Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 98

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 98

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he founded the Marengo Academy, at Marengo, Illinois, which was incorporated under the laws of that State in 1852. That school was successfully conducted until 1860. Occasionally the Professor is warmly greeted by former pupils of his, now among the best of California men and women.

In 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Conklin came to California, and, in Placerville, resumed teaching. There Pro- fessor Conklin built up gradually a large and flourish- ing academy, expending $25,000 in the building and furnishing, and made his wife Preceptress of the in- stitution. His assistant teachers, of whom there were six or seven, were from the best seminaries and col- leges of the East. A full academic course of studies was pursued by from 100 to 140 students, among whom could be found representatives of nearly every State and Territory on the Pacific Coast. The school was opened in 1861, and was under the charge of Professor Conklin until about 1882, when he sold the property to Rev. Mr. Tyndall, of Michigan, who now conducts it. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin soon after came to Santa Clara Valley. Mrs. Conklin, as her husband's ablest assistant, has been associated with him in all his professional life. She was born and reared in Washington County, New York, and, like her husband, devoted to the cause of education. Lov- ing children, she loved to care for them. She had no children of her own, but, with the assistance of her husband (to whom the work was also a pleasure), she reared and educated several boys and girls. Professor Conklin served one term as Superintendent of the schools of El Dorado County, and did much to add to their efficiency. It testifies strongly to his charac- ter and ability that, after a short residence in this county, he was elected to represent his district in the State Senate, in 1886. In politics he is fully identi- fied with the Republican party. He is a strong tem- perance man, inculcating temperance principles, by precept and practice.

Mr. and Mrs. Conklin united with the Presbyterian Church, at Belvidere, Illinois. For many years Mr. Conklin was an official in that organization, and has attended five or more General Assemblies.

ILLIAM CAMPBELL, deceased. The subject of this sketch was one of California's carliest settlers, and no history of Santa Clara County and of its pioneers would be complete without more than a passing mention of him. He was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, November 12, 1793, and

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was the son of David Campbell. Reared on the frontier, his educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but the experience of a life which covered the history of three wars, in two of which he was an active participant; a life beginning in the common- wealth of Kentucky and ending in the Golden State,- this rich experience, combined with a keen observa- tion and a retentive memory, more than compensated him for the lack of youthful opportunities. He was reared where they made men, physically and mentally. During the War of 1812 he served in a regiment of Kentucky volunteers, commanded by Colonel Cald- well. Little is known of his record as a soldier, but tradition has it that none were ever more ready for duty, none possessed more of the spirit of adventure, none bore the hardships of the march or of camp life inore cheerfully than he.

On the twenty-fourth of September, 1816, Mr. Campbell wedded, in his native State, Miss Sarah McNary. She was not spared to him long, her death occurring November 16, 1821. Mrs. Ann L. Lovell, residing in Moreland District, in this county, is her daughter. For his second wife Mr. Campbell married Miss Agnes Hancock, September 24, 1822. She was a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Mr. Campbell led the quiet life of a farmer of mod- erate means for nearly a quarter of a century after this marriage, in Kentucky and Missouri. Still the spirit of adventure was at times upon him, and finally, under its influence, he determined to remove to California. With his wife and children he made the long journey, being almost three years in advance of the men of 1849. He settled in what is now Santa Clara County, and took an active part in the conquest of the coun- try, participating in all the conflicts that took place in Santa Clara Valley. Naturally, he became one of the leaders in the work of developing the resources of this wonderful new country. Assisted by his two sons, David and Benjamin, he erected the first saw- mill within the limits of the county, for cutting the mighty redwood trees. He was a natural mechanic, being able to handle any kind of a tool, in work- ing wood and iron. In 1847 Mr. Campbell, wish- ing to expedite the work of threshing grain, built for his own use a threshing-machine, probably unlike any other that was ever constructed. It not only threshed, but it separated the grain from the straw and chaff, having a capacity of ten to twelve bushels an hour. If not the first separator ever operated in the State, certainly it was the first one ever built in the State.

The foresight and prophetic predictions of the sub- ject of this sketch as to the future of this State will be remembered by numbers of the early settlers, many of whom paid but little heed to him at the time. Coming two years before the discovery of gold, he lived to see the wilderness changed to a garden, the deserts to an empire, and all the other great changes which time and civilization have wrought in the State of California. Mr. Campbell was a typical pioneer, possessed of a remarkably vigorous constitution, and a brave, undaunted spirit. He did fully a man's part in subduing the wilderness.

He was greatly bereaved by the death of his wife, which occurred November 30, of the year that he re- moved to California. She was the mother of seven children, of whom only three are now living. Their names are: David, a resident of Tulare County ; Benja- min, whose history follows this sketch; and William G., whose home is in San Francisco. The names of those deceased are: Elizabeth, who died in Missouri, in infancy; Mrs. Sarah Findley, who died in Kern County, this State, June 28, 1869, in her forty-sixth year; Mrs. Susan A. Hargis, who died at Santa Clara, December 9, 1869, at the age of twenty-six years; and John F., who died in Mendocino County, October 9, 1879, in his fortieth year.

Fully ripe, like the grain for the reaper, William Campbell passed peacefully to the better life Decem- ber 2, 1886. For years before his death he made his home with his son Benjamin, but he died while on a visit to his son David, in Tulare County. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he passed from this earth in the faith and hope of the Christian.

ENJAMIN CAMPBELL. The subject of this sketch enjoys the distinction of being the first permanent settler of Hamilton District. He was born in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky, October 16, 1826. He is the son of William and Agnes Campbell, who, in 1839, emigrated from Ken- tucky to Saline County, Missouri, and in 1846 crossed the almost trackless plains and pathless mountains to California, settling in Santa Clara County. At the time of this removal Mr. Campbell was just reaching manhood: consequently all his active business life has been spent in this county. In many a pioncer enter- prise he was associated with his father, whose history appears in this connection. On their arrival they

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found the country in the turmoil which terminated in its conquest, not by force of numbers, but by Ameri- can valor. In this war, and in the work of creating a new order of things, father and son had a part. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Campbell purchased tlie site of his present home, which is on Campbell Avenue, near Campbell Station, in the Hamilton District. His original purchase was a squatter's right. Other parties claiming it under Mexican grants, litigation followed, which extended through a period of eighteen years. Finally Mr. Campbell bought a quit-claim of the parties, and obtained of the United States Govern- ment a patent of 160 acres, all but 52 acres of which has been sold, at different times. This is yet owned by him, or by members of his family.

In 1851 Mr. Campbell returned to Saline County, Missouri, and on Christmas-day was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary L. Rucker. In the following year, with his wife, he recrossed the plains, and estab- lished his residence permanently on his purchase. Their first home has given place to a more pretentious dwelling, more in accordance with their increased prosperity and the improved condition of the country at large. Their three children, James Henry, Mrs. Laura A. Swope, and Mrs. Lena M. Rodeck, are mar- ried and well settled in life. All of them enjoy the pleasure of living near their parental home.

Mr. Campbell is now largely interested in horticult- ure, having planted twenty-five acres to trees during the present year. Both he and his wife are inembers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They are also members of the order of Patrons of Husbandry. In politics Mr. Campbell is identified with the Dem- ocratic party. Campbell Station, on the Southern Pacific Railway, was built on his land, and was fol- lowed by the establishment of Campbell post-office, Mr. Campbell himself being its Postmaster until re- cently.

A long life in Santa Clara County (having now passed the fourth decade), and a worthy one, has won for Mr. and Mrs. Campbell the respect, esteem, and confidence of all who know them.

TILLMAN A. MOULTON, whose residence is located on the Los Gatos and San Jose road, five miles from Los Gatos and about the same dis- tance from San Jose, owns a very choice fruit orchard of fifteen acres, buying the land in the spring of 1881. It was then part of a grain ranch of 190

acres, known as the "Johnson Ranch," which had been divided into twelve or fifteen subdivisions, all of which have been set to trees. In the winter of 1881-82 Mr. Moulton converted this tract into an orchard. The residence was completed and taken possession of November 3, 1882. The orchard shows excellent care, and has proved very profitable. In 1887 500 apricot trees yielded fifty tons of fruit, worth at inarket price $30 per ton, but being dried by him he realized about $60 per ton.

Mr. Moulton has been engaged in fruit-drying for the last three seasons, and is the proprietor of the Orchard Home Evaporating Works, and, having in- creased facilities, he will be well prepared to enlarge that branch of his business the present season.

The subject of our sketch was born in Somerset County, Maine, April 18, 1835. His parents, Still- man and Esther (Foss) Moulton, were natives of Kennebec County, of the same State. In the spring of 1856, when twenty-one years of age, he left the home roof, and went to Kansas for the purpose of do- ing a man's part in consecrating that fair territory to freedom. For six months he was on guard and patrol duty, being one of an organized band under officers of their own choosing. This was in the days of old John Brown.

Mr. Moulton returned to Chicago in January, 1857, and the spring of that year found him in the Green Bay District of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Here he remained for about four years, being engaged in lumbering. In 1861 he came to California and settled in Colusa County, where he followed agricult- ure. Later he went to Humboldt Bay, where he re- mained over a year, removing thence to Nevada in the spring of 1863. In that State he engaged in lumbering, running mills and cutting lumber on con- tract. There, during the latter years of the war, he was a commissioned officer in an organization for home protection, under the late Governor William Nye. In politics he is a conservative Republican. While living in Nevada, he was Representative in the Fourth General Assembly of that State. William M. Stewart was elected by that Legislature to the United States Senate. Mr. Moulton spent the winter seasons in San Jose for several years, before he became a per- manent resident of the county, his cattle interests still being in Nevada and New Mexico. Since 1877 he has made Santa Clara County his home, living for the first four or five years in San Jose, and taking possession of the family home in Hamilton School District in 1882,

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PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD."

On the eighteenth of October, 1876, Mr. Moulton wedded Miss Lydia F. Dudley, who was born at Bath, New York, August 15, 1843. Her parents, Moses Dudley and Mary (Atwood) Dudley, were natives of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton have six children, viz .: Eddy, Mary E., Dudley, Josephine, Lina, and Stillman Moses.

Mr. Moulton is a member of Lodge No. 10, F. A. M., at San Jose, and of Garden City Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Moulton is a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, and a member of the First Congrega- tional Church at San Jose, also a prominent Sunday- school worker and a strong advocate of prohibition, and doing her voting by training her children to stanch temperance principles.

CHARLES D. WRIGHT is one of the prominent members of the Bar of Santa Clara County, of which he has been a practicing member for more than fifteen years. He is a son of the Empire State, born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York. His early education was obtained in his native State, and when fifteen years of age he came to the Pa- cific Coast, and to Santa Clara County. In 1865 he entered the law office of Hon. S. O. Houghton as a student, and was admitted to the Bar in 1868. He has enjoyed a large and lucrative law practice. Mr. Wright has always been a pronounced Republican in his political affiliations, and, possessing the courage of his convictions, he has taken an active part as a local political leader, for which he is well-fitted be- cause of his superior judgment of human nature, and his rare tact and executive ability in controlling and directing men. His candor and integrity of charac- ter inspire confidence, and he has proved a successful fighter of political battles. He managed the cam- paign which elected his former preceptor, Mr. Hough- ton, to the United States Congress. His efforts in politics have, however, all been in behalf of others, as he has never been a candidate, nor sought office for himself. As a lawyer, Mr. Wright excels in his clear conceptions of a cause, and such a logical pres- entation of the facts as carries conviction with his ar- gument in the minds of the jury and the court. He has practiced chiefly in the civil courts.

In 1835 the subject of this memoir married Miss Mollie Murphy, born in Santa Clara County, and daughter of John M. and Virginia (Reed) Murphy. Her father was one of the famous Murphy expedition,

whose perilous experiences are narrated at length in this work; and her mother was one of the Donner party, whose terrible trials and sufferings are also given in detail elsewhere in this volume.

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C. JORDAN. Among the magnificent estates in Santa Clara County is the Laurel Wood Farm, owned by P. J. Donahue, of San Fran- cisco. It comprises nearly 1,000 acres, located on the east side of the Santa Clara and Alviso road, its southern boundary extending the northern limits of Santa Clara. But a small portion, comparatively, of these lands are yet devoted to orchard or vine- yard cultivation, twenty-five acres being in vines pro- ducing wine grapes of the Zinfandel and Mission varieties, and table grapes of the Sweetwater and Muscat varieties; twenty acres are devoted to berry cultivation, producing strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries; ten acres are used as a family orchard, in which are nearly all the varieties of fruits grown in Santa Clara County. The rest of this extensive farm is devoted to hay, grain, and stock-raising. Great care and attention are devoted to stock-raising, and this farm produces some of the finest specimens of horses and cattle bred in the county. Of the 150 horses on this place, nearly all are thorough-bred. Among the racing and trotting stock, special mention is made of the noted stallions "Duke of Norfolk," Kirel D.," and " Patchen;" also some beautiful horses of the famed " Wildidle " stock. The draft horses are bred from Norman and English stock. There are about 150 head of cattle on this farin, all of which are full-bred Durham stock. Seven artesian wells furnish a plentiful supply of water, one of which is worthy of special mention, as flowing fully two inches of water above a twelve-inch pipe.

A handsome and commodious residence, sur- rounded by beautiful grounds, containing extensive lawns, graveled roads, and shaded walks, is located on this farm about two miles north of the business center of Santa Clara. Among the horticultural pro- ductions of these grounds are some of the rarest flowers, trees, etc., produced in the county, while the fragrant laurel-wood tree, from which the farm derives its name, is here shown in its most beautiful form.

Mr. M. C. Jordan, a former resident of San Fran- cisco, has the immediate care of this extensive prop- erty as its resident superintendent. The high state of cultivation displayed, and the successful breeding

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of stock shown on this place, all attest the care, at- tention, and efficient management of its superin- tendent. Mr. Jordan's previous experience and call- ings have rendered him peculiarly adapted to an en- terprise of this character. In early life and young manhood, he was reared to practical farm life. In later life, and for years preceding his superintendency of this farm, he was connected with various corpo- rations in positions of trust and responsibility. He was connected with the " Omnibus" Street Railroad in San Francisco, for sixteen years, and for the last eight years of that time was its superintendent.

EORGE C. JENKINS, dealer in real estate, and general business agent at Santa Clara, is a na- tive of the State of New York, and was born near Cazenovia, Madison County, October 24, 1823. He is the second of five sons, and one of seven children of Robert R. and Laura (Coley) Jenkins, who, when he was seven years of age, re- moved to New Woodstock, New York, where he at- tended the common school and the academy at that place up to his eighteenth year. He then went to Madison, New York, where he learned the trade of tinner, and afterward worked there as a journeyman tinner until the fall of 1848, when he established himself in the stove and tinware business at Lacon, Marshall County, Illinois. There he carried on that business until he came to California, in the spring of 1853. Here he was not engaged in any permanent business until 1857, when he invested in cattle in Santa Cruz County, where he dealt in live stock and also raised the same till 1863; then, meeting with an accident, he was obliged to discontinue business, and for twelve years, up to 1875, being an invalid, he was in no business. In the spring of 1875, locating at Santa Clara, he engaged in the real-estate business, and also secured a commission as Notary Public. He was also appointed as Justice of the Feace to fill a vacancy, and was subsequently elected to the same office, serving in all two years. Politically he is a Republican.

January 15, 1846, he was married, at Jacksonville, Illinois, to Miss Emmarilla T. Chandler, a daughter of Isaac and Aveline (Austin) Chandler, who came to Santa Clara County in 1849. Mr. Jenkins, who was in poor health previous to his emigrating to this State, has regained his health and ventured again in business, and thus has to some extent retrieved some

of his losses, and has succeeded in establishing him- self in a remunerative business at Santa Clara, with a wide circle of friends and a prosperous future be- fore him. Neither himself nor his wife is a member of any church. He is a member of True Fellowship Lodge, No. 238, I. O. O. F., of Santa Clara.

JOHN T. ASHLEY, deceased. The subject of this sketch, a native of the old Green Mountain State, was born in West Haven, Rutland County, Vermont, June 4, 1830. His boyhood and young manhood were spent upon his father's farm, where he became inured to the toil incident to a farmer's life. His educational facilities were good, he receiving an academic education, and at the age of sixteen years was engaged in teaching school. In 1853 he came overland to California, arriving in Placer County August 14 of that year. Upon his arrival he located in Damascus, where he established a hotel. In addi- tion to his occupation as a hotel-keeper, he was interested in various mining enterprises, and expe- rienced the varying fortunes of a life in a mining town until 1875, when he was elected Recorder and Auditor of Placer County. Mr. Ash ey was a strong Republican, and his popularity is shown by his being one of the very few Republicans who were elected in that year. In 1876 he moved to Auburn, the county seat of Placer County. The next year he was re- elected to the office, and served until 1880. At the expiration of his term of office he was appointed Under-Sheriff of the county, a position which he held until 1883. In the latter year he came to Santa Clara County, and located in Milpitas. He purchased the interest of Mr. Clark, of the firm of Clark & Dixon, and entered into mercantile pursuits under the firm name of Dixon & Ashley. In 1885 Mr. Dixon sold his interest in the store to Mr. Ashley's son, Aldace N. Ashley. The business was then conducted under the name of Ashley & Co., until his death, which occurred October 26, 1886.

Mr. Ashley was a man of fine scholarly attain- ments and literary talents, and was often called upon for orations, recitations, etc., upon public occasions As a public speaker he was more inclined to sound reasoning and convincing argument than to oratori- cal display. He was a strong Republican, and an ardent supporter of the government during the dark days of Rebellion.

In 1862 Mr, Ashley married Miss Mary E. Bell,

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of Placer County. They have four children living, viz .: Aldace N. (a sketch of whom appears on this page), Osee E., Grata M., and Edna M.

ILLIAM AINSWORTH resides on the Hos- tetter road, in the Eagle School District, about five and one-half miles northeast of San Jose, at which point he owns twenty-five acres of land, which is devoted to orchard purposes, produc- ing apricots, peaches, prunes, plums, apples, pears, and cherries. This orchard is about ten years old, and is in full bearing. It is worthy of mention that in 1887 seventy-five tons of fruit were taken from one thousand trees. These trees occupied about ten acres. The soil is a light loam, and is so moist that all kinds of vegetables can be raised without any irrigation.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lancashire County, England, in 1862. His parents were Will- iam H. and Caroline (Wilkinson) Ainsworth. · He was reared to mercantile pursuits, after sixteen years of age, and was engaged in the India and China trade, in Manchester, England, until 1884. In that year he came to the United States, landing in New York. After a short stay in that city he went to Nebraska, with the intention of engaging in the cattle business; but not being suited with that country he came to California, and after spending some time in traveling over the State, came to Santa Clara County and pur- chased his present residence. He then returned to England and married Miss A. C. Wild, of London, returning to California the same year with his bride, since which he has engaged in the cultivation of his orchard. Mr. Ainsworth has brought to his calling well-trained business habits which have insured his success. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth have two children: Trevlyn and Cyral.

LDACE N. ASHLEY is the proprietor of a

general merchandise store in Milpitas, and has a complete assortment of goods, such as are adapted to the wants of the community in which he resides, having, in fact, one of the best regulated and furnished stores in Milpitas. Mr. Ash- ley is a native of California, dating his birth at Da- mascus, Placer County, May 13, 1864. His parents were John T. Ashley (whose sketch is given above)

and Mary E. (Bell) Ashley. His life, until the age of twelve years, was spent in the place of his birth, receiving such schooling as was obtainable in the schools then established. In 1876 his father moved to Auburn, the county seat of Placer County, and there Mr. Ashley availed himself of the opportuni- ties afforded, and closely applied himself to attending the excellent public schools of that town. In 1881 he ceased attending school, and entered into an ap- prenticeship as a carriage, sign, and house painter. After some months at this calling he was engaged as a clerk in a drug store, and afterward as a clerk in general merchandise and grocery stores. In 1882 he went to the mines, and was engaged in the " Sunny South" mine for a year, becoming practically schooled in the various phases of mining life.

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Pen pictures from the garden of the world, or Santa Clara county, California, Part 98

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