Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 97

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 97

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In the vessel commanded by the elder MeKee, the archives of the capitol were conveyed on their way from San Jose to Vallejo. Mr. J. O. McKee be- lieves that the first fruit shipped from a Santa Clara orchard to San Francisco was carried on his vessel. It was gathered in one of the old orchards planted by the Mission Fathers at Santa Clara.

Mr. McKee is one of the leading men in his pro- fession in Santa Clara County. His office is at his home. In political action he is identified with the Republican party.

ISS M. THEUERKAUF. It is usually the case that those who deserve to succeed, do suc- ceed, and this whether they be men or women; yet it is a fact that, as society is at present con- stituted, the way is not so open or so easy for a woman as for a man. It is with pleasure, therefore, that we record the instance of the subject of this sketch as an example of what can be accomplished by push, pluek, perseverance, and probity.

Miss Theucrkauf is a native of Santa Clara Valley, being a daughter of George Theuerkauf, now a landed proprietor of Monterey County, but formerly of Santa

Clara; a niece of Frederick Theuerkauf, who resides on the Almaden road, four miles south of San Jose, a family as well and honorably known as any in the valley, a pioneer family of the days of 1849, that has weathered the storms and trials of those early days, and has reached the success deserved so amply by the argonauts. Miss Theuerkauf being of an inde- pendent and ambitious turn of mind, left her home with a determination to succeed at whatever she might embark in. She went to San Francisco several years ago to familiarize herself with whatever business she might choose. After looking over the field she de- cided to try canvassing, having a desire for outdoor work. She commenced soliciting for sewing-machines, which proved to be her calling, and her labors were crowned with success. Her success, in a measure, is attributed to her good judgment in choosing the cele- brated Domestic Sewing Machine. It always gives such perfect satisfaction that every machine sold helps to sell another. It is so perfect and reliable that it could be the most honestly recommended. After one year spent in the city learning the business, and ac- quainting herself with methods, she, not being con- tent with canvassing for some company, made arrange- ments to buy her machines and conduct business for herself. She went to Monterey County, and, proving her fitness for the post by her diligence and success, her territory was successively enlarged, until now she is head agent for Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monte- rey Counties, with numerous sub-agents under her direction, and having her headquarters at 85 South First Street, San Jose. The Domestic is considered the best and most popular sewing-machine made, there being over one million in use in the United States! It is simple, durable, and perfect, leading all other makes as a family sewing-machine. Its rapid growth and popularity are marvelous. With the suc- cess she had met with in the machine business, she decided to handle pianos also, it taking but little more time to solicit for both. Again her good judg- ment was displayed in selecting the Knabe make for her leading piano, as it is second to none. Those purchasing one can congratulate themselves on having one of the leading pianos of America, so pro- nounced by many of the great artists, such as S. Thal- berg, L. M. Gottschalk, Marmontel, Professor of the Conservatory of Music, Paris, Clara Louise Kel- logg, and others. It also graces the parlor of our eminent statesman, the Hon. James G. Blaine, and many others too numerous to mention. With her ambition and push she is bound to be as successful in

Marke Farney

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the sale of pianos as she has been in the machine business.

Parts of machines are kept, and every kind of re- pairing is perfectly done and guaranteed. It should be mentioned that the numerous attachments that accompany the Domestic machine are attached with- out the use of a screw-driver, proving a great con- venience in this matter.

Another department of Miss Theuerkauf's busi- ness is the sale of the popular Domestic Paper Pat- terns. Many ladies will use no others, as they are giving the utmost satisfaction.

In conclusion, we cite Miss Theuerkauf again as one of the best instances of a self-made person, who, by tact, energy, and economy, has placed herself safely upon the pedestal of success. She is a pleasant person to meet, a true lady, easy and affable to all, yet a thorough business woman in every respect, es- teemed a favorite in every refined circle.

RA J. LOVELL is a pioneer of Redwood Town- ship, having arrived in this valley October 1, 1852. After spending a year at Santa Clara he located, in the autumn of 1853, upon the homestead estab- lished during the latter year, in what is now the More- land District, where he has ever since resided. He found the land in a state of nature, covered with oak and chaparral. The tract comprised 231 acres, and, although a Mexican grant, Mr. Lovell succeeded in obtaining a good title without the usual delays and expenditures generally experienced by the early set- tlers. Subsequently he sold off sixty-eight acres, and until recently he devoted the place to general farm- ing. Now he has sixty acres in orchard and vineyard.

Mr. Lovell was born in Logan County, Kentucky, November 6, 1811. His father, Michael Lovell, was born and spent his early boyhood on the Chesapeake Bay, sixty miles below Baltimore. Becoming an orphan, he went to Kentucky, where he was an agri- culturist, and his son Ira has ever been a tiller of the soil. With his wife and seven children, hereafter named, the latter, in 1852, crossed the plains and mountains, with ox teams, to the Golden State, being six months on the way, and suffering much sickness, and meeting with much trouble during the latter part of the journey.

The date of Mr. Lovell's marriage to Miss Ann L. Campbell, was 1835, in Kentucky, her native State. Her father, William Campbell, was one of California's

earliest American settlers, and his history is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Lovell's children, who were born in Kentucky, are: William M., now a resi- dent of Tucson, Arizona; James M., of San Bernar- dino County, this State; John, a resident of Santa Clara ; Mary E., wife of William Beauchamp, resid- ing near Gilroy; Joseph W. and Hugh W., with their parents; and Sarah M., wife of Lindsley Cook, of San Luis Obispo. The children born in this State are: Ella L., with her parents, and Nora and Cordelia, who died young.

As to politics, Mr. Lovell was reared under the political inflence of Henry Clay, and therefore never voted any but the Whig ticket during the life of that party; and since then his sympathies have been with the Democratic party. As to religion, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church South; and as to neighborhood relations, they have ever been known as consistent people, philanthropic, and active in public enterprises, often leading in them. Both education and religion have been materially supported by their bountiful hands.

ARK FARNEY, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, in 1824. Re- ceiving a good education in his native land, where he became a school-teacher, on reaching manhood he became anxious for better opportunities for advancement, more freedom, more room to play the game of life than was afforded by overcrowded Ireland, with its old, established, hard condition for the poor man. Coming to the United States, he landed at Boston in 1847, and after several years' res- idence in the East, came to this State in its days of early history-1853. His first home was in Napa County, where he owned, at one time, the larger part of the present site of the city of Napa. In 1856 Mr. Farney became a resident of Santa Clara County, and soon after bought fifty acres of land on the Mil- pitas road, on the east bank of the Coyote River, about three miles from San Jose. This property he improved from a state of nature, making it one of the most productive farms on that road. He early de- voted forty acres of his land to fruit culture, and being a careful, skillful horticulturist, his products were known far and wide for their excellent condition, while they stood second to none in the markets. He received from the San Francisco Bay District Agri-

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cultural Society, September, 1861, a diploma for the best nursery of fruit-trees.

On the ninth day of July, 1873, Mr. Farney mar- ried Miss Mary Burdon, who is also a native of Ire- land, coming to the United States with her brother, John Burdon, in 1859. California has heen her home since 1865. She is the mother of three bright little girls: Mary C., born in 1874; Julia E., born in 1876; and Alice R., born in 1878.

Mr. Farney was a man who made friends wherever he was known. His warm, genial nature won for him many friends among his neighbors and acquaintances in the home of his adoption. Coming to California a poor man, he carved out his fortune here, and no one of the many prosperous residents of Santa Clara Val- ley more heartily deserves the success which followed his efforts than did he. In creating a pleasant and profitable business and comfortable home in which to enjoy the blessings of a free country, he accomplished thoroughly the object which he had in view when he left his native land to seek his fortunes in the New World.

His death, which occurred from hemorrhage, May 7, 1885, was a very great bereavement not only to his wife and children, but also to a large circle of friends. He was a consistent member of the Catholic Church, as is each member of his family. His intelligence, education, and culture placed him in the responsible position of leader and representative of citizens of his own nationality. That he faithfully performed all the duties of a good citizen, as he did the duties in every branch of his life-work, it is hardly necessary to say. He leaves to his family and friends the inemo- ries of a life well spent.

AMUEL FREEMAN AYER, President of the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, was born in Sackville, Westmoreland County, New Brunswick, January 23, 1840. His grand- father originally settled in New England and was a soldier in the American army during the Revolution, serving under General Washington in most of his campaigns and at Valley Forge. For this service he was granted a tract of land situated in what has since become the great State of Ohio. He afterward re- moved to New Brunswick, on account of his business, but always retained his citizenship in the United States. The father of the subject of this sketch was James Ayer, and his mother, Elizabeth (Chase) Ayer.

Samuel lived with his parents, attending school and assisting his father until he was fifteen years of age, when he went as an apprentice in a large carriage factory, where he remained five years, thoroughly mastering the business in all its details. At the ex- piration of that time, being then twenty years of age, he resolved to come to California. He made the journey by steamer, landing in San Francisco in May, 1860. After a short stay in that city he came to Santa Clara County, and located in Santa Clara. Here he worked at his trade in the shop of John Dickson until the fall of 1860, when he moved to Milpitas and worked in the shop of Abraham Weller until the following spring, when he leased shops and started into the wagon-making business upon his own account. Square dealings, coupled with thorough knowledge of his business, soon insured his success, and in 1863 he built extensive shops of his own, in which he successfully conducted the business until 1868, when he purchased the property where he now resides, and engaged in farming. The business habits and energetic characteristics that brought suc- cess to his other enterprises have produced the same results when applied to his present calling, and he is ranked as one of the leading agriculturists of the county.

Mr. Ayer is a man of prominence; his sound sense and practical business ideas are recognized by the community, and his opinion upon all matters affect- ing the welfare of the county is often sought and always respected. From his carliest manhood he has been deeply interested in the public-school system of this country, and has devoted much time to advanc- ing its interests. For twenty-five years he has been a Trustee of his district, and the enviable condition of educational interests in that community is due to his efforts. In 1876 he consented to become a candi- date on the Republican ticket for the office of Super- visor. His opponent, Mr. Thomas Stealey, was a very popular man, and the district strongly Demo- cratic, but, notwithstanding these disadvantages, Mr. Ayer was elected by a fair majority. In Milpitas Township he received every vote but eleven, and Alviso Township voted for him unanimously. With the exception of two years he has ever since been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has held the position of President of the Board for three terms. During these twelve years Mr. Ayer has shown not only an honesty of purpose and a willing spirit, but has also displayed an ability to take care of the in- terests of the county. His progressive ideas have

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been adopted and his methods copied by Boards of other counties, who have come to look upon the Board of Santa Clara County as a model for imitation. He came into office at the time of a dead lock in the Board on the question of constructing the Mt. Hamilton road, and his vote untied the knot and gave to the county this magnificent avenue. His knowledge of the sub- ject of public highways caused him to be often called before committees of the State Legislature when this subject was before that body. When the indebted- ness of the county was re-funded, the best bid for the new bonds was par at six per cent interest. Mr. Ayer visited Sacramento and induced the State to take them at four per cent. During the last twelve years there is scarcely an item of desirable legislation had by the Board that he has not helped to accom- plish, and many of them he has originated. He has the courage of his convictions on all matters pertain- ing to the county, and is not afraid to do battle for what he thinks is right.

Mr. Ayer was united in marriage December, 1862, to Miss America E. Evans, daughter of Josiah and Cavy Ann (Smith) Evans, residents of Santa Clara County. Her father (a sketch of whom appears in this history) was a native of Fayette County, Ohio; her mother was a native of Morgan County, of the same State. By this marriage there have been ten children, nine of whom are living. Frank and Henry, two of the sons, arc residing in Nevada, where, in connection with their father, they are extensively engaged in stock-raising.

OHN E. AUZERAIS, cashier of the Safe De- posit Bank, of San Jose, is the eldest of three sons and a daughter of John Auzerais, and is a native son of California, born in San Jose in 1860. He at- tended school in the city of Paris for a time; was there during the early part of the Franco-German War; returned to the United States in 1871, and took a course in Santa Clara College, graduating in 1879, in the English and scientific course. Deciding to pursue his studies further, he spent the following year in the same institution, and received another degree in 1880. His business career started in the hardware house of Baker & Hamilton, San Francisco. Leav- ing there, he spent some time in the hardware busi- ness in El Paso, Texas, and in 1882 went to Los Angeles, and became a member of the corporate firm

of Schoder, Johnston & Co., which had a capital stock of $200,000. Upon the opening of the Safe Deposit Bank, Mr. Auzerais disposed of his interest in the hardware business to accept the office of cashier, which he has filled to the present time. He is a stockholder and a Director in the bank, and is one of the most thoroughgoing, industrious business men in the city.

In 1881 Mr. Auzerais and Miss Minnie Mclaughlin were united in wedlock. Mrs. Auzerais is a native of the Golden State, born in Grass Valley, Nevada County.

John Auzerais, the father of John E., was an old pioneer and one of the most successful of the early settlers of San Jose. Born in Normandy, France, in 1822, he left his native country, in 1849, in company with his brother Edward, for Valparaiso, Chili, where he accepted a position in a mercantile establishment. Edward came on to San Jose and established the " Mariposa Store," which proved a most profitable venture. A little over a year afterward, in 1851, John also came to this place and joined his brother in the mercantile business, which prospered in their hands, and the firm of Auzerais Brothers became the best known in this section of the State. They amassed a large amount of wealth, and in 1864 built the famed Auzerais House, at a cost of $150,000. John contin- ued in business until February, 1874, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, who still owns the great establishment. After this Mr. John Auzerais devoted his attention to vine-culture and wine-making, collect- ing rents and watching his investments. His vine- yard comprised 100 acres, situated east of the city near Alum Rock.

During the partnership of the brothers, they did much to improve the city in the way of erecting buildings, a number of which are the best blocks in the city, as the Mariposa Block, the Central Block, the Pacific Hotel, the City Market, etc., besides a large number of dwellings.

In February, 1858, Mr. John Auzerais was united in marriage with Miss Louise Prevost, a sister of Dr. A. L. Prevost, and niece of Archbishop Blanchard, of Oregon, and Bishop Blanchard, of Washington Terri- tory (both deceased). The lady, prior to her marriage, had been attending the College of Notre Dame in this city. The fruit of the union was six children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are : John Edward, born May 13, 1860; Louis F., born February 17, 1862; Raoul A., born March 28, 1873, and Louise Aimee, born June 25, 1875.

John Auzerais passed away December 12, 1887,

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leaving his widow and four children (two of whom are minors), and all reside in San Jose. Louis, the other adult son, is engaged in the paint, oil, and wall- paper business. Mr. Auzerais left an estate which was appraised at $250,000. He was one of the pas- sengers on the ill-fated Jennie Lind when its boiler exploded on the way between San Jose and San Francisco, and was one of the few on board who es- caped without injury. Mrs. Auzerais, the widow, is a Canadian lady by birth, but came to San Jose in early youth. She was educated in the Convent of Notre Dame, and it was while attending school there that Mr. Auzerais met and won her.

- LEXANDER LEWIS MCPHERSON, son of John and Helen (Findley) McPherson, was horn in Buffalo, New York, October 15, 1849. His parents were both natives of Scotland. Al- exander remained in Buffalo till fourteen years of age, when he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Having a natural predilection for machinery, he went to work for his brother Angus, running an engine, and in two years was promoted to be Superintendent of his brother's business. He continued in this capac- ity till 1872, when he went into business for himself, and was very successful, as in two years he made $60,000. In 1874-75 the price of oil was greatly de- pressed and he met with heavy losses. He then re- turned to Buffalo and entered the employ of the New York Central Steamboat Line, running from Buffalo to Saginaw. In 1876 he came to San Francisco and served as engineer in the United States Mint, under Martin Bulger, chief engineer. He resigned this po- sition in 1877, and went with his brother, R. C. Mc- Pherson, to open the Pico Oil District in Los Angeles County, where they bought the first machinery for producing oil wells in California. He remained there till 1879, and then returned to San Francisco and en- gaged in the service of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, running from San Francisco to South America; remained with this company as engineer till 1880, when he took the position of Superintendent of the Pacific Coast Oil Company, with headquarters at Moody's Gulch, Santa Clara County, in which bus- iness he continued till he resigned, on July 1, 1887. In June, 1887, he became associated with Mr. P. H. Jordan in the real-estate business in Los Gatos. Mr. McPherson was married, May 6, 1882, to Jennie A.

Coats, daughter of James Coats, deceased, of Oakland. She was born March 24. 1864, and was educated at the High School of San Jose and the State Normal School, and is a highly accomplished young lady. She is a relative of the old Clayton family, and a niece of James A. Clayton, of San Jose.

FREDERICK A. SCHNEIDER, San Jose, Cali- fornia.

ENNIS W. HERRINGTON. This gentleman, one of the early pioneers of Santa Clara County, is a native of Indiana, having been born near Paris, Jennings County, September 23, 1826. Mr. Herrington left the paternal home at the early age of thirteen, removing to Madison, Indiana, where he worked at his trade until the age of nineteen. He had the misfortune to lose the use of his right arm about this time, and was compelled to give up his trade. He immediately entered the Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, where he remained the greater part of four years. On the thirteenth day of March, 1850, he left school and started with an ox wagon from Greencastle for California, arriving at Placerville, California, on the tenth of August of the same year. During his first six months in California, he worked in the gold mines, after which he went to Sacramento, living there and at Sutterville from May, 1851, until December, 1853. At this time impaired health com- pelled him to make a change, and he started for Los Angeles, but on reaching San Jose, in January, 1854, decided to remain for a time, and has been here ever since. From 1855 to 1861 Mr. Herrington followed the occupation of teaching, when he took up the study of law, being admitted to the Bar in 1862, and has en- gaged in that profession since that time. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1863; was elected District Attorney in 1865, holding the office until 1867, and was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1878-79, which formed the present Con- stitution of California.

In 1859 Mr. Herrington was married, in Santa Clara, to Miss Mary Harriet Hazleton, a native of Ohio, who had removed with her parents, Hiram and Martha Hazleton, at an early age, to Michigan, coming thence to California in 1852. From this marriage there are six

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children: Irving, Justice of the Peace, and real-estate agent, in Santa Clara; Rachel, now a teacher in the Santa Clara public schools; Leona, wife of Theodore Worth, of Bradley, Monterey County; Clarence, now studying law in his father's office; Howard, now en- gaged in the painting business in Los Angeles County, and Bertram, now teaching in the public school at San Miguel, having graduated at the State Normal School at the age of eighteen years.

Mr. Herrington is a member of the Masonic Order, and also of Santa Clara Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F. He has been City Attorney of San Jose since 1879. In politics he is a Republican, having belonged to that party since 1861.

The parents of Mr. Herrington were Joseph and Rachel (Davis) Herrington. His father was a native of Maryland, removing when an infant with his par- ents to Pennsylvania, and later to Indiana. Joseph Herrington was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under General Lee for three years, mostly in the neighborhood of the Lakes. He died in 1859, in Indiana. His wife, a native of Tennessee, died in 1861. They are both buired in Paris, Indiana.

PROF. E. B. CONKLIN is the present State Senator, representing the Thirty-Second Dis- trict. He is the owner of a beautiful orchard, of about ten acres, on the San Jose and Los Gatos road, in the Cambrian district.

Mr. Conklin was born November 2, 1803, in Wash- ington County, New York, almost under the shadow of the Green Mountains. His father, Abraham Conk- lin, and his mother, nee Hulda Carmichel, were of old New York families. His boyhood was spent on a farm, but his educational advantages were superior to those generally received by the youth of a farming community. After graduating at the Union village academy in his native county, he at once commenced his career as a teacher, a profession to which he has devoted his whole life, up to a comparatively recent date. He taught for a few years in the district and village schools of Washington and Rensselaer Coun- ties, and during the time he married, in March, 1849, Miss Anna E. Moss. In the autumn of that year Mr. and Mrs. Conklin engaged as teachers in Belvi- dere, Illinois, the Professor having charge of a corps of six or seven teachers, in the large Union school building. After spending several years in that work,

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 97

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