Surnames: TOMKIN, FORBES
EDMUND
W. MAYNARD. - One of the most loved and highly esteemed business men
who contributed to make San Jose a better city through his great love
of books was the late Edmund W. Maynard, who was born at Bratton,
Yorkshire, England. His father was Col. Edmund Gilling Maynard, who
spent twenty-one years in the British Army, serving with distinction in
the Crimean War and in the Indian mutiny. In 1869 Col Maynard brought
his family to Canada,
where they resided for about six years. However, the climate proved too
severe for Mrs. Maynard, so the Colonel decided to take up his
residence in New Zealand,
but upon arriving in California took
a decided liking for this state with the result that he came to Santa Clara County
and settled in San Jose.
Thus it was here that Edmund Maynard received his education. Here too
he was married in 1892 to Miss Anna M. Tomkin, a daughter of Dr. Alfred
Royce Tomkin, an early settler here, who was county coroner and
public
administrator at the time of his death, and a granddaughter of James
Alexander Forbes, one of the original owners of the New Almaden mine
and the first British consul to California under the Mexican rule.
Edmund Maynard became a successful business man in San Jose
where he conducted one of the largest and best known book and
stationery stores in this city. However, he was not permitted to enjoy
the fruits of his success, for he was called by Providence
July 5, 1917, mourned by all who knew him and particularly by his
family and friends. He was a great lover of books and was a good judge
of their merits, so his advice in courses of reading was frequently
sought. He was a talented musician, the flute being his chosen
instrument, and he was an active member of the San Jose Symphony
Orchestra and the San Jose Harmonic Orchestra. He was also a member of
the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Association, the Sons of
St. George, Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He was greatly
interested in civics and stood for high morals and Christian influence.
Among his business associates, Edmund W. Maynard was looked up to as a
man of unquestionable honor, of progressive ideas and of unusual
business ability. With his personal friends he was loved as few men are
loved; his unselfishness, ready sympathy and keen sense of humor,
endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance; he was
especially fond of children and scores of them, large and small, will
sadly miss "Uncle Ed" as he was affectionately called by his host of
friends. His loss was greatly felt in the business world as well as in
the social life of San Jose.