Santa
Clara County
Biographies
ISAAC J. HATTABOUGH
Since
1849 Isaac J. Hattabough has been a resident of California, having crossed the
plains in that year, unlike the many others who came to the state at that time
seeking not wealth, but health. During
the years in which he has passed his time as a citizen among the pioneer
conditions of the west he has won for himself all the attributes which
constitute success, a part of his efforts lying along agricultural lines, while
he is even better known as an inventor and manufacturer, his agricultural implements
being in use now in many sections of the country. Widely known and widely honored, he holds a
position of universal esteem and respect throughout Santa Clara county.
Born near
Wilmington, Del., November 5, 1821, he was the son of Samuel and Mary (Jump)
Hattabough, who removed to Richmond, Ind., in 1831, where the father followed
the occupation of farmer. There he grew
to manhood, trained to the practical duties of an agricultural life, which he
continued to follow on attaining years of maturity. He was engaged with his brother-in-law in
this work until his health began to fail and every symptom of consumption
threatened to cut short his efforts for a happy and prosperous career. Advised to seek a change of climate he decided
to immigrate to California, and though his friends feared he was not physically
equal to the trip he bought an ox-team and in company with a train of emigrants
set out on the long and hazardous journey across the plains. Shortly after the journey was begun the
question arose as to whether they should travel on Sunday, and Mr. Hattabough,
who had been a faithful member of the Methodist church from his seventh year,
said at once that even if he had to travel alone he would observe the Sabbath
day. This decided the remainder of the
party and Mr. Hattabough was elected captain of the train. The party arrived in Sacramento, September 16,
1849, the privations and hardships incident to such a trip. Mr. Hattabough, with his health entirely
recovered, remained in Sacramento ten days, after which he went to Coloma,
Eldorado county, and became an eye-witness to the excitement of gold mining in
all its phases. He then went to Cold
Spring, and with others built a cabin, which he occupied during the time he
remained in that locality as a miner. In
the following February he went to Placerville and mined in that vicinity until
July, 1850, when he came to Santa Clara valley and entered upon an agricultural
life. He located on a tract of land four
miles west of San Jose, believing it to be government land, but which afterward
proved to be a Spanish grant. Afterward
he purchased this land—one hundred and seventy-four and a half acres—and made
many and valuable improvements, erecting a house, barns, and other
out-buildings, and bringing the land to a splendid state of cultivation. He raised here the first field of wheat in
this section and remained engaged in general farming until 1867, when he sold
out and removed to San Jose. He here
engaged in teaming and general contract work for about two years, when he
located upon his present property, where he is now living practically retired.
In
addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Hattabough has also spent much time
and attention to the inventive line.
Possessing much natural ability he has given to the study of inventions
such thought as to be able to conceive and carry out several ideas which have
resulted in some valuable farming implements, such as a hay fork and derrick,
of which he has manufactured as many as $4,000 worth while farming. He later invented a gopher and squirrel trap,
and has made and sold thousands of these and still manufactures them. He also invented a spring bed and prairie
engine, as well as various other articles of minor note.
Mr.
Hattabough has been married twice, his first union being with Mehitabel Jane
Daves, of Galena, Ill. She died in 1888 at the age of fifty-three
years, leaving a family of seven children namely: Orlando Christopher, of
Montana; J.Lemuel, of Arizona; Vaughn, of Salinas; Frank P., of San Jose; Mrs.
Mary A. Sullivan, of Alabama; Abraham L., of San Francisco, and Fred, of Santa
Cruz. Mr. Hattabough was afterward
united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Jane Brackett, who was formerly Miss Boynton,
daughter of John Boynton. A staunch Republican,
Mr. Hattabough has always supported the principles of his party and given his best
efforts toward it advancement. During
the Civil War he served as second lieutenant of the Redwood cavalry, and served
nearly three years, receiving an honorable discharge and commendation for
courage. In his religious convictions
Mr. Hattabough has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church up to within seven years ago, when
he became identified with the Volunteers of America, where he holds the position
of sergeant. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd fellows, Pioneers of California and Pioneers of Santa Clara Valley. In the early days he too quite an active part
in all public affairs, serving as a member of the Know-Nothings, Sons of
Temperance and Grangers.
Transcribed by
Louise E. Shoemaker, July 14, 2015.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 672-673. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Louise E. Shoemaker.