The Valley of Heart's Delight
MICHAEL BELLEW
Milpitas
Bio- Pen Pictures
Michael Bellew resides on the south side of
the Milpitas and Alviso road, on the east bank of the Coyote Creek, in the
Milpitas School District, about three miles east of Alviso, and one mile west of
Milpitas. There he is the owner of ninety-three acres of land, ten acres of
which are devoted to fruit culture, comprising apricots, German prunes, plums,
pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. He has also three acres producing
strawberries of the Sharpless variety, while in his extensive vegetable
cultivation he is using twenty acres, upon which he raises onion, carrots,
potatoes, etc. There are also 4 ½ acres to devoted to asparagus. The
remainder of this land, with the exception of 1 ½ acres of blackberries, is
devoted to hay, grain, and stock. Of the latter he has a dairy of forty milch
cows, also twenty head of horses of the Normandy gray Messenger stock. A fine
artesian well furnishes a six-inch flow of water over an eight-inch pipe, giving
all the water needed for irrigation and stock purposes. Mr. Bellew is also the
owner of one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land on the north side of the
Alviso and Milpitas road, lying on the west bank of the Coyote Creek. Twenty
acres of this land are devoted to asparagus, five to strawberries, and twenty to
the production of various market vegetables. The remainder of this place is
used for hay, grain, and stock. There is also a good artesian well on this
place.
The subject of this
sketch was born in Meath County, Ireland, in 1830. His parents, Michael and
Mary (Clinton) Bellew, were natives of that county. In early life his schooling
facilities were limited. His father was a cattle trader and drover, in which
calling he was reared until eighteen years of age. He was also during this time
made familiar with farming operations. The knowledge gained by Mr. Bellew in
these years of stock-raising and farming have been of great assistance in after
years. In 1848 he accompanied his uncle to the United States, landing in New
York. From there he went to Massachusetts and was engaged as a farm laborer in
various places in that State for about three years, after which he removed to
Seneca County, New York, and followed farming occupations until 1853, when he
came to California, via the Nicaragua route, arriving in San Francisco in
January. After a short visit to Santa Clara County and the mines, he returned
to that city, where, after a short stay, he located in the mines in Butte
County, and for several months was engaged in an unsuccessful pursuit after
wealth. Disgusted with his want of success, he entered the Government employ at
Mare Island, where he worked until August, 1861, when he took up his present
residence upon land he had purchased the previous year. Since that time Mr.
Bellew has followed the calling of farmer. Energy and industry, combined with a
well-poised intellect and natural business tact, have insured his success, and
he now owns some of the finest lands in his section. He is a well-known and
respected member of the community in which he lives. Catholic in religion and
Democratic in politics, in both relations he is strong and consistent. In
October, 1858, he married Miss Eliza Kenney, the daughter of Edward and Mary
(Tracy) Kenney, who were natives of Roscommon County, Ireland. By this marriage
six children have been born, five of whom are living, viz.: William F., John
H., Mary E., Catherine R., and Joseph M. In the management of his extensive
farms, Mr. Bellew is ably assisted by his sons, above mentioned.
Pen Pictures From The
Garden of the World or Santa Clara County,
California,
Illustrated. - Edited by H. S.
Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. p. 221-222
Transcribed by Kathy
Sedler
SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA COUNTY- The Valley of Heart's Deligth