JOSEPH WOODHAMS

FLOUR MILL

 Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: MAURICE, SMITH

deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in England, October 23,  1803. His youth and early manhood were spent on his father's farm, where he became proficient in one of the occupations which he so successfully pursued in after life. He also devoted considerable attention to mechanical pursuits. At the age of twenty-four, namely, in 1827, he came to the United States, landing at New York. He first settled in Westchester County, New York, where he was engaged as a miller; afterward he went up the North River and settled at Newburg, at which place he continued the occupation of a miller and millwright until 1843. In that year, accompanied by his oldest son, Maurice, he went to Chili, South America, where he was joined by his family one year later. During his stay in Chili, he held the position of manager of the extensive flouring-mills of Burdon & Co. He continued his occupation and residence in that country until 1850, when he emigrated to California. After a short stay in San Francisco, he came to the Santa Clara Valley, arriving here in the fall of the same year, and, settling upon the land now occupied by his son Alfred,{see below} he at once commenced its cultivation and improvement. The first dwelling erected by Mr. Woodhams upon these lands was of building material framed and prepared in New Brunswick, and shipped to San Francisco around Cape Horn in sailing vessels. The subject of our sketch was an energetic and intelligent mechanic, as well as a farmer. At that early day agricultural implements were not to be obtained in the county, and after threshing his first crop in the primitive manner then in vogue, he set himself at work for improvements, which resulted in his manufacturing a threshing-machine and separator, and placing the same in successful operation upon his farm. This was one of the first machines of the character ever built in Santa Clara County, if not in the State of California. In 1852 or 1853 he erected a small flour-mill, the motive power for the operation of which was furnished by eight or ten horses. The products of this mill found ready sale in Santa Clara and in the Redwoods.

        The energy and business tact displayed by Mr. Woodhams in those enterprises were characteristic of the man, and made his name known throughout the county. Combined with this, he was well known and universally respected as one of the most public-spirited men of the section. Consequently he was sought for and enlisted in all the public enterprises of that date. In his death, which occurred July 1, 1887, in his eighty-fourth year, the community lost a man of solid value.

(found in the California Room Database Index)

Mr. Woodhams married Miss Annie Maurice, a native of England. From this union were born the following-named children: Maurice, born March 23, 1830, now a resident of San Mateo County; Alfred R., born May 30, 1832, residing on the old homestead, a sketch of whom is contained in this volume;[BELOW} Oscar, born August 17, 1837, who makes his home in San Francisco; Mary E. and Lucy A., the former a resident of Santa Clara, and the latter the wife of Henry Smith, and a resident of Oakland, California.

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.

Pg. 428

 Bio - Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: MAURICE, DOPKING, SAUL, HALPIN,

is the proprietor of the "Roble Alto Farm," which is located on the Homestead road, in the Milliken District, near the western limits of the town of Santa Clara. This farm contains 143 acres of choice land, upon which stands a fine residence surrounded by beautiful grounds. It is the old homestead occupied so many years by his father, who was one of the pioneers of this county, and whose sketch will be found in this connection{ABOVE}. The ranch is devoted principally to the growing of hay and grain, and to stock-raising. Twenty-five acres, however, are in orchard, the principal trees of which are prunes in full bearing.

        The subject of this sketch was born in Orange County, New York, May 30, 1832. His father, Joseph Woodhams, and his mother, Annie (Maurice) Woodhams, were natives of England. His youth was spent in obtaining an education, and in helping his father in his trade, which was that of a miller and millwright. In 1844 he accompanied his mother and family to Chili, South America, where they joined his father and eldest brother, who had preceded them the year before. He remained with the family until December, 1848, when he left for the gold-fields of California, landing at San Francisco in April, 1849. Though but seventeen years of age, he entered into the whirl and rush of the pioneer life of California, being first engaged at carpenter work at $6.00 per day. After working at this for some months he went to the mines and commenced operations at Hawkins' Bar on Tuolumne River, where he remained from August, 1849, until the following January, when he returned to San Francisco and engaged in teaming until the arrival of his father's family from Chili. He then joined the family, and in the fall of 1850 came to Santa Clara County, where they took up their residence upon the property now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. From that time until the present (1888) Mr. Woodhams has been closely identified with the growth and building up of this beautiful valley, and has ever been an ardent supporter of all enterprises which tended to increase the prosperity of the section in which he lives. An intelligent, observant, and public-spirited man, trained to habits of business, his action in matters of public interest are duly noted and appreciated by the community in which he resides.

        He is a member of the San Jose Grange, and of the American Legion of Honor. He was also one of the promoters and incorporators of the San Jose Horticultural Hall Association. Politically, he is an independent Republican, and was a prominent member of the Union League during the war.

        He has been twice married, his first marriage, in 1865, uniting him with Miss Cynthia Dopking, daughter of Daniel Dopking, of Yolo County. She died in 1876, leaving no children. Mr. Woodhams married, in 1877, Miss Lizzie Saul, the daughter of Thomas Saul, of Boston, Massachusetts, who died while she was an infant. Her mother, Sarah (Halpin) Saul, is now a resident of Essex, Massachusetts. Mrs. Woodhams was born April 17, 1844.  She is the mother of four children, of whom but two are now living, viz.: Laurola Saul Woodhams and Willie Elmo Woodhams.

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.

Pg. 428-429

MARRIAGE LICENSES ON FILE:-----Note last name of Bride is not DOPKING- but POST
Found in the Californai Room Database

SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHY PROJECT