Santa Clara County
Biographies
BRUCE A. BASSETT
Bruce A. Bassett, deceased, came with his family to Santa Clara County, in 1882. He was a native of Ohio, born at Milan, Erie County, August 3, 1834, his parents being Cornelius and Clarissa (McKinney) Bassett, both natives of New York State. He was reared to farm life and followed that vocation. He was married, in Ohio, to Miss Weltha L. Taylor, a native of Erie County, and daughter of Julius H. and Aurilla (Allen) Taylor. Her father was born in Ohio, and her mother in New York State, but she was reared in Ohio from her thirteenth year. In 1882 the family came to California, and in August of that year Mr. Bassett purchased a ranch of 134 acres in the hill country east of San Jose, where the family now reside. Here he followed farming until his death, which occurred on the sixth of March, 1887. Mr. Bassett was an intelligent and active man; was a brother of the Superintendent of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Northern Division. He was a Republican in his political views. Mrs. Bassett has three children: Arthur T., Linn A., and Clara A.
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. 354
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
Proofread by Betty Vickroy
JOHN FRANCIS LEWIS
John Francis Lewis, Superintendent of the winery and vineyard at Palo Alto Ranch, is a man of no ordinary attainments. He is a native of South Carolina, born in Charleston, his parents being John and Cloelia J. (Costa Magna) Lewis, both of whom were born in Charleston. J. F. Lewis was reared in his native city until ten years of age, when he was sent to Europe to be educated, and there received the advantages of those celebrated institutions of learning, the Royal Polytechnic School at Dresden and the Royal Academy of Mines at Freiberg. From Germany he came to California, in 1862. He remained in San Francisco a short time, then went to Virginia City, Nevada, and there entered upon the duties of mining engineering. He became connected with the Western Union Telegraph expedition, having charge of surveying parties until the expedition disbanded in 1867. He became assistant to General B. S. Alexander, President of the Board of Engineers for the Pacific Coast, and was associated with him until the latter part of 1878. In 1879 he bought a vineyard and winery at Vine Hill, Santa Cruz County, and engaged in the business of raising grapes and making wine. In 1882 the firm of Lewis & Hindes was formed, and they carried on the wine-making business at Saratoga until 1886. Mr. Lewis then assumed the superintendency of the Los Gatos Co-operative Winery, which engaged his attention until he took his present position in the following year.
Mr. Lewis was twice married. His first wife was Fannie Eleanor Hindes. She died in 1884. By this marriage there were two children: Alvin Francis and Joseph Hindes. His present wife was formerly Miss N. B. Moutrey, a native of Santa Clara County. Her father was Riley Moutrey, the man who saved the Donner party. By this marriage there is one child Nancy Belle.
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. 354-355
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
Proofread by Betty Vickroy
FRANCIS L. CORCORAN
Francis L. Corcoran, Superintendent of the farming operations at Palo Alto Ranch, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Washington County, February 2, 1852, his parents being Michael and Ann Corcoran. His father settled in that county in 1845, with the pioneers. In 1865 the parents moved to Fond du Lac County, that State, locating near the city of Fond du Lac, where Francis L. remained until 1878, when he came to California, locating at Stockton. In February, 1883, he came to Menlo Park Ranch, and was soon appointed to his present position. He was married in this county to Miss Mary F. Smith, a native of Santa Clara, and daughter of Joseph Smith, deceased, an old settler. They have one child, Lorene Frances. Mr. Corcoran is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, of superior intelligence, and well qualified for the management of the important interests placed in his care.
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. 355
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
Proofread by Betty Vickroy