Santa
Clara County
Biographies
CHARLES HENRY McKIERNAN
Distinguished not only as an honored pioneer of California, but as a man of undoubted integrity and genuine worth, the late Charles Henry McKiernan was numbered among the most respected and esteemed citizens of San Jose. Lured to the Pacific coast by the wonderful reports of the discovery of gold, he came here as a young man, poor in pocket, but rich in ambitions and hopes, and by dint of sturdy toil, prudent economy and wise business foresight, acquired a position of affluence and influence. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Leitrim, province of Connaught, and there grew to man's estate. Leaving his native land in 1848, he went to Australia, where he spent two years.
Emigrating from Australia to America in1850, Mr. McKiernan hastened to the gold mines of the new Eldorado, where he expected in a short time to realize a handsome fortune. Going directly from San Francisco to Trinidad, Humboldt county, he met with considerable success as a miner. Having accumulated some money, he embarked in an occupation which he thought was safe and sure. Appreciating the fact that as long as the country was filled with miners and prospectors much freighting would necessarily be carried on, he invested his earnings in fifteen mules, and with this pack train he began carrying supplies to the miners. His business grew with rapidity, and in course of time he bought ten more mules, and was subsequently engaged in freighting until one day, while en route, he was surprised by the Indians, who stampeded his mules and robbed him of his goods. Mr. McKiernan eventually obtained possession of his mules, but he soon after sold out his business and located in Santa Cruz county, where he took up land on the line between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, at a point known as the Summit. From this point the land gradually sloped to the east and the west, on either side being heavily timbered with magnificent redwood trees. In the hollow of one of these giants of the forest, he made his home for several weeks, being meanwhile employed in getting out material for a house. While he was thus engaged Mr. McKiernan, who was an expert with the rifle and gun, supplied the markets with game, which was abundant in the mountains, black and grizzly bears, deer, mountain lions and panthers being numerous, and hunting his favorite pastime. He established quite an extensive business there, getting out and splitting redwood timber for many of the first houses erected in the mountains and valley.
A man of great bravery and daring, Mr. McKiernan met with many thrilling adventures, some of them worthy of note. One day, while out hunting, he saw a mammoth grizzly bear a short distance from him. Cutting across, he came out just ahead of the animal, and quite near him. His gun, which was a muzzle-loader, holding but one ball, was usually sufficient for his needs. But this time, Mr. McKiernan being very close, and probably over-anxious, wounded the bear, who rushed upon his enemy, giving him a blow that tore the scalp from his forehead and over the left eye, and rendering him unconscious. The bear, thinking Mr. McKiernan dead, took hold of him, crushing his skull, and then dragged him to the foot of an old tree, attempted to cover his body with dirt and leaves, and left him. Several hours later, Mr. McKiernan was found by some settlers, who carried him to his home, and at once sent for a physician, who immediately pronounced his case fatal. All the available surgical skill was procured, the wound was carefully dressed, a silver plate replaced the broken skull, but after several weeks of great suffering the trepanning proved a failure, and the plate had to be removed. Notwithstanding all that he endured, Mr. McKiernan's strong constitution and great will power brought him out all right, although he lost his left eye, and had a bad scar across his forehead.
Continuing on his ranch, Mr. McKiernan made great improvements, building a house, barns and outbuildings, setting out a vineyard and planting different kinds of fruit. In this branch of agriculture he was very successful, making considerable money. Realizing the value of his redwood trees, he purchased other tracts of land, at one time owning three thousand acres, and built mills, which he operated to great advantage, becoming a large manufacturer of redwood lumber. In 1884 Mr. McKiernan, in order that his children might have better education advantages, moved to San Jose, locating at No. 225 Saint Augustine street, where he built a substantial residence. He continued the management of his ranch, which then consisted of two thousand acres, all in one body, and also embarked in the hay and grain business in this city, building extensive warehouses. He also became interested in many of the leading enterprises of San Jose, becoming a stockholder, and the president of the Pacific Coast Wine Company, and a stockholder in the original San Jose Light & Power Company, and the waterworks. He continued in active business pursuits until his death, January 16, 1892, at the age of sixty-five years. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took an intelligent interest in public affairs, but was never an aspirant for official honors. He was much interested in the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A.M. and to Santa Cruz Chapter, R. A. M.
Mr. McKiernan married Barbara Berricke, who was born in Ireland, and now resides in San Jose, occupying a beautiful residence at No. 45 North Eighth street, which Mr. McKiernan erected just previous to his death. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. McKiernan seven children were born, namely: Charles Henry, deceased; Mary Frances, wife of J. F. Colombet, an orchardist in San Jose; John J., deceased; Catherine, living at home; Frank C., an orchardist, married Lizzie Pearl; James V., of San Jose; and Nellie G., wife of C. P. Bailey, of San Jose.
James V. McKiernan is a prominent business man of San Jose and is actively associated with its industrial prosperity and growth. He devoted much of his time and attention to the care of his vineyard at the Summit ranch, raising wine grapes, principally, his vines producing as many as three hundred and sixty tons some seasons. He is also identified with the mercantile interest of the city, having at one time been proprietor of a wall paper establishment. He owns much valuable real estate in San Jose, in Santa Cruz county, and in other parts of this county. He married Belle Newhall, daughter of Sylvester Newhall, an old and well known settler of Santa Clara county. Mrs. McKiernan was educated in the Notre Dame Convent, and is well and favorable known in San Jose society.
Transcribed
3-25-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 452-455. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.