Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 95

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 95

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fly the country, and the $3,000 was forwarded to him at Bremen.

Mr. Polak was engaged in business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for over thirty years, first as a farmer, then for twenty years in the grocery business, and for ten years had a steam brick yard, dealing also in brick, lime, etc. He came to California some three years ago and traveled over the whole State, from Arizona to the Oregon line, deciding that when ready he would settle in the Santa Clara Valley.

He married, in 1851, in Moravia, Theresa Kretzer, who died in June, 1886. They had one daughter, Frances, who married, in 1879, Joseph Heyck, of Racine, Wisconsin, and died in 1881, leaving an infant daughter, who lived only three months. Mr. Heyck died two years later of grief for the loss of his wife and child. Mr. Polak, being bereft of his family, in poor health, and well enough off in this world's goods, closed up his business affairs and made a visit to Europe, to his old home. While there he met and married his present wife, a beautiful and accomplished woman, Anna (Sigel) Polak, a native of Brandezs-in- Elbe, Bohemia, who now presides over his beautiful California home. Before coming to America they made a three months' trip through Italy and a part of Germany.

Mr. Polak is a man liberal in his political and re- ligious views. He supported the Union enthusiast- ically during the Civil War, paying liberally toward the raising and equipment of troops in his section. He believes in the fullest protection of American industries.

EO. W. PAGE. San Jose is a city of charming residences. Built with tasteful and modern de- signs, and embowered in trees and surrounded by lawns, as most of them are, they create at once a favorable impression. This is largely owing to the architects of the city, who are, for the most part, men of skill, of careful training and experience in their art. Among them is Mr. Geo. W. Page, with offices in the Knox Block, who has been a resi- dent of the State for five years. Born in Boston, in 1851, he there received his education, passing from the public schools to the Institute of Technology, taking the architectural course. He later entered the offices of Sturgis & Brigham, Hartwell & Swasey, Bryant & Rogers, Ware & Van Brunt, and other leading architects, where he gained practical experi-

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ence during seven years, and was engaged upon many of the larger and better buildings erected there in that time. He was then employed by A. T. Stewart, the merchant prince of New York, as an assistant architect on the building of the immense Grand Union Hotel at Saratoga Springs, New York State, and other buildings there. He was also employed by Stone & Carpenter, of Providence, Rhode Island, to assist in the construction of the State prison and Court House in that city.

In 1876 he came to California, locating in San Francisco and engaging in his profession there for four years. In 1880 he returned to Boston, entering into partnership with G. A. Avery. In 1883 he came back to California, and in 1885 settled in San Jose, engaging in business in partnership with E. B. Good- rich. In 1886 they dissolved partnership, and since then Mr. Fage has had his offices in their present lo- cation, most of his time being devoted to the con- structing of private residences. The fine new addi- tion to the St. James Hotel was erected under his charge, and he also furnished the plans for the "New Sea Beach " Hotel at Santa Cruz beach. The hand- some new Congregational Church in San Jose, and the magnificent residence of W. S. Clark, on the Ala- meda, are also among his work, and he has been se- lected as the architect for the new chapel and con- servatory of music in connection with the University of the Pacific. He is devoted exclusively to his pro- fession, allowing no extraneous matters to distract his attention. He is a member of the Masonic Order, of San Jose Lodge, No. 10, and is a popular and emi- nent member of society.

Mr. Page was married, in 1884, to Miss Mary F. Hutchinson, of Alviso. They have two children, Gladys and Genevieve.

ARL OTTER was born in Cassel, Prussia, August 29, 1830; remained in his native land until he sailed for California, in August, 1849, in the schooner Julius, Captain Steege, and made the journey around Cape Horn, touching at Rio de Ja- neiro and Valparaiso, and arriving at San Francisco April 8, 1850. There being no wharves then at that place, the captain ordered the boats lowered, in which the sailors had to take all the passengers and their baggage to the shore. Here Mr. Otter found him- self, with others, standing beside his trunk on a for- eign shore, not understanding English, and deliberat-

ing what to do. Suddenly a live Yankee, espying the trunks on his vacant lot, hastened to the spot and seemed to talk business, while he made figures on the trunks with chalk. Mr. Otter did not know what was meant until a fellow-countryman came up and interpreted that the chap simply wanted twenty-five cents to $1.00 from each traveler for having his trunk on his lot ! The German was an expressman, and he took the baggage up town, and left it upon a vacant lot, with the permission of the owner, Mr. Kuntz.

After looking around the embryo city a little, and seeing numerous piles of gold-dust, and inquiring where he might go to obtain it, he concluded to start for the Yuba. He had an expensive and an exciting trip to that point, with many a lingering thought of the luxurious home he had left in the fatherland. Arriving at "Blue Tent " camp, some rough-looking fellows came up to him and his companions for news. One of them took hold of his rifle and asked him in German how he came by it. Mr. Otter replied that in 1848, during the revolution in Cassel, he, with oth- ers, after putting the sentinel in the guard-house, en- tered the armory and took a number of fire-arms; and he succeeded in getting out of the country with that rifle. The questioner smiled, shook hands with him, and introduced himself as Lieutenant Weber, from the artillery in Cassel-the same man whom Mr. Ot- ter and others had endeavored to liberate one day from prison, but failed ! He was imprisoned for say- ing that no artillery officer should order his men to shoot down citizens.

After mining for a short time with unsatisfactory results, on Goodyear's Bar, in Yuba River, Mr. Otter worked for a Missourian one month for $200 and board and lodging. Next, he started out prospecting toward Feather River, became lost from his party, and at length was so reduced by starvation that he attemped suicide by cutting some of his veins; but before he succeeded with this horrible scheme he was found by Indians, who directed him to a mining camp. Reviving, he returned to San Francisco, where he did what drudgery he could find to do for a time, being penniless, and then went to other points, working in humble situations; worked a claim on Shaw's Flat for a time, and in 1854 visited his par- ents in Germany.

Returning, by the Nicaragua route, he mined on the same claim again. In the fall of 1859 he came to San Jose and engaged in the cattle business in the Santa Cruz Mountains. While thus employed he was thrown from a horse, and his leg was broken.

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He had to ride many miles to reach San Jose, where the bones were set. After recovering he sold his cat- tle and bought a part of the Santa Clara Brewery, which interest he sold in 1865, and commenced spec- ulation and building. In 1868 he erected the "Argu- ello House," corner of First and St. John Streets. In 1870, again visited Germany, with his family,- wife and two children. Was there during the short but brilliant war between Gerinany and France, and witnessed at Berlin the most gorgeous pageant of the returning victorious army, led by King William, Prince Bismarck, Count von Moltke, etc., and many other of the highest officials, both of Germany and of other nations. On returning home, his train, in Germany, ran off the track, and several were killed and more wounded, but he escaped unhurt.

After living at Wiesbaden, a fashionable watering- place on the Rhine, until 1875, Mr. Otter embarked, December 5, on the Deutschland at Bremen, for New York. The vessel struck a rock in the English Chan- nel and sunk nearly to the top deck. Many were drowned or frozen to death, but Mr. Otter succeeded in getting to the rigging, tying himself to it, where he kept warmth and life in his body by beating it, until rescued by a tug-boat. And still another awful death he escaped. He was next to sail in a vessel which was loaded, by a soulless Yankee, with spurious goods, over-insured, and to be furnished with a clock torpedo, so that it would explode and become a total wreck in mid-ocean; but a torpedo was accidently exploded on the wharf before loading, killing several, which gave the alarm, and the vessel itself was then ex- ploded, in order to destroy what dangerous chemicals might be on board. After waiting about two weeks longer Mr. Otter obtained another opportunity to sail for America, which he safely improved, but with many misgivings. It was so stormy that the passengers wore life-preservers constantly for two weeks.

Mr. Otter came to California around Cape Horn; and when he beheld again the green mountains of his adopted State, his feelings overcame him, and he re- solved never again to leave it. His family came over from Europe the summer following, and from that time to the present he has had the enjoyment of a happy family circle. His parents came in 1858, and he has two sisters living here yet. Mr. Otter says that he will never leave this glorious climate again until he makes his last trip to Oak Hill Nursery, on the Monterey road, where he owns a corner lot, and where his good parents and a brother are sleeping their long sleep,

NDREW STEIGER. To the traveler who ap- proaches San Jose via the Southern Pacific Railroad, the first introduction he receives to the " Garden City " is the busy scene of bustling activity presented by the pottery works of A. Steiger & Sons, which covers a considerable section on the northwestern edge of the city. Here the works, plant, yards, and homestead embrace twelve acres of ground, admirably located for business purposes on the line of the railway mentioned, and connected with it by an independent switch.

The factory building is 130x170 feet in size and of three stories. It is fully supplied with all the requisite furnaces and machinery of the latest and most approved construction, including a steam en- gine, steam press, four flower-pot machines, three grinding machines, tile machine, crusher, moulds, etc. Six large kilns are used for burning the product, about forty tons per day being utilized for conversion into steam-pressed vitrified iron-stone, sewer-pipe, terra-cotta chimney-tops and pipes, vases, fire-brick, flower pots, drain tile, etc. Here from fifteen to thirty men find employment, busily engaged in the various operations necessary. The products of the manufactory have a wide and well-sustained popu- larity, the trade extending over the whole of Cali- fornia, and even occasionally abroad to Mexico and elsewhere. The works is the only one of the kind situated in the valley, and occupies a position among our leading and important manufactories. The clay used comes mostly from the vicinity of Sacramento, although for the coarser grades of work clay suitable for the purpose is obtained near San Jose. The pipe employed in the sewerage system of the city of San Jose, which has attracted favorable notice for its excellence and permanence, is laid wholly from the products of these works, and the firm has also supplied sewer pipe, etc., to San Francisco, Los An- geles, San Diego, Pasadena, Santa Cruz, and other cities, showing the worth and popularity of the pipes made here.

The business was originally established by Mr. A. Steiger, in a small way, in 1863, on Fifth Street, in this city, between San Carlos and San Salvador. In 1876 it was removed to its present location, both on account of lack of accommodation for the increasing business at the old stand, and to take advantage of facilities for transportation afforded by the railway. Here the works have grown, as business demanded, until to-day they are of large dimensions and com- manding a wide trade,

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PEN PICTUERS FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

Mr. Andrew Steiger, who was the founder of the San Jose Pottery, was born in Germany about 1827, and there learned his trade of making pottery. In 1856 he came to this country and engaged in his business in Brooklyn, New York. In 1863 he decided to come to California, and after looking over the field, settled down in San Jose, establishing his factory on a small scale, as has been related, and gradually ex- panding operations until his death, December 28, 1887. This resulted from a fall and a broken leg in the June preceding, from the results of which it be- came necessary to amputate the limb near the hip. Although previously a robust man, he never recovered. He was a member of the Masonic Order, of the I. O. O. F., of the A. O. U. W, and of the order of Red Men, holding a high rank in each, and prominent as well in both commercial and social circles. Mr. Steiger was a man of unusual ability and energy, as is evidenced by his rise from comparative poverty and obscurity to wealth and a deserved prominence, building up a great business for his sons, and leaving behind him the reputation of being an honest, honor- able and worthy citizen.

He was married in New York; and his widow, Paulina M., also a native of Germany, now resides with her younger children in the fine mansion erected by Mr. Steiger as his homestead, just beyond the pottery. There are six children. The eldest is .Anna B., born 1858, in Brooklyn, New York, now the wife of John Rock, of San Jose, the great nurseryman. Katie, the second, was born 1861, in Brooklyn, and is the wife of Charles Bruch, of San Jose. George A., the next, was born 1862, also at Brooklyn, and is man- ager of the pottery since his father's death; and as he was brought up at the business, making a beginning when but five years of age, and has gone through every position, giving him a thorough practical knowl- edge of every department, he is thoroughly fitted to carry to still higher success the great business built up by his father. He was married in 1887 to Miss Jennie M. Bollinger, of San Jose, and they reside in a pleasant new cottage on Autumn Street. Charles F. Steiger, the fourth child, was born 1865, in California. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Josefita Grant, of San Francisco. He has charge of the business in general both here and in San Francisco. Louis A., the fifth, is twenty-two years old and resides with his mother in San Jose. He has charge of the modeling department, having spent most of his time in the study of this particular branch. He recently visited the Eastern States and Europe, to acquaint himself

with new designs, especially in the manufacture of architectural terra cotta for building purposes. Lena M., the sixth child, was born in San Jose, 1869, and also resides with her mother. They have all received their education in San Jose, and have resided here constantly until the late removal on the part of Charles.

During last year Mrs. Rock and Lena went to Germany for their health. Mrs. Steiger, accompanied by her son Louis, went there several months ago to visit them, and have just returned, after a pleasant voyage.

JOHN STOCK is a familiar name in the business history of San Jose. As far back as 1854 this name has represented the pioncer stove store, as well as the largest stove and hollow-ware house in this valley, and now owned and conducted by his three sons, under the firm title of John Stock's Sons.

In 1852 Frank Stock settled in San Jose and started a small stove and tin store, the first of its class in the place. Two years later his brother John came to San Jose from Chicago, where he had lived for several years and worked at his trade, that of tin- smith, enticed to the Golden State by his brother's flattering representations of its superior attractions. He first went to New York and bought a stock of goods, and from there sailed via the Isthmus of Pan- ama to join his brother in business. Their store was situated on the corner of Santa Clara and Market Streets. A short time after Frank Stock bought the lot on First Street, where Davis' hardware and Fish- er's drug store now are, and erected the first brick building on First Street, moving their goods into it. In 1861 John Stock bought his brother's interest, and from that time till he retired carried on the business in his name. Meanwhile he bought the lot and built the front part of the store the sons now occupy and moved into it in 1869. The building, which was then fifty-five feet in depth, has been enlarged to meet the demands for room until it, including the store and shop, is 208 feet deep, with an L 50x55 feet, and a room on the second floor 55x50 feet. In 1884 John Stock retired, and his sons, John L., Frank, and Peter H. Stock, succeeded him in the business. Since that time the departments of grates and mantels, gas fixt- ures, and a large assortment of edge-tools have been added, and a general enlargement of the business has taken place, Their stock of gas fixtures is not sur-

Telif Rany

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passed in the State. The firm does a large business in contract galvanized sheet-iron and tin work and gas-fitting, at which they employ an average of fifteen to twenty men. Among their recent contracts are the Hotel Vendome, the new City Hall, the new in- sane asylum at Agnew, and others. In this depart- ment of their business this firm far excels any other in Santa Clara County.

The two elder brothers were born in Chicago, the youngest in San Jose. Frank, the active manager, was six months old when his parents settled in San Jose. After attending school at Santa Clara College two years he came into the store at fifteen as book- keeper, and since he was sixteen years of age he has done all the buying for the house. Each member of the firm served an apprenticeship in the shop. The eldest brother, after working four years in his father's shop, spent two years in San Francisco to perfect him- self in his trade. He has the supervision of the shop hands. The youngest brother is salesman in the store. The business is entirely owned and controlled by the brothers, who are all married and settled in San Jose. Their father is a German by birth and came to America in 1849.

ELIX RANEY, one of the pioneer agriculturists of Santa Clara County, established his residence on the land he still owns and occupies, in 1850. His ranch faces on the old Santa Clara and Santa Cruz stage road, adjoining the city limits of Santa Clara on the south.

Mr. Raney dates his birth in Washington County, Kentucky, April 4, 1803. He is the son of Joseph and Ruth Raney, who were pioncers in that part of Kentucky. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Joseph Raney, was a volunteer in the War of 1812-14. Felix Raney was reared to the age of sev- enteen years on a farm in his native county, the fam- ily removing at that time to Martin County, Indiana, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the malarial conditions of that climate doubtless hastening their death. After suffering the loss of his parents, Mr. Raney left Indiana, and settling in Washington County, Missouri, engaged in lead-mining for five years, after which time he opened a farm near the famous Iron Mountain. There he followed agri- cultural pursuits for many years-in fact until he re- moved to this State.

In 1834 he married Miss Hannah Duckworth, a

native of South Carolina, where she was born in 1816. To them were born seven children, all of them claim- ing Washington County as their birthplace. Mr. Raney, finding that his health was failing, concluded to try the efficacy of the climate of California, of whose virtues he had heard so much. Accordingly, with his household, he left St. Joseph, Missouri, on the eighth of May, 1850. The great bereavement of his life occurred at Green River, where his wife died July 12, of the dread cholera. She was buried by the roadside, and sadly the family wended their weary way toward the land of promise, which the wife and mother was never to see.

Reaching this county late in October, Mr. Raney bought a squatter's claim, and in a rude cabin on his purchase the family wintered. Mr. Raney was obliged to undergo the common experience of those who bought land in this way-that of fighting for years claimants under Mexican grants; and, although he finally bought and obtained a patent from the United States Government of 120 acres, still it had cost him over $100 per acre.

As an illustration of the richness of the soil in this beautiful valley, our subject states that the twentieth crop from about 100 acres yielded him 250 tons of hay and 1,500 bushels of grain; but not to mislead, he adds that the crop mentioned was the best ever raised on the ranch.

True to the memory of his wife, Mr. Raney has never remarried. Of his seven children, all but one are now living. Margaret, the wife of Charles Smith, died in Solano County, in 1863. Joseph is now a resident of Los Angeles County; Ruth, wife of J. L. Garnsey, resides in the same county, as does also Mary, the wife of L. B. Fine; John makes his home in Albany, Oregon; Felix H. is a resident of Santa Barbara County; and Josiah M. is engaged in the livery business at Santa Clara, living with his family at the old homestead, with his father. Mr. Raney counts between twenty and twenty-five grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and says that but two deaths have occurred among them.

In the early days the subject of our sketch was a Whig, but since that party has disappeared from the political field he has been a Democrat. He has lived to witness the most marvelous development in this county and State; and, as he has retained his mental vigor to a remarkable degree, he possesses a vivid recol- lection of the scenes, incidents, hardships, toils, and pleasures of a pioneer life in four States: Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, and California, in all of which

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States he has had much to do with the labor of sub- duing the wildness of the virgin soil and creating comfortable homes thereon. From his ripe experience of eighty-six years, and from his knowledge of the natural conditions of different parts of the United States, he concludes that if the people of California would act soberly (not losing their cool, sound judg- ment over exceptional crops and inflated prices, nor incurring debts that in the ordinary course of events cannot be paid), this State, with its many superior advantages, would yet become the most prosperous country in the world.

CLOUDWARD C. YOCCO was born in San Jose, California, November 23, 1857. His father, Gioachino Yocco, was born in Domo d' Ossola, Italy, October 15, 1822; came to California in 1849, went to the mines, and settled in San Jose in 1850. He was married in 1854 to Josephine Huet, a native of France, who came to California the year of her marriage. Mr. Yocco, with his brother Clementi, engaged in the grocery business in San Jose, in which business they continued for twenty years, when he took up his residence in Paris, France, where he still makes his home, but still owns property in San Jose. He had two children, of whom Edward C. is the youngest. He was reared in San Jose till ten years of age, when he went to Paris, where he remained five years, and was educated. He then returned to San Jose and entered the grocery store run by his uncle, and remained with him until the dissolution of partnership occurred. He then entered the grocery store of Auzerais & Pomeroy as clerk, and remained there two years.

He was married, August 9, 1879, to Gracie Garat, a native of Santa Clara County, and a daughter of Charles Garat. In 1880 he went into the Almaden mines with his father, who was engaged there in the meat business, and remained there two years, when, in 1882, he came to Los Gatos and engaged in the same business for himself. The business was first es- tablished here in 1870 by Goldsworthy Brothers. He is a charter member of Los Gatos Parlor, No. 124, N. S. G. W., and also a member of Ridgely Lodge, I. O. O. F., having first become an Odd Fellow in San Jose, in 1879. He has three children, two sons and a daughter.

AWLEY E. DENT has been identified with the development of Santa Clara County, and its fruit interests, especially since 1871. Coming to California primarily for his health, which could withstand no longer the rugged climate of Illinois, he made the trip from San Francisco to Santa Bar- bara, and thence, with a party of five Illinois friends, made a horseback trip to San Diego, camping out, studying the country as they went. They passed through Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, but found nothing more attractive than Santa Clara County. Returning to Illinois to settle his affairs, he, in 1871, brought his family to California. In the spring of that year he fitted up a two-horse wagon for a camping trip, taking his family, and visited the Yo Semite and various parts of the State, enjoying all the pleasures of such an outdoor life, returning in September to San Jose, where he settled permanently. He bought the home place on Willow Street, oppo- site Cherry Avenue, in the Willows, on which he built his present palatial home. There were then on the place but a few apple-trees about one year old, which have since been replaced by other fruit. The place is now set out with cherries, prunes, apricots, and Ickworth plums. From four acres in full bear- ing in 1887 he received $2,400. From one-third of an acre of Napoleon Bigarreau cherries he received that year $690.53. In 1884 he received from the orchard about $3,000. In that year, from two cherry trees, he received $62.08. In 1885 he received but $1,000, having replaced certain trees with others. In 1886 he received $1,500. He has ten acres on Curt- ner Avenue, between Lincoln Avenue and Booksin road, planted in 1883 in French prunes and apricots. Received $1,000 off that place in 1887. Has forty- five acres at Saratoga, planted as follows: 2,500 French prunes, 500 apricots, 250 German prunes, 250 egg plums, and the rest in grapes. From trees four years old, he received in 1887 over fifty tons of fruit, besides grapes, realizing about $2,200. He also has thirty-two acres at Los Gatos, in five-year-old trees and grapes.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 95

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