Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 89

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 89

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Politically Mr. Peard is a member of the Republi- can party. Like most old soldiers, he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, being a mem- ber of Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 7, G. A. R. He is also identified with San Jose Camp, No. 125, Knights of Pythias.

C'è ILLIAM BEAUCHAMP, a citizen of the Wil- low District, owns a thrifty orchard of six acres, which is located on the Meridian road, between Willow Street and Hamilton Avenue. This orchard is one of the best cared for, for its size, in San Jose Township. Mr. Beauchamp commenced tree-planting on the twentieth of January, 1880, and all the trees, except less than a hundred, have been set out by him during his occupancy. The orchard produces a diversity of fruit, of which cherries and prunes form the largest part. Apricots, peaches, and pears are found, also a few experimental trees of Jap-

anese varieties. Mr. Beauchamp is also experiment- ing in tea-culture.

Mr. Beauchamp dates his birth in England, March 6, 1833. He acquired a taste for horticulture in his youth, and has made it the principal work of his life- time, never being satisfied with any other occupation. He came to the United States in November, 1854, landing at New York city. In March of the follow- ing year he came west to Illinois, and lived for two seasons in Lee County, that State. Thence he re- moved to Mower County, Minnesota, where he took a claim in High Forest Township. He occupied this claim but a short time, and in March, 1857, bought land in Bostwick Valley, La Crosse County, Wiscon- sin, where he made his home until he crossed the continent to California, the State of all States, in which to follow his favorite work-horticulture. He has made Santa Clara County his home since Jan- uary, 1880.

Mr. Beauchamp married Mrs. Esther Yarrington in January, 1887.

Politically Mr. Beauchamp is identified with the Republican party. He feels great pride in his pro- ductive orchard, and with good reason, for it gives evidence of the painstaking care which it is his delight to bestow upon it.

EORGE K. HOSTETTER, of the Eagle School District, is the owner of a farm of fifty-two and one-half acres, located on the Hostetter road, about four miles northeast of San Jose. His original tract contained eighty-eight and one-half acres, but in 1882 he sold thirty-six acres. A fine young orchard covers twenty-two acres, and com- prises 1,000 apricot, 1,050 French and Silver prune, 400 peach, 100 cherry, 200 apple, and 75 pear trees, besides a few fig and almond trees. As showing the product- iveness of the orchard under Mr. Hostetter's excel- lent care, we mention a part of the crop of 1887. In that year, from seven and a half acres of trees (then three years old) were gathered forty-eight tons of ap- ricots, which netted $200 per acre. In addition to his orchard interests, Mr. Hostetter raises on the remainder of his land hay and grain, reserving a portion for pasturage for his stock.

He was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, Janu- ary 14, 1841, the son of Francis and Catherine (Lonk- ard) Hostetter. He was left an orphan when about six years old, and was taken into the family of his

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

guardian, Alden Farnsworth. He was reared to a farmer's life, receiving the education of the district schools. He was a member of his guardian's family for about seven years, leaving them in April, 1854, to accompany his brother-in-law, O. W. Farnsworth, overland to California. In September of that year they came to Santa Clara County, and the brother- in-law settled on a farm. The subject of our sketch lived in his family for the ten years following, assist- ing in the many duties of the farm management. In 1864 he started out for himself, going to Idaho, where he worked in the mines for several months, but with rather unsuccessful results. Upon leaving Idaho he visited Baker County, Oregon, but remained only long enough to earn money to take him back to Santa Clara County. This he accomplished in the fall of 1865, and soon after his return rented a farm of his brother-in-law, which he operated for two years. During this time he married, in 1866, Miss Margaret Rea, the daughter of James and Hannah (Hudson- piller) Rea, who were natives of Virginia but residents of this county. In the fall of 1867, in partnership with his father-in-law, he entered into farming and dairy business near Gilroy. He spent four years in that work, and then returned to the Silver Creek Dis- trict, where he rented and worked a farm belonging to T. H. Farnsworth for a year, purchasing and es- tablishing his residence upon his present property in the fall of 1872. The intervening time has been spent in the improvement of his farm, with most encourag- ing results, as we have already narrated. Mr. Hos- tetter has gained the confidence of his associates, as they have shown in one way by electing him as School Trustee. In politics he is a member of the Repub- lican party, but entertains conservative views.

Mr. and Mrs. Hostetter have five children, viz .: Frank F., born September 30, 1867; George F., born February 14, 1869; Alvin M., born January 14, 1872; Rea Howard, born January 30, 1874; and Mary Amelia, born November 11, 1875.

LBERT C. LAWRENCE, deceased. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Boston, Massa- chusetts, in 1810. In his youth he learned the cabinet-making trade, at which he worked for many years. He was also employed in Mr. Chicker- ing's Piano Factory in Boston for some time. In 1834 Mr. Lawrence married Miss Rhoda Ann Fessen- den, who was born in 1814, the daughter of Samuel

Fessenden (a native of Maine but a resident of Mas- sachusetts) and Sarah (Ware) Fessenden, a native of Massachusetts. Both parents were descendants of distinguished New England families.

In 1849, when the gold excitement swept through the country, the subject of this sketch was caught in the whirl, and laying aside the tools of his trade he started for the El Dorado of the West. The journey was made in the sailing ship Carthage, which left Boston in September, 1849, and, rounding Cape Horn, arrived at San Francisco early in 1850. After spend- ing a short time in that city, Mr. Lawrence commenced work in the mines, and continued it for nearly two years, when he came to Santa Clara County and took possession of the estate upon which his widow now lives. The property is situated at Lawrence, a station on the Southern Pacific Road, about three and one- half miles west of Santa Clara, in the Braley District. There he commenced his life as one of the pioneer farmers of the county, being greatly assisted in the work of cultivation and management of the farm by his son Albert C., who left the family in Boston to join his father in 1852. The father and son actively engaged in the clearing and seeding of the rich soil. Mrs. Lawrence, her son William and daughters, ar- rived in January, 1861, and found a house in course of erection. Mrs. Lawrence avoided the tediousness of a longer journey by choosing the Isthmus route. With his happy, re-united family, Mr. Lawrence now commenced a life of useful, honorable activity, during which he gained the respect of neighbors and friends. As one of the county's earliest settlers, and as an esteemed citizen, he was widely and well known. Two years previous to his death, which occurred in March, 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence celebrated their golden wedding, a fitting symbol of a long and happy married life. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, of whom five are now living, viz .: Albert C., Jr., now living at Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California, who married Miss Rosa E. Harper, of San Jose; William H., a resident of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, who married Miss Susie E. Sleeper, of Boston, Massachusetts; Ellen E., the widow of Daniel Purdy, of San Francisco, now resid- ing on the old homestead with her mother, as is also her son, Arthur F. Purdy, who is the railroad and express agent at Lawrence; Elvira E., who makes her home with her mother; and Adra A., who mar- ried Henry Eaton, of San Francisco, and being left a widow, married P. G. Keith, of Campbell Station, Santa Clara County.

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

The farm, which now contains but thirty-four acres, is devoted to the raising of hay and grain, with the exception of five acres in fruit-trees. It originally comprised eighty acres, but since the death of her husband Mrs. Lawrence found the care of so large an estate more than her health would permit her to undertake, and so has decreased the acreage by sales, chiefly for orchard purposes. In her pleasant home, surrounded by her children, she quietly spends her declining years, enjoying the prosperity earned by the united efforts of herself and husband during their pioneer days. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara.

EBERHARDT HENRY HOLTHOUSE resides in the Braly District, on the corner of Alviso and Mountain View, and Mountain View and Saratoga roads, being two miles southwest of Alviso. His fine farm, of 147 acres, is devoted chiefly to the raising of hay and grain, and to pasturage. However, twenty acres are in orchard, furnishing prin- cipally apples and pears, but also peaches, prunes, and plums for family use. About seven acres are set to strawberries of the Longworth and Sharpless varieties. Mr. Holthouse has a dairy of ten cows, and raises horses of the Norman stock. Two artesian wells furnish a plentiful supply of water. He has erected a com- fortable two-story residence, in which may be found the conveniences which make a part of liberal living in this age.

The subject of this sketch was born in Nahne, Osnabrück, Hanover, of the German Empire, in 1827. He is the son of Herman and Mary Elizabeth (Brock- man) Holthouse, who were natives of the place of his birth. He received a good common-school education, and was taught the details of farm work. In 1849 he left his native country to seek his fortune in the New World. He crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and, landing at New Orleans, went up the river to St. Louis, Missouri. In that city two or three years were spent in various occupations, leaving to cross the plains in 1852, with an emigrant train, which was supplied with ox teams. The party experienced con- siderable trouble through the loss of stock, and were obliged to abandon some of their wagons.

After a long and tedious trip, Mr. Holthouse reached Placer County, in the fall of the same year, having spent six months on the road. In Placer County he bought into a claim, and commenced min-

ing. This occupation filled seven years, and proved quite profitable. Most of the time was spent in the mines of Plumas County. From 1859 to 1870 he engaged in various pursuits, among which were quartz-mining, stock-raising, farming, and general merchandise business. At the expiration of this time he came to Alviso, where he rented a farm, upon which he entered into stock-raising and dairy busi- ness. After a residence of about four years on this farm, he purchased and established his residence upon the property which he now cultivates and occupies. After a long experience in different parts of the world and in many branches of industry, Mr. Holt- house is well content to make his home in this lovely valley, where he has made many friends, and gained much respect as a man of integrity and intelligence. In religion he is a consistent member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics a strong Republican, having been, during the war, an ardent supporter of the Union.

In 1864 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Madden) Rat- liff, widow of John Ratliff, of Mahaska County, Iowa. Mrs. Holthouse is a native of Dublin, Ireland. From this marriage five children have been born. Their names are : Herman E., Hugh N., Mary E., Mark H., and Joseph F. From her former marriage Mrs. Holt- house has one son, William P. Ratliff, who married Miss Alice Harter, and resides in Tulare County.

APT. AARON H. WOOD is the owner of forty acres of fruit land in the Collins District. His ranch lies at the junction of the Kerwin and Sterling roads, about six miles southwest of Santa Clara. Twenty-five acres are in vineyard, fif- teen acres being devoted to the culture of wine grapes, of the following varieties: Charbano, Matero, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Sauvignon. Ten acres produce Muscat grapes for table use. Fifteen acres are covered with fine fruit-trees, one-third peach and two-thirds almond. As showing the fertility of the soil and the excellent care taken of the ranch, we mention the peach crop of 1887, in which year, from five acres of trees six years old, were harvested twenty-eight tons of fruit. During the same year Captain Wood erected a winery with a capacity of 20,000 gallons, and is now prepared to make his vineyard even more profitable than before. The vineyard and orchard were planted by George M. Bruce, the property becoming Captain Wood's by purchase in 1885.

Jacob Graves.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The subject of this sketch was born in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, May 29, 1836. His parents, John B. and Lydia (Luther) Wood, were also natives of Swansea. Both are now deceased. Cap- tain Wood's boyhood was spent upon his father's farm, which he left at sixteen years of age to enter the counting-house of R. S. Burrough & Co., commission merchants of Providence, Rhode Island. But the charms of seafaring life, which had surrounded him from his birth, were not without their influence over him, and he remained in Providence but one year, going to sea at the age of seventeen years, as a "boy" on the Monarch of the Seas, of New Nork, William R. Gardner commanding. By strict attention to duty, and by the study of the science of navigation, he rapidly rose in his chosen profession, becoming chief mate of the vessel in which he commenced his career, at the age of twenty-three years. About one year later he took the same position in the ship Norway, of New York. After eighteen months' service, he was made captain, and placed in charge of the ship Emerald Isle, New York, in the Atlantic trade between that city and Liverpool. In after years he commanded the ships St. Mark, Sagamore, and Sovereign of the Seas. The last-named vessel, of which Captain Wood was part owner, was sold in Antwerp in the summer of 1884. Returning to his Massachusetts home, he enjoyed a much-needed rest, after more than thirty years of active life upon the seas. His next move was to visit California, whose charms soon decided him to make it his permanent home. With this pur- pose he purchased the property described at the be- ginning of our sketch. Here, in his pleasant home, he enjoys a life which is retired and quiet compared with the one in which his earlier days were spent, while the reminiscences of a rich experience remain with him. Politically Captain Wood is a strong and consistent Republican.

He was united in marriage, in 1864, with Miss Isa- bel F. Pearse, daughter of William H. and Rosanna M. (Gardner) Pearse, residents of Swansea, Massa- chusetts. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood but one is now living, Oscar B., who was born March 8, 1875.

ACOB GRAVES, of the Moreland District, must be mentioned as one of the pioneer American settlers of Santa Clara County. He was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, February 2, 1829. When he was fourteen years of age his father, Solo-

mon Graves, removed the family to Buchanan County, Missouri. There the subject of this sketch gave his father the assistance of his work on the homestead, which he made his home until the gold fever filled him with its excitement. Fitting himself out with an ox team and supplies, he joined the long line of cmi- grants which stretched across the plains to this State. They left St. Joseph, Missouri, on the seventh of May, 1849, and after a pleasant and uneventful journey (which Mr. Graves performed entirely on foot), reached the mines on the Yuba River, September 20 of the same year. After spending one month in the mines, and the next month in Sacramento, Mr. Graves visited this valley, reaching San Jose November 20, 1849, thus enrolling his name among those of the earliest settlers of the county. The first two years were spent in the wood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in manufacturing lumber and making rails, posts, and shingles, all the sawing being done by hand. Lum- ber was worth $700 per thousand; but Mr. Graves' first winter's earnings were lost through the rascality of the agent who sold the product. However, the two years' work, on the whole, was quite remunerative.

In 1851, in company with his brother, Sampson Graves (who came out from Missouri during the pre- ceding year), Mr. Graves bought 160 acres out of a Spanish grant in Redwood Township. This land they improved, and in 1854 sold at a good advance in price to William Cox. Sampson Graves returned to the East in the fall of 1854, and now lives in Kansas. In 1855 Mr. Graves purchased the extensive ranch which he now owns and occupies. It contains 193 acres bounded by Saratoga Avenue and Prospect road, the residence grounds fronting the latter road.

His brother, Sylvester Graves (whose history ap- pears elsewhere in this volume), was associated with him in the ownership of this property until some years later. Sampson Graves and another brother, Eli, served in the Union army, the former from the State of Missouri and the latter from Kansas. Eli Graves was captured, with Colonel Mulligan, by the rebels at Lexington, Missouri. He participated in the memorable battle of Shiloh, and both brothers served with credit and won recognition for their bravery and faithfulness.

The subject of our sketch married, on the nineteenth of August, 1855, Miss Margaret Elizabeth Statler, the daughter of Jonas and Mary Statler, who came from Missouri in 1849 and settled in this valley in the year following. Both of her parents are now deceased. Mrs. Graves is a native of Missouri. Two children

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

have been born by this marriage, Frank and Mamie, and both are yet at the parental home. All the mem- bers of the family are connected with the Southern Methodist Church. Mr. Graves is identified with the Democratic party, but in local politics is not tied to party nominations. Mr. Graves came to California a poor young man, and his life of industry has been well rewarded. He is now a prosperous land-owner and a man of influence. Not only this, but he has won by the uprightness of his character the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His quiet, unas- suming ways cannot hide the ability and worth which have given him his high place in the judgment of his associates, and Santa Clara County may well regard him with pride as one of her representative citizens.

ILLIAM H. IRELAND owns a comfortable cottage home and thirty-six acres of fine, pro- ductive land, on the Kifer road, in the Jefferson District, two miles north of Santa Clara. When he purchased the land in 1882 it was covered with grain stubble, and its present fine condition could only have been brought about by such care and attention as Mr. Ireland has bestowed upon it. Strawberries of the Longworth and Seth Boyden varieties are produced upon seven acres, and the same extent of land is covered with alfalfa, which yields five or six tons per acre annually. The remainder of the farm is devoted to the growing of hay and grain. One fine artesian well furnishes all the water needed for irrigation and other purposes. In 1886 the prod- ucts from five acres brought $1,300, from strawberry vines one year old and a crop of onions that was raised upon the same land.

The subject of our sketch dates his birth near Muscatine, Louisa County, Iowa, November 23, 1842. His parents were John and Elmira (Wheeler) Ireland, his father being a native of Indiana, and his mother of Ohio. His father was a pioneer of Iowa, having settled in Louisa County at an early date. In 1852 the family removed to Council Bluffs, of the same State, where they remained for nine years, starting, in 1861, on the overland trip to Oregon. This jour- ney the father never completed, his death occurring on the road near Green River. The saddened mother, with her children, pushed on, and reached her desti- nation in the fall of that year. They located in the

Willamette Valley, in Washington County, about eightcen miles from Portland.

Mr. Ireland had been reared in the duties of a farm life, receiving only such schooling as could be ob- tained before reaching eighteen years of age. Im- mediately upon arriving in Oregon, he commenced the work before him, that of earning a home and living for his widowed mother and her family. Al- though but nineteen years of age, he rented and prof- itably cultivated a farm of 160 acres, from Richard Willey. Thus, early in life, circumstances brought out and developed the manly, independent traits of his character that have since carried him successfully through all enterprises. He made his home in Ore- gon until December, 1867, when he came into this State and took up his residence in Santa Clara County. After spending considerable time in various occupations, such as cutting wood, road building, and harvesting, in the fall of 1868 he rented A. B. Hun- ter's farm, on the Coffin road. This place he con- ducted for about three years, and then returned to Oregon, where he spent one year previous to visiting Los Angeles County. He engaged in farm labor near Anaheim, but, after spending one year in the southern part of the State, he came north to San Luis Obispo County, where he engaged in an exten- sive dairy business, having 140 cows. This enterprise was very profitable under Mr. Ireland's management, which lasted until 1878. In this year he returned to Santa Clara County and rented 400 acres of land, called the Hollenbeck place, near Mountain View. This large tract of land was used as a grain ranch, and as such Mr. Ireland conducted it for four years. During that time, in 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Relfe, a daughter of James Relfe, who resided near St. Louis, Missouri. At the expira- tion of the four years, after again visiting his old home in Oregon, he took possession, in 1883, of the land described in the beginning of this sketch, which he had purchased the preceding year. Here he has lived for the past five years, gaining the esteem of neighbors and associates.

Mr. Ireland is a Democrat, liberal and conserva- tive in politics, as in all matters of public interest. He is a member of Santa Clara Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F. Although not connected with any relig- ious denomination, he takes a decp interest in the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EORGE M. BROWN, one of the successful horticulturists and farmers of the Jefferson Dis- trict, owns seventy-eight acres of finely cultivated land, situated on Wilcox Lane, north of the Kifer road, and about two and one half miles north- west of Santa Clara. He devotes thirty acres of his land to strawberry culture, the principal variety be- ing the Longworth Prolific. Ten acres are set with fruit-trees, chiefly Bartlett pears, this orchard land being also utilized for the production of strawberries and blackberries. Eight acres are used exclusively for raspberries and blackberries, while another ten acres grow alfalfa. The remainder of the land yields hay. Upon the property Mr. Brown has a comforta- ble cottage home, surrounded by choice flowers, shade- trees, etc.

The subject of this sketch was born in Gloucester- shire, England, and came to America in 1861. He went to Hamilton, Canada West, and remained there until the following year, when he left for California, by way of the Isthmus route. He reached San Fran- cisco in April, 1862, and, after a short stay in that city, went to Alameda County, where he spent about two years, engaged in farm labor. He then extended his travels as far north as British Columbia, where he took up government land, and opened a farm near Nanaimo. Not being suited with his location, after a stay of two years he returned to California. For three years he worked in Alameda County, coming to Santa Clara County in 1867, and purchasing the prop- erty where he has since made his home. He has directed intelligent efforts toward the improvement of his land and the cultivation of small fruits and berries, and finds those efforts well rewarded in the results which he obtains. A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he is a useful member of society. He is a member and strong supporter of the Episcopal Church, and is identified with the Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in all that concerns State and nation.

In 1885 he wedded Miss Emma Lobb, daughter of Henry Lobb, of San Jose. Two children have blessed this union, viz .: Alfred Lee and Ella.

RS. EMMA A. BUTCHER, the widow of Rolla Butcher, resides on the San Francisco road, in the Millikin District, about four miles west of Santa Clara. She is the owner of a magnificent orchard, of sixty-four acres, containing a choice variety of fruit, which may be classed as fol-

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 89

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