Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 94

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 94

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The mill here was established in 1858, by the three brothers. V. D., however, dropped out in 1867, be- coming a banker and manufacturer, and Charles left the business in 1882. In 1886 the Central Milling Company was organized, embracing the mills in the counties mentioned, since when a noticeable rise in the grade and quality of the flour made has been seen, and greater satisfaction given consumers.

Mr. Moody is a public-spirited citizen, who has commanded the fullest confidence of the community, being often called upon to give to the public a portion of the time and talents that have resulted in prosperity to himself. In 1862 he was elected City Treasurer, holding the office two years. In 1867, at a moment of great public agitation, he was called upon to act as County Treasurer by the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent of the office had absconded with $23,000 of the county funds. Great excitement was the result, but Mr. Moody took hold of matters and carried them safely through the critical time, finding no difficulty in giving at once bonds of the heaviest nature. From 1867 to 1871 Mr. Moody was Chair- man of the Republican County Committee, and in September 27, 1886, he was a prime mover in the or- ganization of the Board of Trade, which has done a vast deal of good for this valley in advertising its ad- vantages and resources, and in disseminating accurate and reliable information, aiding more than anything else the great advance of to-day. Mr. Moody was elected President at the first and still holds that im- portant office. In addition to his business interests, he has a large extent of real estate. He possesses a third interest in the Moody District oil wells, one mile above Alma, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The oil product is leased by the Pacific Coast Oil Com-

pany, is piped to Alma, and shipped thence to the works at Alameda. It is considered the finest quality of oil found on this coast, and equal to the Pennsyl- vania oil.

Mr. Moody was married, in 1861, to Miss Jennie B. Wright, a native of New York State. They have two children, Nettie, a graduate of the University of the Pacific, and Anna, both residing with their parents.

Mr. Moody is a consistent Republican, believing in the protection of American industries. He is also a diligent amateur musician, devoting his leisure mo- ments to this as a recreation. He has composed the music of several songs which have met with popular recognition, and is now the tenor of St. Joseph's Choir, San Jose. It should be stated, also, that Mr. Moody is now a member of the Board of Freeholders, elected for the purpose of framing a new charter for the city, and is one of the Committee of Revision, which meets daily to digest thoroughly the provisions of that instrument, a responsible office requiring the highest qualities, but unaccompanied by emolument.

H. JORDAN & Co., land, loan, and insurance brokers. Office, Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California.

APT. JOHN MARTIN resides at Alviso, where he is extensively engaged in the warehouse busi- ness, being part owner and sole manager of the "Empire Warehouse," which is a large brick structure with an iron roof, and fire-proof. He also rents two buildings, which he devotes to his business. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1825. His parents dying when he was an infant, he was brought up in his native place in one of the many charitable public institutions, where he received a good educa- tion. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon a seafaring life, and it was while following this occupa- tion that he came to the United States, landing at New York in 1842. He continued his seafaring life for the next three years. After visiting various coun- tries of the world, he found himself in Chili and there he remained for about four years, being engaged in the coasting trade on the southwestern coast of Amer- ica. Ill health necessitated a change of climate, and consequently, in 1849, Captain Martin shipped for

Peter Johnson.

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San Francisco in the American ship George Washing- ton, which called in at Valparaiso. He arrived at San Francisco in July, 1849, and engaged in freight- ing on the bay. He was soon placed in command of the schooner George H. Ensign, in the passenger and freight business between San Francisco and Alviso. He prospered in this work, and eventually became the owner of vessels himself. In 1868 Captain Martin and J. S. Carter built the schooners Maggie Douglas and Nellie Carter, of 100 tons burden, and engaged in the grain trade. This life, to which he was thor- oughly trained and for which he was well fitted, he led for twenty years, leaving it in 1870 to enter into the warehouse business at his present home.

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage, in 1862, with Miss Theresa B. Borden, a native of Ire- land, who came to California from Flushing, Long Island. To Captain and Mts. Martin have been born eleven children. Their names are: John T., Peter B., a resident of San Francisco; Elinor L., the wife of Neal Pitman, of San Jose; May A., Terry P., residing in San Francisco; William H., now deceased; James C., Marguerite E., Flora M., Esther J., and Theo- dore E.

Captain Martin has long been identified with the interests and growth of Alviso; and is one of its most respected citizens. After many years spent in the active, roving life of the seafaring man, he is well content to live in this pleasant valley, leading a useful life and surrounded by his interesting family. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being associated with Santa Clara Lodge, No. 52. Politically he is a Democrat, with liberal views, and during the war was a strong Union man.

LBERT SCHRODER, of the firm of Davis & Co., hardware merchants at No. 27 South First Street, was born at Mazatlan, Mexico, in 1845. His parents were Morgan and Ygnacia (Rod- riguez) Schroder, the latter a native of Mexico and the former a native of England, who came from Maz- atlan to California with his family in 1849, and located in Santa Clara Valley in 1850. He worked at first at the Almaden mines, and in a short time took charge of the transportation of the quicksilver from the mines to Alviso for shipment. This business he fol- lowed until 1862, when he sold his teams and bought out the hardware store of E. Bessie. This business he followed until 1868, when he sold it out and went

to Mexico. He returned from Mexico some years later and died here in June, 1881, and his wife died in 187 -. They are both buried here.

Albert, the subject, received his education in the pub- lic schools of San Jose and then attended the Santa Clara College for one year, and later attended the Brayton College at Oakland for two years. He then entered his father's hardware store as a salesman, in which he continued until the business was purchased by Henry B. Alvord. He remained with that firm until the business passed into the hands of Davis & Co. With this firm Mr. Schroder continued as sales- man until 1886, when he purchased an interest with Mr. Davis, the firm name becoming Davis & Schroder.

Mr. Schroder was married, in 1875, to Miss Kate Collins, a native of Ohio, and they have two children, Nellie L. and Alvord. He is a member of Enter- prise Lodge, No 17, A. O. U. W., of which he has been Financial Secretary for the past nine years. His fa- ther left England at the age of twelve years, serving his apprenticeship on board a ship, and later became a mate on a vessel running between China and Mexico. Before finally settling down in Santa Clara Valley he commanded a vessel running between Maz- atlan and San Francisco for some time, and the gold excitement coming on, and being unable to procure sailors to return to Mazatlan, he was obliged to sell his vessel, and he never followed the sea afterward.

AVID J. SPENCE, who resides on the Ala- meda near Fremont Street, San Jose, was born in Monterey, California, in 1861. He received his education at Santa Clara College, where his two brothers also attended. In 1886 he was married to Miss Hattie Foley, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. They have one child, David J. Spence, Jr. He is a descendant, through his grandparents on one side, from an old Scottish family, one of whose members, David Spence, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to California carly in the present cent- ury and became prominently identified with its early history, and on the other from the best Spanish blood in California, his grandmother being the daughter of the commandant of the Mexican forces in California, and the nicce of their Governor. His grandfather was Alcalde of Monterey when the American forces took possession of California, and died there in 1875, leaving a large estate to be divided between his four

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grandchildren. Mr. Spence's father was born in Monterey, and died there in 1868. David J. Spence, and also each of his brothers, have built elegant homes adjoining each other on the Alameda near Fremont Street. They have each about 3,000 acres of land near Monterey, land of fine quality and well adapted to either farming or fruit-raising. This is mostly rented to the people who are cultivating it. An extended history of the family is contained in the biographical sketches of Rudolph and Albert Spence in this volume.

YLER BEACH. There is certainly no better known or more popular man in Santa Clara County than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Born in Warren County, New York, September 29, 1832, he was taken by his parents to Saratoga County, in the same State, five years later. In May, 1845, they emigrated to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and two years later went on to Columbia County, in Wisconsin, and there resided until 1853, when Mr. Beach set out for California, by the Nicara- gua route, reaching San Francisco in February, 1854. He came to Santa Clara County two months later, and has ever since resided here and been prominently identified with all the best interests of the place. For a time Mr. Beach devoted himself to farming and other agricultural pursuits, and then for two years fol- lowed the business of artesian well borer.

In 1861 he began the ice business, and subsequently started a wood and coal yard on St. John Street, in San Jose, being the first to engage in that business here, and carrying it on until a few years ago. But it is as the proprietor of the popular St. James Hotel that Tyler Beach is best known, this house being at the time of writing considered as leading the business in this county. The St. James has within the year been enlarged to twice its former capacity, and other- wise improved until now it is, both in appearance and in appointments, in every respect a thoroughly first- class house. The rooms are lofty and well ventilated, handsomely furnished and equipped, the halls spacious and airy, softly carpeted and artistically decorated. The household department is perfect, the dining- room being the largest in the city, and the bill of fare always including the best the markets afford, cooked under the direction of a skilled chef. In this depart- ment the St. James has a great advantage. Fresh butter, milk, eggs, vegetables, etc., are brought in

daily from Mr. Beach's own ranch in the outskirts of the city, which is run in connection with the hotel. Lovers of fine stock will be much interested in the high-grade animals of which Mr. Beach makes a specialty. The location of the house could not be improved. Adjoining the handsome Court House, and directly opposite the lovely St. James Park, guests can never be disturbed by the noise and bustle of the city, and yet they are within an easy walk of all the public buildings. It is in the magnetic personality of Mr. Beach himself, however, that the greatest attrac- tion exists. Liked by everyone who knows him, both he and his estimable family are honored and loved members of the community, Mr. Beach being large-hearted, generous, and public-spirited to a fault.

He was married April 3, 1861, to Miss Martha Ann Smith, of Iowa. They have five sons and two daugh- ters.

Mr. Beach is a Mason of high standing, being a member of San Jose Lodge, No. 10, of which he is Senior Warden, a Captain of the Royal Arch Chapter, and a member of the Eastern Star.

R. E. A. CLARK, an old resident of San Jose, was born near Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, Au- gust 17, 1826. His father moved to Michigan in 1831, where the early years of our subject were spent, and where he studied medicine, taking lectures at the Indiana Medical College. After two years' practice of medicine in St. Joseph County, Michigan, he came to California, by the way of Pan- ama, early in 1850. Spending a few months in the mines near Downieville, he came to Santa Clara County, where he engaged in farming until 1858. In 1856 the Doctor assisted in the organization of the Republican party in Santa Clara County. In 1857 he was nominated by that party for County Clerk. The Republican ticket, although successful in the State in 1856, was defeated in 1857 by the union of the American and Democratic parties. In 1858 the Doctor removed to San Luis Obispo County and en- gaged in fruit-raising, planting the first successful or- chard in the northwestern part of the county, near the present village of Cambria. Here he lost his first wife, formerly Lydia H. Washburn, a cousin of the late Hon. E. B. Washburn, of Illinois. Three of their children are still living, two sons now residing in San Diego County, and one daughter, the widow of a

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former Recorder of this county, Mrs. Anna Calahan, living in San Jose. In 1866 the Doctor returned to this county. Here for two years he was Deputy As- sessor of Internal Revenue ; part of one year he was Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, and one year was Deputy Recorder and Auditor. He engaged in real-estate business in 1869. Having, for his own in- formation and pleasure, studied law, and having been admitted to the District Court Bar, he did more or less legal business for several years. In April, 1872, he was appointed City Superintendent of Schools, which position he filled until May, 1873, when he resigned to assume the duties of Postmaster of San Jose, to which office he was appointed by President Grant. At the end of his term as Postmaster the Doctor went to San Francisco, and commenced the practice of medicine, after attending a full course of medical lectures at Cooper Medical Co lege. After remaining there three years, owing to the delicate health of his second wife, he returned to San Jose, where he prac- ticed his profession until August, 1887. His second wife, to whom he was married in January, 1869, was a sister of Mr. E. J. Swift, of the Ocean House, Santa Cruz. She died suddenly, January 8, 1884, while ab- sent in San Francisco on a visit. In June, 1886, the Doctor married Miss Alice E. Goff, daughter of J. H. F. Goff, of Gilroy, California, and niece of Judge George W. McCrary, of Kansas City, former Secre- tary of War under President Hayes. Seeing the great future opening for San Jose and Santa Clara County, the Doctor, in August, 1887, again engaged in the real-estate business in company with J. B. Collins, a son-in-law of another pioneer of Santa Clara, S. A. Clark. They have a fine office under the St. James Hotel.

The Doctor, having an active mind, was not con- tent with the routine of professional life, but used his pen on various topics. The first season after return- ing from San Francisco he wrote a series of articles on the " Philosophy of Money " for the Daily Mercury, which were widely read; a sketch of the Vigilance Committee of San Luis Obispo; and a short story for the Mercury entitled "Orson and Orsemus." Besides frequent contributions to the Mercury on various topics, over his own signature, at various times during the sickness or absence of the editors of the Daily Mer- cury, he wrote numerous editorials for that paper, which in the aggregate would make quite a volume. An exhaustive article of his on the Chinese question was published in a Chicago paper in 1886. Another article, on "The Scientific Probabilities of a Future

Life," was published in the Overland Monthly for May, 1886, and was copied into the Mercury. Commenc- ing in June, 1887, the Mercury published a serial story by Dr. Clark, which ran through twelve numbers, en- titled, "The Harrisons, or the Ruin Caused by the Chinese Invasion." This story contains a more vivid description of the fascinating and destructive character of the opium habit than anything yet published. It would prove a great educator in reference to the evils of Chinese contact with our people if generally read. As Dr. Clark is still vigorous in body and mind, local and general literature may yet be still more enriched by contributions from his ready pen.

LENRY W. EDWARDS. Born in Chicago, Illinois, March 1, 1842. In 1850 he crossed the plains with his father, Henry Edwards, who, after remaining at Placerville for a short time, em- barked in mining on the American River, in 1851. In the following year he commenced a butchering business in Marysville and Sacramento, which he con- tinued until 1853, in the winter of which year he came to Santa Clara County. In the city of San Jose his fathered entered into the management of the Farmers' Home, a hotel he conducted until 1855, when he com- menced farming, and continued until his death, in 1872. In 1863 the subject of our sketch went to Virginia City, Nevada, opened the Eureka Hotel, and became interested in mining, but meeting with re- verses, returned to the Santa Clara Valley in 1864. He labored for monthly wages for a time and then rented the property he now owns. In 1870 he pur- chased a portion of the ranch, and the remainder in 1871. Married, December 11, 1867, Alice Hall, a na- tive of Missouri, who was reared in California, and by whom he has two children: Cora M., born August 15, 1869; William J., born November 6, 1873.

The home of Mr. Edwards, about half a mile west of the Monterey road and eight miles from San Jose, is one of the finest properties in Santa Clara County. It fronts on Downer Avenue and also on the Cottle road, both roads being bordered the full length and breadth of the farm by stately rows of eucalyptus trees, planted in 1858. The fine residence was erected in 1881, with regard only to comfort and convenience, at a cost of $9,000. The place, as seen from the Monterey road, presents a view of surpassing beauty. The home farm contains 160 acres, probably not sur- passed in quality of soil, care, 'and skill in manage-

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ment by any in Santa Clara County. Mr. Edwards also owns a 205-acre tract of equally good land one- half mile south of his residence.

BALDACCI, merchant, at Gilroy, is a native of Italy, born in Tuscany on the twenty-first of October, 1835. When in his ninth year he came to America with his parents, who located at New Orleans. He resided there until the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States regular service, and was assigned to Company D, Ninth United States Infantry. He was assigned, with his command, to duty in the defenses of Washington, where he served until after the war had closed, in 1865. He was discharged at San Francisco, Novem- ber 3, 1868. Coming to Gilroy, he engaged in mer- chandising, and afterward at his trade, that of barber, which he had acquired at New Orleans. In February, 1888, he engaged in his present business. Mr. Bal- dacci is a live business man, who pays strict attention to the details of trade. He is a member of Lodge 154, I. O. O. F., Gilroy, in which he has held numerous offices. In politics he is a Republican.

HOMAS J. GILLESPIE, founder and Superin- tendent of the Garden City Mill and Lumber Company, settled in San Jose in the spring of 1875, and started in the planing mill and lumber business, establishing, in company with others, the Independent Mill and Lumber Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. The mill and yard were located on North San Pedro Street. Mr. Gillespie was chosen President and Superintendent. The busi- ness was successful from the start, and grew rapidly in volume.

At the end of three years a proposition was made by outside parties to increase the number of stock- holders, and the capital stock, to meet the necessities of the growing business. Negotiations were entered into, which resulted in bringing three new men and the required money. Immediately upon the comple- tion of this arrangement a series of manipulations were begun by these new stockholders, which termi- nated in freezing out Mr. Gillepsie and the originators of the enterprise, leaving them without a dollar of stock or moneyed interest, and a total loss of capital

put in, which, in Mr. Gillespie's case, was $5,000, thus sweeping away his entire property and forcing him into bankruptcy in 1879. But not being of those who surrender to reverses or pause at difficulties, Mr. Gillespie at once set about retrieving his fortune, with no capital but a determined will, a good business head, willing hands, and an enviable reputation for honesty in dealing. But he did not fight single-handed with adversity, for his wife and daughters came to the res- cue, and turned their hands to whatever honorable employment offered to help earn a living for the fam- ily. After a severe struggle friends came unsolicited to his aid, with offers of money and credit. By these helps he was enabled to start another small planing- mill on North San Pedro Street, taking as a partner H. W. Kate, their combined cash capital being $700. The business was so prosperous that before the end of the first year Mr. Gillespie bought out his partner, paying him $700 for his interest. In 1880 Mr. Gil- lespie leased the lot on which the Garden City Mill now stands, corner of Orchard and El Dorado Streets, and through the voluntary assistance of business ac- quaintances, in money and credit tendered, he pro- ceeded to greatly enlarge the capacity of his mill.

From this change of base dates a career almost phenomenal in business success, under Mr. Gillespie's enterprising management. Each year witnessed a large increase, and a demand for a corresponding en- largement of facilities, until the mill and work-shops now cover an area of 150x200 feet, besides store- houses and office. The mill is thoroughly furnished with the best improved wood-working machinery, and everything used in house finishing is manufact- ured,-sash, doors, blinds, screens, mouldings, etc.,-of the finest workmanship and material. In 1884 Mr. Gillespie gave Mr. Saph a one-third interest in the business, requiring no cash investment, and paying him $100 a month for his labor. In a little over three years the partnership terminated by Mr. Gilles- pie purchasing Mr. Saph's interest, paying for it $4,000 in cash.

Immediately after, in February, 1888, Mr. Gillespie began arranging for the formation of a joint-stock company, which was consummated on March 1, 1888, with a capital stock of $100,000. He was made superintendent and manager of the business, and with his characteristic energy looks after every de- partment, making contracts and collections, purchas- ing stock, and supervising the mill work, in which are employed twenty-five skilled workmen.

The subject of this memoir was born in Brown

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County, Ohio, fifty-three years ago. His father being an intemperate man, his seven boys were compelled to support themselves and the rest of the family from a very early age: hence Mr. Gillespie never attended school but ten days in his life, and did not learn to read or write till after he was twenty-one years of age. In 1856 he went West and located in Indianola, Warren County, Iowa, and there engaged in the coopering business, having learned the trade in Ohio. He carried it on a number of years successfully. While there he was the prime mover in organizing the First National Bank of Indianola.

On February II, 1857, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Nancy Peck, a native of Green- castle, Indiana, daughter of John and Sally Peck. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have a family of five children. Besides several houses and lots in San Jose, Mr. Gil- lespie owns a fine fruit ranch near Los Gatos, with thirty acres of bearing fruit-trees and vines.

JACOB POLAK, who has completed a handsome residence on the corner of Willow and Cherry Avenues, has been a resident of the Willows since November, 1887, when he purchased this place of seven and one-fourth acres, with the then existing improvements, for $9,500. The place is bearing fruit -590 prunes, 170 cherries, 60 apricots, and a family orchard of various trees. Mr. Polak was born near Olmitz, in Moravia, Austria, in 1824, where he was educated and lived until 1854. Being a man of lib- eral views and ideas somewhat at variance with those of the government under which he lived, he was obliged to leave his country rather suddenly, realizing on some of his property but abandoning a great deal. With his wife and $6,000 in cash, he embarked from Bremen on a small two-masted vessel, on which, after a very rough and dangerous voyage of eighty days, they arrived in Boston. They remained in Wisconsin during that winter, and removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the spring of 1855. He engaged in farming, in which he lost most of his money. He then in- vested in the grocery trade, where by hard work and strict attention to business he became independ- ent financially. About four years after his arrival in the United States he returned to Moravia, and having at this time taken out but his first papers, was not yet a citizen of the United States, but was enabled after much trouble to recover $3,000. Before accomplish- ing the settlement of matters, he was again forced to

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 94

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