Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 79

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 79

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Mr. Rutledge is almost entirely self-taught, and is an intelligent and well-read man. Although he has reached an advanced age, he feels the deep interest in all public affairs of one who has long been a resi- dent of a section which has almost entirely developed since his acquaintance with it. He is a strong ad- herent of the Democratic party, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, in whose welfare he feels the deepest interest.

JOSEPH MCCARTHY. In writing the history of the pioneer settlement of Union District, more than a passing mention must be made of the sub- ject of this sketch. He is the owner of St. Patrick's Ranch, situated on the Los Gatos and Almaden road, four miles east of Los Gatos. He came to San Fran- cisco in July, 1852, and to the Santa Clara Valley in March of the following year. In May, he made a pre-emption of 160 acres, of what is now the Lone Hill Vineyard, and sowed a few acres to grain. That property he held for about two years. Meanwhile he married, in February, 1855, Miss Mary Madigan, daughter of D. C. Madigan, of San Jose, now de- ceased. Mrs. McCarthy was born in Ireland, but reared from a babe in Canada. She came to this valley in 1851, with her brother-in-law, Patrick Sulli- van. Her parents followed them during the next year, and her mother is still living. Soon after their marriage, Mr. McCarthy sold his claim and bought a pre-emption right of the property he now owns and occupies. Establishing his residence on the place, the work of improvement commenced, which has steadily progressed, and which has converted his property into the present fine, well-improved ranch. The large, commodious residence, substantial barn, and other buildings, are indications of the prosperity which Mr. McCarthy enjoys. But he has, by no means, been blessed with uninterrupted good fortune, for he has twice suffered great loss by fire. His first fine residence, built at a cost of $8,000, was burned

in 1878! He also lost a well-filled grain barn by fire. These losses were entire, with the exception of about $3,000 on house and furniture. Yet Mr. McCarthy has, in both cases, rebuilt. He has recovered from these misfortunes by the energy and perseverance with which he has conducted his business. His land is devoted to general farming. He has owned an- other 160 acres, adjoining his present ranch, on the north, which he sold in 1887, after planting a vine- yard of twenty acres. He realized $23,500 from the sale of the property.

Mr. McCarthy was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1830, reared to manhood on a farm, and came to the United States in 1850. After making New York his home about a year, he worked on the Panama railroad about four months. He then came to San Francisco, and soon after to Santa Clara County.

In the loss of his wife, who died at the age of fifty- five years, in December, 1884, Mr. McCarthy mourns a devoted wife and loving helpmeet. She was the mother of ten children, of whom six are now living. The first-born were twins, of whom one only, Anna, lived to the age of two years. One other child died in infancy. Agnes, who lived to become the wife of Hugh Kelly, died, leaving two children. The names of the living children are: Teresa, Vinnie, John and Mollie (twins), Daniel, and Louisa. The last-named is now (in 1888) attending the Normal School. John is a graduate of the Garden City Business College, and Daniel is now attending the same school. All the family are consistent members of the Catholic Church.

OSES E. PARSONS. Among the large land- owners of the county must be mentioned the subject of this sketch. His fine ranch of 175 acres is on the Coffin road, in the Alviso School District, four miles northwest of Santa Clara, and one and a half miles south of Alviso. Ten acres are re- served for the culture of strawberries of the Long- worth, Cheney, and Sharpless varieties, and the re- mainder of this large farm produces hay, grain, and stock. The stock which Mr. Parsons raises includes a dairy of thirty cows and the horses which are needed in carrying on the farm operations. A plentiful sup- ply of water is furnished by three artesian wells, flowing from one inch to two and one-half inches above a seven-inch pipe.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

Mr. Parsons dates his birth in Cumberland County, near Portland, Maine, November 2, 1819. His par- ents, Moses and Salome (Haskell) Parsons, were natives of the county of his birth, and descendants of the first settlers of the old Massachusetts Colony. His father died when he was an infant, and his youth was spent on a farm. He received the education of the common and private schools of the day, but, be- ing ambitious and desirous of learning, he instructed himself to a certain degree, and was afterward a teacher in the district schools. When but twenty years of age, he commenced life for himself by engag- ing in farm labor, teaming, and various other pursuits.

In 1849 he married Miss Harriet A. Wright, daughter of John and Priscilla (Gardner) Wright, of Chelsea, Massachusetts. The discovery of gold in California was attracting thousands to the mines, and the wonderful stories of easily acquired wealth were not without their influence upon Mr. Parsons, although he, never sought for the gold in its crude state. Soon after his marriage he made preparations to come to this State, and on the twenty-eighth of December, 1849, with his wife he embarked in the ship Plymouth, Captain Pousland commanding, for a voyage around Cape Horn. After a safe and uneventful voyage, he landed at San Francisco on the twenty-eighth of June, 1850, and on the twenty-eighth of July of the same year came to Santa Clara County. He became a resident of Alviso, then but a hamlet, and opened and conducted the American hotel. He was one of the pioneers of the county and first white settlers of Alviso.

After spending two years there, he purchased the place which he has ever since called his home, and at once commenced its cultivation, being also engaged, until the advent of railroads, in teaming. Thus we see that Mr. Parsons had been a resident of the county since 1850-a period of thirty-eight years. The wonderful development which he has witnessed forms in itself a rich experience. One can hardly give too much honor to the old pioneers of our State, who, through difficulties and discouragements, have created comfortable homes for themselves, and have made it possible for thousands of others to do the same. As is fitting in one who has been so long and thoroughly identified with the interests of his section, Mr. Parsons is deeply interested in all the public enterprises of the county. Politically, he is a fervent and consistent Republican.

ROF. GEORGE W. WORTHEN, residing near the corner of Minnesota and Cherry Avenues, in 6 the Willow District, came to California in 1876, reaching San Mateo on the thirteenth of March of that year. Except the lady, who is now his wife (she had formerly been a pupil of his in Lebanon, Ohio), he had no acquaintance in the State. She was then living in San Mateo.

The Professor came to California, as did so many of our best men, financially poor-in fact, being in debt. In July, 1876, he secured a position in A. L. Brewer's Military Academy, at San Mateo, where he remained one year, when he became Principal of the Public Schools of that place. He occupied this posi- tion for two and one-half years, during which time he married Miss Mary Hoyt, of whom mention has been made. She continued teaching, being associated with her husband in the public schools of San Mateo. Later, the Professor taught another year in the Mili- tary Academy. Upon the opening of the fall term of Washington College he was placed in charge, re- taining that position until December, 1881.

On the twenty-third of July, 1882, he bought the homestead which he and his wife now occupy. It consists of ten acres of choice land, then an orchard in full bearing. He also purchased nine acres on the Los Gatos Creek, about one mile west of the home- stead. Later, he added five and one-fifth acres to the home property. In the orchard at home are found 500 apricot trees, 200 peach trees, 200 French prune trees, 100 cherry trees, and several varieties of plum trees, for domestic use. One-half of the Los Gatos orchard is in French prunes, and the other half in apricots. In 1887 the apricot trees of the latter or- chard (although only three years old) yielded $500, the fruit being sold on the trees. The orchard on the home property yielded, in 1882, $2,100 worth of fruit; in 1883, $1,900; in 1884, $2,485, and has since averaged about $2,000 per year. This is certainly a splendid result, when one considers that four acres of the land, when purchased, were planted with apple-trees, which have all been uprooted to give place to more profit- able fruit. In 1887 the fruit from his peach trees, two years old, brought, in cash, an average of one dollar to the tree. One year he sold the crop of French prunes, gathered from three-quarters of an acre, for $655. The Professor, after so many years of teaching, came to the Willows, much broken in health. Work in the orchard has agreed with him, for he has become a strong man. Horticulture has built him up, physi- cally and financially.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

We have followed the Professor through his life in California, and we will now return to his earlier days. He was born in Vermont, at Charleston, and reared and educated in the schools of his native State. Pa- triotic, as the Green Mountain boys ever have been, as liberty-loving as the winds that sweep over the grand old mountains, he offered his services in sup- pressing the Slave-holders' Rebellion. In 1862 he went to the front in the Fifteenth Volunteer In- fantry. Professor Worthen nobly did a soldier's duty in Stannard's Second Vermont Brigade, which im- mortalized itself by a heroic counter-charge upon Pickett's charging hosts, July 3, on the memorable field of Gettysburg. At the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out at Brattleboro, Ver- mont. Soon afterward he became the first Principal of the Linden (Vermont) Literary Biblical Institute. He remained in charge one year, and then became a pupil, and a graduate, of the National Normal Uni- versity at Lebanon, Ohio. Later he became a teacher here. From that place he went to California, in 1876, as spoken of at the beginning of the sketch. His father, Samuel Worthen, was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, in 1801. His mother, Lydia Bedee, was born in 1804. They were married in Vermont, in 1838. Of charitable and kind-hearted nature, they did much to relieve suffering of every kind. Samuel Worthen was a natural physician and surgeon. Although he never had received medical instruction or lessons in surgery, he could reduce a fracture with wonder- fully successful results. He helped to develop the rugged hill-sides of Vermont into lovely New En- gland homes. Professor Worthen is an ardent Re- publican, and is in full sympathy with the doctrine of protection of all American industries. He is a mem- of the Phil. Sheridan Post, G. A. R. He holds and prizes complimentary letters from the National Nor- mal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and from Washington College. At the former institution he graduated in the classical course. He is a man of education, and also of good judgment and executive ability, as his success, both in teaching and in horticulture, attests. He may well count himself fortunate in possessing so pleasant a home in the beautiful valley of Santa Clara.

We are indebted to Mrs. Mary (Hoyt) Worthen for the following interesting account of her early life and home :---

" I was born July 18, 1857, in East Concord, New Hampshire. The home was called the 'Mountain

Farm,' and was noted for its beauty and its sightly location. President Pierce, when looking for a home after his return from public service, selected this place, and offered a price for it far in excess of its real value; but the property had been in the Hoyt family so many years that my father, the owner, could not give it up. The 'History of Concord' contains a picture of the place, and much interesting information regarding it, as does the 'Hoyt Family Genealogy,' which was published after the family meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, some fifteen years ago. At this meet- ing all the branches were represented. Gen. W. T. Sherman represented the Connecticut branch, his mother being Mary Hoyt, a native of Connecticut. The Hoyt family is of English origin, and its Ameri- can history dates from the coming of two brothers to America in the early days when the Pilgrims left the mother-land, in search of freedom. My grandfather was the second child born in Concord, New Hamp- shire. Two of my grandfather's brothers served in the Revolutionary War, one being with General Stark at Bennington. The other brother saw Major Andre executed.

" The house in which I was born, was, in Indian times, an old garrison-house, and the port-holes are still under the clapboards. The frame is of solid oak, and very heavy. The 'History of Concord,' at the time of its publication, gave the age of the frame as 140 years. My grandfather bought the house, and moved it from the fort to his farm, some seventy-two years ago. Grandmother lived in the house sixty years. My childhood caught glimpses of that old New England life, and had the advantage of two generations; for while I played the games of the present day, my play-room was the attic, with its loom and spinning-wheel, its tin bakers and mysterious chests. I carly chose teaching as my occupation, and fitted myself accordingly. I graduated from the New Hampshire State Normal School, in 1873; from the National Normal, in 1875 (Lebanon, Ohio), and from the California State Normal School, at San Jose, in 1877.

" I was married to Professor Worthen in 1878, and continued teaching, it being my husband's occupa- tion. I taught in New Hampshire for $16 and $20 a month, and here, in California, I taught, for five years, for $1,200 per year. My average wages have been $75 per month. I have helped my husband to lift five mortgages, and, with my own earnings, bought a home for my parents, in San Jose, where they now live."

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

OSEPH WOODHAMS, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in England, October 23, 1803. His youth and early manhood were spent on his father's farm, where he became proficient in one of the occupations which he so successfully pur- sued in after life. He also devoted considerable at- tention to mechanical pursuits. At the age of twenty- four, namely, in 1827, he came to the United States, landing at New York. He first settled in Westchester County, New York, where he was engaged as a miller; afterward he went up the North River and settled at Newburg, at which place he continued the occupa- tion of a miller and millwright until 1843. In that year, accompanied by his oldest son, Maurice, he went to Chili, South America, where he was joined by his family one year later. During his stay in Chili, he held the position of manager of the extensive flouring mills of Burdon & Co. He continued his occupation and residence in that country until 1850, when he emigrated to California. After a short stay in San Francisco, he came to the Santa Clara Valley, arriv- ing here in the fall of the same year, and, settling upon the land now occupied by his son Alfred, he at once commenced its cultivation and improvement. The first dwelling erected by Mr. Woodhams upon these lands was of building material framed and pre- pared in New Brunswick, and shipped to San Fran- cisco around Cape Horn in sailing vessels. The subject of our sketch was an energetic and intelligent mechanic, as well as a farmer. At that early day agricultural implements were not to be obtained in the county, and after threshing his first crop in the primitive manner then in vogue, he set himself at work for improvements, which resulted in his manu- facturing a threshing-machine and separator, and placing the same in successful operation upon his farm. This was one of the first machines of the character ever built in Santa Clara County, if not in the State of California. In 1852 or 1853 he erected a small flour-mill, the motive power for the operation of which was furnished by eight or ten horses. The products of this mill found ready sale in Santa Clara and in the Redwoods.

The energy and business tact displayed by Mr. Woodhams in those enterprises were characteristic of the man, and made his name known throughout the county. Combined with this, he was well known and universally respected as one of the most public- spirited men of the section. Consequently he was sought for and enlisted in all the public enterprises of that date. In his death, which occurred July 1, 1887,

in his eighty-fourth year, the community lost a man of solid value.

Mr. Woodhams married Miss Annie Maurice, a native of England. From this union were born the following-named children: Maurice, born March 23, 1830, now a resident of San Mateo County; Alfred R., born May 30, 1832, residing on the old home- stead, a sketch of whom is contained in this volume; Oscar, born August 17, 1837, who makes his home in San Francisco; Mary E. and Lucy A., the former a resident of Santa Clara, and the latter the wife of Henry Smith, and a resident of Oakland, California.

LFRED ROE WOODHAMS is the proprietor of the "Roble Alto Farm," which is located on the Homestead road, in the Milliken District, near the western limits of the town of Santa Clara. This farm contains 143 acres of choice land, upon which stands a fine residence surrounded by beautiful grounds. It is the old homestead occupied so many years by his father, who was one of the pio- neers of this county, and whose sketch will be found in this connection. The ranch is devoted principally to the growing of hay and grain, and to stock-raising. Twenty-five acres, however, are in orchard, the prin- cipal trees of which are prunes in full bearing.

The subject of this sketch was born in Orange County, New York, May 30, 1832. His father, Joseph Woodhams, and his mother, Annie (Maurice) Wood- hams, were natives of England. His youth was spent in obtaining an education, and in helping his father in his trade, which was that of a miller and millwright. In 1844 he accompanied his mother and family to Chili, South America, where they joined his father and eldest brother, who had preceded them the year before. He remained with the family until Decem- ber, 1848, when he left for the gold-fields of California, landing at San Francisco in April, 1849. Though but seventeen years of age, he entered into the whirl and rush of the pioneer life of California, being first en- gaged at carpenter work at $6.00 per day. After work- ing at this for some months he went to the mines and commenced operations at Hawkins' Bar on Tuolumne River, where he remained from August, 1849, until the following January, when he returned to San Francisco and engaged in teaming until the arrival of his father's family from Chili. He then joined the family, and in the fall of 1850 came to Santa Clara County, where they took up their residence upon the property now

429

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. From that time until the present (1888) Mr. Wood- hams has been closely identified with the growth and building up of this beautiful valley, and has ever been an ardent supporter of all enterprises which tended to increase the prosperity of the section in which he lives. An intelligent, observant, and public-spirited man, trained to habits of business, his action in matters of public interest are duly noted and appreciated by the community in which he resides.

He is a member of the San Jose Grange, and of the American Legion of Honor. He was also one of the promoters and incorporators of the San Jose Horti- cultural Hall Association. Politically, he is an inde- pendent Republican, and was a prominent member of the Union League during the war.

He has been twice married, his first marriage, in 1865, uniting him with Miss Cynthia Dopking, daugh- ter of Daniel Dopking, of Yolo County. She died in 1876, leaving no children. Mr. Woodhams married, in 1877, Miss Lizzie Saul, the daughter of Thomas Saul, of Boston, Massachusetts, who died while she was an infant. Her mother, Sarah (Halpin) Saul, is now a resident of Essex, Massachusetts. Mrs. Wood- hams was born April 17, 1844. She is the mother of four children, of whom but two are now living, viz .: Laurola Saul Woodhams and Willie Elmo Wood- hams.

OBERT WELCH is one of the large land owners of the county. His fine home property, of 183 acres, is located on the Berryessa and Milpitas road, in the Berryessa School District, about six miles north of San Jose, and one and a half miles south of Milpitas. Mr. Welch devotes this extensive ranch entirely to the growing of hay and grain and to stock-raising. In the latter business he is much in- terested, and accomplishes a great deal in the im- provement of the draft horses of the county, as he breeds only the best of stock. He has thirty head of thoroughbred Norman draft horses, among which may be noted two imported full-bred Norman stallions.

In addition to his homestead, Mr. Welch owns 167 acres of hill land, situated just east of his residence. This tract is largely used as a hay and grain farm, but portions of the land are producing large crops of vege- tables, and this too without irrigation.

The subject of our sketch was born in Dorchester

County, Canada East, July 22, 1832. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Kahoe) Welch, were natives of Wexford County, Ireland. His father dying when he was but three years of age, he was left to the care of his mother. She reared him to the life of a farmer, and that occupation he pursued on his mother's farm until he reached his majority. He then came, by the Nicaragua route, to this State. Immediately upon arriving at San Francisco, he proceeded to Santa Clara County. Here he worked for his brother until the fall of 1854, when both entered the mines on the South Fork of the American River. A trial of about six months convinced him that the life was an undesir- able one, and he went to Alameda County, where he remained for a few months. He finally returned to this county and engaged in stock-raising and farming, purchasing and taking possession of the lands upon which he now lives, in May, 1856.

On the eighth of November, 1868, Mr. Welch mar- ried Miss Catherine Kennedy, the daughter of Tim- othy and Margaret (Dorsey) Kennedy, residents of Canada West, but natives of Tipperary County, Ireland. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Welch, and seven of them are now living. Their names are: Mary Ellen, Thomas Francis, Catherine Isabel, Alice, Robert Timothy, Cecilia Viola, and Ed- mund John.

Mr. Welch is an active and enterprising farmer, and despite the fact that in his youth he was deprived of many of the advantages resulting from a good edu- cation, he has acquired a practical and thorough knowledge of his business, and has made it most suc- cessful. He is a good citizen and a respected member of the community. He is a member of the Catholic Church, in whose welfare he takes a deep and sincere interest.

GEORGE W. SNOW resides on the Morrell road, in the Berryessa School District, about five and a half miles northeast of San Jose, where is lo- cated his orchard tract of ten acres. His land is rich and productive, and is highly cultivated. The orchard (four years old in 1888) comprises 300 French prune, 300 apricot, 100 peach, 100 apple, 100 pear, and 150 plum trees, with a number of trees each of figs, oranges, chestnuts, walnuts, and mulberries. Mr. Snow raises vegetables upon his place the year round, and that without any irrigation.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

He dates his birth in Essex County, Vermont, March 1, 1848. He is the son of Daniel and Sarah Ann (Perry) Snow, both natives of Vermont. He was trained in the details of farm work, receiving the education of the public schools. When he attained his majority he started out in life for himself, engag- ing in farm labor for several years.

In 1875 Mr. Snow was united in marriage with Miss Cora A. Lucas, the daughter of John M. and Adeline Lucas, residents of Vermont. The year fol- lowing their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Snow came to California, and located in Santa Clara County. After working here for a year, Mr. Snow, in partnership with his father-in-law, bought twenty acres near Berryessa, which they improved and planted with fruit-trees. That property Mr. Snow sold in 1884, and purchased his present residence.

Mr. Snow is a man of energy, and a successful hor- ticulturist. He was chosen to be a School Trustee, and served in that capacity for two years, 1886-87. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and feels much interest in the political issues of the day. Having confidence in the future growth and prosperity of his county, he is much interested in all that tends toward that end.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 79

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