Santa Clara County
Biographies
MRS. CORA S. VALE
MRS. CORA S. VALE. Prominent among the women of Santa
Clara county who have proven themselves substantial factors in the upbuilding
forces of the community as well as giving to the social status that culture
which already distinguishes California society, is to be named Mrs. Cora S.
Vale, since 1873 a resident of San Jose. A native of Corunna, Mich., she was
the daughter of J. L. E. Kelly, who was born in New York state
and came to the west with his father, Charles Kelly, who became a pioneer
farmer near Long Lake, Genesee county. Mr. Kelly grew to manhood in his
adopted state and entered upon a mercantile life in Corunna, where he made his
home for many years. Later he removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., and continued as
a merchant until locating in Owosso, where he followed the same occupation. In
1873 he decided to come to California and on his arrival located in San Jose,
where he became interested in mining. He still makes this city his home at the
age of seventy years. In 1896 he was appointed assistant postmaster under
John W. Ryland, serving until 1900. He is a member of the
Congregational Church, and in his political convictions adheres to the
principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party.
His wife, who is also living, was formerly Janet Barnes, also a native of New
York, and the daughter of Dr. J. B. Barnes, a practicing
physician in Owosso for about fifty years. He was very prominent in his eastern
home and also became became (sic) prominent
and influential in San Jose, where he eventually made his home, and where his
death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were born four children:
Lizzie, who married Walter M. Howe, of Chicago; Cora S., the
subject of this review; May, who married William Tyndale, of Geneva, Ill.;
and Charles B., a newspaper man of Eureka, Cal.
Cora S. Kelly was reared in San Jose and received her
education in the common and high schools of the city, being a graduate of the
latter. She grew to a cultured and refined womanhood, and in 1881, in San Jose,
was united in marriage with R. E. Aylesworth,
a business man from Illinois, who died in Pacific Grove in 1888. In 1892, in
her home city, she became the wife of William Vale, a native of Illinois.
Mr. Vale was formerly a prominent liveryman of Chicago, where he was very
successful. Deciding to locate in the west he sold out and came to California,
investing in real estate in Santa Clara county. His
death occurred July 25, 1896, and he was interred in Oakhill Cemetery
with Masonic honors, he being a Knight Templar Mason. He was also a prominent
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he was a member of
the Episcopal Church, and politically was a Republican, but was not active in politics.
A man of integrity, strong and forceful manhood, Mr. Vale was appreciated
by all who came to know him in his western life.
By her first marriage Mrs. Vale has one daughter, Edna Aylesworth, who is a student of music at the University of
the Pacific. Mrs. Vale herself is a singer of more
than local note and is widely sought for among the churches of the city, for a
love of music coincides with her splendid talent, and in musical circles she is
well known. She is a member of the Eastern Star and also the Rebekahs, in the latter organization being past noble
grand. She is a woman suffragist and also believes in a woman giving to the
city of her residence all the progressive ideas and business enterprises of
which she is capable, living up to her convictions in a way which has added
much to the material welfare of San Jose. In 1903 she erected several handsome
flats which are a distinct credit to the city, and is otherwise interested in
real estate operations. She is also a stockholder in the Farmers’ Union.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 11 November 2015.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
867-868. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Marie
Hassard.