Santa
Clara County
Biographies
HON. ISAIAH ALONZO WILCOX
Numbered among the pioneers of Santa Clara county, for years before his death, Mr. Wilcox was one of the contributors to the development of its fruit interests and also a participant in its public affairs. He was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., September 16, 1822, and his parents, Asa and Clarissa (Nichols) Wilcox, were native of the same county, where his father not only superintended his farm but also conducted a store and had other business interests. By attendance upon local schools he received a fair education and at twenty years of age began to teach school, later being twice elected to the office of superintendent of schools. At the age of twenty-four years he began to study law, his instructors being Judge Loomis, and Messrs, Graham and Field. From an early age it had been his ambition to become a lawyer and all of his studies were directed with that end in view. Unfortunately, too close application to his work impaired his health and he was forced to seek an outdoor life. For this reason he took up various occupations, among which was cod-fishing on the banks of Newfoundland in 1849. In spite of every effort he failed to regain his strength, and therefore decided to seek the more genial climate of the Pacific coast.
Coming via the Isthmus of Panama, Mr. Wilcox landed at San Francisco in 1852. Though his tastes were not in the direction of mining, he tried his luck at the occupation, rather with a hope of gaining health than with any thought of finding gold. Among the districts that he aided in working were Little York, Wauloupe and Red Dog. After a year, with health unimproved, he returned to San Francisco, and thence went to the new town of Alameda, where he worked as foreman for Chipman & Aughenbough, founders of that town, and assisted in making the first survey of town lots in the place. He also spent some time in the redwoods, north of Oakland. In partnership with Henderson Luelling, who brought the first fruit trees to this western coast, he purchased five hundred acres of land, now known as Fruitvale, but the title of this property became involved in litigation and was not developed as planned. On leaving Alameda in 1856 he settled in San Francisco where he and E. J. Loomis opened a commission and produce house.
During the Fraser river mining excitement of 1858 Mr. Wilcox established stores in Victoria, Vancouver's Island, but the collapse of the mines forced him to abandon the enterprise. His next venture was the fruit business in Alameda county, and from there in 1867 he came to Santa Clara county, settling on Olive avenue, three miles northwest of Santa Clara, where he planted and cultivated about sixty acres of fruits. In his orchard of six thousand trees the specialties were Bartlett pears and French prunes. Between the trees onions and strawberries were cultivated, the latter proving quite a profitable industry. About six acres were in alfalfa, of which six crops were taken from the land each year.
In 1859 Mr. Wilcox married Mary Frances Abbott, daughter of Stephen Abbott, who was a pioneer of California. Mrs. Wilcox was born in Wilton, N.H., and died in Santa Clara county, Cal., May 13, 1891, at the age of fifty-three years. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter, namely: Frank Asa, of Santa Clara; Harry W., Walter I., Emily A., and Irving A. Owing to the prominence of Mr. Wilcox in the fruit industry, he was selected by the California State Horticultural Society as its representative at the Industrial Exposition in New Orleans, where he accomplished much to arouse an interest in California, its soil, climate and products. The results of his efforts were apparent in the large number of desirable settlers who soon afterward located in this state. While attending the exposition he assisted in organizing the American Horticultural Society. He was one of the founders of the Horticultural Hall Association of San Jose and became a member of its first board of directors.
The progressive citizenship of Mr. Wilcox was apparent in his devotion to the progress of his county, and through his service in the state legislature, in 1886-88 he was enabled to promote the interests of his constituents. In politics he always voted the Republican ticket. Many local enterprises received the impetus of his encouragement and aid. He was one of the first directors in the Bank of Santa Clara county and assisted in founding the Grangers' Bank of California. As a stockholder he was connected with the Farmers' Union store in San Jose and the Santa Clara cheese factory, the latter of which he assisted in starting. In fraternal relations he was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Santa Clara Lodge No. 52. On the organization of the Santa Clara Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, he became a charter member, and afterward was twice elected to represent this body in the State Grange. Later he helped to reorganize the San Jose Grange, of which he was chosen the first worthy master. After a busy and useful career, crowned by prosperity and blessed by many warm friendships he entered into rest April 1, 1897, mourned by the pioneers who had labored by his side in the early days of Santa Clara county and followed to his grave by innumerable tokens of respect on the part of his former associates and companions.
Transcribed
8-31-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 754-757. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.