Santa Clara County
Biographies
HENRY J. REGO
Among the many residents of San Jose worthy of special mention is Henry J. Rego, master mechanic in the shops of the San Jose & Los Gatos Railroad Company. An expert machinist, skilled in his craft, he is performing the duties of his responsible position most ably and conscientiously, winning the approval of his employers, and the confidence and esteem of his associates. A son of Anthony Rego, he was born in 1856, near New Albany, Ind., of pure French ancestry. His grandfather, John Rego, emigrated from France, his native country, to the United States, settling in Indiana, where he followed farming until death. His surname, which was originally Rigot, he changed to Rego after coming to this country, spelling it according to its pronunciation.
Born in France, Anthony Rego came to America when a boy, and while living in Indiana learned the trade of a stone mason. Subsequently removing with his family to Missouri he followed his trade there until after the breaking out of the Civil war. He then enlisted in a Missouri regiment, and died of sickness contracted while in the army soon after being mustered out of service. He married Mary Freidley, who was born of German ancestry in Kentucky, and is now living in Denver, Colo. Her father Jacob Freidley, was born in Pennsylvania, served in the war of 1812, and afterward removed to Missouri, where he spent his closing years. She bore her husband four children, all of whom as living, Henry J. being the only one on the Pacific coast.
Spending his boyhood days in Harrison county, Mo., whither his parents moved in 1857, Henry J. Rego was reared on a farm and obtained his early education in the district school. Going with his mother to Colorado in 1871, he worked on a cattle range for four years. At the age of eighteen years he entered a shop in Denver, and there served an apprenticeship of three years at the machinist’s trade. The following eight years Mr. Rego was engaged in prospecting and mining in different parts of Colorado. Giving up mining, he then entered the employ of the Denver Tramway Company, becoming foreman of their shops. Resigning that position in June, 1903, Mr. Rego came to California in search of a favorable location, and in September of that year located in San Jose. On the completion of the San Jose & Los Gatos railroad he assumed his present position as first master mechanic of its shops, and has since been numbered with the more industrious and enterprising residents of the city.
While living in Missouri, Mr. Rego married Jane Miller, who was born in Indiana, and died in Colorado, leaving four children, namely: Richard, connected with the United States Navy as an apprentice on the Columbia; Maude, Harry, and Gertrude.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 507-508. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.