Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM WATSON ABERNATHY
The Father
SURNAMES: HODGELL, FORREST, MELONE
Among the highly-esteemed settlers of Santa Clara County are William Watson
Abernathy and his good wife, residents of the vicinity of Saratoga, who are
enjoying the fruits of courageous industry, foresight and thrift. Mr. Abernathy
was born in Ohio near Xenia, June 18, 1849, the son of Samuel and Lydia
Abernathy. His father was a farmer and when William was twelve years of age, his
father moved to Lafayette, Ind., and there William lived until he was twenty-one
years old, then returned to Ohio where he worked in a tile factory for two
years. Then he went to Linn County, Iowa, and was married there at Center Point,
September 1, 1873, to Miss Sarah E. Hodgell, who was born near Barnesville,
Ohio, in 1853, the daughter of John and Emily (Carpenter) Hodgell. The father
was a native of Ohio and of English origin, while Mrs. Hodgell was a native of
the same state. They were farmers and removed to Linn County, Iowa, in 1872,
where they died. John Hodgell served in the Civil War as a member of an Ohio
regiment.
Mr. Abernathy engaged in farming in Iowa until 1876, when they moved to Jewell,
County, Kans., and engaged in farming near Jewell until 1901, when they came to
San Jose, Cal. Mr. Abernathy was in the feed and fuel business for nine years
and then he and his son bought their present place on the Saratoga Road, near
Moreland Station, and here they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy have
two children; Minnie now resides in Iola, Kans., she if the wife of Frank R.
Forrest, and they became the parents of three children- Josephine, Edwin and
Wendell; A. Frank married Miss Nettie Melone and they have two children-
Florence and Frances. A. Frank was Superintendent of the Sorosis Farm in Santa
Clara County for about seventeen years but is now running his own orchard. Mr.
Abernathy's farm consists of fifteen and a half acres, two aces are set to
apricots, one acre to peaches, and the remainder in prunes. Mr. and Mrs.
Abernathy are active members of the Christian Church at San Jose. Mrs. Abernathy
is a charming lady of talent and winning personality and has been a true
helpmate to her ambitious and industrious husband. He is a member of the Modern
Woodmen.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara
County, California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 928
FRANK ABERNATHY
The Son
MANAGER-SOROSIS FRUIT COMPANY
BONNY ORCHARD of SARATOGA
SURNAMES: HODGELL, FORREST, MELONE
A representative orchardist of Santa Clara County, Frank Abernathy was for
twenty-one years the capable and efficient manager of the Sorosis Fruit Company,
becoming well and favorably known as a horticulturist and manager of large
affairs but is now looking after his own properties. He was born in Iowa in 1876
and is the son of William Watson Abernathy, a native of Ohio, born in 1851. The
paternal grand-parents were Samuel and Lydia Abernathy and were farmers. His
father was also a farmer and when William was twelve years of age, moved to
Indiana and he lived there until he was twenty-one years old, when he returned
to Ohio where he worked in a tile factory for two years. In 1873 William W.
Abernathy was married to Miss Sarah E. Hodgell, a native of Ohio born in 1853,
and in 1880 they removed to California, finally settled in San Jose in 1901. Mr.
Abernathy was in the fuel, feed and delivery business for several years and then
he purchased his present place on the Saratoga Road, where he and his wife now
reside. They are the parents of two children; Minnie, the wife off Frank R.
Forrest, and Frank is the subject of this sketch.
Frank attended the public schools of Jewell, Kans., and then entered the State
Normal at Emporia; later he taught school for two years in Jewell County. In
1901 he removed to California and entered the employ of the Sorosis Fruit
Company; owned by F. M. (Borax) Smith, and in 1908 became the manager for the
company and occupied that responsible position for six months after Mr. Smith
sold it to the new owners. Wishing to give all of his time to the management of
his own orchards he resigned this position in January, 1922. Since 1908 Mr.
Abernathy has owned orchards, adding to his holdings by the purchase of
full-bearing groves from time to time, until he now owns five different orchards
in the vicinity of Saratoga, embracing 143 acres, devoted principally to raising
prunes, although he also grows apricots, peaches and pears. On his ranch at
Congress Junction he is also engaged in raising White Leghorn poultry, having
modern and well equipped yards for the purpose. His home ranch , known as the
Bonney Orchards, is located on the heights above Saratoga, commanding a
beautiful view of the Valley. His dry yards are located at the Congress Junction
ranch, where he cures all of his fruit from the various orchards.
Mr. Abernathy's marriage united him with Miss Nettie Melone, a native of
Illinois, and they have two children, Florence and Frances, Fraternally Mr.
Abernathy is a Modern Woodman, and with his wife is a member of the Christian
Church of San Jose, being a member of the official board.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara
County, California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 1080