Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 78

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 78

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In July, 1862, his wife passed to the better life, sus- tained by the faith and hope of the Christian. Their children, born in California, are George B., who lives near his father, and Susie and Ellen (twins). Mr. Cottle married, for his second wife, Mrs. Clara C. (Chase) Smith, widow of Joseph Smith. She came to California in 1860, from Rochester, New York.

Mr. Cottle, in the early days, was a Henry Clay Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party he has steadfastly held to its principles.

FRANK COTTLE, who owns a fine orchard on Cottle Avenue, in the Willow District, is the subject of this sketch. This orchard, planted by himself, contains ten acres, and is equally divided between apricots and prunes. He bought the land of his father, Royal Cottle, in 1883, and set out the trees the following year. Mr. Cottle is a thorough horticul- turist. During the past six years, in addition to the care of his own orchard, he has handled his father's

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orchard, of forty acres. In 1887 from eight acres he sold 104 tons of apricots, at $30 per ton, realizing $3,120. From the age of fifteen years, Mr. Cottle has called Santa Clara County his home, although his ab- sences have been many in number and of years in duration.

He was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, October 5, 1842, being the son of Royal and Sarah (Parker) Cottle. (For more extended history of the family, the reader is referred to the sketch of Royal Cottle, Sr.) His youth, from five to fifteen years of age, was spent in Oregon, but since 1857 his father has resided in this county, and since the following year at the Willows. Frank Cottle started in life for himself when nineteen years of age. From 1861 to 1864 he spent his time in the southern part of the State, whence he went to Idaho, where he was employed on cattle ranches up to 1868. Returning in that year to this State, he worked in the mines, in Kern County, eight or ten years. Since 1878 he has resided in this county.

On January 28, 1879, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Belle (Carrothers) Larkham, daughter of Mr. Walter Carrothers, one of the men of '49. He removed from Richland County, Ohio, where Mrs .. Cottle was born March 22, 1849.

More than a passing mention must be made of Walter Carrothers. He left his family in Ohio, and came overland to this State, in 1850. For many years, with varied success, he followed mining in El Dorado County. He was one of the first men in the State to engage in sugar production. Commencing in Sacramento County, in 1861, in the following year he was awarded by the State Agricultural Society a silver cup for the best sugar evaporator. Some years later he was the manager of a sugar plantation on one of the Sandwich Islands. Returning to this State, he rented the Bloomfield Ranch, in this county, and en- gaged in producing sugar-cane. Finally he became convinced that the limit to Santa Clara's profitable production had been reached when it reached the sugar-cane. He brought his family from Ohio, in 1 868, since which time Mrs. Cottle has resided in Cal- ifornia. His children are: Robert W., Mrs. Cottle, Mrs. Sarah Decker, Mrs. Laura A. Hudson, Mrs. Frances Kelly, and Mrs. Dora Ross, all residing in this county. At the age of sixty-one, Mr. Carrothers died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cottle. His widow now resides in San Jose.

Mrs. Cottle's first husband, Thomas H. Larkham, died in this county, in August, 1876. By that mar-

riage she has two children, Walter and Lucy. By her marriage to Mr. Cottle she has one child, Laura. Mr. Cottle, like his father, and all of his father's family, is identified with the Republican party.

ATEO ARNERICH, deceased, was born on the island of Brazza, in the Adriatic Sea,-an island under the jurisdiction of the Austrian Government. In 1826, when fourteen years of age, he became a sailor boy, starting from Rome. He followed a sea-faring life for fourteen years, visiting every sea and ocean. He came from China to San Francisco in 1849, and never left the State of his adoption but once, when he went, in 1872, to visit the scenes and friends of his childhood days. In 1852 Mr. Arnerich came to the Santa Clara Valley, and soon after became interested in agriculture.

In May, 1856, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Moylan, widow of Edward Moylan. They bought property in the Narvaze grant, and opened a farm, which they occupied for twelve years. They then found that no valid title to it could be ob- tained, and so left the place, and by pre-emption and purchase secured 160 acres of choice land, which con- stitute the present family homestead in the Union District. The ranch is located in an angle of the Santa Clara and Guadaloupe road, which bounds it on the north and east. Mr. and Mrs. Arnerich commenced life on the ranch in a comfortable house, which several years ago gave place to the substantial family resi- dence of to-day. Mr. Arnerich was an active, ener- getic man, and carried forward the improvement of his property quite rapidly. The neighborhood lost in him a citizen actively interested in all movements tending to the general good. His death, which occurred May 3, 1883, was caused by injuries re- ceived in being thrown from a buggy, near his own home. His widow and her seven children, John, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mateo, Paul, Isabelle, and Mar- garet-all yet making their home with their mother, -are quite well provided for.

Mrs. Arnerich was born in County Tipperary, Ire- land, in 1831. She was nine years of age when her parents, William and Catharine Brown, emigrated to Australia, whence, after a residence of ten years, they came to San Francisco. Later they became pioneers of Union District. Mr. Brown's death, resulting from an accidental fall, occurred in 1854. His widow now

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lives in San Jose, on property belonging to her daughter, Mrs. Arnerich. William D. Brown, the chief of police at San Jose, is a brother of Mrs. Arnerich. The first marriage of Mrs. Arnerich oc- curred at San Francisco, in January, 1851. Her husband died of consumption, ten months later. Quite a large portion of the family homestead, of which mention has been made, is now devoted to the raising of grapes and fruit. A vineyard of sixty acres furnishes a general variety of wine and table grapes. In the orchard can be found olive, fig, pomegranate, orange, and lemon trees. As a rarity, twelve trees bearing "St. John's sweet-bread " must not be over- looked.

Mrs. Arnerich and her children are consistent members of the Catliolic Church.

M AJOR WILLIAM HAWLEY is the owner of a pleasant home, on the Meridian road, between Willow Street and Hamilton Avenue. He has been a resident of the county about three years, living in San Jose until the first of April, 1887, when he took possession of his home at the Willows. He has made valuable improvements on his property, and it is now one of the most desirable in the district. The six acres are all in bearing, and are planted to a variety of fruits,-prunes, apricots, cherries, peaches, and a few almonds. The price paid for the place was $6,000.

Major Hawley was born at Washington, District of Columbia, October 15, 1838. His father, Rev. Will- iam Hawley, was one of the prominent clergymen of that city for thirty years. He was the first Rector of St. John's Church, and continued in charge of it until his death, in 1845. Among the attendants of his church were Presidents Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson. The mother of Major Hawley, nee Wilhemina Potts, survived the death of her husband twenty years. In 1856 Major Hawley left home, being eighteen years of age. He was employed on the survey of the projected canal across the Isth- mus by the United States Government. August 5, 1861, he was appointed Lieutenant in the " Mounted Rifles," an organization which afterward became the Third United States Cavalry. He served in the Sixth Cavalry under General McClellan in the Army of the Potomac. Later he was in New Mexico, and ater still, under General Grant, in the campaign

against Vicksburg. As a member of the staff of Gen. Hugh Ewing, commanding the Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Corps, he served in the Chattanooga campaign under the general command of General Sherman. After the relief of Knoxville, he joined his regiment, which was assigned to General Steele's army, in Arkansas. War closed while he was in that department. After serving in New Mexico, in Indian campaigns, his regiment was transferred to Arizona, in 1869, and in 1871 to Wyoming and Dakota. After serving in the campaign against "Sitting Bull " and his warlike Sioux, he left active service, and was placed upon the retired list, with the full rank of Major.

After spending so many years in war and wander- ing, the Major enjoys to the utmost his neat home, to whose cheerfulness and comfort he yearly makes ad- ditions. Here, with his wife and only son, Cornelius, (born in New Mexico, in 1869) he lives in peace and plenty.

ANIEL W. WATSON owns one of the neatest and most attractive residences to be found on Lincoln Avenue, in the Willow District. It stands near the eastern terminus of Pine Avenue. Mr. Watson was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, November 5, 1836. He is the son of John and Betsey (Gilman) Watson. The family history, on his father's side, takes one back to the arrival of the founders of the nation.

From the representative of the family who came over in the Mayflower, a long line of descendants, with pardonable pride, trace their genealogy. Daniel W. Watson, when old enough to care for himself, with a spirit of independence characteristic of the family, went to Boston, and became a decorative painter. For fifteen years he followed the business there. In January, 1867, he became a resident of San Francisco. Pursuing the same work, he became later, master of a business of his own. His establish- ment on Market Street supplied shades, hangings, lambrequins, and all that pertains to decorative fur- nishing. For several years he conducted this business successfully and profitably. In 1871, deciding on a trip for recreation and pleasure, he returned East, and, embarking at Boston, visited Europe. He was pro- vided with many letters of introduction, among them one to General Schenck, United States Minister at

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London. He visited the Parliament buildings, the old home and tomb of Shakespeare, and many other points of interest. Spending some time in Ireland and Wales, he then visited France, being in Paris while it was still occupied by the German army. He returned to the United States in November of the same year, bringing with him many mementoes.

Early in 1884 Mr. Watson sold his interest in San Francisco, and on April 22 of that year took posses- sion of his present home. His ten acres of land, then in pasture, are now one of the thrifty young orchards of the Willows, having 1,000 trees. He has made prunes the leading fruit.

Mr. Watson and Miss Fanny Ricker, daughter of Elijah Ricker, were married, on the thirtieth of Sep- tember, 1876. Miss Ricker was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, July 3, 1850, of one of the old New En- gland families. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have two chil- dren, Gilman and Gertrude. Mr. Watson's father died, only a few years since, at the old home, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years. His eldest daugh- ter, Elizabeth, and his son James still reside at the homestead. The other members of the family are as follows: Charles, a resident of Maynard, Massachu- setts; Joel and George, building contractors of Boston; John, who died on the Fraser River, in the days of placer mining; Sarah Louise, now the wife of Hon. John J. Gosper, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Mary Wilson, of Lowell, Massachusetts; and Mrs. Almira Snow, of San Jose. The remaining member of the family, Dudley, a twin brother of Daniel W., is a resident of this county. A sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Watson is one of the leading members of the fraternity, being a life-member of Boston Command- ery, has received the Scottish rite, thirty-second de- gree, and is a member of the Boston Consistory. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are attendants upon the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.

APT. JAMES C. DAY, residing on Hicks Avenue, is the owner of one of the finest ten-acre tracts in the Willow District. The quality of soil, the neat, comfortable residence, the well-cared-for, thrifty orchard, make the property very desirable. Captain Day purchased this property in 1884, paying $10,000 for it. As large as the price looks on paper,

Mr. Day has found the investment a profitable one, as he has received from it an annual income of over fifteen per cent. The orchard is planted with peach, cherry, apricot, and prune trees. Over six tons of cherries were marketed out of the crops of 1886 and 1887.

Captain Day was born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, January 30, 1822, his father, of Virginian birth, bearing the same name. His mother, Margaret Devinna, was also a native of the old Keystone State. She died in 1830, but his father lived to the ripe old age of eighty years. Captain Day is a self-made man. He has been the architect of his own fortunes. Few men have led a more active life, or one more filled with adventure, than was his in his early days.

He first visited the Northwest in 1842, and looked over the ground on the Upper Mississippi, where, years after, he became one of the pioneer settlers. He was at La Crosse, Wisconsin (now a city of 30,000), when not ten families were living there. The winter of 1842-43 he spent in cutting pine logs, above Black River Falls, on Black River, Wisconsin. During the years which elapsed between this time and the Mexi- can War, he called Rock Island his home. In one way or another, he traveled over much of the then wilderness of the Northwest, or Upper Mississippi River and vicinity, and few men have borne a more active part in the pioncer history of this vast portion of the country.

In the spring of 1847 he volunteered for the Mexi- can War, in the St. Louis Battalion of Infantry. He passed unscathed through the danger from Mexican bullets, and the still more deadly dangers of the Mex- ican climate in two summer campaigns, and was hon- orably discharged. In 1849 he revisited the scenes of his childhood, and in February of that year marricd Miss Hannah McClaren, a Pennsylvania lady. In 1855 they became pioneers of Houston County, Min- nesota, locating in a valley eight miles west of La Crosse, known ever since as Day's Valley. There they opened a farm, which they left the following year, to establish a home in La Crescent, on the Mississippi, opposite La Crosse. Here, on the banks of the grand old river, Mr. Day made his home until he came to California, in 1884.

In the organization of public affairs in his county, district, and State, Captain Day was an active par- ticipant. He was a member of the First Constitu- tional Convention of Minnesota, which convened in 1858. He was also a member of the first State Senate convened, besides serving his people in several

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local trusts, such as County Commissioner, etc. Among the adventurers who made the rush for Pike's Peak, could have been found Captain Day, who spent the season of 1859 there. The season of 1864 was also spent in the far West, as Montana was then con- sidered. For over twenty-five years Captain Day was interested, as part owner, in operating the steam ferry between La Crosse and La Crescent, for many years commanding the boat in person. The genial, courteous, kindly man was then shown. Thousands of people, his patrons at one time or another, remem- ber him as a friend, as the writer of this sketch can well testify.

RS. ELLEN A. WILSON, residing in a cot- tage home on Hamilton Avenue, is the owner of a fine orchard of ten acres, which was im- proved from a stubble-field. She purchased the property in the spring of 1880, the frame of her residence being erected and inclosed at the time of the purchase. The orchard, which is in fine condi- tion, furnishes a large variety of fruit, of which French prunes form the largest part.

Mrs. Wilson dates her birth in Maryland, 1837. She is the daughter of John and Louisa (Ash) Kin- kead. Her father traced his descent back to the coming of the founder of the family in America from the Old World about 1670. Her mother was a de- scendant from an old Quaker family which originally came from Germany. Mrs. Wilson's adopted home was Pennsylvania. July 28, 1858, she married Alex- ander Wilson, who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1821, and was of one of the long-established and prominent families of Pennsyl- vania, of Scotch-Irish extraction, and of the Scotch Covenanters' faith. He was educated for the legal profession, and in December, 1858, was appointed United States Attorney for the Territory of Utah by President James Buchanan. During the troubles of 1860 in Utah, Mr. Wilson resigned his office and returned to Philadelphia, where he resumed his prac- tice and was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. For many years he had been Law Reporter for the Public Ledger, and had also been editor of the Commercial List. For some months he was the principal editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He raised four companies for service in the War of the Rebellion, and declining a high command he

entered the service of Lieutenant in 118th Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. He was engaged in several actions, and in the Battle of Fredericksburg his bravery was most conspicuous. His health failing, he was com- pelled to resign, but during Lee's invasion of his na- tive State, he entered the field hurriedly, as Captain of a company in the "Merchants' Regiment," which was raised in Philadelphia to meet the emergency. His active, useful career was cut short by his death, which occurred September 26, 1864, while he was in the very prime of life. After the loss of her husband, Mrs. Wilson made Philadelphia her home, until 1869, when, on account of failing health, she came to Cali- fornia. Although she visited and resided in different parts of the State, she did not regain her health until she came to Santa Clara Valley. She is now strong and robust, and naturally is very enthusiastic in praise of this glorious climate and its bountiful soil.

EORGE L. SEYBOLT. Among the many fine fruit ranches in the Hamilton District, we must mention the one belonging to the subject of this sketch. It is situated on Moorpark Avenue, and contains forty acres, of which thirty-two acres are covered with an orchard, sixteen acres being set to apricots, thirteen acres to French prunes, and three acres to a family orchard of peaches, cherries, Silver plums, etc. Twenty-four acres of the orchard are in five-year-old trees, while the remainder are younger and of different ages. In 1887, from twelve acres of apricot trees, eighty-five tons of fruit were gathered, and from twelve acres of prune trees, four years old, ten tons of fruit were sold. There is also a fine vine- yard of eight acres, which is being converted into a part of the orchard, as fast as trees can grow.

Mr. Seybolt was reared and educated in Orange County, New York, where he was born April 21, 1835. His parents, Frederick and Fanny Seybolt, died in his native State. In 1855 he left that State, and after spending one year in Illinois he went to Ne- braska, where, with headquarters in Cass County, he engaged in freighting across the plains, to Colorado and Montana. For several years he conducted this hazardous business with success. About 1872 he made Omaha his home, entering the Government serv- ice as postal clerk on the Union Pacific Railroad. In June, 1876, he was promoted and commissioned Post-office Inspector, and in 1882 was assigned to the Salt Lake District, comprising the Territories of

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Utah, Montana, and Idaho. . During the year follow- ing (1883), his district was consolidated with the Pa- cific District, and Mr. Seybolt placed in charge of " Depredations," a position of great and trying respon- sibility. His district was by far the largest in extent of territory in the United States, embracing as it did the States of California, Oregon, and Nevada, and the Territories of Washington, Idaho, Utah, Mon- tana, Arizona, and Alaska. All of the business of this immense district was in his charge, he being the Inspector in charge. The district embraced five in- spectors, who had charge of the money order and postal note business, as well as depredations. Making his headquarters in San Francisco, he bought the property which he now occupies, in June, 1884, and in October following moved his family there. Mr. Sey- bolt discharged the arduous duties of his position conscientiously and satisfactorily. The change in administration retired him from public life. Tender- ing his resignation in 1885, he has since devoted his time to the care and improvement of his fine property.

He was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Berger, in Cass County, Nebraska, in 1864. She was reared in the Hawkeye State, but born in Indiana. They are the parents of five children, viz .: Fanny E., George E., Fred L., Nellie J., and Marian L.

Mr. Seybolt has led an active, busy life, and for his advancement and success is indebted only to his un- aided efforts, as each step in advance was the result of merit and ability on his part.

ILLIAM SHELLY resides on the Los Gatos and San Jose road, in the Hamilton District, where he owns a very fine orchard of five acres. This orchard, which is now six years old, con- sists entirely of prune trees. The crop of prunes for 1887 was noticeably light, and yet Mr. Shelly mar- keted his crop of seventeen tons at $715. He also owns a young orchard which was planted in the spring of 1887, situated on the same road in the Cambrian District, a half mile from his house. This orchard also consists of five acres, and is about equally divided between prunes and apricots.

Mr. Shelly enjoys the reputation of being a horti- culturist of experience and ability, a reputation which he well deserves. He handles his orchards with great skill and much care as to detail, and justly feels great pride in their thrifty condition and also in the good results obtained from them. Being thor-

oughly in love with his business, he looks upon the work involved in the care of his horticultural interests not as drudgery, but as pleasure.

OBERT F. RUTLEDGE, one of Santa Clara's carly settlers, resides upon a fine farm of 120 acres in the Braley District, about one-half mile west of the Saratoga and Alviso road, and one mile north of Lawrence Station. This fine tract is now owned by his son, James T., and, with the ex- ception of a small portion reserved for a family or- chard, is devoted entirely to hay and grain. Only such stock is raised as is needed in the farm work.

Mr. Rutledge was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, September 25, 1808. His parents, Edward and Ann (Gillespie) Rutledge, were natives of Vir- ginia, and descendants of settlers of the first white colony of that State. His father was a Revolution- ary soldier, and referred with pardonable pride to his service under General Washington. It is worthy of remark that the rifle carried by the father is still in the family, and is in good condition.

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and, after his father's death, conducted the home place for many years. During this time, in Novem- ber, 1829, he married Miss Lydia Thompson, daugh- ter of Archibald Thompson of Tazewell County, Virginia.

In 1841 he left his native State for Washington County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also turned his attention to mer- cantile business, keeping a general merchandise store, At one period he had charge of a hotel, and thus various enterprises engaged him until, in 1853, he came to California. He came overland, bringing with him a drove of cattle, and coming directly to Santa Clara County, where he entered into farining and stock-raising.

The latter branch of his business he found very profitable, his herds increasing until they numbered over 600 head. But this good fortune was not to last, for the two dry scasons of 1862 and 1863 caused the death of hundreds of cattle, reducing Mr. Rutledge's herds to about sixty head ! He then turned his at- tention principally to farming, and about this time took possession of the large farm where he has since made his home.

Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge are the parents of four children, one of whom is deceased; Archibald E.,

Joseph WE Carthy

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born September 2, 1830, died May 26, 1875, at his father's home; Mary Jane, born October 21, 1832, married James Relfe, of Washington County, Mis- souri, now a resident of Santa Clara County; Ann Rebecca, born June 24, 1835, is the wife of A. B. Hunter, a native of Virginia and a pioneer of Califor- nia, now a resident of San Jose; and James T., born July 8, 1837, who resides on the old homestead as its owner.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 78

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