell) Quivey. Peter Quivey was a native of New York, born at Syracuse, in 1807, and was reared there to the age of eighteen years. He then left home and went to Kentucky. He was a splendid workman, and followed hunting a great deal there. He married Sarah McConnell, a member of one of the old Kentucky families, and a native of Frankfort. He was a slave-holder, and when, in 1841, he removed to Missouri, he took with him a man and a woman servant. They resided in the neighborhood of Independence until 1846, when they became members of a party which started across the plains for the Pacific Coast, and which afterward became historic as the Donner party. One evening, while encamped on the banks of the Humboldt River, a large party of Indians attempted to drive off

their cattle, and a fight ensued, during which a large number of the red men were killed. One of the whites, Benjamin Lippincott, was shot through both knees, but he pulled the arrow out in a proper manner and recovered. Another man, Mr. Salle, who was shot, pulled the arrow backward, and his death re- sulted. One of the party, A. J. Grayson, lost all his cattle, but they were afterward recovered, some of them with arrows in them.

By pushing forward on Sundays and nights, Mr. Quivey's family, and others, got a long distance ahead of the Donner party, and reached California seven months in advance of them. They stopped at Sut- ter's Fort, and from there Mr. Quivey went with Fre- mont to fight the Mexicans, and helped to raise the American flag at Monterey. After the expedition had done its work, he returned to Sutter's Fort, and in 1847 removed with his family to San Jose, where he put up the first frame house. He had the timber for the house cut in the Redwoods, and while engaged in hauling it, the wagon chain broke, and he was thrown against the oxen, breaking both legs. He recovered their use, however. In 1848 he went to the mines at Dry Diggings, and remained there with his family for three months. He then returned to San Jose and opened the Miners' Home, the first hotel in San Jose, and conducted it between one and two years. The family, however, continued to reside in the frame house before mentioned. He had this torn down in 1850, and put up another and larger resi- dence in its place, the family removing into it before it was dry, on account of the cholera epidemic then prevailing. This second house is still standing, op- posite the Fourth Street fruit factory. The tract of land on which it was located, consisting of ten acres, was afterward sold to Robert Beatty, who cut it up and sold it in lots. In partnership with William C. Wilson, Mr. Quivey owned hundreds of square miles of land in and about Hall's Valley. He sold his interest in this land to Samuel and William Miller, of Stockton, for $60,000. He imported some fine horses from Kentucky, and was the owner of two well-known racers-Dashaway, a runner, and San Jose Damsel, a trotter. He was a stanch Democrat, politi- cally, and an active man in public affairs. His death occurred January 28, 1869. His widow, who resides with her son, Francis Marion, in San Jose, was born September 14, 1805. They had four children, viz .: Lizzie, wife of George H. Jefferson, of San Jose; James, the subject of this sketch; Angeline (Mrs. Carr), and Francis Marion.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

James M. Quivey has a good recollection of the eventful journey across the plains in the pioneer times. He resided in San Jose until 1861, then re- moved upon the Almaden road, about three miles from San Jose. There he resided until November, 1884, when he removed where he now resides, on the Las Llagas Creek. There he has a ranch of 900 acres, on which he follows farming and stock-raising. He has about 100 head of horses and cattle, and a place which is rapidly acquiring a prosperous appear- ance under his care and management.

Mr. Quivey was married, October 22, 1860, to Miss Melvina C. Marshall, a native of Indiana. Her father died when she was young, and later her mother mar- ried James Stevenson, who came to California early in the '50's. Mr. and Mrs. Quivey have four children, as follows: Willard H., who resides at San Ardo, in Monterey County, where he is agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad; J. Howard, Charles M., and P. Carle- ton, the three latter residing with their parents. Mr. Quivey is a Democrat, politically.

CASTRO, of Fremont Township, is a native of Santa Clara County, born in San Jose, August 15, 1828, his parents being Mariano and M. T. (Peralta) Castro. His father was reared in California, having been a native of San Francisco, born in 1784. When California was under the Spanish domination, he was a soldier in the army of Spain. He removed to San Jose in the early years of the present century, and in that pueblo held the office of Alcalde. He died in San Jose in 1857, and some years afterward his wife followed him to the grave. C. Castro, the subject of this sketch, was reared in San Jose, the residence of his parents having stood on the corner of San Pedro and Santa Clara Streets, on the ground now covered by the massive building of the Farmers' Union. Since 1841 he has lived on the farm where he now resides, and all the improvements visible there to-day are the results of his labors.

Mr. Castro's farm consists of 250 acres, located some three miles, in a southerly direction, from May- field, on the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the company has located a station on his land. He formerly shipped about 400 tons of hay per year to market at San Francisco, but now rents out a por- tion of his land. It seems almost like a romance to chronicle the life of a man yet living in the county who has been a resident here for sixty years; yet such

is true of Mr. Castro. He has been an eye-witness to all the changes from the old civilization to the new, and has lived here under the flags of Spain, of Mex- ico, and of the United States.

He was married, in 1857, to Miss Francisca Armijo, also a native of San Jose. They are the parents of nine children, viz .: Mariano, Merced, Susie, Andrew, Joseph, Willie, Frank, Roque, and Chrisanto.

HARLES F. O'BRION, outside foreman of the Quicksilver Mining Company, New Almaden, is a native of Michigan, born at White Pigeon, St. Joseph County, August 27, 1834, his parents be- ing Elijah and Harriet Cornelia (Fitch) O'Brion. His father, who was a native of Ohio, was a merchant tailor.

The subject of this sketch was reared, to the age of sixteen years, at White Pigeon, by his grandparents, his mother having died when he was but two years old, and his father having removed to Arkansas. At the age of sixteen he went to Chicago, where he at- tended public school two years, and acquired a knowl- edge of book-keeping at a commercial college. He was engaged as a cabin boy on a steamer on Lake Michigan before the building of railroads from Chi- cago to New Buffalo, and was for a time in the Chi- cago Tribune office as mailing clerk. In 1859 he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak by ox teams, with a large party, and for the ensuing year was engaged in the mines, then returning to Chicago. Soon after- ward he went to Texas, via New Orleans, and joined his father, with whom he remained for three years, in the stock business. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he went to San Antonio, and joined a party for California, leaving there the same day that the Ku Klux came in from the surrounding country and took possession of the government property at that point. The party pursued their journey peacefully until within sixty miles of El Paso, where they found it necessary to cross over into Mexico to evade capture by Southern Confederacy troops. The Fourth of July found them at El Paso, and they celebrated it appro- priately, with the Confederate soldiers looking on from across the river. It had been the intention to go through Arizona, but as the troops had been with- drawn from that point, Mr. O'Brion formed a com- pany which went by way of Northern Chihuahua, and through the Guadalupe Pass, a route followed by early immigrants to California. They went through Chi-

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huahua to Sonora, thence to Santa Cruz, where the party split up. His party then concluded to go to Guyamos, and from there by steamer, after selling out all their effects, etc. They were, however, de- layed by a revolutionary party of 400, on the way to the coast, and on arriving at Guyamos found the steamer had gone. Instead of waiting one month for another, Mr. O'Brion hired out and went into the mines of Sonora.

At San Antonio de la Huerta, at San Marcial, and at Tico Ripa he mined, kept store, made roads, etc., until 1863, when he again determined to proceed to California. Going to Guyamos, he took passage on a steamer bound for San Francisco. He was sick for three months after his arrival there, then went into a dry goods store for awhile, and on the twenty-third of March, 1865, he left for Almaden, where he went to work on the twenty-fourth. Two months later he became night-watchman, and three months after that became receiver of ores. Six months after arrival he was made surface foreman, continued so until 1870, and then was placed in charge of the Almaden stores. After four years, his health failed, and he rested for a year or two.

September 4, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Anna New, widow of John C. New, and went back to Chi- cago for a wedding trip. On returning to New Alma- den, he was re-employed in his former capacity, and two years after left and went into business at Darwin with Joseph Waterman. In 1881 he returned again to New Almaden on account of poor health, and commenced work in his present capacity. He is a member of Triumph Lodge, No. 47, K. of P., at San Jose. He holds the office of School Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brion have one child, Bruce Clark, born August 2, 1875, at New Almaden.

RS. O. ARNOLD. Among the many attract- ive residence spots throughout the length and breadth of Santa Clara County, there is per- haps none that presents more points of advan- tage in the eyes of the lover of the beautiful in nature than the " Hidden Villa," situated amid the mount- ains northwest from Mountain View. The place, which consists of 600 acres, is the property of O. Arnold, of San Francisco. From the county road a rustic gateway opens into the place, and a winding roadway must then be traveled for quite a distance before the cottage comes into view. When it is

reached, a glance around seems to show it almost completely shut in by precipitous mountains. A rustic fountain, rockery, and fish-pond stocked with trout, are pleasing features. There are about twenty acres set in choice varieties of wine and table grapes, and an orchard with a good variety of fruit for family use. Some Italian olive trees, planted near the en- trance to the place, are showing a healthy growth.

Mr. Otto Arnold, who purchased this delightful re- treat in 1887, is a native of Saxony. When a young man he accompanied Governor Latham to America, and in 1864 became a resident of San Francisco. He has been connected with the London and San Fran- cisco Bank since 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold now make the Hidden Villa their home during the greater portion of the year.

OHN WAITE. Among the citizens who have recently identified themselves with Santa Clara County, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of England, born in Leicester- shire, April 8, 1833, his parents being Robert and Isa- bella Waite. His father was a merchant in the shoe trade.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 64

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