Santa
Clara County
Biographies
LEON CARTERI
A keen-witted, brainy, active
man, possessing excellent executive and business ability, the late Leon Carteri, of San Jose, was widely and favorably known as one
of the most extensive stock growers of the Pacific coast and as an important
factor in advancing its agricultural interests. Through his large dealings and
business transactions he formed many acquaintances, and by his systematic and
honest methods made warm friends and gained the respect and confidence of all
with whom he came in contact. A native of southern France he was born in
Toulouse, a son of Bertram Carteri, a man of wealth
and prominence, his birth occurring in 1839. One of his older brothers, Andrea Carteri, came to California in very early pioneer times,
settling in Los Angeles county, where he improved a fine and valuable rancho.
He acquired wealth and influence, and was much esteemed as a man and a citizen.
He was accidentally drowned while swimming in a lake on his estate.
Reared and educated in France, Leon Carteri completed a college course, graduating with an
excellent record. Leaving his native land in 1868, he came directly to
California, and in Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara county,
established a large mercantile business. He subsequently bought lands, becoming
part owner of both Foxen and Shaw’s ranches, and also
the sole proprietor of two other large ranches. In addition had a camp on his
farm, and received from Mr. Foxen his needed
supplies. Mr. Foxen married Edwardo
Osuna, who was born in San Diego, Cal., of Spanish
ancestry, her parents, descendants of the Spanish nobility, emigrating from
Castile, Spain, to California, coming with others of their country to act as
administrators of churches along the Pacific coast, and to help organize and
build new churches throughout California. Mrs. Foxen
died in Santa Barbara, Cal., at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Matilda
Foxen, the youngest child in a family of fourteen
children, eleven of whom grew to years of maturity, was brought up in Santa
Barbara, receiving her education in St. Vincent’s College. In 1878, having
previously traveled much, she married Leon Carteri,
as before mentioned, and since his death has continued her residence in San
Jose, having the care of the home property, and also taking charge of the sheep
ranch in San Benito county. She is a woman of refinement and culture, and a
member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Ten children were born of the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Carteri, namely: Mrs. Leontine Coe, of San Jose, Serephine,
Josephine, Serena, Bertrand Julian, Theresa, Mercedes, Angela, Ursula and Irma Carteri.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 909-910. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.