Santa Clara County
Biographies
CAPTAIN FRANK DUNN.
Among the horticulturists of this section must be mentioned the subject of this
sketch, who owns a very productive orchard and vineyard tract in the Braley
District. This tract is on the San Francisco road, at its junction with Reed
Lane, about three-fourths of a mile west of Lawrence. Of the thirty acres which
it
contains, six acres are set with cherry trees, one acre each with pears,
peaches, prunes, and plums, and eighteen acres are devoted to the growing of
vines, which furnish wine grapes of the Cabernet and Walbeck varieties. The
remainder of the property is occupied by the fine residence, surrounded by a
beautiful lawn and substantial out-buildings. As showing the care exercised by
Captain Dunn over his fruit interests, mention may be made of the fact that one
cherry tree of his orchard (age unknown) produced, in 1887, 330 pounds of
marketable fruit, while in the same year several of his vines yielded 30 pounds
each of fine grapes.
Mr. Dunn was born in Nova Scotia in 1833. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Dunn) Dunn, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Nova Scotia with the historical Selkirk Colony, in 1812. He was reared to a farmer's life, receiving such education in his boyhood as was furnished in the traditional log school-house of that early day. In 1843 his father moved his family to Calais, Maine, and in that seaport the son contracted a love and desire for a seafaring life, which lasted for more than thirty-six years. When but twelve years of age, he commenced his life on the rolling deep, by making his first voyage as a sailor in the schooner Mary Chase, Capt. George Knight commanding. Two years later he enlisted in the United Stated Navy for service in the Mexican War, as a boy in the sloop-of-war Saratoga, and shortly afterward was transferred to the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, where he rapidly rose in his profession, being made Coxswain of the Commodore's barge. He participated in the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and his bravery and conscientious discharge of every duty won for him much favorable comment. At the expiration of his service in the navy, he was highly complimented by Commodore Francis H. Gregory for his exemplary conduct throughout the term of his service. Later he entered the Merchant Marine Service, and, as before, was most successful, being, at the age of nineteen years, Chief Mate of a large clipper ship. He was advanced rapidly, and, when he reached twenty-six years of age, occupied the proud position of Captain of one of the finest ships of the period. In 1861 the love of change led him to China, where he entered the employ of the old house of Russell & Co., of Shanghai. There he remained for two years, and then went into the employ of the Japanese Government, as commander of steamers in the transport service. He was also in charge of a Government dispatch boat during the Civil War in Japan, after which he commanded the Tokio Maru, the pioneer steamer of the "Three Diamond Line," connecting the Pacific Mail Steamship Company (mail line), with Shanghai, through the inland Sea of Japan, in which service he remained until the assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister, Okubo, who was the founder and promoter of this line. The death of Okubo caused a change in the administration of the company. This occurred in 1878, and was the cause of Captain Dunn's return to the United States. Landing at San Francisco, he visited Santa Clara County, and, struck with its beauty and fertility, he purchased the property upon which he now makes his home. But, having spent so many years in change and adventure, he was not satisfied with the quiet life on a farm, and after about a year's residence here returned to China, and entered into the employ of the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company, engaging in the survey and sounding of the Hue River, the entrance to the capital of Anam. He was also sent to Scotland, to superintend the construction of a steamer suitable for the Anam trade, with which he returned to China. This steamer he commanded until the advent of the French in the Anamite War, which compelled the withdrawal of the steamers and the abandonment of the enterprise. The captain then returned to Santa Clara, and took up a permanent residence upon his estate. An intelligent, energetic, public-spirited citizen, he is one of the best and most favorably known men of the section in which he resides. A large experience of affairs, and a thorough knowledge of men and things gained in travel and residence at home and abroad, make him a valuable acquisition to the social and secret societies to which he belongs. He is one of the founders of the Lawrence Social Club, having served as its President during the first two years of its existence. He was also one of the promoters of the Horticultural Hall Association of San Jose, and since its organization has served continuously as its Secretary. He is connected with the Masonic Lodge, and also with the San Jose Grange, in which he has served one term as Master.
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. 484-485
THATCHER F. BARNES.
Among the large land owners of the county we mention the subject of this sketch,
whose fine farm of 260 acres in the Alviso District is located one-half mile
north of the Alviso and Milpitas road, and about two and one-half miles east of
Alviso. An orchard, bearing apples, pears, and quinces, covers eight acres,
while
nine acres produce strawberries of the Sharpless and Cheney varieties. Ten acres are devoted to asparagus, and the remainder of this large farm is used for the raising of hay and grain, and for stock purposes. Mr. Barnes is greatly interested in stock-raising, particularly in the improvement of the trotting stock of the county, to accomplish which he is breeding from several thoroughbred mares.
The water required for irrigation, stock, and other purposes, is furnished by four artesian wells, two of which flow two and one-half inches over a seven-inch pipe.
The subject of this sketch dates his birth in Cayuga County, New York, on the seventeenth of April, 1828. His parents were Luther and Zipporah (Ferris) Barnes, who were residents and natives of the place of his birth. He was reared as a farmer, and in his youth received a good practical education. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California, bringing with him considerable stock. He reached Oroville, Butte County, on the first of September of that year, and at once proceeded to Marysville, Yuba County. There he disposed of his stock, and after a short stay in Sacramento went to the mines of El Dorado County, where he spent one year. He then engaged in farming and stock-raising in Monterey County, and there made his home until, in 1856, he removed to Santa Clara County, and located. near Alviso, upon land rented from the Alviso estate. This land he cultivated as a grain ranch for about four years, and then purchased and took possession of the land heretofore described, to which he has since given his entire attention.
In May, 1850, the subject of our sketch was united in marriage with Miss Mary Van Wie, the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Conger) Van Wie, residents of Cayuga County, New York. They have two daughters,—Imogene and Eudora. The former is the wife of Rufus Fisk, formerly of Santa Clara County, but now a resident of San Luis Obispo County. The latter married Edward Crossette, of San Francisco.
Mr. Barnes is an educated and intelligent man, one who, by energy and the practice of good business principles, has won much success as an agriculturist and man of business. He has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, and has justly earned the esteem of his associates. Politically he is connected with the Republican party, taking a deep interest in all public affairs. During the dark days of the Rebellion he was made Captain of the Alviso Rifles, a position which he retained until their disbandment, in 1866.
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. 485