Santa Clara County
Biographies
SPENCER MORROW MAZE
As one whose career is worthy of note, and who furnishes a splendid example of what may be termed a self-made man, Spencer Morrow Maze is deserving of special mention, having been the architect of his own fortunes to a considerable extent and having proved worthy of every trust reposed in him. A man respected by all who know him, Mr. Maze has followed diversified occupations in his useful life, but is now practically retired and has his residence in Gilroy, Santa Clara county, Cal. A Kentuckian by birth, he was born July 16, 1830, in Henry county of that state.
Both also natives of Kentucky, the parents of Spencer Morrow were John and Sarah (Morrow) Maze, the former born January 16, 1788, and the latter, July 17, 1792. The ceremony which united these two in marriage took place November 29, 1808, and they were blessed with the following children: Enoch, deceased; Elizabeth, Polly, Patsy, Sarah, Chesley, Eliza, Spencer M., and Pleasant, who died when quite young. In 1834 this worthy couple moved to Illinois, locating in Macoupin county, where the father took up government land in large sections an continued his occupation of farming. After having located in Illinois, John Maze, the father, returned to Kentucky to settle up his affairs and while there he died September 6, 1835. His widow remained on the farm in Illinois for eight years, and died May 24, 1843, when Spencer Morrow was but thirteen years of age.
Left an orphan thus early in life, Mr. Maze first took up his residence in the vicinity of the old home with his brother, Enoch, who soon afterward went to Carlton, young Spencer M. continuing to live with him until death claimed one more victim in Enoch, who died when Spencer was but fifteen. Immediately becoming apprenticed to learn the wagon-marker’s trade, the latter applied himself diligently there for three years, at the end of which time he had thoroughly mastered the details of that business. In March, 1849, he set out across the plains behind mule teams without relatives in the party with which he traveled, but being in company with Colonel Fry and Mr. Sheron, who afterward built the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Upon arriving in Sacramento, August 3, 1849, he at once accompanied Colonel Fry to the gold mines, and settled in the American river valley, spending his first winter at Georgetown. March 4, 1850, young Maze went to Eldorado, but this proved to be a fruitless undertaking and he returned to the American river valley July 3 and by the fall of that year he had given up work in the mines altogether.
Going into Santa Clara county, Mr. Maze first located in the vicinity of Alviso, where he remained eighteen months, being engaged in farming; going next to Saratoga, he took up his trade of wagon-maker and blacksmith and for five years was thus successfully engaged. He came to Gilroy precinct for the first time in August, 1856, and after four years’ residence there, purchased a farm, which he operated as dairy farm for almost thirty years. Upon his retirement in 1886, Mr. Maze moved to Gilroy where he has lived ever since, a man well esteemed and a worthy citizen. While still in Saratoga, he took for his companion in life Miss Amanda Gruell, a native of Iowa, where she was born in January, 1837, and a daughter of Labon Gruell, who crossed the plains in 1852. The marriage ceremony was performed in May, 1855, and their union has been prolific of five children, Edward, who manages the home farm; Ellah, deceased; two children who died in infancy; and Frances Spencer, who is still at home. Mr. Maze is a Republican in politics and is a patriotic man, as is shown by the fact that from 1861 to 1865 he served as a member of the Home Guards, as a private.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1361.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.