The owners of a fine vineyard in the Los Gatos disctict, the firm of A
Athenour & Bros. have developed a splendid business, the products
of their vineyard being shipped all over the countyr. Natives of
sunny France, the three brothers, Albet, Henry and Leo, were born hera
Gap, Hautes-Alps. Their father, Jean Athenour, with his three
brothers, started to Califonrai in 1852, but one brother died at Panama
while they were enroute. On arriving at San Francisco, Jean
Athenour went to Placerville, where he followed mining, remaining in
California for eight yers and becoming a citizen of the United
States. In 1860 he retunred to France and married, following
farming until he brough his wife and four children to California in
1888. He first located in Los Angeles, then engaged in fruit
raising on a ranch of 189 acres in Fresno County. In 1894 he came
to San Joe and started a bakery on Post and Vine Streets and later a
store on Post Street, near First, continuing in the business for ten
years. He passed away in 1909, survived by his widow and
four children; Clara, Mr. Junqua; Albert, Henry and Leon.
Removing to Los Gatos, where they ownded a ranch on Rdmon Road, the
brothers later purchased a vineyard of 137 acres on Branham Road,
formerly the property of Mr. Freislag. Both places are now
devoted to fruit, and bring in a hansome income.
L M. Athenour is the manger of thebusiness, and with his brothers he
gives all of his time and effort to its development. He was
married on July 26, 1908, to Miss Loise
Rispaud of Saratoga, Cal., and
one child has been born to them, a son. Leon, Jr. Mrs.
Athenour was born at Long Bridge,
this county, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Colpin) Rispaud, a
pioneer of Long Bridge and she is next to the youngest in a
family of six children.
Mr. Athenour is a Republican in politics and in fraternal life is
affiliated witht the Odd Fellows in San Jose, being past grand of Lodge
No. 242 in San Jose and is past district deputy. Industrious and
energetic, he takes a genuine interest in all neighborhood affairs, and
can ever be found on the side of progress.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 1225
LOS GATOS HISTORY
NOTES:
School in Los Gatos was named for this family- ATHENOUR Elementary
Marriages recorded in Santa Clara County:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/santaclara/vitals/marriages/ata-atw.txt
600256 04/29/1906 ATHENOUR, ALBERT RISPAUD, MARIE AGNES
3300400 05/20/1933 ATHENOUR, ALBERT JOSEPH DOWNING, MYRTLE ELEANOR
3700726 06/05/1937 ATHENOUR, ERNEST M CUCIZ, MARY JANE
800870 07/26/1908 ATHENOUR, LEON RISPAND, LOUISE
800435 07/26/1908 ATHENOUR, LEON RISPAND, LOUISE ADELE
800435 07/26/1908 ATHENOUR, LEON RISPAUD, LOUISE ADELE
3600181 02/22/1936 ATHENOUR, LEON HENRY HOYT, MARJORIE L
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