Santa
Clara County
Biographies
ANDREW JACKSON ELMER
The most enthusiastic lover of nature would find it hard to more nearly realize his ideals of soil production than has Andrew Jackson Elmer, owner of the Centennial Nursery in East San Jose, on McLaughlin avenue, at the foot of Williams street. Mr. Elmer is a machinist by trade, and after devoting several years to this calling turned his attention to a nursery business in San Jose in 1892, for five years conducting a place on Sixteenth street. He then removed to his present ranch of fifty-two acres, formerly known as the Lendrum dairy ranch, where he has twenty-five acres under prunes, twenty under peaches and five under pears. Of late he has purchased an additional twenty acres for nursery stock exclusively, having on hand all kinds of deciduous fruits, and in the line of trees, prune, peach, pear, apricot, apple, walnut, almond, chestnut and cherry trees. He has made a special study of trees, noting their individual characteristics, and the climatic and other conditions which influence their growth and production. He has increased the importance of his exhibit by importing pear and apple trees from Germany, pears from Italy, and apricots from Bolivia, and his ranch is a study in progressive horticulture, planned and overseen by a master mind who loves his work and expects success rather than failure.
Born in Monroe county, N.Y., March 16, 1858, Mr. Elmer is a son of Henry and Cordelia (Fosdick) Elmer, natives also of New York state, who removed with their family to Midland City, Mich., in 1866. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade, and after years of success in Midland came to California in May, 1890, taking up his trade in Santa Clara, two years later removing to San Jose, where his death occurred in 1902. His wife lives on North Crittenden street, San Jose. Andrew Jackson is the only son in this family, and he was educated at the Midland high school, from which he graduated in 1878. He soon afterward engaged in the planning mill business with his father in Midland, and after the burning of the mill in 1888 engaged in carpentering and building until coming to California in January, 1890. For a time he was identified with the Pacific Manufacturing Company as a wood-worker and machine repairer, after which he took up the work in which he is now interested and for which he has particular aptitude. It is of interest to know that he came to California with limited assets and that he was forced to make his way without the advantage of influence or friends. That the future has disclosed such admirable and promising results speaks well for his application, ability and personal popularity.
While living in Midland, Mich., in 1880, Mr. Elmer married Lovisa Avery, a native of Michigan, who became the mother of seven sons and three daughters, of which two daughters are deceased. The children living are: Bessie Helen, Henry Alfred, Leslie A., Leon H., Walter M., Lewis E., Raymond A., and Wilbur C. Mr. Elmer is sociably inclined, and finds pleasant associations and recreation in the Fraternal Aid. Politically he is independent, voting for the man best qualified for the office under discussion. A genial and approachable manner greatly facilitates Mr. Elmer's success, and, taken in connection with his enterprise, thorough understanding of his business and public spirit, renders him a popular and important adjunct to his town and county.
Transcribed
7-2-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California
by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 674. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago,
1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.