Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 87

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 87

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The Farrell family are consistent members of the Catholic Church.

- J. ALBEE, of the Braley District, is the owner of eighty acres of land on the San Francisco road, fronting on Reed Lane, about three-fourths of a mile west of Lawrence Station. This property is known as the "Oak Grove Poultry Yards," Mr. Albee being largely interested in the raising of poultry, especially of the finer breeds. Fifty acres of the farm are devoted to fruit culture, the orchard comprising 4,000 French prune, 500 Silver prune, 600 apple, 400 apricot, 300 peach, and 300 pear trees, besides about 800 trees of plum and other varieties. A beautiful feature of the place is the grove of fine forest trees, about eighty in number, principally white and live oak. About thirty acres are devoted to the produc- tion of hay and grain.

Mr. Albee was born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1836. He is the son of James and Sarah Albee, of that place. His schooling was limited, much of his boyhood being spent in becoming conversant with the

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principles of manufacturing and of mechanical engi- neering. He came to America in 1850, and remained in Montreal, Canada, for two years, engaged in the work of engineer. At the end of that time, wishing to see more of the country, he left Montreal and went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he spent five years in the same work that had engaged his attention in Canada. In 1873 he extended his travels to Califor- nia, and after stopping in San Francisco for a few months, came to Santa Clara County, where many years were spent in following various occupations in different parts of the county.

In 1880 he established his poultry yards, and has found the venture a most successful one. His knowl- edge of the business was acquired in boyhood from an uncle, who was a prominent poultry fancier. He has made a specialty of the business, and has estab- lished a paying industry, having done a great deal toward the improvement of poultry breeds in the county. He devotes his attention to the finer breeds, and all his stock is thoroughbred. It comprises about six varieties, and among them must be mentioned the White Langshans, an extremely rare kind. With one exception Mr. Albee is the only possessor of this re- markable breed in the United States. He is thor- oughly conversant with all the details of the business, and the painstaking care which he bestows upon this part of his work is amply rewarded in the excellence of his stock. At the fairs at which he makes ex- hibits, his poultry is adjudged worthy of the first prize. And this is true not only of his poultry but also of his fruit, particularly apples and pears, the quality of which is unexcelled. Thus it is seen that he is most successful, not only as a poultry fancier, but also as a horticulturist. He is an active member of the San Jose Grange. In October, 1871, Mr. Albee was united in marriage with Miss Jane A. Osgood, of Ogden, Utah Territory.

"PHRAIM BRITTON. Among the large farms of the county must be noted the one belonging to the subject of this sketch. It contains 242 acres, and is situated in the Braley District, about three-fourths of a mile north of the junction of the San Francisco road and Reed Lane, and about the same distance west of Lawrence. Twenty-five acres of the land, which is in a high state of cultiva- tion, is devoted to fruit culture, and the remainder to

the production of hay and grain and to stock-raising. The products of the orchard, principally apples and pears, for which this section of the county is pecul- iarly adapted, are excelled by none in the county. In stock-raising Mr. Britton is eminently successful, breeding and rearing some of the finest draft horses which the section furnishes. In State and county fairs he successfully competes with all exhibitors in this line. His choice horses are from English shire and Norman breeds. He also devotes considerable attention to the breeding of cattle, principally from the famous Jersey stock.

Mr. Britton was born in Donegal County, Ireland, in 1848. His parents, Ephraim and Elizabeth (Dun- can) Britton, were natives of Donegal County, but were of Scotch descent. His father died when he was but two years old, leaving the care of the family to his mother. Hoping to improve their circum- stances, she emigrated to the United States in 1853, and made her home in Delaware County, Pennsylva- nia. There he was reared and received his schooling. When but fifteen years of age, filled with the love of adventure, he made the long journey to this State, and came to Santa Clara County, where he worked on the farms of Isaac Branham and James Lendrum, in whose employ he remained for several years. He afterward entered into business as a dealer in horses and cattle, being also quite extensively engaged in contracting for and baling hay. In December, 1883, he purchased the estate upon which he now makes his home, and since that date he has devoted himself to farming, orchard culture, and stock-raising.

In his work he has been ably assisted by his ener- getic and industrious wife, whom he married in 1880. Mrs. Britton was formerly Mrs. Mary J. Clemence, the widow of William Clemence, of Santa Clara County. Three sons have blessed this union. Their names, and ages at the present date (1888), are as fol- lows: Louis H., aged seven years; Raymond M., five years; and George E., four years. Of Mrs. Britton's children by her former marriage, there is now living Nellie Clemence, who has reached the age of seven- teen years.

As a successful stock dealer and an enterprising horticulturist and agriculturist, Mr. Britton is well and favorably known. Coming to California a poor boy, by his unaided efforts he has become possessed of a fine, large estate. He is connected with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of San Jose Lodge, No. 34.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ANIEL H. BLAKE resides upon an eighty- acre tract of land located at the corner of the Mountain View and Saratoga and Homestead roads, in the Collins District, about five miles west of Santa Clara. The ownership of this fine property is vested in the subject of this sketch, and in A. M. Ross and H. H. Grant, each owning an undivided one-third. Their holdings originally con- tained 160 acres, which they purchased in 1885, it then being improved land planted with trees and vines. In 1887 they sold, to Brassley & Ahlers, the southern half, retaining the eighty acres which they now own and occupy. Upon this tract both have erected commodious and comfortable homes. The lands are highly cultivated, showing the care and foresight exercised in their management. A splen- did orchard of fifty-four acres contains 4,300 French prune trees, 350 apricot trees, and 300 each of cherry and almond trees, besides a small variety of other fruit-bearing trees. The orchard yields its owners a profitable return upon their investment and labor. There is also a large vineyard, the products of which are probably unexcelled in the county. Seventeen acres are in wine grapes, and nine acres in Muscat grapes.

Mr. Blake was born in Searsport, Maine, in 1829. His parents, Daniel P. and Patience (Lord) Blake, were natives of Maine. His father was a ship car- penter, and was connected with the ship-building in- dustries of that seaboard town. Captain Blake's boy- hood, up to eleven years of age, was spent in obtain- ing such schooling as was afforded by the common schools. Surrounded by a seafaring community, his boyish imaginations constantly excited by the mar- velous tales of the sailors, it is not strange that when very young he made his first venture in a calling which he followed for more than forty years. When but eleven years of age he made his first voyage as a cook in the schooner Toronto, Captain Grant com- manding. From this time he was constantly engaged in a scafaring life, and despite his extreme youth he rose rapidly. His energetic disposition and intelligent mind prompted the study of navigation and . other branches of knowledge connected with his vocation, and these studies he soon mastered. At the age of eighteen years he was promoted to the position of chief mate, and this position he retained six years in the different vessels in which he sailed. When but twenty-four years of age, he was advanced to the captaincy of the bark E. Churchill, of Searsport, Maine, William McGilvery owner. From this time

Captain Blake rose rapidly in the esteem of his em- ployers, their confidence in his skill and worth being shown by their placing him in command of their finest vessels, and intrusting to him their most important business interests in the various maritime ports of the world to which he was sent. It is noticeable, as a proof of the confidence reposed in the subject of this sketch, that he remained in the employ of William McGilvery, a large ship-builder and owner of Sears- port, for thirty-five years. Among the vessels com- manded by Captain Blake during his long seafaring life, mention may be made of the J. B. Johnson, Sarah A. Nichols, Matilda, and Harriet H. McGilvery, all large and valuable ships, well-known in maritime circles.

In 1882 he sold the ship Harriet H. McGilvery in Liverpool and returned to his home in Maine. It is of interest to note that Captain Blake's good fortune seemed to have followed him even in his retirement from the sea, for this ship, after loading the cargo of coal contracted for by Captain Blake, and sailing from Liverpool, burned at sea, when fifty days out, the cause of the fire being the spontaneous combustion of her coal cargo. After spending about three years in taking a much needed rest, the subject of this sketch, in 1885, removed with his family to this State, settling upon the land which he now occupies. After a life of adventure and danger, he enjoys the quiet of his pleasant home in so lovely a place as the Santa Clara Valley.

In 1852 Captain Blake married Miss Nancy M. Nichols, of Searsport. She died at sea in 1856, leav- ing one son, William H., who lived to be but nine years old. In 1860 he married Miss Mary Ellis, daughter of Amos H. Ellis, of Searsport. She also died at sea, in 1864, leaving one daughter, Ellie H., aged (in 1888) twenty-five years. She is the wife of Edward Rodgers, residing at Nagasaki, Japan, where he holds the responsible position of general manager of the China and Japan Trading Company. In 1868 the Captain married his present wife, Mrs. Emma N. (Ford) Pendleton, widow of John Pendleton, a sca captain and native of Scarsport. Mrs. Blake is also a native of Maine. Six children have been born from this marriage, of whom two have died, leaving Daniel H., aged (in 1888) nineteen years; William H., four- teen years; Sarah J., thirteen years; and Frederick E., aged eight years. Of Mrs. Blake's children by her former marriage, but one is living, Melvina C., the wife of William R. Porter, a resident of Santa Clara County.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

ACOB SWOPE, deceased, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, January 1, 1802, and was the son of Jacob and Margaret (Pope) Swope, who were among Kentucky's earliest pioneers, going to that State from Maryland at as early a date as 1780. The subject of our sketch was liberally educated, as his father, being a man of considerable wealth, gave his sons every possible advantage. Soon after reach- ing his majority, he married, in 1823, Miss Harriet F. Waggener, daughter of Major Thomas Waggener, resident of Christian County, Kentucky. Although reared to a farm life, about the time of his marriage he entered upon a mercantile business, establishing himself in a general merchandise store in Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky. This business he con- ducted for several years before removing to Boone County (now Gallatin County), of the same State, where he returned to the work of his youth, farming. There he remained until 1833, when he again changed his residence, this time locating in Hancock County, Illinois, and continuing his agricultural work. Four years later he again made a change, going to the State of Missouri and engaging in farming and stock- raising in Platte County. There he conducted a profitable business, and made his home for thirteen years.

The gold excitement of 1849 and 1850 filled him with a desire to visit California, and in the latter year he crossed the plains. Arriving in the autumn, he went to the mines and there spent one year. In the year following his coming to this State he came to Santa Clara County and established himself as one of the pioneer farmers of 185[. The lands which he acquired contained 163 acres, and were situated on the Saratoga and Alviso road, about two miles north of Lawrence. There he lived an honored, useful life until his death, which occurred February 17, 1877. These lands are now (in 1888) owned by William D. Rucker, Elbert Apperson, and Mr. Smith.

Mr. and Mrs. Swope were the parents of eight children. Thomas W., born in 1825, married Miss Margaret Long, a native of Missouri. He died in 1862, and his widow now resides in Colorado. Mary G., born in 1827, married William F. Dollins, of Kentucky, who died in 1854. Her second marriage was with Woodford Coen (now deceased), and she makes her home in Clinton County, Missouri. The sketch of Jacob, the second son, appears in this con- nection. John F., born in 1832, married Miss Laura Mann. He died in 1887, and his family lives in Clin- ton County, Missouri. Ann E., born in 1836, mar-

ried Rush McComas, and resides in San Jose; Mar- garet, born in 1838, became the wife of Virgil Hol- lingsworth (now deceased). Her second husband is James M. Arnold, of Santa Clara. William H., born in 1841, married Miss Laura Campbell, and resides at Campbell, Santa Clara County. Harriet F., born in 1843, is the wife of Lysander P. Alexander, of Santa Clara County.

ACOB SWOPE, Jr. The subject of this sketch resides upon and owns a fine tract of II0 acres, situated at the junction of the Kifer and Coffin roads, in the Jefferson District, three and one-half miles northwest of Santa Clara. Thirteen acres are in strawberries of the Longworth and Sharpless varieties, and onions are quite extensively raised. These two products, with that of a small orchard, form a small part of the yield of this large farm, the principal part of it being in hay and grain. Mr. Swope also pays considerable attention to the raising of stock, includ- ing some fine draft horses, among which may be noted a beautiful stallion of the Percheron breed, which is but three years old and weighs over 1,700 pounds.

Mr. Swope dates his birth in Boone County, Kentucky, September 27, 1829. (A sketch of the lives of his parents precedes this sketch.) In youth he was trained in agriculture, and he has made it his life work, taking in connection with it stock-raising. In 1849 he crossed the plains with his brothers, Thomas and John, and soon after his arrival went to mining in El Dorado County. He worked in the mines in various parts of the State for about two years, and then returned to Platte County, Missouri, and purchased a farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted a year or two. Removing to Clinton County, Missouri, he there engaged in farining and stock- raising until, in 1864, he again made the overland trip to California. During the following year he be- came a citizen of Santa Clara County, purchasing the property which he now owns.

While living in Missouri, he married, in 1853, Miss Polly H. Long, the daughter of Reuben Long, of Clay County, Missouri. From this marriage were born eleven children, of whom ten are living. Will- iam T. married Miss Ella Haun, and lives in Mon- tana; Margaret A., born in 1856, makes her home in Santa Clara; Edwin, born in 1857, and Harriet H., born in 1860, live respectively in Montana and Santa

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Clara; Mary, born in 1864, and Clara, born in 1866, reside in Santa Clara, while Jacob W., Emma, Susan, and Reuben K., born respectively in 1862, 1867, 1869, and 1872, are members of their father's household.

Politically Mr. Swope is a Democrat of liberal views.

AVID W. COFFIN resides on the Coffin road, in the Jefferson District, about three and a half miles northwest of Santa Clara, where he owns sixty-five acres of an original tract of 160 acres, which he secured under a government patent. These lands are desirably located and are highly productive, being chiefly used as a hay and grain ranch, with ten acres reserved for strawberries of the Longworth and Sharpless varieties. Such stock is raised as is needed for carrying on the farm operations. All the water required is furnished by two artesian wells, one of which is worthy of special mention, being 508 feet in depth and sending a volume of water three inches above a seven-inch pipe.

The subject of our sketch was born December 14, 1814, in Washington County, Maine. His parents, Richard and Hannah (Whitten) Coffin, were natives and residents of Maine. The time before he reached his fifteenth year was spent in attending school, and in farm duties. At that time he was sent into the woods to work, and from that time until 1849 he was engaged in various occupations, among them ship- building and lumbering. In the last-named year, excited by the wonderful tales of easily acquired wealth in the El Dorado of the West, he determined to visit that country. His way of reaching it was somewhat out of the common run, as, with thirty- two other young and enterprising men, he formed a partnership to furnish and fit out a sailing vessel. They purchased the bark Belgrade, Captain Horatio Plummer, of Addison, commanding, and loaded it with the material required for the complete construc- tion of a river steamer, including all the necessary machinery, in addition to lumber, stores, etc. The party sailed from Cherryfield, Maine, in November, 1849, on their voyage round Cape Horn to California. A long and tedious passage of six months followed, devoid of accident and incident, with the exception of the very sad one of the death of three of the members of the party, Foster Jacobs, Hiram Tab- botts, and a Mr. Cates, all natives of Maine. Arriv- ing in San Francisco in May, 1850, the vessel was

unloaded, and the construction of the steamer pushed to completion. The steamer proving a complete success, it found ready sale, after which the dis- posal of all the other property was effected, and the company disbanded. At this time Mr. Coffin was prostrated by a severe illness, caused by the exposures and severe labor of his long voyage. For six months he was unable to attend to any business, but upon his recovery he came to Santa Clara County, in 1851. Here he established himself upon the land which we have described, becoming one of the pioneer farmers of the county. Always a firm believer in the future prosperity of his county and State, he has been fore- most in all plans for the improvement of his section. He is an intelligent citizen and a respected neighbor. He is a consistent member of the Advent Christian Church, in which he takes a deep interest. Politically he is an ardent Republican, but conservative and lib- eral in his views.

Mr. Coffin was united in marriage, October 6, 1849, with Miss Martha W. Hall, the eldest daughter of Simeon and Sarah (Coffin) Hall, natives and resi- dents of Addison, Maine. Six children have blessed this union, two dying in infancy.

(Ge) ENJAMIN CRAFT is one of the large land- owners of the county. His farm, of 218 acres, is situated in the Doyle School District, about four miles southwest of Santa Clara; 118 acres of the land, upon which is his comfortable residence, is on the north side of the road, while the remainder lies on the south side and farther west. The ranch is entirely devoted to the growing of hay and grain and to stock-raising, with the exception of a small portion reserved for the cultivation of fruit and vege- tables, for domestic use.

Mr. Craft was born in Jefferson County, New York, January 20, 1819. He is the son of Samuel and Czarina (Holmes) Craft, both of whom were natives of New York. Of the eight children in their family, two have become residents of California,-Lewis and Benjamin. The former came to this State in 1851, and is now engaged in farming in San Diego County. The latter followed his brother three years later, by the Nicaragua route. Landing in San Francisco in 1854, he started on foot for Santa Clara County. Mr. Craft's means, at that time, were decidedly limited, and fell short of stage fare; but he was rich in courage and perseverance, and, with this wealth, commenced

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

work, immediately upon his arrival, for Isaac Thomp- son, in the grain field. He remained in Mr. Thomp- son's employ until the fall of the same year, when he went to the mines. There he found work hard to secure, and, rather than remain idle, he worked for his board. At last he obtained, by purchase, another man's place. His industry and reliability soon gained recognition, and he easily obtained employment for the next four years. In 1858 he returned to Santa Clara County, and, finding that the drought of the preceding two or three years had greatly reduced the price of land, he took advantage of the opportunity and purchased the 116 acres upon which he now re- sides. The wisdom of this venture is now made ap- parent in the fine condition of the fertile land, and in the ease with which it might be sold for a price greatly in advance of that paid for it. The purchase of the. 100 acres before mentioned was consummated about five years later.

In early life Mr. Craft was reared as a farmer, and was deprived of nearly all educational advantages, but, with his characteristic energy and ambition, he entered upon a course of study and educated himself, after he had reached the age of twenty years. These traits have influenced him throughout his busy life, making him a most successful farmer and a respected citizen. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and one of its strong supporters. In politics he is a faithful Republican, but still very liberal in his views, taking a lively interest in the political questions of the day.

In 1864 Mr. Craft was united in marriage with Mrs. Carrie (Sallows) Jeffreys, a resident of Santa Clara County, and the daughter of Robert and Ann (Bines) Sallows, residents and natives of Essex County, En- gland. From this marriage three children were born, two of whom are living, viz .: William H., aged (in 1888) twenty-three years, and Benjamin A., aged twenty years. By her former marriage Mrs. Craft had two daughters. The elder, Jennie E. A. Jeffreys, died December 24, 1881, at the age of twenty-two ycars; the younger, Annie B. Jeffreys (in 1888), is twenty-five years of age.

ARRY WILLETT, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Maine, April 17, 1827. In that State he was reared to manhood. The discovery of gold led him to come to this State. The long, weary journey was made by

sail vessel, and six months were spent in the voyage. He engaged in placer mining for several years; in fact, that was his occupation until 1860, when he came to this county. In 1855 he returned East for a visit, by way of the Isthmus. His success in the mines was varied, and when he came to this county he had ac- cumulated about $5,000. Soon after reaching the Santa Clara Valley, Mr. Willett bought a squatter right to about 200 acres of choice land, near Camp- bell Station, in what is now the Cambrian District. For this land he paid $2,200, and was obliged to buy out claimants under Mexican grants when pre-empting under United States land laws. Thus only 120 acres were finally held.

On the twenty-seventh of November, 1861, Mr. Willett married Miss Elizabeth A. Hartwick, at Santa Clara. She is a native of Schoharie County, New York, and is the daughter of C. J. Hartwick. In 1861 she came to Santa Clara County, with her father, who dicd here several years ago. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Willett established their resi- dence at the homestead. The commodious family residence of to-day they erected about 1866. The large, substantial barn on the premises was framed and fitted for erection in the State of Maine. Four rooms were fitted and furnished, and there Mr. and Mrs. Willett lived until increasing prosperity enabled them to build their present fine home. In this tem- porary home the two eldest children were born.

During the life-time of Mr. Willett, the ranch was cultivated for the production of hay and grain. He was not permitted to see the full results of his labor, nor to enjoy a pleasant old age with his family in this lovely valley, for he was called to the other world. July 9, 1877. In the management of his ranch, Mr. Willett showed the good judgment and energy that were characteristic of him. He was an active, public- spirited man, remembered with respect by all who knew him. His widow was left with five children, all of whom are yet under the parental roof: Lottie, Luther, Charles, Annie, and Frederick. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Willett has conducted the place partly as a fruit-ranch, with great success. In the spring of 1884 she planted thirty acres to peaches and prunes. In 1887, from 500 apricots, three years old, she harvested eighteen tons of fruit, bringing $540. In the same year, from 300 peach-trees, eight tons of fruit were gathered, the young orchard thus yielding about $1,000 worth of fruit in one year. Possessing the ability to conduct this ranch so suc- cessfully, Mrs, Willett is fortunate in the possession of

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 87

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