Santa Clara County Biographies

JOHN E. AUZERAIS

cashier of the Safe Deposit Bank, of San Jose, is the eldest of three sons and a daughter of John Auzerais, and is a native son of California, born in San Jose in 1860. He attended school in the city of Paris for a time; was there during the early part of the Franco-German War; returned to the United States in 1871, and took a course in Santa Clara College, graduating in 1879, in the English and scientific course. Deciding to pursue his studies further, he spent the following year in the same institution, and received another degree in 1880. His business career started in the hardware house of Baker & Hamilton, San Francisco. Leaving there, he spent some time in the hardware business in El Paso, Texas, and in 1882 went to Los Angeles, and became a member of the corporate firm of Schoder, Johnston & Co., which had a capital stock of $200,000. Upon the opening of the Safe Deposit Bank, Mr. Auzerais disposed of his interest in the hardware business to accept the office of cashier, which he has filled to the present time. He is a stockholder and Director in the bank, and is one of the most thoroughgoing, industrious business men in the city

In 1881 Mr. Auzerais and Miss Minnie McLaughlin were united in wedlock. Mrs. Auzerais is a native of the Golden State, born in Grass Valley, Nevada County.

John Auzerais, the father of John E. was an old pioneer and one of the most successful of the early settlers of San Jose. Born in Normandy, France, in 1822, he left his native country, in 1849, in company with his brother Edward, for Valparaiso, Chili, where he accepted a position in a mercantile establishment. Edward came on to San Jose and established the "Mariposa Store", which proved a most profitable venture. A little over a year afterward, in 1851, John also came to this place and joined his brother in the mercantile business, which prospered in their hands, and the firm of Auzerais Brothers became the best known in this section of the State. They amassed a large amount of wealth, and in 1864 built the famed Auzerais House, at a cost of $150,000. John continued in business until February, 1874, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, who still owns the great establishment. After this Mr. John Auzerais devoted his attention to vine-culture and wine-making, collecting rents and watching his investments His vine-yard comprised 100 acres, situated east of the city near Alum Rock.

During the partnership of the brothers, they did much to improve the city in the way of erecting buildings, a number of which are the best blocks in the city, as the Mariposa Block, the Central Block, the Pacific Hotel, the City Market, etc., besides a large number of dwellings.

In February, 1858, Mr. John Auzerais was united in marriage with Miss Louise Prevost, a sister of Dr. A. L.. Prevost, and niece of Archbishop Blanchard, of Oregon, and Bishop Blanchard, of Washington Territory (both deceased). The lady, prior to her marriage, had been attending the College of Notre Dame in this city. The fruit of the union was six children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: John Edward, born May 12, 1860; Louis F., born February 17, 1862; Raoul A., born March 28, 1873; and Louise Aimee, born June 25, 1875.

John Auzerais passed away December 12, 1887, leaving his widow and four children (two of them are minors), and all reside in San Jose. Louis, the other adult son, engaged in the paint, oil, and wallpaper business. Mr. Auzerais left an estate which was appraised at $250,000. He was one of the passengers on the ill-fated Jennie Lind when its boiler exploded on the way between San Jose and San Francisco, and was one of the few on board who escaped without injury. Mrs. Auzerais, the widow, is a Canadian lady by birth, but came to San Jose in early youth. She was educated in the Convent of Notre Dame, and it was while attending school there that Mr. Auzerais met and won her.

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 523-524
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben

President of the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, was born in Sackville, Westmoreland County, New Brunswick, January 23, 1840. His grandfather originally settled in New England and was a soldier in the American army during the Revolution, serving under General Washington in most of his campaigns and at Valley Forge. For this service he was granted a tract of land situated in what has since become the great State of Ohio. He afterward removed to New Brunswick, on account of his business, but always retained his citizenship in the United States, The father of the subject of this sketch was James Ayer, and his mother, Elizabeth (Chase) Ayer. Samuel lived with his parents, attending school and assisting his father until he was fifteen years of age, when he went as an apprentice in a large carriage factory, where he remained five years, thoroughly mastering the business in all its details. At the expiration of that time, being then twenty years of age, he resolved to come to California. He made the journey by steamer, landing in San Francisco in May, 1860. After a short stay in that city he came to Santa Clara County, and located in Santa Clara. Here he worked at his trade in the shop of John Dickson until the fall of 1860, when he moved to Milpitas and worked in the shop of Abraham Weller until the following spring, when he ceased shops and started into the wagon-making business upon his own account. Square dealings, coupled with thorough knowledge of his business, soon insured his success, and in 1863 he built extensive shops of his own, in which he successfully conducted the business until 1868, when he purchased the property where he now resides, and engaged in farming. The business habits and energetic characteristics that brought success to his other enterprises have produced the same results when applied to his present calling and he is ranked as one of the leading agriculturists of the county.

Mr. Ayer is a man of prominence; his sound sense and practical business ideas are recognized by the community, and his opinion upon all matters affecting the welfare of the county is often sought and always respected. From his earliest manhood he has been deeply interested in the public-school system of this country, and has devoted much time to advancing its interests. For twenty-five years he has been a Trustee of his district, and the enviable condition of educational interests in that community is due to his efforts. In 1876 he consented to become a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of Supervisor. His opponent, Mr. Thomas Stealey, was a very popular man, and the district strongly Democratic, but, notwithstanding these disadvantages, Mr. Ayer was elected by a fair majority. In Milpitas Township he received every vote but eleven, and Alviso Township voted for him unanimously. With the exception of two years he has ever since been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has held the position of President of the Board for three terms. During these twelve years Mr. Ayer has shown not only an honesty of purpose and a willing spirit, but has also displayed an ability to take care of the interests of the county. His progressive ideas have been adopted and his methods copied by Boards of other counties, who have come to look upon the Board of Santa Clara County as a model for imitation. He came into office at the time of a dead lock in the Board on the question of constructing the Mt. Hamilton road, and his vote untied the knot and gave to the county this magnificent avenue. His knowledge of the subject of public highways caused him to be often called before committees of the State Legislature when this subject was before that body. When the indebtedness of the county was re-funded, the best bid for the new bonds was par at six per cent interest. Mr. Ayer visited Sacramento and induced the State to take them at four per cent. During the last twelve years there is scarcely an item of desirable legislation had by the Board that he has not helped to accomplish, and many of them he has originated. He has the courage of his convictions on all matters pertaining to the county, and is not afraid to do battle for what he thinks is right.

Mr. Ayer was united in marriage December, 1862, to Miss America E. Evans, daughter of Josiah and Cavy Ann (Smith) Evans, residents of Santa Clara County.

Her father (a sketch of whom appears in this history) was a native of Morgan County, of the same State. By this marriage there have been ten children, nine of whom are living. Frank and Henry, two of the sons, are residing in Nevada, where, in connection with their father, they are extensively engaged in stock-raising.