Santa Clara County
Biographies
DAVID J. SPENCE,
who resides on the Alameda near Fremont Street, San Jose,
was born in Monterey, California, in 1861. He received his education at Santa
Clara College, where his two brothers also attended. In 1886 he was married to
Miss Hattie Foley, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. They have one child,
David J. Spence, Jr. He is a
descendant, through his grandparents on one side, from an old Scottish family,
one of whose members, David Spence, the grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, came to California early in the present century and became prominently
identified with its early history, and on the other from the best Spanish blood
in California, his grandmother being the daughter of the commandant of the
Mexican forces in California, and the niece of their Governor. His grandfather
was Alcalde of Monterey when the American forces took possession of California,
and died there in 1875, leaving a large estate to be divided between his four
grandchildren. Mr. Spence's father was born in Monterey, and died there in 1868.
David J. Spence, and also each of his brothers, have built elegant homes
adjoining each other on the Alameda near Fremont Street. They have each about
3,000 acres of land near Monterey, land of fine quality and well adapted to
either farming or fruit-raising. This is mostly rented to the people who are
cultivating it. An extended history of the family is contained in the
biographical sketches of Rudolph and Albert Spence in this volume.
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. 505-506
TYLER BEACH.
There is certainly no better known or more popular man in Santa Clara County than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Born in Warren County, New York, September 29, 1832, he was taken by his parents to Saratoga County, in the same State, five years later. In May, 1845, they emigrated to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and two years later went on to Columbia County, in Wisconsin, and there resided until 1853, when Mr. Beach set out for California, by the Nicaragua route, reaching San Francisco in February, 1854. He came to Santa Clara County two months later, and has ever since resided here and been prominently identified with all the best interests of the place. For a time Mr. Beach devoted himself to farming and other agricultural pursuits, and then for two years followed the business of artesian well borer.
In 1861 he began the ice business, and subsequently started a wood and coal yard on St. John Street, in San Jose, being the first to engage in that business here, and carrying it on until a few years ago. But it is as the proprietor of the popular St. James Hotel that Tyler Beach is best known, this house being at the time of writing considered as leading the business in this county. The St. James has within the year been enlarged to twice its former capacity, and otherwise improved until now it is, both in appearance and in appointments, in every respect a thoroughly first-class house. The rooms are lofty and well ventilated, handsomely furnished and equipped, the halls spacious and airy, softly carpeted and artistically decorated. The household department is perfect, the dining-room being the largest in the city, and the bill of fare always including the best the markets afford, cooked under the direction of a skilled chef. In this department the St. James has a great advantage. Fresh butter, milk, eggs, vegetables, etc., are brought in daily from Mr. Beach's own ranch in the outskirts of the city, which is run in connection with the hotel. Lovers of fine stock will be much interested in the high-grade animals of which Mr. Beach makes a specialty. The location of the house could not be improved. Adjoining the handsome Court House, and directly opposite the lovely St. James Park, guests can never be disturbed by the noise and bustle of the city, and yet they are within an easy walk of all the public buildings. It is in the magnetic personality of Mr. Beach himself, however, that the greatest attraction exists. Liked by everyone who knows him, both he and his estimable family are honored and loved members of the community, Mr. Beach being large-hearted, generous, and public-spirited to a fault.
He was married April 3, 1861, to Miss Martha Ann Smith, of Iowa. They have five sons and two daughters.
Mr. Beach is a Mason of high standing, being a member of San Jose Lodge, No. to, of which he is Senior Warden, a Captain of the Royal Arch Chapter, and a member of the Eastern Star.
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. 506