Santa Clara County
Biographies
ALBERT WILLSON
In the death of Albert Willson, which occurred September 15, 1904, Santa Clara county lost one of her early pioneers. For nearly half a century he had made his home on a farm about nine miles south of Gilroy, where he engaged in general farming and dairying. Inheriting in a marked degree the habits of industry, frugality and thrift characteristic of his New England ancestors, he lent material aid in developing the agricultural interests of this part of the state, and by wisely directed toil cleared and improved a fine homestead. A son of Charles Willson, he was born March 10, 1829, in Keene, Cheshire county, N. H. His father, a lifelong resident of the Granite state, followed the trade of brick mason until his death in 1846, when about fifty years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Lavina Collins, was born in Marlboro, N. H. In 1853 she came with her son, Horace Willson, to California, locating in Gilroy, where she spent the remainder of her life, dying at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
The fifth child and youngest son of a family consisting of five sons and two daughters, Albert Willson acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools, completing his studies in the academy in West Brattleboro, Vt. Subsequently, in Randolph, Mass., he learned the brick mason’s trade with his brother, Hiram, with whom he lived three years. After following his trade in that locality for six years, Mr. Willson started by way of the Isthmus of Panama for California, sailing from New York January 9, 1852, and arriving in San Francisco February 15, having walked across the Isthmus. He was accompanied by five companions on this eventful journey, and of these he is the sole survivor. The first month after coming to the coast Mr. Willson worked on the canal at Robinson Ferry, after which he lived for four years at Shaw’s Flat. March 13, 1856, the day after his marriage, he came with his bride to Santa Clara county, locating on the Soap ranch, now known as the San Felipe district. The following year he moved to an adjoining ranch, renting the homestead property, upon which he made his home at the time of his death. Laboring with that earnestness of purpose and persistency that is bound to win success, he accumulated money, and in 1867 purchased the land on which he had been living, becoming the owner of five hundred acres of land. He later bought adjoining land, and in all owned a valuable farm of six hundred and seventeen acres, which in its improvements and appointments was among the best in this section of the county. In 1888 Mr. Willson bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fresno county, near Del Rey, and was there engaged in raising alfalfa, fruit and grapes until 1903, when he returned to the old homestead, located on the Pacheco Pass road, nine miles from Gilroy, as above stated. He made a specialty of dairying, keeping about one hundred head of cattle, and having a fine cheese factory in which he manufactured full cream cheese.
At Shaw’s Flat, March 12, 1856, Mr. Willson married Eliza Jane Hildebrandt, who was born in Mount Auburn, Shelby county, Ind. Her father, A. W. Hildebrandt, a native of Ohio, moved first to Indiana, from there going with his family to Iowa. Crossing the plains to California in 1853, he located at Shaw’s Flat as a miner. From there he went to Soap ranch, where he embarked in farming and stock-raising, and was afterward similarly employed in the Pajaro valley. He subsequently removed to Gilroy, where he lived retired from active pursuits until his death, in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Willson became the parents of three children, namely: Carlow R., who superintends his farming interests; Frederick Warren, a farmer living near the old homestead; and Charles S. Politically Mr. Willson was a loyal adherent of the Republican party and for many years rendered excellent service as school director. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Willson made a trip to New England, visiting friends and relatives in New Hampshire and other states. In 1900 Mr. Willson made a trip along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, again visiting his old home in New England, being away from home six months and having a most enjoyable time.
Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1281-1282. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.