Santa Clara County
Biographies
ISAAC BARBER HART
Among the sturdy pioneers who have helped in making the glorious state of California what it is, and who assisted in developing its resources, appropriate mention is due Isaac B. Hart. Upon coming to the state in the fall of 1859 he located first in Plumas county, and in 1860 came to the Evergreen district, Santa Clara county, the intervening years witnessing many ups and downs in his career. In 1903 he purchased a fine residence on the King road, five miles southeast of San Jose, beautifully located upon a twelve-acre tract. Here, surrounded by all that makes life attractive he is spending his days enjoying the fruits of early toil and industry. Mr. Hart also owns other valuable real estate, including a fine one hundred and sixty acre ranch on the banks of Silver creek and a hundred acre farm near Hollister, in San Benito county, where several of his children reside.
Born January 11, 1840, in Livingston county, N. Y., Mr. Hart is a son of Orlando and Elizabeth (Aldrich) Hart, both also natives of the Empire state. Accompanied by his family Mr. Hart left New York and founded a home in Indiana, locating in 1844 in La Grange county. By trade he was a blacksmith. In 1859 he lost his first wife, who had become the mother four sons and three daughters. Some time after her death he married again and in 1862 moved to Michigan, locating for a time near Mendon, a few years afterward removing to the vicinity of Flint. He is now an esteemed and retired resident of Mt. Morris, Mich., and although bowed down by the weight of his ninety years he is still hale and hearty.
Isaac B. Hart obtained the rudiments of an education in the little log school house near his father’s farm, and as the school term in those early days covered a period of but three months, his education was necessarily very limited. He remained at home assisting his father in farm work until 1859, when he joined a party of gold seekers bound for Pike’s Peak. At that time great excitement prevailed and the stories one heard of the discovery of gold in that section were so contradicting that it was almost impossible to ascertain the true facts. The party of which Mr. Hart was a member became discouraged at the conflicting reports and for two weeks camped at Missouri river in a state of absolute indecision. It was during this time that Mr. Hart received the intelligence of his mother’s death. Finally a vote was taken as to whether the party should proceed to California or not. It resulted in a decision to proceed westward and after a six months’ journey behind ox team they arrived upon the coast. In crossing the plains Capt. Isaac Adams, their guide, succumbed to a fatal malady and was buried at the Grand Ford of the Humboldt river; Mr. Hart was proclaimed his successor. After one year spent in Plumas county, in 1860 Mr. Hart proceeded to Evergreen district and worked on land which he rented from Mr. McClay. The year following he hired out for wages, and in 1863 again rented land, purchasing his own team. The season of 1864 was a failure on account of drought, and the next year, in partnership with a Mr. Baker, he rented two hundred acres. In 1866 the partners invested in a horse power threshing machine, and for several years thereafter rented land and operated their machine with fair success.
It was not until 1884 that Mr. Hart had realized sufficient capital to purchase a home place, but during that year he bought the one hundred and sixty acre farm on Silver creek which he still owns, but which he leases. Here he engaged in farm pursuits, raising hay, grain, etc., until November, 1903, when he purchased his home property and leased the farm. Mr. Hart’s marriage took place in Evergreen, Cal., and united him with Miss Helen Cottle. Mrs. Hart is a native of Wisconsin, and her father, Orville Cottle, was born in Missouri. In 1853 he went overland to California and located first in Grass Valley, Cal., and subsequently in the Evergreen district in Santa Clara county. He was an extensive land owner in this section and died on one of his numerous valuable farms. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hart four sons and one daughter, as follows: Henry, Orville, Alwin, Lora and Orlando. All reside in San Benito county except the daughter, who is now the wife of Arthur McClay. The eldest son resides on his father’s ranch previously mentioned. Politically a Republican, Mr. Hart is not an office-seeker but has officiated as school director, and he represents the best class of citizens in his county.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 336-337. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.