Historical California Stone Carvers, Stone Cutters, & Monument Dealers

• 1887 - Accounts of the Death of Frederick Field leading up to his death on November 17, 1887.

  • San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California, Thursday, November 10, 1887.

    “F. Fields’ Condition

    “Symptoms have a slight tendency for the worse.

    The condition of Frederick Field yesterday exhibited no part change except in the afternoon when he was slightly worse. During the evening Drs. Breyfogle, Pierce and Keith visited him, and at their departure, about 8 o’clock, he was resting quietly. As the night wore on he became more restless and about 1:45 this morning was very restless and delirious, but the symptoms were not considered necessarily unfavorable.”

  • San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California, Friday, November 11, 1887.

    “F. Fields’ Condition

    “At 1:30 o’clock this morning F. Field’s condition has not materially changed. He was still unconscious, but was resting quietly. Drs. Pierce and Keith were in almost constant attendance yesterday, and Dr. Breyfogle called last evening.

  • San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California, Saturday, November 12, 1887.

    “At 1:30 o’clock this morning Mr. Field’s condition was considered more hopeful than heretofore. He has been lying in a stupor since Thursday noon until yesterday afternoon, when he appeared, at several times. to have approached a certain degree of consciousness. The attending physician thought that if he should experience no reaction before morning, they would have fair hopes of his recovery.

• November 18, 1887 - The following article is from the San Jose Herald, November 18, 1887.

  Frederick Field.

  A Prominent San Josean Passes Away. His Death Thursday.

  A Citizen Whose Loss Will be Generally Deplored - A Brief Sketch of His Life.

  “Frederick Field, an old and esteemed resident of San Jose, died at his home in Clinton Place, off Stockton avenue, at 8:30 o’clock Thursday.

  “Mr. Field’s death was the result of an accident which occurred to him on the 8th inst., an account of which appeared in the Herald of that date. That morning Mr. Field went to the broad-gauge depot for the purpose of taking the train for San Francisco, in order to be present at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the State Board of Trade, of which committee he was a prominent member. The train was moving out from the station as he attempted to get aboard. He sprang upon the step, but as he attempted to reach the platform his foot slipped and he fell backward to the hard asphaltum pavement, striking upon the back of his head. He was conveyed to his home, and an examination by his physicians, Drs. Breyfogle and Pierce, developed the startling fact that the skull had been fractured. It seemed hardly possible that he could recover from the wound of so serious a character, yet hope of his recovery was entertained up to Tuesday.

  “Shortly after the accident Dr. Keith was called, and the three physicians were constant in their attentions. If the best of medical attention and the most faithful of nursing could have saved him, Mr. Field would have been now on the way to recovery; but his injury was of a fatal nature, and medical skill and family affection could serve only to lessen his sufferings and make as comfortable as possible his few remaining days.

  “Mr. Field was unconscious the greater portion of the time, but at intervals he aroused to semi-consciousness. He lingered for several days in about the same condition as when injured, but subsequently began to slightly brighten. Hope was revived, but only for a short space. Tuesday his symptoms became alarming, and yesterday the certainty of approaching dissolution was mournfully apparent. This morning he passed away.

  “Frederick Field was born in the town of Dorset, Bennington county, Vermont, and at the time of his death was 66 years of age. When quite young he went to Chicago and from there to Niles, Michigan. There he went into the marble business, which he carried on for several years. He finally sold out his business in that town and returned to Dorset, the town of his birth. Here he established wholesale marble and granite works and also operated a quarry in connection with that business, a cousin and brother being in partnership with him. He resided in Dorset for a period of twenty years, during which time he conducted a successful business. While living there he married the daughter of Judge Bacon of Niles, Michigan, a lady of education and talent, who lives to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband.

  “Fourteen years ago Mr. Field removed to California. After sojourning for a few weeks in San Francisco he decided to make San Jose his home. He came here and bought a third interest in his present marble works on Second street, between Santa Clara and St. John. Mr. Kendall, who had worked with him in Vermont, subsequently bought an interest in the business, but finally Mr. Field purchased the entire business. Mr. Kalfus became his partner a few months ago.

  “Mr. Field was one of the best known and most public-spirited citizens of San Jose. Quiet and unostentatious in manner, he possessed a vigorous nature and a business capacity that at all times were manifest in his own affairs and in every enterprise of a public nature with which he was connected.

  “In family, social, religious and business circles he was always the same quiet, kindly gentleman, benevolent by nature, and active in every work that tended to promote the welfare of the community in which he lived and of humanity at large. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, to which body his advice, labor and purse have been a very material help. As a member of the San Jose Board of Trade, and of the Executive Committee of the State Board, his exertions have been highly beneficial, both to San Jose and the state.

  “His death is a public loss. He leaves a widow, whose name is well known in literary circles and intimately associated with the organizations in California which are so successfully working for great educational and moral reforms; also one daughter and three sons, one of whom is at present a student in a Michigan college.

  “The funeral will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon from the First Presbyterian Church, on Second street, near St. John.”

• November 25, 1887 - The following article describing Frederick Field’s Funeral is from the San Jose Weekly Herald, November 25, 1887.

  The Last Offices. The Impressive Funeral of Frederick Field. The Floral Decorations.

  An Outline of the Rev. Mr. Minton’s Eloquent and Touching Address - At the Grave.

  “The Presbyterian Church early began to fill yesterday afternoon with the friends and acquaintances of the late Frederick Field, who were in attendance to participate in the services at the church in honor of his memory. The Board of Trade had announced its intention of attending in a body, and several members of the Executive Committee of the State Board, of which Mr. Field was a member, were present. The San Jose Women’s Christian Temperance Union also resolved to attend.

  “The fore part of the church had been very tastefully decorated with the floral offerings of friends and members of the Presbyterian Church. The front of the altar was draped with sprays of smilax and ivy, while relieving the dark coloring were baskets profuse with snowy flowers and prepared floral pieces of rare exotics. The pulpit railing was wound with smilax, while on the sides were stands bearing large bouquets on baskets of roses and chrysanthemums. Ivy and smilax clung to every projecting part of the large pipe organ, while the forward part of the gallery railing was banked with roses and chrysanthemums intertwined with green leaves and vines. Some of the individual offerings were very appropriate and beautiful. An anchor and cross with an encircling wreath, the whole of Marechal Neil roses and maiden’s hair ferns, bore the draped card of the San Jose W.C.T.U. An elegant basket of rare rosebuds, chrysanthemums and smilax was from the Alexander Duff Missionary Society of the church. A lyre from Prof. Pomeroy was to the left of the pulpit. An anchor and heart of heliotrope bore the card of Misses Jennie Kent and Mary Mabury, former Sunday School pupils. Other beautiful offerings were: A bouquet by Mrs. Everett Pomeroy; a bouquet by Mrs. Calhoun; a cross and anchor, Mrs. Loryea; bouquet, Mrs. D. R. Wagner.

  “At 2:15 o’clock the cortege arrived, the casket being borne by pass-bearers Messrs. Dr. C. W. Breyfogle, D. G. Kent, Judge Reynolds, N. Cadwallader, D. B. Moody, A. S. Evans, F. H. Babb and Mr. Oliver. As the pall-bearers entered the Church bearing the casket and preceded by Mr. Field’s pastor during life, Rev. H. C. Minton, and followed by the relatives, a quiet as of the peaceful memory of the deceased reigned over the assemblage which was fitly accompanied by the opening hymn, ‘Jesus, Lover of My Soul.’ The services were conducted according to the ritual of the Presbyterian Church, the appropriate texts of which referred to the immortal nature of life. Miss Carrie Foster McLellan sang Mrs. Browning’s beautiful versus, ‘He giveth His Beloved Sleep,’ the soft cadences of which were followed by a few remarks by the Rev. Minton. The tenor of his remarks was such as could not but find echo in the minds of all present. He referred to the shadow of mourning which brooded over the day, a melancholy one, for California has lost a faithful citizen; the community an able resident; the Church a consistant (sic) and genuine Christian man; the home, a kind and sympathetic father. No eulogy was necessary for such a life for the plainest truth is the highest eulogy while the quick verdict of all who knew the humility of his Christian life is that the city mourns a public loss. God’s best gift is a good man but it takes a lifes time to develop such a strong, well-formed character. As experience is the mother of wisdom so it takes the conflicts of a long life to deepen and strengthen the tissues of a virtuous man. Men develop; time is an equal factor with growth; many seasons are needed to strengthen the braces of our moral nature. Therefore in this age of shams, genuine manhood commands the premium. A man who has lived sixty-seven years in this unparalleled country and century of money-making ambition and is loved more and more to the last is the man we adore. The best way to convince men you are good is to be good. Blessed is the man whom God has endowed with a generous nature and a noble soul but thrice blessed is he who has gone forward day after day doing his simple duty and commanding the respect and admiration of his fellow men. There are times when the word Christian is best not spoken or with muffled tones and bated breath but there are other times, as the present, when the highest accents should be told what it signifies and what it dignifies. Do men call him good? Such faith linked with such truth is a living argument which silences the voice of skepticism. Talk about the logic of infidelity, such a life outweighs it and destroys the fond images of the skeptic’s dream. This genial fraternal spirit, the sharer of our joys, the bearer of our griefs, as a character is of more value than the bloated capitalist, stuffed with government bonds or millions of filthy coin. He was the man to love; ever faithful and gentle; even his faults leaned toward virtue’s side. The speaker said it was a common loss, for all hearts are sad to-day for we mourn with a common sympathy. Another link has been forged that binds us to the unseen shore; another tie is made that draws us to Jesus Christ. It is fitting, he said, that these words should be spoken here where his voice had been often heard in prayer; where he had sang in praise of the land he loved and partaken of the tokens of Christ’s dying love. He has merely gone before, closed his eyes to open them in another world. God grant that through our tears we may perceive the blessing of the hour and understand the blessed legacy of a life which stimulates those left behind to follow in the footsteps of the Lord as he did.

  “Mr. Minton’s remarks were very appropriate and such as to heal the sting of a wounded heart with the salve of contentment. He referred truthfully to Mr. Field’s public spirited character for he had been an energetic worker for all that would be of general benefit.

  “At the services at church, the solemn cortege of over one hundred carriages formed and followed the remains to the cemetery where they were deposited in their last resting place according to the ritual of the church.”

• November 1887 - The following article Relating to the Board of Trade’s Resolutions on the death of Frederick Field is from the San Jose Weekly Herald :

  Board of Trade.

  Adoption of Resolutions of Respect. To The Memory of Mr. Field.

  The Managers of the National Veterans’ Home Will be Invited to Visit San Jose.

  “A meeting of the Directors of the San Jose Board of Trade was held last Tuesday. Present, President Moody, Secretary Lewis and Directors James, Potts, Friant and Etchebarne.

  “The following report was submitted and unanimously adopted:

  “To the Board of Directors of the San Jose Board of Trade: Gentlemen: Your committee appointed to draft proper resolutions on the death of Mr. Frederick Field have met, and after consideration, they present the following preamble and resolutions. Respectfully,

  “C. W. Breyfogle, D. B. Moody, S. A. Barker, J. H. Barbour, Ant. Friant, G. W. James.

  “Whereas, This community has experienced one of those sudden dispensations of Providence, which seems so unaccountable, and which has now caused, the loss of our esteemed fellow-citizen, Frederick Field; and

  “Whereas, Mr. Field, as a member of this Board of Trade, and of its Directors, was inspired with his accustomed earnestness in every cause calculated to promote the interests of San Jose, thereby rendering him one of our most valuable and efficient workers and one whose place is hard to fill; therefore.

  “Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Field the San Jose Board of Trade has lost one of its most earnest, zealous and efficient members; our city one of its best citizens, and one who will be long remembered for his many noble traits of character.

  “Resolved, That in tendering our sympathies to his bereaved family we comfort them by recalling his kindness of heart, his genial temperament, his earnestness in every good word and work, his constant affection as a husband and parent, his simple and steadfast Christian faith, and his long and useful life amongst us, which abounded in warm friendships, with that rare supplement of leaving not a single unkind feeling against him.

  “Resolved, that it is the feeling of this Board of Trade that Frederick Field was pre-eminently that noblest work of God, ‘an honest man.’

  “Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolutions be engrossed and presented to the family of the deceased and also be spread upon the minutes of this Board in a memorial page....”

• November 1887 (?) - Probate of Frederick Field’s Will (The source and date for the article below is not known.)

  Probate of Will. - The Estate and Heirs of the Late Frederick Field.

  “The will of the late Frederick Field has been filed for probate with the County Clerk. It is dated March 10, 1879, and is witnessed by Gouveneur M. Bruce and Starr M. Bruce. The testator bequeaths to his wife, Mary H. Field, all of his estate, both real, personal and mixed and wheresoever situated. He does not devise anything to his children, for the stated reason that he deems it to their best interest to leave them to the care of their mother, whom he herewith nominates and appoints as their guardian. He also nominates her as the sole executrix without any requirements as to bonds and empowers her to sell and dispose of any and all of his estate without any order of the court.

  “Accompanying the will is a petition by Mrs. M. H. Field for the probating of the same and the issuance to her of letters testamentary. The heirs are Mabel I., Arthur G., Wilfred B. and Herbert C. Field. The estate consists of the following properties: Lot on north-west corner of Sainsevain and Northrup streets, $3,000; one hundred feet frontage on Sunol street, $1,000; one-fourth interest in lot on southeast corner of Sunol and South streets, $1,000; lot on University grounds, $800; 100 feet front on lot 4, block 18, University tract, $1,000; lot 10, block 22, in East San Jose Homestead tract, $300; one-half interest in Excelsior Marble Works, $4,000; horse and buggy, $150; gold watch, $50. Total, $11,300.

• November 21, 1887 - Frederick Field’s Will, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California.

  “I, Frederick Field, of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California, considering the uncertainty of life and being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in manner following that is to say;

  First: I hereby declare that I am married, and that I now reside with my wife Mary H. Field and that I we have four children named respectively, Mabel J. Field, Arthur G. Field, Wilfred B. Field and Hubert C. Field.

  Second: I hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said wife Mary H. Field all my estate both real and personal and mixed and wheresoever situated of which I may die seized or possessed into which I may be entitled at the time of my decease.

  Third: I do not bequeath anything to my said daughter Mabel J. Field or to Arthur G. Field, Wilfred B. Field or Hubert C. Field for the reason that I deem it of their best interest to leave them to the care of their mother Mary H. Field, whom I hereby nominate and appoint their guardian.

  Fourth: I hereby nominate and appoint my said wife Mary H. Field, sole executor of this my last will and testament, and it is my will that no bond shall be required of her for the faithful execution of the duties of this trust.

  Fifth: I hereby give and grant unto my said executor full power and authority to see and dispose of any or all of my said estate without any order or authority of or from any court or courts whatever.

  Lastly, I hereby revoke any and all former wills by me made.

  In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal this 10 th day of March 1879.

  Frederick Field (seal)

  The foregoing written instrument consisting of one written page besides this one was subscribed by the said Frederick Field in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time publishes and declares the same so subscribed to be his last will and testament and we as the said testators request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses therefore.

  G___(?) M. Bruce, residing at San Jose, Santa Clara Co.

  Starr M. Bruce, residing at San Jose, Santa Clara Co.

  (Endorsed)

  Filed Nov. 21, 87, C. F. Singletary, Clerk, by W. B. Rucker, Dept.

  In the Superior Court of the County of Santa Clara, State of California

  In the matter of the Estate of Frederick Field, Deceased. State of California, County of Santa Clara - Certificate of Proof of will and the Facts Found.

  “ I. Frs. E. Spencer, Superior Judge of said Santa Clara County, do hereby certify:

  “That on the 2 nd day of December A.D. 1887, the annexed instrument was admitted to Probate as the last Will and Testament of Frederick Field, deceased, and from the proofs taken and the examinations had therein, the said Court finds as follows:

  “That said Frederick Field died on or about the 17 th day of November A.D. 1887, in the County of Santa Clara, State of California, at the time of his death he was a resident of County of Santa Clara, State of California, that the said annexed Will was duly executed by the said decedent in his life time, in the County of Santa Clara, State of California and signed by testator in the presence of G___ M. Bruce and Starr M. Bruce, the subscribing witnesses thereto, also that he acknowledged the execution of the same in their presence, and declared the same to be his last Will and Testament, and the said witnesses attested the same at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other; that the said decedent, at the time of executing said will, was of the age of eighteen years and upwards, was of sound and disposing mind, and not acting under duress, (?), fraud, undue influence or misrepresentation, nor in any respect incompetent to devise and bequeath his estate.

  In witness whereof, I have signed this certificate and caused the same to be attested by the Clerk of said Court, under the seal thereof, this 2 nd day of December A.D. 1887.

  Attest: Frs. E. Spencer, Superior Judge; C. F. Singletary, Clerk; By H. E. Wilcox, Deputy Clerk.

  (Endorsed) Filed Dec. 2, A.D. 1887 - C. F. Singletary, County Clerk, By H. E. Wilcox, Deputy Clerk.

  (Will Roll Endorsed) Filed Dec. 2 nd 1887 - C. F. Singletary, Clerk, by H. E. Wilcox, Deputy Clerk.

• December 1887 - Frederick Field’s Obituary in a Vermont Newspaper (The following article is from the Manchester Journal, in the “Local Intelligence” section, Thursday, December 8, 1887. The article is a part of Excerpts From Dorset Families; Genealogical Records and Notes, by The Rev. Parsons S. Pratt (1822-1906), With Occasional Additions by His Granddaughter, Miss Ann E. Gilbert (1881-1970), - (unpublished manuscript), The Dorset Historical Society, P. O. Box 52, Dorset, Vermont 05251. (This quotation is used with permission.)

  Dorset.

  “We have received San Jose, Cal., papers containing lengthy notices of the life and funeral services of the late Frederick Field which show that he was held in very high esteem in his adopted home. The Board of Trade and the W.C.T.U. of the city attended the funeral as organizations, and over one hundred carriages accompanied the body to the cemetery. We cannot refrain from copying a short extract from the notice in the San Jose Mercury:

  “‘As he always took a decided step against chicanery and wrong doing, he died without a known enemy in the world. He was averse to office-holding and gently but firmly refused to be called away from his business by the proffer of political honors. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and also one of its elders, and always labored for the good of the cause of Christianity, temperance and the community in general. Always public spirited, he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens and was made prominent in the ranks of energy and enterprise, being at one time a leading member of the ‘Society for the Promotion of Manufactures,’ and he was at the time of his death a prominent member of the city and State Boards of Trade. His character was that of a man of wonderful activity, enterprise and perseverance, too generous to accumulate wealth and possessing a spirit of unselfishness that won for him a legion of friends. He had singular sweetness and serenity of temper and his devout unselfishness marked him as having - ‘A heart at leisure from itself.’

  “Mr. Field leaves a wife and four children, Mabel, Wilfred, Hubert and Arthur. Wilfred is attending school in Michigan and Arthur is a member of the real estate firm of Wright & Field. Mr. Field was not a member of any secret fraternal or beneficiary society but was insured in several companies to the amount of $4,000.’”

  “We are also glad to publish the following letter:

  “‘San Francisco, Cal., November, 1887.

  “‘Mr. Editor:

  “‘Many of your readers have learned before this of the sad death by accident of Mr. Frederick Field, for so many years a resident of Dorset, in which township he was born, now some sixty-seven years ago. On the 19th inst., I attended his funeral in the pretty town of San Jose, his California home. As I entered the church a glance was sufficient to show that the respect and affection won by him in the little New England State had followed him to this Western shore. Behind the pulpit and on either side of it was one mass of fresh white flowers set in green leaves, while against the altar rail leaned a sheaf of ripe wheat, pure gold - an emblem fitting as beautiful. Though the flowers gave their lovely color and sweet breath, a silent tribute of respect and affection, stronger testimony than theirs was that of the large concourse of mourners that crowded the house. As my mind went back over the past and again became fixed on the scene about me, this thought came: among all the encomiums called forth by the life of Ralph Waldo Emerson, perhaps the highest was addressed, not to the poet, not to the scholar and philosopher, but to the man - ‘A power tender and paternal has passed from the earth.’ In other words, the thing that men reverence most, remember first and last, is a right heart. Such a heart was Mr. Field’s; and while it reached out to the great brotherhood of men, it is natural for Vermonters to remember that it was especially warm toward the sons of his native State. Of that many that sought his aid here, not one left him without such aid as he could give; and he was never weary of rehearsing the delight that he derived from his last visit to the old soil. This far-away state numbers many New Englanders, many Vermonters, on its roll of honor, but rarely may one chance on a name so free from damaging criticism. The man was active, public spirited, progressive, still proof against stain. During my boyhood days in Dorset, the name Field was often heard in connection with the advancement of that quiet little town, or coupled with business enterprises that reached far beyond its narrow limits. Within the past year the brothers Charles and Frederick have been called to other scenes, leaving most estimable widows to mourn their loss, and unusually thoughtful sons and daughters to carry out life’s work on the lines laid down by them.

  “‘I took up my pen to write but a word - a word of deserved tribute to the departed a word of sympathy to those left behind. I may be pardoned for special mention of Mrs. Mary H. Field, impelled by my sincere regard for her as a wife and mother, as a woman and as one of the gifted singers of this western land, knowing, however, that what I have left unsaid, more than what I say, will find an appreciative response to the hearts of her many friends.

  “‘John Vance Cheney.’”

[Top of Page]

---

Commercial use of material within this site is strictly prohibited. It is not to be captured, reworked, and placed inside another web site ©. All rights reserved. Peggy B. and George (Pat) Perazzo.