Alexander Kammerer
-Santa Clara County Pioneer
SURNAMES: Hoffman, White, Holland, Broadbent, Hunt
Bio- Pen Pictures
is a native of Santa Clara County, born in San Jose Township, August
12, 1861. He is the son of Peter and Marian (Hoffman)
Kammerer. His father was a native of Germany, who emigrated to
the United States, and came to California in 1851. After engaging
in mining and other occupations, in different parts of the State, he
located in Santa Clara County in 1855. Soon after his arrival he
took up his residence upon 200 acres of land situated on what is now
the King road, in the Jackson school District, about two and one-half
miles east to the business center of San Jose. Here he commenced
the cultivation on improvement of the place, which he continued until
his death, which occurred in 1865. The death of Mrs. Kammerer
occurred the year before. The subject of this sketch was thus
left an orphan at the age of four years. He was then taken into
the family of his guardian, J. D. White, whose farm adjoined that of
this father's, and was there reared and schooled, receiving the same
care and attention that were given to members of Mr. Whites family.
He was given the advantages of an education in the excellent
public schools of San Jose, and is also a graduate of the Garden city
Commercial college. At the same time he was reared to farm
life. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Kammerer came into
possession of one-half of the old homestead before mentioned, since
which time he has successfully cultivated and improved the same. The
land is rich and productive. Mr. Kammerer has not as yet extended
his fruit cultivation beyond a family orchard, but devotes his land to
hay, grain and stock. In the latter line he is breeding horses
from "Percheon and "Nutwood" strains, and has reason to be proud of his
success in this enterprise. A fine artesian well furnishes all
the water required for stock and domestic use, the surplus being used
for irrigation.
Mr. Kammerer is a strong Republican in politics. He is a firm
believer in the future prosperity and growth of the section in which he
resides, and takes a deep interest in all public improvement tending to
advance the welfare of the county.
He is united in marriage, October 17, 1883, with Miss May Catherine
Holland, daughter of Simeon and Hannah (Broadbent) Holland, natives of
England, but residents of Santa Clara County. They have three
children, viz: Urban A., Lester Oakley, and Marian Hannah. Mr.
Kammerer has one sister living, Lena, who married George C. Hunt, and
now resides in Oakland, Alameda County.
Pen Pictures from the Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. Edited by H.S. Foote, Published, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company 1888- page 540
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