Santa Clara County
Biographies
HENRY UPHOFF
Many of the most intelligent, prosperous and thrifty residents of the Santa Clara valley are of alien birth, among the number of these worthy of especial notice being Henry Uphoff, of San Jose. Industrious, practical, and a man of excellent judgment and ability, he is successfully employed in gardening, raising the finest vegetables and garden produce to be found in this section of the state. A native of Germany, he was born May 14, 1870, in Hanover, which was also the birthplace of his father, the late Herman Uphoff.
Learning the trade of an architect and builder in the Fatherland, Herman Uphoff followed his chosen occupation in his native country until 1893. Coming then to America, he bought land near St. Cloud, Minn., and was there employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1902. He married Elizabeth Krane, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and now resides in Minnesota. She bore him seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, two of the sons, Frederick, a farmer, and Henry, the subject of this sketch, being residents of San Jose, Cal.
Born in Hanover, Germany, near Osnabruck, Henry Uphoff attended the common schools until about fourteen years old, and then began to learn the bricklayer's trade, working with his father. In 1885 he began the struggle of life for himself. Ambitious and venturesome, he crossed the ocean to the United States, and found his first employment on a farm in St. Cloud, Minn. He was subsequently clerk in a mercantile house for a short time. Migrating to the Pacific coast in 1893, he was employed in gardening in Santa Rosa for three years. Locating in San Jose in 1896, Mr. Uphoff continued his work as a gardener, having a tract of land at the corner of Sixteenth and Empire streets. In 1897, requiring more land and better facilities for carrying on his business, he purchased five acres of land, lying between McLaughlin and Coyote streets, near McKee street, and continued his operations. Irrigating and improving his land, Mr. Uphoff utilizes every foot of it, raising vegetables the year round, so rotating his crops that he keeps the local markets supplied with all the vegetables of the season. He has erected a fine residence, and holds an assured position among the respected and valued members of the community.
In San Jose, Mr. Uphoff married Mary Gerhart, who was born in this city, a daughter of Peter Gerhart, formerly a blacksmith here, but now living retired from active pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Uphoff are the parents of four children, namely: Frank, Joseph, Leo and Mary. Mr. Uphoff belongs to the order of Bonifacius and is a member of St. Mary's Church.
Transcribed
5-4-16 Marilyn R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1159-1160. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R.
Pankey.