Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 82

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 82

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but reared in Pike County, Illinois. After a resi- dence of several years there, Mr. and Mrs. Carrel left Victoria, and, returning to this State, took posses- sion of their present home. They have two daughters, Florence V. and Ida K.

Mr. Carrel is a member of the honorable order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

FRANK W. BLACKMAR. The subject of this sketch dates his birth in Wayne County, Michi- gan, in 1852. His father, William C. Blackmar, was born in the State of New York, and located in Michigan, where he engaged in farming. Mr. Black- mar was reared to this calling upon his father's farm, at the same time receiving such an education as the common schools afforded. He continued his farm operations until 1879, in which year he came to Cali- fornia. His first year in the State was spent in San Francisco, and in 1880 he came to Santa Clara County. Upon his arrival he engaged in various pursuits, but principally those of an agricultural character.

In 1883 Mr. Blackmar was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Louise Driscoll, the daughter of James Driscoll, of Boston, Massachusetts. In the year fol- lowing he took up his residence on the corner of the Stevens Creek road and Saratoga Avenue, five miles west of San Jose and two miles southwest of Santa Clara, and there engaged in the saloon business.

Mr. Blackmar has successfully conducted this en- terprise since that date. His place is well and favor- ably known to all residents, and well patronized, as he keeps a select, quiet, and orderly establishment. He is closely identified with the best interests of the county, and having real estate in San Jose, he feels a deep interest in the welfare and advancement of that city. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Blackmar are the parents of three children, viz., Clara, Horace, and Frank.

AVID E. GISH, one of California's early pio- neers, was born December 16, 1829, in Tippe- canoe County, Indiana, within a mile and a half of the "Tippecanoe Battle-ground." He is the son of David H. and Susan Gish, who were Virgin- ians by birth and of German descent. The founder of the family of Gish settled in Pennsylvania before

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in 1884. Of their eight children none are now living.

Jonathan F. Lupton, on the third of May, 1871, was united in marriage with Miss Alicia L. Hicks. Ten children were born of this union, of whom eight are living. The second child, Clara Alice, died in 1874, at the age of seven months, and the third, Ida May, on the twelfth of October, 1886, at the age of eleven years. The three eldest children are now (1888) in school. The names of the living children, in the order of their birth, are: Mary Grace, Jonathan H., Lewis Edward, Alicia Mabel, Marcus Leslie, George W., Marvin, and Ernest W.

Mrs. Lupton is a native of the South, dating her birth in Decatur County, Georgia, July 7, 1849. She is the daughter of N. H. and Mary (Norris) Hicks. Her father came to California with the gold-seekers in 1849. His wife, with their ten children, followed him in 1852, becoming pioneers of the Willow Dis- trict. Their home was located on Los Gatos Creek, where the parents lived until their death. Mr. Hicks died in 1878, at the age of seventy-six years, his wife surviving him nine years, dying at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Lupton is the youngest of a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living. Wellington died while the family was on the way to California. A brother, Augustus C., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Finley, are also deceased. The names of the living are: Achilles, Mrs. Caroline Biggs, Mrs. Martineau Winters, Mrs. Josephine Whyers, Mrs. Arene M. Jenkins, Napoleon B., Mrs. Louisa Watson, and Mrs. Lupton. A self-educated man, Mrs. Lupton's father was a great student and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Politically he was a Democrat.

Jonathan F. Lupton, the husband of the subject of the above paragraph, was one of the active, energetic, public-spirited men of the Willows. In his death, his wife and children lost a devoted husband and father, while the community in which he made his home mourned a good citizen and a kind neighbor. In his political views he was a Democrat.

Mrs. Lupton and her children were left well pro- vided for, as at the time of his death Mr. Lupton owned forty acres, fifteen of which were planted with trees. The family residence, on a plat of twenty acres, is situated on Hicks Avenue.

2 FREDERICK D. BALLARD, residing on Mc- Coy Avenue in the San Tomas District, bought his property, consisting of thirty acres, in 1882, and upon a stubble-field commenced the work of creating a splendid orchard home. The building improvements are noticeably good, tasteful, and well- ordered, while the orchard is hard to excel. During the season following his purchase, Mr. Ballard set out 600 pear-trees, the following season 600 apricot and 400 egg plum trees, the third season 400 French prune and 400 apricot trees, and later, 200 peach trees. Every tree in this young orchard shows the care and skill with which it is handled. The household orchard contains fig, orange, plum, cherry, apple, and peach trees, besides a few specialties.

Mr. Ballard dates his birth in Pike County, Illinois, in 1844. The family removed to Boston, and in that city of culture the subject of our sketch was educated and attained his majority. Having mastered the printer's art, he plied his trade in many different cities in various States, living in Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities in Missouri and Kansas. From St. Joseph, Missouri, he came to San Jose in 1875, and in that city married, in 1882, Miss Maria Palen, the daughter of James and Cecilia Palen. Mrs. Ballard has been a resident of San Jose since 1876, when she came with her aunt, Miss Maria Palen, from Michigan.

Mr. Ballard has become an enthusiastic horticultur- ist, and with his enthusiasm has united painstaking care and practical knowledge, which are most neces- sary for the production of the best results. Like all of his craft, he is deeply interested and well posted in all public affairs. He is an ardent Republican and a firm believer in the importance of the protection of American industries. He is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

ATRICK HANNON, who owns property in the Pioneer District, three miles north of the busi- ness center of San Jose, has been identified with Santa Clara County since 1854. He was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in September, 1830. In his youth he was trained to the work of a farmer, and that work has been the vocation of his life.

When seventeen years of age he decided to seek his fortunes in the unknown New World. Conse- quently he crossed the ocean and landed at Quebec. The five years previous to his coming to this State were spent in that city. He chose the Isthmus route,

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and, upon his arrival in this State, came at once to Santa Clara County. He never engaged in mining, but the first seven years were spent in the employ of others, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He worked faithfully for Samuel J. Hensley for four years, and three years for Captain Aram.

With the fruits of the industry and economy of years, he purchased, in 1862, twenty acres, which now forms the larger part of his estate, he having added fifteen acres to it. He is engaged in fruit culture, having seven acres in orchard and six acres in small fruit. Several acres are devoted to the raising of hay, while some of the land is in vegetables and some in pasture.

In 1862 Mr. Hannon married Miss Letitia Kelly. He was bereaved by her death, which occurred in 1872. She was a native of Ireland, as is Mr. Han- non's second wife, formerly Miss Delia Rogers. By his last marriage Mr. Hannon has one child, Annie L. The subject of this sketch came to this State a poor man, and, while he does not now call himself a rich man, still he owns a good, comfortable home, for which he owes not one dollar. Although cir- cumstances deprived him of early educational ad- vantages, yet an active, retentive mind, constantly learning through contact with the world, has amply compensated him for the disadvantages of his youth. In politics he is a Democrat, but liberal in his views on all questions, and a believer in the policy of pro- tection of American products.

ILLIAM C. MILLER, one of the successful horticulturists of the Lincoln School District, resides on the corner of the Bollinger and Blaney roads. His property consists of twenty- four acres of fine vineyard and orchard land in a high state of cultivation. It is principally devoted to the production of wine grapes of the following varieties: Cabernet (Franc and Sauvignon), Sauvignon Vert, and Berger, with about fifty vines of Muscat, Rose of Peru, and Isabella Regis for table use. The or- chard furnishes fruit for domestic use. Mr. Miller purchased the land in 1886, and it is his intention eventually to have the apparatus necessary to convert his grapes into wine himself.

He claims Pennsylvania as his native State, dating his birth in Union County, October 31, 1836. His mother died during his infancy, leaving him to the care of his aunt, who resided in Danville, Montour

County, Pennsylvania. His youth and young man- hood were spent in that place, and there he received his education, and commenced his chosen career, as a druggist and chemist, at the early age of fifteen years. After devoting three years in learning his profession, he located in Ashland, Schuylkill County, and there established a drug store, which he successfully con- ducted for about eight years. During this time, in 1859, he married.

In 1863 he determined to seek a new home in far- off California, and, with his wife, made the long jour- ney across the continent, locating in San Francisco, where he entered the employ of Thayer & Wakelee, with whom he remained until 1865. He then pur- chased the drug store of J. H. Coggeshall, on the corner of Pacific and Stockton Streets, where he con- ducted an honorable and profitable business for many years, remaining in charge of it until 1881, when he disposed of his store and removed to Santa Clara County and took up horticulture. After a residence of about five years in the Moreland District, he vis- ited Los Angeles County, spending some time in seeking a desirable location. Not being suited with the lower part of the State, he returned to Santa Clara County and purchased the property upon which he now makes his home.

Mr. Miller is a man of sound business principles and habits of industry, and, with the aid of his long busi- ness experience during an active life, he is bound to build up a valuable vineyard, which will be an acqui- sition to his neighborhood. He has unbounded con- fidence in the future of the wine industry of California; and if wine dealers and producers will use their ut- most endeavors to raise the standard of quality in their products he believes that the day is not far dis- tant when pure, wholesome light wines will find a ready sale throughout the United States at remuner- ative prices.

SANDOLPH W. APPERSON. Among the successful agriculturists of the county, must be mentioned the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His farm, of eighty-two acres, in the Braley District, is situated on the Saratoga and Alviso road, about two miles north of Lawrence. With the exception of a small orchard, which yields a choice variety of fruit for domestic use only, the ranch is de- voted to the production of hay and grain. Two ar- tesian wells furnish all the water needed, one of them

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having a depth of 362 feet, and giving a fine flow of two inches above a seven-inch pipe.

Randolph W. is the son of Dr. John Apperson and Alice (Faver) Apperson, natives of Culpeper County, Virginia, who removed to Washington County, Vir- ginia, where the subject of our sketch was born in 1809. His youth was spent upon a farm, which his father conducted in addition to his professional duties. In 1829, with his parents, he removed to Franklin County, Missouri, where his father continued the practice of medicine, while he engaged in farming op- erations, until 1831. Then, after spending one year in mercantile life in Franklin County, he went to Dent County, in the same State, opening there a general merchandise store, which he conducted with profit for about three years. Returning in 1835 to Franklin County, he resumed his former occupations of farming and stock-raising. That he was successful and con- tented we may know from the fact that he remained in that locality and business for twenty-eight years. When he left Missouri, in 1863, it was to make his home in California, the favored State of the Union. Reaching San Francisco via the Panama route, he made a stay of about eight months in the city, before coming to Santa Clara County. Upon visiting this county he purchased the farm which he now occupies and cultivates.

Mr. Apperson in his youth received such scanty schooling as could be gained in the rural districts in that day, but his ambitious disposition and habits of industry led him to educate himself. He may be styled a self-made man, for his successes have been due, not to particularly fortunate circumstances, but to his strong determination to merit success, by doing all in his power to advance himself by all honorable means. Public-spirited and progressive in his views, he is a valued citizen of his section. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is liberal and conservative in his views. In 1830, when just entering manhood, Mr. Apperson became converted to the cause of Christ, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, con- tinuing an earnest member of that denomination until after his marriage, when, during a winter season spent in Iowa, he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, becoming an elder of that organization. His life has been consistent with his profession of religion, for, by precept and practice, he has shown his love for the Master.

He was married, in 1840, to Miss Drusilla Whitmire, a daughter of Henry Whitmire, a native of South Carolina, and a resident of Franklin County, Missouri.

Of the three children born from this union, two are living, Phœbe Elizabeth and Elbert Clark. The for- mer married George Hearst, of Missouri, who is now the able United States Senator from California. The latter married Miss Elizabeth Sutherland, daughter of William Sutherland, of Santa Clara County, and now resides upon a farm of his own near his father's home.

ENRY C. JUDSON. Among the many fine ranches of Santa Clara County, mention must be made of that owned by the subject of this sketch. It is located on the San Francisco road, adjoining the western limits of Santa Clara, and consists of 160 acres of valuable and productive land. Fourteen acres are in vineyard in full bearing and in fine condition, producing many varieties of grapes, among which may be noted the Muscat, Black Ham- burg, Rose of Peru, Mission, Charbano, Zinfandel, Tokay, and Verdal. Ten acres are devoted to fruit culture, producing pears, apples, peaches, apricots, and other varieties for family use only. But by far the larger part of the ranch is devoted to the growing of grain and hay, and to the raising of stock, among which are found thirty head of thoroughbred horses, the famous stallion "Wildidle" (conceded to be one of the best horses in the State and valued at $10,000) being at the head. The celebrated horses, "Jim Douglas," "Freda," "May D.," "Ella Doane," and sev- eral others, of which "Wildidle" is the sire, were bred and reared on this farm, and are justly noted as rank- ing among the finest stock produced in the State.

Mr. Judson dates his birth in Onondaga County, New York, in 1845, and is the son of James and Ann (Easterbrook). James Judson was born in New York State, and Ann Easterbrook born in Devonshire, England. His father came to California in 1856, and settled in San Francisco, where, in company with his brother, he was extensively engaged in business pur- suits, they being the promoters and incorporators of the Giant Powder Works, the Judson Manufacturing Company, the California Paper Company, the San Francisco Chemical Works, and many other similar enterprises.

Mr. Judson's youth was spent in securing an educa- tion, he being a graduate of the excellent grammar and high schools of San Francisco, in which he took high rank. At the age of eighteen he commenced his business career in the San Francisco Chemical Works.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

He made rapid progress, and at the age of twenty- four years was promoted to the superintendency of the entire business, holding this position until sickness compelled his resignation, in 1879. During the two years following, his health was such that it was im- possible for him to attend to business; but in 1881, having partially recovered, he took up his residence on the place which he now occupies, and which his father had purchased in 1879. Bringing into his new occu- pation intelligent and well-directed business qualities, combined with energetic action and a spirit of progress, he has placed himself among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of this county, while as the proprietor of the "Wildidle Farm" he is widely known.

In 1877 Mr. Judson married Miss Ella A. Doane, daughter of Joshua G. Doane, of San Francisco. They have one child, Lottie D., aged at the present writing (1888), ten years.

THOMAS B. SHORE, of Millikin School Dis- trict, is the owner of a beautiful and productive

@ tract of 320 acres, on the Saratoga and Alviso Road, about three miles west of Santa Clara. The ranch, which is in a high state of cultivation, is principally devoted to the growing of hay and grain, for which it is well adapted. The proprietor also pays considerable attention to the raising of stock, both horses and cattle. Comfortable and well-ordered buildings, in connection with the general appearance of the ranch, denote a prosperous and successful re- sult that must necessarily attend such intelligent and energetic efforts as have been put forth by its owner.

Mr. Shore was born in Washington County, Mis- souri, in 1834. His father, Thomas P. Shore, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, Isabella (Hyde) Shore, of North Carolina. His early life was spent in work on his father's farm, and in receiving such learning as the schools of that new country afforded. In 1850 his father and himself (he being but fifteen years of age) started for California upon the overland trail. The pack train toiled and dragged along its weary journey, unattended by any startling incident, but undergoing the hardships constantly occurring on a trip of that character, until it reached Salt Lake City. Their provisions being exhausted, it was nec- essary that more should be procured here, and in order to do this the party to which the Shores were attached were forced to seek work from the Mor-

mons, and thus earn the money needed to supply their wants. When leaving Salt Lake City, the company, against the advice of the Mormons, decided to enter California by the southern trail. This portion of their journey was attended by severe hardships and privations. Deep morasses and swamps, rendered al- most impassable by rains, rugged mountain trails, swollen streams, and arid deserts devoid of water, --- all these obstacles were finally overcome, and the party arrived safely in California, in the year men- tioned above. Mr. Shore's previous outdoor life proved of great benefit to him on this expedition, readily en- abling him to endure the exposure and hardships.

Soon after their arrival the father and son went to mining in what is now known as Nevada County. Not meeting with satisfactory results, they came into Santa Clara County in the autumn of 1850, and settled in the present Braly School District, about five miles northwest of Santa Clara, thus becoming early pioneers of the county.

In 1851 Mr. Shore's father went East by the mail steamers, via the Isthmus route, and returned to California the following year with his family, making his second trip overland. He then settled in Mount- ain View, in this county, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1873. The mother died about three years later, and both parents lie in Mount- ain View Cemetery. It is worthy of notice that both parents of Mr. Shore's wife are also buried in that cemetery. In 1860 Mr. Shore married Miss Agnes O. Bubb, daughter of William Bubb, of Mountain View. Six children have blessed this union, their name and ages (in 1888) being as follows: Paul Henry, twenty-five years of age; Thomas W., twenty- three years of age; Oscar D., twenty years of age; Edith M., seventeen years of age; Clara B. and Mary A., aged respectively fourteen and ten years.

Mr. Shore has had the best of opportunities for witnessing the growth and development of the county, to which he has added largely. On account of his long residence in the county, and of his energy and public-spirited action in all matters referring to the general good, he is widely known and universally respected.

BRAM AGNEW. Among the many fine farms of Santa Clara County, mention must be made of that owned by the subject of this sketch. It contains 115 acres of productive land, situated at Agnew Station, on the South Pacific Coast Rail-

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way, three miles north of Santa Clara. Twenty-five acres of the ranch are devoted to the cultivation of strawberries, Longworth, Sharpless, and Cheney being the principal varieties. Two acres are given to the production of raspberries, while six acres are in fruit- trees, the products of which are apples, pears, peaches, prunes, and quinces. Ten acres are covered with alfalfa, forty-five acres yield grain and hay, and the remainder of the farm is devoted to the pasturage of the fourteen dairy cows and other stock. Four artesian wells furnish an abundance of water for irrigation, for domestic uses, and stock, while the surplus is utilized in supplying a pond, one acre in extent, which is stocked with carp.

Mr. Agnew is a native of Knox County, Ohio, where he was born January 1, 1820. His parents, Jonathan and Mary (Prather) Agnew, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated, in 1812, to the county of his birth, being among the earliest settlers of that section of Ohio. He was reared to farm labor, receiving such schooling as was afforded by the schools of that date in pioneer settlements. When eighteen years of age he went to Fredericktown, Ohio, where he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith. After becoming master of the trade he remained in the same employ, as a journeyman, until 1845, when he removed to Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for about a year. His health then failing him, he was advised by his physi- cian to seek its restoration by travel, and he started, in the spring of 1846, across the plains for Oregon. Upon his arrival there he located in Yam Hill County, engaging in the only work which he could find at the time,-that of rail-splitting. He remained in Oregon but a short time, starting overland for his Ohio home, in June, 1847. At St. Joseph, Missouri, he stopped and worked at his trade until the next year, when he continued his journey to Ohio, where he remained until March, 1850. At that time he began his third overland trip, this time directing his course to Cali- fornia, where he arrived in August of the same year. He immediately commenced work in the mines of El Dorado County, afterward engaging in the same occupation in Placer County. Thus the time was spent until 1852, in which year he returned to work at his trade, establishing a blacksmith shop in the mining town of Yankee Jim, in Placer County. This undertaking he successfully conducted, in company with a partner, until 1855. During this time (in 1853), leaving the business in charge of his partner, he again returned to Ohio, this time choosing the Isthmus

route. In the fall of that year he went to Iowa, and, purchasing there a drove of cattle, started them across the continent. He arrived in Sacramento Valley, after a long and tedious journey, in August, 1854, and placed his cattle on a ranch in Yolo County, which he had previously taken up. Until the sale of his cattle, in the fall of 1856, he devoted his time to their care, as well as to other business interests. On disposing of his stock he closed up his other business affairs, and, in 1857, again returned East, locating in Ma- haska County, Iowa, where he engaged in the occupa- tion of farming. There he remained for several years, with the exception of part of each year of 1860-61, spent in Colorado, caring for stock and working at his trade. He returned, in 1874, to his old home in Ohio, and after a short visit turned his face westward once more, with the expectation of making California a permanent home. With this in view he established his home in the lovely and fertile Santa Clara Valley, on the farm described at the beginning of our sketch. Mr. Agnew is a man of the energetic and restless qualities which characterize the pioneers of our coun- try, and he also possesses the intelligence and the interest in public affairs which are necessary qualities of the good citizen. As such he is an esteemed member of the community. After spending so much of his active life in travel, and in change of occupa- tion and residence, he is the better fitted to enjoy the comparative quiet of a life in his pleasant home in one of the loveliest spots on the earth. Politically, Mr. Agnew is a Democrat, of conservative and liberal views. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and is identified with San Jose Grange, No. 10.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 82

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