SANTA CLARA PIONEER
Surnames:
Goodwin, Tanner, Hanney, Overfelt, Fisk, Houston
One of the early pioneers of this State, and a man who, until the time
of his death, which occurred August 1, 1853 was prominently
identified with the history of California, encountering many
perils and hardships, but in it all acting the gentleman and laying the
foundation of comfort and competence for his family, is the subject of
this brief biographical sketch. He was born in Kentucky, March 1,
1810, his parents being Edward G. and Mary Rosanna Pyle, themselves
also natives of the same State. During Mr. Pyle's youth his
parents emigrated to Illinois, where his father followed the vocation
of farmer and surveyor. Mr. Pyle was brought up to the calling of
farmer, his education being limited to what was afforded by the country
schools.
For several years he farmed in Illinois and Indiana, and later in
Missouri, until on May 26, 1846, he started overland for California
arriving at Sacramento, in this State on October 20 of that year.
He at once joined the little force under General Fremont, and was
engaged with that gallant commander in all the stirring events of that
date. He accompanied the general to Los Angeles, finally, where
he was discharged on the pacification of the country, when he
returned to his family, and engaged in the business of stock-raising in
Tuolumne County.
In 1850 he came to Santa Clara County, transferring his stock interests
hither, and carrying on at the same time the general business of a
farmer upon the same land still occupied by his widow. This is
located on the King road in the Pala School District, about three miles
east of the business center of San Jose. Mr. Pyle was an
industrious and energetic man during his life,one of the leading
citizens of this section of the State, always at hand in every moment
when his presence could be of benefit. He was a member of the
Vigilantes in 1852, who did such great, good work for the law-abiding
citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Pyle had four children: Edward G., born May 26,
1838, who married Miss Margaret Hanney, a native of Scotland; they
reside on the old homestead. Mary, born
October 26, 1839, married Wm. C. Overfelt,
since deceased; she lives on a portion of the old homestead, William
Henry, born April 18, 1842, married Miss Mary A. Fisk, a native of
Maine; they reside at Los Angeles. The fourth, John Francisco,
born December 31, 1844, who married Miss Margaret E. Houston, of Santa
Clara County and now resides on a portion of the old homestead.
This homestead originally consisted of four hundred and ten acres,
being purchased by Mr. Pyle on locating in this valley, and being a
part of five hundred acres, tract No. 47. Before his death he
sold ten acres of this tract, the remainder being divided amongst the
children, except seventy-two acres reserved with the old
homestead. This is devoted to the growth of hay and grain.
After the death of her husband Mr. Pyle, in 1858, married Daniel
Tanner, a resident of Santa Clara County. A large part of the
great hardships of the early days necessarily fell upon the women, and
these pioneer ladies can relate exception accounts of their trails and
sufferings. While Mr. Pyle was in the service under General
Fremont, he left his wife and young family alone in Tuolumne County,
with but scanty supplies of sustenance. Indeed, at one time they
were brought to such a strait that, had it not been for the kindness of
the Indians, who shared with them their game and acorns and such other
food as they had, they would have perished. But it was a trail
that had to be borne, as the needs of the county always come
first. It should be stated further, that Mrs. Pyle was the
daughter of Levi and Mary Goodwin, natives of Pennsylvania, who
emigrated to Ohio at an early date. Her parents afterwards went
ot Indiana and finally to Illinois, where they died, in an
honored old age.
SOURCE: 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.- Page 231, transcribed by Carolyn
Feroben
SANTA
CLARA COUNTY PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA COUNTY HISTORY