THE
VALLEY OF HEART's DELIGHT
santaclararesearch.net
BIOGRAPHIES—FREMONT
TOWNSHIP
History
of Santa
Clara County, California :
San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co., 1881,
pages 577-591
FREMONT TOWNSHIP HISTORY
Doctor Bowling Bailey. Was born on the Kentucky and
Tennessee line, April 1, 1831. February 12,1850, he started with a mule
team across the plains for California and arrived at Nevada City,
September 27th of the same year. Mr. Bailey of course tried his chance
at the mines and with good success. He came to Santa Clara county in
June, 1853, and settled in Fremont township. Here he entered into the
live-stock trade, driving his cattle to San Francisco and there
disposing of them. This occupation he followed until 1859 when he
commenced farming, which industry he has since prosecuted. He owns
three hundred acres at his ranch near Mountain
View, and two hundred and eighty more near Santa Clara. In the year
1859 he was elected to the House of Assembly, on the Democratic ticket,
with a total vote of thirteen hundred and forty-nine; has been a School
Trustee during most of the time which he has resided in the district.
Married, November 3, 1858, Margaret Harmon, a native of New Jersey, by
whom he has Mary B., born August 22, 1859; John S., born August
26,1860. Married, secondly, September 27, 1877, W. G. Jones.
Edward Barron. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait
appears in this work, is a native of the south of Ireland, where he was
born June 24, 1831. Coming to the United States in 1847 he made New
York his home until November, 1851, when he started for California via
Panama, and arrived January 1, 1852. Not long after landing in San
Francisco he commenced dealing in live-stock and so continued until
1860 when he retired with an ample fortune. After paying a short visit
to the Eastern States in 1861, Mr. Barron returned to California to
find that the Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Nevada, had been
discovered, he thereupon formed a connection with some others
interested in the principal mines, and commenced their development, an
association he maintained until the year 1876, he being in these years
the owner of a quartz mill and ledge himself, and President of such
well-known mines as the Gould & Curry, Consolidated Virginia, and
California, and this, too, at a time when they were paying dividends of
over two millions of dollars per month. In 1876 Mr. Barron resigned
these offices and retired from an active participation in business
affairs. He then set out on a one year's tour in Europe; returned in
1877 for a few months; again crossed the Atlantic, and finally came
back to California in April, 1878, when he established his residence at
Mayfield. Here Mr. Barron has
constructed one of the most attractive homes in Santa Clara county. Its
grounds are highly embellished with large groves of ornamental trees,
the approach is along a well protected avenue, the building is
encircled by parterres of
richly-hued flowers, while the tout
ensemble conveys the idea of rare opulence and patrician
retirement. He married, November, 1851, Maria Cleary, by whom he has
two children: George E., and William R., both at school in
England. (see bio published 1888)
Frank P. Beverly. Was
born at Mountain View, Santa Clara
county, California, January 13, 1855, where he received his education,
save a few months at an educational establishment at San Jose. Has been
a farmer all his life, is at present Justice of the Peace of Fremont
township, appointed May 14, 1881, by Board of Supervisors of Santa
Clara county (vice R. B. Frink, resigned), and is agent for the
following insurance companies: Liverpool, London and Globe; American
Central; Royal, Norwich, Union and Lancashire; Imperial, London,
Northern and Queen; Etna; California; Phoenix; New York Life; Hamburg,
Bremen Fire Insurance Company, and is also agent for A. S. Hallidie's
wire works in San Francisco. Married Carrie R. Hartwick, a native of
New Jersey, on March 23, 1880.
John. Wesley Boulware. Whose portrait appears in this work,
was born in Estill county, Kentucky, at Red River Iron Works, June 5,
1830, where he resided until he attained the age of fifteen years, when
lie accompanied his parents to Jackson county, Missouri, there
receiving his education, first, in the common schools and afterwards
one term in Pleasant Hill Academy, Cass county. His scholastic training
ended, Mr. Boulware entered the lumber trade, and continued in it until
he started for California. May 4, 1852, lie commenced the weary journey
across the plains with ox-teams and a herd of cattle, in company with
Lindsey Lewis, his father-in-law, and arrived in Santa Clara county
October 2d of the same year, locating on the precise spot on which he
now .resides, but did not settle there then, for after two months he
removed to Mountain View; at the end of two years he proceeded to
Calaveras valley where he farmed until 1861, and then came to his
present place where he has since dwelt. He is one of the many
successful farmers of the Santa Clara valley, while as a proof of his
sterling worth, it is sufficient to remark that besides being a School
Trustee for many years he was elected in 1872 to serve four years on
the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara county. Married in Jackson
county, Missouri, January 1, 1852, Louisa Lewis, and has: J. A.; born
April 24, 1853; M. A., born February 22, 1856; Permelia R., born
January 31, 1858; and Louisa Jane, Loin October 5, 1860. (see bio published 1888)
Benjamin T. Bubb. Born in Washington county, Missouri,
February 15, 1838. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his
parents to California and arrived by way of the plains, at Fremont, on
the Sacramento river, August 25, 1858. Thence, in March, 1851, they
moved to Downieville, Sierra county; from there, in July of the same
year, they came to Santa Clara county, arriving in October, and after
stopping in Santa Clara, proceeded to Fremont township and settled on a
ranch one mile south-west from his present residence. In 1864 he
located on the ranch where he now lives, where he has one hundred and
sixty-eight acres in a high state of cultivation. Married, June 28,
1871, Sarah J. Smith, by whom he has four children, viz.: Charles R.,
born June 3, 1872; William F., born February 8, 1874 ; Alice G., born
January 21, 1876; George R., born October 30, 1877. (see bio published 1888)
William Henry Bubb. Born in Washington county, Missouri,
December 26, 1836. In the year 1850 he came to California with his
parents across the plains, arriving at Placerville, September 26th, and
from there to Fremont, on the Sacramento river, where they tarried
three months ; thence they moved to Buena Vista, Nevada county,
afterwards to Downieville, Yuba county, and finally to Santa
Clara county, locating at Mountain View in September, 1851. Mr. Bubb
followed the business of stock-raising in conjunction with his father
until 1855, and in 1857 went to Fresno and Tulare counties, started on
his own account and there continued until 1865, when he sold out and
returned to the Santa Clara valley. Mr. Bubb is an extensive farmer in
the district, and besides owning a hundred and fifty acres and a
dwelling-house, possesses a half-interest in the large warehouses at
the Mountain View depot. Married,
October 16, 1867, at Mountain View, Susan Farrar, and has three
children, viz.: Laura J., born June 2, 1870; Louisa, born November 27,
1871; Susan, born March 30, 1874.
F. W. Covey. Born in Sacramento, California, September 22,
1856, and when an infant removed to San Francisco, where he received
his education. He then entered into the business of rearing
thoroughbred horses, which he continued in that city until the year
1878, when he came to the magnificent stock farm of ex-Governor Leland
Stanford, as foreman.
Lambert Dornberger. Born in Alsace, France, now Germany,
April 3, 1828, where he was educated. In July, 1850, he landed in New
York City and there resided until 1852 when he came to California via Panama, arriving in San
Francisco December 6th of that year. He was engaged, until 1854 working
at his calling; he then came to Fremont township-Santa Clara county,
and August 17, 1854, located about one mile from Mayfield, there residing until 1857. He
then engaged in stock-raising on the borders of San Mateo county, until
November 2, 1869, when he settled where he now resides near Mayfield.
Married, September 10, 1861, Anna Kleinclaus a native of France, and
has Eugene A., born September 12, 1862; Gustave L., born August 22,
1863; Albert L. and Victor (twins), born September 4, 1865; Anna J.,
born September 8, 1868; George, born February 24, 1870 ; Edward, born
January 21, 1878. see bio published 1888
John C. Duchesneau. Was born in Saint Francis, Bellechase county,
Canada, January 27, 1832, where he resided until seventeen years of age
and received his education in a French-Canadian school. In the year
1849 he went to Boston, Massachusetts, there learning the trade of a
blacksmith, and living until 1852, when he moved to Worcester, in the
same State, there remaining for a short period; he next transferred his
residence to Rhode Island where he engaged in moulding bricks. On
January 27, 1853, the subject of this sketch started for California and
arrived in San Francisco June 10th, of the same year. On landing in
that city Mr. Duchesneau commenced. brick-making which he continued
until the Fall, when he proceeded to Spanishtown, San Mateo county, and
worked at his trade for six months, then returning to San Francisco;
thence being employed in different localities chiefly at the mines on
the Yuba river, Sacramento, American river, Virginia Flat, Iowa Hill
and Amador county, where we find in the year 1856 he opened a butcher's
shop. Disposing of this business in 1857, he moved about from place to
place until 1859 when he went to Oregon, but staying there only
eighteen months came back to California and settled on the site now
occupied by the town of Mayfield in November, 1860, where he opened and
conducted a blacksmith's shop for fifteen years. In 1875 he transferred
his residence to Humboldt county, coming back to Mayfield in May, 1880.
Married, October 8, 1860, Maria Dolan, native of Ireland, by whom he
has two children, viz.: Walford C., born November 22, 1863; Rosa Zoe,
born September 6, 1867.
William F. Foss. Born in Biddeford, York county,
Maine, February 11, 1849, and there resided until June, 1857, when he
accompanied his parents via
the Isthmus of Panama to California. On arrival passage was taken on
the steamboat Antelope for
Folsom ; thence they proceeded to Nevada county, and located about five
miles from the city of that name. At the end of a year they moved to
New York Flat, near Brownsville, Yuba county, and there dwelt until the
year 1870. The subject of our sketch then entered and spent five months
in the Normal school in San Francisco. In 1872-73 he taught in Yuba and
Butte counties; in the latter year he entered the Normal school at San
Jose, Santa Clara county, from which he graduated in March, 1874. After
this period he taught in schools in the counties of Butte, Sierra, and
Colusa, and finally, in 1875, became Principal of the public school at
Mountain View. Mr. Foss is also agent for several insurance companies,
as well as being a Notary Public. see bio of his
widow published in 1923
The Honorable Daniel Frink. The reminiscences of the early
pioneers and adventurers on the Pacific coast must ever possess a
peculiar interest for the Californian. Green in their memory will ever
remain the trials and incidents of early life in this land of golden
promise. These pioneers of civilization constitute no ordinary class of
adventurers. Resolute, ambitious, and enduring, looking into the great
and possible future of this western slope, and possessing the sagacious
mind to grasp true conclusions, and the indomitable will to execute
just means to attain desired ends, these heroic pioneers, by their
subsequent career, have proved that they were equal to the great
mission assigned them--that of carrying the arts, institutions, and
real essence of American civilization, from their Eastern homes, and
implanting it upon the shores of another ocean. Among' the many who
have shown their eminent fitness for the important tasks assigned them,
none merit this tribute to their characteristics and peculiar worth
more fully than the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in
this work. He was born in Chenangocounty, New York, August 7, 1827, and
there resided until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he
enlisted in the First Regiment, New York Volunteers, raised to
take part in the Mexican war. Being assigned to duty on the Pacific
coast, he set sail in the ship Loochoo,
and arrived in San Francisco, March 26, 1847, where he was
quartered until discharged, ,August 15,1848. Gold had now been
discovered, and the whole world would appear to be en, route to the
mines; to them also went Mr. Frink, his choice falling on those in El
Dorado county, but not finding much encouragement to remain, he left
the district after one month's mining, and returned to San Francisco.
We next find Mr. Frink passing the Winter of 1848-49 in Chili, South
America ; coming back, however, in the Spring, he once more toyed with
fortune in the mines, but soon left for San Rafael, Marin county, where
he established a mill in the redwoods of that county, which he
conducted until the Spring of 1850, when he again left for the mines,
this time to the Yuba river, but only making a short stay, returned to
Marin county, where he bought a ranch, and embarked in stock-raising.
However, in 1859, he disposed of this farm, moved to Santa Clara
county, and settled on the land whereon he now resides, consisting of
four hundred acres of the best soil in the country. Mr. Frink has been
a Justice of the Peace in Marin county. During the years 1851-52, he,
with John Minge, were elected the Associate Justices to form the Court
of Sessions of Marin, Ai Barney being County Judge, while in 1879, he
was elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. Married,
in Marin county, October 26, 1852, Pauline H. Reynolds, and has six
children living, as follows : William R., born October 26, 1853;
Pauline E., born January 26, 1856 ; Daniel B., born November 8, 1857 ;
Henry R., born December 7, 1859 ; Robert A., born April 25, 1865 ;
Stella H., born September 24, 1868.
Delavan Hoag. The subject of this sketch, one of the oldest
settlers in Fremont township, was born in Montgomery county, New York,
March 20, 1827. When he grew to the years of manhood, he followed the
trade of a butcher, and after, embarked in the wholesale sugar trade,
in which he continued until the year 1854, on the 5th of July of which
he started for California. Arrived in San Francisco by way of Panama,
on the 1st of August, and on the following day came to Santa Clara
county, located in Fremont township, where he has been farming for the
past two and twenty years. Mr. Hoag is now and has been for three years
interested in mining enterprises in Mexico and Arizona. Married, June
29, 1876, Elizabeth Donley, by whom he has Mary A., born in Mayfield,
August 1, 1878. Mrs. Hoag has by her first marriage, two children,
viz.: Frank, born in Contra Costa county, September 17, 1866; Katie,
born in San Mateo county, July 14, 1868.
James A. Huff. A native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was
born February 21, 1832. When but four years old he went to Cass county,
Michigan, whither his parents had moved, and there received his
education, and was raised a farmer, an occupation he followed in that
place until April 6, 1863, when he started for California, and arrived
in Santa Clara county September 6th of that year. He first settled in
Mayfield, but in April, 1864, located on his present property of three
hundred and fifty-eight acres, one hundred and ninety of which belongs
to the home ranch, where, in 1878, he erected a handsome and commodious
residence. Married, January 26, 1856, Emily E. Gard, a native of Cass
county, Michigan, and has living: Henry, born December 5, 1864;
Franklin Lester, born March 24, 1867; William Ellsworth, born December
18, 1869; James Arthur, born January 30, 1876; Alpheus Earlan, born
March 30, 1879.
George Warren LaPierre. Born in Pawtucket. Rhode Island,
October 18, 1829. When an infant he was taken by his parents to New
London county, Connecticut, where he received his education. He then
commenced life for himself, first in cotton factories, at different
places; then to Yantic where he learned the trade of wagon-making, and
served two years; thence he proceeded to Stafford Springs, where,
falling sick, he returned to his home at Fitchville, New London,
Connecticut. On January 20, 1853, Mr. LaPierre sailed from New York to
California in the ship Northern Light;
at San Juan he was transferred to the steamship Independence. On the 16th February
was wrecked on San Margarita Island, off the Coast of Lower California,
when three hundred persons were lost, our subject and some others
managing to make the island, and thus saved their lives. Here they were
three whole days with neither food nor water; on the evening of the
third day, however, they built signal fires on the highest points of
the island, and on the following morning a whaling fleet hove in sight
and took them off. Mr. LaPierre found a refuge on board the ship Fairhaven, Captain Fisher, where he
was compelled to remain for two weeks, at the end of which a vessel was
chartered to bring them to San Francisco, where he arrived March 31,
1853. After a stay of a month in San Francisco, Mr.LaPiererre came to
Santa Clara county, and variously employed his time until the month of
June, when he engaged with Eastin & Larue, of Mayfield. Remaining
here but a short time he moved to San Francisco, with the intention of
proceeding to the mines, but, meeting his brother, he was dissuaded
from embarking in that venture, and remained there,
engaged in house-building during the Winter. The next Spring he opened
a wagon-shop in Mountain View, but sold out at the end of two months,
when he once more entered the employment of Eastin & Larue, and
remained with them two years. After a visit to Kern river, he came to
Mayfield, erected a wagon-shop, in partnership with his brother, and
took J. V. Eastin into the concern. Meeting with an accident about this
time, he disposed of his interest to his partners, and engaged with
William Paul, as clerk, where he remained some three years and a half.
During this period he bought back his original shop, and rented it to
J. C. Duchesneau, with whom he afterwards went into partnership ; but,
after eighteen months, disposing of his share to his associate, he
joined J. N. Spencer in a grocery store, but selling at the end of a
year and a half to Hamilton, he remained in the establishment as
book-keeper, which position he now occupies, the store being at present
owned by Joseph Rosenblum. Married, at Woodside, San Mateo county,
June, 1859, Berthina Brown, and has three children, viz.: James H.,
born August 10, 1860; Edward A., born January 14, 1862; Jennie, born
December 23, 1865.
Henry Daniel Margot. Born in Switzerland October 26, 1837.
When seventeen years of age he came to the United States and soon after
arriving in New York City commenced to work at his trade of carriage
building. He did not continue long at this occupation, however, but
went into the country and for some time was employed on a farm. We next
find Mr. Margot engaged in house-painting in Brooklyn, New York, for a
year; then in a store for five years in New York City; and finally came
to this State in 1862, on board the Moses
Taylor. Soon after his arrival in San Francisco he entered
a store as clerk where he remained six years, when he came to Mountain View Station, Fremont
township, started and still conducts the first store in that thriving
village. Married, June 3, 1865, at San Francisco, Mary Mulligan, by
whom he has two children: Henry, born at San Francisco, July 11, 1866;
Amy, born at Mountain View, April 24, 1871.
Bernard Mayer. Born in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, New York,
January 26, 1857. In 1858 he came to California with his parents who
settled in Fremont township, Santa Clara county, where the subject of
this sketch was reared and educated. At the age of sixteen years he
entered the drug store at Mayfield, where he continued until March 10,
1876, when he became sole owner, and is now doing a thriving business.
Jules Mercier. Born in La Belle, France, in the year 1833.
In the year 1852 he emigrated to the United States, came direct to San
Francisco, and in 1853 started a wood and coal business in that city
which he continued until 1856. From this year until 1863 he was master
of the Adeline, a sloop that
plied between San Francisco and the landing near Mayfield, and in 1864
purchased the ranch situated about three miles north of Mayfield on
which he now resides. Mr. Mercier has just completed on his property,
which comprises one hundred and six acres of very good land, a fine
residence with every convenience, where he hopes to pass many days of
full enjoyment. He married, in 1858, Adeline Ponce, a native of France.
Henry McCleary. Born in Indiana, June 10, 1840, and resided
there until fifteen years of age when he went to Cass county, Michigan,
and farmed until 1863. In that year he came to Fremont township, Santa
Clara county, California, and commenced ranching near Mayfield, but
afterwards moved to his present place, containing one hundred and three
acres, near Mountain View. Married, April 1, 1866, Rachael Muncey, and
has two children: John, born March 18, 1867; Ada, born April 4, 1869.
William Page. Born in Herkimer county, New York, March 31,
1826. When quite young he was taken to Oswego county, and at eighteen
years of age to Wisconsin, where he resided until 1850. In that year he
came to California and commenced mining in El Dorado county, and
meeting with success, in four months he returned to Wisconsin. In 1852,
we find Mr. Page once more in the search for gold, this time in Butte
county, but fickle fortune had passed him by, he therefore, at the end
of three months, removed to San Mateo county, and entered into a
contract to cut timber for a mill, near Searsville. In 1854, he once
more made a venture at the mines, but with no better luck than the
last, he therefore retraced his footsteps to San Mateo county, and
opened a store at Searsville, which he conducted for thirteen years. In
1868, he came to Mayfield where he has since resided, being now engaged
in the lumber business. He has an interest in a large tract of timber
land in the southern portion of San Mateo county, also a half-interest
in a steam saw-mill, with a capacity of fifteen thousand feet in the
twelve hours. Married, January 15, 1857, Sarah Ann Smith, by whom there
is a family of four children living, viz.: Francis E., born in 1858;
William H., born in 1863; Carrie M., born in 1872 ; Myrtle G., born in
1879. They have lost one son, a child of eight years, who was run over
on the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. (see bio 1882)
William Paul. Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where he
received his education; then went out to Canada, where he had a brother
living near Toronto, and spent two years there, when he crossed over to
Rochester, New York, where he remained for some time, then traveled
through the Western and Southern States, returning to Scotland, where
he remained until 1838, when he emigrated to New South Wales. There he
engaged in stock-raising, which proved disastrous at that time to every
one engaged in it. In August, 1850, he arrived in San Francisco, where
he remained a few months, came up this valley and engaged in farming
and merchandising near the San Francisquito embarcadero. In 1856, he
removed his store to where Mayfield is now located, also purchased a
portion of the Robles' Ranch, near by, where he also carried on
farming. In 1867, he employed Mr. Bowen, the County Surveyor, to lay
out the town of Mayfield, which has since become a prosperous village,
of about one thousand inhabitants. In 1868, he sold his store to A. G.
Rich, and his ranch, in 1875, to Peter Coutts. In 1870, he was located
in a mine in Diamond District, Nevada, took out several hundred tons of
rich mineral, erected smelting works at great expense, but the ore
being of that rebellious nature which could not be worked, consequently
lost a large amount of money. In 1871, he was elected Supervisor at
Large for this county, in which capacity he served four years. In 1878,
he revisited his native land, having been absent forty years; he also
traveled through Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and France, spent_ a
month in Paris, visiting the Great Exposition. On his way home he spent
a month in Canada, with his only surviving brother who still resides
there. He now lives retired in Mayfield, looking after the few
remaining lots he has there still unsold.
Andrew Jackson Pitman. Son of Berry Pitman, one of the first
settlers of Missouri, his grandfather, Col. M. L. Pitman, being one of
the first in Kentucky, and one of the few who founded Boonsborough in
1775. His father was born in Virginia in 1715, of Scotch parents who
emigrated from Edinburgh. Mr. Pitman was born in St. Charles county,
Missouri, February 25, 1821, the same year the .State was admitted to
the Union. He there resided until he reached the age of seventeen. At
that time he moved to Jackson county, Missouri, and there served an
apprenticeship at blacksmithing up to 1840. Then he joined a Spanish
freighting train under Javis (afterwards killed by the Indians), and in
company with Major Hensley, for New Mexico, returning in a few months.
He was appointed blacksmith among the Shawnee Indians, and worked at
that business three and a half years, undergoing all the hardships and
privations that are incident to early pioneers. Leaving his Indian
friends behind, he returned to Missouri. He was there married to
Armenia A. Lewis, daughter of Lindsey Lewis, August 7, 1844, and then
turned his attention to farming. But love of adventure drew him into
the tide of emigration that settled for California. On April 15, 1849,
with six mule teams they started by way of Salt Lake, with Sam Lewis as
Captain. July 28th they made Hangtown, now Placerville. After a few
days' rest for men and teams they proceeded to Sacramento and thence to
the mines on the south fork of the Feather river, where he remained
until washed out by rains in December, '49. He then returned to
Sacramento, where he remained a few weeks, then to San Francisco where
.he took passage on the steamship, Oregon,
for Missouri, via Panama and
New Orleans. His return, however, was but momentary, for on the 15th of
April, 1850, he once more had his face turned westward, bringing his
wife with him, he acting as captain of the train which consisted of ten
wagons. He arrived in Sacramento August 23,1850. Leaving that place he
proceeded to Nicholas on the Feather river, where he started a hotel,
which, however, he soon gave up for a farm three miles above
Marysville, Yuba county, and there combined the two businesses of
stock-raising and keeping a public house. In this locality he remained
until December, 1852, when he came to Santa Clara county and settled in
Fremont township, his first few years being devoted to stock-raising
and dairying, which, however, changed as the country settled up into
farming, an industry he followed with more or less success for
twenty-five years. He is now in the dairy business in San Jose. Mr.
Pitman has been across the continent no less than thirteen times, twice
by teams, ten times by rail, and once by water. Who better than he can
judge of the advance of the age. He has always avoided political
offices, farther than serving in the capacity of School Trustee,
preferring instead a domestic life. His married life has been a happy
one. He has had ten children of whom three are dead. The oldest, James
M., was born in Yuba county, January 30, 1851. The rest were born in
Santa Clara county. Marion L., born October 2, 1854; Cornelius Y., born
June 2, 1858; Berry M., born January 21, 1860; Willie A., born May 9,
1862; Belle M., born September 22, 1865, Ernest A., born September 23,
1869. Mr. Pitman is a member of the Territorial Pioneers' Society.
James L. Riddle. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but
when quite young removed to Boston, Massachusetts, with his parents
where he was educated and reared. At the age of nineteen years he was
apprenticed in an auction house where, at the end of nine years, he was
admitted a partner, the firm being James Allen & Co., it, however,
in a short time dissolved, when Mr. Riddle started in business for
himself in the auction line, and so continued until he left for the
Pacific coast. November 13, 1849, he sailed for California via the Isthmus of Panama and on
arrival at San Francisco established himself in the auction trade, but
on May 4, 1850, lost everything in the ever-to-be-remembered great
fire. He at once laid in another stock of goods and was quickly in full
operation on Sacramento, between Montgomery and Kearny streets; on June
21st of the same year he was again the victim of the fire-fiend;
however, he purchased the lot on the north-east corner of Clay and
Montgomery streets and anew commenced business which he carried on
until 1852, when he converted his store into a carriage repository and
imported the first Concord coach and carriages to this coast. About
this time Mr. Riddle bought the Macondray iron building on the corner
of Pine and Sansome streets ; he retired from business in 1857, though
still retaining an interest in that construction. He took up his
residence in Fremont township in the year 1869, where he has a fine and
comfortable residence near the foot-hills, on a good farm of one
hundred and sixty acres. Married, in Boston in the year 1845,
Lizzie A. Allen, who died September 21, 1864. Grace Ida is their
only child.
Simon Saunders. Is a native of County Cork, Ireland. In the
year 1856 he emigrated to the Australian gold fields, and having poor
success, at the end. of two years took passage in the ship Orestes for California, but the
vessel being unseaworthy she put in at the Sandwich Islands and was
there condemned. Leaving the Islands in the bark Yankee, he arrived in San
Francisco, December 4, 1858. Not long after he obtained employment from
Dennis Martin in San Mateo county where he remained two years, got
married and came to Santa Clara county. He farmed for fourteen
years on the Martinez ranch then came to his present place near
Mayfield, where he has had his residence during the past six years. In
the year 1870 Mr. Saunders paid a visit to Europe. He is the owner of
two hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, while he has been
agent for the last seven years for J. Clark, the owner of vast
possessions in Fremont township. Mr. Saunders is one of those men who
by dint of hard work, indomitable perseverance and a strict attention
to duty, has made a stake in the country. He married at Redwood City,
San Mateo county, September 3, 1859, Bridget McNamara, a native of
County Clare, Ireland, by whom he has one son and two daughters at
present living.
Gilbert E. Shore. Born in Crawford county, Missouri, October
4,1846. Came to this county and township in the month of August, 1852;
was educated in this and Contra Costa, graduating from a college in the
latter county, and now, besides being an extensive grain buyer, farms
two hundred and forty acres of land near Mountain View. Married, April
13, 1870, Emily Bullard, and has three children: Anna, aged seven.
Mary, aged three, and Richard E., aged two months.
Elias Fulton Springer. Born near Potosi, Washington county,
Missouri, March 10, 1831. In May, 1852, he left his native place for
California by ox-teams via the plains and came direct to Santa Clara
county, in Fremont township, where in a few weeks after his arrival in
September, he was married to Miss Kate Shore, October 14, 1852. Began
farming on rented land with but little success, and in 1868 bought a
farm between Gilroy and Hollister, farming it for four years. He sold
out and bought the farm on which he now lives near Mountain View—a most
delightful and charming home, where, with a conscience void of offense
toward God and man he hopes to pass the remainder of his days. Mr.
Springer's children now living are Lida H., the wife of Thos.
Chappelle, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo county, California, born
October 28, 1853; Charles T., born April 29, 1862; Lizzie F., born July
15, 1864; Susie B., born June 29, 1868.
M . 0. Stanley. Was born in Clarke county, Missouri,
December 19, 1848, where he followed farming until 1870 when he started
for California, arriving in February of that year. Not long after he
proceeded to Humboldt county, where he worked for three years in a
butcher's shop, at the end of which time he came to Mayfield, about
February, 1873, and found employment in the Mayfield Livery Stable,
there remaining until 1878 when he purchased the remaining shares,
October 20, 1879, and now conducts the entire establishment.
S. P. Taylor (Deceased). The subject Of this sketch was born
in Green county, Kentucky, May 4, 1826, and there resided until he was
ten or twelve years old. He then went with his parents to Jackson
county, Missouri, where he lived for a number of years ; then to
Pleasant Hill, Cass county, for about fifteen years, and on April 14,
1853, left for California. Having crossed the plains with ox•teams he
came direct to Santa Clara county, and after a few months went to the
redwoods in San Mateo county where he worked for one year, at the end
of which he returned to this county and located on Adobe creek, Fremont
township, where he farmed for two years. Mr. Taylor next moved to near
Mountain View where he commenced the butcher business, combining
farming with it, which he followed until 1860. At this time he
opened a hotel and store at Mountain View, and was engaged in managing
these at the date of his death, December 14. 1877. During the residence
of Mr. Taylor at Mountain View he filled the important offices of
Postmaster, for ten years; Notary Public for three years ; and agent
for Wells, Fargo & Co., for eight years. He married, in. Missouri,
March 2, 1852, Miss Letitia Kifer by whom there are : Mary A., born
December 27, 1852 ; Samuel A., born May 23, 1855, who now conducts the
hotel in conjunction with his mother ; Clara E., born September 25,
1857; John A., born November 1, 1860; Lucy B., born September 12, 1863;
George G., born September 5, 1867. (SEE
BIO published 1888)
James H. Van Reed. Born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
November 2, 1809, where he resided for the first thirty-five years of
his life. On coming of age Mr. Van Reed started the manufacture of
paper, an industry he prosecuted for some years; he next established
himself as a broker in Philadelphia and so continued until he left for
the Pacific coast. July 4, 1851, he set sail by way of the Isthmus for
California on steamer Panama
and arrived at San Francisco, August 19th of the same year. On arrival
he at once started in business as a gold-dust broker which he continued
until July 1853, when he returned to the Eastern States and brought
back his family: On his return he embarked in the real-estate business
in which he remained until 1871, the date of his taking up his
residence in Santa Clara county. The farm on which he lives is the
property of Mrs. Van Reed, and was a wilderness when first occupied,
but by great care, much perseverance and good taste, the wildest spots
have been given an air of quiet repose, while the most dense brush has
been so fashioned as to leave a picture of marvelous beauty. Married,
in Berks county, November 6, 1832, Julia H. Miller by whom he has two
children living, and two dead: Eugene M., Consul General for the
Sandwich Islands in Japan, born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, 1835,
died on board steamer Japan,
en route to San Francisco February 8, 1873; Margaret, born in Berks
county, Pennsylvania, 1840; William, Captain Company B, Fifth U. S.
Artillery, stationed on the coast of Florida, born in Berks county,
Pennsylvania, in 1841; and, Kate I., born in Berks county,
Pennsylvania, and died there in 1878.
George T. Wagstaff. Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August
30, 1832, where he was educated, and served in his father's store until
he started for California. He arrived in this State in August, 1852,
and lived for the first seven years in 'Pine Grove and La Porte, Sierra
county, owning, during that time, several of the largest mines in that
district. From there he went to Hamilton, Butte county, where he
sojourned three years, conducting a hotel, and being Postmaster. We
next find Mr. Wagstaff assisting in the laying out of an orchard in
Ventura county; from there he proceeded to Paso Robles Springs, San
Luis Obispo county, where he herded sheep for three months; thence to
Napa county, being employed by R. B. Woodward for seven months; next to
Knoxville, Lake county, for two years, engaged in quicksilver mining;
and finally to Mountain View, and got married, -but left for Sutter
county, returning, however, at the end of eighteen months to settle in
Fremont township. For six years he was in the employ of the Southern
Pacific Railroad Company ; he then rented the hotel at Mountain View
Station, owned by Weilheimer Brothers, which he conducted for three
years, at the end of which he opened his saloon, being also engaged in
transactions in hay and grain. Married Murilla J. Levin, a native of
the State of Illinois, by whom he has three children: Belle, born,
January 25, 1867; Selah, born, July 15, 1868; Lotta, born, March 2,
1872.
Honorable Joseph Sawyer Wallis. The subject of this sketch was
born in Salem, Massachusetts, October 24, 1825, and received a liberal
education in his native State. In the eventful year of 1849, Judge
Wallis organized, at Salem, a company of twenty persons, mostly young
men, under the name of the Naumkeag Mutual Trading and Mining Company,
of which he was President, for the purpose of operating in the gold
fields of California. He sailed, with his company, in the ship Capital, Thorndike Proctor, Master,
from Boston, January 24, 1849, arriving in San Francisco, July 19th, of
the same year. At Sacramento the company disbanded, when the Judge
organized another company, and went to the mines on the middle fork of
the Yuba river, mining with success till the 4th of November following,
when he returned to San Francisco, and applied himself to the study of
law. On the 15th of August, 1855, he was admitted to practice at the
Bar of the Supreme Court of this State. He followed his profession at
San Francisco till November, 1857, when he removed, with his family, to
Mayfield, in this county, where he has practiced his profession ever
since. He has ever been an active and prominent Republican in politics,
of the radical type. In 1848, he was an alternate delegate from his
native place to, and attended, the National Free Soil Convention, at
Buffalo, New York. In 1858, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, for
Fremont township, and, in the same year, was chosen an Associate
Justice of the Court of Sessions, for this county, and served one term.
In 1862-63, he represented this county in the State Senate. He was
married to Sarah Green, July 25, 1854, and has four children living,
viz.: Eva, born October 27, 1855; Josephine, born March 20, 1857 ;
Joseph, born March 18, 1859; William A., born June 11, 1861. Talbot H.
Wallis, born July 3, 1851, the present Deputy State Librarian, is his
step-son. (see 1888 bio )
Frederick William Weisshaar. Born in Saxony, Weimar, July 2,
1832, where he received a collegiate training, and was educated a
theoretical farmer, a business he followed before leaving his
Fatherland. In the year 1852, he emigrated to the United States, and
first settled in Baltimore, Maryland, but not finding in that city a
congenial occupation, he went into the country and worked at various
employments; in a short time, however, returning to Baltimore, he made
arrangements to proceed to New Orleans, but being laid low for nine
weeks with yellow fever, he changed his location to St. Louis, thence
to Lexington county, Missouri; made two trips more to New Orleans, and
finally started for Nicaragua, intending to settle there. At this
period, Walker, the filibuster, held sway in that region, and being in
want of men, among other necessaries, determined to press Mr. Weisshaar
into his service, but not desiring the questionable glory, and probable
fate, of a soldier of fortune, that gentleman laid his case before the
Prussian Consul, who at once effected his release, thus saving him from
the eventual fate of Walker and his buccaneers. Mrs. Weisshaar, not
being smitten with this country of snakes, scorpions, and freebooters,
prevailed upon her husband to leave its inhospitable shores. He
therefore left for California, and arrived at San Francisco, June 26,
1856. After working at day's labor for a twelvemonth, he obtained
employment in the furniture business of Mr. Bidwell; and there
continued until the excitement consequent on the discovery of gold on
the Frazer river. Our subject at once made up his mind to start for
British Columbia, but, fortunately for himself he changed his
intention, and entered the furniture store of J. A. Collins, for whom
he worked until he sold to James B. Goodwin, with whom he remained
until the year 1862, in which year he came to Mayfield, where he
purchased land, which, dividing into town lots, he sold, and now owns
several houses in Mayfield, besides a farm on the coast. Mr. Weisshaar
.has been a School Trustee for nine years, and has been re-elected for
three years more. Married, at New Orleans, Odilia Diss, by whom he has
F. William., born December 9, 1856; Joseph, born March 19, 1858, died
of lock-jaw, April 13, 1868; D. L. Elizabeth, born January 4, 1860;
Louis G., born July 5, 1861; Francisca M., born January 1, 1865; Emil
F., born November 8, 1866; Nathalia F., born February 26, 1868;
Pattilia J., born November 20, 1869.
John A. Wright. Born in Middlesex county, Massachusetts,
September, 19, 1842, where he learned his trade of carpenter. In 1862,
he shipped on board the bark Panama, in the capacity of ship's
carpenter, and in her sailed for Australia, and finally concluding the
voyage in San Francisco harbor, where he arrived in the Fall of 1863.
He at once went into the ship and house building trade, which he
followed until 1869, when he came to Santa Clara county, and commenced
working at Mayfield, but ultimately removed to Mountain View, where be
now resides, and carries on the business of a contractor and builder.
Mr. Wright is the constructor of many of the finest edifices in his
neighborhood.
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