Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 77

Author: Foote, Horace S., ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 844

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pressed to enter the service of the Southern Confed- eracy, he successfully resisted all efforts to induce him to do so. However, he was compelled to work in the trenches of the military works erected for the defense of the city.

In 1869, tired of life in the South, and desirous of bettering his financial affairs, Mr. McDonald. visited California, and after some months spent in San Fran- cisco, in following various pursuits, he came to Santa Clara County. Here he went to work as a farmer for Martin Murphy. We may judge of his faithfulness from the fact that he remained in Mr. Murphy's em- ploy for over fourteen years. By hard work and economy Mr. McDonald had amassed some money, and was able to purchase, in 1883, from the estate of Schuyler B. Davis, the property which he now oc- cupies.

He is well-known throughout the community in which he lives as a hard-working, industrious, and en- terprising man. He is the more entitled to credit that whatever success he has achieved in the accumulation of this world's goods is due not to education, and other early advantages, but rather to good judgment and native intelligence. Mr. McDonald was reared to farm work, and in the management of his property, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, he has utilized the practical knowledge gained by a long experience in his business.

ICHARD D. FOX, proprietor of the Santa Clara Valley Nurseries, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in the year of 1852. Orphaned at an early age, he was adopted by his uncle, Bernard S. Fox, and with him commenced life in Santa Clara County, when but twelve years of age. He pursued a course of four and a half years' study at Santa Clara College, concluding in June, 1869. He then became his uncle's assistant in the management of his large nursery interests, to the ownership of which he succeeded at the death of his uncle, which oc- curred July 21, 1881. Santa Clara County, and, in- deed, the whole State, are largely indebted, for the prosperity which has followed the development of their horticultural interests, to the sagacity, enter- prise, and abiding faith in the future, of Bernard S. Fox, one of the pioneer nurserymen of the Pacific Coast. His original research and skill in develop- ing new varieties, and in adapting old ones, attracted such attention and patronage that he was compelled

Bernhard S. Jour.

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to extend his operations until his nurseries became noted throughout the coast, not only for their ex- cellence, but also for their magnitude.

Richard D. Fox, reared, educated, and trained to the business by his uncle, as his worthy successor, has maintained the long-established reputation of the nurseries, and to-day, as in the past, "From Fox Nurseries," is a guarantee of first-class goods, true to their name and excellent in condition. No establish- ment, East or West, has ever won more lasting re- nown for honorable dealing. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Julia Mur- phy (daughter of James Murphy and granddaughter of Martin Murphy, Sr., the pioneer of 1844) on the sixth of May, 1879. Mrs. Fox was born at the home of her parents, near her present residence, in Febru -- ary, 1857. Her education was received in the schools of the county, where all of her life has been spent. (For more extended mention of the Murphy family, the reader is referred to their history in another part of this volume.) Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox: Bernard S., Ada R., Lilly M., and James M.

Mr. Fox was one of the incorporators, and is now a principal stockholder and officer, of the California Nursery Company, an institution which was organized for the purpose of meeting the immense and growing demand for trees, which the rapid development of the fruit interests of this country has occasioned. This company owns a tract of land about 500 acres in ex- tent, near the north boundary of Santa Clara County, which is entirely devoted to this branch of the nursery business. Since the California Nursery Company has commenced operations, Mr. Fox has discontinued the growing of fruit-trees at the home nursery, devoting those grounds to the cultivation of flowers, orna- mental plants and shrubs, in which department every portion of the globe and every clime is represented. On these grounds, about two and a half miles from the Court House in San Jose, on the Milpitas road, is situated the family residence. It stands at the end of a long avenue of stately evergreens, and is sur- rounded by the original orchard planted by his uncle, B. S. Fox, while just across the road are located the bo- tanical gardens, filled with choice shrubbery and flow- ers, whose beauty attracts an almost ceaseless stream of visitors from all parts of the State. Across the Coyote River, near Wayne Station, another tract fully as large as the one mentioned, and formerly devoted to raising trees, is now converted into orchards and small-fruit farms.

Mr. Fox is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Society, and is much interested, not only in all that pertains to his especial branch of the bus- iness, but is also active in helping any and all enter- prises which tend to advance and build up the in- terests of Santa Clara County.

ISS MARIA PALEN is the owner of a fine orchard property of about fifteen acres, situated on McCoy Avenue, in San Tomas District. She purchased the property in 1882, and during the same year erected the pleasant cottage she now oc- cupies, the fruit-trees being planted the following year. The orchard chiefly comprises French prunes, yellow egg plums, apricots, and peaches, but also contains a general variety for household use. The trees are now (1888) in bearing. Miss Palen has resided in Santa Clara County since 1874, having made San Jose her home for several years. A short time before estab- lishing her present residence, she lived in the Willow District, and there improved an orchard property, which is now the residence and farm of Captain Adams and his family.

The subject of our sketch was born and reared in Greene County, New York, but for several years be- fore coming to this State had resided in Michigan. Upon becoming a resident of California, in 1874, she brought with her two young ladies, her nieces, Misses Maria J. and Hattie C. Palen. The former is now the wife of F. D. Ballard, who lives on McCoy Avenue, and is a near neighbor of Miss Palen. The latter died at the home of Miss Palen, in Oakland, where she lived a few months prior to coming to this county.

Miss Palen has clearly demonstrated what can be accomplished by a woman of energy and intelligence as a horticulturist in this beautiful valley. She has succeeded admirably in every enterprise which she has undertaken, and her business management and tact have won recognition from the community in which she makes her home, as also have the many excellent traits of character which she possesses.

RS. HELEN P. WOOD (nee Palen) makes her home with her aunt, Miss Maria Palen, on Mc- Coy Avenue. Mrs. Wood owns a fine property of fifteen acres directly opposite that of Miss Palen, all of which is planted with fruit-trees, and the same description as to variety and age that applies to Miss Palen's orchard applies also to this one.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

Mrs. Wood claims New York city as her birth- place. She married, in 1871, Mr. E. B. Wood, in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Wood came from Racine, Wisconsin, to this State in 1881, and after one year's residence at the Willows took possession of their home on McCoy Avenue. After four years of life in their pleasant home, Mrs. Wood was left a widow, the death of her husband, from general paralysis, occurring in 1886. Mr. Wood was a man of culture, refinement, and education. He was a graduate of Hamilton College, New York, and there received the honorable degree of Ph. D. For many years he made teaching his pro- fession, being at one time Principal of the High School at Oshkosh, and at another Principal in an academy at Racine. While filling the latter high position, he found that his failing health would compel him to seck a more genial climate, and accordingly came to this State, where his life was prolonged for five years. By his death, Mrs. Wood was left with the care and training of their two children: Jessie P., now (in 1888) fifteen years of age, and Alfred E., now thirteen years of age.

ILLIAM ROSS is the owner of a very pleasant 150 home on the corner of Carlos and Northrup Streets, at the Willows. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, January 7, 1835. His father, Col. William Ross, was a native of Massachusetts, and one of the earliest settlers of Western Illinois, to which State he removed in 1818. He served as a volunteer from the State of Massachusetts in the War of 1812-14, and as Colonel of the Illinois Mili- tia in the Black Hawk War. He was one of the first merchants and most prominent men of Pittsfield, Pike County. Being active and enterprising, he had much to do with shaping public opinion and directing public affairs. He served with honor in both Houses of the Illinois Legislature. He died in 1873 at the age of eighty-one years, leaving four children. Mar- cellus, the eldest, is now a resident of Hamilton Dis- trict. The second child, William, is the subject of this sketch. Of the two daughters, Mrs. Helen M. Kellogg resides in Dakota, and Anna is the wife of Col. A. C. Matthews, of Pittsfield, Illinois, where they now live. Colonel Matthews was in command of the Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteers during the Re- bellion. He is a man of prominence, and has held several government offices since the war.

William Ross, with his wife and four children, re- 1

moved from Pike County, Illinois, to Santa Clara County, in 1875. He engaged in business and made his residence in San Jose for six years, taking posses- sion of his home at the Willows in 1881. He bought the property, consisting of twelve acres, during the preceding year, preparing the land for the orchard under his supervision, and planting his trees in 1881. The orchard contains 545 apricot trees, 350 cherry, I IO Bartlett pear, besides peach, prune, and plum trees. It is in splendid condition and full bearing. His fine residence was erected in 1881, and the family took possession of it during the same year. Mr. Ross and his son Marshall own a fruit ranch of thirty acres near Los Gatos, in the San Tomas District.

He is the owner of one of the finest homes in a dis- trict where so many fine homes are to be found. A live, energetic man, he is the possessor of the qualities essential to a successful horticulturist. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of five children, the youngest of whom was born in California. Their names, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Mrs. Edna Sloss, Marshall, Helen, Freddie, and Dwight.

Mr. Ross is a member of the Republican party.

EWIS F. PARKER, the proprietor of the "Spring Ranch," and one of the early settlers of Union District, located there August 26, 1856. The eastern line of his ranch, one mile in length, faces the Mt. Diablo and Meridian line, while the Los Gatos and Almaden road passes half a mile north of the north boundary of the property. Mr. Parker owns 320 acres, to one-half of which he bought a " squatter's claim" in 1856, and which he afterward pre-empted and bought of the United States Government.

The subject of our sketch was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 20, 1824. When a babe, his parents removed to Illinois, where his father, Wm. Parker, died, in Fulton County. Later his mother, Elizabeth (Davis) Parker, made her home in La Porte County, Indiana. The boyhood of our subject was spent principally at Danville, Hendricks County, of the same State, and there he received his education. In La Porte County, Indiana, on the twenty-third of December, 1847, Mr. Parker married Miss Julia A. Keith, daughter of Lewis and Nancy (O'Hara) Keith, and a native of Morgan County, Ohio, where she was born March 27, 1830. Leaving his wife in La Porte County, Mr. Parker, in company with his brother-in- law, Mr. P. G. Keith (whose history appears in this

Henry Rengstorf

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

volume), crossed the plains in. 1850. They left Indi- ana on the eleventh of March, and their long, weari- some journey was not ended by their reaching George- town, El Dorado County, of this State, until August. During the following two years Mr. Parker worked on Horseshoe Bar, on American River. His wife joining him in November, 1852, they settled at Span- ish Flat, and engaged in hotel and mercantile busi- ness. The hotel, the "Parker House," is yet running under the same name. Mr. and Mrs. Parker success- fully conducted the business until they removed to Santa Clara County. Their large ranch, excepting a portion which is reserved for a family orchard, is de- voted to general farming and stock-raising. The grounds occupied by the residence and surrounding buildings was the site of an old Spanish town called "Capitancillos." A portion of the walls of the old adobe buildings was to be seen when Mr. and Mrs. Parker came to the place. Tradition says that the ground where the home now is was the scene of a fierce battle fought in prehistoric times between two tribes of Indians.

Although not in the field in the war for the Union, the unsettled condition of the State at one time made it necessary for loyal men to organize, that they might be prepared to meet possible emergencies, and Mr. Parker was made captain of a company of home guards, which was called the " New Almaden Cavalry," and which belonged to the First Regiment of "Home Guards," State Militia.

Mr. Parker is a member of the Republican party, active and ardent in the support of its principles. He has held offices of local trusts, having been Deputy Assessor for a term of eight years.

Mrs. Parker is connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. They have one daughter, Elizabeth N., who makes her home with her parents.

BENRY RENGSTORFF, the proprictor of Rengstorff's Landing, and a prominent agri- culturist of Fremont Township, ranks among the early settlers of Santa Clara County. He dates his birth in Hanover (then an independent province, but now a part of the great German Em- pire), September 29, 1829. He is the son of Fred. and Amelia (Hambruch) Rengstorff. He was reared and educated in his native province, and when twenty- one years of age (1850) he embarked on a sail vessel bound for San Francisco. The long journey around

Cape Horn was attended by no unusual event. Em- barking in May, the port of San Francisco was reached in November. Our subject found employ- ment on the steamer Jack Robinson, plying between the city and Alviso. After spending three months in that work, he engaged in farm labor near San Jose. Years were spent in working for others, he carefully saving his earnings meanwhile, in order that he might purchase land, and thus give employment to others, rather than depend on others for employment. This worthy object was accomplished in 1857, when Mr. Rengstorff purchased land in Fremont Township, within one mile of the landing now bearing his name, and near where he now lives. In 1859 he commenced business at the Landing, where he erected large and substantial buildings, and was soon ranked among the leading business men of that part of Santa Clara County. The shipments of grain from his landing in the early years were enormous. All kinds of produce raised in the valley in those years found its way to market by water, and a large district on the west side of the valley made its shipping-point at Rengs- torff's Landing. The principal articles of shipment are now hay and lumber, though grain is still handled to some extent. Storage for 3,000 tons of hay and large quantities of grain and lumber is among the facilities found at the Landing. Mr. Rengstorff is largely interested in agriculture, owning six large farms, and furnishing employment for many men, al- though much of his land is rented. On one of his ranches located in the mountains in San Mateo County, there are indications of the existence of sil- ver ore and other valuable minerals. His San Mateo property contains about 1,200 acres, and is chiefly valuable for its redwood and other lumber. His fine home farm, with several farms near by, and a half interest in 500 acres near San Jose, make him one of the county's wealthy men. All his prosperity is the result of an active, energetic life of industry, com- bined with fine business qualifications. He came to this county ignorant not only of its manners and customs, but also of its language. He possessed a cash capital of $4.00-hardly sufficient for more than one day's subsistence-but rich in the possession of strong hands, a courage that nothing could daunt, a will and a purpose to dare and to do,-a working cap- ital that may well be envied.

In November, 1857, Mr. Rengstorff was united in marriage with Miss Christiana Hassler, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany. Their six children bear the following names: John, who is engaged in busi-

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ness at Seattle, Washington Territory; Marie, Elise, Helena, Christine, Nanna, and Henry. The family home on the Bay road, one and a half miles north of New Mountain View, is a commodious, substantial residence, furnished throughout with all that marks the fine home of this progressive age. Nothing neces- sary to comfort, that money can procure, is found lacking. Politically, Mr. Rengstorff is identified with the Republican party. Alive to the importance of efficiency in our public schools, he is a Trustee of the Whistman District. A firm believer in the Christian religion, he is also a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church of Mountain View.

OHN E. ROSS, one of the early settlers of Union District, bought and took possession of his present home in 1859. He bought 280 acres that year, for the low price of $5.00 per acre, on credit. He commenced the work of improvement at once, and, to assist him in paying for the property, he sold 80 acres of it for $15 per acre .. The advance in price was quite an inducement to sell. Such facts as these furnish the best of illustrations of the wonderful growth and development of the Golden State. At the present time (less than thirty years since Mr. Ross came here) the farm would be considered a very fine investment at $225 or $250 per acre.

Mr. Ross was born November 11, 1822, in Holmes County, Ohio, where he lived until nineteen years of age. His father, Nathan Ross, died when he was a boy, while his mother, Sarah Ross, lived to the age of seventy-two years, and died in the adjoining county of Wayne, where he was born. From 1841 to 1850 he lived in Lee County, Iowa, where he married, in 1846, Miss Sarah E. Page, who was born in the State of Massachusetts, April 6, 1823. Three children have been born in their family : Ada, who died at the age of two years; Nathan L., who is a resident of Hamil- ton District ; and Mary, who makes her home with her parents.

In 1850 Mr. Ross came under the influence of the all-powerful gold excitement, and came to California, overland, spending four months en route. During the first winter he engaged in mining, in El Dorado County, at Rough and Ready. The following spring he returned to Iowa, by way of the Isthmus of Panama. But the equable climate of California drew him back to its enjoyment, and, with his wife and son, Nathan L., he left Iowa about the first of April, 1853.

The long, tiresome journey with ox teams consumed six months. They spent the winter with Mr. Ross' brother James, on the Sacramento River, and in the spring came to Santa Clara Valley. The first two years here were spent in improving land, a valid title to which Mr. Ross found it would be impossible to obtain. The following two years he worked rented land, on the Los Gatos Creek. In 1859, as stated at the beginning of the sketch, Mr. Ross purchased his present ranch, which is five miles southwest of San Jose. Mr. Ross has devoted his life to agriculture, and the splendid condition of his ranch, buildings, and all the accessories of a good farm, bear testimony to the fact that he has a thorough understanding of his business. The location of his home is particularly fine, and the pride of the place is the grand old white oaks of natural growth, which shade the residence and the beautiful grounds. The farm, of 195 acres, is per- fectly adapted to tillage, and at present is devoted to general farming.

Politically, Mr. Ross was identified with the Re- publican party for many years, but now he is a Pro- hibitionist.

OYAL COTTLE, SR., one of the pioneers of the Willows, resides on Lincoln Avenue, between Pine and Malone Avenues, at the home he es- tablished in 1858. He was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, March 27, 1810, his parents being Oliver and Charity (Low) Cottle. His father and grand- father were natives of Vermont. His grandfather and family settled in Missouri, while it was yet part of the Louisiana Province, and acquired a grant of land from the French Government, by building a mill in St. Charles County, on Garden Creek. Charity, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Tennessee. She married Oliver Cottle in Missouri. Royal Cottle was the eldest of twelve children. One brother, Ira, and one sister, Mrs. Ellen Settle, live in the Willow District, and Mrs. Cordelia Cottle, East San Jose. One brother, Oliver, resides in Tulare County, and the others are deceased.

In 1833, with his mother and family (his father hav- ing died in the South with yellow fever), Mr. Cottle became one of the pioneers of Des Moines County, Iowa. There, October 12, 1841, he wedded Miss Sarah Parker, a native of Ohio. In this State, two children were born to them, Frank, who is now a res- ident of this county, and Charles, living in Oregon.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

In 1847, with a party of emigrants, numbering about 100, they crossed the plains and mountains to Oregon. In that State Mr. Cottle engaged in his former voca- tion, agriculture. At the same time he had an in- terest in a small grist and saw mill. He was bereaved by the death of his wife, December 18, 1848. She was the mother of one child, born in Oregon, Sarah C., who is now the wife of Wm. W. Whitney, of this county.

After the discovery of gold in this State, Mr. Cottle, in partnership with John S. David, built and opened a store in Sacramento. They paid $700 per thousand for lumber, and $10 per day for labor. In a short time he sold his interest to his partner, and in the au- tumn of 1849 returned to Oregon. The spring of 1850 found him back in California in the mines, where he remained until the following autumn, when he again returned to Oregon. He removed from that State to San Jose in 1857.

In Oregon, November 11, 1852, he married his second wife, Miss Mary Bryant. Of the four children born to them, two are living, Royal ,Jr., and Annette, Alice and Release being deceased.

Soon after coming to this county, Mr. Cottle moved from San Jose to Gilroy, thence to San Benito, where he acquired a stock ranch. Disposing of this, he bought 140 acres of land, in the Willow District, and established his present home. It may be well to men- tion, in comparison with present valuation of his land, which cannot be less than $1,200 per acre, that he paid only $15 per acre for it. He retains the larger portion of his original purchase, and has added thirty acres by more recent purchases. Mr. Cottle was one of the pioneer grain-growers of his neighborhood, and became one of the earliest fruit-growers. Perhaps no finer orchard than his is to be found in the Willows. He has led an active life, and in the carly days was quite prominent in public affairs.

In 1853 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature. Formerly a Whig of the Henry Clay school, he natu- rally became one of the founders of the Republican party.

RA COTTLE, one of the pioncer settlers of the Willows, resides on Willow Avenue, at its junction with Minnesota Avenue, at which place he established his home in 1858. His brother, Royal Cottle, had settled in the immediate neighborhood, at his present home, a little earlier.

Ira Cottle was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, October 19, 1819. His parents, Oliver and Charity (Low) Cottle, were natives of Vermont and Tennessee respectively. They were among the pioneers of St. Charles County, settling there before its acquisition by our government, under the Louisiana purchase. About 1830 the family decided to move to Texas; but before becoming settled the father died of yellow fever, and the mother, with her children, returned to Missouri. In 1833, the year of the Black Hawk War, they removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, locating on the Mississippi table-lands near Burlington. There the mother lived the rest of her life.

Approaching manhood, her son Ira left Iowa, and, going to Southwestern Wisconsin, engaged in lead- mining in Grant County for about eleven years. In 1846 he married Miss Mary Ann Baker. In 1849 he engaged in farming, in Clayton County, Iowa, and in 1854 came with his wife and two children to this State, by the overland route. The elder of his children, William D., now lives near his father. Albert, the younger, died in infancy, soon after reaching this State. In the Coyote District, Mr. Cottle engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1858, when he removed to his present residence. For many years Mr. Cottle devoted his land to hay and grain raising, having bought 125 acres of the Narvaze grant, for which he paid $2,500. Among the earliest in that industry, he was also early in tree-planting.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 77

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